How do cultures use art objects to influence the natural world?

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Clarification of Question by astrogirl58-ga on 19 Nov 2005 13:17 PST

Regarding the role and function of art in Western and Non-Western
cultures...how do cultures use art....?

Okay, let's try to help.
"How do cultures use art objects to influence the natural world?"
Is there any context or description that helps define "the natural
world" for this essay theme?
If virgin nature is meant  - trees and plants, mountains and creeks - 
I have difficulty understanding how art objects could "influence" it 
- you too, maybe.  That suggests that something else is meant by "the
natural world", or that the word "influence" has a very broad meaning.
Or can we talk about "primitive" (not an acceptable expression these
days) cultures that made and make cult objects and used them in their
worship with the expectation that they can influence the natural
world:  assure good harvests, hunting, appeal to the rain gods, etc.?

Perhaps you can clarify the question a bit.
Regards, Myoarin

Myoarin, I appreciate your kindness...I'm a bit embarrassed by my
prior response. The paper is for my art history course. The focus is
the role and function of art in  Western and Non-Western cultures. 
The first question is a  broad discussion of: how do cultures use art
objects to influence the natural world?

I am lost!

Thank you for your thoughts.

astro

You might want to investigate the use of icons and holy images in the
eastern branches of the Christian church.

Here's an interesting site:

http://www.rom.on.ca/galleries/byzantine/byzindex.html