Theoretical Review
Human Ethology Bulletin, Volume 31, No 1, 30-46, published March 30, 2016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22330/heb/311/030-046
ABSTRACT
Human genital display as part of the sculptural repertoire was presented and discussed within a wider ethological framework in the sixties of the last century. Male phallic display is widely referred to as a rank demonstration and ritualized threat rooted in male sexual behavior, and it is discussed as a symbolic dominance display and defense in the artistic context as well. Female sexual display in sculptures, however, is prevalently interpreted in terms of erotic and fertility aspects in art literature. Ethologically it is described as a gesture with at least ambivalent meaning. A recent analysis of its artistic presentation in the nineties of the last century has given rise to a new discussion of its function and meaning, on the behavioral as well as on the sculptural level. Cross-cultural consistency, functional context and expressive cues thereby play a primary role in this regard. In addition, a new consideration of behavioral relicts contributes to reinterpreting the gesture, both ethologically and artistically. The concept of ritualization may be of particular help for a better understanding of its archaic behavioral background and its special relevance for the arts. The sculptural motive is in the meantime partially accepted as an “apotropaic” (aversive) motive even in archaeological circles, but any derivation from behavioral origins is still far away from being integrated.
Keywords: Female genital display, ethology, ritualization, art, and cultural comparison.
ISSN: 2224-4476
