In 20 Dollars, one of the artists throws money at Ghanian children. The author says of this, “To be patronised once by a disingenuous colonialist does not make it any less patronising second time round by an all-too knowing artist in the name of film-making.” This was a general feeling I had throughout this text. I just felt as though most of the work’s focus was misguided. It seemed like they were just trying to stick it to the “man” (establishment, the west, society) without any regard for the humans right in front of them. In Home, Breuning “notes that men and women look the same in Papua New Guinea.” This is meant to show what is wrong with global tourism, but this highlight on negativity doesn’t encourage me that there is any change. His portrayal of a douche doesn’t convince me that douches will stop being douches. “Provocation here begets a form of viewer antagonism that is nonetheless a form of engagement, but is that an ethics of engagement or just provocation?” I believe provocation could definitely be a factor especially as this would garner more attention, creating more spotlight for this artist.
b) If you could ask the author 3 questions, what questions might those be?
- Are there steps being taken in such art projects to create a safe space free of debilitating stress or trauma?
- Why are we rewarding artists debasing individuals?
- Who is this art for? Who are they changing? Is it reaching them?
Just like there needs to be a fight call for fight choreography or an intimacy director to help guide sensitive scenes, I think potentially traumatic/exploitative art needs to be discussed thoroughly and compromises and agreements must be reached.
d) Consider the work we have been exploring this semester thus far. Choose one artist or project that resonated with you. What ethical considerations were in place on this project?
I loved engaging with the Esperanza Community Housing Corporation. I valued their dedication to the individual families that made up the market. Some families had been there over a decade and they continued employing other members of their family. They don’t attempt to drive anyone out for the sake of profit. They have a real ethical moral obligation to lift up these families from the community and keep them in long time work.
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