McColl Center

Today we went to the McColl Center for a field trip.
Some of the work in there was pretty nice but I didn't really get how someone can make something so simple and trashy looking and then sell it for so much money.
I understand that some people enjoy it and all but then again I think that some people must buy it just because someone once said it was art.
I've seen things similar at yard sells and I didn't really think it was classy then either.
The stuff in the upstairs hallways were a lot more interesting than the stuff downstairs.

Second Final Poject Post

I'm not really sure what I want to do. I was thinking about taking a pack of cigarettes and breaking them each and having a reason for breaking each one. Example: when the first time I hid my fathers packs or that my grandfather died of lung cancer. It would like a performance piece because I can only do it that one time in front of everyone. I'm just not sure if it's a good idea or not and if it isn't then I'm pretty lost at what to do.

First Final Project Post

What kind of art did I enjoy before taking this class?
I mainly loved taking photos but I'm not sure if that what I want to do for the final.

Has my definition of art expanded from this class?
It definitely has because some of the stuff we've learned about is pretty out there.

In class, was I successful making art that was personal or political?
I really don't believe that I've gotten that personal with the projects and I'm thinking that I'd like to try something that is for the final.

Did I enjoy making art that was displayed inside the classroom or outside of the classroom?
Other than our group project everything I did was done just in class which is very nerve racking to me because people you know get to see your best and worst ideas.

What is my goal in studying art?
I want to create an impact with my artwork.

Can my art make a difference to an audience member?
I sure hope so, that's really what I want out of my work.

Who am I making my art for?
I make my art for other people sure but I also make it for myself.

Today we went to the Bechtler Museum.
It was commissioned cause this family had all this art and they wanted to share it with Charlotte basically.
I really wish that we could have seen the stuff on the second floor move because I bet that would've made them a lot better but they were pretty cool on their own.
The exhibit on the third floor was not very interesting to me, it was just a living room set.
My favorite two things from the final flour was Alexander Colder "Untitled" gouache on paper and Victor Vasarely "Tridim K" acrylic on canvas.
The building itself was pretty unique, those windows on the final floor are crazy.

So, the project obviously was a struggle for us to begin with but I like the final outcome. I am slightly upset we didn't have time to do the video for because I think that it would have made it way more interesting and just better in general. The end result I think was pretty effective with our explanation but it wouldn't have been very strong without it. I've always appreciated those moments in nature that take your breath away, the moments that just make you stop and appreciate your life and surroundings. I was kind of surprised and I think Becca was too when she started talking about her being sick. I had no idea about that and we hadn't talked about her saying it before hand. The project was very therapeutic and stressful at the same time. It was stressful because I had to work with someone else and we had to work with our schedules around finals so that was definitely difficult but it was wonderful getting to be outside and work.

Skip Schukmann

Attempts to enrich ongoing, ordinary moments in each of his clients lives.
"I am working for them by guiding them toward an understanding of their immediate surroundings and helping them to articulate their desires."
Site specific artist who responds to the site-specific personalities of his clients.
He seem very into his relationships with his clients.
"We must learn to be satisfied."
Uses the natural things available to create his art.
Seems very passionate about slowing down and enjoying what the world is all about.
People lean about his work through observing it, knowing a mutual acquaintance, or meeting with him.
Helps people develop their land thoughtfully.
His art is scientific in certain ways but conformed to a more personal approach.
He tries to stick to what's in his clients spaces to use for his "art" but if he needs to import things he takes advantage of other people's "trash"."
Which I think is very environmentally responsible.
It's amazing what he can do out of soil and logs, without polluting the world further.
He is continuously recycling the materials nature has to offer.
He wants to show people what is there all the time but which they don't take the time to notice.
Encourages his clients to "mess around" to get the same delight as him.
His schedule is very organic. He works all day, not just during the daylight hours.
Schukmann is an artist who sculpts the value systems of his clients as well as their land.
His manner of working evolves in the same way that life and the universe evolve.
Schukmann's work originates within the life stream and remains forever responsive to the ongoing effects of climate, weather, and human interactions.

Environmental Project Notes

Before this we had quite a few ideas but none of them were really that great. Me and Becca pretty much have the idea now thanks to your help. We're going to go into the woods and plant a flower that will hopefully thrive in the environment. We are thinking of using stop animation to create a video that will creatively and entertainingly show Becca planting the flower(s). We are wanting to put a splash of color in the sea of greens and browns in the woods. I've always felt like nature is very relaxing and beautiful so putting these flowers in the middle of the woods where someone could be walking along and see them randomly and unexpectedly would hopefully make them stop and appreciate their surroundings a little more.

Activism Project-Personal Critique

This project was a lot more difficult to get done because we had to work in a group. I usually like working in groups but this time there seemed to be too many people to disagree with every little detail. The first performance was a little rocky because we hadn't really gotten the chance to completely practice and we had to get out the nerves but the second time ran much more smoothly. I really think that we got our point across of child soldiers to people and I think it really opened some people's eyes. We put a short clip at the end of the second performance to give more of a face to the cause and it showed how they can get in touch with an organization, which I think made it all more real and made it more moving than the first performance. We all worked really hard to make this presentable and we tied in everyone's ideas as well as we could. The big thing to do is to put people out of their element and scare them a little so they could get just a little taste of what it's like for these children even though they'll never truly understand the extents of it. I'm glad we didn't decide on doing a film because I don't think it would have been as effective as what we did end up doing.

Activism Project

Project Notes:

The majority of our group is pretty set on using a soundtrack and some film and maybe some photos for our project on Child Soldiers. There's more talking going on than actual work, like they don't realize that it's due a week from today but I think if we get out stuff together then it should work out great. We're thinking of using crying/laughing noises of a kid and gun shots and loud men yelling as the soundtrack and filming of a park or something along those lines.

Wenda Gu

"seeks unity through art."-wants to create art that will unify mankind.
Gave up classical painting, a master in China.
His work is based on being global.
He alone is not global so he brings in partners from around the world to help him achieve it.
I can see how menstrual cycles are global and all but I'm surprised that a man would address it this fully.
I'm not sure I'd wanna see these particular pieces ever because they are pretty gross to think and look about. I know I'm a girl and all and I'm pretty comfortable with my period but I wouldn't want to deal with anyone else's.
It's just kinda gross that his materials come from real people but his work is interesting, at least the concepts are.
Uses the myth of Oedipus to provoke the confused attitudes about family relationship that entail reconciling social obligations with personal desires.
Universal experiences are rarely accompanied by universal attitudes.
"[languade] brings about deep misunderstandings."
"imagine the universe which is beyond the reach of knowledge."
I actually did like the United Nations piece but of course he manages to gross me out by using human hair.
I understand that he wants to unite people and all but it seems people would get too wrapped up in the grossness of the art rather than the message behind it.
If he's anything, he's fair to include people from all over the place.
"language and knowledge are artificial. The human body is authentic and natural."
I don't think it's right to create a life for the good of an art project. It doesn't seem right either to make art foundations pay for these children's lives. It just doesn't seem like a good idea to use life casually.
His concepts are great but I feel he goes too far with using human samples.

DJ Martinez

Doesn't want ot be called an artist, wants to be known as a Tactical Media Strategist.
Free-lance artist activist, human rights.
Only exhibits his work when he gets an official invitation to do so which I think shows true passion for his work.
He messes with the societal views.
"I take small opportunities and turn them into something important."
very smart and cunning.
Lets people comment what they want, it seems to propel his work more.
Brings up racism and the stigmas that go along with it.
He work isn't about acceptance, it's about bringing to surface things that people ignore.
He doesn't have an accent and doesn't git the stereotype.
He grew up in the stereotypical way though.
He was always getting beat up as a kid because he didn't "fit in" to any group.
He found a way to use his brain to his advantage.
"He supports an alternative definition by creating art that involves real-life issues and propels real-life actions."
He just wants people to react, whether it's good or bad.

Personal Critique-Consumption

I felt that I did so much better on this project than my last. Probably because I've never done things like this before and I didn't know what to expect or do. I realize that I could've done something a little more that could say what I wanted to say without me actually saying but I feel I really did get the point across. I know that I tried really hard to come up with a good concept and then create my piece accordingly. I feel that most people did try really hard as well but a few did not.

Vanessa Beacroft

Constructs her image of "self" according to criteria valued by contemporary society.
Use models for installations, some with natural beauty, some with enhanced beauty.
Seems to support the biases of women.
Appreciation of women obsesses on appearance, but ignores intelligence and accomplishment.
Prefers to exclude her own body from her installations.
She demeans the women in her work and calls them her "girls".
The models have to be totally detached from the audience.
Her installation shows the many stereotypes against woman.
I wonder what the models involved think about her work and what they are being made to do and portray.
Seems like a very controlling person.
Whether she wants a positive or negative view from her work she raise many opinions on how women should be viewed.
Selects models based on similarities (to create multiples).
Calls the group of models an "army" because they follow orders, are fit, and homogeneous.
Exclusivity is big for her work. From who is a model to who was invited to the show.
By inviting certain people she makes sure there's distance between them and the installation.
She was obsessed with high female standards early on.
The image of perfection in the models wilted over the show.
Conforms her pieces to the places she shows them in.
Describes herself as "post feminist".
"I like the freedom to do actions that embarrass society."

Thomas Kinkade

Vision of peace and harmony.
Appeals to the masses.
Mass produced, marketing is amazing.
"Painter of Light"
His subjects have a glow, usually woodsie scenes.
Idealic, peaceful scenes.
He cannot produce enough originals to satisfy the masses.
Lots of different products.
He takes full advantage of his artistic ability to make money.
He is the only painter whose work is traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
He wants his work to give people hope.
People disregard his work as not serious art.
He is very religious and shows that in his artwork.
A little overboard using Christian as the middle name for all four of his daughters.
He stands out from the art community because he appeals to regular people.
No one is shut out from his work, anyone can have it and put it anywhere.
They don't have people in them so anyone can put themselves into the pieces.
There's no danger, no annoyances.
The houses in the neighborhood are kinda of weird and over the top.

Consumption Project

What I am thinking about doing is taking a simple black pair of heels and arranging coins on them. The concept is that people spend so much money on how they look, women and their shoes. There are people in the world that can't afford shoes and they have to walk around barefoot all the time. It really makes me sad to see these people with a million pairs of shoes and then a little kid that has on shoes too small or too big because that's all they can afford.

February 8, 2010

Consumption

Michael Ray Charles
Deals with race.
I don't really understand why it seems that every black artist we've seen has work that is mainly about being black. I understand that it really is a big deal and all but it just seems like they rely on that too much when other races go outside race.

Michael Barney
Attracted to his own work.
Very different but interesting as well.
He seems to just go all out with his ideas.
"violence is sublimated into form"

Andrea Zittel
bred animals, influenced her work.
containers for animals-containers for humans.
obsessed with perfection but really wanting a better hope for tomorrow.
everything is very organized.
living in confined spaces.
creating intimate, controlled spaces, alone.
human values and perception.

Mel Chin
Special
P
Agricultural
Worms
Neighborhoods
no value-to value.
to create something that will be there after he's gone.
to reclaim an icon from what it is now.
if we are going to make art, it should be liberating.

Personal Critique

If I could go back I would definitely do things a lot different. I think that I thought about it too much and made it more difficult for me to grasp. I think that I didn't do the best that I could but I did learn a lot about how to go about the next project. I do think that I did make the powerpoint flow well and it got my point across. I also have no idea how to put my powerpoint on here.

Project Notes- Jan. 17, 2010

Who are you?
What groups are you apart of? (family: sister, daughter)
Can you stop being part or a group?
Do you fit in?
Political, religion preference.
Can you make yourself apart of a group?
5 important things in my life.
Write adj. that describes these things.
Find some type of metaphor or symbolism.

non-representational self-portrait
aspect of identity
metaphor symbolism

Nan Goldin

Born in Washington but lives and works in Paris, France.
She uses her close relationships as subjects.
Her and her friends lived hard in the 70s.
"The instant of photographing, instead of creating distance, is a moment of clarity and emotional connection for me."
"Not as a chronicle of the lives of others, but as "the diary I let people read.""
compulsion to record each day, exposes raw emotion.
devoted to chronicling the unscripted dramas in her and her friends' lives.
Her sister committed suicide and Nan ran away to cope, she ended up living at a commune.
The friends she made at the commune lasted a lifetime.
Her sister's death influence her career greatly.
Her desire for intimacy, respect for honesty, and a need to push limits define her artistic expression.
No limits! Real Life.
Finds beauty in the pain and crazy lives.
"I photograph out of love... and out of my idea of beauty and of desire. I don't allow myself to photograph out of the critical side of me."
Goldin is amazing. Her life is filled with so much pain, fun, death, and drugs. Her work is inspiring.

William Kentridge

Inspired by government issues in South Africa.
South African by birth.
Show outrageous details of apartheid.
Charcoal, blacks and whites (some blue and red).
Acute angles, skewed perspectives.
Even though he is white he relates to the victimization that South Africans went through because of the things his family went through.
His father was a prominent lawyer who defended victims of apartheid from the 1960s to the 1980s.
He was of Lithuanian and German Jewish decent.
He felt alienated and was enriched by his African birth and European decent.
Kept him from romanticizing his work.
used art, film, and theater.
Historic details are rendered in how much of an impact they have on human lives.
Perspective personalized psychological approach.
The film is trying to show that through not acting is just as bad as committing the crime.
The way he makes his films shows so much skill and dedication.
Using charcoal reflects real life, each mark is recorded forever making an impact.
Drawing is a slow motion version of thought.