Interaction in the <i>Symposion</i>: An Experiential Approach to Attic Black-Figured Eye Cups

Archaic Greek ceramic kylixes with painted eye motifs are commonly known as eye cups, and date to 535-500 BCE. Due to the strikingly noticeable eye motifs on their outer surfaces, these cups are traditionally analyzed almost exclusively by interpreting their painted imagery. Such an approach does not, however, yield a complete understanding of the ways these objects functioned, appeared, and influenced the all-male drinking parties of the Archaic Greek <i>symposion</i>. This paper presents a new evaluation of eye cups by utilizing an experiential approach to reconstruct ancient experiences with these objects. Utilizing viewer response theory, affect theory, and object agency theory, three case studies focusing on the interactions between the ancient user and object are explored. The first eye cup features naval imagery on the exterior and a Gorgon on the interior; in this case, the eye cup compelled the user to take on a heroic role to lead in a naval battle and also conquer the Gorgon. The second eye cup features various mythological figures on the exterior with also a Gorgon on the interior. In this case study, the represented figures are generic mythological beings and allow the viewer(s) an open interpretation so that the cup could become an active participant in performance by possessing the characteristics of a theatrical mask. The eye cup analyzed in the final case study references sexual connotations on the exterior, with a plain interior. Creating a complete reconstruction of the interaction in the third case study finds a cyclical connection between object and the original context, the <i>symposion</i>, as well as creating levels of power based on the object one drank from. Through this experiential approach, I have found that eye cups were multi-functional contributors to the ancient Greek <i>symposion</i> and these ancient interactions are still accessible to modern scholars.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Art/Art History

Grantor dc:publisher

Bowling Green State University

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Fechik, Jennifer R.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Langin-Hooper, Stephanie

• Ancient History
• Ancient Civilizations
• Art History
• Archaeology
• Classical Studies
• Fine Arts
• History
• symposion
• symposium
• art
• greek
• ancient art
• interaction
• experiential
• affect
• agency
• object agency
• ceramics
• pottery
• classics

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1363802054

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:bgsu1363802054