| • Aboriginal | • Aesthetic | • Collage |
| • Contemporary | • Context | • Identity |
| • Indigenous | • Iroquois | • Narrative |
| • Recontextualization | • Re-mix, or remix | • Symbol |
| • Tradition |
A
Aboriginal
The first or earliest known people present in a region. The Aboriginal population of Canada is diverse, with distinct cultures, languages, religious beliefs and political systems. It includes Status, Non-Status, Métis and Inuit people.
Aesthetic
Aesthetics is a sub-division of philosophy that deals with questions of art and beauty. What is considered aesthetic varies by context.
C
Collage
An assemblage or occurrence of diverse elements or fragments in an unlikely or unexpected juxtaposition. In art, a collage is a composition, abstract or concrete, made with a variety of materials such as paper (found images, words), wood, string, or other, pasted on a surface.
Contemporary
Existing, occurring or living at the same time, happening here and now. In art history, contemporary art refers to work that is produced at this present point in time or since the 1970s.
Context
The surroundings, circumstances, environment, background or settings which determine, specify, or clarify the meaning of an event, object or artwork.
I
Identity
Identity refers to a sense of self, providing sameness and continuity in personality over time. It is also the way we label ourselves in relation to a group.
In other words: who you are, such as your interests, hobbies, belongings, as well as your beliefs, principles, character traits and goals, contributes to the way you define yourself and create your identity.
Indigenous
Member of the original inhabitants of a particular place.
Iroquois
A group of First Nations/Native Americans in the northeast of North America that originally consisted of five nations (Five Nation Confederacy): the Mohawk, the Oneida, the Onondaga, the Cayuga, and the Seneca. A sixth tribe, the Tuscarora, joined after the original five nations were formed. Today Iroquois live primarily in New York, Winsconsin, Oklahoma, Ontario as well as Québec.
N
Narrative
A story or an account of connected events or experiences. Narratives can be true or fictitious.
R
Recontextualization
To place in a different context.
In other words: “to recontextualize” means to put in a new, fresh or unexpected situation to bring new meaning.
Re-mix, or remix
A variant of an original recording (as of a song) made by rearranging or adding to the original.
Note: in current art practices, artists remix text, text and image, video, sounds and other. Source materials include television shows, movies, instructional audio recordings, etc.
S
Symbol
Something that stands in for or suggests something else by reason of relationship, association, convention, or accidental resemblance.
T
Tradition
An inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom) that is handed down from generation to generation.
Definition sources include online dictionaries and glossaries as well as Canadian government terminology. Italicized information is provided by lesson creators Natalie Johnston and Bear Thomas.
im the king
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