Abstract
This paper centres on the Mosuo culture, a unique matrilineal society in southwestern China, which has no written language. While much of the academic and popular focus has been on its matriarchal aspects, such as its distinctive matrimonial practices, this study underscores the often-overlooked significance of the Mosuo’s rich oral tradition. The central challenge tackled in this research is representing the Mosuo—a culture where linguistic nuances remain primarily unexplored—through text art, a medium predominantly linked to written expressions. Venturing into this less-charted terrain, the research introduces novel academic pathways in text art. Simultaneously, it offers a balanced critique of dominant Western perspectives, challenging their sometimes superficial portrayals of the Mosuo culture. Grounded in participant observation, in-depth interviews, and studio practices, the study delves deeply into the Mosuo’s linguistic dynamics, juxtaposed with its more widely recognized cultural attributes. Central to the discussion is the author’s text artwork, Mosuo Language (2022). This piece innovatively translates the Mosuo’s intricate oral patterns into captivating visual representations using the International Phonetic Alphabet. This approach instigates renewed discussions in contemporary text art and highlights its potential to encapsulate cultures with understudied linguistic facets. In conclusion, this exploration provides valuable insights into portraying lesser-studied linguistic aspects of cultures in text art, emphasizing the versatility of the medium and paving the way for future interdisciplinary endeavours.
Presenters
Lulu AoDoctoral Researcher, School of Design and Creative Arts, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
The Arts in Social, Political, and Community Life
KEYWORDS
Mosuo Culture, Text Art, Matrilineal Society, Language Paradox
