Inspiration vs. Appropriation: The Use of Traditional Motifs and Techniques within Modern Design

Abstract

Humans have long borrowed motifs and techniques from other cultures and regions, incorporating them into their own stories and cultural monuments. In regions that became centers of trade and contained a confluence of cultures, such as Venice, Alexandria, or New York City, this mixing of cultures has become a local cultural marker in and of itself. While in the past, this sharing of traditions, techniques, motifs, and beliefs took time, today, we can access images and stories of other cultures at the tap of a button, allowing us to draw inspiration from places we’ve never been and people we’ve never met. As designers, we are constantly on the lookout for inspiration. Yet, when we draw this inspiration from cultures and people that are foreign to us, we risk appropriating and demeaning sacred cultural traditions or marginalized peoples. With an increasing number of marginalized populations gaining a voice and speaking up when they perceive their cultural traditions as being appropriated, designers are being asked to question where the line sits between “inspiration” and “appropriation”. This session will consider the difference between inspiration and appropriation, while examining current case studies and conversations around the topic. It will allow participants to question their own beliefs, asking: In an increasingly globalized world, is it possible or even desired for cultures to develop in isolation? And, how can we develop as global designers, while also being aware of the risks of appropriation?

Presenters

Renee Lamb
Assistant Professor, School of the Arts, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia, United States

Details

Presentation Type

Workshop Presentation

Theme

Designed Objects

KEYWORDS

Appropriation, Inspiration, Ethical Design, Global Design, Culture, Society, Craft, Participatory