Kim Jones
1. What got him into the arts as a career choice?
2. Why is he so fascinated with the alter ego?
3. Does he incorporate humans into all of his work?
It’s weird seeing an artist whose main focus is own his alter ego called mudman because just the other day a student did his identity piece on his alter ego. Funny, I’ve never even thought of my own alter ego, I’ve never even thought or knew or believed I had one. Who knows, maybe everyone does have one.
So, it’s pretty wicked that he uses himself as the artform, the final product. Talk about a dedicated artist. HE covers himself with mud and imposes physical strain on himself, and all for the cause of art. Obsession or dedication? I think a little of both. But when you consider his past, the polio and time spent in Vietnam, mudman becomes to make a little more sense, become more clear. These two times in his life are a combination that make up mudman. Everyone who knows anything about the Vietnam war knows it was one of Americas worst wars, losing a lot of soldiers. The soldiers that did live were to live hard, stressful lives after, dealing with horrible nightmares and memories of the war.
It’s also impressive how he becomes mudman for a whole day and walks around in urban areas. This provides as an interesting contrast between materials, nature vs. urban. What a contrast. Also, considering his past, mudman begins to become an appropriate alter ego for Jones. That is quite a switch from the military to an artist. Talk about a transformation.
I really am not aware about his choosing as an artist straight out of the military and he is so fascinated with his alter ego because as a child, he was coped up in the house due to polio and the vivid growth of his lonely imagination combined with future traumatizing experiences later combined to give him mudman. And he actually started as a painter then got into sculpture but rather than traditional sculptures he chose to use his body.
1. What is his purpose in walking around public as mudman, does it have a meaning?
2. Why does he choose to put his body through some form of suffering and abuse?
3. Why exactly did he switch from becoming a painter to a sculptor?
Friday, February 29, 2008
Scott Grieger
1. What is his connection to the military, if any?
2. How has he struggled as an artist?
3. Does he have his own studio?
I wish I could be inspired by everyday, random traditions and what not like him. I think it’s neat how he transforms these experiences into artwork. His inspirations are so simple that most people wouldn’t even think twice before considering such things as artistic inspiration, more would consider it trash. A nike shoe box? Awesome.
He makes a very good point, most of our lives are reflected throught the choices of a single individual, we have very few choices as individuals. Swooshtika!! That is frickin awesome! What a cool idea to combine such two powerful symbols and make another image. Corporations vs. dictatorial government, there is some correlation yes. “I make circles out of bar graphs” haha, this guy is crazy creative. Once again, his installation of this swooshtika’s gave their meaning even more emphasis. And now he incorporates religion into the swooshtika’s through the use of fabric. Talk about one artist who does his research and one who keeps up with politics. Political artists have always intrigued me.
Now there’s Dharmy!! I must admit, I love his play on words. I can completely connect with his when talking about the distand boom and sounds of the military world. I have always lived near or even next to, or IN a military base, so I have grown used to such sounds and disturbances. It was interesting how he connected the two, Dharma and army. I love how he incorporated all of these different, opposite ideas that contrast eachother extremely, and combined them into one installation. Most would not think this would be successful, but he pulled it off.
As for answering my three questions, his connection to the military was that he lived next to a base in the middle of no where and he was frequently disturbed. He claimed that his main struggle is actually making his thoughts, concepts, come to life, making, creating them. And of course he has a studio, why wouldn’t he.
1. Would have ever or has he ever done a piece that focused on one issue, instead of combing two issues into one piece?
2. Do you think back now and wish that you had done something different with your life?
3. Where do you prefer to live, in the wild or in a metropolitan area?
1. What is his connection to the military, if any?
2. How has he struggled as an artist?
3. Does he have his own studio?
I wish I could be inspired by everyday, random traditions and what not like him. I think it’s neat how he transforms these experiences into artwork. His inspirations are so simple that most people wouldn’t even think twice before considering such things as artistic inspiration, more would consider it trash. A nike shoe box? Awesome.
He makes a very good point, most of our lives are reflected throught the choices of a single individual, we have very few choices as individuals. Swooshtika!! That is frickin awesome! What a cool idea to combine such two powerful symbols and make another image. Corporations vs. dictatorial government, there is some correlation yes. “I make circles out of bar graphs” haha, this guy is crazy creative. Once again, his installation of this swooshtika’s gave their meaning even more emphasis. And now he incorporates religion into the swooshtika’s through the use of fabric. Talk about one artist who does his research and one who keeps up with politics. Political artists have always intrigued me.
Now there’s Dharmy!! I must admit, I love his play on words. I can completely connect with his when talking about the distand boom and sounds of the military world. I have always lived near or even next to, or IN a military base, so I have grown used to such sounds and disturbances. It was interesting how he connected the two, Dharma and army. I love how he incorporated all of these different, opposite ideas that contrast eachother extremely, and combined them into one installation. Most would not think this would be successful, but he pulled it off.
As for answering my three questions, his connection to the military was that he lived next to a base in the middle of no where and he was frequently disturbed. He claimed that his main struggle is actually making his thoughts, concepts, come to life, making, creating them. And of course he has a studio, why wouldn’t he.
1. Would have ever or has he ever done a piece that focused on one issue, instead of combing two issues into one piece?
2. Do you think back now and wish that you had done something different with your life?
3. Where do you prefer to live, in the wild or in a metropolitan area?
Thursday, February 28, 2008
accumulation: week 7
so I have asked my friends roommates for buttons and I arranged them below.
I like all the different types of buttons out there. Every piece of clothing has a different button. I think that's cool, buttons are similar to humans, each one is unique almost. Some have 2, 3, 4, or more holes and a wide range of colors. I think collecting them has been fun so far.
Im going to florida for spring break so i plan on asking a bunch of people for buttons. Hopefully by next week my collection will have at least doubled.
That'd be awesooommmme
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
HANDOUTS GALORE
The Art World Expands
It's true, if you compare art from the past to contemporary art, it sure has taken on a different route. Well, more less expanded on their original, simple route. Nowadays, virtually anything is considered art. Anyone can make art, some would argue that you don't even need any talent, just the process in which you create it can make a great piece of artwork, of even simply the concept behind it. ARtists come from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures and use almost any mediums that they can get their hands on, and I mean ANYTHING. Things that most individuals would never even dream of being considered art materials. Forget the traditional forms of medium, paint, pencils, charcoal, clay, etc, now its anything and everything. Artists need to learn to expand their creativity if they want to succeed in the art world.
And succeeding in todays society is almost like a popularity contest, who knows the most people, makes the most money, has the most galleries, the biggest fan base. Of course, that is not the case with all people, but for most, yes. Not that there's anything wrong with that, because humans presently are into materialistic things and we live commercial lives. It's just the kind of people we are, we were taught and raised to be this we. Some can blame the government, media, whatever, we can't help it.
Artist want to get their name out there, make themselves known so that more people will buy their work. Contemporary art has also caused controversy recently, such as in the 1980's when what society referred to as unethical individuals started to get their names known as artists.
Also, with the ever changing and evolving world of technology, we saw a new art form arise, that of graphics and design. Even photography has evolved. The computer has allowed artists to expand their art pieces, to add on to their wide range of media used, to explore more options to creating art, to broaden their horizon. Advertising has been affected the most by such inventions. Graphic design has allowed virtually everyone to be exposed to artwork, EVERYONE because such forms of art is EVERYWHERE, it's omnipresent. You can not walk outside and not see any examples. That's what I want to be a graphic designer/photographer, because everyone can see it.
Sometimes it's hard to wrap my head around the wide world of art, im just now beginning to understand how comprehensive and large it is, how individuals use and manipulate concepts, ideas, materials, all in the name of art. it's inspiring. it's exhilarating. it makes me excited and scared for teh future all at once. I can't wait to get out there and meet as many artists as i can and get an much experience as i can.
It's true, if you compare art from the past to contemporary art, it sure has taken on a different route. Well, more less expanded on their original, simple route. Nowadays, virtually anything is considered art. Anyone can make art, some would argue that you don't even need any talent, just the process in which you create it can make a great piece of artwork, of even simply the concept behind it. ARtists come from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures and use almost any mediums that they can get their hands on, and I mean ANYTHING. Things that most individuals would never even dream of being considered art materials. Forget the traditional forms of medium, paint, pencils, charcoal, clay, etc, now its anything and everything. Artists need to learn to expand their creativity if they want to succeed in the art world.
And succeeding in todays society is almost like a popularity contest, who knows the most people, makes the most money, has the most galleries, the biggest fan base. Of course, that is not the case with all people, but for most, yes. Not that there's anything wrong with that, because humans presently are into materialistic things and we live commercial lives. It's just the kind of people we are, we were taught and raised to be this we. Some can blame the government, media, whatever, we can't help it.
Artist want to get their name out there, make themselves known so that more people will buy their work. Contemporary art has also caused controversy recently, such as in the 1980's when what society referred to as unethical individuals started to get their names known as artists.
Also, with the ever changing and evolving world of technology, we saw a new art form arise, that of graphics and design. Even photography has evolved. The computer has allowed artists to expand their art pieces, to add on to their wide range of media used, to explore more options to creating art, to broaden their horizon. Advertising has been affected the most by such inventions. Graphic design has allowed virtually everyone to be exposed to artwork, EVERYONE because such forms of art is EVERYWHERE, it's omnipresent. You can not walk outside and not see any examples. That's what I want to be a graphic designer/photographer, because everyone can see it.
Sometimes it's hard to wrap my head around the wide world of art, im just now beginning to understand how comprehensive and large it is, how individuals use and manipulate concepts, ideas, materials, all in the name of art. it's inspiring. it's exhilarating. it makes me excited and scared for teh future all at once. I can't wait to get out there and meet as many artists as i can and get an much experience as i can.
The story it tells
“Meaning can never be finite or stable”
What a relief to hear that! Trying to interpret an artist’s work has always frustrated me. I always feel that if I interpret a piece different from others, them my interpretation is wrong. I guess not.
Signification. I always wondered what exactly that meant when concerning a piece of work. Once again I am reminded that the way a piece is displayed is CRITICAL! That is just something that I would have never even considered putting much thought into before.
Denotation vs. Connotation. I liked the example they used in trying to explain the differences. Before, I would have never associated these two words with artwork. One is visual, the other, interpreted. “Subject matter is denotative (visual) and content is connotative (interpretive). That really helps me understand the difference. I wasn’t aware of the difference to be honest.
I can relate to the loaded message. Generally, in my experiences with critiques, everyone feels that they must nice to the person being critiqued, that they should say only positive comments, talk about the good and ignore the flaws. Often, if a piece of work was bad, I noticed students (including myself) making up things they like about the piece. I personally don’t feel like it’s my place to negate someone’s artwork. It’s alright when the professor gives negative comments though because they are meant to be critical and help the student improve.
Often times during critiques, when I first see the finished piece and I generally don’t think it’s that great but then after hearing the person talk about it and their interpretation of their work I begin to like it more. I always enjoy artwork more after knowing what and how much it means to the artist. That personal quality makes it much more enjoyable for me. Also, I do agree that some artwork is just so visually stimulating and overwhelming that we are too concerned with the visuals to even care about the meaning behind it. However, in some cases, artwork has no meaning, it’s just meant to be visually pleasing. That’s why I get so confused when looking at artwork sometimes. It’s so hard to tell, especially now-a-days when art is just so open and one could do anything!
It was also something else to consider when thinking about the meaning changing depending on who tells the story. These are all just things that I have never considered. Artwork is so open and vast! Neat example between the power and powerless.
NUDITY! So many questions go into nudity, so many different meanings and interpretations. Hell, that’s the way it is with all artwork. I, personally, have never drawn a nude figure or done a nude scene of any kind. Haha. But, I would like to do model drawings. I remember studying art history and the persistence of nudity and its affiliation with beauty. However, in ancient times, it was the nude male body that exemplified perfection and beauty. It wasn’t until recent that female nudity began to become more common.
“Meaning can never be finite or stable”
What a relief to hear that! Trying to interpret an artist’s work has always frustrated me. I always feel that if I interpret a piece different from others, them my interpretation is wrong. I guess not.
Signification. I always wondered what exactly that meant when concerning a piece of work. Once again I am reminded that the way a piece is displayed is CRITICAL! That is just something that I would have never even considered putting much thought into before.
Denotation vs. Connotation. I liked the example they used in trying to explain the differences. Before, I would have never associated these two words with artwork. One is visual, the other, interpreted. “Subject matter is denotative (visual) and content is connotative (interpretive). That really helps me understand the difference. I wasn’t aware of the difference to be honest.
I can relate to the loaded message. Generally, in my experiences with critiques, everyone feels that they must nice to the person being critiqued, that they should say only positive comments, talk about the good and ignore the flaws. Often, if a piece of work was bad, I noticed students (including myself) making up things they like about the piece. I personally don’t feel like it’s my place to negate someone’s artwork. It’s alright when the professor gives negative comments though because they are meant to be critical and help the student improve.
Often times during critiques, when I first see the finished piece and I generally don’t think it’s that great but then after hearing the person talk about it and their interpretation of their work I begin to like it more. I always enjoy artwork more after knowing what and how much it means to the artist. That personal quality makes it much more enjoyable for me. Also, I do agree that some artwork is just so visually stimulating and overwhelming that we are too concerned with the visuals to even care about the meaning behind it. However, in some cases, artwork has no meaning, it’s just meant to be visually pleasing. That’s why I get so confused when looking at artwork sometimes. It’s so hard to tell, especially now-a-days when art is just so open and one could do anything!
It was also something else to consider when thinking about the meaning changing depending on who tells the story. These are all just things that I have never considered. Artwork is so open and vast! Neat example between the power and powerless.
NUDITY! So many questions go into nudity, so many different meanings and interpretations. Hell, that’s the way it is with all artwork. I, personally, have never drawn a nude figure or done a nude scene of any kind. Haha. But, I would like to do model drawings. I remember studying art history and the persistence of nudity and its affiliation with beauty. However, in ancient times, it was the nude male body that exemplified perfection and beauty. It wasn’t until recent that female nudity began to become more common.
An incomplete manifesto for growth
“Today is the child of yesterday and the parent of tomorrow”
What a quote. The choices we make affect our future. We can’t blame the outcome of our life on anyone but ourselves.
I honestly don’t even know what to say on this handout. I think all the points that the author makes are self explanatory and I agree with all of them. They make me not as stressed about my future as an artist. Yes I know that it will be tough to make a living, but reading all of this advice, I don’t know, it gave me a bit of hope, it acted as a white light, trying to guide me but I’m hesitant to follow.
I dunno, all of this advice was just uplifting. Such as to play and how only individuals who feel confident and have a firm grasp on their lives will be capable of playing. I WANT TO PLAY. I want to be able to feel like I have control. The whole handout was bout growth. Growth and an artist, but mainly growth as an individual. I also like how he pointed out that creativity needs no help from technology and devices. Even though I want to major in graphic design and its virtually all done on the computer, I still think its important to hear that.
I also liked how he encourages, repeatedly, to mimic and copy other artists. Steal their ideas. This tip I also hear often from Malena. And the more I hear it, the more I believe it and want to follow their advice. Appropriation! I want to expose myself to as many artists as possibly. I want to soak up so much information and artwork and techniques that I burst into euphoria. I don’t know…I just want to learn more. Once again, the importance of repetition is enforced. Im starting to realize that a lot that Malena told us in class is coming up in this handout. She knows what she’s talking about.
All the advise given is simple, concise, yet so very helpful and inspring. Study. Drift. Capture. Collaborate. Stay up late! (I got that down pat at least!)
Im gonna keep this handout around and refer back to it from time to time and when I just need a little push, some guidance.
“Today is the child of yesterday and the parent of tomorrow”
What a quote. The choices we make affect our future. We can’t blame the outcome of our life on anyone but ourselves.
I honestly don’t even know what to say on this handout. I think all the points that the author makes are self explanatory and I agree with all of them. They make me not as stressed about my future as an artist. Yes I know that it will be tough to make a living, but reading all of this advice, I don’t know, it gave me a bit of hope, it acted as a white light, trying to guide me but I’m hesitant to follow.
I dunno, all of this advice was just uplifting. Such as to play and how only individuals who feel confident and have a firm grasp on their lives will be capable of playing. I WANT TO PLAY. I want to be able to feel like I have control. The whole handout was bout growth. Growth and an artist, but mainly growth as an individual. I also like how he pointed out that creativity needs no help from technology and devices. Even though I want to major in graphic design and its virtually all done on the computer, I still think its important to hear that.
I also liked how he encourages, repeatedly, to mimic and copy other artists. Steal their ideas. This tip I also hear often from Malena. And the more I hear it, the more I believe it and want to follow their advice. Appropriation! I want to expose myself to as many artists as possibly. I want to soak up so much information and artwork and techniques that I burst into euphoria. I don’t know…I just want to learn more. Once again, the importance of repetition is enforced. Im starting to realize that a lot that Malena told us in class is coming up in this handout. She knows what she’s talking about.
All the advise given is simple, concise, yet so very helpful and inspring. Study. Drift. Capture. Collaborate. Stay up late! (I got that down pat at least!)
Im gonna keep this handout around and refer back to it from time to time and when I just need a little push, some guidance.
“the happiest day of my life”
Woooooah, talk about obsession. Michael Landy is one brave and dedicated artist. The concept is, im not gonna lie, very cool and the meaning behind it can be interpreted into so many ways. I for one could never, EVER, bring up the courage to go through with such a project. The idea and thought is unimaginable to me, I would be crushed, I would feel as if I had nothing left. But then again, to have everything taken away from you would let you be placed into the shoes of individuals who have lost everything, but the only difference (and a vital difference) between these unwilling families and Landy was that Landy choose to do this to himself.
To what, prove a point to himself?
You can never really tell an artists thoughts and meaning behind their work completely. He claims it wasn’t a criticism to consumerism and I don’t believe it was either. He was just trying to dig into his being and learn more about his identity and boy, I bet ANYONE would learn a lot about themselves if they personally destroyed every belonging they ever had. I don’t have the will power or the heart to destroy anything. I have enough trouble throwing things away, no matter how useless, I mean for god’s sakes I keep ALL OF MY RECIEPTS, all of them. I don’t know why really, I just cant bring myself to throw them away.
I think it would be interesting to see how he lived his life after the big destruction. Did he breakdown? Was he lost without his belongings? (Like I would be) It said that it was the happiest day of his life….really? I mean, he did choose to do this to himself so maybe the process really did help him and relieve him of his discomforts about his inner self. I wonder what all he learned about himself.
I personally think that I, like a lot of other Americans, am driven by consumerism. I love shopping and almost every belonging I own, no matter how trivial, I find special and important to myself. No, I don’t think that my belonging essentially make up the person I am, the people that mean the world to me do mainly, but my belongings act as frosting to my life, if you will.
They all have meaning to me.
Also, it was funny, or rather...ironic reading this article today because they mentioned how they broke down all of his belongings to the bare materials and just today in class we saw a piece where a student broke down a washer and dryer . I thought that was interesting how those two related.
Woooooah, talk about obsession. Michael Landy is one brave and dedicated artist. The concept is, im not gonna lie, very cool and the meaning behind it can be interpreted into so many ways. I for one could never, EVER, bring up the courage to go through with such a project. The idea and thought is unimaginable to me, I would be crushed, I would feel as if I had nothing left. But then again, to have everything taken away from you would let you be placed into the shoes of individuals who have lost everything, but the only difference (and a vital difference) between these unwilling families and Landy was that Landy choose to do this to himself.
To what, prove a point to himself?
You can never really tell an artists thoughts and meaning behind their work completely. He claims it wasn’t a criticism to consumerism and I don’t believe it was either. He was just trying to dig into his being and learn more about his identity and boy, I bet ANYONE would learn a lot about themselves if they personally destroyed every belonging they ever had. I don’t have the will power or the heart to destroy anything. I have enough trouble throwing things away, no matter how useless, I mean for god’s sakes I keep ALL OF MY RECIEPTS, all of them. I don’t know why really, I just cant bring myself to throw them away.
I think it would be interesting to see how he lived his life after the big destruction. Did he breakdown? Was he lost without his belongings? (Like I would be) It said that it was the happiest day of his life….really? I mean, he did choose to do this to himself so maybe the process really did help him and relieve him of his discomforts about his inner self. I wonder what all he learned about himself.
I personally think that I, like a lot of other Americans, am driven by consumerism. I love shopping and almost every belonging I own, no matter how trivial, I find special and important to myself. No, I don’t think that my belonging essentially make up the person I am, the people that mean the world to me do mainly, but my belongings act as frosting to my life, if you will.
They all have meaning to me.
Also, it was funny, or rather...ironic reading this article today because they mentioned how they broke down all of his belongings to the bare materials and just today in class we saw a piece where a student broke down a washer and dryer . I thought that was interesting how those two related.
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