Harmony

Accumulation Project

So, this whole semester I've been collecting buttons. At first i wasn't too excited about the idea of having to collect something for an extended amount of time but as I collected them, I began to realize something. The buttons I had been collecting had started to acquire similarities to people. As each person is unique in their own way, so are buttons. They are varying in size, color, weight, texture, and etc. I honestly dont think I have two of the same kinds of buttons. Each one has a different past, a different story to tell of how it arrived to me. Initially I had no idea what to di with all the buttons once I was finished collecting them, but then I began to think about ways to build something out of them, and then connecting them with either string, glue or other means. For the longest time I wanted to make a sculpture, something large out of them, but I could never think of what to make.

I think we did this exercise because it largly relates with alot of the artists that we have learned about this semester. Concept artists take one thing, and completely change the meaning behind it and create something completely different. I notice that a lot of the artists that we had talked about/viewed in class had used some form of accumulation. A lot of artists used an abundance of one or more objects. That signifies that they had gone out and collected these objects over a period of time, no matter how short or long. I also think we did it becuase our professor enjoys collecting random items. I remember several times where she mentioned how she collects this, or collects that, such as tacks or dandelions, random items like that. With that in mind, I think that she was curious to see how we would handle a project which is based off of one of her hobbies/interests. To see if we are as interested and excited by it as her. That is just an idea...

It wasnt until the end of the semester where I thought of an idea. I took the concept that each button was like no other, unique. With that I decided to have them symbolize people. Now one issue that has existed since the beginning of time is equality/peace/harmony. It still struggles to succeed today but in reality, such a thing will never be achieved. IT just isnt in human nature for the most part. But, we could always improve for the good, make small gestures toward the impossible. My project will aim to do just that, try to push people towards equality and harmony.

First I will start off by collecting billions upon billions of buttons (talk about large scale, ftr, this is why im doing a proposal, I came no where close to even a million buttons, let alone a billion) Then I will have hundreds of copies large maps of the globe printed out. Half will be dull in color and the other half will be glossy. The scale of the maps will be around the size of the sides of ware house buildings. I will attach the maps to large iron walls, which is made from elements of the earth, which is where we ALL live, which further emphasizes equiality.

On the dull colored maps I will used the same technique used to lay down bricks.(the cement adhesive, which is also made from teh earth, same concept as the iron) I will use that cement adhesive to attach the buttons to the map. However, each country will be represented by a different color. I will cover the countries on the map with buttons, and then pile more buttons on top of that. When the buttons are piled on, we will be able to distinctly identify each country. This is not our goal. We should not be able to tell a difference since everyone is equal. So on the glossy colored maps, I will do the same porcess, but instead of different colors for each country, I will used a mix of colros for each country. This way on this map you will not be able to tell the difference between the countries once all the buttons are placed. In will simply looked like a collage of buttons, all types. This is what we want, equality and harmony, everyone getting along and no one being the majority, no one has more power.

Now that I have applied the billions of buttons to the hundreds of glossy and dull collered maps and then attached those to the iron walls, I will selectively place one of each type of map wall in every country in the world. They will be placed in the largest/busiest/most touristy city in each country, that way more people will see the maps. They will be placed in an open public space, for example, for the US I will place it in New York City and have it somewhere in central park. I will have it out in the air because out there it is not under any restraints, it is free to be seen by anyone and everyone, out in the open air, which is connected to every individual on earth. The dull colored maps will face west, where the sun sets. This way it will be cast in shadow in the morning, dawn of day which symbolizes the negativity of such inequality. The glossy colored maps will be facing East, where the sun rises so that way it will be cast in light in the morning. This will symbolize a new start for each day to try and make the world right, positivety.

LAST DAY OF CLASS!

So, the semester has almost come to an end, and with that, the end of my freshmen year.

what a year..

Anyways, we looked at the rest of the classes site specific projects. Joey's was really cool...and funny initially. But artistically speaking, it was pretty awesome, the concept behind the photo was really well thought out.

I also presented mine which I was dreading. I had an extremely hard time coming up with a project and it was very last minute and spontaneous. So I already new my project was not up to par, it was very straightfoward and obvious, not a lot of planning went into it, I wish I had thought out the project more but I was on such a time crunch that I just randomly did it on the spot. I think it could have been worse though. Thinking back now I probably would have used trash to put around the trees instead of recycling arrows just so it wouldnt be as obvious.

But oh well, too late now. I did obtain a lot of information from this class. I now know of a lot more different variety of artists and I have their artwork bookmarked on my computer just for future resources. I plan on continuing searching and looking at more artists work to broaden my art knowledge.

artists Artists ARTISTS!

Will Schade

1. Does he purposely spell incorrectly?
2. Why does he choose to tell stories in his artwork?
3. Has art history had an effect on his style of work because it all looks very aged?

I personally love how all of his pieces look aged. The first piece shown is of St. Seabastion's Ravin. It's smart how the raven is supposed to represent the Devil feeding on corruption, opposite of the dove and it's innocence which in turn represents God. His symoblism is uncanny. Furthermore, his subject matter is interesting, for someone who is borderline illiterate he sure does know his sacred texts and noble themes.

Aaah, he is severly dyslexic. For someone who has such a handicap and still want to make art, that's perseverance. Also, most artists dont use text in their work, but Schade, even with his handicap wants to incorporate his misspellings into his work. I guess it gives his work character and makes it easy to distinguish from others. His misspellings are more noticable then the actual subject matter of his work itself. I mean, a lot of it has vulgar scenes being enacted, such as vomitting and masturbation and putting these noble figures up on a negative pedastle are overlooked by his spelling. I find that interesting. Admittedly, that was the first think I noticed about his work, it is very eyecatching.

What I also find neat is that his handwriting looks very childlike and scratchy, like he has trouble keeping his hand still. But then you notice the drawing itself and it is very controlled and precise. It's like his skill ocntradicts itself. This itself causes audiences, me included, to find his work funny instead of respecting his honesty or ridiculing his limitations. Unique, indeed.

Obviously he spells incorrectly because he is severely dyslexic. He chooses to tell stories in his artwork becauase he has a fascination with the sacred texts and noble themes and I dont' think art history has any effect on his style, if anything its what I mentioned before.

1. Why does he choose to use text in his artwork when he knows he cant spell correctly?
2. Why started his interest with sacred texts and noble themes?
3. Does he sometimes secretly wish that he wasnt severly dyslexic?

Matthew Ritchie

1. Does he prefer doing installations or paintings?
2. Are his pieces abstract?
3. What is your relationships with the galleries?

I like how his artwork has different functions, as in to teach and entice us to participate. It's also very complex that is usually overwhelms the viewers, he showcases and extends his audience with so much information we cant soak it all in. It's fascinating. Here's a guy who has ambition. He will stop at nothing to get and learn and do what he wants. "He wants everything." I like how he incorporates this idea of "everything" into his artwork. He starts with the time before the big bang and then works from there. How exactly does one do that with out their head exploding. Where do you begin to make such artwork, thats a lot of research.

I also think it's fascinating that he presents a key to each of his pieces. It's almost like a game, its how to unlock the meaning behind his work and for work so complex and intertwined with information, a key isnt such a bad idea. I would love to sit in front of one of his works and try to decode it and break it down, discover the meanind behind the artwork. I also like how he uses characters to narrate the universe's evolution since the birth of time.

I like he he creates "epic tales" through his artwork. And also how it takes place no where, there are no boundaries of limits holding it down, it is what it wants and needs to be. It's all very deep and well thought out stuff. He loves puzzles and games. One artwork consisted solely of equations and clues to what his next piece would be. How awesome is that!! I would love to view his work in a gallery and be confused and then sit down and work it out like a math problem, it's as if his artwork is playing the role of the teacher, and we are it's students, waiting to learn.

Obviously he prefers doing pieces that confuse and overwhelm the heck out of his viewers, whether it be paintints installations or what not. And they may seem abstract from a distance but upon closer inspection you notice a set of instructions/rules/keys to decode his pieces. And, he describes his relationships with the galleries as a partner who brings complementary strengths and creative differences to the relationship.

1. What got you started into such complex pieces that require a key to understand it?
2. Are you ocncerned about the longetivity of your work?
3. Has anyone ever complained to you about how complex and hard your artwork it to understand?

William Kentridge

1. Why did you choose to stick with the same media for most of you artwork?
2. Do you always use the same character in all of your pieces?
3. When did you first realize that you were probably going to become a recognized artist?

I like how his emotional inspiration isn't within himself, like most artists, but observed in the world. It shows selflessness which is a rare attribute to find in most people nowadays. He must be teeming with inspiration though because he lives in South Africa where he can witness abusement of government, people, rights, etc...it's all there.

"The main complaint is dealing with the distress that lingers even after the abuses have ceased." Obviously he has seen a lot in his life and it has affected him greatly. I like how his artwork has the quality of sketches but then certain parts of his drawings are so detailed it's creepy. As in the piece History of the Main Complaint, the eyes looking back in the rearview mirror look earily accurate and realistic. His pieces almost have a horro feel/look to them in part due to the media he uses.

The use of charcoal really adds to his artwork, especially when making movies. Because charcoal is never really permanent, when making movies, frame by frame, I would imagine that some parts would smudge, creativng texture and unintentionally adding more to his pieces, I think that's part of the process. People may be smudged and it will in turn look as if a memory is disappearing.

He doesnt always used the same character, it's just the same character, Soho, for one of his films. I think he chooses to stick with the same media, charcoal, because it works for him, it adds to his artwork, allowing his to constantly change his pieces and it in turn gives a nice texture and variety. And the point that made him realize that he was going to be an artist was when he realized that the one thing that he had ever been good at and that ever made him money was drawing.

1. Why do you choose to stay in South Africa, why not come to America? If you did, do you think the style of your artwork would change?
2. Have you ever considered using others forms of media for your artwork?
3. Are you happy with the way your life turned out, with being an artist?

Yukinori Yanagi

1. What is your fascination between humans and animals? Which do you pity more?
2. What gave you the idea to make an ant farm to demonstrate different countires powers?
3. How long have you been an artist?

An ant? Of all creatures. It really is fascinating learning about what modern artists are creating these days. I like how they talked about the artist being the only one that gets fatigued during the process and not the ant, who was the one who was kidnapped. Honestly, why would he ever choose an ant to incoporate into his work? But regardless, the pieces are astonishing and shows just how much effort and energy he puts into his work. I would love to see the finished piece of the Wandering Postion. I also wonder if he accumulated any back problems after doing the piece. Being hunched over for that many days can give any one a problem.

Another piece was the ant farm and this is one that will change and develop over time which I think is amazing. I would love to see this piece periodically and document it's changes, which Im sure the artist is doing. It's interesting how he choose flags and what more, why did he choose the countries he did. I think he's trying to symoblize how whether we choose to believe it or not, all countries are connected whether physically, socially or econically. We are all on the same planet so should all get along. But that will never happen.

I think that he chooses to pity humans more, we are worn down more easily because of our negatively ever growing society and are becoming more and more antisocial and lazy. Animals are strong and persistant and dont have their priorities blocked by other issues, they work as a team. I think he just likes the differences and similarities between humans and animals and likes to compare the two's lifestyle. I cant answer the other two questions.

1. Why did you choose an ant to incorporate into your work?
2. How many days did you follow the path of the ant?
3. What do you find most interesting about the ant?

Charles Ray