(Above) Sarah Beare's Playing in Time animation. © the artist (2010)
Exhibition: Unearthed, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, University of East Anglia, Norwich, until August 29 2010
Ever wondered what the Balkans and Japan have in common? Unearthed, a major new exhibition looking at how prehistoric civilisations in both regions made figurines from clay, tries to give a comprehensive answer through more than 100 examples from Albania, Macedonia, Japan, Romania and the UK.
Developed in collaboration with The Arts and Humanities Research Council, the Japan Foundation, the British Academy and the Duke of Omnium Fund, Unearthed has an edgy feel which challenges its audience to think about figurines in new ways and reflect on what makes us human.
Figurine, Nakamichi, Japan (Middle Jomon Period). Nagaoka Municipal Science Museum, Japan
The careful investigation starts off with two of the earliest and most elaborate traditions of ceramic figurine making.
The Jomon, from the Japanese archipelago (dated from 2,000-16,000 years ago), and the Neolithic and Eneolithic pieces from the Balkans (thought to have been made between 4,500 and 8,500 years ago) make an entry to remember and transport visitors to mystical worlds from deepest prehistory.
But what did those objects mean to their makers? Were they Gods and Goddesses? Were they toys? Were they portraits?
Jomon figurines and fragments from Sannai Maruyama. Japan, Middle Jomon Period. © Aomori Prefectural Board of Education
The exhibition pauses briefly only to offer other unsolved questions from archaeological and art history.
While some information is known about the lifestyle of prehistoric Balkan and Japanese people, knowledge of why figurines were made and how they were used remains scarce.
There influence however is easier to ascertain. Heavily inspired by Jomon figurines, Japanese Manga characters provide modern representations of the human form, showing the functions of the figurine in a 21st century light.
Japan, Final Jomon (circa 1000 – 400BC), Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection, UEA 1091. Image: James Austin
Toys, dolls and magical objects designed to guarantee fertility or successful harvests all make appearances, and mighty Gods are captured in funky photographs and animations.
The process of miniaturisation is covered in some depth. Many of the figurines were originally designed to be held in the hand (typically 4-5cm in height, with the smallest object here being just 2.3cm tall).
Other works include the distinctive “goggle-eyed” figures from northern Japan and objects from important early collections held by the Tokyo University Museum.
The Grimes Graves Goddess, Britain (4000-2500 BC). © The Trustees of the British Museum
Norfolk’s Grimes Graves Chalk Goddess is back for the first time since its discovery in the 1930s, and a free biscuit-fired figurine made by artist Sue Maufe awaits visitors at the end of their prehistoric roaming, enabling them to experience the tactile quality of the ancient figures on display.
Visitors are invited to break their model, adding it to a heap of fragments in the gallery reminiscent of the archaeological sites where figurines have been found in the first place.
An exciting, fresh approach to antiquity, Unearthed bursts with ideas about some of the most remarkable survivals from prehistory.
Open 10am – 5pm. Admission £4/£2 (family ticket £8, includes admission to Henry Moore Textiles – see our review.
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