CULTURAL STUDIES // FASHION

For Benjamin, what is the difference/s between reproduction done by the human hand and reproduction done by technological means? (p.4) What does Benjamin mean by, “The here and now of the original constitute the abstract idea of its genuineness”(p.5)?  How does the idea of “genuineness” exist in contemporary fashion and creative art and design practice?  [There might be a number of different interpretations of genuineness. ] “The whole province of genuineness is beyond technological (and of course not only technological) reproducibility.” (p.6) What do you think Benjamin means by this?  Can you relate this to your own creative discipline? How does Benjamin define the term “aura” and what do you understand by this?  (p.7-10)  [This is a very important concept for Benjamin]. How does this idea of ‘the original’ exist in fashion?  How is it signified and reproduced?  Does it have an ‘aura’? “The instant the criterion of genuineness in art produc...

Theme - Cultural Appropriation Statements   Culture is not a costume. Culture is such a beautiful thing to keep up when not used as violence. Cultural appropriation is when traditional clothing and history is used as fashion Cultural exchange is good should not be used as costume - bindis - kimonos (japanese traditional costumes) - headscarves  - native american traditional dress - braids --> disregarded if culture is used as costume when for example America is fighting for controlling their image. - Unisex toilets? can be used by any person regardless of their gender. - Gustav Klimt - used some ornaments of japans culture from kimonos in his art ------------------------------------- Where is the line between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation in fashion and media? http://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/gallery/20742/21/valentino-ss16 http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7495440/mia-zayn-malik-new-song-fr...

Manifesto of Surrealism (1924) M50 André Breton  1) Surrealism is a 20th century avant-garde movement in art and literature which was about releasing ideas from the unconscious mind for example like Breton describes through dreaming.  2) A sewing machine and an umbrella both are part of the civilisation  3) Surrealism is a way of thinking which just happens without realising which can also happen with cultural appropriation - both are very common in art and fashion. Cultural appropriation for example when white people wear braids like Africans just for accessory reasons is not thought through but can cause trouble between cultures.Surrealism doesn't criticise cultures that way but can cause misunderstandings as well. 4) The manifesto could be addressed to all of us - anyone on planet earth as we are all humans with minds. 5) Insanity describes doing the same thing over and over again.