ความอุดมสมบูรณ์ สัญคติชุมชนและกระบวนการสร้างรหัสหมายในงานศิลปะร่วมสมัย

Abstract

This paper is one part of a creative research project, entitled Contemporary Earthenware Pottery, and discusses the subject of fertility. The objective of this study is to generate understanding of systems using symbols to communicate varied concepts of fertility through community art culture. The findings will be used to in creating future contemporary artwork. This study of concepts and symbolism concerning fertility within communities adopted a semiological approach. Semiology is the basis for examining pieces of cultural community art that use systems for creating meanings and codes. The artwork is closely connected to local beliefs and reveals the symbolism of people in the community.

Translation of findings about symbolism in the community informs the process for creating codes and meanings in contemporary art. It also communicates meaning in artwork under the theory of aesthetics (a theory that states meaning is communicated through art). This concept is analysed here as a descriptive analysis. Data were gathered from academic documents and interviews. These sources revealed concepts and perspectives of people regarding the world and beliefs in fertility. Additionally, they disclosed how such beliefs are represented at traditional ceremonies and through symbols in each community. Synthesis and analysis of data were used in the process of creating new artwork which signified “fertility”.
The research results revealed that fertility has been an internationally recognized concept in human communities from ancient times to the present day. It has been used in a variety of creative work, which implies general international characteristics. It is common to find idealistic imagery, such as that in the legend of the Greater Mekong sub-region telling of how humanity was created from a bottle-gourd. This reflects philosophies of life that state “fertility is the origin of life” or “Mother’s uterus is the Creator”. In the Indian Subcontinent, religious principles state that the buranakata (an auspicious and beautifully patterned flower pot representing fertility) has no alternative meanings. For this reason, the researcher took community symbolism to develop contemporary art by using the shape of a bulb to represent the womb or the bottle-gourd shrouding fertile life and ready to blossom. Consequently, the artwork represented the fertility of traditional community knowledge and essential resources that are the foundation of happiness. It is an image that reflects the “fertility of life”.

This study is a research process using the scientific method to draw conclusions from the history of knowledge, the nature of knowledge, the body of knowledge and the creative manifestation of “true beauty”. The results can be used as a method for creating fine art based on research into the academic progress and professionalism of fine arts.