In the final reading of our text and the last couple classes, we have discussed the inter-relationship or the interconnectedness of man with animals and technology. I stressed the idea of "networks", and how humans are made up of cellular networks but also how we interact within broader definitions of the term network. These days within the art world there are theories that center on man as a cyborg or the idea of man as a hybrid type of machine...this is due in part to our ever growing dependence on forms of technology...we are connected to our cell phones, laptops, mp3 players, which are in turn connected to much larger networks...and it is this connection that links our human flesh and bone with circuits and wire...therefore mingling our souls with machinery....something to think about!

In class we watched both Tim Hawkinson and Mel Chin on art21. Both artists use technology in their art works...Hawkinson, incorporating more crude, mechanical or kinetic elements that reference the human body and Chin using science and advanced technology as primary elements in his work. These two artists, although working in different ways, talk about the human condition in their works...social communities, our own bodies, emotions, and environmental concerns in our immediate surroundings. Take a moment to revisit those links and look over/read their work and info then respond to one or more of the following :

How much do we model the systems/structures we make-whether freeways or the Internet-upon systems within our own bodies?

Because of ecological changes as well as technological changes, how is art different now from art work created in the 1950's?

How do these two artists above, show us the good and bad results of man's fascination with machines?

Do you believe that you are interconnected with much larger systems of knowledge and networks and that in some ways you rely on machinery/technology as much as you rely on your body?

OBEY...

Recently in class we looked at portraits and their evolution from a status symbol to being a tool for broadening our own perception of accepted societal norms. I would like to continue this exploration of portraits by taking a look at the above portrait. This is has become an iconic image that is associated with the recent election of our new president, Barrack Obama. However, this image is clouded with controversy. The creator of this poster, contemporary artist, Shepard Fairey, has had a lawsuit filed against him claiming that this was not his image and that there is copyright infringement. He in turn is counter suing saying that images that appear in the public domain are available and free to be used for other purposes. This is a huge lawsuit in the art world and one of much debate.

Click on the link below and watch Stephen Colbert debate this issue. After watching the link and aquainting yourself with the issue(google more), respond in the comment section of this post.

Do you think this is an original piece of art?

Who has the rights to this image?

If you were the judge on this case, what would your decision be and why?

If you were the photographer that originally took this photo, would you want all the rights to the image...or would you agree that it has beeen significantly changed and is no longer the same image?!

Think about all the angles at play here and respond...

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/218732/february-12-2009/obama-poster-debate---david-ross-and-ed-colbert

Your Project:

The student will use an existing artwork that is well known and change the context and/or the content of this work. Making it a “new” artwork.

This can be accomplished through:

use of the computer (photo shop, paint)
collage
hand drawing
photo copier

Due: THURSDAY…3/25

...this project was originally assigned in Tuesday's class...3/16

Postmodernism?

READ THIS:http://peterandjoan.blogs.wm.edu/2008/10/05/a-potential-third-dimension-cindy-sherman-in-between-modernism-and-postmodernism/

Please be prepared to have a discussion about this during Thursday's class.

The following is an excerpt from Christo and Jeanne Claude's website. It is an explanation on how they view the work and was also written by them. The website is very in depth and covers their entire career. Take a few minutes to browse their site and then respond to the questions at the bottom in bold print.

The temporary large-scale environmental works (both urban and rural environments) have elements of painting, sculpture, architecture and urban planning.
For instance the Surrounded Islands, Biscayne Bay, Greater Miami, Florida,1980-83. could be seen as giant flat paintings (shaped canvases).
The Pont Neuf Wrapped, Paris, 1975-85. could be seen as a very large sculpture, in a traditional sense of antique folds and draperies, however the bridge, while wrapped,remained a bridge, a piece of architecture. Cars were rolling on it, boats were passing under the wrapped arches, the public was crossing the bridge, walking on the fabric.
The Umbrellas, Japan-USA, 1984-91. has to do with urban planning. 3,100 umbrellas, each two stories high, 59.3 square meters (638.17 square feet), spread on a total span of 49 Km. (30 miles) by a width of 4 Km. ( 2.5 miles) along roads and highways, adjacent to barns, temples, churches, gas stations, schools, habitations and cattle.
Once the work of art has been read for what it really is, then the process preceding the completion is easily understood.

Nobody discusses a painting before it has been painted.But architecture and urban planning are always discussed before completion. People discuss the possibility of a new bridge, a new highway, a new airport before those are built.One of the numerous permits to be obtained from various government agencies, in addition to the 25 ranchers in California and the 459 rice field farmers in Ibaraki, was the 200 pages book from the Ministry of Construction in Tokyo. They worked for one year, together with our engineers, to finally grant us a Permit to build 1340 houses (shaped canvases creating settlements as houses without walls).Our projects are discussed and argued about, pro and con, before they are realized.To understand our work one must realize what is inherent to each projectHowever there is an important difference between our works of art and the usual architecture and urban planning, we are our own sponsors and we pay for our works of art with our own money, never accepting any grants nor sponsors.

Their monumental undertakings have always been controversial. This controversy stems not from the subject matter, but because of the encroachment into public space. After viewing some of the projects by these two, would you be opposed to a large scale Christo project happening on our campus?...In your hometown? Would you be concerned about the temporary disruption of your daily activity? Is all this spectacle really not worth it considering the very limited time that the actual piece will be around? Does the work really enhance or change for the positive the environment that it is in? Would it be better to just erect a permanent statue? Why do you think that some artists prefer that their works exist only for limited amounts of time?

RESEARCH PROJECT:

1) Find 5 works of art that interest you. These pieces can be any type of art work . 2-D, 3-D, Technology based, Nature based…the important part here is that these are 5 works of art that some how you identify with or react to in some way…This is a research based project.

2)Write a brief paragraph about each.

3) Also include a picture of each piece chosen.

The following information must be included within each paragraph:

a)Artist name

b)Medium

c)Material used in the work

d)Time period work was created in and or style

e)What makes the work interesting to you; explain why you chose that particular piece.

DUE DATE: 2/25

Post #2

This week we are continuing to look at the many different mediums in the art world...Last week I began talking about painting and this week we will finish that and pick up with sculpture. Which is a nice segway to begin talking about our next exhibition opening in Kipp Gallery. The exhibition is entitled "The Far Side of Function: Contemporary Works in Wood" and showcases some of the biggest names in furniture design and wood sculpture from around the country and also in Canada. Having such a show right under our noses gives us a chance to view the work in person for extended periods of time as well as to see them in the context of the gallery and our campus.

This is an interesting show in the fact that it is specific to a certain material...wood, but the exhibition is actually comprised of a large range of types of work. On display are objects intended for very specific functions, objects that are strictly sculptural and also works that exist in a strange place between those two worlds. This is what people in the art world would call a fine craft exhibition or an exhibition from a craft based perspective.

Here are two other artists that also work from a craft based medium Grayson Perry and Dale Chihuly. Please take the time to look at both links and also the artists' works. Both these gentlemen and the nature of their work have done a lot to bridge the gap between the age old argument of "art versus craft". Read this quote from Grayson Perry directed at our artist from the last post Damian Hirst..."The trouble with pottery is that it is almost too close to art to be co-opted into it. A shark, that's OK. But a pot - that's too close for comfort. If you call your pot art, your being pretentious. If you call your shark art, your being bold and philosophical."

Please respond to what it is that Grayson Perry is saying and whether or not you agree with his statement... or respond to one of the questions below.

After viewing the exhibition in Kipp Gallery and also the pieces in the Performing Art Center, please comment on what you think of the exhibition by addressing one of these topics: do furniture based works belong in a gallery?... does this all qualify as sculpture?...what is the argument all about between art and craft?