identities & inequalities & the arts (access to careers, tastes and the presence of the arts...
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Identities & Inequalities & the Arts (access to careers, tastes and the
presence of the arts in everyday life)
Identities & Inequalities & the Arts (access to careers, tastes and the
presence of the arts in everyday life)
Website visit: Guerrilla GirlsWebsite visit: Guerrilla Girls
The Arts & Identity Issues of Art World participantsThe Arts & Identity Issues of Art World participants have looked at “consumers” or audiences, today have looked at “consumers” or audiences, today
participants in art worldsparticipants in art worlds Identity issues for participantsIdentity issues for participants
Labeling (who is considered an “artist”?)Labeling (who is considered an “artist”?) ““representations” of identities in art (ex. ambivalence in representations” of identities in art (ex. ambivalence in
artists’ discourse, presentation of self)artists’ discourse, presentation of self) status distinctions (within & between art worlds)status distinctions (within & between art worlds)
symbolic boundariessymbolic boundaries material constraintsmaterial constraints
biases & values imbedded in practices & institutionsbiases & values imbedded in practices & institutions participation of minorities & the dispossessed in art worldsparticipation of minorities & the dispossessed in art worlds
Lecture OutlineLecture Outline
1- Discriminatory Dimensions of Art 1- Discriminatory Dimensions of Art Worlds & resistanceWorlds & resistance
2-Traditional cultures, new practices and 2-Traditional cultures, new practices and the international art marketthe international art market
3-Artistic Practice and socio-political & 3-Artistic Practice and socio-political & cultural actioncultural action
Discriminatory Dimensions of Artistic Practices & InstitutionsDiscriminatory Dimensions of Artistic Practices & Institutions
““Institutionalized” sexism & racismInstitutionalized” sexism & racism Gender, sexuality, race/ethnicity, religion, Gender, sexuality, race/ethnicity, religion,
national affiliations, geographynational affiliations, geography Tensions between artistic ‘freedom’ and socio-Tensions between artistic ‘freedom’ and socio-
cultural conventionscultural conventions
Recall: the “triple game” of contemporary artRecall: the “triple game” of contemporary art Sociologist Nathalie Heinich’s theory of how the arts push Sociologist Nathalie Heinich’s theory of how the arts push
the boundaries of what is acceptable the boundaries of what is acceptable Transgression (of norms, tastes & values by artists)Transgression (of norms, tastes & values by artists) Rejection (of artworks by publics)Rejection (of artworks by publics) integration (of new art endowed with the critical acclaim of integration (of new art endowed with the critical acclaim of art art
world insiders)world insiders)
Theory that contemporary artists must push Boundaries Theory that contemporary artists must push Boundaries pertaining to aesthetic values & other socio-cultural values pertaining to aesthetic values & other socio-cultural values (ex.photos by Robert (ex.photos by Robert MapplethorpeMapplethorpe))
Examples of Critical Discourse Analysis of Women in the Arts: Examples of Critical Discourse Analysis of Women in the Arts:
DeNora on Performing gender in history DeNora on Performing gender in history of piano performanceof piano performance
Guerilla Girls-- Guerilla Girls-- http://www.guerrillagirls.com/http://www.guerrillagirls.com/
Aim of exposing hegemony of white males Aim of exposing hegemony of white males of European heritage in contemporary Art of European heritage in contemporary Art WorldsWorlds
Guerrilla Girls Poster– advantages of being a woman artist
Guerrilla Girls Poster– advantages of being a woman artist
Guerrilla Girls Poster—Bus companiesGuerrilla Girls Poster—Bus companies
GG poster: Hormone imbalance, melanin deficiency
GG poster: Hormone imbalance, melanin deficiency
GG poster about collectorsGG poster about collectors
GG Poster: HelmsGG Poster: Helms
Guerrilla Girls
originally covered skin to hide identity further
Guerrilla Girls
originally covered skin to hide identity further
King KongKing Kong
Kong and Faye WrayKong and Faye Wray
Beauty & the beast imageryBeauty & the beast imagery Plus word play (Guerrillas as underground Plus word play (Guerrillas as underground
fighters too)fighters too)
GG poster INGRESGG poster INGRES
INGRES—OdalisqueINGRES—Odalisque
Another approach to resisting hegemonic restrictions on participation in art worlds: Studies of “exceptions” (success stories)
Another approach to resisting hegemonic restrictions on participation in art worlds: Studies of “exceptions” (success stories)
Jacob Lawrence, Jacob Lawrence,
IronersIroners 1943 1943..
Rewriting the “canon”Rewriting the “canon” Germaine Greer Germaine Greer The Obstacle Race. The Fortunes of The Obstacle Race. The Fortunes of
women Painters and their workwomen Painters and their work, 1979, 1979 Ex. Marcia Tucker et al. Ex. Marcia Tucker et al. Out there. Marginalization and Out there. Marginalization and
Contemporary culturesContemporary cultures New Museum of Contemporary New Museum of Contemporary Art, 1992.Art, 1992.
Griselda Pollock Griselda Pollock Differencing the Canon-- Feminist Differencing the Canon-- Feminist Desire and the Writing of Art’s Desire and the Writing of Art’s Histories, routledge, Histories, routledge, 19991999
Boim, Albert. Boim, Albert. The Art of Exclusion. Representing blacks The Art of Exclusion. Representing blacks in the nineteenth Centuryin the nineteenth Centuryk, Smithsonian 1990k, Smithsonian 1990
Trinh T. Minh-ha, Cornell West etc.Trinh T. Minh-ha, Cornell West etc.
Art-making in Traditional Cultural Practices Outside Western European Mainstream: Example: Australian Aboriginal Art
Art-making in Traditional Cultural Practices Outside Western European Mainstream: Example: Australian Aboriginal Art
E. Michaels--”For a cultural future. Francis E. Michaels--”For a cultural future. Francis Jupurrurla makes TV at Yuendumu”Jupurrurla makes TV at Yuendumu”
interplay of artistic & cultural practices/valuesinterplay of artistic & cultural practices/values Warlpiri Media Association broadcasts as act of cultural Warlpiri Media Association broadcasts as act of cultural
appropriation of mediaappropriation of media key issues: key issues:
Aboriginal languagesAboriginal languages social diversity of groupssocial diversity of groups social conventions for distribution of roles, knowledge social conventions for distribution of roles, knowledge
(images/texts) & memories (the” law”)(images/texts) & memories (the” law”)
Example: Naming Practices of WarlpiriExample: Naming Practices of Warlpiri naming conventions & concepts of naming conventions & concepts of
personhoodpersonhood skin & subsection termsskin & subsection terms define relations & knowledgedefine relations & knowledge
Key problems in adapting cinematic practices for Warlpiri Key problems in adapting cinematic practices for Warlpiri western practice of identification of western practice of identification of
individual artistindividual artist avoidance of generic “primitive”avoidance of generic “primitive” indistinctness of boundaries between indistinctness of boundaries between
authorship & oeuvreauthorship & oeuvre restrictions on who makes or views restrictions on who makes or views
expressive actsexpressive acts
“The Law”&Dreamings“The Law”&Dreamings
tradition & practice tradition & practice site for inspiration & site for inspiration &
creativitycreativity link to person’s “place” link to person’s “place”
(age, gender, kinship (age, gender, kinship category, “country”)category, “country”)
““ownership” of stories, ownership” of stories, names, images that names, images that recount the “Law”recount the “Law”
taboo about dead taboo about dead people’s people’s names/possessionsnames/possessions
Pansy Napangardi painting
Dreaming & the Law--New South Wales Curriculum Support
Dreaming & the Law--New South Wales Curriculum Support
Traditional practices: body & sand paintingTraditional practices: body & sand painting
Jean Nampitjinpa, Bush Onion Dreaming,acrylic on canvas, 1993Jean Nampitjinpa, Bush Onion Dreaming,acrylic on canvas, 1993
Michaels on reconciling new media & traditionsMichaels on reconciling new media & traditions Coniston Story Coniston Story -murder of trapper as “origin -murder of trapper as “origin
story”story” technique “observational or direct” cinematechnique “observational or direct” cinema resistance to “making things up” for the cameraresistance to “making things up” for the camera acceptance of multiple meaningsacceptance of multiple meanings Rethinking relationship between director/actorRethinking relationship between director/actor
Community solutions & uses of new mediaCommunity solutions & uses of new media ““fire ceremony” --filmed in 1967 by anthropologistfire ceremony” --filmed in 1967 by anthropologist
viewing issues (dead?)--deceased in “background”viewing issues (dead?)--deceased in “background” banned ceremony(by church)banned ceremony(by church) use as learning tooluse as learning tool model for shooting new performancemodel for shooting new performance edited tapes filed as “not to look”edited tapes filed as “not to look” reproduction & social issuesreproduction & social issues
Questions of the WarlpiriQuestions of the Warlpiri
Can video make us strong? Will it make us lose Can video make us strong? Will it make us lose the law?the law?
Contemporary contradictionsContemporary contradictions traditional forms of cultural practices & new media---traditional forms of cultural practices & new media---
CULTURAL FUTURECULTURAL FUTURE political survival of a people depends on ability to political survival of a people depends on ability to
REPRODUCE CULTURAL FORMS REPRODUCE CULTURAL FORMS
Ethnographic Objects in the Art/culture systemEthnographic Objects in the Art/culture system factors in classification of art/artifacts (non-factors in classification of art/artifacts (non-
art)art) formalist, aesthetic, spiritual/ritualformalist, aesthetic, spiritual/ritual context (cultural, historical, aesthetic)context (cultural, historical, aesthetic) commodity, technologycommodity, technology
cultural signs vs. artistic--changing cultural signs vs. artistic--changing categories (beautiful, cultural, authentic) categories (beautiful, cultural, authentic)
ethical issuesethical issues
Artistic & Cultural Property in Public MuseumsArtistic & Cultural Property in Public Museums Three examples of transgressions & Three examples of transgressions &
problems with secret, sacred knowledge or problems with secret, sacred knowledge or things (Marcus)things (Marcus) Native American Graves Protection and Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation ActRepatriation Act Academic journal article about HopisAcademic journal article about Hopis Publication about Aboriginal group (Yiwara) Publication about Aboriginal group (Yiwara)
with photos of sacred placeswith photos of sacred places
Censorship of Secret-Sacred Knowledge about Aboriginal Groups
Censorship of Secret-Sacred Knowledge about Aboriginal Groups
Challenges to liberal thought, freedom of expression, Challenges to liberal thought, freedom of expression, right to know etc…right to know etc…
Changing boundaries in what can be known and by Changing boundaries in what can be known and by whom (many factors, even when customs constant)whom (many factors, even when customs constant)
BUT censorship is consistent with internal controls on BUT censorship is consistent with internal controls on rights to display and share knowledgerights to display and share knowledge
New dynamics in politics of identity and cultural New dynamics in politics of identity and cultural heritage for cultural renewal and survivalheritage for cultural renewal and survival
Teaching the Arts as a form of ‘action research’ & communicationTeaching the Arts as a form of ‘action research’ & communication
Example: Example:
Video clipVideo clip
‘‘Kumba’Kumba’
Artistic Activities for Social ChangeArtistic Activities for Social Change
Artists as members of social/cultural “avant Artists as members of social/cultural “avant garde”—garde”— anticipate social changeanticipate social change provoke resistance (ex. anti-war, AIV AIDS provoke resistance (ex. anti-war, AIV AIDS
benefits etc.)benefits etc.) inspire trends (ex. fashions)inspire trends (ex. fashions) support charitable causes (ex. AIDS activism)support charitable causes (ex. AIDS activism) provide leadershipprovide leadership
Artistic Practice as Social Action: Samuel Mockbee’s “Architecture of Decency”—Rural Studio
Artistic Practice as Social Action: Samuel Mockbee’s “Architecture of Decency”—Rural Studio Architecture students in Alabama work on Architecture students in Alabama work on
buildings for rural poor: homes, children’s buildings for rural poor: homes, children’s centre, marketplace, sports facilitiescentre, marketplace, sports facilities
““sustainable” architecture, social welfare, sustainable” architecture, social welfare, practical experiencepractical experience
Mason’s BendMason’s Bend
Small, very poor rural community living in makeshift Small, very poor rural community living in makeshift housinghousing
Bryant (Hay Bale House)Bryant (Hay Bale House)
Views of the Hay Bale HouseViews of the Hay Bale House 1994 & 2000 (r)1994 & 2000 (r)
Addition for grandchildren’s sleeping quartersAddition for grandchildren’s sleeping quarters
SmokehouseSmokehouse
Other Projects Other Projects
Links between social conscience & high culture aestheticsLinks between social conscience & high culture aesthetics Modernism/postmodernismModernism/postmodernism
High tech materials & tastes but “low tech” & High tech materials & tastes but “low tech” & low cost building solutionslow cost building solutions
Interaction with clients & feedback from themInteraction with clients & feedback from them Community-based projectsCommunity-based projects Note references to architectural traditions in Note references to architectural traditions in
introductionintroduction
Judith Levine: Theatre for the ForgottenJudith Levine: Theatre for the Forgotten Theatre in prisons & with “social outcasts”Theatre in prisons & with “social outcasts” Benevolence & art– different than “art for Benevolence & art– different than “art for
arts sake”arts sake” Historic example: Beckett’s Historic example: Beckett’s End GameEnd Game
Theatre for the ForgottenTheatre for the Forgotten
Funding issues: Funding issues: Volunteers at the beginningVolunteers at the beginning Touring inmates as part of theatreTouring inmates as part of theatre Money for “training”, for arts diffusionMoney for “training”, for arts diffusion Funding for social support (education, employment readiness, Funding for social support (education, employment readiness,
counselling components)counselling components) change in emphasis– theatre professionals replaced by social change in emphasis– theatre professionals replaced by social
workers & arts therapistsworkers & arts therapists In 1970s– end of growth of guerrilla theatre movementsIn 1970s– end of growth of guerrilla theatre movements
Debates: Debates:
Arts for art sake vs. arts as social-political actionArts for art sake vs. arts as social-political action Arts as “normative” (teaching shared values)– like debates Arts as “normative” (teaching shared values)– like debates
about the arts & citizenshipabout the arts & citizenship Using other funding as a pretext to fund the artsUsing other funding as a pretext to fund the arts Use of arts funding for social programmesUse of arts funding for social programmes Definition about what is art?Definition about what is art? who can teach the arts?who can teach the arts?
Impact of Arts as Social ServiceImpact of Arts as Social Service
Organizational identityOrganizational identity Survival strategiesSurvival strategies Changes to the actual way in which the art Changes to the actual way in which the art
is doneis done Other types of activist theatre: ex. Augusto Other types of activist theatre: ex. Augusto
Boal’s Boal’s Theatre of the OppressedTheatre of the Oppressed
Gran Fury and AIDS activismGran Fury and AIDS activism
Gran Fury– name for an artists’ collective (1988-Gran Fury– name for an artists’ collective (1988-1992)1992)
AIDS awareness AIDS awareness public advertisement campaign (silence=death)public advertisement campaign (silence=death) Article about Quebec campaignArticle about Quebec campaign
Political Art and ActionPolitical Art and Action
Against indifference to AIDS & against homophobiaAgainst indifference to AIDS & against homophobia But did not do <homework> in Quebec context (health But did not do <homework> in Quebec context (health
coverage better there than in US, language differences)coverage better there than in US, language differences) Other causesOther causes
Against Gentrification (middle class move back to urban centres, Against Gentrification (middle class move back to urban centres, loss of low cost housing for poor people)loss of low cost housing for poor people)
Pure food movementPure food movement
Note to Users of these Outlines--Note to Users of these Outlines--
not all material covered in class appears on these outlines-- not all material covered in class appears on these outlines-- important examples, demonstrations and discussions aren’t important examples, demonstrations and discussions aren’t written down here.written down here.
Classes are efficient ways communicating information and Classes are efficient ways communicating information and provide you will an opportunity for regular learning. provide you will an opportunity for regular learning. These outlines are provided as a study aid not a These outlines are provided as a study aid not a replacement for classes.replacement for classes.