1. Define the term 'pluralism' using APA.
Pluralism in art refers to the nature of artforms and artists as diverse. The cultural context of art is all encompassing in its respect for the art of the world's cultures. Inclusion of individuals of differing ethnicities, genders, ideologies, abilities, ages, religions, economic status and educational levels is valued. Pluralism honors differences within and between equitable groups while seeing their commonalities.
Cultural Context: Pluralism in Art Definition (Retrieved 10 July, 2009)
http://www.design.iastate.edu/NAB/about/thinkingskills/cultural_context/pluralism.html
2. How would you describe New Zealand's current dominant culture?
New Zealand has a range of races mixed into one, at the moment, there doesn't really seem to be a dominant one. But if we're talking about the main culture of New Zealand rather than the ratio of different ethnicities, then definitely Western. I think there was a lot of influence from the British, but nowadays thanks to the media, there are some American cultures being adapted as well. There is not much acknowledgment towards the Maori culture, sometimes I think that it is only just barely surviving because of the Tourism industry. We need to learn to appreciate and keep alive pieces of the original New Zealand.
3. Before 1840, what was New Zealand's dominant culture?
Before the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, Maoris were the dominant culture of New Zealand. The mini animations on http://www.treatyofwaitangi.govt.nz show the decrease in Maori population in the 'Trades' clip and also the 'Muskets'. The Maori traded land, food and natural resources for new technology and knowledge. The muskets ended up bringing nothing but bloodshed throughout both islands, resulting in a devastating loss of the Maori population.
4. How does the Treaty of Waitangi relate to us all as artists and designers working in New Zealand?
Traditional aspects of the Maori culture are actually quite widely used internationally, it's just that the Maori are not acknowledged in the process. To be able to create work which represents our society and culture, we need to be able to comprehend every little factor and history of it, not just simply use the outer shell without analyzing and appreciating what is inside. The Treaty is one of the main articles which enables artists and designers to add more depth and association to their works during the process.
5. How can globalization be seen as having a negative effect on regional diversity in New Zealand in particular?
Globalization is basically the same as having everyone conforming, and to conform to something is to let yourself be ruled over and oppressed. Globalization attempts to bring everyone together as one, sure it would be good to get rid of discrimination, but what it does is it also ignores our differences when our differences are what actually brings us together as a whole.
Hence, Globalization in New Zealand would have to go one way or another, make the Maori culture more stronger or completely wipe it out. The diverse cultures in New Zealand would become more limited than ever. With art and design, if the markets are globalized and materials and resources replaced, then what is left available to keep New Zealand art unique?
6. Shane Cotton's paintings are said to examine the cultural landscape. Research Cotton's work 'Welcome'(2004) and 'Forked Tongue' (2011) to analyze what he is saying about colonialization and the Treaty of Waitangi.
Both of Cotton's works showcase a combination of modern techniques and also a deep understanding and appreciation of Maori culture and also acknowledgement of its relationship with the European society.
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| "Welcome" (2004) |
'Welcome' portrays an image of Jesus Christ, two fantail birds on either side and a native Maori mask underneath. The black and white contrast is much stronger with the Maori mask and the fantail on the left, the same with Jesus's face and the fantail on the right, they both correspond to each other. I think that the contrast was made more vivid with the mask and left bird, to imply how Maoris were the first to inhabit New Zealand. Jesus and the bird on the right are more faded, suggesting later arrival of the Europeans. The fact that Jesus is positioned at the top rather than next to the mask conveys the kind of inferiority complex there was when the Europeans and their missionaries first arrived in New Zealand, the Maori, who did not know a lot about the outside world were considered inferior to the Pakeha. The title itself is quite ironic as in the beginning, the European settlers were not that warmly welcomed.
"In paintings such as “Forked Tongue”, which features a cliff face, a fantail, some Maori designs and a tracery of red lines these symbols or metaphors become starting points for an elaboration on the links between the physical, historical and spiritual landscapes."
(- John Daly. National Business Review: Shane Cotton Paintings examine the natural landscapes. 2010)
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| "Forked Tongue" (2011) |
7. Tony Albert's installation 'Sorry' (2008) reflect the effects of colonisation on the aboriginal people of Australia. Research the work and comment on what Albert is communicating through his work, and what he is referring to. Describe the materials that Albert uses on this installation and say what he hopes his work can achieve. Define the term 'kitsch'.
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| "Sorry" Tony Albert (2008) |
Albert is communicating through the installation the apology of former Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd made to the Indigenous Australians on 13 February 2008.
"Sorry commemorates the apology on 13 February 2008 by the former Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, to Indigenous Australians who have suffered as a result of ‘past mistreatment’ by the Government of Australia." (21st Century Blog 2011)
'Sorry' recognizes the pain and suffering which the Aboriginal people have had to go through because of the Australian Government. Albert does not sympathize nor express racism in his installation, instead it is more like he is taking a silent stand for them, unable to do anything but still wanting to show that he believes that a better future is still possible.
"Yet, Tony Albert is neither championing hopeless blind optimism nor pessimism through his work. Aboriginal people have been offered many broken promises. Here, Albert and his army of kitsch faces, has taken this word on face value until real change is observed." (21st Century Blog 2011)
Kitsch is a form of art that is considered an inferior, tasteless copy of an extant style of art or a worthless imitation of art of recognized value.
The concept is associated with the deliberate use of elements that may be thought of as cultural icons while making cheap mass produced objects that are unoriginal. Kitsch also refers to the types of art that are aesthetically deficient (whether or not being sentimental, glamorous, theatrical, or creative) and that make creative gestures which merely imitate the superficial appearances of art through repeated conventions and formulae. Excessive sentimentality often is associated with the term.
The contemporary definition of kitsch considered derogatory, denoting works executed to pander to popular demand alone and purely for commercial purposes rather than works created as self-expression by an artist.The term is generally reserved for unsubstantial and gaudy works that are calculated to have popular appeal and are considered pretentious and shallow rather than genuine artistic efforts.
The concept of kitsch is applied to artwork that was a response to the 19th century art with aesthetics that convey exaggerated sentimentality and melodrama hence, kitsch art is closely associated with sentimental art. (Kitsch, 2011)
The concept is associated with the deliberate use of elements that may be thought of as cultural icons while making cheap mass produced objects that are unoriginal. Kitsch also refers to the types of art that are aesthetically deficient (whether or not being sentimental, glamorous, theatrical, or creative) and that make creative gestures which merely imitate the superficial appearances of art through repeated conventions and formulae. Excessive sentimentality often is associated with the term.
The contemporary definition of kitsch considered derogatory, denoting works executed to pander to popular demand alone and purely for commercial purposes rather than works created as self-expression by an artist.The term is generally reserved for unsubstantial and gaudy works that are calculated to have popular appeal and are considered pretentious and shallow rather than genuine artistic efforts.
The concept of kitsch is applied to artwork that was a response to the 19th century art with aesthetics that convey exaggerated sentimentality and melodrama hence, kitsch art is closely associated with sentimental art. (Kitsch, 2011)
8. Explain how the work of both artists relates to pluralism.
Both artists works relate to pluralism in the sense that they both portray stories and history within their art - socially and culturally. Their works also illustrate a combination of the past and present, using modern resources to produce their works and showing how many pieces of history today continue to influence the society around us.
Both artists works relate to pluralism in the sense that they both portray stories and history within their art - socially and culturally. Their works also illustrate a combination of the past and present, using modern resources to produce their works and showing how many pieces of history today continue to influence the society around us.
>New Zealandwww.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/New-Zealand.html
>Shane Cotton Survey 1993-2003www.aucklandartgallery.com/whats-on/events/2004/may/shane-cotton-survey-1993-2003
>http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/shane-cotton-paintings-examine-cultural-landscape-126412
>(“Globalization”). 2011 Oxford Dictionaries.London.
>Kitschhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitsch
>Tony Alberthttp://qag.qld.gov.au/collection/indigenous_australian_art/tony_albert
> Flight Paths (July 14, 2007) The Listener, issue 3505.
http://www.listener.co.nz/culture/art/flight-paths/
>Shane Cotton Survey 1993-2003www.aucklandartgallery.com/whats-on/events/2004/may/shane-cotton-survey-1993-2003
>http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/shane-cotton-paintings-examine-cultural-landscape-126412
>(“Globalization”). 2011 Oxford Dictionaries.London.
>Kitschhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitsch
>Tony Alberthttp://qag.qld.gov.au/collection/indigenous_australian_art/tony_albert
> Flight Paths (July 14, 2007) The Listener, issue 3505.
http://www.listener.co.nz/culture/art/flight-paths/
2 comments:
I found interesting when you explain that the bird and Jesus are less faded so it shows they arrived later, I really didn’t see that coming. What I have noticed is that the two birds looks like they are in a combat mode, like they are in conflict, the two culture may have issues even with the signed treaty.
I strongly agree that globalization ignores our differences when that is exactly the thing that actually brings the world together as a whole. New Zealand shouldn't be globalized because Maori culture is what makes this country unique and stand out.
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