artxpose four

Gordon Matta-Clark: "You Are the Measure"
March 4th 5pm
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Illonois
Exhibition

I attended the exhibition "You are the measure" by artist Gordon Matta-Clark (1943-1978). Matta-Clark's work in this exhibition was from a whole array of mediums including building cuts, sculptures, photographs, drawings, films, and notebooks. His work filled the entire first floor of the gallery. The main attraction of the exhibition was Matta-Clark's building cuts. His work is all relative to one another. He makes cuts, many of which are elliptical, through buildings. He will make these cuts through floors, ceilings, walls, roofs, windows, mantels, staircases, exterior walls, or a combination of the elements. In the exhibition he had photographic documentation all throughout the gallery; he also had a film projected in an interior room. The two main rooms had a collection of his "cuts" spread around the space. Spectators were able to get close to the sculptures and walk around to see all angles.How did you interpret or react to what was presented to you? I thought that this exhibit was very intriguing. I did not go to see Matta-Clark's work, but I was impressed by it. I had never heard of his work, and I had never seen work that was quit like it. I enjoyed seeing the cuts, and perhaps even more so the photographs of them. The photographs were taken inside the building, and it was so interesting because you saw this room, but then apiece was missing and what you had instead was a peak into another room (or more). I also liked that these buildings were in big cities such as Manhattan and Chicago because I saw interiors that I am not normally exposed to. I was also very impressed by the mere ability for Matta-Clark to actually make these cuts, and make them relatively clean and supported. I imagine that each cut he made must have had very much planning previously. I think that he had a good I for what is appealing. I think it took him to make this art that he cared about and have it be attractive, rather than someone who just cut into buildings. I would give this exhibition a rating of ten, it was an interesting learning experience for myself, and I am glad that I had the opportunity to be exposed Matta-Clark's very original pieces.

artxpose three

The Lion King {theatre production}
March 8th 8pm
The Stranahan Theatre
Play [musical]

I attended the Tony Award winning musical the Lion King on March 8th at the Stranahan Theatre. The stage performance is based on the 1994 Disney animated movie. In addition to the musical numbers from the movie, area new set of original songs incorporated. The musical debuted in 1997, and is directed by Julie Taymor. Taymor was also responsible for the designing of all the costumes of the production, as well as the design of the puppetry. Although the stage version is based on the animated movie, there is a completely different feel. The stage production takes away the children’s cartoon feel and spins it into this African tribal performance. The original songs, costumes and puppetry truly mimic African culture.From the very first scene of the play I was absolutely blown away. I was overwhelmed my so many elements. From the actual adaptation of the stage, to the signing that was so powerful, and the costumes and puppetry that were absolutely out of the world! Perhaps the combination of all these elements is what made me feel like I was a part of this piece somehow. I was actually brought to tears at a few sections; the meaning of this story, and the way the actors were the animal characters. It was like experiencing Africa, a symphony and ballet simultaneously. There was so much constantly happening on stage and so much rich detail. I found myself focusing on one thing, such as a characters puppet, in order to understand how it worked. Every single second of the performance was a beautiful piece of art. It was a feast for my eyes. I believe what impressed me the most were the costumes. They were so unusual and inventive, it was impossible to take it all in. During the performance I fantasized about fashion design and mimicking the color pallet present in Taymor designs. I give this production something that is beyond a ten. I don't know if numbers could be appropriate for something so complex, intricate, and emotional. I would recommend anyone to see this musical it is phenomenal.

artxpose two

Russian Ark
April 10th 7:30pm
Dorthy Uber Bryan Theatre
Film

I attended a showing of Russian Ark a 2002 Russian movie directed by Alexander Sokurov. The film lasted approximately ninety minutes and spoken in Russian with English subtitles. The film has absolutely no cuts, it is a continual shot. The piece shows thirty-three rooms, and has a cast of over two thousand. An unknown narrator is present throughout the film directing our view of the world. He is accompanied by a "European," it is unclear there relationship exactly, but it seems they may be ghosts. They walk through various settings, such as a palace, museum, and courtyard. The entire movie is filled of settings of Russian history.

I was amazed by this film first off due to its costumes. The costumes were brilliant works and appeared historically accurate. Also the makeup was done very well. The settings were stunning; it felt as if I was really walking through a palace, a museum. Because of the narrator moving the camera, I felt I became him. Each room was different and elaborately decorated. Due to the film being filmed as one shot there was certainly a continuum I felt; as if it was taking place right before me and the same time framed existed, unlike most movies today. Although there were all of these interesting components in the film, it lacked a good story line. There was uncertainty thought the film as to what was going on, perhaps they were trying to make it appear dream-like. However, I became bored and felt as if the piece was dragging on. I would give Russian Ark a rating of seven. The points are awarded for the creativity and ingenuity of the piece, but further points are withheld due to the films poor story.

artxpose one

MFA Thesis Exhibition {Momoko Okada}
April 14th 7pm
Willard Wankelman Gallery
Exhibition

I attended the Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition on April 14th. I paid specific attention to the work of Momoko Okada whose work was displayed in the Willard Wankelman Gallery. The lighting of the room was dim and warm. The light created an intimate setting. On the entry wall to the left hung several ovals with images of the artists work, as well as a painting around the works. There were five metal-work sculptures presented to the viewer on wood and iron stands made by the artist. There was also a narrative video of two-thousand images also created by the artist in a sectioned-off corner. Momoko remained in the Gallery the entire evening to meet spectators, and perhaps explain her works. Momoko's work was quit stunning and what I believe was the highlight of the exhibition (thus my focus on her). I was so intrigued the amount of colors Momo manipulated on the metal. Also the delicate details that was apparent in each piece. She used a wide range of metalsmithing techniques that added much interest to the individual pieces as well as the whole. All of her works came together cohesively. The organisms were enchanting, with her use of other mediums to compliment her work (e.g. wood, glass, fibers). It was clear that Momo was highly invested in her work and that she had a passion for creating these organisms. I believe I was most impressed by her finite detail in pieces. The time it took these pieces was something that was definitely on my mind, as well her skill. I was very enthralled by her originality all thought the gallery; she included mounted graphic prints, a video, handmade tables, and interesting lighting figure. I think that Momo has been living and breathing these creations for sometime, and they were truly alive at the exhibition.
I would give this exhibition a rating of ten. I give it a ten because it stands out as the most impressive collection of art I have seen all year. Her work was fresh, lively, poetic, and absolutely stunning.

{blog entry 4}

Sunflowers, Vincent Van Gogh
I believe this piece contributes to a different understanding of the world (i.e. art), because Van Gogh is using an analogous color theme here. Every one of the pigments, including the white, has yellow within them. It is warm and joyous, very much expresses of sunflowers. Sunflowers differs from Van Gogh's other works because it is analogous. Typically we see his works using complimentary color schemes (i.e. Starry Night). By repeating the large elliptical head of the sunflower, Van Gogh has put in place a dominance structure in which we are focused on the flowers, and moving our eyes around to see each one. This painting does not necessarily relate to the human form, however it relates to humanity in the context of flowers being a decoration in a vase, also in the setting of a room. I have been vastly influenced by Van Gogh as a human being foremost, and as an artist as well. My mother, a social worker, had a great love for Van Gogh's mind, life, and capability as an artist and she past those respects to me. Reading his letters gave me an incite to the person behind the artwork giving me a deeper appreciation for it. The ways n which he uses yellow here are so brilliant and alluring and I have captured that same love for the yellow.

Dresses by Paul Smith& Proenza Schouler
I believe that in each of these examples the artist has revealed a different way to look a color in the context in texture. They each have also changed the color world by designing clothes in which the color scheme is not obvious, perhaps bizarre to some. Mainly Smith and Schouler have taken risks using color. These two examples of fashion standout amongst other such garments because in there unique combination of colors, textures and patterns; both are completely original creations that are very appealing. Paul Smith's frock starts with an upper portion that swirls a very interesting spectrum of colored flowers, including black, pastel pink, sea foam green, and cobalt blue. The length of the dress is done in white silk with shades of yellow, green, light blue and red throughout. In Schouler's dress we see an overall violet color with the upper portion being a transparent white, and a red beaded necklace. The dress contains several added pictorials in green, peach and orange. The garment is complimented by brown tights, and pink and red shoes. Both of these examples redefine are typical rules of color, they create a fresh piece that is attractive. Smith uses the length of her dress and its existential lines to lead the viewer to the dominant black strip at the bottom of the dress. The black of the dress bounces our focus back up to the top where she wears a black and purple scarf. In Schouler's piece the purple is dominant, but a close second and third is the brown and white. Subordinate would be the images on the dress, existentially is the red necklace and shoes. Both dresses address the human form by clothing it, and not really distorting it. The figure is slit seen and portrayed realistically here. The dresses compliment the figures. Seeing both of these works inspires me to start design and making clothes again. The fashion world is incredibly competitive and designers are consistently coming up with fashion that is ahead of its time, I would love to learn the challenges of creating fashionable wear.



Graffiti McGee& Banksy
Graffiti has contributed to a new and different color world because graffiti has made itself accessible to or entire culture. Famous graffiti artist such as Banksy, McGee, and Fairey, are using allot of reds and blacks when creating their visual images. Typical street graffiti art shows a wider variety of colors. Within graffiti, artist usually has a way of applying an image that is uniquely there own, and you can recognize there works from others. The images have a dominance structure that varies. In McGee's work he uses an off white and the detail of a characters face to create dominance. In Banksy's piece the red peace symbol is dominant. Both examples show the human form; McGee's is cartoonish, and Banksy has a more realistic attribute. These images are very interesting to me, as well as graffiti as a whole. I certainly have an appreciation for the art that you don't get paid for; the artist who create because they love it.

{blog entry 3} place

Do we define a place or does a place define us? I believe it is a bit of both.
Each one of us makes our enviorment our own somehow. Whether we decorate our rooms, or we leave debris of our life around, we are creating a space which resembles us. It is also a space that makes us. We can be transformed by a place that lies deep within a city, we can grow amongst a forest. Our enviorment has a tremendous effect on who we are. And an artist has the ability to become their place, and to tell its story.

Richard Serra [installation artist] He create these round rooms composed of steel. He begins with models, working from the inside out. Serra is concerned about the elements and how they work together; so that they have continual movement, even if his creation is still. He pushes to create the illusion that the steel is being stretched. With his ability to manipulate the material, he fools the viewer into seeing something that is massive as something that is weightless. His works deal with the coordination of hand and eye, enabling him to "see" the eye as a muscle; and if continually used one will learn how to better see.

Sally Mann [photographer] "If it does not have ambiguity, it is not worth taking." Sally Mann is a photographer who sees art as fun. To Mann there is no need to conceptualize every bit of art, simply take photographs because they are an expression of beauty. Photo taking is Manns bible. She says that even though she is involved in the process of photography, the final image is a work of its own.

Margret Kiliggan & McGee [painters/ graffitti artist] Killiggan has a fascination with things that are hand made, showing peoples hands in the world. She is inspired by folk art and incorporates collected imagery into her own art. She is a typographist, and printmaker who has a love for flat and graphic imagery.
McGee has a passion for graffitti, he says that the public views graffitti as garabage, but to him it is art. Graffitti on trains are all about folklore. He feels that the more he does commishioned work he looses touch with the world around him, so he continues to contribute to the graffitti culture. He says that if your art work is outdoors it is open for anyone to lokk at, and that the insid world is getting smaller and smaller.
When I was young I had certain emotions with differant places. My basement at night was scarry. My parents room was calming. My cottage was adventure. My garage was intoxication. My room was my sanctuary.
My room was my favorite place to be. It was in the attic of my parents home, and it was filled with art and my treasure artifacts. I decorated every square in of that place; it was a collage, a working art piece. My bed was at the center of the room against a chimney. My sheets, blankets and pillows were in shades of blue; a net draped around my bed. I had a guitar hanging from my ceiling.I also had a retro green and yellow couch, "complimented" by a shockingly orange stuffed chair. My record player and stereo also made up a big portion of the space. The lighting in my room was very unique. There was not much light because there were no windows, but i created myself a city of lights by twisting hundreds of Christmas lights around the wooden support beams. I loved to squint my eyes, because it would look like Paris at night. My room was romantic, imaginative, and a forest of art. It was my sanctuary.

image essay #10

Bed by Robert Rauschenberg, 1955. This piece by Robert Rauschenberg is one that I find particularly intriguing. For me, when an artist incorporates several mediums I am automatically draw in. It is very interesting to see how someone can take varying objects and mediums and make them relate to one another. It is like music with several different instruments. Rauschenberg does this famously over and over again throughout his many works. In ‘Bed’ he uses mediums including, a quilt given to him by artist Dorothea Rockburne, paint, pillow, nail polish, toothpaste, and sheets. The colors shift your eyes back and forth. The media and colors play together nicely to create this scene that invokes different meanings. What is this bed that we are seeing? Is it a scene of violence, of dreams, of love? And why are we looking at the bed straight on? Is it on a wall, or are we omnipresent above it? What I believe Rauschenberg does so successfully here is to let the viewer decide why this bed is important, and what it means personally to the viewer; with every varying person, is a different meaning. For myself I look at it being a representation of dreams bleeding and perhaps fading; the inability to hold them.

image essay #9

Pearblossom Highway, by David Hockney. This is a work is a photographic collage. Hockney took hundreds of photographs in order to compose this piece. It is very interesting due to its piecey texture, the rectangles of each individual photograph. This work initially drew my attention because of its interesting uses of scale. The photographs as a whole looks like a realistic setting, yet you notice that the sizes of objects within do not exactly portray actual perspective. Aside from the collaboration of images, the work utilizes an attention grabbing color scheme. The foreground consists mainly of shades of yellow orange and red, and dances nicely with the contrast of the blue sky. Due to Hockney’s color present here, the viewer’s eyes jump back and forth between foreground and background. The deep, and perhaps shocking red in the signs adds a pop and a focus point to the piece, which makes one question the meaning of the photograph. Is it merely the capture of a place, or is it a warning not to go further?

image essay #8

Birthday Boy, by Eric Fischl. Eric Fischl's paintings deal with the coming of age for mainly young adolescent boys. In Birthday boy, Fischl portrays a young boy on a bed with a much older woman. Both figures are portrayed nude. It is unclear the exact relationship between the two, but nonetheless we get the sense that the boy is seeing something he should not. There is certainly a feeling of inappropriateness, and uneasiness for the viewer. I believe the first reaction is that one should not be looking at the two of them, as if the viewer is invading their privacy. Yet when you allow yourself to look further there is this uncomfortable ness. We question why is this young boy with, and looking at the woman. Also the positions of the two figures give way to further questioning, such as why the woman’s legs are spread. They are very suggestive. It is unclear to me whether the woman’s left leg is simply in the foreground or actually touching the boy’s shoulder; the answer could lead the viewer to secondary questioning. Fischl does have an extraordinary capability of color. The painting has this remarkable red and gray tone. I believe that the red makes the viewer feel embarrassment, and also may imply sex, passion, exploration and temptation. Birthday Boy is a very successful painting with its interesting subject of the boy approaching puberty, as well as its great use of color.

image essay#7

Sally Mann displays brilliant value in this 1992 photographed titled, Shiva at Whistle Creek. Mann has a fantastic capability of captivating a person with her rich contrast in photographs. There are many different values inherent in each of her works, and this photograph is a great example of her professionalism. She has a way of focusing on the subject, but also allowing the subject to appear soft and welcoming, there are no edges that are to harsh. The way in which she captures her subject, with the enormous ability of seeing detail, one can almost see color. This photograph is very alluring, there is the sense of both watching the young girl from above, or what I feel almost instantaneously is that I am the young girl. Perhaps Mann is invoking these positions onto the viewer. In any case, the image is calming, and certainly captures a setting in which you can hear the trickling of water, and image the cold, feeling the innocence and the freedom of a child.