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5.1 Art and CultureVersion 1.3 June 2017Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (Previous Version)
This Chapter provides a brief overview of art and culture around the world. Many people are born and grow up in a single culture, even if there are other ethnic groups nearby. Many white Americans have almost nothing to do with black Americans, despite their being over 12% of the population. Many Sri Lankan Sinhalese have no interactions with Sri Lankan Tamils, who are about 8% of the population. So there are typically multiple cultures within one nation state, (with the possible exception of Japan, which severely restricts immigration and citizenship). The culture(s) we grow up in have a significant impact on what we perceive to the norms of society and behaviour, much of it unconsciously. We all need to learn how our culture might restrict our awareness, and learn about other cultures. Those who grow up or live in more than one culture are often conflicted, sometimes not knowing how to react. Even the art presented purely as entertainment, from comic books, children’s cartoons, magazines to TV serials, influence how we view the world and what we think is normal. Is the hero of the story young, fit, attractive, light skinned and male? Are the antagonists portrayed as worthless, disposable beings, mad, evil or both, rather than flawed individuals who have redeeming features? Religion is a large part of culture, but we address that in Part 4. In this chapter we focus on the impact of single and multiple cultures on our beliefs and values, and the specific role of the arts, in reflecting and shaping our beliefs and values. The next Chapter, on Culture and Media focusses on news and current affairs and the ways in which we are informed, or misled, about the nature of the world. Our aim in this chapter is not to provide a definitive history or critical analysis of world art, but to clarify how we can benefit from art, and how we may influence its direction and impact. We propose to look at culture and art under the following headings:
As stated in the chapter overview, this is the current summary of our conclusions in this area: The best art and culture uses all appropriate techniques to provoke new experiences and emotional responses that lead to insight or express the otherwise inexpressible, adding to the universal narrative and our roles in it, but art must be authentic, honest in the intent behind its creation, display and consumption.  more                                                             Statement 26
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We acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of Country, throughout all colonised lands, and their connections to land, waters and community. We pay respect by giving voice to truth, values and social justice, acknowledging our shared history, and valuing the cultures of first nations peoples.
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