When people talk about culturally relevant art in the United States, the conversation often centers on music, such as the latest Beyoncé album or upcoming films like a new Christopher Nolan movie. While we’re accustomed to consuming, analyzing and discussing impactful works of art in these spaces, we often neglect engaging with other artistic mediums such as dance, fashion, painting and theater.

In fact, these art forms frequently get a bad rap in the U.S: Ballet enjoyers like Louis Litt (Rick Hoffman) in “Suits” are labeled as boring and pretentious. Fashion enthusiasts — especially women — are judged as shallow, unintelligent or vain. Theater patrons are mocked as obnoxious, weird or a plethora of other negative adjectives, practically making it social self-destruction to identify as a “theater kid.”

These taboos can foster disdain and hostility around artistic mediums besides music and film. The societal attitude of disinterest toward these alternate art forms is uniquely a U.S. tragedy, as many other countries already recognize that artwork in these spaces offers important insights and commentary about the world.

Here in the U.S. we may look down upon people who concern themselves with clothing. However, in other areas of the world, like France, where the minister of culture supports fashion festivals and education, fashion is not seen as a purely capitalistic endeavour. Instead, it is recognized as a high art that is vital to cultural development. 

This makes sense given that fashion has historically been strongly tied to politics and emerging ideas in the world. For example, high heels originally came into fashion from the European fascination with the powerful Persian empire and their cavalry’s riding shoes. Such heels were worn by men throughout the 17th century to signify their higher class status, insinuating they had the privilege to be able to wear uncomfortable footwear.

Women soon began emulating some of men’s fashions, including heels, but with the Enlightenment period emphasizing practicality, men abandoned glitz and glamour for simpler clothing. With this, fashion choices continued to represent social hierarchies, except that the power differences were no longer in relation to financial means but gender and education instead. 

During World War II, fashion was again heavily influenced and reflective of the international relations of the time. For instance, women’s silhouettes changed to emulate men’s military attire through what were considered masculine shoulder pads and berets.

Such examples prove how clothes are more than just fabric but meaningful representations of our cultural exchanges, societal structures and political affairs — as is the case today, as well. The same applies for other overlooked art mediums. 

In the theater world, shows like “Les Misérables,” which is about a man who encounters French rebels after serving time for stealing bread to feed a starving child, and “Angels in America,” which deals with the Reagan-era HIV/AIDS epidemic, both address potent and timely themes. Even “Wicked” contains political commentary about government corruption, oppression and propaganda.

While some people may think of dance as simply meaningless twirls in tutus, dance performances commonly serve as acts of political activism and rebellion. For example, in my Introduction to Dance as an Art Form class, we learned about Alvin Ailey’s piece “Revelations.” The show fights back against the racist culture of traditional ballet and empowers Black voices through rich choreography, portraying the African American journey from slavery to freedom. 

Paintings also offer many important messages. From Pablo Picasso’s “Guernica” conveying the tragedies of the Spanish Civil War to Frida Kahlo’s “Self-Portrait on the Borderline Between Mexico and the United States” critiquing the U.S.’ exploitation of Mexico, such art pieces shed light on our history while imparting valuable insight about ongoing political events. 

Studying abroad in Edinburgh, I’ve noticed such art in campus buildings and museums scattered around the city, and it’s made my appreciation for it grow. However, I know that back in Los Angeles, we are often not naturally exposed to art like this, and that is precisely why to be engaged citizens we must commit to learning about the world through these mediums, even when it’s not the norm. 

Becoming more artistically literate doesn’t have to be elaborate; it can be as simple as being serious about your GE-A class, picking up a book on an artist you’re intrigued by, going to a Kaufman School of Dance performance or School of Dramatic Arts play, or checking out the Fisher Museum of Art on campus. There’s plenty of affordable opportunities like these both on and off campus to expand your experience with various art forms. 

Taking these small steps to broaden your perspective can go a long way in navigating current tumultuous times, because nothing can quite make you realize how history may be repeating itself like seeing it through the eyes of the artists who lived it. 

Dor Peretz is a junior writing about U.S. culture and politics analyzed through the lens of her time studying abroad in her column, “A Broader Perspective,” which runs every other Friday.