Unity in diversity is used as an expression of harmony between dissimilar individuals or groups. It is a concept of "unity without uniformity and diversity without fragmentation" that shifts focus from unity based on a mere tolerance of physical, cultural, linguistic, social, religious, political, ideological and/or psychological differences towards a more complex unity based on an understanding that difference enriches human interactions. Appreciating and celebrating our differences makes us stronger.
Diversity is a permanent human condition. The idea and related phrase is very old and dates back to ancient times in both Western and Eastern Old World cultures. The concept of unity in diversity was used by both the indigenous peoples of North America and Taoist societies in 400–500 B.C. In premodern Western culture, it has existed in an implicit form in certain organic conceptions of the universe that developed in the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome. When used in a political context, it is often used to advocate federalism and multiculturalism. The phrase is a deliberate oxymoron, the rhetorical combination of two antonyms, unitas "unity, oneness" and varietas "variety, variousness". It has applications in many fields, including ecology, cosmology, philosophy, religion, politics. How does it apply to the arts? Sufi philosopher Ibn al-'Arabi first advanced the metaphysical concept of the "oneness of being" a thousand years ago. The German Gestault theory says it like this: "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts." The phrase E pluribus unum is included in the Great Seal of the United States, being one of the nation's mottos: "out of many, one." Indonesia sas embraced this as their official motto as well, promoting tolerance between Hindus and Buddhists, "the truth of Jina (Buddha) and the truth of Shiva is one." Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baháʼí Faith, said, ""In reality all are members of one human family—children of one Heavenly Father. Humanity may be likened unto the vari-colored flowers of one garden. There is unity in diversity. Each sets off and enhances the other's beauty."" Unity in diversity is an idea celebrated at human rights victories in Africa. The European Union works for peace and prosperity, while at the same time being enriched by the continent's many different cultures, traditions and languages. Across Asia people with different faiths, cultures and ethnicity have been living harmoniously since ancient times. In the Americas, the melting pot ideas of assimilation have given away to a celebration of multiculturalism: such as a mosaic, salad bowl, or kaleidoscope, in which different cultures mix, but remain distinct. As we become educated about the world, feelings of "otherness" fade to recognition that we hold much in common. We can relate and connect universally. Carl Jung wrote, “As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.” Art helps us tell stories, build bridges, and share a common humanity. The Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity adopted by UNESCO in 2001 is a legal instrument that recognizes cultural diversity as the "common heritage of humanity" and considers its safeguarding to be a concrete and ethical imperative inseparable from respect for human dignity. UNESCO World Heritage sites are judged to be important for the collective and preservative interests of humanity. This work of preserving culture preserves identity. In the past 100 years determining what art is and it's preservation is part of safekeeping our global human history. Art may be created for a local identity, but enriches a universal humanity. 1) Why do so many people honor and preserve their heritage? Define legacy. 2) How might geography affect the cultural activities of the people who live there? 3) Who, what, when, where, why, and how is art preserved across continents? 4) Who should own the artworks plundered and sold across the globe? 5) How might other cultures define art differently than the Western philosophy? 6) What kind of art is especially hard to display in a museum? How can it be preserved? 7) What kinds of artworks last the longest, and what kinds endure for only a short period of time? 8) How might art traditions of the past impact the contemporary art scene? 9) How does viewing a vast collection diverse artworks still bring a sense of human unity? What are the similarities and differences of artwork across cultures? 10) In what ways does art have the power to define an individual, but unite all individuals? Consider some of these questions. Please develop your thoughts on these topics using 7-10+ sentences in the comments below.
2 Comments
Alexis Banuelos
4/27/2021 12:09:56 am
Art is a powerful thing and has many ways of defining an individual but uniting all individuals at one time by motivating people to turn thinking into doing. Every culture is different so the western philosophy tells the stories of more deaths that happen when other cultures tell more stories of god. I believe that the artists of whom created each and every art work should own the artwork sold across the world. I think people honor and preserve their heritage so much because that is apart of them and it makes up who they are so they choose to show case it and educate people who may not know much about it. The definition of legacy is an amount of money or property left to someone in a will.
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Fabian Baugh
5/14/2023 04:29:54 pm
A lot of people heavily depend on their legacy and heritage to grasp at a sense of self and help define themselves. People like to pay homage, as it’s the lifestyle that they grew up with and were raised with. Geography also impacts this, as it determines how much water a place has or what food items are local in that area. Thus, a lot of art made in these more culture-focussed areas are a lot more emotionally charged and hold a lot more meaning for people. It allows for a broader group of people to relate to them, whereas the Western Philosophy was more or less exaggerated and only portrayed the upper classes–the fancy parts of life. In the end, Western philosophy focuses more on fundamentals. Art outside the western culture is seen as much more out-of-the box, focusing on all aspects of life rather than just the fundamentals.
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