Sunday, 28 August 2011

Week 5 - Pluralism and the Treat of Waitangi

Pluralism and the Treaty of Waitangi


In teaching week 5 you will discuss pluralism and the Treaty of Waitangi in your tutorials.
Use this discussion, the notes in your ALVC book and the internet to respond to the following
questions;

1. Define the term 'pluralism' using APA referencing.
2. How would you describe New Zealand's current dominant culture?
3. Before 1840, what was New Zealand's dominant culture?
4. How does the Treaty of Waitangi relate to us all as artists and designers working
in New Zealand?
5. How can globalization be seen as having a negative effect on regional diversity in New Zealand in particular?
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


http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/shane-cotton-paintings-examine-cultural-landscape-126412

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'.
8. Explain how the work of both artists relates to pluralism.

                                       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



(1)
"A conviction that various religious, ethnic, racial, and political groups should be allowed to thrive in a single society." (Dictionary.com) 
So basically its about everyone coming together in unity to co-exist in a community. 

(2)
New Zealands current dominant culture would probably be a western influenced one, due to the large number of Western/European people in our society. Although their has been a large number of other cultures rising in number and also in influence making New Zealand a very cultural diverse country. 


(3)
Before 1840 New Zealands dominant culture was Maori due to the fact that the Brittish were only settlers at this stage but werent "strangers" to the maoris and vice versa. In fact 1840 was when the Treaty of Waitangi was created.

(4)
The treaty covers a wide range of subjects and issues related to the relationship between the Maori and the British (or Europeans now days). Some of these subjects cover use of Maori culture, artworks and designs. Since we live in New Zealand we will at some point or the majority of our working career use local influences to inspire our works. The Maori have a very specific viewpoint on how to go about using their culture as "inspiration", which in all honesty is fair enough because I mean it is theirs so the have priority over how it should be used.
  
(5)
The problem is many artists and designers, both local and overseas don't seem to put much thought or effort into making sure that they use Maori culture appropriately as inspiration and with the case of Globalization some overseas designers have used Maori culture in ways which could/are offensive or not their original purpose. This will ofcourse upset the Moari people and their natural reaction will be to defend their culture. But in most cases people don't see the Maori peoples viewpoint or they just don't care and this is unfair and not the right way to go about it and will cause alot of problems, espeacially in the world of art and design where issues such as copyright and authentisity come into play. 

(6)
In Shane Cotton's work
 "the creation of a visual narrative which relates to history and society these works convey a sense of the way landscape and objects are repositories of memory. These memories in turn develop into our individual and collective cultural landscapes.
In paintings such as “Forked Tongue”, which features a cliff face, a fantail, some Maori designs and a tracery of red lines these symbols or metaphors become starting points for an elaboration on the links between the physical, historical and spiritual landscapes" (NBR, 2010) In this artwork The faintail represent the local, meaning the Maori people. This is suported by the Maori designs and the red lines represent "blood lines" refering to the Maori People once again, making it clear that Shane Cotton is representing the Maori peoples claim to New Zealand.
In Welcome There are Two faces One Jesus and the other Maori. Jesus represent the Europeans and their influence over NewZealand and the Maori Face is representing te Maori. Together the represent the two cultures combining together to live in NewZealand, which is represented by the birds.

(7)
Tony Alberts explaination: "My work is always about appropriation, that's why it exists," Albert says. "The Sorry work is about my personal collection which, in a way, was always a comfort to me. There were images of Aboriginal people around me and my collecting these objects was my way of marking my respect." (The Australian, 2011) in his viewpoint this artwork is about the importance of Australian history throught the kitsch paintings, kitsch means "something of tawdry design, appearance, or content created to appeal to popular or undiscriminating taste." (Dictionary.com) (8)
Tony Alberts works show the connection between the British (Europeans) and the Native Aboriganies cultures coming together in Australia and Shane Cottons works show the connection between the British (Europeans) and the Native Maoris. Both show a similar trend towards the issue at hand with similar stories and endings.

 Reference:
 
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