Architecture and Design

Full Answer Section

Why it's overlooked: Despite growing recognition, Indigenous art often remains on the periphery of the mainstream art world. Factors contributing to this include:

• Geographic isolation: Many artists live in remote communities with limited access to galleries and markets.
• Cultural misunderstanding: The symbolism and meaning behind the art may not be readily apparent to those unfamiliar with Indigenous culture.
• Lack of representation: Indigenous artists may face barriers to accessing funding, exhibition opportunities, and critical attention.
• Market forces: The art market can be biased towards certain styles and artists, often overlooking works that are not considered "fashionable" or commercially viable.

Censorship of Art:

The question of whether certain types of art should be censored is complex and raises fundamental issues about freedom of expression versus societal harm.

Arguments for Censorship:

Some argue that art that incites violence, hatred, or child exploitation should be censored. For example, Nazi propaganda posters, designed to dehumanize and demonize Jewish people, clearly played a role in fueling genocide. Similarly, child pornography is universally condemned as a form of abuse and should be censored. The justification here is that the potential harm to individuals and society outweighs the value of free expression in these extreme cases.

Arguments Against Censorship:

Others argue that censorship is a slippery slope and that all forms of artistic expression, no matter how offensive or controversial, should be protected. They argue that art can serve as a powerful tool for social commentary, challenging norms and provoking dialogue. For instance, Andres Serrano's "Piss Christ," a photograph of a crucifix submerged in urine, sparked outrage but also raised important questions about religion and art's role in challenging societal norms. The argument against censorship emphasizes the importance of open debate and the potential for art to challenge and transform society.

Appropriation in Contemporary Art:

Appropriation, borrowing or reusing existing imagery or objects in new artworks, has become an accepted practice in contemporary art. One example is the work of Sherrie Levine, who re-photographed iconic images by male photographers, challenging notions of originality and authorship. This appropriation is considered acceptable because it shifts the context and meaning of the original image, creating a new work with its own distinct message.

Original vs. Reproduction:

The questioning of "originality" in contemporary art stems from the rise of mass media and the reproducibility of images. Artists like Andy Warhol embraced the concept of reproduction, using silkscreen printing to create multiple versions of the same image. This challenges the traditional notion of the unique, hand-crafted artwork as the ultimate expression of artistic genius. It also reflects a world where images are constantly being copied, circulated, and recontextualized.

Importance of Unaltered News Photographs:

It is crucial that news photographs not be altered because they serve as evidence of real events. Altering news photographs can distort reality, manipulate public opinion, and undermine trust in journalism. Photojournalism plays a vital role in holding power accountable and informing the public. Altering images in this context is a form of deception with serious ethical implications.

Damien Hirst's Butterflies:

Damien Hirst used butterflies in his artwork to explore themes of life, death, beauty, and fragility. For Hirst, butterflies symbolized the ephemeral nature of existence and the beauty that can be found even in the face of decay and mortality. They also represented the cycle of life and death, a recurring theme in his work.

Kevin Carter's Dilemma:

Photojournalist Kevin Carter faced a profound ethical dilemma when he photographed a starving child being stalked by a vulture during the 1993 famine in Sudan. He captured a powerful image that brought global attention to the crisis, but he was also criticized for not intervening to help the child. Carter's dilemma highlights the ethical challenges faced by photojournalists working in situations of human suffering. The question is: when does the responsibility to document outweigh the responsibility to intervene?

Shepard Fairey's Obama Portrait:

Shepard Fairey's "Hope" portrait of Barack Obama, created during the 2008 presidential campaign, became embroiled in copyright controversy. Fairey had used a news photograph of Obama as the basis for his artwork, and the Associated Press (AP), which owned the copyright to the photograph, claimed that Fairey had infringed their copyright. Fairey argued that his use of the photograph was "fair use" because it was transformative and had a different purpose than the original photograph. The case was eventually settled out of court, but it raised important questions about copyright, fair use, and the appropriation of images in political art.

Sample Answer

Let's explore these complex issues related to art, censorship, appropriation, and ethics.

Overlooked Artistic Expression:

I've chosen the work of Indigenous Australian artists, particularly those working in remote communities. Here's a link to the National Gallery of Australia's Indigenous art collection: https://nga.gov.au/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-art

Why it's valuable: These works often carry deep cultural significance, telling stories of Dreamtime, connection to land, and ancestral knowledge. They represent a rich artistic heritage that spans tens of thousands of years. The use of traditional techniques and materials alongside contemporary approaches creates a powerful dialogue between past and present.