Eric Kim

Dr. Chandler

ART-6 Art Appreciation

April 4, 2022

Appropriating Citadels
 Define "cultural appropriation" (using the provided materials in the Module), and explain

its potential pros, cons, and problematic aspects.

Cultural Appropriation is an adoption of an element or elements of one culture or identity

by members of another culture or identity. This appropriation happens when a dominant

culture takes things from another culture that is experiencing oppression. Cultural

appropriation can learn their cultures from one another as they evolve overtime in various

countries. Humans from different countries learned how to tolerate other countries culture in

expressions and how to respect its cultures and create something new from it. However, the

appropriation is using someone else’s culture was used as a comedy for these millennials

even though it was not meant to be a comedic purpose. The problem is that oppression grows

against different non-dominant cultures as if they steal its aspects of the non-dominant

culture. Furthermore, This created common stereotypes to the various cultures and never

gave credit for their own culture only to have the power unbalanced by two groups.
  Historically and culturally contextualize these citadels and sculptures within their original

time and place, noting their specific historical meaning and function within these

contexts.

o What was the Assyrian citadel, Dur-Šarruken (the "Fortress of Sargon") and

Lamassu figure? What cultural and political significance did these

structures/figures have at the original time, place, and cultural contexts in which

they were made? What is the Haitian Citadelle Laferrière? What cultural and

political significance did these structures/figures have at the original time, place,

and cultural contexts in which they were made?

The Assyrian citadel is based off the drawings that took 500 sheets to explain the building

structure for the Assyrian King: Sargon II. This citadel was meant to represent a biblical figure

known for his strength for his reign. This citadel was hoping for discovering King Sargon’s

palace until it was founded in the late 1920’s only to be excavated. The Dur-Sarruken was

another structure that was for King Sargon II. This time, it only reminds the builders about

careful town planning by its sketch. It’s building purpose was the king had to decide to find a

new capital to build a city here. In the Lamassu figure, this figure was portrayed as a protective

deity to encompass all life within them. This sculpture was planned to be a mix of realism and

flattened abstracted sculpture. Therefore, it was once believed to protect the palace and king

from evil supernatural forces as well. The Haitan Citadelle was a large foundation of stone

fortress that was built in 1820 only to be used in mortar mixture, these mixtures contained

quicklime, molasses, and the blood of local cows and goats.

 Formally analyze and compare / contrast these original examples of architecture and

sculpture against the contemporary appropriations found in Morgan, Walls and Clements'

design of the Citadel Outlet Mall or The Citadel Food Hall.

From these architectures and sculptures against the appropriations in the designs in the

citadel mall, the outer buildings had the human figures sculptured representing genies and

with the walls having the cuneiform writing. The cuneiform language was said to be the

original language of the Assyrians as it was supposed to be telling his story in a written

format while the visuals gave you a taste for the story, they were trying to tell us that they

never wanted to know. Likewise, the hidden gems around the walls of the Citadel palace may

give them a hint that may tell more about King Sargon’s Story, even though the figures are a

replica of the original sculpture as if the veins are in the legs.

 Think critically about how have original citadels and their associated architectural

elements, styles, and symbolic figures (including the Lamassu) been appropriated within

20th and 21st century American culture.

 Think critically about what larger cultural message is being communicated by

appropriating citadels as architectural templates for places of contemporary American

commerce and consumerism.

o Are these cases of cultural appropriation? Do you find these to be positive

homages and references to other cultures or negative acts of exploiting and

misrepresenting other cultures?

o If citadels were original structures of war and symbolism of political strength and

conquest, what does it mean that they are being used as architectural templates for

places of American commerce and consumerism today? How could you use these

case study examples to launch a critique of contemporary American culture

 So far about the citadels in the associated architectural elements by today or 20th century,

the use of the ancient beings may be a sign of cultural appropriation for its use of understanding

the ancient cultures for the today’s century viewers. I find these sculptures to be the positive

references to the other cultures for these ancient beings to show up to intimidate the citizens to

not to do something nasty about the place when its staring at the group of people. If these

citadels were original structures for war & Symbolism of strength and conquest, they could be

using these ancient beings as a promotion for their own capitalism consumer market symbols for

sales. But barely any credit to this ancient culture was given today when I stumble upon these

stores in a mall using these ancient beings for their own profits to see why these different culture

stereotypes could be used against their own will for different reasons.