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5 Interior design and relevance to the debate at hand
An interior designer combines various elements within a space to create an
ordered theme of design. This includes the use of inter alia, colour, texture
and various art forms. The key element to this type of design is matching
purpose with practicality. 17
The Centre for Human Rights, as far as my limited understanding
stretches, does not deal with the pretty and flowery issues of the world.
Applying the most basic principles of interior design, it is clear that the
theme which was probably originally intended for by the art selectors, was
appropriate to the given department. Granted that the etchings may be
offensive to some, the very make-up of the issues dealt with in the Centre
for Human Rights may create a rather striking mental-picture which is also
offensive to many individuals. Hence, without insult, the latter individuals
should rather concern themselves with a field of the law which does not deal
with the most ostentatious acts of violence in the world.
To my knowledge, the persons who would be exposed by this art on a
daily basis are familiar with the issues raised in the paintings. The effect
which I propose it will have is that of impetus — an additional driving force
behind these progressive individuals to institute changes in the system where
necessary, as well as to stand firmly behind the promotion of equality,
justice and effectively a respectable society. Thus, activism is promoted.
I concur with Sontag’s first testimony as quoted by Heyns, referred to by
Modiri, that horror art could have a predominantly positive effect in terms of
creating awareness of pressing social issues. 18 However, I disagree with
Modiri’s statement averring that it could ‘desensitise the viewer’ and
Sontag’s view that ‘atrocities [wear] off with repeated viewings’. When art
is viewed superficially at the first glance the shock-value is at its peak and I
do agree that the shock-value may decrease with repeated viewings. The
variance in my view is in the richness of art. Art is charged with meaning.
Every time one views a specific piece of art, one can discover something new.
The artist Bansky said, ‘The holy grail is to spend less time making the picture
than it takes people to look at it’.
17 J Gittens (2009) Basic interior design rules 6.
18 CH Heyns ‘In graphic detail: Freedom of expression on campus’ Disasters of
peace: an exchange (2005) 1 PULP Fictions 12.
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