This weeks readingconsisted of two articles, Clifford’s article discussed ethnographic surrealism and the Stoller’s article discussed the emergence and rise of African Art. Clifford’s article described surrealists as being intensely interested in exotic worlds. There was a “radical questioning of norms and an appeal to the exotic, the paradoxical, the insolate.” Clifford described reality as being no longer a given and a know environment. Ethnographer’s are describes as being something of a surrealist because they shift and recreate realities. I really enjoyed the quote by Mauss, which compares ethnology to the ocean: “Ethnology is like the ocean. All you need is the net, any kind of net; and then if you step into the sea and swing your net about you’re sure to catch some kind of fish.”
Stoller’s article was very interesting and talked about the emergence of Tribal art and the popularity it has in New York City today. Tribal art has made a name for itself and is considered ‘high art’ found in the streets of NYC but also in many museums and in collectors homes around the world. ‘High Art’ is described as giving an educated person a “transcendental aesthetic experience” which is pared with high ceiling, a beautiful building and a wide space. I found it interesting that Tribal art is known to be an inspiration for many other art styles and techniques such as surrealist art and cubist art. I also found it very interesting the way in which this art is traded and moved from place to place. Trading is always done within the family and is done in a very honest manor. In NYC this same family trading system is used and much of the money vendors make today is used to support their families back home. I wonder if this art has any value where it is made? How much more is it appreciated outside of Africa and especially in NYC?
Walking through street fairs in NYC I am constantly seeing African and Tribal art being sold. I do always wonder if the art being sold is real or not. It all looks very similar to me and I actually rarely stop by any stand because I assume it’s not really from Africa. However, after reading about the trading system and the warehouse in Chelsea I will likely now stop and talk to one of the men or woman selling the art and ask where it is from and what their story is. Maybe someday I will get lucky and stumble upon a gem, a real piece of art. I am fascinated by this art form as are many and wonder if it’s because of the exotic, foreign and ancient feel or if it’s something else. This article was really informative and I would like to learn more about the trading system, street vendors and high sellers of Tribal art in NYC.
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