A METAPHOR FOR GLOBALIZATION

A Metaphor for Globalization: Finding Meaning Within Art

Rachael Bennett
Portland State University

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2
Introduction

Art has long been a form which people use to express their emotions and general view of the
world. However many pieces of art when they are presented to an audience tend to evoke
emotional and centralized ideas rather than the bigger picture they could represent. Globalization
is one of these broad themes that is difficult to discern at first glance. Though pieces lend
themselves to certain aspects of globalization when viewed through a broad lens it takes time to
view the whole picture. Akio Takamoris piece Sleeping Woman in Red Dress and Sleeping
Woman in Blue Dress personifies one of these fundamental aspects of globalization, the
globalized world. Providing an example of how a globalized world can be shown through more
than just human interaction.
The Artist
Sleeping Woman in Red Dress and Sleeping Woman in Blue Dress was created in 2012 by
artist Akio Takamori. Takamori was raised in Japan, and since the 1980s has exhibited his
artwork across the globe. Though raise in Japan Takamori received his higher education in the
United States. He has both a BFA and a MFA from Kansas City Art Institute and New York State
College of Ceramics, Alfred University. Through this education Takamori has evolved not just
himself as an artist but his art as well. Moving beyond general ceramics, Takamori pushed
himself to break the perceived constraints of ceramics and express himself through the medium.
As a result Takamoris work has always been figure and emotional based. Currently residing in
Seattle, Takamori is a professor of art at the University of Washington and continues to make
wondrous pieces.
Background of Piece

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The picture taken above was taken at the Portland Art Museum, where this piece of
Takamoris Ground collection resides. The collection is generally split up among several art
museums though when it is fully assembled it contains six ceramic figures. Of the six, five are
sleeping together in the same room while one is awake alone in another room. Each figure is a
different color and all have eyes either open or closed. It is intended to be seen as a comment on
both internal and external space as well as thought and reflection of the body. However art is
objective and with this piece in particular it is easy to extract more than one meaning. In terms of
globalization there are several meanings that can be found within this piece, however without a
clear definition of globalization it hard for the art piece to personify any of them.
Definition of Globalization
Globalization is a concept that has no one true meaning. By text book definition it refers
to the rise of sociopolitical and economic networks that dominate local and regional interactions
(Smallman & Brown, 2011) Considered a modern phenomenon, these networks can be seen
everywhere from the harbors in Singapore to the corner coffee shop. This is because when
speaking of globalization we are not speaking of one entity or country but rather all of them
sharing ideas and goods. This sharing and transacting has come to shape the daily lives of many
individuals whether they are aware of it or not. This is an idea that is at the core of globalization,
for much of its influence goes unseen. Because of this it is only rarely felt when we think deeply
or countries feel culturally threatened. With this definition in mind it is easy to see how several
art pieces both modern and traditional can be connected to globalization.
Art and the Globalized World

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The aspect of a globalized world found within globalization can also be found within Akio
Takamoris piece if one looks hard enough. Takamoris piece at a glance is inherently simple and
seems to lack the complexity of other pieces. But when looking closer it is easy to view the piece
as not only two women, but rather anything. Because of the pieces ability to mold to the users
ideas, unique connections can be created between it and almost any subject. This
multidimensional aspect to the piece is not only what makes it relatable as an art piece, but also
to globalization. The forms that globalization can be found in are innumerable and change with
each location it takes root in. Due to this aspect of globalization, it is able to cross border and
cultures much faster than anything else in our world. When this happens globalization brings
along with it the ideas and cultural knowledge of the places in which it has been traveling to and
from. This is what is known as globalized world and many countries today fear the power it
brings with it. In a globalized world we can see people conversing and sharing ideas and cultural
knowledge fast and more openly than ever before. This changes the face of the globe and the
counties with in it, making for an ever fluctuating global culture. This relation between the shape
of Takamoris piece and our globalized world is observable but other aspects of the piece express
globalization in a more fluid form.
When viewing Takamoris piece the difference in color allows for the viewer to see each
component of the piece as entirely separate, when in reality they are intrinsically connected. The
use of opposing color makes the eye want to look at them as if they are separate beings when
they are really not. The viewers eye is either draw to the blue or red of one woman
unintentionally disregarding the other and placing her in singular space. When in reality both
women share similar colors with each other and are by no means separate. This connection of the
women through their colors is much like how the world is connected through cultures. No longer

A METAPHOR FOR GLOBALIZATION

do we live in a segregated world where nations keep to themselves but rather every nation
contains aspects of several other nations located all over the globe. However people tend to be
ignorant to this global influence and believe there countries are impermeable. But when we open
our eyes to the truth these separate spaces we have created for different cultures and ideas begin
to blend into one common space know as the globalized world. These shared meanings between
the globalized world and Takamoris art piece help to increase our understanding of globalization
as a whole.
Conclusion
Sleeping Woman in Red Dress and Sleeping Woman in Blue Dress by Akio Takamori is a
beautiful piece of art as well as a great representation of the globalized world that globalization
has created. In todays world cultures cross borders like never before and a country does not
belong singularly to its own identity. Takamoris piece illustrates this through colors and shape
give a personification to this otherwise abstract aspect of globalization. It may be hard to view
art through this lens but we need to remember that the world affects art just as much as it affects
the world. In this millennia globalization is the strongest deciding force in our modern world,
therefore viewing the world through its lens will help us to better understand our new reality.
References
Akio Takamori. (n.d.). Retrieved March 7, 2015, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akio_Takamori
Ground. (2015, January 1). Retrieved March 7, 2015, from
http://akiotakamori.com/work/ground/about-ground/
Home - Portland Art Museum. (n.d.). Retrieved March 7, 2015, from
http://portlandartmuseum.org/

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Smallman, S., & Brown, K. (2011). History. In Introduction to international & global studies.
Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press.