New Perspective

This class has definitely broadened my view of what art is. The various perspectives we were exposed to in this class have instilled in me a new respect for art that may not seem beautiful or meaningful at first but may have actually been more hardly worked upon than a standard living room painting, which so many of us find beautiful. The works we studied in this class have made me look for a deeper understanding in art that does not look conventionally pretty. I've learned to appreciate art more for what it is rather than what it stands for. As Susan Montag states in her article entitled Against Interpretation, "Real art has the capacity to make us nervous". The impact of the art in the viewer and its ability to make the viewer think are what I feel the basis of the artwork's value. During this class, we criticized several art pieces and at the end of it, I can now understand that the objective of an art critic should be to show how it is what it is and that it truly is what it stands for, rather than to show what it means and seek meaning that may not even have been there or intended.

The End

This class has opened my eyes to so many interesting things that I was not aware of beforehand. It has been very exciting to see the world of contemporary art that is out there. I learned about some amazing artists and artworks. My favorite contemporary artwork was the short film made out of logos. I also enjoyed going to Tang Museum at Skidmore College where I saw art that I never imagined before. I was never aware of how many pieces are considered artworks, and it was great to learn about all the ways that people can express themselves. I have learned a valuable lesson in that you do not have to follow traditional ways in order to make some truly great pieces. There will always be artworks out there that I will question, but now I feel like I can have a greater understanding of where people are coming from, and be more open to what my idea of art is. Overall this was a great class and I am very glad that I was able to experience something new and different!

My final post ... dun dun dun

All in all I really thought this was an interesting class. Learning about the incredible diversification of what is considered art, and even somewhat of the history and progression of art through time. Even the concept within "Schoolyard Art: Playing fair without a referee" was interesting in how art became more of a cash cow and less about appreciation. In conclusion, this was an extremely note worthy class and a cool learning experience about the world of art.

Happy Graduation to all, and all a good night.

Bean

2x20x200x2000x20000 ...

So when I was on the 20x200 website searching around for a piece of art for $20 it actually took me a while to find a work that really caught my eye. I think that the kind of art that is most appealing to me is the somewhat childhood esque. By this I mean that it is very colorful and somewhat cartoonish but is creative and grabs your attention. So the work of art I chose was Ideal Bookshelf 5 by Jane Mount. She has actually been looking at and studying bookshelves, noting that one can learn a lot about an individual from thier literature on thier bookshelves. P.S.- the title of this blog post is my best attempt at giving a creative title post to the 20x200 assignment ... haha

Visual Art therapy is the therapeutic use of art making while establishing a relationship between a professional and a person who faces certain challenges in carrying out daily tasks. Art therapy focuses on increasing awareness of self and others, coping with symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences. This type of therapy has been shown to enhance cognitive abilities and increase enjoyment of life in such individuals.

Art therapists are trained in human development, psychology, clinical practice, spiritual, multicultural traditions, and visual arts. They use the creation and or criticism of art as a means for healing. Art therapists work with people of all ages: individuals, couples, families, groups and communities. They are a part of mental health clinics, rehabilitation centers, medical or forensic institutions, community outreach programs, wellness centers, schools, nursing homes, corporate structures, open studios and independent practices. Their reach is widespread and their work makes a difference in battling many medical conditions.
The American Art Therapy Association, Inc. (AATA) sets educational, professional, and ethical standards for its members. Some states regulate the practice of art therapy and in many states art therapists can become licensed as counselors or mental health therapists.

Comparative Neglect in Art Today

Lost Novel II: After Long Silence, 2005


In the reading, Absolute Truth by Peter Plagen, he introduces the idea of comparative neglect in art today. He affirms that contemporary art is not meant for the masses and nor does it appeal to the masses. He suggests that contemporary artists do not want mass appeal but rather a single person to purchase their art for a huge remuneration. Buyers of these pieces also want a slightly weird and indecipherable piece so that they feel “ahead of the times” and intelligent. I feel that artists working to create art that will sell for a huge sum are not being true to their work. To me, art is reflection of the artist’s thoughts and a means to reach society. An artist who does not aim to touch the hearts of the masses or appeal to mainstream public is merely a technician who makes millions but not truly an artist.

The ideas presented by Plagen are supported by his work. I found that he not only explore with shape, range, dimensions and colors, his works also offers objects that are from the verifiable world. However, I was a bit disappointed by his work. For a man that harshly criticizes contemporary art, his works are not in par with his words.

Beauty of Art & Impact

In the chapter entitled, Enter the Dragon: On the Vernacular of Beauty, Dave Hickey focuses on the idea that in contemporary art, Beauty is a means and not an end. What he means by this is that beauty sells and makes the content of art powerful to the beholder. I would definitely agree with this as for me, I tend to pay more attention to a piece that strikes me as beautiful than one I do not find aesthetically pleasing. Works that are not “pretty”, do not strike me as appealing and I thus do not search for meaning in such works. While every viewer may not have this perspective, I do feel this way and thus agree with Hickey’s claims.

For example, the works I posted are both about domestic abuse. The photo art, ‘Domestic Abuse Awareness’ by Juan Carlos Silva (below) is definitely more impactful for me than the less “beautiful” computer art, ‘Abuse’ depicting the same subject matter by Sunil India (above).