Being Seen and Heard
Featured Aura of Criminality: Unravelling the Motivations for Graffiti in Durban
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Kehinde Christopher Adewumi
Graffiti has historically been linked to crime, violence, and gang activities. The ‘broken window theory’ is one of the major theoretical explanations against the presence of Graffiti in the public space. Simply put, the theory holds that if a broken window is left unfixed it often leads to more grave acts of crime and violence. Thus, an immediate eradication of graffiti is necessary to prevent the proliferation of violent crimes. In this study, with a focus on the Durban context, I argue against this notion of criminality often attached to the graffiti community. I insist that this aura of criminality stems from the lack of understanding of the disruptive, transformational and non-conformist nature of graffiti. My argument is thus framed around two major research questions: (a) Is the aura of criminality often attached to graffiti tenable in Durban? (b) What motivates graffiti creation in Durban? Using a qualitative research methodology, the study employs snowball sampling to engage with five active graffiti artists in Durban. Thematic analysis of the collected data reveals that while graffiti is seen as a symptom of criminality by some, others appreciate it for the beauty it brings to the public. It is thus important to account for the place of context and subjectivities in the meaning-making and acceptability of Graffiti.
The Art of Presenting: Utilizing Howard S. Becker’s Art Worlds to Contextualize the Field
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Jill Schinberg
In difficult economic times for the arts, the exploration and amelioration of the relationships among presenters, artists and audiences have an increasingly greater presence in conversation amongst artists and presenters alike. The “art of presenting” refers to the delicate balance of cooperative activities that comprise the “art world” in which the value is contingent. In this paper, sociologist Howard Becker’s theory--in which art is a social product of a collective action--is used as a framework to discuss arts presenting. By examining the parts that compose the whole, this paper offers a framework for considering presenting as more than a logistic or administrative activity, but also as an artistic practice. Arts scholars and arts administration professionals will benefit from close examination of the act of arts presenting and situating the field as an art world in its own right.
Animating History - a Tale Told by Urartian Pottery: Exploring Dynamic Motifs and Their Role in Early Visual Storytelling
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Maryam Vahid Esmaeili
This study highlights the significance of dynamic motifs in understanding the lifestyles and challenges of ancient peoples. The Urartian Kingdom, located in eastern Anatolia, was one of the prominent ancient civilizations that significantly influenced the histories of Iran, Van in Turky and Armenia. This civilization, emerging in the 8th century BCE and declining in the 6th century BCE, is known for its military, engineering, cultural, and economic achievements. Their centralized, organized military and fortification construction were notable features. This research focuses specifically on examining the dynamic motifs found in Urartian pottery, emphasizing their importance in understanding the historical and cultural context of this civilization. Motifs depicting movement exhibit unique characteristics that require in-depth study. The significance of these motifs is evident in historical and geographical studies of Urartu and could potentially lead to new discoveries. The study delves into the possibility that these motifs might provide answers to some theoretical discussions about the origins of animation. The way these designs are presented could represent humanity's earliest attempts at creating animation, potentially offering the foundational concept for the existence of this art form for modern humans. By addressing these dynamic motifs, this research aims to deepen the interpretation of Urartian art and culture, shedding light on their beliefs, values, and the innovation embedded within their artistic expressions. Ultimately, this research investigates the role of these motifs in influencing the art, religion, and specific beliefs of the Urartian people while contributing to discussions on the origins of animation in human history.
