Decolonizing Culture: Essays on the Intersection of Art and Politics

by Anuradha Vikram

Anuradha Vikram’s Decolonizing Culture is a collection of seventeen essays that address questions of race and gender parity in contemporary art spaces. Originally published between 2013 and 2017 through Daily Serving’s #Hashtags column, Vikram's text considers the specifics of equality and representation in the context of current events in the field of arts and culture in the United States and internationally. The columns cover a number of racially charged incidents in arts institutions during this period that received significant press attention, but little meaningful analysis. Vikram examines how arts institutions construct space and select programming in accordance with their expectations of their audience, and how a disconnect between the realities of contemporary urban demographics and the leadership at many arts institutions has led to controversy and embarrassment on numerous occasions. Contrasting with these case studies in institutional exclusion are a number of profiles of artists and artworks that bring art’s potential for inclusivity to fruition, working within institutions as well as outside of them to bring change.

Genres: Art

154 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2017

Reviews

[Chris Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intimidated by this book until I started actually reading it. Contrary to my pre-reading concerns, one doesn't need a background in art history, contemporary art, or any heady topics to appreciate this collection of 17 essays written between 2013 and 2017. Anuradha deftly navigates and analyzes visual arts through the lenses of equity, representation, race, gender, and culture — and all in essays averaging under 5 pages apiece. It's surprisingly approachable and accessible, and I recommend this book to anyone interested in the arts and DEAI.

[kalen akash · Rating 5 out of 5]

- incredibly insightful book on how race and capitalism effect the art sphere today. worth the read for any art student
- learned a lot about the disparities in art/curatorial spheres

[Mills College Library]

701.03 V694 2017