Anthropology Colloquium is the department’s speaker series that invites a mixture of anthropologists from within and outside of UBC to present their research. This speaker series is scheduled throughout the academic year, typically with a lunch reception in the AnSo Lounge.
Culturally Modified Capitalism. The Native Northwest Coast Artware Industry
Thursday November 22nd, 2012
ANSO 134, 11:30 – 1:00
Solen Roth
Anthropology Ph.D. candidate, UBC
Master, Université Louis Lumière, Lyon 2 (France)
Abstract:
In addition to Northwest Coast art being increasingly treated as a form of fine art, Northwest Coast designs are now also being mechanically reproduced on many decorative and utilitarian objects, such as mugs, tote bags, T-shirts, and fridge magnets. Over the decades, the art and artware market’s expansions have continuously raised questions about the effects and ethics of cultural commodification, in particular with respect to the often unequal distribution of risks and benefits among the market’s various stakeholders. In this presentation, I will discuss how Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal individuals who are currently participating in the Native Northwest Coast artware industry in Vancouver view this market’s present configuration and envision its future.
