AN EXPLORATION OF VWANA COSTUMES FOR SCULPTURAL DECORATIVE COLUMNS

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Author

Presented To

Department of Environmental Design

ABSTRACT
This study “An Exploration of Vwana Costume for Sculptural Decorative Column” seeks to use costumes from Vwana Berom as source of inspiration to create sculptural decorative columns. Vwana is a traditional first fruit harvest festival practiced among the Berom ethnic group of Plateau State, Nigeria. Different decorative column exists within and outside Nigeria in form of figurative, mask, and geometric shapes. Sculptural forms have also been explored using costumes not as column, but to express artistic ideas. The problem of the study hinge on occurring adaptation of foreign ideas of decorative columns on Nigerian structures and exploring possible ways of filling the gap between costume sculptures as Art expressions and costumes as decorative columns that can be compatible with present trends in contemporary architecture. Hence, the study aims at exploring the female Vwana costumes for decorative columns while, the outcomes were further explored into utilitarian sculptural forms. The aesthetic qualities of Vwana costumes inspired this study because of its rich and finely decorated ornaments compared to costumes of other Berom festivals. The declining state of Vwana festival also motivated the study. The study employs the practice-based research methodology. The researcher made use of photographs that captured images from Vwana festival. Some of the accouterments were also collected and photographed which were translated into sketches. Images of and information of costume sculptures and other forms of decorative columns were gotten from books, internet, dissertations, journals, magazines and videos. The instruments used for the collection of data included photographs and observation while, the tools used for data collection were camera, computer system, video Compaq disc and sketch pads. Modeling and casting technique was employed while, fiber glass and concrete were used as the medium of expression. The studio exploration is an attempt to capture Vwana costumes into sculpture. The works were grouped into five (5), which include Representational Studies: This captures images of female figures dressed in Vwana costumes rendered in naturalistic form, which constitute the preliminary studio explorations. Secondly, cloth costume studies follows which includes; exploration of column using fabric attire (wrapper), captured on the figures. Furthermore, Vwana costume adornments were explored into decorative columns. Some emerging column forms derived from this research were further explored into utilitarian sculptural forms by creating relief platforms atop some composed Vwana columns produced. The final explorations are decorative columns executed in abstract or simplified forms, characterized by chisel cut surfaces. The outcome from the overall exploration resulted in a variety of decorative columns and utilitarian sculptures. In conclusion, the study offers a substantial view of the Vwana costumes into decorative column hence, sculptors and building professionals should collaborate in patronizing indigenous cultural elements to establish original structural design. The study recommends that Vwana Costumes can be explored sculpturally into other architectural components and utilitarian sculptures such as; balusters, Plaster of Paris (P.O.P.) cast ceilings, chairs, garden benches among others.