Rapa Nui Journal: Journal of the Foundation

Volume 22 Issue 2 October Article 15

2008

AN EXHIBITION OF EASTER ISLAND ART IN PARIS and A REVIEW OF THE ACCOMPANYING TREASURES OF EASTER ISLAND (Review)

Paul Horley

Follow this and additional works at: https://kahualike.manoa.hawaii.edu/rnj

Part of the History of the Pacific Islands Commons, and the Pacific Islands Languages and Societies Commons

Recommended Citation Horley, Paul (2008) "AN EXHIBITION OF EASTER ISLAND ART IN PARIS and A REVIEW OF THE ACCOMPANYING TREASURES OF EASTER ISLAND (Review)," Rapa Nui Journal: Journal of the Easter Island Foundation: Vol. 22 : Iss. 2 , Article 15. Available at: https://kahualike.manoa.hawaii.edu/rnj/vol22/iss2/15

This Book or Media Review is brought to you for free and open access by the University of Hawai`i Press at Kahualike. It has been accepted for inclusion in Rapa Nui Journal: Journal of the Easter Island Foundation by an authorized editor of Kahualike. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Horley: EXHIBITION OF EASTER ISLAND ART IN PARIS and TREASURES OF EASTER ISLAND (Review)

Rapa Nui Journal· Vol. 22, NO.2· October 2008

AN EXHIBITION OF Since its opening, the exhibition has attracted significant EASTER ISLAND ART attention in the media and a large number of visitors. More­ over, the gallery has a special day dedicated exclusively to IN PARIS excursions of school children superbly guided by the gallery's and dlr~ctor, Quentm Laurens. Explaining the peculiarities of Rapa A REVIEW OF THE NUl culture, he encourages the children to participate in ACCOMPANYING creative dialogues, helping them to gain a better perception TREASURES OF and understanding ofthe artefacts they see. At the end of the visit, the .kids are given a unique opportunity to make drawings EASTER ISLAND of the objects so they can focus on fine-detail study ofa by Catherine & Michel Orliac particular carving. Before leaving, each child is presented with an exclusively-designed T-shirt featuring a glyph carved on the head ofone of the exhibited kavakava (but not a single Review by Paul Horley word associated with Easter Island; in this way, each partici­ pant will need to recall the things that he or she heard at the exhibition to explain the meaning of this design to family and This Summer was marked by an exceptional commemorative fnends). In my point of view, such excursions are extremely event in Paris - the exhibition of60 objects from Easter ~ssential: They kindle interest and inspire imagination, so that Island in Galerie Louise Leiris, which took place during III the future some ofthese children will decide to dedicate between June 3 and July 31,2008. The design of the their efforts to research and preservation of a fragile cultural exhibition h.all offered the optimal ambience for contemplating heritage created by the previous generations. the masterpIeces of Rapa Nui woodcarving; large-format The exhibition is tied to a special event - publication of photos ofmoai from and Abu Tongariki assisted a monumental bi-lingual volume, Tresors de l'Ile de Paques / in creation ofa special atmosphere for immersion into a Treasures ofEaster Island, written by Catherine and Michel fascinating world of Easter Island culture. Orliac and translated into English by Paul Bahn.* The book The artifacts displayed at the Gallery are exceptional. focuses on the objects belonging to the collection of the Con­ Thirty-one objects represent the entire Rapa Nui collection of gregation of the Sacred Hearts and is richly illustrated with the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts ofJesus and Mary over 200 photos, drawings, and maps. The reader will find (SS.Cc.); the remaining twenty-nine items include wooden here portraits of the missionaries who were working on the carvings acquired during famous historical visits - a moai island, such as Eugene Eyraud, Gaspar Zumbolun, Theodule kavakava obtained by Pierre Loti in 1872, a large ao paddle Escolan, as well as the Missionary Superior, Bishop Tepano collected during GeiselerfWeisser expedition aboard the Jau.ssen from Tahiti. The book includes three historical maps Hyane in 1882, and so on. datmg back to 1870s, one ofwhich is unique - it is the first Upon entering the exhibition hall, visitors are greeted by a document recording no fewer than 74 Rapa Nui place names. group of seven lizard-like carvings - moai tangata moko. The Numerous illustrations made by early visitors include next show-case contains a whole constellation of eleven drawings by Pierre Loti and three watercolors from the HMS tahonga and a wooden skull from the SS.Cc. collection, ac­ Topaze expedition (1868), depicting the two-headed female companied by feathered headgear (hau kurakura) and a set of statue from Vinapu - an image with a similar composition mata 'a spearheads. Two large show-cases are dedicated to the but s.lightly different details as compared with the drawing classical Rapanui carvings - ten moai kavakava, three moai publIshed by Heyerdahl (1961 :73, Fig. 8); the second picture tangata, and four moai pa 'a pa 'a, supplemented with a joint renders the interior ofa crypt constructed under the toppled double-figure feminine/masculine image. Another unique colossi ofAbu Vinapu I, as seen from the northern comer of artifact - an iron cast of moai kavakava made in 19th century the structure, supplementing Palmer's aquarelle that shows the - IS shown side-by-side with the original statuette. All moai crypt from its southern side (Van Tilburg 1994:53, Fig. 35); mir~ are skill.fully arranged to display the most interesting and the third watercolor illustrates transportation ofmoai Hoa detaIls of theIr design, such as elaborate head or back carvings, Nana I'a down the slopes ofRano Kau, supine and on a etc. Two pectorals from SS.CC. are shown in sledge. individual glass cases. Treasures ofEaster Island presents an outstanding docu­ The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to see three mentation of the artefacts belonging to the SS.Cc. collection authentic tablets - Tahua, Aruku Kurenga, and with numerous high-detail color photos showing the objects Mamari, displayed in cases equipped with a special anti­ from multiple angles, including breathtaking full-page close­ reflective glass coating, allowing a clear view ofboth in­ up images; at the same time, many archival images taken in scribed sides ofeach artefact. Further on, eight dance paddles 19th century are also included, allowing the reader to see the (rapa) form a dynamic composition, evoking a rhythm ofa original state of the artefacts upon their collection. dance itself. Finally, visitors can contemplate wooden carvings The book consists offour chapters. The first presents used as chiefs insignia ofpower: two large double-bladed ao general facts about Easter Island - geography, nature, history, paddles, four massive ua staves, and a short paoa club.

- 144- Published by Kahualike, 2008 1 ...... ,;;""..------...i Rapa Nui Journal: Journal of the Easter Island Foundation, Vol. 22 [2008], Iss. 2, Art. 15

Rapa Nui Journal· Vol. 22, NO.2· October 2008

culture, and its position in the larger Polynesian family. This became later referred to as) the Stephen-Chauvet fragment. All expanded introduction supplies the reader with all the neces­ of these artefacts are illustrated with historical pictures from sary information for understanding the main types ofEaster the late 19th to early 20th centuries; the objects currently Island art and its evolution and role in the society. Special belonging to the SS.Cc. collection (Tahua, Aruku Kurenga, attention is paid to the discussion about the island's environ­ and Mamari) are additionally documented by modern color ment, including the recent research results concerning the ori­ images, showing details of both sides ofeach tablet. ginal Rapa Nui flora. The latter appeared to be diverse and The fourth chapter of the book analyses the wood used by abundant, offering the ancient carvers a large variety ofwood. the ancient carvers, aiming to reveal the connections ben¥een Fruits of the extinct pink apple tree (Eugenia malaccensis) and the material and carved images. The discussion is based on a palm (Paschalococos disperta) also contributed to the diet of immense research work carried out by Catherine and Michel the islanders. Orliac, the main results of which were presented at the VII The second chapter narrates the establishment of the International Conference on Easter Island and the Pacific in SS.CC. mission on the island, telling the history of the settle­ Gotland (Orliac 2008, in press). In particular, it was shown ment, observations of the missionaries, collection ofartefacts, that the famous toromiro wood, which allows good surface and the search for inscribed kohau rongorongo tablets, as well polishing and becomes dark-red upon aging, was the material as describing a conflict with Captain Dutrou Bornier and the ofchoice for the statuettes ofmoai kavakava and moai tangata calling of three ships: HMS Topaze (1868), Glilner (1869), whereas the fine-grained makoi wood was more preferred for and 0 'Higgins (1870). tahonga, reimiro, and rongorongo tablets. The third chapter ofthe book emphasizes the detailed An additional 70-page exhibition catalogue was published documentation and analysis of the artefacts belonging to the to supplement the main book, illustrating 29 objects that do collections ofSS.Cc. Each type ofcarving is considered in a not belong to the SS.Cc. collection. Each object is briefly separate sub-section, prefaced with an extensive introduction described with dimensions, materials used, collection date, and mentioning similar objects from other collections, followed by the existence ofprevious publications. The last pages of the discussions on morphology, stylistic variations, and the evo­ catalogue contain the general gallery ofall 60 artefacts lution of wood carvings in general and designs adorning them displayed. A special collector's "boxed edition" including both in particular. The possible use of the objects in everyday life is books is also available. These beautifully illustrated volumes, explained based on the scrupulous analysis ofearly ethno­ containing much important information about wood carvings graphic accounts, complemented by thorough studies of wear ofEaster Island, are undoubtedly a "must have" for the library patterns and repairs of the original artefacts. Indeed, due to a ofevery Rapanuiphile. scarcity ofwood in the late period ofisland history, it became more practical to fix damaged items than to procure material REFERENCES for carving new ones. The reader will be surprised to learn how many artefacts feature the traces of such repairs, and how Heyerdahl, T. & E.N. Ferdon Jr. (eds.). 1961. Reports ofthe Norwegian masterfully they were done by carefully matching the implants Archaeology to Easter Island and the East Pacific. Vol. I: Archaeology to the original wood in both color and texture. The repairs of ofEaster Island. Santa Fe: Monographs of the School of American the objects from the SS.Cc. collection are illustrated by Research and Museum ofNew Mexico (No. 24, Part I). revealing x-ray images. Orliac C. 2008. Botanical Identification of200 Easter Island Wood Carvings in The Gotland Papers: Proceedings o/the VII International COI?{erence Another novel approach concerns the detailed analysis of on Easter Island and the Pacific (S. McLaughlin, ed.) - Los Osos: Easter wood fiber patterns, which allowed the authors to determine Island Foundation. (in press) the "position" of the object inside the tree trunk for two moai Van Tilburg, J.A. 1994. Easter Island: Archaeology. Ecology and Culture. kavakava, wo rapa paddles, eleven tahonga, and a carved London: Press. skull pendant, and also for a large (80 cm / 31.5") reimiro pec­ toral. This information is ofextreme importance for further * The 288-page, hardbound, bi-lingual book (ISBN 978-3-952256-74-9) is research aimed at reconstructing the size ofindividual trees 31 x26.5 cm (12.2x 10.4") in dimensions, weighs approximately 2 kg (4.4 lb.), and is published by Editions D- Frederic Dawance (Geneva) & that were once part of the island's forests. Editions Louise Leiris (Paris). It's available at present either directly The book devotes a special attention to rongorongo from the Galerie Louise Leiris (they do not process phone, fax, or online artefacts. Initially, the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts had orders) or via www.amazon.fr for 61.75 ($97.85). The book will be the largest collection of these objects, including six tablets: available from commercial booksellers by the end of the year. Tahua, Aruku Kurenga, Mamari, Echancree, Keiti, and (what

Mania for the colossal. " - Alfred Metraux "

- 145- https://kahualike.manoa.hawaii.edu/rnj/vol22/iss2/15 2