Thesis Hypothesis

My thesis is well under way but this is what I was thinking in the beginning of the semester and where it is now. The first things I worked on were a combination of wetland conservation and the invisible people and it certainly shows in the first prints. since then my work has become more matured and the invisible people are no longer a part of my work. I want to work with the beauty of the wetlands because I dont believe that people care to conserve things they are not attracted to. Within my sculpture I address the issues happening such as our building over them to make condo's and such.

critiques

Individual critiques: 1. Kim -Sep 20th
2. Nathan - I dont remember the exact date but we discussed my prints and boat while it was leaking
3. Kim - When you came into town for a few days
Group Critiques: 1. Not sure of the date, Involved Paul, Kim, Brittany, and later Therese, Jeremy, and Trisha
2. Group critique with class final week

Art Market

In the essay by Christine Mehring,"Emerging market: Christine Mehring on the birth of the contemporary art fair, 2008." She speaks about what would be considered the first art fair. The fair took place in germany and was called Kunstmarkt 67. It was a huge success and included dealers of both German and American art. The article mostly speaks about the history of this market and its main founders, Rudolf Zwirner and Hein Stunke. The article also goes into detail about the politics behind the art fair and the controversy that arose with the refusal of certain art dealers into the fair. It goes into detail of how gallery openings are no longer the norm for selling large amounts of art and how art fairs have opened the door for stroller toting mothers to get into their cultural side.

This article is fitting given that the Ringing seniors and juniors are embarking on a trip to Art Basel this week to experience the art fair in person. It is also an eye opening view on the real way to get your art into the world. Not necessarily by openings... but with the ever popular art fair.

Foot Prints

I dont know why they follow me
Blindly following their creator
They know nothing of this world
Only the organized line they stand in

They wait for me to walk
I assume they think this is amazing
because there are always more of them
they must be telling their friends

They trust me as their creator
that I would never destroy them
If only they knew
I lead them to their death along this shoreline

Mindless fools

Jack Burgess explains contemporary art, 2010

This is one of the best simple explanations of modern art I have ever watched, and very entertaining. I do not have much to say about this video it pertains to my art in the most obvious way, that we are working in the contemporary art world. I wish I had more to say about this fun little video.

The Birth of the Big Beautiful Art Market, Air Guitar 1997

I will be the first to admit that my mind was drifting while I read this chapter. This review may not hold the big picture but it embodies what I came away with. This chapter from "Air Guitar" is a very straightforward way of letting us know just how much the art world mimicked the other markets of the world. Speaking specifically about the car industry. As a kid Dave Hickey loved cars and to him they were a work of art. He wanted his art to avoid being categorized and like so many artists want the response of, "[a] subtle jolt of visual de-familiarization as a prelude to delight." He calls to our attention the similarities between the different markets, and his ability to glide between them because of these similarities. Hickey also drifts into the realm of conceptual art (art that does not always need walls.) These ideas, installations, and portable art came about because of one reality. The walls are full. This chapter feels familiar. I remember my freshman year someone telling me that no matter what kind of art I make someone will love it and want to support it. I want my art to sell but many of my decisions are those that I would enjoy still. A personal question that I am working with and have been for a while is, 'Am I working within the world of modern art?'

1. If we work for the market is it selling out?
2. Can we compete with the original market?
3. Has the market died?

Frontline: Digital Nation Video, Feb 2010

Recorded only this year is a video called “Digital Nation.” This video addresses the pros and cons to the technological revolution sweeping the world. It touches base on the virtual worlds people are living in including, Second life, World of war craft, and other Internet based games. It also discusses the idea of people becoming addicted to technology like alcohol or drugs. Not all technology is seen as bad however. While some will complain that students are less focused, and loosing their abilities to read, write and comprehend. Others are arguing that our generation simply learns differently, and that the upcoming job market lends it self towards our learning style. We will need to be up to date on technology in order to survive in this job market.
This is an interesting part of my work. Because technology has come so far, you can experience things right from your own living room. I work with conservation and if one only experiences these environments from their home they will miss the big picture. The styles I work in are also out dated, wooden boats and 17th century style printing will not make a comeback in anything in this world but art. I would say technology has done a lot of good, but I appreciate not being allowed to watch television as a child and not having a phone until I was older. Taking vacations with my family where we were completely disconnected from the world was a blessing. I would not appreciate nature or craft the way I do if I were raised in a more technological household.

1. Why do we continue to push new technology away when it has shown promising results in the past?
2. Are older generations simply stubborn to new learning methods, and therefore behind the curve themselves?
3. Are we overwhelmed as a culture by images and distractions, and becoming unable to focus?