DOCSLIB.ORG

From Mandela's Prison Songs and Dances to Public Policy

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
From Mandela's Prison Songs and Dances to Public Policy 55 SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE Music and Dance Make Me Feel Alive: From Mandela's Prison Songs and Dances to Public Policy Johann S. Buis, DA, MM* Abstract reconciliation as public policy. The Truth How is it possible for song and dance to exist and Reconciliation Commission’s unprece- in political incarceration and manifest itself dented breaking of social and jurisprudential later as public policy responding to apartheid boundaries, the claim of agency for both atrocities? Examining the body of songs, oral victims and perpetrators, and public policy history accounts, and eye-witness reports of South Africa’s first democratically elected provided by fellow-prisoners of Mandela on black president, lie deeply embedded in Robben Island prison, I uncover a psycholo- cultural practices he testified to in his gical environment mediated through music autobiography, “The Long Walk to Free- and dance - within the confines of a political dom”. These cultural practices in prison prison. This source of prison music-making were singing and dancing. by political prisoners in detention, provide us This paper complements the music-as- with the artistic expressions of revolutionary torture trope: here music in detention carries songs, parody songs, praise songs, laments, ontological agency. Musical evidence of etc. These music genres reflect ontologies stylistic features, text, and contextual embedded in Mandela’s juristic imagination. analyses, and related literary criticism My framework for explaining these devices, expose Mandela’s embedded ontologies is a theoretical framework I call an internal and external ontological cultural aesthetic of function: internal ontologies that practices. Here, song and dance have agency speak to the African cultural ground against to influence public policy despite the which external ontologies are expressed in the constraints of political detention. jurisprudential redress to apartheid atrocities. Examining his external (jurisprudential) Any suffering we experienced was made more ontologies through song and dance, one real by song and rhythm which leads to a culture realizes that the best way for him to have of defiance, self-assertion and group pride and solved the unprecedented public redress of solidarity (Steve Biko, tortured and died in apartheid atrocities is evident in the songs he Pretoria Prison) TORTURE Volume 23, 2, 2013 Volume TORTURE sang in Robben Island prison. Retribution Singing is part of the cultural life of South could have been a logical solution for him. Africans, especially black South Africans, singing Instead, he turned to truth-telling and is part of our very rich culture. … Every facet of our life is celebrated through music. So when you go to jail the tradition continues … When you *) Wheaton College, 501 College Avenue, Wheaton, are down, music uplifts the spirit, gives you hope. IL 60187, Ph. … You cannot stop a political prisoner from Correspondence to: [email protected] talking, you cannot stop an African from singing 56 SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE (Lionel Davis, Robben Island prisoner 366/64) Introduction Ironically, it is in jail that we have closest When Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela said fraternization between the opponents and 'Music and Dance make me feel alive" supporters of apartheid. … We have eaten of their during an unidentified interview, I knew that food, and they ours; they have blown the same the statement was a matter of cultural musical instruments that have been ‘soiled’ by embeddedness, not simply a frivolous black lips (Ahmed Kathrada, Robben Island comment of mere entertainment. This prisoner 468/64) chapter attempts to explore that deeper It was not the searing pain that seemed to meaning behind his words. come as an explosion that took my breath away The purpose of this chapter is to shed and had the greater impact, but rather the light on cultural practices that can be thought that fellow human beings were doing this overlooked in discussing public policy to me in a completely cold blooded manner. The positions taken during political transitions. I effect was dehumanizing and the anger generated examine the role of song and dance as was difficult to control (Sedick Isaacs, Robben cultural practice in the context of political Island prisoner 883/64) imprisonment during apartheid (1948-1994) Singing with your heart [in silence], it on Robben Island, the infamous prison eight sustains you, it composes you, because you are miles outside Table Bay, South Africa. alone, you remember the songs that you used to Furthermore, I posit that one has to take sing and the songs that were sung during the cultural practice into account when exa- times of the wars of resistance among Zulus … mining the legacy of one of the world’s most those songs that they used to sing when they go for significant statesmen of modern times, war are the songs that gave me power to face the Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. enemy when I was all alone and knew that here From the numerous quotes at the top of [in detention] they can kill me. So those songs this article, the role of music on Robben will give you power … My body will just be a Island (except for the quote by Steve Biko) stone upon other stones to build the castle of shed light on identity formation through tomorrow (Grant Shezi, Robben Island prisoner) defiance, endurance of brutal inhumane Janie Cole being awarded the 2010 Janet treatment, and the therapeutic role of singing Levy Prize from the American Musicological and dancing among political prisoners on Society. Her website states: “This moving story Robben Island, where most of South Africa’s will be told via a multi-media book, a documen- black celebrated male political prisoners tary film, a double album of music and a unique were dehumanized by white prison guards. archive of South African oral history.” In his autobiography, Mandela attests to this All quotes with one exception (Biko) – first- fact, saying ‘[N]o one truly knows a nation hand accounts of song and dance on Robben until one has been inside its jails. A nation Island shed light on the chapter discussed should not be judged by how it treats its below--are taken from the website of Music highest citizens but its lowest ones—and Beyond Borders. For more information, see South Africa treats its imprisoned African http://www.musicbeyondborders.net citizens like animals.’1 (pp 174,175) The humani- zing expressions of song and dance while Key words: Mandela, song, dance, truth and being treated ‘like animals’ as Mandela says, reconciliation commission, ontologies, apartheid, point to sophisticated ways in which intellec- torture TORTURE Volume 23, 2, 2013 Volume TORTURE tual/artistic/cultural abilities were marshaled 57 SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE by political inmates in prison. I argue that reconciliation, not retribution.b This public the use of song and dance was of far greater position was by no means insignificant for a significance than at first meets the eye. Song new South African government transitioning and dance formed the cultural grounding for from an undemocratic police state to a new public policies that Mandela could use democracy. during his presidency of South Africa. Naturally, certain questions arise, given In order to examine the shift from the premise of this chapter. What makes a cultural grounding to public policy, I argue political prisoner, imprisoned for 27 years, of that a significant marker of Mandela’s which a significant part was spent breaking identification with the lowest citizens is rocks by hand on an offshore penal island, through songs and dances. This identification emerge as a man of reconciliation? Was it a with the common people through song and strong internal moral compass? Was it a dance, practiced during his youth and his belief in truth, honesty and human dignity? adulthood in prison and in public, is a Was it the mores learned during his royal significant tenet of his belief system. ‘A upbringing? Was it the stimulating compa- nation should not be judged by how it treats nionship of his fellow political prisoners? Yes, its highest citizens’, he declared, ‘but how it it was all these factors and more. I argue that treats its lowest ones’.1 (pp 174,175) Nation- a strong internal cultural grounding, building and his resultant public policy expressed through song and dance, not least positions during his presidency rest in large of which experienced during imprisonment, measure on the fact that he believed the provides us a clue to the unconventional moral strength of a nation to be in the way it public policies enacted by Mandela when he treats the least of its citizens. After discussion became the first president of a democratic of the songs and repertoire of political South Africa in 1994. I refer to this internal prisoners on Robben Island, I examine the cultural grounding expressed through song Truth and Reconciliation Commission as an internal ontology.c By contrast, I refer (TRC), instituted by Mandela, during to the practical implementation of his public 1995–2002. The reason for mentioning this policy ideas as his external ontology. commission is that it serves as an example of Together, the examination of the internal a public policy accomplishment of Mandela’s ontology(/ies) combined with the external term as president of post-apartheid South ontology(/ies) constitute a theoretical Africa.a A consequence of using this public framework which I call an aesthetics of policy accomplishment produces a signifi- function.d Therefore, I contend that the cant by-product; Mandela’s emphasis on theoretical framework of the aesthetics of TORTURE Volume 23, 2, 2013 Volume TORTURE a The charter of this commission was promulgated by an act of the South African Parliament: Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act, No. 34 of 1995. For more information, see the United States Institute of Peace.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 00 Staffrider Volume 8 Numbers 3 & 4 Worker Culture Ra
    Voi 8Nos3 &4, 1989 Voi 8Nos3 &4, 1989 R6-95 (excl. GST) 00 Staffrider Volume 8 Numbers 3 & 4 Worker Culture Ravan (Cast in a RacialMould i EDDIE WEBSTER Racial..ould......... R 18.00 Working life (A People's History of S A Vol 2) LULI CALLINICOS R22.50 SGold and Workers (A People's History of S A Vol 1) LULI CALLINICOS R14-00 Industrial and Trade Union Organisation 1944-1955 JON LEWIS R15.00 The Sun Shall Rise for the Workers MANDLENKOSI MAKHOBA R1.00 A Taste of Freedom: The ICU in Rural South Africa HELEN BRADFORD R45.00 The Independent Trade Unions 1974-1984 Ed. JOHANN MAREE R21.00 Building Tomorrrow Today ISTEVEN FRIEDMAN R21.00 My Life Struggle PETRUS TOM 12 CZ1r I Pass Controls and the Urban African Proletariat DOUG HINDSON R14.00 Migrant Labour FRANCIS WILSON R3.50 Press Staffrider Volume 8 Numbers 3 & 4 Worker Culture Edited by Frank Meintjies and Mi Hlatshwayo with A.W. Oliphant and Ivan Vladislavi Ravan Press Johannesburg 6 © The contributors as listed on the contents page of this book All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Copyright is held by the individual contributors of all material, including all visual and graphic material. Anyone wishing to reproduce material from this publication should approach the individual contributors c/o the publishers. First Published 1989 ISSN 0258-7211 Cover art (by Shelley Sacks) reprinted here with the kind permission of the Workers Library Cape Town.
    [Show full text]
  • ASAI Introduces New Research on the Art of Lionel Davis
    H-Africa ASAI Introduces New Research on the Art of Lionel Davis Discussion published by Natasha Himmelman on Friday, October 10, 2014 Awakenings: Impulses and threads in the art of Lionel Davis Mario Pissarra http://asai.co.za/artist/lionel-davis/ Lionel Davis is a significant figure in South African art circles. Core elements of his personal biography are well known, and his contribution as an artist is integral to accounts of seminal art organisations such as the Community Arts Project, Vakalisa, and the Thupelo Workshop. His early history as a District Six resident and political prisoner has made him an invaluable resource for post apartheid heritage projects, such as the District Six and Robben Island Museums. An articulate, charismatic and sociable personality, Davis is popular and respected, with an active public life and media presence. Despite his prominent profile, Davis’s art has still to receive adequate attention from art historians, critics, and curators. For while many of his works have been published and exhibited since the 1980s, you will be hard pressed to find anything that can be described as a considered reflection on his art. The absence of a critical analysis of Davis’ art is partly due to his tendency to situate his practice as part of broader networks, as well as because of his decision to pursue employment from ngos, mostly as an educator, rather than to work full-time as an artist. Aged seventy-eight, and active since his late introduction to art making in 1977, Davis has held only one solo exhibition, and used it to feature recent work.
    [Show full text]
  • DISTRICT SIX MUSEUM Annual Report 2016/17 Table of Contents
    DISTRICT SIX MUSEUM Annual Report 2016/17 Table of Contents Content Pg 1. From the Chairperson 3 2. Director’s Overview 4 3. Education Department 8 4. Exhibitions Department 12 5. Collections, Research and Documentation Department 16 6. Seven Steps Membership Club 19 7. Friends of the Museum 20 8. Make a Donation 20 9. Auditors’ Report 21 10. Statement of Comprehensive Income 22 11. Statement of Financial Position 23 12. Funders, Staff, Board of Trustees, Honorary Members, 24 Patrons, Volunteers and Storytellers 13. Visitor numbers 24 District Six Museum District Six Museum Homecoming Centre To support the declaration of District 25A Buitenkant Street 15A Buitenkant Street Six as a National Heritage Site visit Cape Town, 8001 Cape Town, 8001 change.org and search for District Six Museum. P.O. Box 10178 [email protected] Caledon Square www.districtsix.co.za Cover photograph: Jac De Villiers 7905 Blog: https://d6whatson.wordpress.com Design and Layout: Graeme Arendse ([email protected] / 0825370827) Tel: 021 466 7200 District Six Museum Fax: 021 466 7210 @District6Museum ©District Six Museum 2013 DISTRICT SIX MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2016/17 April May June 7th - Supper Club with Mervyn Africa 27th - Ibrahim Khalil Shuhaib 16th - Youth Day. ‘Tell Your Story 19th - Seven Steps drama Quartet to Born Free’ and IHOM ‘God has and storytelling workshops many names’ exhibition launch 28th - Workshop with Chapel Street area youth 30th - Huis Kombuis Koe’siester tea, 23rd - ‘Tell Your Story to Born Free’ Albert Suidoosterfees 30th - Supper Club with Lionel Davis 2016 Johanneson Comic Book education programme. Interview with Quinton Fortune’s Parents From the Chairperson Judge Siraj Desai IT IS A PRIVILEGE to SUCCEED CIRAJ RASSOOL and his many illustrious predecessors as chair of this board.
    [Show full text]
  • Mapping the Memories: Politics, Place and Identity in the District Six Museum, Cape Town Charmaine Mceachern Available Online: 25 Aug 2010
    This article was downloaded by: [University of Toronto Libraries] On: 01 March 2012, At: 22:58 Publisher: Routledge Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK Social Identities: Journal for the Study of Race, Nation and Culture Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/csid20 Mapping the Memories: Politics, Place and Identity in the District Six Museum, Cape Town Charmaine Mceachern Available online: 25 Aug 2010 To cite this article: Charmaine Mceachern (1998): Mapping the Memories: Politics, Place and Identity in the District Six Museum, Cape Town, Social Identities: Journal for the Study of Race, Nation and Culture, 4:3, 499-521 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13504639851744 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Full terms and conditions of use: http://www.tandfonline.com/ page/terms-and-conditions This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae, and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand, or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material.
    [Show full text]
  • Between Colour Lines: Interrogating the Category 'Coloured' in Depictions Of
    Between colour lines: Interrogating the category ‘coloured’ in depictions of District Six in the work of five South African artists Cameron Amelia Cupido Dissertation in fulfilment of Master’s in Visual Studies Visual Arts Department Stellenbosch University Supervisor: Prof. Lize Van Robbroeck March 2018 1 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Declaration By submitting this dissertation electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own, original work, that I am the sole author thereof (save to the extent explicitly otherwise stated), that reproduction and publication thereof by Stellenbosch University will not infringe any third party rights and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. March 2018 Copyright © 2018 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Abstract The Group Areas Act of 1950 radically affected coloured artists of the time, since it resulted in forced removals and the demolition of traditionally ‘coloured’ suburbs, and forced coloured people into mono-cultural suburbs with imposed identities not of their own choosing. This thesis seeks to uncover the complexities and heterogeneity of coloured identity and the effects apartheid ideologies and practices had on the personal narratives and cultural praxis of Lionel Davis, Albert Adams, George Hallett, Gavin Jantjes and Peter Clarke, who all emphasized the significance of District Six in their own articulations of colouredness. I propose that this problematic ascribed identity was at the root of most artworks produced by these artists and that their art helped them deal with their experiences within (and about) the space of District Six during apartheid.
    [Show full text]
  • Jafta Masemola's Master
    Jafta Masemola’s Master Key Experimental Notes on Azanian Aesthetic Theory Athi Mongezeleli Joja Abstract: Jafta Kgalabi Masemola is the longest serving (1963–1989) anti-apartheid political prisoner in South Africa’s notorious Robben Island. Although Masemola is well known in the struggle narratives, not much has been written about him and his practices as a political organiser beyond biographical and anecdotal narratives. This article considers, with a certain degree of detail, an even more unthought aspect of Masemola’s life, his creative productions; in particular, the aesthetic logic that underwrites the master key that he cloned from a bar of soap while jailed in Robben Island. Looking from the vantage point of aes- thetic and critical discourse, the article attempts to open up new vistas and interests in Azanian cultural praxis. Keywords: black aesthetics, Azania, Jafta Masemola, master key, Rob- ben Island, smuggling Towards the end of apartheid, many art practitioners, scholars, and activists were preoccupied with variations of the question, ‘what defines South African expressions?’ From participants in the his- toric 1987 Amsterdam conference, Culture in Another South Africa (1989) to the 1990 Zabalaza Festival in London (1993) to the early 1990s controversial remarks on culture made by constitutional judge Albie Sachs, this question persists. In fact, it was particularly Sachs’s paper, which was first presented in Stockholm, 1989, in an in-house African National Congress (ANC) meeting, and then in a seminar in Lusaka where it gained more attention, that fur- ther emboldened the preparations on the new national culture as an Theoria, Issue 168, Vol.
    [Show full text]
  • The Loomis Chaffee World Bulletin
    Fall/Winter 2015-16 European Migrant Crisis The The End of Ebola? Loomis Chaffee Pope Francis Visits America Iran Nuclear Deal World Bulletin Korean Family Reunions Bringing the World to the Island ISIS Destroys History Illustration by Dani Hove ’16 From the Desk of the Editor-in-Chief Get Off the Island, Explore the World This issue of the World Bulletin arrives at the beginning of an undetermined 2016 and the end of an eventful 2015. After the successful climate talks in Paris, the world can start reducing its carbon emission and a post on Facebook. No matter the form, the more further preserve we take interest in international news, the quicker the environment; we can become informed citizens who will shape our however, in the midst of ever-changing societies. joy and promise, there were also tragedies that will continue to impact and change our societies. In the Sincerely, United States, the San Bernardino attack Claudia Lamprecht ’16 adds to the debate over gun control and its enforcement and while the Paris shootings were an attack in France, its consequences impact countries across the world. Such injustices will not be forgotten, will improve national security measures, and will enforce dedication to fight terrorists who threaten our homes, work places, cafes, and music venues. Though no one can predict nor single-handedly control the future, we all play a role in shaping it. At the beginning of a new year, we can set resolutions, try a new style, and step out of our comfort zones. With a variety of websites, blogs, and other news sources, we can influence our future by the choices we make, presidential candidate we vote for, or the international causes we support.
    [Show full text]
  • The Democratisation of Art: Cap As an Alternative Art Space In
    THE DEMOCRATISATION OF ART: CAP AS AN ALTERNATIVE ART SPACE IN SOUTH AFRICA BY EBEN LOCHNER SUBMITTED IN FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR MASTER OF ARTS AT RHODES UNIVERSITY. 02 JUNE 2011 SUPERVISOR: PROF. RUTH SIMBAO. Declaration of originality. I declare that this thesis is my own work and that all the sources I have used have been acknowledged by complete references. This thesis is being submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for Master of Art at Rhodes University. I declare that it has not been submitted before for any degree or examination at another university. __________________ __________________ Signature Date This thesis is dedicated to the late Dr. Michael Herbst who made me enthusiastic about Art History during my 1st year at university. He supported me with his time and his advice and his presence is sorely missed. Abstract While formal arts education was inaccessible to many during Apartheid, community-based centres played a significant role in the training of previously disadvantaged artists. By engaging in a socio-political critique of the history of South African art, this thesis argues that even though alternative art spaces are often marginalised, they remain essential to the diversification and democratisation of contemporary South African art today with its re-entry into the international art scene. According to Lize van Robbroeck (2004:52), “some of the fundamental ideals of community arts need to be revised to enrich, democratize and diversify [South Africa's] cultural practice.” The aim of my Thesis is to investigate this statement in relation to the contribution the Community Arts Project (CAP) in Cape Town (1977-2003).
    [Show full text]
  • District Six 50Th Commemoration Print Exchange
    District Six 50th Commemoration Print Exchange “Remembering 60 000 forced goodbyes” 33 Foreword from the District Six Museum Sponsor’s Forewords Inspiration comes from many sources Sanlam t has been wonderful for the Museum to be part of this He is but one of an elder generation of artists who have istrict Six has been a site / sight of fascination for artists manifestation in artworks is symbolic of this experience. Icollaboration, and to be presented with the creativity of the contributed to the cultural repertoire of our city. This Dfor many decades. When it still had residents its mix of Sharing this symbolism is an invitation to all willing to engage participating artists as they responded to the call to use the print exchange collaboration is privileged to have one of cultures and quaint combination of architectural survival and with the artwork and to participate in this experience of commemoration of District Six’s declaration as one of their his contemporaries, Lionel Davis, participating as a print- decay provided a fecund source of vistas and picturesque integration. main inspirations for the prints which they have created. maker. I am sure that I will be excused for singling out one encounters that professional and amateur painters and artist among the many who have participated, but I do photographs actively explored and offered to a hungry and The District Six 50th Commemoration Print Exhange is Telling stories of our past using visual media is consistent so because of the Museum’s commitment to honouring willing buying public. such an invitation – to the artists, those that participated in with both the Museum’s methodology, as well as with the past legacies particularly those which have been under- the realisation of the exchange and all those that will come past of District Six.
    [Show full text]
  • Craft & Design Institute
    HAND MADECAPE Official newsletter of the Western Cape Craft & Design Sector Proudly promoted by the Cape Craft & Design Institute npc Jeff Mwazha Jeff AUG Cape Craft & Design Institute NPC August 2013 Cape Craft & Design Institute NPC 2013 1 EDITORIAL Contents CCDI goes digital The CCDI has added Facebook, Pinterest ,Twitter and Why a tribute? 3 Youtube to its stable of communication tools. The Newsletter continues to present in- HAND depth articles to enrich our understanding MADE celebrating CAPE of the complex landscape within which a DESIGN 44 craft entrepreneur operates. Stay up to date with the News! building your FOLLOW and LIKE the CCDI Facebook BRAND page for immediate news, comments 8 and conversations. Write on our wall! www.facebook.com/pages/Cape-Craft- TECHNOLOGY and-Design-Institute/152396544910856 ?ref=ts&fref=ts tools for your trade 9 The CCDI Website has 5 blogs - ROOTS JOIN the discussion, on 10 http://ccdi.org.za/ccdi-blog/ & shoots CCDI on Twitter reflects events and views of immediate interest – FOLLOW MAKING us on twitter.com/capecraftdesign 12 and retweet comments to others. economy twitter.com/capecraftdesign Exploring CCDI on Pinterest is building storyboards of beautiful Western EXPORTS 13 Cape handmade objects, which link straight back to the CCDI Website – a marketing aid – see pinterest.com/ around this capecraftdesign and PIN OBJECTS to CITY 14 your own Pinterest boards. CREATIVE pinterest.com/capecraftdesign CCDI on YouTube at present enterprises 16 showcases 5 excellent clips reflecting the Western Cape craft sector, and will be grown to carry clips of going training workshops and other useful GREEN information – google YouTube – 17 Cape Craft and Design Institute, and WATCH us.
    [Show full text]
  • New Art Historical Resources on the Web [3]
    New art historical resources on the web [3] H-ArtHist Redaktion [1] Bilder, Fakten, Bibliographie zur Cranach-Werkstatt [2] The Metropolitan Museum of Art Opens Robert Lehman Papers for Research [3] ASAI Introduces New Research on the Art of Lionel Davis -- [1] From: Maria Effinger <[email protected]> Date: Oct 12, 2014 Subject: WWW: Neu in arthistoricum.net: Bilder, Fakten, Bibliographie zur Cranach-Werkstatt Unter dem Titel "Cranach Online" (http://www.arthistoricum.net/themen/portale/cranach-online/) ermöglicht arthistoricum.net den direkten Zugriff auf zahlreiche digitale Forschungsressourcen sowie das digitale Gesamtwerkverzeichnis (CORPUS CRANACH). Die noch im Aufbau befindliche, aber bereits knapp 1.500 Titel umfassende "Bibliographie Cranach" (http://www.arthistoricum.net/themen/portale/cranach-online/bibliographie-cranach/) bietet einen gezielten Zugriff auf die interdisziplinäre Forschungsliteratur zu Lucas Cranach d. Ä., seinen Söhnen, Mitarbeitern, Schülern und Nachfolgern. Bei ca. 100 Werken handelt es sich um überwiegend in Heidelberg digitalisierte, frei zugängliche Online-Ressourcen. Die Bibliographie wird von der UB Heidelberg im Kontext ihres aktuellen DFG-Projekts "arthistoricum.net - Fachinformationsdienst Kunst" gehostet und betrieben. Die Präsentation erfolgt mit Hilfe des als Open Source Software entwickelten Discovery Systems VuFind. Mit der Gründung des virtuellen Forschungs-Instituts "www.cranach.net" werden seit Herbst 2009 unter Leitung des Heidelberger Kunsthistorikers Michael Hofbauer systematisch Daten zum umfangreichen Werk der Cranach-Werkstatt erhoben und ausgewertet. Zudem lädt die von der UB Heidelberg nachhaltig bereitgestellte und gehostete Internetplattform zur Mitarbeit und wissenschaftlichem 1/7 ArtHist.net Austausch ein. Begleitet wird das innovative Forschungsprojekt von den Lehrstühlen für Kunstgeschichte der Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart (Nils Büttner) und der Universität Trier (Andreas Tacke).
    [Show full text]
  • Graphic Language and the Poster Child: Images of Children in South African Political Posters of the 1980'S1
    DRAFT PAPER. PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE WITHOUT PERMISSION. COMMENTS VERY WELCOME. Graphic Language and the Poster Child: Images of Children in South African Political Posters of the 1980's1 Monica Eileen Patterson Doctoral Candidate Anthropology and History Program University of Michigan, Ann Arbor [email protected] Semantically, socially, intellectually, “childhood” is in its essence constructed in its meanings and usages. Childhood is a deeply powerful concept for a number of reasons. Much of its authority comes from a persuasive moral imperative that demands consensus on ethical and universalist grounds. Debates and discussions about childhood are often cast in terms of a fundamental universalism that (ideally) transcends the specifics of time and space.2 Childhood is conceptually drawn as an exceptional space; a sacrosanct entity of unconditional and essential humanism. Perhaps these images are partially fueled by a broadly conceived unity of experience (since everyone was once a 1This paper was drafted with the assistance of the Fulbright Commission and the following sponsors from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor: Doctoral Program in Anthropology and History, South Africa Initiative, Center for AfroAmerican and African Studies, Women's Studies and the Center for the Education of Women, and the Horace Rackham Graduate School. I would like to thank the following people for their help and encouragement while claiming full responsibility for any shortcomings: John Berndt and Lionel Davis, Ciraj Rassool, Leslie Witz, and the students of the Postgraduate Diploma in Museum and Heritage Studies at UWC, Giorgio Miescher and Lorena Rizzo, Graham Goddard at the Mayibuye archives, O.R. Pickover at the South African History Archive, and my friend and colleague, Farzanah Badsha, for her thoughtful and insightful reading of an initial draft.
    [Show full text]