ORNAMENTALISM Meaning and
Definition
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Ornamentalism is a term that is usually associated with cultural studies and is used to describe a mode of representation or thinking wherein certain cultures or aspects of these cultures are selectively embraced or adopted for superficial purposes, particularly for decorative or aesthetic purposes, without truly understanding or engaging with their deeper meanings or implications.
The term "ornamentalism" draws inspiration from the concept of orientalism, which was popularized by Edward Said in his influential book of the same name. While orientalism primarily focused on the West's romanticized and exoticized portrayal of the East, ornamentalism extends this notion to encompass other cultures as well.
Ornamentalism implies the appropriation of cultural symbols, practices, or aesthetics for the purpose of exoticizing or embellishing one's surroundings, without paying attention to the historical, social, and political significance embedded within these elements. This process tends to result in a superficial form of engagement, often devoid of any substantive understanding, appreciation, or respect for the culture being borrowed from.
The term can also refer to a broader phenomenon of commodifying and commercializing cultural products, turning them into mere consumer commodities, divorced from their original context and significance. In this sense, ornamentalism can perpetuate stereotypes and reinforce power dynamics, as cultures are reduced to mere commodities that can be consumed and discarded according to prevailing trends or aesthetic preferences.
Overall, ornamentalism involves a shallow and often exploitation-oriented engagement with cultural elements, emphasizing superficial aesthetics or trends, rather than deeper understanding and respect.
Common Misspellings for ORNAMENTALISM
- irnamentalism
- krnamentalism
- lrnamentalism
- prnamentalism
- 0rnamentalism
- 9rnamentalism
- oenamentalism
- odnamentalism
- ofnamentalism
- otnamentalism
- o5namentalism
- o4namentalism
- orbamentalism
- ormamentalism
- orjamentalism
- orhamentalism
- ornzmentalism
- ornsmentalism
- ornwmentalism
- ornqmentalism
Etymology of ORNAMENTALISM
The word "ornamentalism" is a derivative of the noun "ornament". The etymology of "ornament" can be traced back to the Latin word "ornamentum", which means "equipment, adornment, ornament". "Ornamentum" itself is derived from the verb "ornare", meaning "to furnish, embellish, adorn". "Ornare" has roots in the Proto-Indo-European *h₃er-néh₂ (to prepare, arrange), which also gave rise to words like "adorn" and "order".
The suffix "-ism" appended to "ornament" turns it into a noun/noun-forming suffix to describe a particular doctrine, ideology, or system of belief.
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