Post #520450 by MadDogMike on Sat, Mar 27, 2010 9:34 PM

Very nice exhibit. I took lots of pics but some were a little blurry from the long exposure time in the relative darkness. I wish I had taken a small tripod :)

I would expect to see this guy as a logo for a surf equipment company or a fish taco restaurant chain.
"Sculpture is the predominate art form of New Ireland with a long tradition of carving from memeory. This evil fleshless fish spirit is said to always be found swimming alone, it's vicious fangs thoroughly exposed and it's eyes made of shell, are full of malicious intent. Early New Ireland sculptures were destroyed or sold to collectors after they had served their singular purpose as ceremonial items- mythical representations that strengthened relationships and functioned in the memorial rites of the dead. The tradition of Malagan carving is continued today, in appearence it has changed little from the past"

I thought the snakes were unique here, seems like I haven't seen much snake imagery in PNG carvings.
"The people of New Ireland are known for their elaborate funeral rituals called Magalan ceremonies, in which highly detailed masks are worn. The mask represents the tatanua, the most important of a person's three souls which resides in the head - an important part of one's being for engaging in both the spiritual dimension and the world of daily life."

The Baining Fire Dance masks are impressive - I had seen them before at the NY Met museum but I don't remember them being so big!