Appropriation, in the art world, is often recognized as a valid artistic technique that involves borrowing elements from another work or context to create something new. There are two dubious types of appropriation:

• Economic or material appropriation: Artworks of significant value are appropriated. The Koh-i-Noor diamond, taken from Punjab in 1849, is a classic example. It's now part of the British Crown Jewels.

• Cultural, artistic, and/or historical narrative appropriation: When narratives are retold without the involvement of the people to whom they belong, this becomes a knowledge issue. For instance, indigenous peoples' art has been interpreted and displayed countless times without their input.

Example in the real world: Imagine someone takes your unique family recipe, without your permission, and begins selling it at their restaurant. That's an appropriation of sorts, both of the recipe's economic value and its cultural significance to your family.

Art, especially from indigenous cultures, has often been misinterpreted or simply treated as a piece of history, rather than as a living part of a culture. Can we genuinely understand such artworks without the active involvement of the subject group?

Example in the real world: You've discovered a cryptic note written in a code developed by your friends. Without their input, your interpretation of the note's meaning could be completely off.