MIND IN MATTER
Prown, Jules David. “Mind in Matter: An Introduction to Material Culture Theory and Method.” Winterthur Portfolio 17, no. 1 (1982): 1-19. doi:10.1086/496065.
“The range of objects that fall within the compass of material culture is so broad as to make some system of classification desirable. Sorting by physical materials does not work because of the multiplicity of substances used, even at times in a single artifact. The same is true of methods of fabrication. The most promising mode of classification is by function. The following list is arranged in a sequence of categories that progresses from the more decorative (or aesthetic) to the more utilitarian. (pg. 3)”
This idea was pretty interesting, as I usually classify objects by their relevance (to me) or date of invention. If it were up to me, this list would’ve been ranked as follows:
- Art
- Devices
- Diversions
- Adornment
- Applied Arts
- Modification of the Landscape
And though this list is extremely random, I still feel like it applies to my own life as well. Art is my number one interest, therefore objects concerning art are most important/relevant. I draw everyday, painting is my major and I’m also very interested in photography. The next sub-category, devices, also pertains to art in a sense. My cell phone is almost always in my hand, even in the shower. Though distracting at points, my phone is my camera, news, radio, computer and alarm clock all in one. It keeps me on task (sometimes) and on time (sorta) and aids me throughout my days. Other devices like machinery or vehicles do the same, or else I would have no means of travel. My family and I are big on music, so musical instruments have a big role in my everyday life too – more specifically the turntables because my sister is a DJ. Diversions is the next category on my list, which is kind of sad because meals are considered a diversion. I find myself eating less and less throughout the days because I’m so busy; I’m constantly moving and doing something. It leaves little time for the things that are most important, such as sleep or food. This group should’ve been first on the list. I read a lot, and love playing video games so it still hold some importance, but since I’m in Art School it’s so easy for Art to be my main focus. There’s inspiration all around me. Adornment also plays a large role and would probably be second in my list of relevancy if I wasn’t constantly on my cell phone. I care a lot about the way that I look now because when I was younger I was made fun of for it – I put effort into my outfit on a daily basis. It’s kind of hard not to do my hair every single day because if I don’t, it’ll become one giant dread and result in me chopping it all off. Applied Arts comes second to last; as of right now I am staying with my Aunt in Flatbush so furniture and furnishings aren’t really up to me. This sub-group will probably progress in relevancy over the next couple of months as I’m currently on the search for an apartment. Modification of the Landscape isn’t my focus, though I considered it during my senior year of high school while I took an Architectural Design course (in which I didn’t do so well). I feel like each of these categories, though broad, have a place in everyone’s lives and can be considered in many different ways.
“Material culture is the study through artifacts of the beliefs-values, ideas, attitudes, and assumptions-of a particular community or society at a given time. The term material culture is also frequently used to refer to artifacts themselves, to the body of material available for such study. I shall restrict the term to mean the study and refer to the evidence simply as material or artifacts. (pg. 1)”
I feel like material culture is more than just the study (through artifacts) of a particular society at a given time. I think it should be more in depth – also taking into consideration the materials used in the artifacts and the raw materials geographically accessible by that certain society. I recently read about these objects that elders in African societies created; they’re like globs of different substances that are build upon one another, ultimately becoming this mass of power and spiritual meaning. The reason that they are so meaningful is because the people who have them have composed them of extremely important materials, such as their own blood or fecal matter, materials important to those societies specifically, or foods/dishes specific to the culture. I thought it was so cool, the idea of any object that just builds up until the significance was inexplicable. It would also be passed down through generations, so that each person would be able to add their own to it. This tradition reminded me of when I was younger and had a favorite teddy bear. The bear would get dirtier and dirtier but I found comfort in that, sometimes I’d even draw on it. If a million years from now someone discovered one of my old bears with drawings and dirt on it, the investigation of exactly what materials went into it would provide some level of insight to what kind of kid I was, I believe. Especially the specifics, like maybe what marker I used to draw on it or what substances I spilled on it. To me, this what material culture should also entail.