Art or Artesanía? Peru’s Artistic debate

In 1975, a discussion began in Peru about whether handicrafts could really be considered as art. This fiery debate in the Peruvian art world continues today.

Could popular art hold its own against the so-called ‘cultured’ arts? Critics argued that folk art lacked true creativity, dismissing it as mere repetition of traditional patterns. Yet, supporters countered that this debate was not about art forms, but about the clash of social classes. They pointed out that the distinction between “artesanía” (craftsmanship) and “arte” (art) is often framed through the lens of Western art standards, which may not fully capture the richness of popular art.

This discussion aims to explore the evolving definitions of folk art, traditional art, and craftsmanship, questioning whether these terms still hold the same weight today.

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