My latest (academic) interest is tourism.
When in Cambodia, my tuk tuk driver once stopped on the road from Preah Khan to Siem Reap so that I would be able to join in the mass of tourists photographing the Cambodians who were rice farming. The scene was indeed postcard picturesque...but I couldn't join in the activity.
Then, I understood my reluctance to be about the objectification of the people. I considered how, if we were in England, we would ask the subjects of a proposed photo if it would be alright to include them in the frame and saw how this basic respect was not granted to the Cambodians as they toiled in their field.
I spoke to Dr M about this at length last week. She then suggested I give the next lecture.
It was good to direct discussion - to wrap words around my tongue and push clarity from my mouth. a communal formulation of vocabulary and creation of meaning/understanding.
I can see now, in wording more clear, how the tourist gaze acts to commodify culture - and this in a sense is objectification of the people, but is much more than that as well.
We've commodified the Cambodians' culture. now what are they to do? if they cash in on the economic opportunities created by mass tourism, we call them 'inauthentic'. if they seemingly ignore our appropriation of them - their lives, their identities, their art, their heritage - and revert to 'traditional' ways, they willingly accept the position of subjugation.
Cambodia is plagued by a mad fever that engages with the illegal antiquities trade. The people themselves carve out their own flesh from their temples and sell it to us. all because we crave the 'authentic' - the seat of power which looks down on the peoples who have crumbled from once great pasts.
Both sides perpetuate these power relations. I cannot say that I am saddened that they are forced to sell off their (constructed) heritage to provide for their families. Feeling as such is subscribing to these power ideologies that would put me in a position to look down on the lack of integrity inherent in such acts. I would like to think that I am not in that seat.
How do we construct a different world?
Today I came to the conclusion that mass production is the new 'authenticity' of the post modern era.
When in Cambodia, my tuk tuk driver once stopped on the road from Preah Khan to Siem Reap so that I would be able to join in the mass of tourists photographing the Cambodians who were rice farming. The scene was indeed postcard picturesque...but I couldn't join in the activity.
Then, I understood my reluctance to be about the objectification of the people. I considered how, if we were in England, we would ask the subjects of a proposed photo if it would be alright to include them in the frame and saw how this basic respect was not granted to the Cambodians as they toiled in their field.
I spoke to Dr M about this at length last week. She then suggested I give the next lecture.
It was good to direct discussion - to wrap words around my tongue and push clarity from my mouth. a communal formulation of vocabulary and creation of meaning/understanding.
I can see now, in wording more clear, how the tourist gaze acts to commodify culture - and this in a sense is objectification of the people, but is much more than that as well.
We've commodified the Cambodians' culture. now what are they to do? if they cash in on the economic opportunities created by mass tourism, we call them 'inauthentic'. if they seemingly ignore our appropriation of them - their lives, their identities, their art, their heritage - and revert to 'traditional' ways, they willingly accept the position of subjugation.
Cambodia is plagued by a mad fever that engages with the illegal antiquities trade. The people themselves carve out their own flesh from their temples and sell it to us. all because we crave the 'authentic' - the seat of power which looks down on the peoples who have crumbled from once great pasts.
Both sides perpetuate these power relations. I cannot say that I am saddened that they are forced to sell off their (constructed) heritage to provide for their families. Feeling as such is subscribing to these power ideologies that would put me in a position to look down on the lack of integrity inherent in such acts. I would like to think that I am not in that seat.
How do we construct a different world?
Today I came to the conclusion that mass production is the new 'authenticity' of the post modern era.
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Yes, my trip to Kenya will be all "Holiday" but it is going to be a bit of father son bonding. Hopefully it will be great. I expect so. But I also expect it could easily be more work than any business trip ever dreamed to be. I am really glad to have these opportunities to do things with my dad before either of us are too old to remember them.
It was good to meet you - I'm sorry we didn't really get a chance to talk. Also sorry that there wasn't time for tarot - but then circumstances were not exactly conducive. I actually had the cards with me in my coat pocket and, when I came to pack up on Sunday morning, realised most of them were missing. I think they probably fell out when my coat was on the floor in the Ship getting covered in beer... Shame, but it wasn't my favourite pack. Don't tell Noir, who sold them to me...
[Edited on Nov 14, 2005 7:50AM]