1. Define the term 'pluralism' using APA referencing.
“Pluralism in art refers to the nature of artforms and artists as diverse.” It “honors differences within and between equitable groups while seeing their commonalities.”
-Caldwell, B. (1999) Cultural Context. Retrieved 28 Aug, 2011 from Academic Literacies in Visual Communication 2: Resource Book (2011), Lyceum Press for AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand.
2. How would you describe New Zealand's current dominant culture?
The culture of New zealand is largely inherited from English and European custom, interwoven with Maori and Polynesian tradition. An isolated Pacific Island nation, New Zealand was comparatively recently settled by humans. Initially Māori only, then bicultural with colonial and rural values, now New Zealand is a cosmopolitan culture that reflects its changing demographics, is conscious of the natural environment, and is an educated, developed Western society.
Culture, as defined by dictionary.com, is “the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group.” The culture of New Zealand is quite largely “inherited from English and European custom, interwoven with Maori and Polynesian tradition.” I would describe the current dominant culture in New Zealand as being the typical Kiwi culture consisting of activities such as; watching the rugby, backyard barbeques, wearing jandals no matter what the season, drinking beer and farm life, also sticking to beliefs such as enjoy life and live with no regrets. I say typical because this is the culture that New Zealand has come to be known for, and most people who migrate into New Zealand adapt to the culture that is so wide spread here.
However,nowadays young generation are likely to be more into new lifestyle,also can be described as ‘freedom cultural’.The world is changing and people are thinking in different way,media came up and changed the dominant culture.People tend to ignore they own culture and belief as they are more interested into pop-culture,MTV that came from American-society.
2.Before 1840, what was New Zealand's dominant culture?
Māori culture has predominated for most of New Zealand's history of human habitation.There were about 2000 Pakeha (Europeans) in New Zealand, most living in the Bay of Islands. At this time, intertribal Maori warfare was frequent, and the arrival of guns, which Maori traded from Pakeha, made it deadly. This, and the diseases brought by the Pakeha, had a terrible effect on the Maori population, and their numbers started to steeply decline. With the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, New Zealand became a British colony. This saw a great increase in the number of British migrants coming to New Zealand. Many had their passage paid for by colonial companies.
The systematic colonial settlement of New Zealand was largely based on the ideas of Edward Gibbon Wakefield, who believed the colonial settlements should be modelled on the structures of British society. Many New Zealand cities and towns were established and populated in this way. These settlements were intended to be civilised and self-sufficient, with small farmers cultivating their land, and living in peace with the native people. Declining number start began as more migrants arrived and more land was needed for them, land disputes with Maori increased.
The systematic colonial settlement of New Zealand was largely based on the ideas of Edward Gibbon Wakefield, who believed the colonial settlements should be modelled on the structures of British society. Many New Zealand cities and towns were established and populated in this way. These settlements were intended to be civilised and self-sufficient, with small farmers cultivating their land, and living in peace with the native people. Declining number start began as more migrants arrived and more land was needed for them, land disputes with Maori increased.
New Zealand History. (n.d). Retrieved August 23, 2011 from: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/tags/pre-1840-contact
4. How does the Treaty of Waitangi relate to us all as artists and designers working in New Zealand?
As nowadays there are many artists and designers living and working in New Zealand, the Treaty of Waitangi definitely relates to all of us. I think for someone to be designers or artists ,ofcause they should know about their living culture and working. In New Zealand as a practicing artist, it is very important for them to know this country’s historical context because when they are creating something for this market, they need to know what kind of affects it will have on its people and culture. It’s also would benefit to the artists /designers when you know more about the history of Treaty of Waitangi.Even as a New Zealand resident, one must know at least some of Aotearoa’s history, if not for work related reasons, then out of curiosity.
As an artists, we should be focusing and pay more attention on research about market and the audience we are designing for in order to be successful, and history is also one of the most important one. I think the audience also will pay more attention to the art work that somehow linked to the Treaty of Waitangi because is does exist in Newzealand and is also has an interesting historical background.
As an artists, we should be focusing and pay more attention on research about market and the audience we are designing for in order to be successful, and history is also one of the most important one. I think the audience also will pay more attention to the art work that somehow linked to the Treaty of Waitangi because is does exist in Newzealand and is also has an interesting historical background.
5. How can globalization be seen as having a negative effect on regional diversity in New Zealand in particular?
Globalization is the tendency of business,technologies,or philosophies to spread throughout the world,or the process of making this happen.generally used to describe “the changes in societies and the world economy that result from increasing international trade and cultural exchange whereby people around the world are more connected to each other than ever before.”
For example goods and services that are produced in one part of the world can be easily accessible in all parts, information flows more quickly, global communication is common-place and international travel is frequent.Also people can purchased things that they needs by internet without moving out of the house.Although these examples may sound positive, globalization also having a negative effect on regional diversities here in New Zealand. As New Zealand culture becomes more and more known throughout the world, people seem to think that because we are a small country they can take aspects of the culture we have here and take advantage of it.
Like video game developers, Sony Playstation, used a traditional Maori tattoo, the moko, to define one of their characters. However the positive effects of globalization here far exceeds the negative. I think Newzealand would not be this advance like what it is today if there weren’t for globalization
For example goods and services that are produced in one part of the world can be easily accessible in all parts, information flows more quickly, global communication is common-place and international travel is frequent.Also people can purchased things that they needs by internet without moving out of the house.Although these examples may sound positive, globalization also having a negative effect on regional diversities here in New Zealand. As New Zealand culture becomes more and more known throughout the world, people seem to think that because we are a small country they can take aspects of the culture we have here and take advantage of it.
Like video game developers, Sony Playstation, used a traditional Maori tattoo, the moko, to define one of their characters. However the positive effects of globalization here far exceeds the negative. I think Newzealand would not be this advance like what it is today if there weren’t for globalization
AUT University. (2011). Academic Literacies in Visual Communications 2: Resource Book. New Zealand, Auckland: Lyceum Press
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
Forked Tongue'(2011) Shane Cotton
Shane Cotton is one of New Zealand’s most well known, as well as scrutinized, artists who is of both Pakeha and Maori decent. He often uses his paintings to make political statements and express his opinions on subjects such as the colonization of Europeans and the confiscation of Maori land. The work Welcome is one that is riddled with symbolism, as his works often are. There are two mirroring birds, which seem to be the same species, the controversial motif of "upoko tuhituhi" or “marked heads” in his work, and the head of Jesus. Birds in Maori culture are believed to be spiritual guides and messengers, and the birds in his painting are placed there to possibly symbolize the idea of nativity and culture.
The upoko tuhituhi in his work relates to the heads of chiefs that were traded between tribes and this also symbolizes Maori culture by referring to their native ways. This symbolism is repeated in many of his works such as Hurikiko, 2006. And lastly, the image of Jesus’ head in the painting is a strong symbolism of the foreign and Western, as religion travelled to the shores of Aotearoa along with its European settlers. He may also be making referrals to death and the afterlife thought the use of the “marked head” and the image of Jesus, putting them in a mirroring composition as if to make a statement about life and death/good and bad.
The upoko tuhituhi in his work relates to the heads of chiefs that were traded between tribes and this also symbolizes Maori culture by referring to their native ways. This symbolism is repeated in many of his works such as Hurikiko, 2006. And lastly, the image of Jesus’ head in the painting is a strong symbolism of the foreign and Western, as religion travelled to the shores of Aotearoa along with its European settlers. He may also be making referrals to death and the afterlife thought the use of the “marked head” and the image of Jesus, putting them in a mirroring composition as if to make a statement about life and death/good and bad.
Eye Contact. (n.d). Retrieved August 23, 2011 from http://eyecontactsite.com/2010/07/pondering-the-marks-and-symbols-of-shane-cotton
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'.
Tony Albert | Australia b.1981 | Girramay people | Sorry 2008 |
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
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
The work Sorry is a commemoration to the apology made by Kevin Rudd, the Prime Minister of Australia, on 13 February 2008, to the indigenous Australians who have suffered as a result of ‘past mistreatment’ by the Australian Government. Albert make this work to pay respect to the natives of Australia as well as a reminder of that day; a reminder to Kevin Rudd that the people are waiting to see/hear the actions of his words. Like what we always say that Actions speak Louder Than Words.’ and that it will stay a reminder to Kevin Rudd and the rest of the Australian majority of the promise they still need to fulfill.
The concept of kitsch is applied to artwork that was a response to the 19th century art with aesthetics that convey exaggerated sentimentality and melodrama, hence, kitsch art is closely associated with sentimental art(Wikipedia,n.d.).
Tony Albert, Queensland art gallery. (n.d) Retrieved August, 29, 2011.
8. Explain how the work of both artists relates to pluralism.
The works of Shane Cotton and Tony Albert relate to pluralism in very similar ways. Both artists express the importance cultures and traditions through their artwork, and show that the Western globalized culture is not the only one that deserves attention. Their works demand respect for the native people of New Zealand and Australia and the idea that hierarchy does not need t exist is evident in their works. Cotton honour for the differences between the two New Zealand cultures comes from his half-cast background, while Albert is of Western decent who greatly respects the native culture of Australia.
They both understand, and try to make us understand through the message from their artwork.They dared to make the difference and not afraid of the consequences that they might get,which I think is quite risky but also challenging at the same time. I truly understand that the world is a multicultural society now and the words ‘Sorry’ and ‘Welcome’.are part of every cultures that we say it everyday,related to their cultures especially Albert.The words is just simply tell us about the human life and cultural identity,which all of us should have in our mind.
They both understand, and try to make us understand through the message from their artwork.They dared to make the difference and not afraid of the consequences that they might get,which I think is quite risky but also challenging at the same time. I truly understand that the world is a multicultural society now and the words ‘Sorry’ and ‘Welcome’.are part of every cultures that we say it everyday,related to their cultures especially Albert.The words is just simply tell us about the human life and cultural identity,which all of us should have in our mind.
I agree with you that the positive effects outweighs the negative effects in terms of globalisation in New Zealand, because our small country is being culturally appropriated our country receive many more benefits from this, the country also becomes more multicultural, if things were this strict then many there would be many more negative effects on countries all over the world, economy, employment, culture, affluence, etc. we would miss out on a lot more than we would gain if we were so harsh on cultural appropriation.
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