Orientalism

Here are a number photo examples of orientalism still existing to this day in our modern setting that were referred to in our discussion last week as being trivial or seemingly cheap, ie: Epcot Centre's World Pavillion (for those that would rather see parts of the "world" via Florida). One could argue that places like this are irrelevant and are without merit given the advent of modern transportation allowing for individuals to actually see foreign countries first-hand ( though obviously, not everyone has the means or desire to visit ). Clearly, world exhibits found at Epcot (and those of the 19th century) lack a number of integral elements found in the original places that they are trying to replicate; The people, sounds, smells, pace, culture and the realization that one is standing in amongst and looking at the genuine article in a destination halfway around the world, are all required for an untainted picture of a place no matter how close duplication may be to its original.

With Epcot and 19th century European exhibitions, one is looking at these exhibits created and viewed from a Western viewpoint. To be effective, the viewer needs to be taken out of this context and placed in a minority situation where they are surrounded entirely by the culture being viewed. It could seem that the Egyptians described in Mitchell's, "Orientalism and the Exhibitionary Order", had a much more comprehensive view of a European culture that built itself upon exhibition, so much that it inadvertently put itself on display for these visitors that were originally meant to be subject of study and spectacle for their hosts.

So I suppose the question is, what is the point of exhibition if one cannot grasp all these things for himself by actually being immersed in the original location rather than in the duplication? You can't really compare the two experiences at all or the knowledge attained by having this perception of where you actually are and where exhibition is attempting to transport you to. Now maybe, say if an entire country and its artifacts are lost forever, then the replication is some sort of incomplete record so that culture is not be lost forever, as unlikely as that is in most cases.

A few of the countries that are permanently exhibited:

Japan Pavillion


Norway Pavillion


...and oddly enough,

"The American Adventure", a duplication of old colonial architecture of the host nation in which Epcot is situated. Though it obviously is not considered foreign or "oriental" in context, I do find it curious that it is an example of a western country that is exhibiting itself in an unauthentic manner (in that it is purely for spectacle), putting itself up for exhibition for the sake of foreign tourists. I'd imagine that a visiting individual would find it much more relevant to visit a genuine heritage site with some sort of historical gravity and significance in American history.



For more examples: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epcot


In contrast, but not nearly to the same extent, we have Amemura or "America Town" in Osaka, Japan. This is more of an example of the appropriation of American pop culture beginning in the 70's that spawned a major centre of fashion trends, consumerism and novelty, rather than a meticulously replicated exhibit of America just for the sake of curiosity or education.




footage of Amemura: http://youtube.com/watch?v=xy_3akiv7Ys

Part of the reason why there is this kind of difference is due to the intention behind the duplication. In then Western world, Orientalism is more like an open window which allows people to see other cultures from a distance, to satisfy their curiosity, without having to change their own position in the physical and cultural context (without immersing themselves completely, a sense of reluctance if you will).

It's a different scenario in eastern world, especially in today's time. People admire the western lifestyle and don't mind adopting it for their own at the sake of losing their own cultural identity.

It would be tragic if established cultures lost the qualities and history that distinguished themselves from others. However, if we look at this kind of culture "emerging" through the long history of human beings, assimilation and change is inevitable.

In eastern philosophy, one of the factors that is constant is that everything is in flux and ever changing. To use a metaphor, culture is like a river, a constant flow of course change, build up and in turn, erosion is what keeps things fresh. It absorbs and flushes out what it needs and what useless to it.


-Ed Kwong, Tim Mack, Sean Bigham, Tyler Anderson, Shenghao Xi, Vivian Lee