In teaching week 5 you will discuss pluralism and the Treaty of Waitangi in your tutorials. Use this discussion, the notes in your ALVC book and the internet to respond to the following questions:
1. Define the term 'pluralism' using APA referencing.
According to Caldwell (1999), 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 culture. Inclusion of individuals of differing ethnicities, genders, ideologies, abilities, ages, religions, economic status and educational levels is valued. Pluralism honours differences within and between equitable groups while seeing their commonalities.
2. How would you describe New Zealand's current dominant culture?
The main culture is made up by European people with a strong influence from people of the Pacific Islands and Asia. Generally, everyone gets along with people from other cultural back grounds. European people understand that different nationalities all have something to offer New Zealand.
2. How would you describe New Zealand's current dominant culture?
The main culture is made up by European people with a strong influence from people of the Pacific Islands and Asia. Generally, everyone gets along with people from other cultural back grounds. European people understand that different nationalities all have something to offer New Zealand.
3. Before 1840, what was New Zealand's dominant culture?
In 1830, there were 100,000 Maori and only 200 European people. Maori was definately the dominant culture. However, the culture would differ depending on which area the Maori people came from.
4. How does the Treaty of Waitangi relate to us all as artists and designers working in New Zealand?
I think it is great, because we have another dimension to work with. Of course we need to always be culturally sensitive and have respect when including Maori work or referring to Maori work, because that can make or break an artist or designer. One small mistake and you could be in alot of trouble. If we always have respect for their culture and background, them I'm sure everything will be fine.
5. How can globalization be seen as having a negative effect on regional diversity in New Zealand in particular?
In ancient years every Maori were able to do bone carvings, wood carvings, make weapons and speak fluent Maori. Nowadays, few Maori people can do this. Good skills were lost. The Europeans introduced new methods, which were easier to perform and also introduced English, which over time has become the main language.
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.
'Welcome' (2004) Shane Cotton
http://www.printsandprintmaking.gov.au/catalogues/work/52293/shane-cotton-welcome.aspx
Cotton delicately delineates images that have become synonymous with his work, including the controversial motif of "upoko tuhituhi" or “marked heads”, and his iconic birds. In Cotton’s depiction of these ancestors and in referencing their after-life and the heavens, his work can be seen as a way to keep their identity and memory alive.
"Cotton's work evocatively includes both Maori iconography and culture, such as shrunken heads, mokomokai, and native birds such as tui, and European symbols and items. His paintings have explored questions of colonialism, cultural identity, Maori spirituality, and death." (http://www.enotes.com/topic/Shane_Cotton)
The 'Welcome' (2004) in my opinion is two men which are 1 Maori and 1 European. There are two birds, both from Europe, that were introduced to New Zealand. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed to keep the peace between the local Maori and the European settlers.
"Cotton's work evocatively includes both Maori iconography and culture, such as shrunken heads, mokomokai, and native birds such as tui, and European symbols and items. His paintings have explored questions of colonialism, cultural identity, Maori spirituality, and death." (http://www.enotes.com/topic/Shane_Cotton)
The 'Welcome' (2004) in my opinion is two men which are 1 Maori and 1 European. There are two birds, both from Europe, that were introduced to New Zealand. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed to keep the peace between the local Maori and the European settlers.
'Forked Tongue'(2011) Shane Cotton
My sense is that the two main symbols are spiritual in preoccupation. The tumbling birds could be human souls trying to find an afterlife paradise. They might be in one stage of many reincarnations, for there seems to be hints of anamorphic distortion where something is visually resolved at the correct viewing location. Their feathery bodies look like stretched pelts, ornithological hides that can be worn like cloaks by future travellers, material bodies worn by transmigrating souls. Sometimes there are cages nearby - not for shelter or rest, more warnings of confinement or forced restriction.
This means that colonialization has occured in New Zealand after the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. It could be said that the Maori culture is slowly leaving New Zealand and being reincarnated and transformed along the way. Now-a-days, to experience a truely Maori cultural show, you have to go to a museum or specific place where the are forced restrictions on how a show can be performed. (Hurrell, 2010)
7. Tony Albert's installation 'Sorry' (2008) reflect the effects of colonization 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'.
It is a message to the Aboriginal people from the European people. When the European people first came to Australia in the late 1700's, they were unfairly treated. 'Sorry' was presented to the Aboriginal people in 2008 by Kevin Rudd, the Prime Minister of Australia in 2008. Sorry is made out of Kitsch, which in this work, is symbolic or cultural icons of Aboriginal faces. These were collected by the Artist for over 10 years before Sorry was made.
Both artists have included their own unique culture to their work. Weather it is a Maori face or an Aboriginal face, they are both direct identities to their own culture. Both cultures are the minority in each country, yet both beam value and individualism to their own specific culture.
Found kitsch objects applied to vinyl letters | 99 objects :
200 x 510 x 10cm (installed) | The James C Sourris Collection.
Purchased 2008 with funds from James C Sourris through the
Queensland Art Gallery Foundation | Collection: Queensland Art Gallery
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6afMy0rlqq8
http://qag.qld.gov.au/collection/indigenous_australian_art/tony_albert
REFERENCES:
Cadwell, B. (1999). Cultural context. Retrieved from http://www.public.iastate.edu/~design/ART/NAB/PluART.html
Hurrell, J. (2010, July 28). The Wavering Interiority of Cotton’s New Paintings.
http://eyecontactsite.com/2010/07/pondering-the-marks-and-symbols-of-shane-cotton
Tony Albert. 21st Century: Art in the First Decade. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Drb9RbW3Tw
I like the way you described pluralism as honouring differences within and between equitable groups. I agree that New Zealand has strong influences from pacific islands and asia that make up its population. The difference in ethnicities makes me wonder what the country would be like if back when it was settled there had been more maoris than settlers; would the country be more culture and traditionally focused? I think that it is sad that through globalisation though it has made some peoples lives better it has caused the loss of traditional skills resulting in loss to elements of culture. I think art is a good medium for people to question the past or social issues and i think that both Shane Cotton and Tony Albert have done so in very unique and interesting ways.
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that you interpreted the two Shane Cotton works in a sort of purgatorial sense, referring to the afterlife and reincarnation. This relates to Maori beliefs, not just Christianity, as traditional Maori culture is very spiritual. Where you stated “Maori culture is slowly leaving New Zealand”, I think that New Zealand actually does a considerable job in keeping Maori traditions alive in contemporary culture such as using the Haka as a show of respect as well as challenge.
ReplyDeleteI agree New Zealand is multiple cultures country and have many variations of oversea culture, also maori and pakeha people are understand that different nationalities all have something to offer New Zealand. I understand the globalizations bring the huge negative thing, many traditional rich cultures might lose and the urban city looks like similar and boring. Maori have most high technique carving skill in pacific, its so beautiful and full of rich history. Some point lose it, but now people keep it and continue to next generation. Art is human history, always its belong with culture and must useful media for communicate to people.
ReplyDeleteI disagree that Pacific Island and Asia has a strong influence on New Zealand, because still most of the ethnicity groups like to stay with their own kind. Such as Pacific Islanders, different types of Asians, and Europeans all stay in their pack. They don't usually associate themselves much with other ethnicities, and even if they do, they don't get too close. Most people don't seem to realize that there is a sort of invisible barrier between them.
ReplyDeleteI do agreed your answer two that New Zealand have been strongly influenced by Europeans and Asian. I think Asian is spreading his culture all over the world in a short amount of time. In fact Asian food is everywhere, I saw that a future building will be built next to the sky tower (where the bungy jumping is) and will be taller than the sky tower ( if we consider they are on the same level). That building is from a Korean business, this could show how fast these culture are growing.
ReplyDelete