Thursday, 1 October 2020
Before starting this module I first had to take a moment to align and familiarise myself with the vocabulary being used throughout the content given. Words and terms such as "ecology" and "cultural critique" are some that I have never heard or used prior. It's at a time such as this that I am grateful for the internet and how much a simple Google search can clear up any confusing or misunderstanding.
Ecology
Noun
The branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and their physical surroundings.
It is the term Cultural Critique, however, that confused me. The words separately I understand, but together seemed to mislead me. After getting some clarification, I now understand that a Cultural Critique is a tool used to gain a deeper understanding of something. The term 'ecology' and 'cultural critique' being used together in the same context simply means that we are to gain a deeper understanding of the eco-system of the cultural industries.
After reading further on Cultural Ecology and Cultural Critique, and after researching the creative industries furthermore, it becomes clear that as a creative I am part of a much larger community/ecology than I could have ever imagined. Being a graphic designer, I always knew that I am part of a network of like-minded people who work in similar professions. Some may work together now and then but for the most part stay within their own studios, groups or areas, but never to a scale such as this.
However, after reading the text, Cultural Ecology and Creative Critique and after viewing the lectures on Brightspace, I am now aware of not only my presence in the creative and cultural community/ecology but also how my work can influence change within the ecology and society itself. The idea of interdependence and how the cultural and creative industries are caught in a tightly bound relationship where one can not exist without the other and the former inspires the latter and visa versa. A game of give and take.
It is this interdependence that struck a chord with myself. Taking a moment to consider all of the sectors that must be included to create a cultural activity/movement gives a unique perspective on how your specialism affects the industry and the cultural ecology. For example, A museum that would like to hold a fashion exhibition showcasing the greatest works in the fashion industry and the cultural movements that followed them (the mini skirt, Dior's New Look etc). For this to take place a handful of creative sectors, at the least, must be considered and be involved.
The museum, for it to exist in the first place must have an architect to design the building. Furthermore, if the exhibition has the budget, a new space could be created to house the collections. Work must be done to the space to ensure its suitability.
The fashion designers must create these pieces/restore the pieces and work with fashion historians to ensure the correct pieces are chosen.
To ensure that the cultural event is a success the museum must call on the help of the graphic design and the marketing and advertising industry to create promotional material. Animators, photographers and filmmakers may also be called on for their expertise to aid in this area of the project.
Once all of these areas have been considered and implemented, the cultural event can be launched and the public can enjoy the works.
Taking a step back to mind map the cultural and creative industries has given me a greater insight into the ecology and the industries themselves. This, at first was a challenge. It is simple to fill out the area of the map for your specialism, mine being the graphic design sector, but for areas where I have very limited knowledge such as TV, film and radio further thought and research was needed. As the mind map started to be filled out the interdependency of the sectors became even more evident.
The mind map activity made me think about my place in the creative industry. It is simple that I sit in the graphic design area of the field, however, is it possible that this could change given the project being worked on? Is it possible to have a fluid place in the industry/ecology?
Taking the example, MACAO and the Galfa Tower in Milan, Italy, gave me an insight into how members of this cultural and creative ecology are taking a stance in their areas and standing up for what they know is right. After taking over the vacant Torre Galfa, the artist-led movement called MACAO wanted to stand against the idea of capital accumulation but also wanted to give art a voice and claim free spaces for their craft in the capital of design, Milan. After being evicted from the tower after a few days, the movement purchased an old slaughterhouse and turned that into their new home. Taking yet another unused building and giving it a new lease of life, filling it with cultural activity. For me, this example gives me hope for cities and more urbanised areas of the world. I personally feel very connected to nature and feel very strongly about the natural world. The idea that this movement is taking underused buildings and breathing new life into them, meaning that more buildings don’t have to be built saving on materials and production that could be harmful to the already unstable environment is heartwarming. I love the concept of the cultural and creative community standing up, taking a stance and acting on what they believe in. This community spirit is then only strengthened by the fact that decisions are made on a council basis and via assembly. Everyone gets their voice heard and is listened to. Something that I think in this modern world can be seen as a novelty. This example has given me an insight into how culture and critique go hand in hand. If not for critique, to take a closer/deeper look at some at something, then the issues of space and voice may not have surfaced for the community. It's thanks to the critique of MACAO that culture in Milan now has new spaces to grow and expand.
On further exploration of the cultural and creative industries, it also becomes incredibly clear how important the sector is for the UK economy. In 2018 the Cultural Sector contributed £32.3 billion to the economy. Film, TV and Music made up three-fifths of that amount (£21.3 billion). These figures prove that the cultural and creative industries are paramount to the survival of the UK economy. It can then seem scary/uncertain for the role of culture and arts in this so-called 'new normal' thanks to Covid_19.
We now know our role as creatives within cultural ecology and the creative industry and the value we can add to the economies of the world, but what about during an ever changing world filled with uncertainty due to a pandemic?
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