ART AND ACCULTURATIVE PROCESSES

In: International social science journal: ISSJ, Band 21, Heft 3, S. 457-470

Abstract

The Western world is witnessing the importing & sale of ever-increasing amounts of 'primitive art.' The study of the contemporary arts of these small scale societies has been neglected by anthrop'ts & art historians alike, because we have up until now concentrated quite ethnocentrically on the 'pure' or 'traditional' arts. This paper attempts to remedy the situation through 3 case studies: Canadian Eskimo sculpture & prints; Kamba wood carvings; & the ivory carving of the Alaskan Eskimos. The ensuing discussion of these contemporary arts & the variety of processes concludes with a proposed typology into: functional fine arts, where the arts are used for traditional purposes but with some borrowed techniques; commercial fine art, which is made for sale but adheres to traditional artistic standards; souvenir arts, where the emphasis is on cheapness & speed of production; & assimilated fine arts, wherein Western techniques & media have been learned but the contents retains a consciously 'ethnic' flavor & symbolism. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for more studies & pointing out the importance of such arts in maintaining or modifying threatened cultural identities in an increasingly pluralistic world. AA.