Appropriation

Definition

Appropriation is the act of taking or borrowing elements from one context, often to use them in another, frequently for artistic or critical purposes. This term is often associated with postmodernist practices, where it challenges the original context and meaning of the borrowed material, raising questions about ownership, authenticity, and cultural representation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Appropriation can be seen as a way to comment on or critique the original work, challenging notions of originality and authorship.
2. In literature and art, appropriation often involves blending or juxtaposing disparate elements to create new interpretations or meanings.
3. Critics of appropriation argue it can lead to exploitation or misrepresentation, particularly when cultural elements are borrowed without proper understanding or respect.
4. Linda Hutcheon emphasizes that appropriation allows for a form of resistance against dominant cultural narratives by recontextualizing familiar materials.
5. Appropriation is not limited to visual arts; it also occurs in literature, music, and performance, influencing various creative forms through intertextual connections.

Review Questions

• How does appropriation function as a critical tool in contemporary literature and art?
  • Appropriation serves as a critical tool by allowing artists and writers to engage with existing works in ways that provoke thought about originality and cultural meaning. By borrowing elements from established texts or traditions, creators can highlight contradictions, challenge conventions, and offer fresh perspectives. This process encourages audiences to reconsider their understanding of culture and art, prompting deeper discussions about value and representation.
• Evaluate the ethical implications surrounding appropriation in relation to cultural ownership and representation.
  • The ethical implications of appropriation are significant, especially when considering issues of cultural ownership and representation. When artists draw from cultures that are not their own, it raises concerns about exploitation and commodification. If appropriated elements are taken without context or respect for their origins, it can lead to harmful stereotypes and dilute the meaning of those cultural expressions. Therefore, a critical evaluation must consider who benefits from such appropriations and whether the original voices are acknowledged.
• In what ways does Linda Hutcheon's perspective on appropriation inform our understanding of postmodernist art practices?
  • Linda Hutcheon's perspective on appropriation reveals how it plays a crucial role in postmodernist art practices by questioning established narratives and emphasizing the role of context in meaning-making. She argues that appropriation allows artists to subvert traditional notions of originality by recontextualizing existing works. This challenges audiences to engage with the interplay between past and present, highlighting how new meanings emerge through the act of borrowing while simultaneously critiquing the frameworks that define artistic creation.

Related terms

Intertextuality: The relationship between texts and how they reference or echo each other, influencing the meaning of each text within its context.

Remix Culture: A culture that encourages the reuse and reworking of existing cultural materials to create new meanings and forms, often reflecting contemporary social issues.

Parody: A humorous or satirical imitation of a particular genre, work, or style, often to critique the original by exaggerating its characteristics.