Should a temple be seen as a work of art, its carvers as artists, its worshipers as art critics and patrons? What is a temple (and its art) to the people who make and use it? Noted anthropologist Hildred Geertz attempts to answer these and other questions in this unique look at transformations in material culture and social relations over time in a village temple in Bali. Throughout Geertz offers insightful glimpses into what the statues, structures, and designs of Pura D???sa Batuan convey to those who worship there, ...
Read More
Should a temple be seen as a work of art, its carvers as artists, its worshipers as art critics and patrons? What is a temple (and its art) to the people who make and use it? Noted anthropologist Hildred Geertz attempts to answer these and other questions in this unique look at transformations in material culture and social relations over time in a village temple in Bali. Throughout Geertz offers insightful glimpses into what the statues, structures, and designs of Pura D???sa Batuan convey to those who worship there, deepening our understanding of how a village community evaluates workmanship and imagery. Following an introduction to the temple and villagers of Batuan, Geertz explores the problematics of the Western concept of "art" as a guiding framework in research. She goes on to outline the many different kinds of work--ideational as well as physical--undertaken in connection with the temple and the social institutions that enable, constrain, and motivate their creation. Finally, the "art-works" themselves are presented, set within the intricate sociocultural contexts of their making. Using the history of Batuan as the main framework for discussing each piece, Geertz looks at the carvings from the perspective of their makers, each generation occupying a different social situation. She confronts concepts such as "aesthetics," "representation," "sacredness," and "universality" and the dilemmas they create in field research and ethnographic writing. Recent temple carvings from the tumultuous and complex period that followed the expulsion of the Dutch and the increasing globalization and commercialization of Balinese society demonstrate yet again that any anthropology of art must also be historical.
Read Less
Add this copy of The Life of a Balinese Temple: Artistry, Imagination, to cart. $25.00, very good condition, Sold by Moe's Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Berkeley, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by University of Hawai'i Press.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good in Good jacket. Jacket is worn and rubbed, with one small closed tear on bottom edge of back cover. Cover boards are in great condition. Spine is shaken, but binding is secure.
Add this copy of Life of a Balinese Temple: Artistry, Imagination & to cart. $26.00, like new condition, Sold by Powell's Books Chicago rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Chicago, IL, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by University of Hawaii Press.
Add this copy of Life of a Balinese Temple: Artistry, Imagination & to cart. $26.00, very good condition, Sold by Powell's Books Chicago rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Chicago, IL, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by University of Hawaii Press.
Add this copy of The Life of a Balinese Temple: Artistry, Imagination, to cart. $111.90, new condition, Sold by GridFreed rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from North Las Vegas, NV, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by University of Hawaii Press.
Add this copy of The Life of a Balinese Temple: Artistry, Imagination, to cart. $10.51, very good condition, Sold by Books From California rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Simi Valley, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by University of Hawaii Press.
Add this copy of The Life of a Balinese Temple: Artistry, Imagination, to cart. $39.64, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by University of Hawaii Press.
