Aloha,
On 1/17/2006 at 7:02 PM jacqueline simpson wrote:
>If someone were to do a musical based on the Padstow
>Oss custom (or paint a picture of it, or write a poem,
>or anything else creative), this would be a possible
>topic of analysis for an academic studying modern
>theatre, painting or literature. But it would not
>interest the academic folklorist professionally
>(though we'd probably find it fun, on a personal
>level).
I get what you mean. Modern culture is complex and many-
faceted. We tend to pay attention to the boundaries and
the territories and protocol.
However--and this gets at the question or bundle of them that
I've posted on this thread--academics are in a unique position to
upcheck or downcheck the non-academic uses of academic
resources. Regardless of the use.
Extending my thought experiment, if the Broadway musical
about the May Day Oss was an obvious misrepresentation of
the academic material, wouldn't the specialists have some reason
to comment and criticize? Or does theatrical license immunize
the use of academic resources?
In an earlier post, you, Jacqueline, wrote about proper attribution
and truthfulness. I agree with you that these are quite important
in the non-academic use of academic resources. Although I also
realize that attribution--even when a creator is willing to give it--
can be complicated in a performance arena. Footnoting hobbles
continuity and momentum. What's more, some art forms may
invoke allusion as part of the art process.
Frankly, one of the things that drives me batty about stuff like
this is *but in my village they...* it so quickly gets. Despite my
thinking that it provides, or can provide, important critical insights.
Musing Hey! Somebody's Been Sampling My Cultural Analysis! Rose,
Pitch
Ok, I'll Be Honest, I'm Suspicious That Celebrity Kabbalah
Is Somehow Focused on *Lite* Rather Than *Light*
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