David M Gaskell CoP3 Rationale Booklet
Theory to Practice.
In researching for the essay I found there were crossover points which concerned each of the case studies featured. Freedom of Expression This was the core of the three case studies I used in the essay. A combination of fiction, caricature and documentation. All the case studies featured suffered attempts of suppression, all in some way criticised Islam. Street Protest The pro and anti-Islamic groups featured in the essay were mostly involved in street protest. The anti-Islamic groups were focussed on stopping the implementation of Sharia in Europe, the pro-Islamic groups seem unaware of the threat Sharia is to all communities in Britain. Confusion There is a lot of confusion surrounding what Islamophobia is. This showed itself in the reaction to the Jyllands-Posten cartoons and in the pro-Islamic groups protests. There is a perception that all Islamophobia is anti-Muslim.
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This gave me a few avenues I was willing to travel down for my practical element: First Explanation of the threat Sharia is to British society, how it is barbaric and isn’t fit to function in British society. Second A look at what elements of Islam are opposed by the anti-Islamic groups. Seeing whether these are legitimate concerns and complaints. Third A look at the publics views on Islamophobia, what it means, whether or not it is racist. For this idea I was to ask members of the for and against groups their opinion on what Islamophobia is and how it has affected their lives. Initially I chose the third idea, however due to a lack of usable responses to questionnaires I had to sacrifice plan A and go with plan B. As a back-up I chose the second as this includes elements of Sharia and relates to the case studies featured in the essay.
The Brief.
Context I looked at the complaints directed at the Islamist movement by groups opposing the spread of Islam. I will be proposing an exhibition featuring illustrations that highlight European concerns about elements of Islam. Brief/Tasks Exhibition proposal. Preparation/Research Suggestions Clarify the issues with Islam some groups have identified in my essay. Evidence 1 x exhibition proposal 1 x exhibition catalogue 1 x exhibition invite 1 x exhibition website
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Exhibition Concept.
Pictorial representation of Islamic elements offensive to democratic societies and generally any society that wants to progress out of the dark ages. The illustrations look at Islam’s more ugly elements, and represents what the groups that oppose Islam protest/campaign against. The reason I am choosing to focus on the darker elements of the religion is to link to the essay, whether it is okay to criticise a religion. Ideally the exhibition will be able to travel around the country, for that reason I am going to desing the exhibition around a generic rectangular room.
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Exhibition Name.
I wanted the name to be a representation of the core discussion in the essay. This was Islamophobia, however I didn’t feel like that would be an appropriate name for the exhibition. As I had no intention of turning the exhibition into a series of insults. With that in mind I looked at the condition of being unable to criticise Islam, known as Islamophilia. A short break down of the two terms: Islamophobia Hatred or fear of Islamic values. Islamophilia Admiration and inability to criticise Islamic values. The two words have two different letters. The ‘OB’ and ‘IL’, this is basically my essay in four letters.
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Method of Delivery.
Although I am merely proposing the exhibition I am considering how I will be able to promote the exhibition and how people will be able to see the images around the world. The World For the world wide view it is logical to use a web-based delivery, be it a personal web page or website as they are often incorrectly referred to. I will be purchasing a domain name for this, as I don’t want to associate myself with a tumblr or similar station of delivery. Tumblr is only appropriate for photos of trainers and tits, although those things are personal favourites of mine, they aren’t appropriate for such an exhibition. Local I will be using a personal invitation to invite local institutions to the exhibition. I chose to use this rather than a poster.
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