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Publié : 14 mars 2013
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A trip to another world..

 

On January 9th 2013, we were the lucky class which went to the Branly Museum, in order to see the exhibit of Aboriginal paintings.

It was a fascinating introduction into a colourful and wonderful culture.

So, we traveled to Papunya, in Australia.

We learnt about Aboriginal traditions, the Aboriginal way of painting and drawing to represent the things that they loved or admired. We were transported into another universe, simply by looking at the numerous masterpieces on every wall.

But, actually, we were not supposed to be able to ever see any of this !

Snake Dreaming for children (Rêve du serpent pour les enfants)

Let me explain : in fact, the Aboriginals who painted these pictures, were very important, and then, when they died, a sacred tradition forbade to see their paintings. And furthermore, as outsiders to the Aboriginal culture, we are not allowed to view these paintings, because of their ritualistic content.

Today, because there is a strong demand for Aboriginal art on the art market, in order to protect the secret knowledge revealed in their paintings, the artists have adopted a more abstract style, which a stranger cannot understand.

So, we can see circles, lines, but nobody who is not Aboriginal can decipher their meaning, it is too abstract for us.

Yala Yala Gibs Tjungurrayi, Snake and Water Dreaming (Rêve du serpent et de l’eau), 1972

We can suppose that the painting relates an old story, about their ancestors and the creation of the world, but can’t be sure : it’s the time of the dreaming. 

To understand an Aboriginal painting, it must be viewed from above, because they are real maps.

Tim Leura Tjapaltjarri, Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri, Spirit Dreaming through Napperby country (Rêve d’un esprit à travers le territoire de Napperby), 1980

Another prohibition, for girls : in the exhibit there were paintings about the initiation ritual for men, which is so important and sacred, that even women aboriginals aren’t allowed to watch it.

Men’s ceremony (Wati Kujarra) (Cérémonie des hommes)

So, when the guide told to us all these interdictions, we were a little puzzled, because we knew that we had transgressed their tradition and their rules.

Therefore we have a very deep respect for them, and for their culture, it is at once complex, mysterious and very beautiful.

Voir en ligne : Peinture Aborigène