I had a 20-minute equal dialogue with two BA CCC students (Aufa and Nicole) on the topic of cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation (what is an equal dialogue: do not refute the other party’s point of view and be patient to listen to others’ opinions)

The critical point with Aufa:

1. Cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation are two terms that are particularly difficult to define, mainly because of the nature of the starting point. For example, when Japanese people wear kimonos and make kimonos, many people want to experience and learn about the culture because they find it remarkable, especially fashion design students. However, many people wear kimonos out of order and make gestures that are not in line with cultural traditions to attract attention, which, to me, is a form of cultural appropriation.
2. For example, Balenciaga used homeless people as inspiration for its designs. It’s a cool vibe on the outside, but have they thought about it on a deeper level? Why would they do that? Just for the sake of sales, and choose to do this kind of content?
3. Many brands have show notes, which are actually better for helping people understand the origin of the show and the cultural references. But now, many brands avoid talking about it, which can easily cause people to misinterpret it.
4. Instead of focusing too much on how foreigners view their culture, we should focus on how people in our own country view and use our culture.

The critical point with Nicole:

1. I am an Australian-Chinese mixed race. I once did research on a cultural topic: cheongsam. During my research, I found that many Westerners associate cheongsam with “sexy” and “revealing” when they wear it, and I felt that my culture was being offended because they were misinterpreting the content of my culture. “They treat it as the costume but not the cultural stuff.”
2. For example, Yoga was re-branded, and now Yoga is seen as a sport only for the rich. In the beginning, Yoga originated in India, but white people have overly misinterpreted the sport and changed it into a new type of INTERVENTION instead of the minority activity that it started out as in India.

Comment:

The boundary between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation is fuzzy and complex, and if you are not careful, cultural appreciation can easily become cultural appropriation. Cross-border cultural exchanges and expressions need to be more cautious. Cultural appreciation should be based on a deep understanding and respect for the culture rather than simple imitation or appropriation for commercial gain.

After the conversation, I read two articles they shared with me:

• African culture is used as the cultural source of Europeans

Article content:

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, thousands of African objects were imported into Europe due to imperialism. These objects were not seen as works of art but as products of colonial conquest with little value. However, in the early 20th century, with the leadership of Picasso and others, the aesthetics of African art became a profound source of inspiration for the Paris School. Europe’s fascination and contempt for African objects were fascinating and shocking, viewing their spirituality with curiosity and contempt. These objects were primarily works of art for Western eyes, but for African eyes, they were functional objects.

• The Origins of Yoga

Article content:

Yoga has become an exercise practiced only by the upper classes in the West, transforming it into a quick workout or reducing it to Instagram-friendly content. Yoga, which was supposed to be promoted as an ancient traditional culture originating from South Asia, is now being dramatically commoditized in the West, losing the essence of the ancient Indian practice. Misuse of or disrespect for culture can hurt the region where the alienated and commodified culture originated.

My feelings:

There is a complex relationship between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation. Both articles illustrate the importance of using cultural elements in the context of cultural appreciation. They both explain the harm cultural appropriation has caused so far and warn people that the formation of cultural appropriation is not a one-time thing. Over time, these traces of cultural appropriation may become a lifetime pain in some people’s hearts. Although cultural exchange can enrich society, it is responsible for interacting with cultural elements respectfully and knowledgeably. This challenges us to consider who benefits from adopting these cultural elements and what the cost of the original culture is.