Global History, Colonialism, and Museums

I would design a temporary campus sculpture that explores the history and significance of Mbari ritual houses in Southeast Nigeria and how their extinction is part of a longer legacy of colonial and postcolonial violence that creates an irreversible loss of cultural traditions. The sculpture will use water, limestone, and iron, which are materials that were commonly found in Nigeria. Using an AI art generator, I have worked with a series of descriptive prompts to best demonstrate the general concept for the campus sculpture I would want to create. 

Sculpture Design, Showing Pillars Holding Up Iron Roof.

The sculpture will consist of a rectangular perimeter supporting a roof that goes beyond the four corner pillars in an open-house plan, similar to the design of Mbari houses. This roof will be held up by a series of pillars that lead towards a central water feature area, in an interior-courtyard-like space. The sculpture will be made of limestone and adorned with repeating geometric patterns that are common to Mbari houses. The roof will be made of iron, a material that was not traditionally used in the construction of Mbari houses but represents the modernization and industrialization that contributed to the extinction of the art form.

Central Water Feature Designs in Sculpture Plan

In the center of the sculpture, there will be a water feature that represents the natural decay of Mbari houses, which was a gesture of respect towards Ala, the earth goddess. The water feature will be made of a large basin filled with water, which will flow over the sides and into smaller basins around the perimeter of the sculpture. The water will also represent the destructive forces of colonial and postcolonial violence that contributed to the extinction of Mbari houses.

Expressive Iron Figures, Representing Evolution of Mbari Sculpture

Surrounding the water feature, there will be several expressive figures in a hierarchy specific to Igbo beliefs, similar to the sculptures that were featured in Mbari houses. The figures will be made of iron and painted with vibrant colors, representing the contemporary life and modernization that influenced the evolution of Mbari sculptures.

The temporary campus sculpture will serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving cultural traditions and the devastating impact of colonial and postcolonial violence on these traditions. The use of water, limestone, and iron, materials that were commonly used in the production of Mbari houses, will connect the sculpture to the history and significance of this art form. The vibrant colors and expressive figures will represent the evolution of Mbari sculptures and the influence of modernization on this art form.