Week 6 - Landscape and the Sublime

'Untitled' (2002) Richard Misrach



Richard Misrach's photography reflects the concept of the Sublime, from the Enlightenment.

Research Misrach's work by reading about his intentions, and also by looking at the work:

Richard Misrach, a native Californian, has spent most of his career photographing the American desert and is considered one of this century’s most internationally acclaimed photographers. His works are represented in more than fifty major museum collections around the world. Selections from his groundbreaking Desert Cantos sereis have appeared in three previous books, including Desert Cantos, which received the 1988 Infinity Award from the International Center for Photography; Bravo 20; The Bombing of the American West, which was awarded the 1991 PEN Center West Award for a nonfiction book; Violent Legacies: Three Cantos; and Crimes and Splendors.

1. What and when was the Enlightenment?
** The enlightenment was a philosophic movement of the 18th century (which is said to date back even further in time)
marked by a rejection of traditional social, religious, and political ideas and an emphasis on rationalism.

2. Define the concept of the Sublime.
** In this context, 'the Sublime' implies that man can, in emotions and in language, transcend the limits of the human condition. In this sense, and in particular portrayed as a convention in Misrach's work, 'The Sublime' goes beyond the extraordinary and refers to the captured magic in his images.

3. How did the concept of the Sublime come out of the Enlightenment thought?

** The idea of the Sublime, I believe was pushed through the 'invention' of the landscape painting. This gave the artist the freedom to paint and manipulate the landscape scene to his/her desired paradise. Before the popularity boost of landscape paintings, they were seen as useless and not of importance in comparison to the figures painted on them. This was especially evident in the 18th century, where artists were basically TOLD what to paint, due to the immense focus on religion at the time, and in particular, Christianity. It was not until the 19th Century, where landscape paintings were 'accepted' as art. An exceptional collection of examples of 19th Century Landscape Paintings is by Claude Monet and can be viewed at http://www.google.co.nz/images?hl=en&q=claude%20monet%20landscape%20paintings&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi.

4. Discuss the subject matter, and aesthetic (look) of Misrach's work to identify the Sublime in his work. Add some more images.

** In the 'Untitiled' photographic series of Misrach's work, he captures the essence of beauty & simplicity, within what looks to be his interpretation of the idyllic 'untouched paradise'. Not only do his images convey the picturesque beauty of the sea but also suggests a sense of mystery, based on the ideas of the 'hidden dangers' within our worlds waters. In relation to the increasing popularity of landscape-styled paintings in the 19th century, Richard Misrach also would rather photograph a space, where the interruption of people is obscure.

5. Identify some other artists or designers that work with ideas around the Sublime, from the Enlightenment era as well as contemporary artists.

** JMW Turner, Caspar David Friedrich, Claude Monet

6. How does Misrach's photography make you feel? Does it appeal to your imagination?

** To me, Richard Misrach's work provides a sense of belonging to both oceanic space and to Mother Nature. The captured colours in his works are cooling, soothing and tranquil and present an emotional connection of the human body to water. I feel that his images (and in particular this image: http://hankblog.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/untitled-857-02-2002.jpg) are hypnotizing and in a way are potentially harmful, and also makes me consider the unpredictability nature can 'drown' us in.

7. Add a Sublime image of your choice to your blog, which can be Art or just a Sublime photograph.

** COPY & PASTE LINK - http://www.campaignbrief.com/nz/CORUBA-master_60_clean_REV_GRADE.wmv - (VIEW FROM 41 SECS). I believe the green flash is an amazing example and is the most true definition of 'The Sublime'. Sadly, I have not been able to find a still image of how best to portray this but the link really does say it all (:

Week 4- Damien Hirst and the diamond skull (UNFINISHED)

Research the art work of Damien Hirst, in particular his work 'For the love of God'(2008), a diamond encrusted skull:

Artwork Title: For the Love of God, 2007
Diamond covered platinum skull
Damien Hirst

FACTUAL POINTS:

*Encrusted with 8,601 diamonds
*Skull cast from the 18th century
*A continuation of Hirst's further exploration of Death and its affects
*Influenced by Mexican skulls, encrusted with Turquoise
*Valued as the most expensive contemporary piece of art
*Production cost the artist $20 million USD
*Final product was sold for a whopping $100 million USD
*"FOR THE LOVE OF GOD" is the most expensive work of art ever to sell by a living artist

-- http://mosaicartsource.wordpress.com/2007/01/17/aztec-mosaic-masks-turquoise-double-headed-serpent-mosaic-british-museum/

EXEMPLAR OF MEXICAN SKULL ENCRUSTED WITH TURQUOISE:



Discuss how Hirst's persona and work relate to the Renaissance concepts of Mercantilism and the (increased) status of the artist.

Hirst's work relates to concepts of the Renaissance and Mercantilism through the

Week 2 - Auckland Triennial 2010

1.What are the themes behind the title "Last ride...' for the Auckland triennial?
** The theme of the next Auckland Triennial investigates adventure and risk as productive tools in their own right within the field of art. In doing so, it moves beyond modernity’s taste for expansion and at the moment of global economic contraction, to leave us with adventure and risk as suspended possibility. The subject area of adventure during a vulnerable economic climate has a context specific relationship to Auckland, which is widely regarded as the country’s business hub, and the city which shouldered the brunt of New Zealand’s stock market crash in 1987 and subsequent adventurous economic reforms.


2. What does a curator of an exhibition do?
** A curator is a type of director of an art gallery or museum. Curators put together exhibitions. They are in charge of a great many aspects relating to art shows. Some of these include: lighting, arrangement, selection of works and even refreshments. Curators also build relationships with artists and estates of artists who are deceased. That helps them to cultivate the best possible works for their gallery's exhibitions. Curators often write prologues for exhibition guides. It gives the curator the chance to explain a few of the ideas behind the show. Curators also may be prolific writers for art magazines, newspapers and other publications. The real essence of a curator's job is to 'frame' a collection of artwork. The best curators present a collection of artwork to the public in a new and interesting way. This aspect is especially relevant when exhibiting works by artists that have been shown many times before.


3. Which countries are represented in this year's triennial?
** Countries represented in this years triennial include artist's from New Zealand, Iran, Australia, Sweden, Scotland, Ireland, India, The U.S, France, Japan, Samoa, Denmark, Argentina, Thailand, Germany and Lebanon.


4. Is Auckland the only city to have a triennial? Are there other similar art shows?
** Auckland is not the only place to have a triennial. Triennials have been held all across the world, celebrating where diversity and culture collide. Guangzhou, China and Turin, Italy are just a couple of other places where similar triennials have been held.


5. Name 4 artists who will be showing work in the show.
** Four artists that will be displaying works in the show are Shilpa Gupta from Mumbai, India, Gerard Byrne from Dublin, Ireland, Alicia Frankovich from Tauranga, New Zealand and Bundith Phunsombatlert from Bangkok, Thailand.
PICTURED: Work from Shilpa Gupta

6. Select an artist's work from the website, copy the work to your blog and write a short
comment on what the work is, and what it represents.(Reference your sources)
** IMAGE:
Bundith Phunsombatlert, Wind Study, 2008-, computer fans, microcontroller, sensor, electric wires, courtesy of the artist


BUNDITH PHUNSOMBATLERT
Born 1972, Bangkok, Thailand. Lives and works in Rhode Island, New York.
Originally trained in printmaking, Bundith Phunsombatlert began working with new media technologies in 2004 during a residency at the 12th International Symposium for the Electronic Arts in Helsinki, Finland. The introduction of new media, sculpture and installation elements in his work allowed his practice to extend beyond print's traditional boundaries. Phunsombatlert's work playfully satirises the consumerist obsessions of Thailand's burgeoning middle class urban population, but his critiques are equally applicable internationally. His Ready-Made Human Products for Sale, 2000, installed in a Bangkok shopping mall, presented 'amputated' photo-screenprinted facial organs of Thailand's most popular celebrities, individually presented for purchase on hygienic plastic. Commenting on cosmetic surgery as well as the illegal organ trade, the shop front installation presented a fractured, identikit view of the glamorous figures of popular Thai celebrities.

Phunsombatlert is currently studying at the Rhode Island School of Design in the United States, after receiving a Master's degree in Printmaking from Silpakorn University, Bangkok. His work has recently been included in the Athens Video Art Festival, Athens, Greece, 2009; the 3rd Guangzhou Triennial, China, 2008; and the Freewaves 10th Biennial Festival of Film, Video and Experimental New Media, UCLA Hammer Museum of Art, Los Angeles, 2006. Phunsombatlert's solo exhibition On the Ball, The Game Has Begun, 'Beware Crossing the Grid', at Bangkok University Gallery, 2006, expanded his exploration of consumerism into the realm of politics.

WIND STUDY - 2008: The work (pictured) is made of small electrical gadgets and obviously portrays themes from the title. The lady/girl depicted alongside the snippet looks as if she is blowing into the created device and is another great addition to his new media art collection.

7. Comment on why you find this work interesting, how does it relate to your own interests?
** I find this work interesting as it is a complete contrast to the printmaking the artist originally worked with. It shows his experimentation and exploration beyond his comfort zone and encourages the curiosity of audiences worldwide. The beginnings of Bundith's new experimentation 'extends beyond print's traditional boundaries' and shows another level of artistic expertise within his accustomed style of presentation. I find the transition from materials used in his print works to his media works fascinating as they are also relevant to the times they were made. These ideas relate to my interests as they encourage change which is evident in the forever-evolving world of the present. They give ideas of the continuous upgrade of technology and convey mechanical and technological ideas, furthering invention for the future.