Literature Review
The ethics of appropriation in the arts is a controversial issue. The ways in which scholars, internet communities, artists, and cultural groups handle the topic range from asserting humans can do and take and say whatever they please to labeling all forms of cultural exchange criminal appropriation. Advocates of art appropriation (or remixing) such as Kembrew McLeod and Rudolf Kuenzli argue that it is an unavoidable result of being human and that culture itself is a process of blending and collaborating. This is a widespread sentiment among the artistic community— artists such as Andy Warhol created many famous pieces inspired by photographs that were not legally his. Owen Gallagher argues that acquisition and manipulation of media are how we express ourselves in digital culture, and because of this, intellectual property laws should be relaxed in order to foster a collaborative creative environment.
While many agree that advocating art appropriation supports collaboration, frees inspiration, and fosters progress, many see it as yet another way for groups in power to benefit at the expense of subjugated peoples. Richard Rogers discusses how the appropriation of native art is a way colonialism endures. Groups in power are able to pick and choose what they want to take from the oppressed groups, manipulate meaning to suit their interests, and erase whatever they don’t care for. This kind of artistic blending conflicts with arguments that art appropriation creates an inclusive environment. “Cultural Appropriation” has practically become a swear word in online communities such as tumblr, and its negative connotation gives the impression that it is wrong to draw inspiration from or wear the fashion of any cultural group other than one’s own. Scholar James Young argues that this kind of essentialism in regards to culture promotes a dangerous environment in which we cannot learn from our past. In my research, I will identify and discuss the drawbacks of both inclusive and exclusive attitudes towards appropriation, and argue that it is better to occupy a space somewhere in the middle. By examining the thoughts of Native American bloggers such as âpihtawikosisân, I will try to identify and clarify ways in which cultural exchange can take place through methods of accountability, intentionality, and respect. |