Elisabeth Penker - Split Representation Rosa Luxemburg #2

Elisabeth Penker developed her method of Split Representation in response to the Lévi-Strauss essay entitled: "Split Representation in the Art of Asia and America", orginally published in 1945 but later reprinted as a chapter in his "Structural Anthropology" (1963). In this essay Lévi-Strauss compares different cultures in different periods of time, ranging from Shang (China, 1600-1000 BC), Caduveo (Brazil, an image from this culture here collaged with the picture of Rosa Luxemburg) Maori (New Zealand) and Haida Gwaii (Canada), which all used identical stylistic elements and show obvious analogies in how they conceived the body and face. The face is not seen from the front but two profiles a...View all