Mateo Ravelin | Richmond American University London (original) (raw)

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Papers by Mateo Ravelin

Research paper thumbnail of The Weapon of Choice for the Digital Age: The Role of Holocaust Museums in Fostering Critical Media Literacy

Research paper thumbnail of The Complex Primitive Practice of Body Décor: Aesthetics of the South-eastern Nuba and the Effects of the Intrusive ‘Western Eye’

Research paper thumbnail of The Case of 'Benin Bronzes': A Paradigm of European Colonialism, Then and Now

The case of 'Benin Bronzes', 1 an epitome of unsavoury methods of collecting objects by the Weste... more The case of 'Benin Bronzes', 1 an epitome of unsavoury methods of collecting objects by the Western European powers during the period of colonial conquests, has returned to our consciousness yet again over the last couple of years and ignited some long overdue conversations. To return or to keep? That is the question, but it proves rather difficult to give a clear-cut answer. The issue necessitates broader discussion and consideration of multiple factors and that is what this paper sets out to do. Hence, the first half concerns the issues of acquisition, perception and representation of the Edo people's cultural heritage, while the second half presents an overview of some of the recurrent arguments for and against repatriation. The Kingdom of Benin, founded in the tenth century left of the bank of the river Niger, reached its apogee in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries when it amassed great wealth through trade with the Portuguese and conquest of its neighbours. 2 The partition of Africa in 1884-85 and subsequent arrival of the British, however, precipitated the demise of the Kingdom. 3 In order to secure the access to raw materials, increase the efficiency and maximise profitability, the British decided to enforce a military presence in Benin. To do so, they set off on an expedition which resulted in the death of over two hundred of their members. Expectedly, the British responded in 1897 with a "punitive expedition" which led to total destruction of Benin City, mass looting and exile of the Oba (king). 4 More than 3000 objects of cultural heritage of the Edo people were 1 It ought to be clarified that the term 'Benin Bronzes' is often used in reference to all of the looted material cultural heritage of the Kingdom of Benin, regardless of the material used in its production (bronze, brass, ivory, wood, leather, coral etc.);

Research paper thumbnail of Anti-migrant Propaganda in the United Kingdom in the Wake of the 'Refugee Crisis' (2015-2016): Othering of Refugees and Migrants in the British Press

Research paper thumbnail of How Has Postmodernism Influenced Contemporary Art? Analysis of 'Memory Palace' (Es Devlin) and 'Hollowed Water' (Athanasios Argianas)

Research paper thumbnail of Why Is Visual Culture Invaluable in the 21st Century? (A Case for Visual Culture)

Research paper thumbnail of Defining Contemporary Art: How Have Socio-political and Economic Forces Shaped the Way We Look at, Create and Define Art in Our Times?

Research paper thumbnail of Does Kara Walker's 'Fons Americanus' Have Any Significance in Contemporary Society?

Research paper thumbnail of How Did Heinrich Wölfflin’s 'Principles of Art History' Contribute to the Development of Art History?

Research paper thumbnail of Is Voice Classification Valid in Contemporary Commercial Music?

An investigation to determine the relevance of voice classification in Contemporary Commercial Mu... more An investigation to determine the relevance of voice classification in Contemporary Commercial Music through analysis, primary and secondary research is reported. Detailed analysis of the most frequently employed means of classification failed to give a clear-cut answer to the posed question as all the criteria for voice classification had both strong points and drawbacks. However, they showed strong relationship between voice classification and laryngeal muscular development. Moreover, the analysis and comparison of the results of Hugo Lycke’s study involving seventy-two contemporary vocal tutors and a primary study conducted in form of a questionnaire involving nine out of ten total members of the UK’s highly acclaimed contemporary music academy (vocal department) revealed disparities in opinions which led to belief that it is very unlikely to expect to see standardized classification. Finally, the results of the case study of Michael Jackson’s baritone voice once again reinforced the idea of voice classification as an indicator of muscular development. The synthesis of the results justified the use of voice classification in Contemporary Commercial Music, but merely as a pedagogical tool indicating areas requiring further development. Consequentially, the proposal for potential new categories (functional classification) was given.

Exhibition Reviews by Mateo Ravelin

Research paper thumbnail of Resounding Scream throughout The British Museum (Review of 'Edvard Munch: Love and Angst' Exhibition)

Research paper thumbnail of The Weapon of Choice for the Digital Age: The Role of Holocaust Museums in Fostering Critical Media Literacy

Research paper thumbnail of The Complex Primitive Practice of Body Décor: Aesthetics of the South-eastern Nuba and the Effects of the Intrusive ‘Western Eye’

Research paper thumbnail of The Case of 'Benin Bronzes': A Paradigm of European Colonialism, Then and Now

The case of 'Benin Bronzes', 1 an epitome of unsavoury methods of collecting objects by the Weste... more The case of 'Benin Bronzes', 1 an epitome of unsavoury methods of collecting objects by the Western European powers during the period of colonial conquests, has returned to our consciousness yet again over the last couple of years and ignited some long overdue conversations. To return or to keep? That is the question, but it proves rather difficult to give a clear-cut answer. The issue necessitates broader discussion and consideration of multiple factors and that is what this paper sets out to do. Hence, the first half concerns the issues of acquisition, perception and representation of the Edo people's cultural heritage, while the second half presents an overview of some of the recurrent arguments for and against repatriation. The Kingdom of Benin, founded in the tenth century left of the bank of the river Niger, reached its apogee in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries when it amassed great wealth through trade with the Portuguese and conquest of its neighbours. 2 The partition of Africa in 1884-85 and subsequent arrival of the British, however, precipitated the demise of the Kingdom. 3 In order to secure the access to raw materials, increase the efficiency and maximise profitability, the British decided to enforce a military presence in Benin. To do so, they set off on an expedition which resulted in the death of over two hundred of their members. Expectedly, the British responded in 1897 with a "punitive expedition" which led to total destruction of Benin City, mass looting and exile of the Oba (king). 4 More than 3000 objects of cultural heritage of the Edo people were 1 It ought to be clarified that the term 'Benin Bronzes' is often used in reference to all of the looted material cultural heritage of the Kingdom of Benin, regardless of the material used in its production (bronze, brass, ivory, wood, leather, coral etc.);

Research paper thumbnail of Anti-migrant Propaganda in the United Kingdom in the Wake of the 'Refugee Crisis' (2015-2016): Othering of Refugees and Migrants in the British Press

Research paper thumbnail of How Has Postmodernism Influenced Contemporary Art? Analysis of 'Memory Palace' (Es Devlin) and 'Hollowed Water' (Athanasios Argianas)

Research paper thumbnail of Why Is Visual Culture Invaluable in the 21st Century? (A Case for Visual Culture)

Research paper thumbnail of Defining Contemporary Art: How Have Socio-political and Economic Forces Shaped the Way We Look at, Create and Define Art in Our Times?

Research paper thumbnail of Does Kara Walker's 'Fons Americanus' Have Any Significance in Contemporary Society?

Research paper thumbnail of How Did Heinrich Wölfflin’s 'Principles of Art History' Contribute to the Development of Art History?

Research paper thumbnail of Is Voice Classification Valid in Contemporary Commercial Music?

An investigation to determine the relevance of voice classification in Contemporary Commercial Mu... more An investigation to determine the relevance of voice classification in Contemporary Commercial Music through analysis, primary and secondary research is reported. Detailed analysis of the most frequently employed means of classification failed to give a clear-cut answer to the posed question as all the criteria for voice classification had both strong points and drawbacks. However, they showed strong relationship between voice classification and laryngeal muscular development. Moreover, the analysis and comparison of the results of Hugo Lycke’s study involving seventy-two contemporary vocal tutors and a primary study conducted in form of a questionnaire involving nine out of ten total members of the UK’s highly acclaimed contemporary music academy (vocal department) revealed disparities in opinions which led to belief that it is very unlikely to expect to see standardized classification. Finally, the results of the case study of Michael Jackson’s baritone voice once again reinforced the idea of voice classification as an indicator of muscular development. The synthesis of the results justified the use of voice classification in Contemporary Commercial Music, but merely as a pedagogical tool indicating areas requiring further development. Consequentially, the proposal for potential new categories (functional classification) was given.

Research paper thumbnail of Resounding Scream throughout The British Museum (Review of 'Edvard Munch: Love and Angst' Exhibition)