On this blog, we will explore several major aesthetic theories from realism to postmodernism and engage in a dialogue about the very nature of art. Key contemporary artists will be explored in depth as each theory is unpacked and examined.
Each response should be between 150-250 words in length. These are due on the date listed at the top of each entry,
Friday, November 25, 2011
Thinking back to the artists we learned about in the last round of presentations- what seems to be a common goal for all of them regarding their art practice? Is this common to all contemporary artists? Due Monday November 28th.
The artists that were presented to us on Wednesday were again very interesting and extreme! I feel like all the artists had so unique ways in order to communicate and present their ideas. They ranged from performance art, photography, sculpture, even web based art, which I had never thought of or imagined before. besides the different ways that these people communicate their ideas, as a whole they all were interested in social issues and had very expressive bodies of work. Therefore, they could all be called expressionists as they react to events, feelings and experiences of their own. A last thing that I feel they had in common is that they all are some how researching the human society of the present and criticizing it in different ways and forms.
The artists are looking to challenge the viewers typical expectations and draw attention to something new or out of the ordinary. Some artists seem to be taking part in a search for self identity. They express a discontentment with reality and the consumerism of today. Cao Fei challenges our fascination with virtual worlds. She determined that people choose to be a part of second life to fulfill a need they cannot get from the real world, but she found fulfillment cannot be achieved through virtual life. She is not the only artist responding to a need for self identity. Matthew Barney personally expresses himself through his video art giving an insight into his mind and imagination. Barney encourages the viewer to consume his visual consumer “eye candy”. Another artist dealing with identity is Kimsooja. In opposition to Barney, her work is not about her personal identity. She acts symbolically as a needle weaving her way through society. Never showing her face, she is drawing our attention to the contemporary world moving all around her. In contrast, Allora and Calzadilla gave the viewer a voice by leaving a giant piece of chalk as a tool for people to express discontentment in todays mass media culture. Mark Dion looks on a broader scale emphasizing the reality of humans destroying the planet. By bringing our attention to the beauty of nature, he emphasizes that we must cherish more than just man made objects. I think consumerism and self identity are universal issues, and so many contemporary artists are drawn to the issues.
One of the things that I enjoy about the artists that we've been presenting on is that they all tackle similar hurtles in vastly different ways. Essentially Allora and Calzadilla try to directly reference symbols and items in the world which hold some kind of meaning. Specifically the stick of chalk outside the Peruvian government building almost immediately prompted a discussion among protesters that was very dynamic. Basically I feel that these two focused mainly on social context with their pieces.
Alternatively, Matthew Barney relies heavily on symbols that he creates as he apparently draws upon no outside sources. Matthew deals a lot with his identity and makes really pretty and disturbing things with his videos. Essentially he makes "eye candy" and don't really prompt a discussion among its viewers other than "who was that singing?" "what was going on there?" and so on.
A lot of the artists in the presentations last week presented alternative narratives to the norm. Cao Fei and Matthew Barney were the “loudest” and showiest in the way that their art does this. Cao Fei uses cosplayers and internet computer games to show different realities that are unusual to the vast majority of people but are still valid ways to interact with the world. Matthew Barney offers a highly personalized view of the world, one heavy with symbolism and metaphor that is not common in the already accepted reality of most people. Kimsooja in her “Needle Woman” series directly contrasts the hustle and movement of the cities where she filmed with the rigid stillness of her body when she stops in the crowd. Allora and Calzadilla give a voice to the common man, with a giant piece of chalk presented to protestors and then with the song made by the motorcycle and the trumpet. Mark Dion contrasts natural with artificial, illuminating how life continues on in the natural world in an endless cycle.
A common theme that ties these artists together is the idea of reaction, whether towards political or social issues, other artist’s work, or towards their own thoughts. We saw how artists like Kimsooja and Allora and Cadzadilla used current events and political themes to inspire their artworks. Their works were a reaction to conditions they disapproved of, and helped draw attention to larger issues at hand. In a different vein, Matthew Barney’s work draws inspiration from a more insular source, his own mind. However, it is still a reaction to both his thoughts, as well as his previous works. His work is more self-referential than other artists we have seen, and is meant to be consumed and enjoyed for its visual elements rather than its political statements. Cao Fei’s work draws on our culture’s obsession and connection with the technological world, and uses the internet as a new medium for self-expression. Her art is in a similar vein to the first artists mentioned, as it is a commentary on the social conditions and customs of modern life.
The artist during the last round of presentations were all very different in the way that they presented their ideas. When looking at their art closely you can begin to see similarities between the artists ideas. I believe that in one way or another they are all dealing with the idea of identity. Cao Fei is obviously dealing with identity because of her work with second life, where people create entirely new identities and working with some of the young people in her country that dress up, creating new identities in the real world. Mathew Barney’s work is centered around creating imaginary characters also for his movies. In his movies he is creating a personal view of the world, but it is his view alone, unlike those in second life. Kimsooja uses the absence of her identity to bring attention to the many identity’s that are within a crowed in cities. Last Allora and Calzadilla are bring identity to those without a means to have their voice heard.
A common goal among these artists it to act like a mirror to society. They all take parts of their cultures and point to it, which brings up discussion of said part of culture. I think this is what most of contemporary art does. It takes an issue and/or part of society and shines a light on it. This light allows for an issue to be seen in a new way or simply at all. Art is used as a catalyst for discuss.
The artists that were discussed last Monday were interested in using different medias to take a look at how consumerism and western influences has played a role in society. They also used identity to communicate their ideas through their art. Artist Cao Fei uses avatars and an online world for her work to show the impact of western influences on Chinese culture. She creates virtual worlds of the “new China.” She is associated with Jean Baudrillard’s post modern theory. Mark Dion’s work was different in terms of material because he uses “junk” and loves it. He creates sculpture installation and he gains knowledge through things. He is interested in ideas about nature. He would be associated as a formalist because there is an attention to representation based on aesthetic qualities. Allora and Cazadilla use certain materials based of the meanings of the objects. Their work consists of a mix of appropriation and performance art. They juxtapostion themes and appropriated materials and focus their work on political and social issues. Kimsooja’s work is primarily performance and installation art. She is not concerned with her identity but places herself as a needle in busy cities, she draws attention to the contemporary world weaving around her. All of these artist are focused on consumerism and personal identity to bring attention to how our world is changing around us.
All of them seem to want to manipulate the world around them to make their statements. Matthew Barney manipulated himself and the people in his works to make them into different creatures. Cao Fei would put herself into the frame of pictures, etc. to see how the people around her reacted to her being there. Mark Dion physically removed an entire tree and made a completely new environment. Allora and Calzadilla gave other people the resources to manipulate their world through giant pieces of chalk. The main aspect of all of this art is being so big and in your face that the viewer has no choice but to react to what s/he is seeing. This is definitely a theme in contemporary art.
These artists all give a voice to members of society. Cao Fei references society's reliance on technology. She gives a voice to the souls within us in a world that is technologically dominated. Dion gives a voice to nature which essentially has no voice. His work with appropriated materials that are juxtaposed and he creates meaning and a dialogue for objects in our society that cannot speak. Kimsooja gives a voice to the needle in the crowd. No one notices this needle until it acts like a needle. Having a person act as a needle gives them a voice in a crowd in which they would not be noticed if they were not acting as a needle. Finally Allora and Calzadilla literally give voice minorities. The boy riding the bike with the trumpet was able to make a statement when riding the bike. All of these artists provide a voice one way or another.
The artists in the last presentation seem to share one common goal that is to challenge the viewer’s perception of the ideals and the norms. Contemporary artists seem to share a common goal of challenging boundaries and providing the viewer with an alternative perspective on a particular subject matter. Matthew Barney uses personal metaphors and symbols to explore into the developmental phrase of a man, questioning the boundary that determines manhood, asking the question “what does it means to become a man?” Cao Fei’s work deals with the boundary that divides the real world from the virtual world. She asks the question, “What is more realistic? The real world or the virtual world? What does it means when our virtual identity resembles closer to who we really want to be compares to our identity in the real world. Kim Sooja’s “needle woman” can be interprets as a work that challenges social boundary. Her stillness and refusal to walk along with the crowed symbolize her identity as a Korean woman, her identity remains unchanged despite the society in which she is in. Mark Dion calls our attention to the barrier that divide “art” with “science”, the “rational” from the “irrational”. He is using a scientific practice to make his artwork; showing that these two distinguish fields of knowledge do not have to always be separate. Allora and Calzadilla’s works often contrast two very different objects or ideas. The work that contrasts the musical instrument and the barrack calls our attention to the glorification of war despite the violence and lost that it causes.
The contemporary artists we learned about today are all over the place as far as materials go, but all still hold a common theme. This theme is simply that of challenging our perception and to take a moment to re-examine ourselves as individuals as well as our society. They all had an interest in pointing out social behaviors & norms that aren't perhaps actually healthy for society. Artistically speaking, they were all exceptionally innovative and experimental in their methods & matherials.
The artists that were presented to us on Wednesday were again very interesting and extreme! I feel like all the artists had so unique ways in order to communicate and present their ideas. They ranged from performance art, photography, sculpture, even web based art, which I had never thought of or imagined before. besides the different ways that these people communicate their ideas, as a whole they all were interested in social issues and had very expressive bodies of work. Therefore, they could all be called expressionists as they react to events, feelings and experiences of their own. A last thing that I feel they had in common is that they all are some how researching the human society of the present and criticizing it in different ways and forms.
ReplyDeleteThe artists are looking to challenge the viewers typical expectations and draw attention to something new or out of the ordinary. Some artists seem to be taking part in a search for self identity. They express a discontentment with reality and the consumerism of today. Cao Fei challenges our fascination with virtual worlds. She determined that people choose to be a part of second life to fulfill a need they cannot get from the real world, but she found fulfillment cannot be achieved through virtual life. She is not the only artist responding to a need for self identity. Matthew Barney personally expresses himself through his video art giving an insight into his mind and imagination. Barney encourages the viewer to consume his visual consumer “eye candy”. Another artist dealing with identity is Kimsooja. In opposition to Barney, her work is not about her personal identity. She acts symbolically as a needle weaving her way through society. Never showing her face, she is drawing our attention to the contemporary world moving all around her. In contrast, Allora and Calzadilla gave the viewer a voice by leaving a giant piece of chalk as a tool for people to express discontentment in todays mass media culture. Mark Dion looks on a broader scale emphasizing the reality of humans destroying the planet. By bringing our attention to the beauty of nature, he emphasizes that we must cherish more than just man made objects. I think consumerism and self identity are universal issues, and so many contemporary artists are drawn to the issues.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things that I enjoy about the artists that we've been presenting on is that they all tackle similar hurtles in vastly different ways. Essentially Allora and Calzadilla try to directly reference symbols and items in the world which hold some kind of meaning. Specifically the stick of chalk outside the Peruvian government building almost immediately prompted a discussion among protesters that was very dynamic. Basically I feel that these two focused mainly on social context with their pieces.
ReplyDeleteAlternatively, Matthew Barney relies heavily on symbols that he creates as he apparently draws upon no outside sources. Matthew deals a lot with his identity and makes really pretty and disturbing things with his videos. Essentially he makes "eye candy" and don't really prompt a discussion among its viewers other than "who was that singing?" "what was going on there?" and so on.
A lot of the artists in the presentations last week presented alternative narratives to the norm. Cao Fei and Matthew Barney were the “loudest” and showiest in the way that their art does this. Cao Fei uses cosplayers and internet computer games to show different realities that are unusual to the vast majority of people but are still valid ways to interact with the world. Matthew Barney offers a highly personalized view of the world, one heavy with symbolism and metaphor that is not common in the already accepted reality of most people. Kimsooja in her “Needle Woman” series directly contrasts the hustle and movement of the cities where she filmed with the rigid stillness of her body when she stops in the crowd. Allora and Calzadilla give a voice to the common man, with a giant piece of chalk presented to protestors and then with the song made by the motorcycle and the trumpet. Mark Dion contrasts natural with artificial, illuminating how life continues on in the natural world in an endless cycle.
ReplyDeleteA common theme that ties these artists together is the idea of reaction, whether towards political or social issues, other artist’s work, or towards their own thoughts. We saw how artists like Kimsooja and Allora and Cadzadilla used current events and political themes to inspire their artworks. Their works were a reaction to conditions they disapproved of, and helped draw attention to larger issues at hand. In a different vein, Matthew Barney’s work draws inspiration from a more insular source, his own mind. However, it is still a reaction to both his thoughts, as well as his previous works. His work is more self-referential than other artists we have seen, and is meant to be consumed and enjoyed for its visual elements rather than its political statements. Cao Fei’s work draws on our culture’s obsession and connection with the technological world, and uses the internet as a new medium for self-expression. Her art is in a similar vein to the first artists mentioned, as it is a commentary on the social conditions and customs of modern life.
ReplyDeleteThe artist during the last round of presentations were all very different in the way that they presented their ideas. When looking at their art closely you can begin to see similarities between the artists ideas. I believe that in one way or another they are all dealing with the idea of identity. Cao Fei is obviously dealing with identity because of her work with second life, where people create entirely new identities and working with some of the young people in her country that dress up, creating new identities in the real world. Mathew Barney’s work is centered around creating imaginary characters also for his movies. In his movies he is creating a personal view of the world, but it is his view alone, unlike those in second life. Kimsooja uses the absence of her identity to bring attention to the many identity’s that are within a crowed in cities. Last Allora and Calzadilla are bring identity to those without a means to have their voice heard.
ReplyDeleteA common goal among these artists it to act like a mirror to society. They all take parts of their cultures and point to it, which brings up discussion of said part of culture. I think this is what most of contemporary art does. It takes an issue and/or part of society and shines a light on it. This light allows for an issue to be seen in a new way or simply at all. Art is used as a catalyst for discuss.
ReplyDeleteThe artists that were discussed last Monday were interested in using different medias to take a look at how consumerism and western influences has played a role in society. They also used identity to communicate their ideas through their art. Artist Cao Fei uses avatars and an online world for her work to show the impact of western influences on Chinese culture. She creates virtual worlds of the “new China.” She is associated with Jean Baudrillard’s post modern theory. Mark Dion’s work was different in terms of material because he uses “junk” and loves it. He creates sculpture installation and he gains knowledge through things. He is interested in ideas about nature. He would be associated as a formalist because there is an attention to representation based on aesthetic qualities. Allora and Cazadilla use certain materials based of the meanings of the objects. Their work consists of a mix of appropriation and performance art. They juxtapostion themes and appropriated materials and focus their work on political and social issues. Kimsooja’s work is primarily performance and installation art. She is not concerned with her identity but places herself as a needle in busy cities, she draws attention to the contemporary world weaving around her. All of these artist are focused on consumerism and personal identity to bring attention to how our world is changing around us.
ReplyDeleteAll of them seem to want to manipulate the world around them to make their statements. Matthew Barney manipulated himself and the people in his works to make them into different creatures. Cao Fei would put herself into the frame of pictures, etc. to see how the people around her reacted to her being there. Mark Dion physically removed an entire tree and made a completely new environment. Allora and Calzadilla gave other people the resources to manipulate their world through giant pieces of chalk. The main aspect of all of this art is being so big and in your face that the viewer has no choice but to react to what s/he is seeing. This is definitely a theme in contemporary art.
ReplyDeleteThese artists all give a voice to members of society. Cao Fei references society's reliance on technology. She gives a voice to the souls within us in a world that is technologically dominated. Dion gives a voice to nature which essentially has no voice. His work with appropriated materials that are juxtaposed and he creates meaning and a dialogue for objects in our society that cannot speak. Kimsooja gives a voice to the needle in the crowd. No one notices this needle until it acts like a needle. Having a person act as a needle gives them a voice in a crowd in which they would not be noticed if they were not acting as a needle. Finally Allora and Calzadilla literally give voice minorities. The boy riding the bike with the trumpet was able to make a statement when riding the bike. All of these artists provide a voice one way or another.
ReplyDeleteThe artists in the last presentation seem to share one common goal that is to challenge the viewer’s perception of the ideals and the norms. Contemporary artists seem to share a common goal of challenging boundaries and providing the viewer with an alternative perspective on a particular subject matter. Matthew Barney uses personal metaphors and symbols to explore into the developmental phrase of a man, questioning the boundary that determines manhood, asking the question “what does it means to become a man?” Cao Fei’s work deals with the boundary that divides the real world from the virtual world. She asks the question, “What is more realistic? The real world or the virtual world? What does it means when our virtual identity resembles closer to who we really want to be compares to our identity in the real world. Kim Sooja’s “needle woman” can be interprets as a work that challenges social boundary. Her stillness and refusal to walk along with the crowed symbolize her identity as a Korean woman, her identity remains unchanged despite the society in which she is in. Mark Dion calls our attention to the barrier that divide “art” with “science”, the “rational” from the “irrational”. He is using a scientific practice to make his artwork; showing that these two distinguish fields of knowledge do not have to always be separate. Allora and Calzadilla’s works often contrast two very different objects or ideas. The work that contrasts the musical instrument and the barrack calls our attention to the glorification of war despite the violence and lost that it causes.
ReplyDeleteThe contemporary artists we learned about today are all over the place as far as materials go, but all still hold a common theme. This theme is simply that of challenging our perception and to take a moment to re-examine ourselves as individuals as well as our society. They all had an interest in pointing out social behaviors & norms that aren't perhaps actually healthy for society. Artistically speaking, they were all exceptionally innovative and experimental in their methods & matherials.
ReplyDelete