The Couple In The Cage contributed by Elisabeth Ginsberg - Response

The Couple In The Cage contributed by Elisabeth Ginsberg - Response

Quote:

“Despite their intent to create an over-the-top satirical commentary on Western concepts of the exotic, primitive Other, it turned out that a substantial portion of the audience believed in the authenticity of the Guatinauis” (Ginsberg).

Response:

This project is very interesting to me.  To think that a good portion of all of the people who saw this “exhibit” took what they saw as true is borderline baffling to me.  I would imagine that someone who was well educated would see, or put more research into the people of Guatinau and realize that they do not exist.  I feel like people who saw this exhibit may have questioned who these people are, and how they could have been overlooked for so long in society.  However, I think that people took their “authenticity” as true because of the lack of knowledge and possible discrimination that would ensue if they declared “they never existed”.  It would have become a slippery slope to tread and that is a rational reason, at least to me, why viewers believed the Guatinauis.  The background information was all there; it was backed up and seemed incredibly legitimate.  It would be hard to question all of those “facts” and information. 

This project kind of reminds me of the notions in the movie, The Truman Show.  Jim Carry is essentially living a lie; the world around him is watching a TV show about his life and he has no idea about it - casually going about his day.  He doesn’t really question it and takes it for what it is.  The notions of truth and authenticity, also make me think of an episode of the cartoon,  Invader Zim.  In an episode, the Character, Dib, is profiled and finds out that his whole life is a lie/fabrication and it is simulated by the main character, Zim.  The whole show overall reminds me of this exhibit; it is all based off a lie.  Zim is convinced that he is on a mission on Earth throughout the whole series, when really, he isn’t.  He is also posing as a human when he is really an alien.  Overall, there are many ties to pop culture in The Couple and The Cage and it is very applicable and found in many themes.

Questions:

1. Is this satirical commentary poking fun at Western understanding of exotic concepts?  
2. Does this notion actually make the West seem like an uncultured group of people, unaware of other cultures in the world?  Does it make them seem gullible as well?
3. Is it possible that people were entirely convinced the Guatinauis did not exist, yet they did not say anything out of fear of discrimination?  
4. Who is to say that history is also riddled with groups such as the Guatinauis?  Are there more fabrications?