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.