Cultural objects in a transforming world

Abstract

Individuals and groups exist in tension between the present ( as-is) based on the past ( as-was) and the future ( as-could-be). As with individuals, the fate and trajectory of groups are uncertain, tenuous and open to constant change since they are open-systems relating to their environment. In spite of the open and flexible nature of groups, they are also quasi-stable systems that need to maintain their steady-state. Individuals, scholars and non-scholars, may ask what organizes, maintain the bonds, ties, relationships necessary for social and communal life—for ethnic, religious and other groups to persist, proliferate and to proverbially “live another day?” This article looks at the arhuaca community and the act of knitting the mochila that was discussed in Rodriguez-Burgos et al.’s recent article. The fluid and dynamic nature of groups is postulated and explored through the theoretical approach in sociology that has been called Actor-Network Theory (ANT) and serves as a framework for understanding the issues of change and maintenance of groups and the role material things like the mochila play in this dynamic and unfolding process. I conclude that things—tangible artifacts—are important facets of the psyche because they are both nodes in complicated networks (made up of human and non-human actors) and instantiated networks themselves. Things stabilize relationships and “transmit” culture without becoming static entities themselves.