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09/15/2017
ART 333 - Global Art Scenes - Globalization and the Art Market
Describing the “Art Scene” Today
What is Manfred Steger’s definition of globalization? How do relationships between the global and the local apply to an understanding of the art market?
Manfred Steger’s primary definition of globalization conduces that a vast portion of “the term globalization applies to a specific set of social processes which are appearing to transform our present social condition of weakening nationality into one of globality”(Globalization: A Very Short Introduction (second edition) by Manfred B. Steger). Essentially, Steger’s work along with the works of other well-known authors includes but not limited to, Benjamin Barber's work entitled Jihad Versus McWorld, in addition to other noteworthy works such as “The Lexus and the Olive Tree” written by Thomas Friedman and of course Samuel Huntington's The Clash of Civilizations. Together, all helped to solidly their readers’ interpretations concerning the worrisome “cultural spilling”, conditioning, and emergence of the American Empire and its cultural values including (cultural differences) issues including morality, left the impression that, “Globalization was the inevitable process of the “universalizing” Western civilization battling “parochial” forces of nationalism, localism, and tribalism in the farthest of regions (Middle Eastern nations).
Henceforth, the “American presence” brings with it, the American way of life, style, fashion, and other cultural values/morals which of course can and oftentimes do encompass western art/media and are at odds with the native culture. A great example of this is “Al-Jazeera”, which has become the go to source for information pertaining to the Middle East. What many do not know about is that in “2001 it partnered up with American television company Time Warner and its chief executives signed a lucrative cooperation agreement with CNN” (textbook). It is highly important to note that, this partnership effects relationships between the global and the local understanding of the art market and culturally to the region because, the local countries, people and their corresponding territories, have become more effected by western customs, traditions, art which is in direct competition with traditional culture, customs and art of the “Middle Eastern” regions. The modern day Al-Jazeera broadcastings are in reality “transmitted around the clock by powerful satellites put into orbit by European rockets and American space shuttles” (https://csulb.libguides.com/ld.php?er_attachment_id=850367. Lastly, traditional as well as highly ancient Art (including artifacts) in the Middle East are being obliterated due to current Terrorist & American fighting. As reported by the guardian, the Terrorist Group Isis has already destroyed numerous ancient artifacts/history including those relating to the ancient city of Nimrud as well as the intentional “destroying and stealing of Iraq’s antiquities”(https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/09/iraq-condemns-isis-destruction-ancient-sites).