Wednesday, 31 August 2011

Week 6- Anish Kapoor Sculpture

Anish Kapoor
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.

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.

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


4. Where is the Kapoor's work in New Zealand? What are its form and materials? What are the ideas behind the work?

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?

Youtube has some excellent footage on Kapoor-take a look at Anish Kapoor at the Royal Academy.

www.royalacademy.org.uk ›
http://www.robgarrettcfa.com/thefarm.htm
http://www.billslater.com/cloudgate/
Dismemberment of Jeanne d’Arc-





Old Municipal Market Building Brighton
(1)
"(Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Movements) art in which the idea behind a particular work, and the means of producing it, are more important than the finished work" (the free dictionary.com)
Kapoors works are considered to be conceptual art due to the fact that they focus more on the ideas behind the works rather than just the finished works for example in Kapoors "Cloud Gate"
 "Kapoor explores the theme of ambiguity with his works that place the viewer in a state of "in-betweenness". The artist often questions and plays with such dualities as solidity–emptiness or reality–reflection, which in turn allude to such paired opposites as flesh–spirit, the here–the beyond, east–west, sky–earth, etc" (Wiki)
 
(2)
"The Orbit"
"The 115m tall piece, named the ArcelorMittal Orbit, will be placed in the Olympic Park and will be 22m higher than New York's Statue of Liberty." (BBC) This a turely remarkable peice as it will be included in the Olymics 2012 as a centre peice for the event. Kapoor commented: "I wanted the sensation of unstability" (BBC) Which is well acheived in this work.
 
"Shooting into the Corner"
""Shooting into the Corner" consists of a cannon developed by Kapoor together with a team of engineers. A pneumatic compressor shoots 11-kilogram balls of wax into the corner across the room; all in all, 20 tons of wax will be "fired away" throughout the exhibition run. Loud aggression on the one hand and silent growth on the other give the piece tension, sensuality, and compelling power." (e-flux.com) 
"Skymirror"
British based artist Anish Kapoor poses for a photograph in front of his work called
I like how this peice of work is mobile and changes with every location "Anish Kapoor remarked ... "the best site in London for a piece of art, probably in the world". He wasn't unprejudiced – it does happen to be the setting of his new outdoor exhibition. But he also makes a valid point. With sculpture, the much-quoted estate agent's slogan is correct: it's location, location, location that counts" (The Telegraph)
 
(3) and (4)
 "The Farm (the sculpture is named after its site), 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 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 fabric alone weighs 7,200kg" (Structurflex) . Its located in Kaipara Bay, north of Auckland
 
(5)
Personally my favourite is "the Orbit". Because of its unique nature and look, which answers the next question, yes I like it for its looks because it almost defies the laws of physics with its twists and turns and irregular shapes.
 
 
References:
 
 
 

Sunday, 28 August 2011

Week 5 - Pluralism and the Treat of Waitangi

Pluralism and the Treaty of Waitangi


In teaching week 5 you will discuss pluralism and the Treaty of Waitangi in your tutorials.
Use this discussion, the notes in your ALVC book and the internet to respond to the following
questions;

1. Define the term 'pluralism' using APA referencing.
2. How would you describe New Zealand's current dominant culture?
3. Before 1840, what was New Zealand's dominant culture?
4. How does the Treaty of Waitangi relate to us all as artists and designers working
in New Zealand?
5. How can globalization be seen as having a negative effect on regional diversity in New Zealand in particular?
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.
'Welcome' (2004) Shane Cotton 
http://www.printsandprintmaking.gov.au/catalogues/work/52293/shane-cotton-welcome.aspx
 


  
        
'Forked Tongue'(2011) Shane Cotton


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

                                       Tony Albert | Australia b.1981 | Girramay people | Sorry 2008 |
                                               Found kitsch objects applied  to vinyl letters | 99 objects :   
                                               200 x 510 x 10cm (installed) | The James C Sourris Collection.
                                               Purchased 2008 with funds from James C Sourris through the 
                                               Queensland Art Gallery Foundation | Collection: Queensland Art Gallery



(1)
"A conviction that various religious, ethnic, racial, and political groups should be allowed to thrive in a single society." (Dictionary.com) 
So basically its about everyone coming together in unity to co-exist in a community. 

(2)
New Zealands current dominant culture would probably be a western influenced one, due to the large number of Western/European people in our society. Although their has been a large number of other cultures rising in number and also in influence making New Zealand a very cultural diverse country. 


(3)
Before 1840 New Zealands dominant culture was Maori due to the fact that the Brittish were only settlers at this stage but werent "strangers" to the maoris and vice versa. In fact 1840 was when the Treaty of Waitangi was created.

(4)
The treaty covers a wide range of subjects and issues related to the relationship between the Maori and the British (or Europeans now days). Some of these subjects cover use of Maori culture, artworks and designs. Since we live in New Zealand we will at some point or the majority of our working career use local influences to inspire our works. The Maori have a very specific viewpoint on how to go about using their culture as "inspiration", which in all honesty is fair enough because I mean it is theirs so the have priority over how it should be used.
  
(5)
The problem is many artists and designers, both local and overseas don't seem to put much thought or effort into making sure that they use Maori culture appropriately as inspiration and with the case of Globalization some overseas designers have used Maori culture in ways which could/are offensive or not their original purpose. This will ofcourse upset the Moari people and their natural reaction will be to defend their culture. But in most cases people don't see the Maori peoples viewpoint or they just don't care and this is unfair and not the right way to go about it and will cause alot of problems, espeacially in the world of art and design where issues such as copyright and authentisity come into play. 

(6)
In Shane Cotton's work
 "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. These memories in turn develop into our individual and collective cultural landscapes.
In paintings such as “Forked Tongue”, which features a cliff face, a fantail, some Maori designs and a tracery of red lines these symbols or metaphors become starting points for an elaboration on the links between the physical, historical and spiritual landscapes" (NBR, 2010) In this artwork The faintail represent the local, meaning the Maori people. This is suported by the Maori designs and the red lines represent "blood lines" refering to the Maori People once again, making it clear that Shane Cotton is representing the Maori peoples claim to New Zealand.
In Welcome There are Two faces One Jesus and the other Maori. Jesus represent the Europeans and their influence over NewZealand and the Maori Face is representing te Maori. Together the represent the two cultures combining together to live in NewZealand, which is represented by the birds.

(7)
Tony Alberts explaination: "My work is always about appropriation, that's why it exists," Albert says. "The Sorry work is about my personal collection which, in a way, was always a comfort to me. There were images of Aboriginal people around me and my collecting these objects was my way of marking my respect." (The Australian, 2011) in his viewpoint this artwork is about the importance of Australian history throught the kitsch paintings, kitsch means "something of tawdry design, appearance, or content created to appeal to popular or undiscriminating taste." (Dictionary.com) (8)
Tony Alberts works show the connection between the British (Europeans) and the Native Aboriganies cultures coming together in Australia and Shane Cottons works show the connection between the British (Europeans) and the Native Maoris. Both show a similar trend towards the issue at hand with similar stories and endings.

 Reference:
 

Saturday, 27 August 2011

Week 4 - Kehinde Wiley





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.




This weeks ALVC class focuses on the Postmodern theme "INTERTEXTUALITY", re-read Extract 1 The death of the author on page 39 of your ALVC books and respond to the oil paintings of Kehinde Wiley.


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.


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.



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

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


5. Add some reflective comments of your own, which may add more information that
you have read during your research.


(1)
"The concept of intertextuality reminds us that each text exsists in relation to others." (ALVC, pg39)  meaning that texts have been reviewed and opinionated before the people have a chance to generate their own views on the subject. Also meaning that nothing is really original or new, just recycled in creative ways.

(2)
 His work consists of "a mash-up of museum treasure and the urban life outside of its gates." (interview Magazine) with his clever combination of the classic world and the modern hip-hop culture. His works consist of subjects that we already have an opinion of that gets changed in the complete opposite way. For example we ususally see black hip-hop associated young men as dangerous, urban, dirty or bad mannered. But Wiley places them into a classic portrait in a way that gives of the impression of class, manners and well educated heirachy.

(3)
Pluaralism is basiclly where people of all classes and diversities come together and try to co-exsist. The influence of Pluralism can be seen in Wileys work as he combines both the heirachy of "white peoples art" with "black peoples culture" showing a cleverly put together artwork with the two sides working together.

(4)
As I said before he combines the different cultures together to show people that they can co-exsist togehter in a constructive manner and it gets people to question about diversity.

References:

Post-Modernism, Ai Weiwei and Banksy

Post-Modernism
This week's ALVC tutorial covers Post-Modernism. Use the ALVC texts and definitions from the internet to define the term and answer the following questions;

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

2. Use a quote by Witcombe (2000) to define the Post-Modern artist.

3. Use the grid on pages 42 and 43 to summarize the list of the features of Post-
Modernity.

4. Use this summary to answer the next two questions.

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.


'Han Dynasty Urn with Coca-Cola logo'(1994), Ai Weiwei 


Ai Weiwei dropping a Han Dynast 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.)

'Flower Riot', Banksy




Los Angeles (2008), Banksy


(1)
Define Post-modernism:
  • "Postmodernism is seem prehaps as anti-modernism in that it seems to destroy or eliminate the ingrediants that are believed nessesary for a worldview."(ALVC 2011, pg19)
  • "Postmodernism wants to replace Modernism and modernity, which is seen as threatening the very survival of life on the planet"(ALVC 2011, pg19)
  • "That postmodernism is indefinable is a truism. However, it can be described as a set of critical, strategic and rhetorical practices employing concepts such as difference, repetition, the trace, the simulacrum, and hyperreality to destabilize other concepts such as presence, identity, historical progress, epistemic certainty, and the univocity of meaning." (Standford)
  • Postmodernism has no grand narrative.
  • Postmodernism consists of a diversity of opinions, which all can be right and wrong at the same time.
  • Postmodernism is all about focussing on Pluralism, a world full of different views and opinions.
  • Postmodernism "Involves the belief that many, if not all, apparent realities are only social constructs, as they are subject to change inherent to time and place" (Wiki)
  • "Postmodernism is "post" because it is denies the existence of any ultimate principles, and it lacks the optimism of there being a scientific, philosophical, or religious truth which will explain everything for everybody" (Glossary) 

(2)
"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, ‘damasking’ pretentions, becoming aware of his/her cultural self in history, and accelerating the process of self-consciousness”(AUT University, 2011).

(3)
Postmodernism is playfull, ironic, rebellious, destructive, questioning, involves hybridity, hyperreality, unclear equality and challenges the traditional values.

(4)
(5)
Ai Weiwei "benefited very much from his experience in the West,” says Sigg. “Many Chinese artists had knowledge of Western art, but it remained superficial because they didn’t have access to the materials and philosophy. Ai has that background.” (Art Info) During this discovery of the Western Arts Ai learnt about Post Modernism. His artwork, 'Han Dynasty Urn with Coca-Cola logo'(1994), is a good example of how post modernism signifies the end of modernistic veiws and values. The Urn represents the seriousness, importance and significance of modernistic values. The Coke-Cola logo represents the Post modern influence over the public and how its characteristics such as lack of repspect for heirachy, breakdown of moral values and its use of comedy can cause an artefact to lose its original purpose and value or something else.
(6)
"His satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine irreverent dark humour with graffiti done in a distinctive stencilling technique. Such artistic works of political and social commentary have been featured on streets, walls, and bridges of cities throughout the world" (Wiki, Banksy)
"Flower Riot" uses the typical irony of post modernism as usually a rioter throws something harmfull and dangerous, but the throwng of flowers represents a peacefull suggestion. this gives the comical side of postmodernism as it shows both the good and bad sides of the situation but in a way suggests both are good. This can cause confusion to some people which is also another characteristic of post modernism.
"Los Angeles (2008)" shows postmodernism as it represents two completely opposite sides in a way that is comical and effective. The use of a cave man with a fastfood meal represents the two opposite sides coming together in a way that actually works together  representing the unity of post modern philosophy.

References:

Thursday, 18 August 2011

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?

Hussein Chalayan, Burka, 1996
Hussein Chalayan, Afterwords, 2000

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?

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?

Hussein Chalayan, still from Absent Presence, 2005 (motion picture)
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?
 
(1)
Honestly in my opinion I think they are artworks not fashion, but what is fashion and what is art? Well lets find out the definitions:
 
Art:
"The quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance" (Dictionary.com)
 
Fashion:
"Conventional usage in dress, manners, etc., especially of polite society, or conformity to it"
 
So Art is an expression of an opinion of idea and Fashion is Conventional polite dress wear. So this backs up my opinion of her works as artworks not fashion as they are not conventional polite dress wear neither are they socially acceptable.
 
(2)
I think that the influence of the companies gives her a focus and a direction for her work that would otherwise be different from her own and if theres one thing that I've learnt this year is to be different and experiment with different ideas and designs. So I see this as a positive thing since the resulting works are amazing and still count as works of art. 
 
(3)
I think the Enlightenment would've definitely influenced this artwork. The enlightenment is all about science answering some of the, at the time, difficult questions and scientific discovery. It also had a influence on art at the time as this caused art to branch away from the norm and create new things.
How does enlightenment influence this artwork? well this artwork involves finding the "roots" of the previous wearers through a scientific way, this using science in an artistic way is influenced by the Enlightenment.
 
(4)
In some cases, like Damein Hirsts, creating the actual work by yourself isn't as important as the idea behind it because the reason for the artwork being so famous isn't just because it's a large shark in a preserve tank, but more importantly it's the idea that creates a train of thought and intellectual stimulation that counts more in the long run. Artwork can age, break, warp and be destroyed but the ideas behind them are what last through the ages. In fact some of the most famous artworks are quite simple physically but the ideas behind them can be quite complex. But of course some artworks which do focus on the physical, especially artworks such as paintings, are better appreciated if the actual creator did the work themselves. 
 
 
 
References:
Dictionary.com:
 
 

WEEK 1- Nathalie Djurberg's 'Claymations'.


Swedish artist Nathalie Djurberg's intricately constructed claymation films are both terrifyingly
disturbing and artlessly sweet.

The new works created for the Venice Biennale explore a surrealistic Garden of Eden in which all that is natural goes awry.

She exposes the innate fear of what is not understood and confronts viewers with the complexity of emotions.

Nathalie Djurberg was awarded the silver lion for a promising young artist at the Venice
Art Biennale 09.
(http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/10/view/6886/nathalie-djurberg)


Research Djurberg's work in order to answer the following questions;

1. What do you understand by the word 'claymation'?

2. What is meant by the term 'surrealistic Garden of Eden'? and 'all that is natural goes awry'?

3. What are the 'complexity of emotions' that Djurberg confronts us with?

4. How does Djurberg play with the ideas of children's stories, and innocence in some of her work?

5. There is a current fascination by some designers with turning the innocent and sweet into something disturbing. Why do you think this has come about?

6. In your opinion, why do you think Djurberg's work is so interesting that it was chosen for the Venice Biennale?



(1)
'Claymation' is a shortened version of the word 'clay animation'. Clay animation consists of "stock motion animation"(Wiki) which are usually not very long and are made out of malleable materials such as plasticine clay.


(2)
Well surrealism consists of realistic things expressed or received in a non-realistic way, for example in Nathalie Djurberg's "Experiment" she creates the garden of Eden but not in the usual happy-perfect fashion, instead she creates a horroristic, uncomfortable and hostile environment. This creates a surreal experience since it isn't something we'd expect in the garden of Eden.

(3)
She gives the observer a set of unusual emotions that are particularly pleasant, for example in the "Experiment" she gives us emotions of unease, nausea, awkwardness and abuse. These aren't emotions you'd normally expect from a art exhibition but maybe that's what Nathalie what's to achieve, maybe she wants to be different to the usual crowd. After all this is one the biggest motivations for artists throughout history to create new and original works.

(4)
A lot of Nathalie's works consist of candy colored works that are usually of objects or people who are usually regarded by society as innocent. These objects and people include things such as flowers and girls. She sticks to her objective of showing these things in a alternative light to the usual view of society by creating them in the complete opposite fashion to what their supposed to be. For example the flowers are supposed to be cute, small, beautifully colored and harmless instead their huge, ugly and give of a sense of unease. The girls are supposed to be innocent, harmless, attractive and sweet instead their they are sexually active, hostile, repulsive and a little scary. 

(5)     
It's hard to say but I think one possibility might be related to post modernistic view. what I mean is since the trend I see in post modernism tends to be breaking down the traditional views and beliefs of the traditional world and the vain hope of disclosing the issue by saying that both view points are both right and wrong, the world of progression is halted right to a stand still. This can be seen in the works of some designers as they break the traditional views of the innocent and create a completely opposite view, resulting in the viewers being overwhelmed by the struggle of accepting both views as the correct one. 

(6)
Honestly as a naturally curious person, I find her work quite fascinating as it does break the traditional view of the innocent and as an artwork I appreciate its ideas. This is probably why it was chosen, because of its uniqueness.



References:
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clay_animation
http://we-make-money-not-art.com/archives/2009/10/nathalie-djurberg-who-won-the.php

Tuesday, 31 May 2011

Week 8-Industrialisation, Modernism and architecture

Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao (1997) Frank Gehry





Eiffel Tower (1889) Gustave Eiffel

The Eiffel Tower and the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao have both been described as significant
architectural constructions of their time. The Eiffel Tower has been described as;
 'a symbol of technological prowess' (www.tour- eiffel.com/)
and the Guggenheim museum has been 'hailed as the most important structure of its time'
( www. guggenheim.org/bilbao )

Research both architectural structures in order to comment on;
-the importance of the design and construction
-significance of the materials
-significance of the designer
-function for which each was built
-function now-has it changed?

Compare the two architectural structures, by noting their similarities and differences.
 

"It was at the 1889 Exposition Universelle, the date that marked the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution" (Tour) this was the start of the great monument that we now know and recognise as the Eiffel Tower. The design team consisted of two engineers, Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier and an architect, Stephen Sauvestre. "The Tower had been finished in record time – 2 years, 2 months and 5 days – and was established as a veritable technical feat." (Tour)
"Built within the context of Bilbao Ria 2000 Plan to revitalize some industrial areas of the city of Bilbao, the Guggenheim Museum was designed by the American architect Frank O. Gehry. The Basque Government’s brief was to have one of the most significant 20th century buildings, and finally it was." (Galinsky) 

The competition required "erecting an iron tower on the Champ-de-Mars with a square base, 125 metres across and 300 metres tall" (Tour) so the use of solely Iron was a must for this great monument. overall the structure consisted of 18,00 pieces of Iron and  2,500,00 rivets of which only a third were actually installed on site.
Frank Gehry used blocks of limestone, half-millimeter-thick titanium panels and glass curtains all at different volumes and used abstract designs to create a masterpiece. The limestone represented the respect for the traditional existing buildings in the area especially the Deusto University and the metal panels represents the futuristic look the Basque Government was looking for.   

Although the two engineers had came up with the original idea of the great tower "In order to make the project more acceptable to public opinion, Nouguier and Koechlin commissioned the architect Stephen Sauvestre to work on the project's appearance" (Tour)
Frank Gehry is renowned for his abstract influenced works such as the Disney Concert House in California and has been known to lead the way for 20th Century architecture, so his designs would suit the brief perfectly.

The Eiffel Tower was built for the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution and consisted of 5 lifts, 2 floors (and the top) and 2 restaurants. it requires 60 tonnes of paint to prevent it from rusting. Also although the Eiffel Tower has regular maintenance and a few alterations thought out the years its purpose now is to be an tourist attraction and an icon for not only the people of Paris but also for the people of France.
"This sculptural building is composed by different volumes with different uses apart from the exhibition rooms: an auditorium, a library, offices, a café and a restaurant." (Galinsky). It has still kept its original purpose as to be a museum for the people of Spain.


References:
The Eiffel Tower
Guggenheim Museum