Culture is the driving force behind every society. It is interesting, then, that although it has such a great influence on every one of our lives, the concept of “culture” is one of the most elusive words in the english language. “While culture is concerned with tradition and social reproduction, it is also a matter of creativity and change” (Culture Studies, Barker, p. 42).
It must be stressed that culture is ordinary. Everyone is an expert in their own culture, because their every move, every word and every thought is simultaneously the creation of culture and a reaction to culture. People from the same culture are said to “interpret the world in roughly the same ways and can express themselves, their thoughts and feelings about the world, in ways which will be understood by each other” (Culture Studies, Barker, p. 42). In addition to people living out a culture, it can also be recorded. It can be a piece of art, a song, a political campaign, or the state of the stock market. History is a huge influence on culture today.
The picture below is a photo of modern art by Bruce Nauman called “Human/Need/Desire.” Nauman created it in 1983. This is a perfect representation of how culture is created by people. Nauman thought of this idea, and created the physical piece of modern art. I believe that Nauman would tell you that to him, this piece has special meaning and significance. He had an idea behind it; something he wanted to express or convey. The flip-side of Nauman being the creator is that the viewers can interpret this any way they choose. So culture is created by people, and interpreted by people as well. Secondly, culture is recorded. This physical piece of modern art has been created and we can view it again and again through pictures or see it in person at the MOMA in New York City. Lastly, this piece of art is a link between our society today and 1983. What can it tell us about the culture then? How is it applicable to our culture today?
For me, the six words in neon lights represent things we struggle with and/or long for in our daily lives. They are thoughts. Thoughts about humans, desires, hopes, needs, and dreams. These thoughts are all sort of floating up and away, but connected by thick black cords to a white box. The box represents society, or the humdrum of daily life. We are undeniably connected to it, but we can escape this rigid, cold, institutionalize life we may be leading by our thoughts and creativity, if we use our minds. For me, this piece of art is inspirational. It's about a journey....an escape.
The field of cultural studies is a relatively new area of study. The professors and leading theorists have fought to keep away boundaries determining what cultural studies includes and excludes because the concept of culture derived from and effects every part of our lives. Therefore, the definition of culture is not singular. It is always being changed, revised, and rediscovered.
You wrote: "Everyone is an expert in their own culture, because their every move, every word and every thought is simultaneously the creation of culture and a reaction to culture."
ReplyDeleteOn one level, I can see how that's true. If we see culture as "ordinary," maintained, created, transformed by normal people, every day, as they live their lives, then it's true that we are all powerful when it comes to culture. In other words, "culture" isn't the sole domain of the high and mighty.
But are we really "experts" in culture? Are people able to understand how culture is maintained, created, and transformed? Do they even realize that that's what they're doing when they choose a TV channel to watch or a magazine ad to tape to their dorm room wall? Can they articulate how their individual communication acts relate to larger dimensions of symbolic interaction?
There's this over-quoted line that gets kicked around in cultural studies and media studies, and I'm not even sure how it goes, exactly, but it's something like: "I don't know who discovered water, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't a fish." The idea is that when we're completely immersed and involved in something, it can be hard to see, let alone grasp with a kind of expert knowledge.
Hmm, I think you're absolutely right. What I meant by "we're experts in our own culture" was that we are creating it and reacting to it first hand. Are we aware of this process and the power it has in our lives? Most of the time, no. This class has heightened my sensitivity to it, but before....I was completely oblivious to "culture" in this context. Because the majority of us are oblivious most of the time, we are far from experts. I think the creation of and reaction to culture is something that is usually subconscious and that it's an ingrained part of our daily lives.
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