Sensitive to Art In pre-European times Maoris were much more sensitive to good design than most people in this country are nowadays, and they understood much more about the impact and power which good art possesses. The fact that
Maori moko, like Maori sculpture, was important for social and religious reasons and, almost certainly, involved detailed symbolism of which we now know nothing, does not alter the fact that it was important to them for aesthetic reasons as well. These two things are the two sides of the same penny; they cannot be separated. For art to be meaningful, it had to be part of the social and religious fabric of their life; we have shown, briefly, how this was the case with moko. And if the designs were to perform their function properly, if they were to have mana, it was important that they should be well made and beautiful.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/TAH196306.2.15.3
Bibliographic details
Te Ao Hou, June 1963, Page 33
Word Count
151Sensitive to Art Te Ao Hou, June 1963, Page 33
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The Secretary Maori Purposes Fund Board
C/- Te Puni Kokiri
PO Box 3943
WELLINGTON
Phone: (04) 922 6000
Email: MB-RPO-MPF@tpk.govt.nz