9/20 Reading Response
I saw several connections between Clifford's writing and the article about African Art in NYC. In Clifford's "On Ethnographic Surrealism", he discusses how in 1931, the French undertook an expedition to Africa to "enrich the nation's collections". Yet, they did not make an attempt to interpret daily life or provide a full understanding of the reality. Rather, it provided a romantic fantasy. This is very similar to the Stoller's article in which he discusses the West African street vendors at The Warehouse. In 2001, the American Ambassador to the United Nations, Richard Holbrook and the American Ambassador to Nigeria visited The Warehouse. They walked around and talked to some of vendors but did not buy anything; vendors were honored by their visit. It appears that neither was familiar with the custom that even if you do not want to buy any of the art, out of respect for the traders you usually buy something. The dignities failed to understand the long standing tradition of professional trading and Islam and what it means to the West African vendors. It is easy to promote a romantic fantasy that the West African vendors sell African art because it has its origins in their past but in reality it has a deeper meaning. African art is the medium that satisfies the current market condition. For the West Africans is more than just the trading art. It is about reinforcing and maintaining familial and kinship ties and the cooperation among the vendors. It is surprising that the American Ambassadors were not provided with this piece of important information. The vendors were not surprised when the Ambassadors left without buying anything. Are there not staff members who research customs and traditions before meeting to avoid any such mishaps? Imagine the surprise and goodwill that could have been generated if the Ambassadors did buy something?
In Clifford's "On Collecting Art and Culture, he writes about the unexpected juxtapositions and incongruent in New York of 1941. This can also be said of today's African art trade in NYC. African art is sold in traditional art galleries, auction houses and at The Warehouse by West African vendors. Each offers a different experience. The art galleries are similar to a museum - high ceiling, dim lighting, minimal presentation and a quiet subdued atmosphere. The Warehouse, on the other hand, resembles a storage facility. The art is not displayed in any particular order, traders sit around talking and eating and stopping only during Muslim prayer time. Many consider The Warehouse an interesting place to visit but not a place to buy African Art. So when the U.S. Ambassador to the UN goes to The Warehouse and does not buy anything does this not reinforce, to a certain extent, it is not a reputable place to buy art?