1. Define the term 'pluralism' using APA referencing.
“Pluralism in art refers to the nature of art forms and artists as diverse. The cultural context of art is all encompassing in its respect for art of the world’s cultures. 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.” Caldwell (1999)
2. How would you describe New Zealand's current dominant culture?
If you Google images “kiwi culture” the first thing that appears on your screen is the giant kiwi fruit at kiwi360, followed by the hongi (a traditional Maori greeting between two people), bungee jumping, kiwi holding the New Zealand flag, jandals, Jaffa’s, swandris, buzzy bee, Marmite, sheep, clean green, nuclear free and last but not least the All Blacks. Those are just to name a few. We are a diverse country, with many different nationalities. Therefore we have created our own culture so that all cultures can relate too.
3. Before 1840, what was New Zealand's dominant culture?
New Zealand’s dominating culture was the Maori people. Before the first European settlers came in 1840, Maori arrived in Aotearoha in around 950. According to Maori legend it was Kupe who found New Zealand. Everything was in abundance wood, food, bone, green stone, and flax. As communities flourished there were wars between different iwi and their territories. There were 100, 00 Maori in New Zealand compared to the 2000 Europeans. However due to land disputes an estimated 40, 000 Maori died before 1900.
4. How does the Treaty of Waitangi relate to us all as artists and designers working
in New Zealand?
The treaty of Waitangi relates to us all as artists and designers working in New Zealand as we are all New Zealander whether we be Maori, Pakeha, islander, Indian, British, American. It is a part of our countries heritage and therefore our right to uphold it. As artist and designers it is important that we reference correctly when it comes to developing and producing art “texts come before us as the always-already-read” Fredric Jameson (n.d).
5. How can globalization be seen as having a negative effect on regional diversity in New Zealand in particular?
In the second part of ALVC we watched a documentary that related to how globalization has a negative effect on regional diversity within New Zealand. Big international companies are taking inspiration from the ethnic. Without doing proper research and any compensation instead they are saying they didn’t know and copyrighting it, which means there is nothing that people can do about it. Something as little as a name can be copyrighted. For example the Bionicles had reference to Maori culture. The names of the warriors Huki and Tohunga are from Te Reo Maori. The spokesperson for Dutch company Lego said that they didn’t know and that “Bionicles” had been trademarked. Later Lego changed the names after Maori representatives threatened to take them to court. Since then there haven’t been any other use of Maori names however some of the Bionicles names have not been changed. I didn’t know Toa was Dutch? But if you Google image Toa Maori the first image that appears is a Maori warrior.
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 colonization and the Treaty of Waitangi.
Shane Cotton’s work ‘Welcome’ represents colonization and the treaty of Waitangi as we see at the top point of what seems to be a cross the head of Jesus Christ representing the British. The bottoms point a Toi Moko representing Maori. To the left appears to be a fantail and to the right another fantail that has been printed much darker, referring to good and evil. The placement of the objects brings unity between the Maori and Pakeha. The work has been printed with a lithograph which gives it a very colonial look. The simple black and white could relate to both racial connections and good and bad. It is interesting that the head of Jesus Christ has been placed at the top. It shows how Pakeha thought they were far more superior. The Toi Moko which translated means mummified Maori head represents death. The use of the fan tail is also significant as it is also a symbol of death. You can see what race dominated. The title tells it all “Welcome” the coming together of two cultures.
In Shane Cottons other work “Forked Tongue” there is a combination of symbols of both culture including Maori ethnic birds. In relation to the Treaty of Waitangi and Colonization this work talks about the land and how it has been divided. The background is of grey and black cliffs. The cracks make reference to the earth being divided. In the foreground you see these shapes and symbols which are obviously related to Maori culture. In the top left hand corner there is a bird which resembles a fan tail. Shane Cotton uses allot of Maori iconic birds in his art work. It is almost like it too has been frozen in time, unable to fly and be free. The use of colour is very dark and dangerous and very familiar. These symbols look almost as if they are dividing up the cliff face into sections to advise who owns what piece.
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'.
Kitsch means “Art objects, or design considered to be in poor taste because of excessive garishness or sentimentality, but sometimes appreciated in an ironic or knowing way”. Kitsch (n.d) Tony Albert made ‘Sorry’ in response to Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s formal apology to Indigenous Australians. The work serves as a reminder of the past, yet a more hopeful future. “Each represents a false identity, manufactured black faces made to fit white society” Tony Albert Sorry 2008. Each photograph tells an unheard story about the people that were stolen, land and culture taken. However it almost seems as if the artist is saying here is a reminder of what we did, sorry but ohwell. I think that there is allot more work to be done. But to admit you were wrong is the first step.
8. Explain how the work of both artists relates to pluralism.
Both artists reflect back to their culture to communicate the idea of pluralism. Both works talk about coming together as a united front. It is about accepting the past and mistakes that both cultures have made and moving forward together. There is more work that has to be done, but it is about making that first step. Despite our skin colours and our differences we really are all the same. They also bring to light different issues that still exist between cultures at the hope that someday both can co-exist.
References:
kiwi culture. (n.d). Retrieved August 21st, 2011, from
http://www.google.co.nz/search?pq=hongi+greeting&hl=en&cp=7&gs_id=y&xhr=t&q=kiwi+culture&rlz=1R2ADRA_enNZ420&gs_sm=&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1366&bih=459&wrapid=tljp1314515847979016&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi
History of Maori. (n.d). Retrieved August 21st, 2011, from
http://www.newzealandnz.co.nz/maori/
The Maori Brief pre-history (n.d). Retrieved August 21st, 2011, from
http://history-nz.org/maori.html
POPULATION, POPULATION TRENDS AND THE CENSUS. (22.04.2009) Retrieved August 21st, 2011, from
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/1966/population/1
Colonisation. (n.d) Retrieved August 21st, 2011, from
http://www.newzealand.com/int/article/colonisation/
Bionicle (n.d)Retrieved August 21st, 2011, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bionicle
The Wavering Interiority of Cotton's New Paintings (28.07.2010). Retrieved August 21st, 2011, from
http://eyecontactsite.com/2010/07/pondering-the-marks-and-symbols-of-shane-cotton
Collection Search (n.d). Retrieved August 21st, 2011, from
http://cs.nga.gov.au/Detail.cfm?IRN=142200
Johnston, K. (01.06.2008). The Treaty of Waitangi, Journal: New Zealand law review, p609
kitsch (n.d). Retrieved August 2st, 2011, from
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