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

http://www.tour-eiffel.com/everything-about-the-tower/themed-files/69

Guggenheim Museum

http://www.galinsky.com/buildings/guggenheimbilbao/index.html

 

Week 6-Landscape and the Sublime

'Wanderer in the mists' (1818) Caspar David Friedrich

'Untitled #2" (2002) Richard Misrach

 'Untitled # 394-03' (2003) Richard Misrach

Richard Misrach's photography reflects the concept of the Sublime, from the Enlightenment.

Research Misrach's work by reading about his intentions, and also by looking at the work. Then answer the following questions;

1. What and when was the Enlightenment?
2. Define the concept of the Sublime.
3. How did the concept of the Sublime come out of the Enlightenment thought?
4. Discuss the subject matter, and aesthetic (look) of Misrach's work to identify the Sublime in his work. Add some more images of his work.
5. Identify some other artists or designers that work with ideas around the Sublime, from the Enlightenment era as well as contemporary artists.
6. How does Misrach's photography make you feel? Does it appeal to your imagination?
7. Add a Sublime image of your choice to your blog, which can be Art or just a Sublime photograph.

(1)

"The Age of Enlightenment (or simply the Enlightenment) is the era in Western philosophy, intellectual, scientific and cultural life, centered upon the 18th century, in which reason was advocated as the primary source for legitimacy and authority. It is also known as the Age of Reason" (Wiki)

(2)

Sublime is "an aesthetic quality in nature distinct from beauty was first brought into prominence in the 18th century" (Wiki). This was most apparent in landscape artworks that have been finally recognized as artworks by themselves.

(3)

As mentioned above landscape artworks were excellent examples of sublimity at work. This was made possible with artwork being able to break free from the dominance of religions influence over all of society. This is due to mans new way of thought and his ability to question and reason.   

(4)

 All his works consist of landscapes or nature at interesting times, places or lighting. He uses certain techniques and lighting settings to capture an ethereal scenes which radiate the feeling of sublimity and humbleness. For example in 'Untitled #2" (2002) he has captured a lone person on a beautiful beach. The scale of the person gives the sense awe as the small scale gives of the feeling of vulnerability.

Untitled - Richard Misrach

 

 Untitled - Richard Misrach

(5)

"siren 13" - David Parker

David Parker's works also consist of alot of awe inspiring sublimity. He uses similar techniques to Richard Misrach and has the same ethereal outcomes.

(6)

I very much like Richard Misrachs artworks as they have an easy to understand purpose behind them, you don't have to fully understand sublimity to experience it with works from him, you just "get it". Also his photos are all calming and peaceful and pleasing to look at which are all good things.

(7)

 

 Untitled -  Kevin Saint Grey

References:

-Wikipedia

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

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sublime_(philosophy)

Images:

http://fluxionesque.blogspot.com/2010/03/anthroposcenes-part-8-richard-misrach.html

http://www.edelmangallery.com/misrach5.htm

http://www.bloodyloud.com/landscape-photographer-david-parker/#more-7854 

http://photodonuts.com/kevin-saint-grey 

Week 4- The social status of the artist.

Self Portrait in Fur Coat (1500)

Albrecht Durer

Knob (1997) Gavin Turk

Damien Hirst and Maia Norman (1995)

Albrecht Durer's 'Self-Portrait in Fur Coat' (1500) shows a significant change in the way that the artist views and portrays himself.Research the paintings by Albrecht Durer, Gavin Turk and Damien Hirst in order to answer

the following questions;

1. Identify aspects of Durer's self portrait that show a changing view of the artist's view of himself as

an individual.

2. Explain how the artist's social status increased during the Renaissance period. Briefly explain why this happened.

3. Comment on Gavin Turk's work in relation to individualism, status of the artist and egotism.

4. Comment on Damien Hirst's use of his work and the media for self promotion.

5. Find 2 images of work by artists or designers that reflects some of the ideas of individualism,

self promotion or egotism that have been discussed on this blog. Upload images to your blog, title and date the work, identify the artist/designer and comment on the work in relation to the question.

6. How do you think artists and designers are viewed in Western society today?

7. Comment on the blogs of other students.

8. Reference the websites and/or books you have used, at the end of your blog.

(1)

Well first of all the artworks main focus is on the artist, as this is a self portrait, but not only that there are no other external influences on this artwork. This results in the ownership of the artwork belonging to only the artist. This was a huge thing at the time since most artworks were commissioned by nobles or members of the higher class. Also the attention to details, from his facial features to the fur on his coat,  shows the amount of work the artist put into indentifing and expressing himself, as these things all show his identity and aspects of his life.

(2) 

The artist was considered to be part of the craftmen class of society at the time before the Renaissance. This is because he used his hands to create his work and this resulted in him doing "manuel labour" according to the high society. The artist increased to a higher class above the working class during the Renaissance period because of influencual artists like Leanardo Da Vinci debated the fact that their works had intellectual means and purposes. There works of art weren't just for decoration but they had significance in the higher minds of society, with hidden meanings and agendas.

(3)

Gavin Turk's artwork is all about indivualism as it contains many examples of his personal influence over the design. He has given the artwork a unique colour selection and arrangement which reflects his creative yet unique nature. The artwork is his signature written in bold colours which grabs the viewers attention, this shows the egotistic nature of the work. This boldness and self importance of his work shows that the artist no longer just records information of/for others he has a personal opinion. This is because the artist isn't part of the lower working class anymore and his new social status allows him the freedom to express these personal opinions.    

(4)

Damien Hirst is a popluar well known artist since 1990's who is part of the YBA (Young British Artist) movement. He has used the media to gain a reputation of being a leader of the new age in contemporary design. Many of his artworks were sold at such high amounts mainly due to the fact that they are creations of Damien Hurt. "the museum director, said of the exhibition, "It boosts our image. Of course, we do the Old Masters but we are not a 'yesterday institution'. It's for now. And Damien Hirst shows this in a very strong way."" (Wiki)

(5)

 

Portrait of something that I’ll never really see, 1997. Gavin Turk

 

For The Love Of God, 2007. Damien Hirst

In Gavin Turks artwork "Portrait of Something that I'll Never Really See" we see a photograph of the artist with his eyes closed. The name of this artwork inspires the viewer to see the message that the artist is trying to communicate. This is an interesting artwork that focuses on the artist solely as he is the only focus in the photo and the message is about his view. This shows egotism as this artwork is giving off a "all about me" feel. Although his message can be related to everyone in terms of not being able to see yourself with your eyes closed.

In the artwork "For the Love of God" by Damien Hirst, we see 

"a human skull recreated in platinum and adorned with 8,601 diamonds weighing a total of 1,106.18 carats. Approximately £15,000,000 worth of diamonds were used. It was modelled on an 18th century skull, but the only surviving human part of the original is the teeth. The asking price for For the Love of God was £50,000,000 ($100 million or 75 million euros)." (Wiki)  

Not only does this artwork represent the artists life style, expensive and attention seeking and ultimately out of the ordinary, but is also represents his egotistic nature as this artwork screams for attention from all sources of attraction, both good and bad.

(6)

Well based on this blog I'd have to say that people could possibly view artists as egoistic attention seeking yet exciting people. Yet this may not be the case for everyone, some may take the time to get to know the artist and try to understand their message, although due to the fact that alot of people see some artists in this egotistic light it sends of a clear signal to artists that they aren't communicating their messages in a way that the public can receive properly.      

References:

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

http://www.boingboing.net/images/_images_2007_05_29_magazine_03matter450.1.jpg

http://gavinturk.com/artworks/image/147/