Title
Face of the Gods: Art and Altars of Africa and the African Americas,Used
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Robert Farris Thompson, Professor of the History of African and AfricanAmerican Art at Yale University, has been working on this study of AfricanAtlantic altars for twentyfive years. Face of the Gods is based on fieldwork in both Africa and the Americas in Mali, Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Zaire, the Central African Republic, Angola, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, on the eastern part of the Atlantic, and in Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Suriname, the United States, Brazil, and Argentina, on the western. The book shows how the Africans and their descendants in the three continents worship not only before points of reverence, foci of sacrifice and prayer, but also, in certain areas, through sacred happening climaxed by possession. In the AfroAtlantic world the concept 'altar' is fixed (tree, fire, stone, dais) and moving (ring shouts, dancing, handclapping, circling, ecstasy), leading ultimately to visitation by healing spirits under God. Face of the Gods is an introduction, the first in any language, to a brandnew field in art the comparative study of AfroAtlantic altars. Tracing icons and philosophies in altarmaking from major African civilizations to the Americas, the book restores many works of art, long considered in isolation from each other, to their original constellating power. Face of the Gods is richly illustrated with fullcolor plates. The book opens with the fire altars of the foraging Mbuti, of the Ituri Forest in northeastern Zaire, and of the San, of Namibia. Next it describes minkisi, the extraordinary medicines of God still made in Kongo and the Kongoinfluenced civilizations of Central Africa. The minkisi tradition, Thompson shows, traveled intact acrossthe Atlantic. In Havana as in the Bronx, it expands in altars to AfroCuban deities such as Sarabanda, its complex symbolic constructions sometimes artfully contained in as small and secret a place as an apartment closet. Likewise derived from Kongo belief are Brazilian treealta
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- Q: What is the size of the book? A: The book measures nine and a half inches in length, one point two six inches in width, and twelve point zero one inches in height.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book contains three hundred thirty-four pages.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: It has a paperback binding.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author is Robert Farris Thompson, a professor at Yale University.
- Q: What is the main topic of the book? A: The book explores the art and altars of Africa and the African Americas.
- Q: Is this book suitable for academic study? A: Yes, it is a scholarly work based on extensive fieldwork in Africa and the Americas.
- Q: What themes are covered in the book? A: The book covers themes of worship, art, and the cultural significance of altars across the Afro-Atlantic world.
- Q: Can this book be used for research purposes? A: Yes, it serves as an introduction to a new field in art history.
- Q: How should I care for this book? A: Store it in a cool, dry place and avoid exposure to direct sunlight.
- Q: Is it safe to handle the book frequently? A: Yes, as long as you handle it gently to avoid wear and tear.
- Q: What is the condition of the used book? A: The book is described as being in good condition.
- Q: Are there illustrations in the book? A: Yes, it is richly illustrated with full-color plates.
- Q: Which geographical regions does the book cover? A: It covers regions in Africa, the Caribbean, and South America.
- Q: Is this book appropriate for beginners in art history? A: Yes, it introduces foundational concepts in the study of Afro-Atlantic art.
- Q: What if the book arrives damaged? A: Contact the seller to inquire about return or exchange policies.
- Q: How can I find more books by the same author? A: You can search for Robert Farris Thompson's works online or at your local bookstore.