All the elite artists in these circles care about is the “aesthetics of looking like an artist” - and not the labour of the art which requires us to see ourself in the mirror. I have been in some poetry circles and they still aspire to be some romanticized British poet from 19th century.
I have listened to your podcast with Amir Aziz and I can never forget how he described about how the best moment of his life being recited by Roger Waters was stolen from him because of the threats and all. It was heartbreaking to hear that. And it is heartbreaking to see this also.
Maybe crowdfunding is an option for legal funds if he wants to file a case.
This reminds me of this one artist who has been for years and years, internationally exhibiting quilting art work made in “collaboration” with specialized quilt craft of siddhi community women from yellapur (a place nearby where I live in Karnataka). But nowhere in all her news and press, a single name of any of these women is credited. You will find their candid photos where they are collab-ing together. But the names of these women are almost completely absent.
Picasso coined that aphorism to justify stealing African art and now all artists proudly think it's their right. Reminds me of Yashica Dutt's case and Elephant Whisperers documentary. At what point will elite artists realize the jig is up? Is it even possible for them to be original?
Hussain Haidry’s poem “Hum phir nahi likh paye” comes to mind. I heard it for the first time on AMV podcast. It describes such appropriation quite well.
Editing same comment so as not to spam: While such artworks are called “Lost Voices” and what not, these people are the ones obscuring these voices by not crediting them. It is so hypocritical at so many levels.
You point about who is more oppressed, the Muslim poet in Versova trying to make rent or the SoDel artist sipping pinot noir, is well-taken. I used to cover art a few years ago for a newspaper and the reason I moved on to another beat was precisely this insufferable performance of oppression that the art world feels it must indulge in. Almost every artist will feel the need to "say" something, make a "political" point, about gender oppression, communalism, what have you, but it always comes off as superficial because given the chance to actually take action on something, the most they will do is set up a "provocative" installation (for which, obviously, they'll get paid). I've certainly come across artists who give back to the community, foster mentorship networks and promote the work of colleagues who come from less privileged, non-English speaking background, but they're far too rare.
"The theft isn't random. It's strategic. You don't pick from the powerful, you pick from the vulnerable." Really loved this!
The underlying power play of plagiarising from the vulnerable essentially signals that the art from marginalised communities becomes worthy only when appreciated, stolen and commodified by the privileged..
All the elite artists in these circles care about is the “aesthetics of looking like an artist” - and not the labour of the art which requires us to see ourself in the mirror. I have been in some poetry circles and they still aspire to be some romanticized British poet from 19th century.
I have listened to your podcast with Amir Aziz and I can never forget how he described about how the best moment of his life being recited by Roger Waters was stolen from him because of the threats and all. It was heartbreaking to hear that. And it is heartbreaking to see this also.
Maybe crowdfunding is an option for legal funds if he wants to file a case.
This reminds me of this one artist who has been for years and years, internationally exhibiting quilting art work made in “collaboration” with specialized quilt craft of siddhi community women from yellapur (a place nearby where I live in Karnataka). But nowhere in all her news and press, a single name of any of these women is credited. You will find their candid photos where they are collab-ing together. But the names of these women are almost completely absent.
Picasso coined that aphorism to justify stealing African art and now all artists proudly think it's their right. Reminds me of Yashica Dutt's case and Elephant Whisperers documentary. At what point will elite artists realize the jig is up? Is it even possible for them to be original?
Hussain Haidry’s poem “Hum phir nahi likh paye” comes to mind. I heard it for the first time on AMV podcast. It describes such appropriation quite well.
Editing same comment so as not to spam: While such artworks are called “Lost Voices” and what not, these people are the ones obscuring these voices by not crediting them. It is so hypocritical at so many levels.
Accha likha bhai aapne, chori ki bhi koi seema nahin hai. Khule aam chori. Delhi art scene is so snobbish lol true
You point about who is more oppressed, the Muslim poet in Versova trying to make rent or the SoDel artist sipping pinot noir, is well-taken. I used to cover art a few years ago for a newspaper and the reason I moved on to another beat was precisely this insufferable performance of oppression that the art world feels it must indulge in. Almost every artist will feel the need to "say" something, make a "political" point, about gender oppression, communalism, what have you, but it always comes off as superficial because given the chance to actually take action on something, the most they will do is set up a "provocative" installation (for which, obviously, they'll get paid). I've certainly come across artists who give back to the community, foster mentorship networks and promote the work of colleagues who come from less privileged, non-English speaking background, but they're far too rare.
"The theft isn't random. It's strategic. You don't pick from the powerful, you pick from the vulnerable." Really loved this!
The underlying power play of plagiarising from the vulnerable essentially signals that the art from marginalised communities becomes worthy only when appreciated, stolen and commodified by the privileged..
On this topic, there is a great video essay on plagiarism of ideas from queer creators within youtube (it's quite long but really good) - https://youtu.be/yDp3cB5fHXQ?si=FKKEQ-nNVH9v-lzm