Week 5 - Pluralism and the Treat of Waitangi

'Welcome' (2004) Shane Cotton 

'Forked Tongue'(2011) Shane Cotton

1. Define the term 'pluralism' using APA referencing.

A pluralism definition has the basis in operating under the principles of acceptance and diversity. It is promoted as a system for the “common good” of all. It is a coming together with common recognition and credence to all beliefs and developments of modern social, scientific, and economic societies.

Pluralism definition.(n.d.) Retrieved from :

http://www.allaboutreligion.org/pluralism-definition-faq.htm

2. How would you describe New Zealand's current dominant culture?

I think that New Zealand's current dominant culture are the Europeans. As in a statistic based on the population in New Zealand, European take up to approximately 60% out of all the other ethnicity and Maori is second as it takes up to approximately 13%. Europeans likes to celebrate a lot of events ,such as, Christmas, Easter, Halloween and Mother's day. The Europeans take a large part in New Zealand's development as our Prime Minster is John Key (European) and Len Brown - a mayor.

3. Before 1840, what was New Zealand's dominant culture?


Before 1840, New Zealand's dominant culture is Maori as they are natives in New Zealand. There were a lot of traditions such as their war dances, tools, tattoos and clothing. They have expressed their cultures but making their own unique marks onto New Zealand such as the ferns. They make art by tattooing themselves and each one has a story or meaning behind it. They have maintained their culture by building maraes, doing hakas, carving,weaving and designing maori patterns and printing them onto their bodies.

4. How does the Treaty of Waitangi relate to us all as artists and designers working in New Zealand?



The Treaty of Waitangi enables New Zealand to be a multi cultural which welcomes other countries to come to New Zealand and share their own cultural with us so it benefits New Zealand to be a better and stronger country. I think it relates to us artists as we were able to use the moari patterns and their materials such as bamboos- for weaving, and their techniques added into our work where other countries won't have these designs because only New Zealand would have these designs. I also think getting to know the treaty of Waitangi is able to help us think differently and open our minds in a different way. It increases our knowledge towards New Zealand history which helps us to make and design more cultural work.
   

5. How can globalization be seen as having a negative effect on regional diversity in New Zealand in particular?

New Zealand is a slow developing country compared to other European countries. Maybe because we are in the really south of the globe but that's just one suggestion. New Zealand is not a producing manufacture country and we do not have the high technology to increase the globalization in New Zealand, like America. But I wouldn't see it as a negative effect because of our slow development, we were able to keep our nature and fresh air even though our ozone layer has a bigger hole than the other countries.    

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. 

 "As a painter you are often isolated in your practice. I am not always mindful of the audience when making work. It is only during the exhibition that you are able to gauge feedback (good and bad), but by then you are already involved in 'new' work; this becomes your priority. Receiving a Laureate gives you confidence in what you have contributed to this point. Beyond this, it allows the journey to continue."(Shane Cotton)

Shane Cotton is a famous New Zealand artist where he mix his work with both Maori and European cultural.History, politics and art are the subject of Shane Cotton’s work;finding his place within the matrix of New Zealand’s biculturalidentity its genesis. He's work is like the treaty but in a more colorful and interesting way because the reason the treaty was made is for European and Maoris to be treated equally and have partnership. The treaty was to unite two races as one and that is what Cotton is doing for his art. He combined two cultures in his panting. There are also other painting by him which showed the same intention. 

 

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'.

Sorry commemorates the apology on 13 February 2008 by the former Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, to Indigenous Australians who have suffered as a result of ‘past mistreatment’ by the Government of Australia. Yet, Tony Albert is neither championing hopeless blind optimism nor pessimism through his work. Aboriginal people have been offered many broken promises. Here, Albert and his army of kitsch faces, has taken this word on face value until real change is observed.

kitsch means something of tawdry design, appearance, or content created to appeal to popular or undiscriminating taste.

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

I think they both relates to pluralism but Shane Cotton is more related then Tony Albert. Their art works both have a purpose of something that is serious and they are trying to use their art to change what something is now. They have two different styles where Cotton plays with symbols and Albert plays with texts.






New Zealand population statistics. Retrieved from: http://www.asianz.org.nz/our-work/knowledge-research/asia-fact-file

Shane Cotton. Retrieved from:
http://www.thearts.co.nz/artist_page.php&aid=24&type=bio

21st century blog - art in the first decade. Retrieved from:
http://21cblog.com/tony-albert-sorry-2008/

Dictionary. Retrieved from:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/kitsch

ALVC book