Boston Kimono Exhbit removed over racism.

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How is it "racism"?

Racism means you think certain races are superior over others and/or poor treatment of people based solely on their race.

Using their argument, it's racism to wear or use say, anything made, invented and/or designed from another culture, which is something we all would do. More than likely daily.

Oh for the love of God. Kimonos are pretty. People wear kimonos. They originated in Japan. How the hell is this racist?

If you expect every Japanese lady you meet to walk around the house in a kimono, or think that she is a geisha, that is racist. Trying on a kimono and posing by a pretty painting is not.

I think the blending of cultures is unstoppable. Everyone is mixing things up. I think that's a good thing. Take the best that each culture has to offer and build something bigger and stronger.

And kimonos are pretty. It's good to see your post OOM.

Well...there ya go.

you're telling us that Japanese themselves dont give a toss about this issue. So why are you asking us to care about it?

naturalplastic,

Actually, many of the Japanese diaspora did have a problem with the way the MFA handled the event. If you listened to or read the transcript of the panel discussion I posted, then you would see what their problems were.

This exhibit is hardly an example of cultural appropriation. And I wonder how Asian Americans would respond if the Boston MFA did a similar exhibit of Mongolian culture and costumes! Most likely PC Asian Americans wouldn't give a damn because not only are there very few Mongolian Americans but Mongolia is looked down upon by its East Asian neighbours.

Have you looked at that transcript?

Seems like all it was was a ploy to get people interested in art, and to be motivated to interact with the art, instead of just looking and thinking "That's nice."

I think that they went about it the wrong way, and I don't mean because they unintentionally offended people. It's just a silly concept. I doubt anyone came away from it with more of an appreciation for Monet.

My Italian heritage is mocked and oversimplified in American culture all the time, but I don't get all worked up over it. The stereotype of the fat mustachioed Italian chef going "mamma mia!" and going around baking pizzas is everywhere. And what about "Super Mario Bros."? That's a stereotype used by the Japanese to create a successful videogame franchise. Stereotypical fat Italian plumber with a mustache and heavy accent. It's stupid. And of course there's all the obsession over the Italian mafia, and many people seem to assume that all Italian-Americans are low-class and somehow involved in organized crime.

Yet I don't throw a fit every time there's some dumb pizza commercial featuring some Italian stereotype.

The problem with so many people these days is that they cannot differentiate between "Cultural appropriation" and genuine appreciation of other people's cultures.

Ever heard of oriental tourists that photograph everything as if the whole country is a museum?
Ill never understand why people are so easily offended, as if its a sport.

Don't virtually all tourists act that way when visiting other countries?

And thats kinda that person's point.

Cultural appropriation is what is unacceptable. And turning cultural art into a sideshow isn't what they did whatsoever. If you want an example of cultural appropriation,

Exhibit A:




Exhibit B:






I love it how people equivocate culture with ethnicity and cry "racism" when you imitate the culture of people who aren't the same race as you are. If for example, the Boston MFA had Ushanka sunday's were people could try on those famous mink fur Russian hats and fur coats would that be called out as "racist"? I don't think so! I see plenty of Americans wearing Ushankas in the winter and no cries of racism or cultural appropriation from the PC crowd.


I think the bottom line is that there is no universal agreement on the concept of cultural property rights. Japan has been actively exporting its culture to the West for decades and there is so much cross-cultural influence between Japan and the USA that this is just plain stupid.

I wonder if the Museum didn't fail in its duty to present art in context and to deal with whatever objections may arise.

The "Japon Art" movement in Impressionism is what came to mind when I saw 'kimonos' and 'Impressionism.' But no, it's not mentioned by the Museum as it should be. The obvious differences between the two forms of art, as well as their attraction, certainly should have been addressed.

Well, Boston MFA did explain it so I'll do my best:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japonaiserie_(Van_Gogh)/

Given that Boston MFA is exhibiting Van Gogh, wasn't there a natural tendency to pair these influences? Badly explained, that's what it is.

p.s. I know Vincent wasn't an Impressionist, but he was close enough in method and time and geography. I recall that Monet worked with Japonaiserie too but I don't find copies.

If cultural appropriation is a thing, then why does the rest of the world get to enjoy the fruits of our labor? Go to Japan right now and I guarantee you'll probably see more blue jeans and baseball caps than you will kimonos and whatever else. It's just a nonsense concept, if something is offensive and totally insensitive its one thing but just being of another culture is not it. It's segregationist, this is what RACISTS want.

The point of this video is that Japanese in Japan differ from Japanese in the USA about the issue.

The Japanese in Japan dont give a toss about it apparently.