Originally Posted by
paulr
It's not a dicotomy at all, but it's a significant distinction. In some art, culture is the direct subject, in others it is specificallly avoided as a direct subject. Consider the difference between Ansel Adams and Robert Adams.
We tend to see R. Adams' work as cultural criticism in a way that we don't see A. Adams' work—even though A. Adams' work can function indirectly as cultural criticism if you place it in a broader context.
And as with all art, we look at both of their pictures through the lens of own cultural context, which is going to have a strong influence on how we see the work and perceive its relevance.
So when you talk about culture in a piece of artwork, it's helpful to be clear about whether you're speaking broadly (as you can about any art), or specifically, as you can about art that directly shows the products of culture.
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