Aboriginal Motifs

image from: http://artsearch.nga.gov.au/Detail.cfm?IRN=2843&PICTAUS=TRUE

Functions and Philosophies

Principles and protocols asscociated when using Indigenous cultural material and interacting with Indigenous artists and Indigenous communities to design applications and visual arts.

Protocols are appropriate ways of using Indigenous cultural material, and interacting with Indigenous artists and Indigenous communities. They encourage ethical conduct and promote interaction based on good faith and mutual respect. Responsible use of Indigenous cultural knowledge and expression will ensure that Indigenous cultures are maintained and protected so they can be passed on to future generations. The protocols protect the rights of Indigenous Australians, the Aboriginal and the Torres Strait Islander people. There are also many different protocols across the diversity of urban,rural and remote communities.

While protocols differ from legal obligations, the guide outlines the current copyright law framework. The process of following the protocols supports the recognition of Indigenous heritage rights.It encourages culturally appropriate working practices, and promotes communication between all Australians with an interest in Indigenous visual arts.

The visual arts sector can adopt a ‘best practice’ approach by encouraging respect for the cultures of Indigenous Australians. It can do this by acknowledging their innate value, their difference from other cultures, and by respecting Indigenous ownership and control of Indigenous heritage.

Moral Rights and Issues

If we have to design art work which use references from Indigenous culture. We should be aware of moral right and issues. The general concept of communal moral rights itself raises theoretical concerns – primarily the challenge of legally naming and identifying Indigenous communities and whether this form of codification is desirable. In themselves such concerns require serious consideration, both in relation to the problem that the law is supposed to be ‘fixing’ and indeed whether this is at all possible. Critical reflection is needed upon the position of law and legal processes in establishing remedies for problems that are social and cultural in nature.

Dot painting are the traditional visual art form of the Aborigines in Western Australia Central Desert. The canvas is covered in small dots of paint which create patterns and symbols. These symbols can easily be recognize by those familiar with the Dreamtime Story illustrated. Bright colors are now more common with the use of acrylic paint, but traditional dot painters used natural pigments such as ochre, crashed seeds. 'Dot paintings' are stories that were traditionally drawn in the sand to teach the culture and impart the traditional ways of the aboriginal people to their young - it is their 'language', and tells of the time of the Dreaming when the Ancestors roamed the countryside shaping the country into what we see today.

Rainbow Serpent is a common motif in the art & mythology of Aboriginal Australia. The first appearance of the motif on rock paintings dates back to approximately 6000 years ago. Today the Rainbow Serpent is associated with ceremonies about fertility and abundance, as well as the organisation of the community and the keeping of peace. The Rainbow Serpent is also part of the beliefs of Aboriginal people in other parts of Australia, but is best known from Arnhem Land.

So when the designers are producing work which reflects or references Indigenous culture. The designer should be aware and find the possible ways to use all Aboriginal Motifs in their design.

Bibliography

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Australians

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/ILB/2004/15.html

www.cooinda-gallery.com.au/aboriginal_art.asp

http://www.didgeswedoo.com.au/aboriginals.htmlhttp://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/32368/Visual_arts_protocol_guide.df