Proposal for a Poster Presentation
Popular culture has deeply embedded the notion of classical Greek and Roman sculptures as untouched white marble artifacts. From museum displays to Hollywood films, the narrative of a uniformly pale aesthetic has dominated our understanding of these ancient civilizations. However, this perception represents an extreme misrepresentation of actual conditions. Ancient sculptures were, in fact, vibrantly painted in a multitude of colors, a fact often obscured by the passage of time and deliberate acts of "whitewashing" throughout history. This poster presentation, " The White Lie: The Myth of Pure Marble and the Color of Antiquity," aims to examine this historical distortion and explore the complex reasons behind its perpetuation, highlighting the impact on our understanding of classical art and its legacy.
This project investigates the original polychromy of Greek and Roman sculpture, utilizing archaeological evidence and historical documentation. It examines the following key areas:
- Historical Documentation: The poster will explore historical accounts and writings that describe the use of color in ancient sculpture, including the works of Pliny the Elder and other ancient authors. It will also examine the gradual loss of color over time due to weathering, environmental factors, and intentional cleaning.
- The "Whitewashing" Narrative: A significant portion of the poster will be dedicated to deconstructing the myth of the exclusively white aesthetic. It will explore the historical context of this misconception, including the influence of 18th and 19th-century art historians who prioritized idealized notions of "purity" and "classicism," often projecting their own cultural biases onto the ancient world. The poster will also examine the role of neoclassical art movements in reinforcing this false image.
- Impact and Implications: The poster will discuss the implications of this historical misrepresentation, including its impact on our understanding of ancient aesthetics, cultural practices, and the reception of classical art. It will also consider the ways in which this "whitewashing" has contributed to racialized interpretations of classical art and its influence on contemporary art and design.
Benefits of Poster Presentation:
The visual characteristics of this poster format make it exceptionally suited for the project. The combination of images and historical context lends itself well to a visual presentation that can be easily understood by a diverse audience. Two presenters incorporate a carefully designed layout with high-quality visuals, graphs, and concise text, and the poster will facilitate an engaging and informative dialogue with participants. Additionally, this poster presentation allows for the creative integration of various multimedia elements, enhancing the narrative aspect of the research aligned with lived experience. Images will be strategically placed to highlight important findings and provide visual evidence that supports the research’s core argument on power-color nexus. Overall, this poster format will also encourage one-on-one conversations with attendees, allowing for in-depth discussion and feedback on this ongoing research. The interactive environment serves as an exceptional tool to both refine the project and investigate future research paths.