Research Proposal 'Venus de Willendorf and Barbie'

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to study the modern day culture in comparison to the Paleolithic culture. As art from any era reflects its true values, ethics and societal structures, the striking differences can be felt today in contrast to the “stone age” (Hedgecoe, 2005). Based upon a theoretical framework, this research will identify these differences by comparing two symbols of both the era's i.e. the 'Barbie era” of today and the 'Venus de Willendorf era' or the Paleolithic culture. Furthermore, this research will adopt a secondary approach towards data collection which will therefore help in identifying the different phenomena between the society's view of women today in contrast to that of the past so that a better understanding can be reached as to how our society has evolved over time.

Table of Contents

Abstract2

Introduction4

Background4

Purpose7

Problem Statement7

Research Questions8

Literature Review8

Methodology8

Findings9

Conclusion9

Research Proposal 'Venus de Willendorf and Barbie'

Introduction

This section of the research paper will aim to establish an understanding of the differences in culture from the Paleolithic era to the contemporary society. This will also serve to identify the reasons for conducting research on the given subject area. Moreover, this section will also inculcate the idea of contrasting the cultural differences by way of analyzing art and 'idols' from both the times, the Paleolithic culture's Venus de Willendorf with today's ideal woman which is Barbie. Additionally, this section will also briefly highlight the fact that even though today's contemporary society and its values do not in any way resemble the values and hierarchy of the pre historic period of our history; there remain some similarities which commonly manifest as 'instincts.'

Background

The Paleolithic culture existed at a time commonly known as the pre historic period of our history which is marked by the development of the first ever traces of “technology,” that is the age when the rough and primitive tools made of stone were invented. This is also a time when the Homo sapiens started evolving, a journey which has prepared modern day humans and the society. They were predominantly hunters who killed for food, and “gathered” other foodstuff such as roots and berries along with material for shelters and clothes and are therefore known as the “hunter gatherers.” The Paleolithic humans also carved out tools for themselves which were made of wood, stone or bones, and thus can be called more advanced than their ancestors (McClellan, 2006). According to archaeologists and historians, these tool users began to carve small, famous sculptures like the Venus of Tan Tan and Venus of Willendorf representing the epitome of womanhood and fertility (Kettlewell, 2013). In comparison, the quintessential woman and representations of her have changed significantly since the sculpting of such figurines, along with the society's collective perception of “perfect” as depicted by the current idol, Barbie (Anonymous, 2012).

The statuette of Venus de Willendorf found by Johann Veran in 1908 in a Paleolithic archaeological site in modern Austria is also known as the “Woman of Willendorf” and dates back to 22,000 ...