Full Description
As archaeologists unearth the past, they seek meaning or purpose for the objects they uncover by looking at the objects themselves and their archaeological context. Art historians, on the other hand, primarily focus on aesthetics, asking why a particular object stimulates our senses, and what that tells us about ourselves. From Ancient to Modern offers a lens for understanding ancient objects through the perspectives and processes of both archaeology and aesthetics, and, in so doing, illuminates the multiple layers of meaning that a single object can take on--sometimes simultaneously--over the course of its existence. This beautifully illustrated volume is the accompanying catalog for the exhibition at New York University's Institute for the Study of the Ancient World and focuses on fifty objects from three iconic sites in the ancient Near East: Ur, Diyala, and Kish. The excavation, unique characteristics, and transformative journey of each object--from archaeological artifact to aesthetic item--are examined. Select contemporary artworks are also considered in the investigation of how ancient objects acquire meaning in the present day.
Contributors include Kim Benzel, Jennifer Chi, Jean Evans, Lynn Grant, Jack Green, William Hafford, Marc Marin, Naomi Miller, Holly Pittman, Clemens Reichel, Karen Wilson, and Richard Zettler. Cover photograph (c) Bruce M. White, 2016
Contents
6 Letter from Julian Siggers Williams Director, University of Pennsylvania, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology 8 Letter from Roger S. Bagnall Leon Levy, Director, Institute for the Study of the Ancient World 10 Acknowledgments Jennifer Y. Chi, Exhibitions Director and Chief Curator, Institute for the Study of the Ancient World 16 From Ancient to Modern: A Chronology 20 Map 22 1 Glam-UR-ous: The Art of Archaeology and Aesthetics Jennifer Y. Chi, Institute for the Study of the Ancient World Pedro Azara, Polytechnic University of Catalonia 54 2 The Golden Image of Archaeology before the Second World War Pedro Azara, Polytechnic University of Catalonia Marc Marin, Polytechnic University of Catalonia 86 3 Magnificent with Jewels: Puabi, Queen of Ur William B. Hafford, University of Pennsylvania, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology Richard L. Zettler, University of Pennsylvania, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology 106 4 Puabi's Diadem(s): The Deconstruction of a Mesopotamian Icon Holly Pittman, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology Naomi F. Miller, Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania 132 5 What Does Puabi Want (Today)? The Status of Puabi as Image Kim Benzel, The Metropolitan Museum of Art 162 6 Ground to Gallery: The Discovery, Interpretation, and Display of Early Dynastic Sculpture from the Iraq Expedition of the Oriental Institute Jack D. M. Green, Oriental Institute, University of Chicago Jean M. Evans, Oriental Institute, University of Chicago 194 Appendix: Back to the Beginning; The Aesthetics and Allure of Field Records Clemens Reichel, Royal Ontario Museum and the University of Toronto 202 Exhibition Checklist 231 Bibliography 239 Photography and Drawing Credits
