Week 6- Anish Kapoor Sculpture

Cloud Gate (2004), Millennium Park, Chicago

Celebrated for his gigantic, stainless steel Cloud Gate sculpture in Chicago’s Millennium Park, Anish Kapoor is changing the cultural environment with his public works.

1.Research Kapoor's work in order to discuss whether it is conceptual art or not. Explain your answer, using a definition of conceptual art.


"Conceptual Art" is a contemporary form of artistic representation, in which a specific concept or idea, often personal, complex and inclusive, takes shape in an abstract, nonconforming manner, based upon a negation of aesthetic principles.

Caroun (n.d) Conceptual Art. Retrieved on September 2, 2011. from: http://www.caroun.com/art/conceptualart/conceptualart.html

Kapoor's work can be seen as conceptual art as his the ideas and work's orginates from his mind which arent supposed to represent anything in particular. This is seen in his "Cloud Gate" sculpture which has become an abstract form, as he has created it from his own perspective that focuses on the the asthectics like the shape and material textures etc.

2. Research 3 quite different works by Kapoor from countries outside New Zealand to discuss the ideas behind the work. Include images of each work on your blog.

"Tall Tree and the Eye"
 2009

"Tall Tree and the Eye" is a steel sculpture made my Kapoor which is currently being displayed at courtyard of The Royal Academy of Arts in London. This structure is an arrangement of 76 shiny spheres which rise up 15m high to the level of the surrounding Palladian buildings and which has been inspired by the words of the German poet Rainer Maria Rilke. "It is a conjunction of images I have always loved in his Sonnets to Orpheus and this work is, in a way, a kind of eye which is reflecting images endlessly," said Kapoor.

When I look at this I can tell that Kapoor has made this piece of work by thinnking about the effects the mirrored surfaces and the spheres will make when they are joined together instead of the whole idea behind it. It does resemble a DNA structure in some ways but as stated by Kapoor, "Inevitably the shape recalls DNA as a reference, but that is not what it is," I think the way he has constructed the whole structure is intriguing and it really is a modern contrast compared to the buildings surrounding it. To me, the reflections from the spheres almost give it a 360 degree of sight and its tall complex form, complements the name it has been given.

Guardian. (20 September, 2009). Retrieved September 2, 2011 from

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/sep/20/anish-kapoor-sculpture-royal-academy

 

"Sky Mirror"

September 19th through October 27th, 2006

This is another of Kapoors work which makes use of reflections to create something unique. This work named "Sky Mirror" is a 35 ft diameter concave mirror which is made of polished stainless steel. It stands almost 3 stories tall at the Fifth Avenue entrance to the Channel Gardens at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan. On one side of the mirror the reflection gives a larger than life view and gives an upside down portrait of the Rockefeller Plaza and the shifting sky around it whereas on the other side it shows 5th avenue and a more down to earth vision. It is "An urban, contemporary, and ever-changing aesthetic variation on the 18th-century landscape painting tradition" I find this piece interesting as it gives viewers a new and contemporary way at looking at the enviroment around us.

Public Artfund (n.d). Retrieved September 2, 2011. From: http://www.publicartfund.org/pafweb/projects/06/kapoor/kapoor-06.html



 
Leviathan
May 11-June 23, 2011


This is one of Kapoors more recent works, in which he has created a 82,000-cubic-yard blood-colored balloon inside Paris' Grand Palais. "Leviathan" definitley lives up to its name in size, though its "skin" is PVC vinyl, barely thicker than that of a regular balloon. It is made up of four orbs which are sustained by fans pumping whooshes of air that actually become the exhibit's soundtrack. It's entrance is a small revolving door which then takes them to a place completely different from the outside which resembles a huge deformed balloon. Once inside it is a completely new atmosphere, as if you are in the belly of something living, which is emphasized by the dark red colours inside. It looks as it gives of a very intimate feeling, which changes and is illuminated by the suns rays that come through the Grand Palais' windows. The lines do add to the mesmerising effect and they run all over the top part of the balloon which also complements the form of the balloon. This is a really awesome piece of Kapoors as he actually allows viwers to interact with the art and give them a feel of what he was trying to put forth.


http://www.newser.com/story/118336/anish-kapoor-leviathan-giant-balloon-takes-over-pariss-grand-palais.html


http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=13577771


3.Discuss the large scale 'site specific' work that has been installed on a private site in New Zealand.


 ‘The farm’ which Kapoor has created is a structure which is contructed from a combination of fabric and steel. I guess it is a called a 'site specific' work because it has been named after the site from which it is sitting on. The material which he has used to contruct the scultpture looks stretched or like it has been pulled to show “the viewer into a specific relationship with both space and time” This works really well with the landscape as it looks like it has been manipuated from the enviroment around it in a new and unrestrained way. I have researched as seen that Kapoor’s piece is related to the temporary installations at the BALTIC and the Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall.” However this time it is in a different context as it is “conceived for a wild and unconfined landscape.” he states.

                              

4. Where is the Kapoor's work in New Zealand? What are its form and materials? What are the ideas behind the work?
 
Kapoor has created his recent installation “The Farm,” a 400ha (1,000 acre) on a private estate outdoor art gallery in Kaipara Bay, north of Auckland, New Zealand. This is Kapoor’s first outdoor sculpture in fabric, and is "designed to withstand the high winds that blow inland from the Tasman Sea off the northwest coast of New Zealand’s North Island."  The magnificent sculpture is "fabricated in a custom deep red PVC-coated polyester fabric by Ferrari Textiles supported by two identical matching red structural steel ellipses that weigh 42,750kg each." The idea of this work is to "provide a kaleidoscopic view of the beautiful Kaipara Harbor at the vertical ellipse end and the hand contoured rolling valleys and hills of “The Farm” from the horizontal ellipse" which is created by its carefully selected position within the hillside. This work is really great as it stands out and contrasts against the green colours of the hills perfectly. The shape and form matches the contours of the hills perfectly and complements it's beauty.

Fabric Architecture (n.d.). retrieved September 2, 2011. From: http://fabricarchitecturemag.com/articles/0110_sk_sculpture.html

Gibbs Farm (n.d) retrieved September 2, 2011. From:

http://www.gibbsfarm.org.nz/kapoor.php

5. Comment on which work by Kapoor is your favourite, and explain why. Are you personally attracted more by the ideas or the aesthetics of the work?

 
I have researched and looked at more of Anish Kapoors work and I have found this installation he has created called 'ascension' to be one of my favourties. This site-specific installation he has created was presented as a collateral event of the venice art bienniale 2011. His states this work is "exploring the transience of smoke, the work creates a tangible, rising column of the traditionally immaterial substance. "
He also states:

'in my work, what is and what seems to be often become blurred. in ascension, for example, what interests me is the idea of immateriality
becoming an object, which is exactly what happens in ascension: the smoke becomes a column. also present in this work is the idea
of moses following a column of smoke, a column of light, in the desert...' 
(anish kapoor, 2011)

I really enjoy this work he has made as it creates such a mysterious effect and brings out feelings of of tranquilty and peace as you look at the smoke. I love how he has manipulated something that you cannot touch into a work of art that is so simple but looks visually appealing.

Although I think the ideas behind someones work is important I believe that the asthetics is the part that really draws people in and makes art what it is. If I am in a gallery I'm going to focus on and be drawn towards the painting of a ship that looks magnificent compared to a a painting that looks boring but has a lot of meaning behind it. The visuals are what catches my attention and inspires me to create something equally visually stunning.

Design Boom (n.d) retrieved September 2, 2011. From:

http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/10/view/15056/anish-kapoor-ascension-at-venice-2011.html

Week 5 - Pluralism and the Treat of Waitangi

Pluralism and the Treaty of Waitangi







1. Define the term 'pluralism' using APA referencing.


According to Caldwell (1999):


Plurasim in art refers to the nature of artforms and artists as diverse. The cultural context of art is all encompassing in its respect for the art of the world's cultures. Inclusion of individuals of differing ethnicities, genders, idealogies, abilities, ages, religions, economic status and eduacational levels is valued. Pluralism honours differences within and between equitable groups while seeing their commonalities. (para 1).


 Retrieved 24 Aug, 2011 from Academic Literacies in Visual Communication 2: Resource Book (2011), Lyceum Press for AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand


2. How would you describe New Zealand's current dominant culture?


Culture is defined as "the total range of activities and ideas of a group of people with shared traditions, which are transmitted and reinforced by members of the group"


(Dictionary.com, n.d)


New Zealand's current dominant culture would have to be a western and English style of living that incorporates Maori traditions. There are many activities and objects which are associated with NZ culture and have become icons over the years such as; Rugby, pavlova, the kiwi, farming, sheep, wearing jandals and being a "clean and green" country. I think the lifestyle portrayed here is very laidback, sports orientated and a safe and friendly country, which many people recognise and is also a reason why so many people from different countries migrate towards here.


3. Before 1840, what was New Zealand's dominant culture?


Native Maori culture was New Zealands dominant culture before 1840. Maori voyagers landed around some time before 1300 (but the exact date still isnt sure.) They lived in tribes, hunted and fished, built and lived in fortified villages, developed arts and weaponry, and used an oral system to keep their history. Te Reo was the main language and important to many cultural events was the marae, where families and tribes gathered for special occasions. Men were great warriors back then and was the dominant sex above women who were to be wives or mothers, as like many other cultures in the past.They had distinct values such as respecting your elders communal living and living off the land, and a strong history which Maori are express through traditional arts and skills such as carving, weaving, waiata and the haka which is recognised worldwide. Many of these are still practised today and applied to their lifestyles.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_New_Zealand#M.C4.81ori_culture





4. How does the Treaty of Waitangi relate to us all as artists and designers working
in New Zealand?


It relates to artists and designers as it makes them conscious of the context they are dealing with when they are referencing a certain culture. They need to be fully aware of what they are doing and what it means, so as not to cause offense or any disrespect to the cultures involved. The Treaty of Waitangi is one of the most important pieces of New Zealand history and has been a major influence on the culture up to date, so designers and people in general should be mindful of this fact. It definitly shows the importance of research into the content that is needed.

The Treaty of Waitangi

5. How can globalization be seen as having a negative effect on regional diversity in New Zealand in particular?


"Globalization refers to the increasing unification of the world's economic order" and "It describes the process by which regional economies, societies, and cultures have become integrated through communication, transportation, and trade." (Wikipedia, n.d.) As we can see globablization does have positive effects on the world in terms of faster and more efficient production/techniques, sharing around different cultures and many more. However it does have a negative effect on New Zealand in particular as it is a smaller country that not much people know about it. This gives people a chance to take advantage and exploit the country's heritage and icons that are unique to them.
An example of this is when company decided to make a Playstation 2 videogame named "Mark of Kri" This game used the traditional Maori moko on a the main character who was male to make him seem more appealing. While to them this may seem like nothing wrong, but to the Maori culture this is disrespectful as it is only the women who are allowed to wear the moko. They had not researched it porperly and as New Zealand not being a very well known country they did not understand or have proper knowledge of Maori customs or traditions. Another example of this ignorance is when  German company copyrighted the NZ singer's name "Moana" making her unable to use it on her cd's or other promotional material. Without proper research they can even impact on people in such a way that they can't even use their own name.
 Even this being so, globalisation is still a very positive thing but the proper research needs to be carried out first and being aware of other nations cultural aspects.


http://www.minterellison.co.nz/New%20Zealand%20International%20Review.pdf




6. Shane Cotton's paintings are said to examine the cultural landscape. Research Cotton's work 'Welcome'(2004) and 'Forked Tongue' (2011) to analyze what he is saying about colonialization and the Treaty of Waitangi.


Shane Cotton is of European and Maori Decent and is one of New Zealand’s most well known artists. His paintings often express his thoughts on political issues such as land ownership In New Zealand and the conflicts between the two cultures and colonization.

 

'Welcome' (2004) Shane Cotton 

http://www.printsandprintmaking.gov.au/catalogues/work/52293/shane-cotton-welcome.aspx




In Cotton's work "Welcome" it incorporates alot of symbolism and metaphors which represent a lot of things. The work consists of two similar looking mirrored birds, the controversial motif of "upoko tuhituhi" or “marked heads” in his work, and the head of Jesus on the bottom. I think Cotton is trying to show the Maori culture and the colonisation in his work as there are many references such as the Birds which are seen as spiritual messengers in Maori culture and the Upoko tuhituhi represents the heads of Maori chiefs that were traded between tribes back in the past. This is contrasted with the image of Jesus’ head in the painting is a strong symbol whch represents the Western or people of the foreign land, as religion came with the Europeans as they arrived in New Zealand. I believe that by using the image of Jesus and the marked head and putting them opposite each other, he is also trying to show us the ideas of the afterlife and life, good and bad, Maori and Europeans,.

 

'Forked Tongue'(2011) Shane Cotton

"Forked Tongue" shows a cliff face, a fantail, Maori design, and a red grid of some sort of design. There is deinitely symbolism present in this work but in a more subtle way. "Rather than the creation of a visual narrative which relates to history and society these works convey a sense of the way landscape and objects are repositories of memory" (Daly-Peoples, 2010). I think this work is trying to send messages on the links of the historical, physical and spirirtual landscape which is a big part of New Zealand culture. This is shown through the red grid which is giving an outline or map of the land in some way or if you look closer the letters O and I which is showing signs of land ownership. The overall message of this land being rightfully the Maori's is then being delivered by the bird which is seen an a spiritual messenger.


 http://www.gowlangsfordgallery.co.nz/editions/shanecotton.asp
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/shane-cotton-paintings-examine-cultural-landscape-126412


7. Tony Albert's installation 'Sorry' (2008) reflect the effects of colonization on the aboriginal people of Australia. Research the work and comment on what Albert is communicating through his work, and what he is referring to. Describe the materials that Albert uses on this installation and say what he hopes his work can achieve. Define the term 'kitsch'.


"Kitsch" is defined as a "form of art that is considered as a inferior, tasteless copy of an extant style of art or a worthless imitation of art of recognized value." (Wikipedia, 2011).


Tony Albert's installation "Sorry" commemorates the apology on 13 February 2008 by the former Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, to Indigenous Australians or the Aborigines who have suffered as a result of ‘past mistreatment’ by the Government of Australia.


"His Sorry is a work made up of big letters spelling out the word, with each letter covered in what he calls Aboriginalia: stereotyped and kitsch portraits of Aborigines from a time it was considered quaint to beat into copper an image of a man standing on one leg with a boomerang or to paint an idealised bare-bosomed maiden on to black velvet" (Rosemary Sorenson, 2009)


I think Tony Albert is challenging Kevin Rudds formal apology and trying to get a reaction out of him. He is representing the Aboriginal community by seeing if the government will actually put into place of what they said or if they're just false words with no meaning behind them, but instead to ease tension and to get the government out of trouble. His also work depicts a forest of faces, each representing a share of history such as the history that was stolen from the people, land and culture. Each face also represents a fake identity, eg, a made up 'black face' made to fit a white society, showing how people of non European decent were treated and classed back in the past.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitsch
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/curios-of-the-contemporary/story-e6frg8n6-1111119151528
http://21cblog.com/tony-albert-sorry-2008/

                                                                    

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6afMy0rlqq8

8. Explain how the work of both artists relates to pluralism.

Both Cotton's and Albert's work relates to plurism as they both show issues about cultures not being treated equally or fairly compared to those of European decent. They both show their own views on how each and every ones culture should be treated with respect, and that no cultural hierachies should exist just because of the colour of their skin. Its great to see how even though both artists have European blood in them are able to open their eyes to the world around them and realise that people were not being treated right at that time and are not afraid to say what they think. This shows cultures are beginning to understand one another more and strive towards a better future where everyone is treated as equal human beings.

Week 4 - Kehinde Wiley and inter-textuality

3. Kehinde Wiley Count Potocki, 2008 oil on canvas, 274.3 x 274.3cm

4. Kehinde Wiley Support Army and Look after People, 2007 oil on canvas, 258.4 x 227.3cm

Kahinde Wiley is a Gay American based painter born in Los Angeles, who has an international reputation. Wiley lives and practices between Beijing and Brooklyn.


1. Find a clear definition of Intertextuality and quote it accurately on your blog using the APA referencing system. Use your own words to explain the definition more thoroughly.

"Relating to or deriving meaning from the interdependent ways in which texts stand in relation to each other"

The Free Dictionary by Farlex, (n.d). Retrieved August 24, 2011 from
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/intertextual

When we see a piece of text or artwork, we automatically get reminded or relate it to another similar text in order for us to understand it better. Everyone does this, even if watching a well known movie for the first time, we will be conscious of the context in which it has been drawn upon or reproduced etc. Thats how we are able to interpret and reference it back to an earlier text which can then influence our own work and ideas.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intertextuality

2. Research Wiley's work and write a paragraph that analyzes how we might make sense of his work. Identify intertextuality in Wiley's work.

Wiley's work is about using images of urban African American males and then portraying them in a matter where they seem "slightly heroic" (Wiley, 2005) and are supreme. Through these portraits he is always trying to create the mood of power and glorification. The way the pictures are displayed in terms of how the men are posing, objects involved and background design give reference back to paintings of the 17th and 19th century, such as the ones by Titian and Tiepolo.

This shows the intertextuality that exists in his work as we get reminded of history and look back in a time of strong racial segregration, where the "white males" were seen of a higher and more dominant class whereas the "blacks" were seen as slaves. Also, the way the models in the portraits are dressed in a "gangster" fashion not only give more contrast between the renaissanse type paintings they are set in but also give us thoughts about how we automatically think about them in a certain stereotypical way. So through Wileys work, we not only see intertextuality through history but also through todays society.

http://www.deitch.com/artists/sub.php?artistId=11

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intertextuality

http://www.kehindewiley.com/main.html

3. Wiley's work relates to next weeks Postmodern theme "PLURALISM" . Read page 46 and discuss how the work relates to this theme.

According to Caldwell (1999):

Pluralism in art refers to the nature of artforms and artists as diverse. The cultural context of art is all encompassing in its respect for the art of the world's cultures. Inclusion of individuals of differing ethnicities, genders, ideologies, abilities, ages, religions, economics status and eduacational levels is valued. Pluralism honours differences within and between equitable groups while seeing their commonalities. (para 1).

Pluralism relates to Wileys work as it is all about being equal and seeing the differences between people and respecting them. Wiley does this by showing the idea of not only people of European decent being wealthy, powerful,civilised or of a higher class but also African Americans.

- AUT University. (2011). Academic Literacies in Visual Communications 2: Resource Book. New Zealand, Auckland: Lyceum Press

4. Comment on how Wiley's work raises questions around social/cultural hierarchies , colonisation, globalisation, stereotypes and the politics which govern a western worldview. 

By taking classic Renaissance/ European type portraitures and replacing the usually seen European male with an African American, it raises alot about the social/cultural hierachies that are out there and contradicts them. It raises the questions of how Europeans were seen to be the more higher classed/civilised people compared to the African Americans or other non Europeans. Being dressed in their urban outfits, the African Americans, even in todays society are seen as "thugs" which shows the stereotypes that are out there and how it can have negative impact in terms of how people are treated.

However he also reminds us how these barriers are being broken and the important African Americans that have made positive impacts in our history such as Maria Anderson, Martin Luther King, Jesse L Jackson and Barack Obama who is currently the president of the USA. As for politics, if Wiley were to paint a picture back in the past he definitly would not be allowed to and would probably be punished severly, but we now live in a post-modern mindset where everything is open and more acceptable. Globalistion can also be seen as people, governments and countries are striving towards this united and equal world.

http://www.aawc.com/paa.html

5. Add some reflective comments of your own, which may add more information that

you have read during your research.

I definitley enjoyed observing Wileys work as he really does raise a lot of important social, cultural and political issues out there and being a "visual communicator" he does this really well in a non offensive way. With him being a gay African American, I can tell he very is passionate about his work and how he can relate to the conflicts we have had in our societies past. He is definitly not afraid to make strong statements about what he is believes in, which i respect.  He emphasises these strong ideas by using bold colours which I find are also very eyecatching and detailed. Wiley is one of the artists which I think are not only trying to express themselves visually but also showing the evolution of our culture. 

http://www.kehindewiley.com/press/2010/focus/index.html

Week 3- Hussein Chalayan

Chalayan is an artist and designer, working in film, dress and installation art. Research Chalayan’s work, and then consider these questions in some thoughtful reflective writing.

1. Chalayan’s works in clothing, like Afterwords (2000) and Burka (1996) , are often challenging to both the viewer and the wearer. What are your personal responses to these works? Are Afterwords and Burka fashion, or are they art? What is the difference?

Not all clothing is fashion, so what makes fashion fashion?

 

Chalayan is exceptional at making unique pieces using strange materials like "Afterwords" which explores the notions of ‘wearable, portable architecture’ as he is able to use more of a spatial design type material to construct into a garment. However, I think Hussein Chalayan’s work is more focused on art rather than fashion itself. I say this because I dont imagine people exactly being able to wear this in public, maybe Lady Gaga being the exception. He also makes the audience think twice about how he came up with all those inspirations, instead of just thinking about how the garment was made. Hussein Chalayan’s presentations demonstrate his amazing ability to combine beautiful and wearable clothes for today with an intriguing vision of the future.

http://arttattler.com/designhusseinchalayan.html

The images above of the models taking the chair covers and turning them into wearable dresses/skirts which are also from the "Afterwords"exhibition is something i found very innovative and interesting. It is showing that "not only are the fashion, they are furniture too" and definitely gives picture to the quote I used before ‘wearable, portable architecture’






http://www.impactlab.net/2009/04/12/designer-hussein-chalayan-wearable-portable-architecture/







The images from Hussein Chalayan's 'Burka' show in 1996 are probably some of the most thought provoking and challenging I have ever seen. It is between fashion and art, and rather a series of pieces which I think has been used to make a statement, especially about the importance of ones identity. These Islamic type garments worn by the models also provoke many other fascinating ideas such as humility, feminity and sexuality. Chalayan has made these models wear different length of burka with nothing underneath them, some of the model's being completely naked except for a mask and sandals. To me all the women are the same despite the different lengths of the burka. This is because the face is still hidden, which is ones self identity.

So even though both "Afterwords" and "Burka" show some aspects of fashion, such as the fact they are actually wearing it on their body, I consider it more of an art. There is a deeper meaning behind these pieces of materials, through the process of creating it and the statement which they are trying to make.

http://we-make-money-not-art.com/archives/2006/02/shadi-ghadirian.php

2. Chalayan has strong links to industry. Pieces like The Level Tunnel (2006) and Repose (2006) are made in collaboration with, and paid for by, commercial business; in these cases, a vodka company and a crystal manufacturer. How does this impact on the nature of Chalayan’s work? Does the meaning of art change when it is used to sell products? Is it still art?

 The Level Tunnel (2006)

Repose (2006) 

I think by teaming up with level Vodka and Swarovski to create "Level Tunnel" and "Repose" would impact on the Chalayan's work by giving him a certain target audience to appeal to or to fully show the funtion of the work in the best way as it is used for advertisement. It would have definitely test his skill, knowledge and his capabilities in order to create these pieces.



The meaning of the art shouldnt change even though it is used to sell a product, because they are still used to send out ideas and messages to the viewers through a visual experience. In fact it is beneficial for for both, as it is giving art a chance to be exposed to the public and it is also advertising and promoting in a creative wayby using an installation that tests your sound, scent and touch whilst blindfolding. Definitlely sounds like something I would like to try out.

3. Chalayan’s film Absent Presence screened at the 2005 Venice Biennale. It features the process of caring for worn clothes, and retrieving and analysing the traces of the wearer, in the form of DNA. This work has been influenced by many different art movements; can you think of some, and in what ways they might have inspired Chalayan’s approach?



 






Postmodernism has influenced this film of Chalayan's as inside the film it contains different ways of retrieving DNA and many new scientifc processes. It also argues about "how certain identies can or cannot adapt to new evironments" This reflects on the Postmodern era as it was always about being contemporary and constantly evolving to create a better living society or have a new outlook on something which Chalayans work definitly do.






http://art100.wikispaces.com/Hussein+Chalayan

4. Many of Chalayan’s pieces are physically designed and constructed by someone else; for example, sculptor Lone Sigurdsson made some works from Chalayan’s Echoform (1999) and Before Minus Now (2000) fashion ranges. In fashion design this is standard practice, but in art it remains unexpected. Work by artists such as Jackson Pollock hold their value in the fact that he personally made the painting. Contrastingly, Andy Warhol’s pop art was largely produced in a New York collective called The Factory, and many of his silk-screened works were produced by assistants. Contemporarily, Damien Hirst doesn’t personally build his vitrines or preserve the sharks himself. So when and why is it important that the artist personally made the piece?



It is important that the artist personally makes their own artwork as it is shows that it is genuinely theirs and that it is their own effort being put in to produce it. I believe if a piece of artwork is to be named under a certain artist, that certain artist should be the one making it. Not only would it be worth more, but considering all the effort that has been put behind the construction of the artwork, not only the physical process of it but also the thinking and concepts behind it,bit would be unfair to the original artist to do so. Its almost like going to a fancy resturant and ordering a steak but then getting someone from Mcdonalds to make it for you.

http://www.designboom.com/weblog/read.php?CATEGORY_PK=&TOPIC_PK=2858

Post-Modernism, Ai Weiwei and Banksy

1. Define Post-Modernism using 8-10 bullet points that include short quotes.

-Postmodernism is a philosophical movement away from the viewpoint of modernism.

-Postmodernism is associated with relativism. Relativism is the idea that anything goes"

-Postmodernism refers to a certain period of western cultural, artistic and sociological history which the follows Modernist period (late 20th century)

-Constructive postmodernism does not reject modernism, but seeks to revise its premises and traditional concepts. (Witcombe, C. 2000)
-"Postmodernism" is composed by two parts "post" and "modern" "post" and "modern". "Post" is latin for "after", and modernism" refers to the modern period.

-It is the position where one has left the belief in absolute truth, and instead embraced the idea that knowledge is dependant on one's perspective.

-It is very closely related to what is called "New Age thinking"

-Postmodernist architecture is noticeable by its mixture of styles. Architects draw for the repertoire of historical styles available to them and use them in order to convey a new sense of cultural significance. (Crouch, C. 1999)
-As a term Postmodernism is difficult to define as it covers a wide range of disciplines and general areas of thought.

-postmodernism rejects all boundaries

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postmodernism
Saugstad, A. (2001). Postmodernism: What is it, and What is wrong with it?


2. Use a quote by Witcombe (2000) to define the Post-Modern artist.
“The post-modern artist is reflective in that he/she is self-aware and consciously involved in a process of thinking about him/herself and society in a deconstructive manner, ‘demasking’ pretentions, becoming aware of his/her cultural self in history, and accelerating the process of self-consciousness.”

Witcombe, C (2000) Modernism and Postmodernism

4. Postmodernity summary
Post-modernism has influenced our views on art in many ways.  The art in modern society nowadays are out to improve human civilization or to make some sort of statement. Artists tend to create hyper-reality images to attract the viewers by expressing something more powerful, ironic, or challenge unlike in the past period which rather more serious and less intention, to show the domination of popular culture of high culture. An example of this is seen with the changes in media using a commonly heard term like ''As seen on- TV'' which is more powerful than unmediated

experience which shows how post modernity not only exists in individuals but also in the whole world around us, showing the gradual change from real to hyper-real. There is more tendency to focus on how the actual process of how the art is being made, rather in the past the the only significane was the overall finished product or the meaning it was trying to convey.

5. Research Chinese artist Ai Weiwei's 'Han Dynasty Urn with Coca-Cola logo'(1994)
in order to say what features of the work are Post-Modern.

Ai wei wei dropping a 2000 year old han dynasty urnAi wei wei is a Chinese artist that is well known for using already made objects that contain alot of significance, and then treating them as valueless by painting, dropping (as seen in the image above), grinding, or just slapping on a logo to turn them into contemporary fine art. It is very interesting to see his process of combining historical art and pop-art together into one piece to create a political statement as he is also a political activist. The 'coco cola' logo sign is a symbol of modern cultture which is showing dominance over high culture of the old traditional chinese urn. While the contrast of the colour is appealing, it also tells me about the freedom of post-modernism.




http://mrod.wordpress.com/2009/10/13/ai-weiwei-dropping-a-han-dynasty-urn/

6. Research British artist Banksy's street art, and analyze the following two works by the artist
to discuss how each work can be defined at Post-Modern.(Use your list from point 6.)
"Banksy is the nom de guerre of a prolific English graffiti artist, political activist, director and painter whose true identity has remained unknown, despite his very public career. His stencil technique street art can be seen the world-over, making social and political commentary in satirical and sardonic ways. He also created the groundbreaking 2010 documentary, Exit Through the Gift Shop. From the absurd to the provocative to the acerbic, Banksy’s art has been witnessed across the globe."


http://all-that-is-interesting.com/post/7656926488/guerrilla-art-the-provocative-world-of-banksy

Here is the image of a caveman holding a tray of what most probably is 'fast-food', such as Macdonalds or Burger King that we can easily find nowadays. The work is ironic and humorous as this image should not be possible but it is trying to convey the message that how people in the past used to have difficulties finding food to survive, unlike todays society where we can almost find 'fast-food' everywhere, 24/7. This work portrays the pluralism of our world today that everyone should be treated the same and equal.

This work 'Flower riot' by Bansky shows contrasting ideas. The man holding a bouquet of flowers,with his violent and fiece composure showing the typical image of a person involved in a riot here is another one of Banksy's ironic pieces. It is ironic because of the person rioting shouldnt be flower at all, instead it should be something that is harmful to people and cause damage. To me the bouquet of flowers symbolises the idea of spreading peace and love. So in a way you could say he trying to show the idea of spreading love and harmony in the world. Banksy's graffiti work is totally post-modernism and I like the way he conveys these messages whether it be social or political through his artwork.




http://all-that-is-interesting.com/post/7656926488/guerrilla-art-the-provocative-world-of-banksyhttp://banksystreetart.tumblr.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banksy