ART

June 14, 2024 Emarcea G Forest

The term art in itself is an ambiguous word. It implies many differing ideas and concepts or categories for many subcategories within its realm of existence. Objects and artifacts that are labeled and considered to be “works of art” are labeled in a way where the focus isn’t even on the word “art,” but the adjective that describes it. By means of what we have deemed to be art, it should be noted that it is indeed universal and can found in every culture or society; however, it is not recognized globally, as the definition would be much easier to find if it were. The notion of art itself didn’t even exist until European contact and wasn’t recognized as how art is seen in today’s world until the 18th century. Further, many do not see that the histories of “art” from past cultures, civilizations or societies has been infiltrated by European context and implications. There are many consequences to viewing art in this way. For instance, as the concept of art wasn’t present in these societies prior to when the object was found, the risk of integrating Western visualization of art into these ideas and concepts of past cultures skews the intended interpretation of such objects. In doing so, it differentiates the culture just enough to render their images as lesser or insufficient, or more primitive, as compared to Western culture. It also risks the fact that if these cultures did not possess the concept of art, that they somehow benefit from having the concept introduced for them. Art by appropriation is a common accident that occurs within the art world, as objects are taken from a historical background in which they were typically used with different intentions, and claimed as art. Naming these objects as art means nothing permanent to the items themselves, but it does uncover how much it is valued by those who view it. When these items are deemed as “art,” one’s culturally appropriated eyes concern themselves more so that the actual object, which then implies that the value system matters more than the system that allowed for that object to become of itself in the first place.

Another issue that comes from appropriating art is iconicity: the way in which the viewer tends to recognize symbols or images that are of their own, rather than seeing what the creator themself was actually interpreting the image to be and be used for. These symbolistic ideals have created many issues regarding the art community and the way in which art should be respected and interpreted. When these objects and their originally intended portrayal are separated by means of Western aesthetics, expectations and categories, one simply strips away at its natural setting. Curiosity is nothing but human nature, but it mustn't lead to the destruction of other cultures just for the sake of wanting to understand what something is and what it means.

The solution to solving art appropriation and this mystery of the undefinable word: art, may not be simple by any regard. However, it should begin with understanding that there is art that is intended to be art and only art, but there are other objects that Western culture has taken and deemed to be that as well. Recognizing the difference and acknowledging that no one can see these works within the culture they were initially created in/for is an equally important step that should be taken. However, I believe the root of the problem lies within the Western culture itself, as its aesthetic standards and categories for works of art have been instituted for too many years to try and change that notion. Honestly, it seems quite impossible, for it should also be considered that the Western culture itself has deep roots of ignorance and self-concern within its capitalist agenda, so trying to release this appropriation of art from the culture would be quite a task, especially when compared to other cultures who have based their upbringings on wisdom and morality and steer their culture away from the materialistic aspects of existence. It was suggested that if other parts of the world and the Western culture as well, were brought to light in this way, one’s own definitions and ideas in general would be altered greatly. With that said, the Western culture is based upon that desire of materialistic items and the power that comes with having more, which is also partly why one must put a “value” to these works and cannot just simply see them as they are and accept when they are from. Western morals and values within today’s world do not see things eye to eye with historical cultures and therefore have trouble accepting their original intentions and interpretations. So, when the question is asked of how we might deal with this issue of the word “art,” I don’t believe there to be any real answer without the power to erase the pointless materialistics of today’s world and the way in which we put value unto objects. If we were to have had a different upbringing, things would be so very different, but we aren’t capable of changing the past, only writing the future. So maybe the simple answer is to make a greater effort to inform the public of this appropriation and why it is important to respect other cultures, but standing in the center of the ignorance that plagues our world, who would listen?