Identities & Inequalities & the Arts Identities & Inequalities & the Arts

•access to careers in the artsaccess to careers in the arts•arts activismarts activism•tastes and status, class distinctions tastes and status, class distinctions of art publics (later) of art publics (later)

The Arts & Identity Issues of Art World participantsThe Arts & Identity Issues of Art World participants 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 participation of minorities & the dispossessed in art

worldsworlds

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 Mapplethorpe))

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/

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.

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 benefits provoke resistance (ex. anti-war, AIV AIDS benefits

etc.)etc.) inspire trends (ex. fashions)inspire trends (ex. fashions) support charitable causes (ex. AIDS activism)support charitable causes (ex. AIDS activism) provide leadershipprovide leadership But-- critics sometimes doubt sincerityBut-- critics sometimes doubt sincerity Recall- spoof of artists’ pleas for African aidRecall- spoof of artists’ pleas for African aid

http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/2007/03/ricky_gervais_d.html

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 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 Action,

Political Art and Action,

Grand Fury--Against indifference to AIDS & against Grand Fury--Against indifference to AIDS & against homophobiahomophobia

Link to images of work 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)

Artistic work, Consciousness-raising & Artistic work, Consciousness-raising & Recognition ProcessesRecognition Processes

Artistic work, Consciousness-raising & Artistic work, Consciousness-raising & Recognition ProcessesRecognition Processes

Filmmaker Sylvia Filmmaker Sylvia Hamilton’s work Hamilton’s work about African about African Canadian experiencesCanadian experiences

Film screening of Film screening of The The Little Black Little Black SchoolhouseSchoolhouse and talk and talk by Dr. Hamilton by Dr. Hamilton

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.