abdoh, S. (2017). Ancient Egyptian sculpture values and spirit to enhance the design of contemporary daily used objects.. International Design Journal, 7(1), 117-122. doi: 10.12816/0049415
Sara abdraboh Mohamed abdoh. "Ancient Egyptian sculpture values and spirit to enhance the design of contemporary daily used objects.". International Design Journal, 7, 1, 2017, 117-122. doi: 10.12816/0049415
abdoh, S. (2017). 'Ancient Egyptian sculpture values and spirit to enhance the design of contemporary daily used objects.', International Design Journal, 7(1), pp. 117-122. doi: 10.12816/0049415
abdoh, S. Ancient Egyptian sculpture values and spirit to enhance the design of contemporary daily used objects.. International Design Journal, 2017; 7(1): 117-122. doi: 10.12816/0049415
Ancient Egyptian sculpture values and spirit to enhance the design of contemporary daily used objects.
Lecturer, Sculpture, architectural formation and restoration Dept., Faculty of Applied Arts, Benha University, Egypt
Abstract
In ancient Egypt, sculpture was not only for fun and entertainment, but it had a functional and environmental role that had to do with the customs, traditions and rituals within an integrated aesthetic design. It also played a historical and memorial role as it registered all the fields of human activity. This was obvious through the carving of animal and human figures, which reflected the everyday needs since the Age of Innocence and the Presynaptic Period. As of the Dynastic Period, the Palette of King Narmar (The Narmar Palette) was the first monument discovered by archaeologists to lay down the basic rules of not only the relief and bas- relief, but also of the mural painting. In ancient Egypt, sculpture was closely associated with architecture. Statues of gods and kings were placed at the entrances and facades of temples. Mural paintings were drawn on wall, columns, internal and external yards of temples to meet functional and ideological needs. Sculpture was not limited to its close association with architecture, but extended to become an element used in all aspects of life, such as home furnishing; chairs, beds, headrests…etc. It was also used to make plates, perfumes, oil, cups as well as cosmetic tools; eyeliner containers, combs, jewelry, crowns and canopic jars toppers. Thus, we can be assure that during those ages, sculpture had an important and vital role in supplying life or afterlife needs, which was discovered in tombs, such as " King Tut's tomb" , replete with all types of artistic creativity. Such topic will be elaborated in this research that tackles the important role sculpture played throughout its long history of enriching public taste. Research problem: The research problem lies in observing the diminished role of functional and applied sculpture in the tools used nowadays, bearing in mind that during ancient Egyptian times, sculpture, including statues and tools, had a functional role, not only an aesthetic one. Such problem can be formulated in two questions: Has sculpture lost its functional role nowadays? Is it only limited to pure artistic expression? Can sculpture contribute in creating job opportunities and production lines for small industries that would supply societies with their tools' needs? Research objective: This research aims at reviving sculpture to play its social and aesthetic role through manufacturing and designing daily used tools. It also aims at highlighting the importance and role of sculpture in raising public taste in the contemporary societies, in addition to shedding the lights on directing the curriculum of specialized technical collages towards activating the functional and aesthetic role of sculpture. Research Methodology: Historical, descriptive and analytical approach. Conclusions: Sculpture is considered one of the main pillars in the manufacturing of the majority of the daily used tools in ancient Egypt, thus, sculpture played a social and civilizational role. The ability of the ancient Egyptian sculptor to use, process and adapt different materials to meet its functional role. The researcher recommends that the sculpture students should be aware of the necessity of reviving the functional role of sculpture along with its aesthetic one, inspired by the ancient Egyptian art to open a labor market for sculptor designers as well as raising the public taste. The researcher also recommends that industrial institutions and organizations should adapt and support ideas and innovations in this artistic field.