Sunday 18 January 2015

1.) Marketing the American West


Website - http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/2014/arts-of-the-american-west-n09149.html#&sort=lotNum-asc&viewMode=grid&size=s 

This website auctions replicas of Native American artwork and items, showcasing "the best examples of American Indian artistic traditions as well as Western paintings, sculpture and works on paper spanning 2000 years". The pieces range from necklaces and wall décor to rugs and pots.
I chose it due to it demonstrating the diversity of each of the pieces and it portraying the culture quite authentically (supposedly) through the works. They are all of high quality and very expensive, so one would think that the works are fairly accurate representations and shows that there is a market for them. 
Sotheby's is a world renown auction company, so for them to market these pieces shows that there still is a want for these works among modern day people, more specifically to this company, the richer middle class as the prices are high. It exemplifies the niche market of high quality American West items. I also think it's important to note that all the pieces available on the site are essentially accessories, be it for your house or for your outfit. This connotes an ideology of perhaps seeing the culture of Native Americans as secondary. None of the works would be the centrepiece of the room or what someone is wearing, instead conveying a sense of acceptance to the culture or a sense of differentiation to others as it creates an element of diversity. I think this could be more apparent within the higher classes as they want to seem to be more cultured within their higher classes with smaller pieces of work littered around, however this is obviously a huge assumption. However I do feel that the American West and Native America is seen like that today, as secondary and as just a memory that is kept alive through a niche market and enthusiasts.



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