From:
shockme@xxxxxxxxxxx
Date:
Wed, 11 Jul 2001 05:37:19 -0300
Subject:
Cultural appropriation
At 12:50 AM 7/11/01 -0700, you wrote:
Quoted text begins.This whole discussion has really forced me to think about why 'cultural
appropriation' or 'cultural plagiarism' is inappropriate with regard to
Inuit art.
End of quote.
Seems I've opened a can of worms with this. The truth is
that as you mentioned, 50 years ago there was very
little in terms of Inuit art available. Most did not
carve anything at all. After a European couple moved to
Cape Dorset, they realized that people there could
potentially make a living carving soft local soapstone.
They created this culture as one would create a new
style of music like rap, based on old themes. Most of
the art is personalized and designed (and signed) by a
particular artist. From what I understand, these Inuit
artists work from their imagination.
A friend of mine who has been to Cape Dorset explained
how it works. They make the sculptures and sell them to
'dealers ' for a song. Cape Dorset is still steeped in
troubles (domestic violence, Gas sniffing, suicides,
alcoholism- although alcohol is banned). You can get
wonderful sculptures for a carton of cigarettes or a
bottle of Rum. Someone I know has acquired an entire
collection in this way. The actual artists receive a
pittance even if sold to a dealer, but the prices at
shows are unreal. Funny how that works. Seems like there
is another scam in the works behind the scenes.
Have I been influenced by Innuit art? I have been
influenced by all carving that I've seen. It would be
idiotic to say I have not been influenced by things I've
seen and experienced. I don't know anyone who has not
been influenced by something. I am influenced by
carvings I've seen throughout the world. The last thing
I thought of when starting out, was to try an ' con '
people into thinking it is Innuit work. I am quite
offended by this notion because my intentions were pure.
I thought that I would carve something unique to the
country I live in. Bears are merely good for hunting it
seems. Coming from Europe, where bears are more or less
extinct, I always thought of it as a magnificent animal
worthy of more respect. I decided to focus on the bear,
and try to show it in all it's natural ways, walking,
standing, with cub etc. I assumed that even white people
could respect and honour one of the world's most amazing
creatures. Perhaps I was jumping to conclusions.
Hours and hours of carving, and finally feeling such joy
at being able to create something beautiful out of solid
stone, only to be accused of plotting a quasi-Inuit
scam. The mere implication leaves a bad taste in my
mouth. It has really dampened my desire to carve at
present, as I see no reward, especially, after these
ill-informed allegations.
People have been carving creatures for thousands of
years, and this must be one of the first times someone's
imagination (mine) has been deemed unfit, because it
'resembles' something else. In Canada, artistic freedom
takes a back seat when it comes to stepping on myths. To
say that the Innuit or any other Native peoples have a
copyright on nature's design is insane. If you don't
understand specific meanings of pieces as the Innuit
intended them, then how can you make any kind of
judgment? I am carving an animal, not a culture. I have
as much right to carve an animal in any form my
imagination chooses, as any other human being on this
planet has. I can't really believe I have to spell it
out like this, but there are people out there who will
tell you otherwise ....
One piece on my site called "Birdman" was inspired by
the extinct " Birdman-clan" on Easter Island. A peoples
that lived in a microcosm in the Pacific, until they had
no resources left. War and strife toppled old beliefs
and a new "Bridman culture" evolved. A new belief-system
was formed but it didn't give them food and shelter.
They perished.
Is this a scam as well? Is it time to get a muzzle or
call the Culture Police??
I am an artist who wants to carve directly and freely,
and not have someone, sitting on my shoulder telling me
of my evil plans to con the poor. What utter nonsense,
and how insulting it is to me, really..
The reality is that I am living right around the poverty
level myself, so if it's about economic survival, I'm
not doing a good job. I make the sculptures for myself
first. If someone wants to purchase " my " work, then it
is their choice to do so. I always make sure that there
is no confusion as to the origins of the carving, in
case someone thinks a Big Mac is a Whopper or a Coke is
a Pepsi.
Maybe if I were in Afghanistan, I could understand this
line of argumentation but I thought in Canada, you could
do some honest work without getting sand-bagged into
this pathetic argument about cultural appropriation. In
any event, I think any Innuit would be offended if some
white dude came up to them and said, look that guy just
appropriated your culture ...... he carved a bear ....
Better get out the hand cuffs.
- References
- message 00043: Cultural appropriation - Susan (11 Jul 2001)
- message 00045: Cultural appropriation - Bill Brayman (11 Jul 2001)
- message 00046: Cultural appropriation - Shane Wilson Sculpture (11 Jul 2001)
- Previous by Thread: message 00046: Cultural appropriation - Shane Wilson Sculpture (11 Jul 2001)
- Next by Thread: message 00051: Cultural appropriation - Casey Harbison (11 Jul 2001)
- Previous by Date: message 00046: Cultural appropriation - Shane Wilson Sculpture (11 Jul 2001)
- Next by Date: message 00051: Cultural appropriation - Casey Harbison (11 Jul 2001)
