Week 6- Anish Kapoor Sculpture

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.

Conceptual art is more about the idea behind work. The work has been initially thought out and planned. All the small problems that could have been ignored have been fixed until the initial plan is perfect. This is when the work can be made. Anish has made his work perfect and every part of it was meant to be there, this makes the work 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.

This large ‘site specific’ was installed at “The Farm,”  1,000 acre  private estate outdoor art gallery in Kaipara Bay, north of Auckland, 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?

The work is located in Kaipara Bay, North of Auckland. The materials used to create this work were a maroon red polyester fabric with a red structural steel. This work weighs alot! The fabric is 7,200kg and the steel is 42,750kg!! The idea behind the work is to create a kaleidoscope to show off the amazing views seen at the Kaipara bay.

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 do love the work above. I think its awesome how the kaleidoscope makes the views stand out more. The idea is very interesting.

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

http://www.nouse.co.uk/2009/12/18/anish-kapoor-at-the-royal-academy-a-conversation-with-dr-adrian-locke/

http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9137498160582221678#editor/target=post;postID=5419820362068368983

http://gibbsfarm.org.nz/kapoorvideo.php

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.
<a href = "http://pluralism.org/pages/pluralism/what_is_pluralism" > Pluralism </a>  "has been defined " as a theory that there is more than one basic substance or principle" by Dictionary.com (2012  and that " a theory that reality consits of two or more independent elements".This means that everyone has different views of things and there is not just one opinion.

2. How would you describe New Zealand's current dominant culture?
New Zealand is well known for the Maori culture. It may seem as though this would be the dominant culture but it is actually not. There are so many cultures in our country that it is hard to tell what culture is more dominant. From my perspective its hard to say. It depeneds on where you live in New Zealand which would influence your view. I see Auckland as mainly Asian, but then I go home to Tauranga and the culture is mainly European/Pakeha. 


3. Before 1840, what was New Zealand's dominant culture? 
The dominant culture was Maori with a 100,000 population including around 200 Europeans.

4. How does the Treaty of Waitangi relate to us all as artists and designers working
in New Zealand?
Since we have been brought up in New Zealand we are aware of the Treaty of Waitangi which makes us aware of what is culturally insensitive and what is okay to use in our works.

5. How can globalization be seen as having a negative effect on 'regional diversity' that leads to a 
'homogenized world culture' in New Zealand in particular? (ALVC2 handbook page 52, http://searchcio.techtarget.com/definition/globalization)

It says that "Globilization is the tendency of businesses, technologies, or philosophies to spread throughout the world, or the process of making this happen" (ALVC 2 114112 resource book page 52)

The New Zealand Maori culture is very unique and has not been seen anywhere else in the world. Although the world is rubbing off other cultures onto ours, the Maori culture has still retained its heritage.  Globilization can have a negative effect on "regional diversity" because Maori Culture is being exploited by the tourism industry which is leading to  a " homogenized world culture" which we do not want. 

6. Shane Cotton's paintings are said to examine the cultural landscape. Research Cotton's work 'Welcome'(2004) and 'Three quarter view ' (2005) to analyze what he is saying about colonialization and the Treaty of Waitangi.
Shane Cottons paintings "Welcome" and "Three quarter view"  are a modern interpretation of Maori culture and art. Cottons works involve the conversational motif surrounding " Upoko tuhituhi". Cottons work refers to the afterlife and the heavens. This can be seen as an attempt at keeping memories of ancestors that have past alive today. 

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.

The materials used to create the work "Sorry" were kitsch objects found and placed onto vinyl. "Sorry" is a work about the apology of Australias past president Kevin Rudd to the Aboriginies. This work showed a Unity for the country and shows historic value until this day. The work features alot of different objects and facial expressions which represent the elements stolen from the indigenous people.

8. Define the term 'kitsch'

'Something of tawdry design, appearance, or content created to appeal to popular or undiscriminating taste.' (kitsch, n.d.) Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. Retrieved August 24, 2012, from Dictionary.com 

.
9. Explain how the work of both artists relates to pluralism.
Both the artists work relate to pluralism because there is a cultural and traditional side to them that comes through. It is also clear through the way they express cultural identity. They also both relate to  pluralism through the remembrances of ancestors.

                                       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
                              

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

http://qag.qld.gov.au/collection/indigenous_australian_art/tony_albert

http://pluralism.org/pages/pluralism/what_is_pluralism

http://www.globalization101.org/uploads/File/Culture/cultall2011.pdf

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

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/kitsch 

Week 4 - Kehinde Wiley and inter-textuality

Week 4 - Kehinde Wiley and inter-textuality

Kehinde Wiley

1. Untitled (2009)

2. Untitled(2009)

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

Kehinde 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 44 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. 

Intertexuality is simply everything that we understand comes from a whole range of texts that have become well known to us in the past  

"The concept of intertexuality reminds us that each text exists in relation to others" (2003) - Daniel Chandler

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.

The painting by Wiley uses the intertexuality definition and it is clear in the paintings above. From what the average human knows about the culture of African Americans, the painting is very different. We use our past  knowledge and figure out that the African man has been placed in an area that is very different to what we would usually expect.

3. Wiley's work relates to next weeks Postmodern theme "PLURALISM" . Read page 51 and discuss how the work relates to this theme.

Wiley has painted something that we have all seen before sometime in the past. The paintings look asthough they are about important, wealthy white people, but instead have been painted with African Americans instead. This emphasizes the idea of Postmodern idea of Pluralism because the work is questioning the past on other cultures and the white upper class. It is asthough is it questioning if the white upper class is any better than other cultures such as African Americans.

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

Wiley's work raises questions around social/cultural hierarchies, colonization, globalization, stereotypes and politics which govern a western worldview because there is so many people that may say this work is "wrong" because they are so used to the simple modern portrait painting. Since we live in a postmodern society we can clearly see that Wiley has put two things together that don't belong. The black man in the image would be stereotyped as poor and violent . For him to be placed in this setting it makes him seem completely opposite and is offensive in some cases.

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

you have read during your research.

I like the idea of putting the African American in a high class setting.  I like how it raises questions about todays generation and how we see the world.

extract 1 the death of the author page 44 alvc book

http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/S4B/sem09.html

http://www2.iath.virginia.edu/elab/hfl0278.html

http://www.kehindewiley.com/an_Economy_of_grace/Dacia_Carter.html

http://www.npg.si.edu/exhibit/recognize/paintings.html

http://www.npg.si.edu/exhibit/recognize/paintings.html

Week 3- Hussein Chalayan and Post-Modern Fashion

Week 3- Hussein Chalayan and Post-Modern Fashion

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? (Research some definitions  for these terms.)

The work "Burka" feels as though it is trying to show how one item of clothing can hide ones identity. The burka is a peice of clothing which muslim women wear to cover the face. I like the idea of the burka because instead of judging one on looks the eyes are only visible and it takes more effort to get to know someone. The work "Afterwords" was inspired by the story of refugees. Its about packing up in times of trouble and leaving home. The dresses are infact furniture transformed into wearable garments. The work is very interesting and i think it is more of an art than fashion. There is a difference within the two works. One is using fabric to create clothing and the other is using already made objects and transforming them into outfits. Although both mains focus is to create garments, the "afterwords" is more of a "wearable arts" type thing.

Hussein Chalayan, Burka (1996) (99

6

                                                                 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?

I think that art can be either a product to sell or something to look at. Just because something is being sold does not mean that the meaning of the art changes. The "Tunnel level" relates to capturing the essence of vodka and can be described to be the same as this work because when you go down a tunnel or drink more alcohol out of a bottle, it gradually opens your senses and you go a bit crazy.

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?

A video installation tells a story about identity,genetics,biology and anthropology. Its about how humans adapt to new environments. The artist has definitely played with the theme humanism and was inspired by it when creating this film.

by m

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) andBefore 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?


Its important that the artist personally made the piece because then the work is personal and is coming directly from the artists mind. It also makes the work more valuable. If a bunch of workers put the piece together then its really saying that anyone could make this piece if they got a team together. It also is important that the artist makes the piece because then the work is more original and comes from their thoughts. I beleive the work is much stronger when it comes directly from the artist, it is like looking at a small snipit of their thoughts. 

http://ilikecatsmorethanpeople.blogspot.co.nz/2010/11/hussein-chalayan-burka-1996.html

http://usedmagazine.co.uk/?p=1542
http://www.interviewmagazine.com/art/hussein-chalayan-beyond-limitations
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0768786/
http://www.designboom.com/eng/interview/chalayan.html
http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CEgQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.style.com%2Ffashionshows%2Freview%2FF2000RTW-HCHALAYA%2F&ei=gqw0UIuwK8ediAeYsIGwAw&usg=AFQjCNHska03qq4TedWpXyRwW6oAZ-aIFA

Week 2 - Post-Modernism - Ai Weiwei and Banksy.

Week 2 - 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.

• The term is used in Philosophy, literature, social sciences and architecture
• Putting something from the past and the present together
• The distinction between art and the consumer product became blurred
•  Irony
• For some it means anti-modern; for others it means the revision of modernist premises.’ (Witcombe 2000)
• Relativist thinking - 'Postmodernism is associated with relativism. Relativism is the idea that "anything goes".  - Saugstad, A (2001)
• no grand narrative "in the middle ages, belief in God and the bible gave society a grand narrative" - Saugsatd, A. (2001)
• used to refer to different, sometimes contradictory concepts

2. Use a quote by Witcombe (2000) to define the Post-Modern artist.(page 24)


" The post modern artist is "reflexive" 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" pretensions, becoming aware of his/her cultural self in history, and accelerating the process of self-conciousness." 

3. Use the table on pages 47 and 48 in your ALVC handbook to summarize the list of the features of Post-Modernity.

Social and cultural pluralism.  attention to play of surfaces. culture adapting to simulation. hyper-reality.

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

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

Weiwei's work "Han Dynasty Urn with Coca-Cola logo"  clearly shows Postmodernism. It is clearly seen by using a very modern icon "Coca-Cola" and placing it on an ancient vase (Urn). This is putting the past and present together. In a way, when the "Coca-Cola" logo has been placed on the Urn it is culturally disrespectful. The Urn is a sacrid piece and placing the logo onto it is culturally insensitive.

Ai Weiwei dropping a Han Dynast Urn.

The image above is also considered postmodern.  The dropping of a cultural Urn as if it is nothing when in reality it is a vey sacred piece of work.  This work shows how cultural importance and morals are not as important as they used to be. By dropping the cultural Urn in this photograph it is saying that no one would really give a damn if this happened today. This is postmodern because back in the day that would be very disrespectful.

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 question 3.)

'Flower Riot', Banksy

This peice of work is clearly postmodernate. There is a riot and this man has a bouquet of flowers. Flowers are symbolised as peace and love. A riot is very well not. This is postmodernate because usually in a riot it is such a violent event and putting these two things together would not work.

Los Angeles (2008), Banksy

This work is postmodern because fast food did not exist back in the stone age. This work is very humourous.  In this piece Banksy has taken a caveman and put him in modern time.
http://www2.iath.virginia.edu/elab/hfl0242.html#

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.

'Experiment' (2009) Venice Biennale

Research Djurberg's work in order to answer the following questions;Research Djurberg's work in order to answer the following questions;I think it is very original and eye catching. It would be interesting to see this played on the big screen instead of on a tv screen in an art gallery.7. Add some of your own personal comments on her work. 

(http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/10/view/6886/nathalie-djurberg)

  

1. What do you understand by the word 'claymation'?Claymation is when instead of filming a living thing, plasticine, clay and other deformable substances are used to mold each and every movement. This is done by recording a frame or still picture on a film or digital media and then played back in rapid speed. Every frame taken has been slightly moved or molded into the next movement. Claymation requires focus and patience.

2. What is meant by the term 'surrealistic Garden of Eden'? and 'all that is natural goes awry'?The term "surrealistic" has been defined as  "a strange dreamlike atmosphere". From research on Djurberg's work I have found that her work is very colourful. This relates back to the term " surrealistic Garden of Eden". What is meant by this term is that the garden created within the film is very exotic and surreal. "all that is natural goes awry" could most likely state that the work is very unsual and has used something very natural and turned it into something very fake looking and quirky.

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

It has been said < ahref= "http://slashstrokemagazine.com/2009/10/15/experiment-by-nathalie-djurberg-swedish-pavilion-at-the-venice-biennale/" >" here"/a > , that although the gruesome flowers bleeding wax and the plasticine women being pulled apart from plasticine men  was a tad fearsome. Although  away from these disturbing parts of the film, the flowers were said to be very beautiful. 

I get a similar feeling. I get a quite fearsome emotion when seeing the plasticine women being deformed and torn by the plasticine men. Although the colours throughout the film are very bright and attractive, I still get scared and a tad fiddly watching it. The work confronts us with lots of different feelings. One moment you are happy looking at the flowers, then the next thing you know a women's breast is removed.

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

Djurberg follows traditional children stories but gives them more of a brutal twist. She makes them much more fearsome and serious.

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?

I think now days people are starting to open there eyes a bit more. There are alot of things in the world that are portrayed as innocent and sweet when really they are not. Such as famous actors or musicians. The press does everything they can to make the idol look there best and be shown as this amazing human being when in reality they could be nasty and unpleasent. 

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

I love the fact that the films were made from using claymation. Claymation is such an interesting way to film. Although it takes a long time, it would be very worth it in the long run. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZGjhxYVhmo

http://www02.zkm.de/fastforward2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10:nathalie-djurberg&catid=2&Itemid=3&lang=en

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surrealistic

http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/10/view/6886/nathalie-djurberg-experiment-at-venice-art-biennale-09.html