Is furniture cultural appropriation?
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Anonymous
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My entire childhood, in a Jewish neighborhood in a suburb outside of DC, as well as my extended family's experience throughout the 60s and 70s, consisted of a notable, ubiquitous special blend of Asian/ Swedish furnture and art. It was a thing.
I don't think we are racist if we employ themes and decoration from cultures that aren't ours. I think we are celebrating these cultures. No ivory, though, people. That's another story. |
Anonymous
Same, I am west african. When i see people decorate with things they love from my region I think it is an honor. Now, regardless of which part of the world things come from, having a link to it make it more interesting and authentic. By that i mean that it makes more sense to me if my white friend bought a mask from ghana when he went on a trip than if he bought a replica on Amazon. But that works for everything, it is not about cultural appropriation: your decor will give a different vibe if you bought a real morrocan rug from morroco versus a synthetic copy of a morocan rug made in India. I find decor works better when it is linked to our personalities and history, but that is not at all to limit each person to the decor of their genetical ancestry. We can have so many reasons to have a true connection to specific pieces of furniture or style. |
Anonymous
+1. Are you serious regarding "canceling" the Pierre Frey one? WHy in the world would you consider this print offensive? It is beautiful. Is it just because it is inspired by African art? |
Anonymous
Stealing from the Turks, yo! |
Anonymous
There is no thing called cultural appropriation. We all should take what we like from every culture all the time. That is what makes this country great. We are a melting pot. No one owns their culture. They do not even rent it. The parts that stick become American. Can we not use Ikea unless we are Nordic? No St Patrick's Day unless Irish? Get a grip. |
Anonymous
PP who posted the link. I wouldn’t cancel them, but I’m surprised no one has taken offense with the way the African women are represented. Disregard the beautiful color and pattern combinations. Just look at the way the faces and hair (particularly, the woman with loose hair) are depicted. I don’t think the creator of the drawing is African. |
Anonymous
Yeah, if the creator was African she’d know Africans don’t have blue and red faces, or disco balls for heads! And what’s with the squiggly abstract bodies? I’m OUTRAGED. |
Anonymous
Bruh. American belongs to Native Americans. |
Anonymous
And yet Disney+ costs $12/month |
Anonymous
| If you wouldn’t put up African art, then don’t put up Asian art. I would do both and don’t think either one is “appropriation.” But don’t do something to Asians that you think would be wrong with regard to Black people. Again, I don’t think it’s wrong to appreciate art and furniture from other cultures. But if you think it’s weird to decorate with African textiles, then you should equally think it’s weird to decorate with Asian wallpaper. |
Anonymous
I partially agree; I don’t think the art is the issue though I would be wary of art that depicts the stereotype of the happy barefoot tribal African people, the same way that the geisha/rice paddy man Asian trope gives me the ick. Buying “cultural” art from Homegoods rather than an individual artist is a bit fuzzy, as it tends to be commercialization of a stereotype. With Chinoiserie furniture, though, I would add that it is not really appreciation of Asian culture - it tends to be appreciation of colonialism. It’s effectively the style of Europeans occupying an “exotic” country, which is a distinction to be mindful of. I have yet to see chippendale chairs in most Asian family homes, but they are rife in the Southern White Woman decor. |
Anonymous
Not really the same. Chinoiserie is a French blend of Asian/Chinese art. But mostly, Black people would not be okay with non Black people having African art up in their homes. And if a public figure did this they would likely be cancelled. |
Anonymous
My extended family has several intercultural families. I've gotten wonderful gifts, in both art and clothing from various family members that are representative of their cultures. I display or wear them proudly. It just goes to show that you can't pass judgement on someone by looks or home decor only. On more than one occasion, I have a certain purse, and someone has stopped me and said, "I know that pattern, it's from my country!" Then a convo about how I got it ensues. And the world is just a tad brighter and interconnected for a few minutes. |
Anonymous
Are you Black? |
Anonymous
| So ridiculous. Chinoiserie is the original cultural "appropriation," so it's ok to use it because it was previously appropriated by the French? If you don't like white people taking other people's art, then apply that rule across the board. |