"Totem poles and wooden masks no longer suggest tribal villages but fashionable drawing rooms in New York and Paris"

This quote by Mason Cooley talks to the altering nature of cultural artifacts. Totem poles and wood masks, which were as soon as associated with tribal villages, are now seen as stylish decors in the drawing spaces of New York and Paris. This shift in understanding shows the globalization of culture, in addition to the increasing influence of Western culture on other parts of the world. It likewise speaks to the commodification of cultural artifacts, as these items are now viewed as decorative items instead of signs of a particular culture or tradition. This quote also speaks with the power of the media, as images of these products in stylish illustration spaces are now extensively circulated, resulting in a modification in perception. Ultimately, this quote speaks to the altering nature of culture and the power of the media to form our perceptions.