Nitin Patel - 991489983

Topic: f, g, h

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6) Art before colonization and modern times

Like all its cultural pursuits – from music, to dance and dress, Costa Rica arts is a
product of the blending of its three main peoples. The Indigenous, European, and African
populations have all brought their traditions, and these have blended to create an
elaborate range of artistic expression.

Escazú, in particular, has been a magnet for artists. Here, in the late 1920s, Teodorico
Quirós and a group of contemporaries provided the nation with its own identifiable art
style—the Costa Rican “landscape” movement—which expressed in stylized forms the
personality of little mountain towns with cobblestone streets, adobe houses, and a
backdrop of volcanoes. One of the finest examples of sculpture from this period, the
chiselled stone image of a mother and child, can be seen outside the Maternidad Carit
maternity clinic in southern San José. Its creator, Francisco Zuñigo, Costa Rica’s most
acclaimed sculptor, left for Mexico in a fit in 1936 when the sculpture, titled Maternity,
(refer fig. 6(a) ) was lampooned by local critics.
By the late 1950s, many local artists looked down on the work of the prior generation
as the art of casitas (little houses) and were indulging in more abstract styles. Today,
Costa Rica’s home-grown art is world-class.

 Crafts

The Boruca people are known for their devil masks (refer fig. 6(b) ) and balsa
ornamental masks featuring colourful wildlife and indigenous faces. At Guaitíl, in
Nicoya, the Chorotega people’s tradition of pottery is booming, flooding souvenir stores
nationwide with quintessential Costa Rica pieces. In Escazú, master craftsman Barry
Biesanz crafts subtle, delicate bowls and decorative boxes from carefully chosen blocks
of tropical hardwoods.

Many of the best crafts in Costa Rica come from Sarchí, known for its carretas
(oxcarts) and rockers. Although full-size oxcarts are still made, today most of the
carretas are folding miniature trolleys that serve as liquor bars or indoor tables, and half-
size carts used as garden ornaments or simply to accent a corner of a home. The carts are
decorated with geometric mandala designs and floral patterns that have also found their
way onto wall plaques, kitchen trays, and other craft items.
 The Chorotega people of Guaitil on the Nicoya Peninsula, still make beautiful pottery
as they have done for centuries. Made from clay, these pots, bowls, and vases come
delicately painted with intricate patterns and beautiful pictures of local animals.
Traditional weaving’s also present in parts of the country, and although this serves a
practical purpose, the clothing produced is so attractive that it is considered an art form.

 Music and Dance

Costa Rican music is rather diverse and appeals to many different groups. There are
many types of music found in Costa Rica that appeal to different generations. For
example, the urban youth of Costa Rica enjoy: Reggae, Rock, SKA, Punk, Metal, Rap,
Hip Hop and Reggeaton. The older crowds tend to enjoy: Merengue, Salsa, Soca,
Cumbia, Rumba, Bachata, Classical and Tex-Mex. Those who live in more remote areas
of the country tend towards more folkloric music such as:Calypso, Marimba, Folkloric,
Afro-Caribbeano, and Guanacasteco.

The country is one of the southernmost of the “marimba culture” countries using the
African-derived marimba (xylophone). The guitar is also a popular instrument, especially
as an accompaniment to folk dances such as the punto guanacasteco (refer fig. 6(c)), a
heel-and-toe stomping dance for couples, officially decreed the national dance.

Guanacaste is the heartland of Costa Rican folkloric music and dancing. Here, even
such pre-Columbian instruments as the chirimia (oboe) (refer fig. 6(d)) and quijongo (a
single-string bow with gourd resonator) (refer fig. 6(e)) are still used. Dances usually
deal with the issues of enchanted lovers (usually legendary coffee pickers) and are based
on the Spanish paseo, with pretty maidens in frilly satin skirts and white bodices circled
by men in white suits and cowboy hats, accompanied by tossing of scarves, fanning of
hats, and lusty yelps from the men.

Although the most common dance is salsa, Tico's also enjoy the hypnotic and
rhythmic Latin beats combined with sensual movements of cumbia, lambada, marcado,
merengue, soca, and the Costa Rican swing, danced with sure-footed grace.

 Theater
Costa Rica supports a thriving acting community. In fact, Costa Rica supposedly has
more theater companies per capita than any other country in the world. The streets of San
José are lined with tiny theaters—everything from comedy to drama, avant-garde,
theatre-in-the-round, mime, and even puppet theater. Performances are predominantly in
Spanish. The English-speaking Little Theater Group is Costa Rica’s oldest theatrical
troupe; it performs in its own theatre in Escazú.
 Painting
Costa Rican paintings do not seem to imitate the European or native styles, rather it is
a combination of the two styles. Again as with most cultural aspects in Costa Rica, the
Catholic religion has influenced this area and many of the most important paintings were
done in or for the churches and demonstrated for the public. Later, as art became more
popular, many struggling artists pushed for a more formalized learning venue.

Costa Rican’s are best known for their unique expression of design on typical oxcarts
which they have decorated with bright colors and geometric designs throughout the
years. As for inspiration, Costa Rica is any artist’s paradise with a plethora of interesting
landscapes and breathtaking scenery.

7) Prominent People, Painters, Noble Prize

Prominent People
Costa Rica, even though a small nation has prominent citizens who have been
successful in leaving a mark in the world for their contributions be it in politics, music, arts
or sports. These people inspire fellow people to achieve success and name and to bring
laurels to the country in all fields. Below are some of the Costa Ricans who has
distinguished because of their accomplishments:

 Franklin Chang Díaz

Franklin Chang Díaz (refer fig. 7(a)) born on April 5, 1950 in San José, Costa Rica.
Dr. Chang-Dìaz became an astronaut in August 1981. While undergoing astronaut
training he was also involved in flight software checkout at the Shuttle Avionics
Integration Laboratory (SAIL), and participated in the early Space Station design studies.
He has also been part of many missions into outer space including the Discovery
expedition on 1998 and on the Endeavour on 2002. He has also received many prizes for
his work as a researcher and for developing the plasm motor for spacecraft.

 Juan Santamaría
Juan Santamaría(refer fig. 7(b)) born August 29, 1831joined the army as a drummer.
He became a hero in 1856, when, in the middle of the battle against William Walker and
the filibusters, he took a torch and burned down the house where the enemy was hiding.
Losing his life for his nation, he became one of the most famous people in Costa Rica.
The country erected a large statue in the middle of a park in the City of Alajuela. Costa
Ricans joke about his feat and say he had to literally be pushed into doing what he did.
That is why ticos call him “El Empujado ” or “pushed one.”
 Claudia Poll and Silvia Poll
Claudia Maria Poll(refer fig. 7(c)) Ahrens was born on 21st December 1972 and is
the only gold medallist of Costa Rica. She won the 200 meter freestyle swimming event
to clinch the first ever gold medal for Costa Rica in the 1996 Olympics. In the
subsequent 2000 Olympics, Claudia won two bronze medals for Costa Rica. In the year
1997, she was named the World Swimmer of the year by Swimming World Magazine.
Silvia Poll(refer fig. 7(d)) is the sister of Claudia Poll and has the credit of winning
the first ever Olympic medal for Costa Rica. She won the silver medal in the 1988
Olympic Games in the women’s 200 meter freestyle.
Both the sisters have set many national records in swimming and have many awards
to their credit.

 Jose Maria Castro Madriz

Jose Maria Castro Madriz (refer fig. 7(e)) was once the president of the Congress
and the Supreme Court of Costa Rica. He co-founded the Santo Tomas University and
started one of the first newspapers of the country, “El Mentor Costarricense”. He was
elected chief of state in 1847 and made Costa Rica an independent nation on 1848 and
became the first president of the Independent Republic from 1848 to 1849. During his
presidency he created a school for girls and established the actual Costa Rica flag.

 Laura Chinchilla Miranda

Laura Chinchilla Miranda (refer fig. 7(f)) was born on 28th March 1959 in San Jose,
Costa Rica and was the president of Costa Rica from 2010 to 2014. She carries the honor
of becoming the first woman president of Costa Rica and the eighth woman president of
a Latin American country. Prior to that, she was one of the two Vice-Presidents of Oscar
Arias Sanchez. She now teaches at Georgetown University. She is still one of the most
powerful women in Latin America and she takes up social and environment causes in
Costa Rica.

Painters

 Francisco Amighetti
Francisco Amighetti was born on June 1 if 1907, in San Jose, Costa Rica. He was self
taught artist who was influenced by European, Mexican and American artwork as well as
Japanese prints. He produced xylographs, drawings, and oil and water paintings. In the
1930's he adapted the style of surrealism. He started to produce primitivism xylographs
(wood carvings) and other types of engraved plates. He abandoned his classical
European training in favour of more revolutionary forms of art; surrealism and abstract
expressionism and impressionist landscape paintings. In paintings, he portrayed colourful
and bright everyday scenes of Costa Rican life with a touch of expressionism as well as
referencing social problems. (refer fig. 7(g))
 Jorge Gallardo
In the Central America region, Gallardo is known as one of the most influential artists
of the modern art scene. He was born in San Jose on December 12, 1924. Gallardo’s
work has always demonstrated a strong influence from his time spent in Europe and
Mexico learning his craft. Gallardo’s use of color and his point of view has been inspired
by his life experiences from his travels. Gallardo committed to capturing Costa Rican
daily life in his paintings. His pieces included glimpses into a farm worker’s life, with a
focus on the land and culture of his country. (refer fig. 7(h))

 Gonzalo Morales Saurez

Morales was born on July 9, 1945, in the capital city of San Jose. Morale's father who
also was a painter helped him develop his skills as a painter and sculptor, aiding him as
he held his first solo exhibition. Morale's work primarily draws from hyperrealism, a
school of painting and sculpture that emulates high-resolution photographs. . Morale's
hyperrealism works portray scenes with furniture, packing boxes, old facades, patios,
rooms or uninhabited spaces, using this imagery to shed light on previously unexplored
parts of everyday life. Some of Morales' most famous paintings include "Jacket de cuero"
("Leather jacket"), which he painted in 1975, and "Retrato de rosa" ("Rose portrait"), a
work created in 1996. (refer fig. 7(i))

Noble Prize

 Oscar Arias Sánchez

Oscar Arias Sánchez born September 13, 1940 is probably the most famous person
and a former President in Costa Rican history. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1987
for his efforts to end civil wars which were raging at the time in several other Central
American countries. (refer fig. 7(j))

8) Types Of Government

Constitutional framework

The government of Costa Rica operates as a presidential representative democracy,

which means the country is led by politicians who are elected to represent the interests of
the general population. The Constitution of Costa Rica, officially approved in 1949,
establishes executive, legislative, and judicial branches to carry out the responsibilities of
government.
 A president, two vice presidents, and a unicameral Legislative Assembly are elected
at the same time for a term of four years, the assembly by proportional representation.
Presidents may not run for immediate re-election, though they are eligible to serve again
after sitting out two successive presidential terms

Since the adoption of the constitution of 1949, Costa Rica has given an unusual
degree of power to autonomous agencies, including state-financed universities and
regional development institutes. Democratic Republic of Costa Rica is the most stable and
oldest democracy in Central America.

Government Branches

Main Powers Election Process Election Cycle 1

The president is
The president has limited elected by the
powers. It cannot veto the qualified majority.
legislative budget but can The vice-presidents
Executive appoint anyone to their are elected on the 4 years
cabinet without approval same ticket as
from Congress. The vice- president.
presidents take over reign in
the event of the president
being unable to do so.

The supreme court

exercises judicial power.
The constitutional chamber The supreme court
Judicial reviews the is nominated by the 8 years
constitutionality of legislative assembly.
legislation, executive
decrees, and all habeas
corpus warrants.

The legislative
The legislative assembly's assembly has 57
Legislative power is vested in the members who are
assembly. elected through a 4 years
closed-list
proportional
representation
system.
IMAGES:

fig. 6 (a) Maternity fig. 6 (b) devil's mask fig. 6 (c) Punto Guanacasteco

fig. 6(d) chirimia fig. 6(e) quijongo fig. 7(a) Francisco Amighetti

fig. 7(b) Juan Santamaría fig. 7(c) Claudia Poll fig. 7(d) Silvia Poll
 fig. 7(e) Jose Maria fig. 7(f) Laura fig. 7(g) Oscar Arias
Castro Madriz Chinchilla Miranda Sánchez

fig. 7(h) painting by fig. 7(i) painting by fig. 7(j) painting by

Francisco Amighetti Jorge Gallardo Gonzalo Morales Saurez

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References:
1) https://moon.com/2015/12/indigenous-arts-and-crafts-costa-rica/
2) http://costarica-information.com/about-costa-rica/art-history/costa-rica-art/arts-landing-
collection-1/
3) https://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/camerica/costarica/
crfamous.htm
4) https://content.wisestep.com/famous-people-costa-rica/
5) https://www.govisitcostarica.com/travelInfo/famous-artists.asp
6) https://theculturetrip.com/central-america/costa-rica/articles/an-introduction-to-costa-
rican-art-in-6-captivating-artists/
7) https://globaledge.msu.edu/countries/costa-rica/government
8) https://www.britannica.com/place/Costa-Rica

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