Anish Kapoor Week 6

As an artist kapoor introduces his stylish flair of art with extreme scale. His concern, like the rest of us as a society, is based around the condition of the world today and how its morals are broken. He uses his art to represent our desire for ‘elsewhere’, with ‘elsewhere ‘ indicating what we as a race purely aspire to have in imagination and the fact that we have no idea how to achieve ‘elsewhere’ to its full potential. Noticeably his art is rather limited in colour detail and pattern, yet when one looks at the shape and grand style he uses it is easy to see how well his work can be. His ‘installations’ are in the state of perfectly polished surfaces, his objects can't easily be ordered into relationships with other things; there are no rivets, visible joins, or perceivable pre-fabricated parts.











“I am interested in sculpture that manipulates the viewer into a specific relationship with both space and time.” –Anish Kapoor, Tate Magazine, July 2007

“I am concerned with the way in which the language of engineering can be turned into the language of the body,”



Kapoors work is conceptual because he presents various subjects that are associated  with Architecture, design narrative, manipulation of organic solid materials, and above all the most interesting large scale sculptures I have seen.  I see his work as awe-inspiring to the wonder they provide to a viewer. His Sculptures like 'TARATANTARA" and ''The Farm'' the are inspiring to observe because the dynamic form he presents seems as if the sculptures defy gravity.


His work compared to most other gallery artist’s use of space is reasonably different.  In  his larger than life installation Memory (2008 ) he is confrontational to his observers. This is because the piece literally looms in the viewer’s presence, reminding us of our own relatively tiny scale. The reason this work in particular would create this feeling of insignificance is because the dynamic and interesting shape is not seen commonly, opposed to something that lies within a urban landscape like a tall building. The Guggeinheim Museum accommadates Memory with a spaced out placement. Spreading across 3 sections of the building, he sections a square opening in the last to reach room, a mid section in the second and the round tip in the first room. This forces observers to wonder through different stages of thinking, creating thoughts of 'I wonder what is inside this blimp like sculpture? is it filled with air?steel?water? where does it end?, the viewer will not find out until they physically investigate this matter. Thus Kapoors work provides an example of how he likes his viewers to interact with his sculptures.



The Farm

The farm is a large multi functional installation that lays beyond just the walls of an art gallery. The environment is it's gallery.

A man peering into Kapoors installation, Memory,2008.

the notion of hiding part is what the work is trying to do, steel seemed right to construct a rib system, to hold all forces. closely related to architecture, through the process of walking and process of inhabiting, give and object that cannot be percieved as a whole.






Cityscope de Marco Hemmerling:, Anish Kapoor.

http://www.colectiva.tv/wordpress/tag/anish-kapoor/

Week 5- Pluralism and the Treaty of Waitangi

1. Define the term 'pluralism' using APA referencing.

Pluralism means three things. It means Multiculturalism, equal opportunity and Racism. Which seems to base itself on 'celebrating Cultural diversity,' it is also celebrating humanity and 'respect' for people in the sense of their own culture and identity (Wordia, 2010, YouTube.com)

2. How would you describe New Zealand's current dominant culture?

The current dominant culture in New Zealand would be difficult to pin point. The Diversity of Ethnics in New Zealand are remotely intercultural and Multicultural for terms. The pre-existent cultures are the Maori and European to dominate originally, yet here in today's society many ethnic groups are indefinitely increasing in numbers. From mere observation it would be a layout of *European, Pacific and Island cultures, Asians to Indian as the most common races to be found (statistics New Zealand,1999. 'New Zealand society is culturally diverse, and becoming more so through changing immigration patterns,' (Social Report, 2001) and this is evidently true considering the large amount of Immigrants the Government allows into the country per year.

According to the (Statistics New Zealand, 1999) the European Culture is in fact the dominant Ethnicity in New Zealand given the statistics of 71% of the population being European with 14.5 % being of the Maori ethnic group. European dominance is described as 'the pakeha mainstream culture’ and is called ‘the culture of power,' Delpit, (1988) pg. 282.
 
3. Before 1840, what was New Zealand's dominant culture?

New Zealand in the 21st Century is a more Multi-cultured society than it was during the 18th-19th century. The first New Zealanders, the Maori, voyaged thousands of miles across the vast unknown Pacific Ocean in small ocean-going canoes. In order to reach New Zealand, these brave adventurers developed their own navigation system using the stars and the currents (New Zealand Tourism Guide, 2010)

4. How does the Treaty of Waitangi relate to us all as artists and designers working in New Zealand?

Various New Zealand Artists associate their Art with 'Cultural Diversity', and let alone New Zealand Culture. The focus on Maori art is dominant through the Markets as a standardisation of Maori representation. Artists are simply interested in the Maori culture so they reproduce artworks for historic or moral value, and others would use very average representations of Maori art through the purpose of tourist ornaments to sell through common trade.

5. How can globalization be seen as having a negative effect on regional diversity in New Zealand in particular?

Much of the Maori culture has indeed become less apparent to society. The Multi-lingual personal and intercultural status of society in New Zealand has left the percent of Maori culture without a strong hand for its language. Through this recent decade New Zealand Media (TV Mainly) has integrated more Maori orientated shows. Yet, the effect on people is still dominated by many other ethnic groups in New Zealand.

6. Shane Cotton's paintings are said to examine the cultural landscape. Research Cotton's work 'Welcome'(2004) and 'Forked Tongue' (2011) to analyse what he is saying about colonization and the Treaty of Waitangi.



Shane Cotton is an interesting artist. He attempts to recreate a sense of European culture and Maori culture historics with an intertwined post modernist approach.

SHANE COTTONForked Tongue, 2010 Acrylic on canvas1400 x 1400mmCollection of The James Wallace Arts Trust

SHANE COTTONForked Tongue, 2010
Acrylic on canvas1400 x 1400mmCollection of The James Wallace Arts Trust

Welcome. 2004, Shane Cotton

REFERENCES:

Becca Carter Hollings & Ferner Ltd, Government of New Zealand. New Zealand Tourism Guide (2010)

Cameron, K. 'Biculturalism, Multiculturalism' in Biculturalism: The Next Conversation Lectures delivered at the invitation of Dr.Ken Nicholson, District Senior Inspector, Wellington Education board, (1995)

Henry, S (1987)‘The Construction and Deconstruction of Social Control: Thoughts on the Discursive Production of state Law and Private Justice. (Gower Publishing, Aldershot, 1987) at 6-7, 107-11.

987) at 6-7, 107-11.

http://www.design.iastate.edu/NAB/about/thinkingskills/cultural_context/pluralism.html

http://socialreport.msd.govt.nz/2001/culture-identity/culture-identity.shtml

http://researcharchive.lincoln.ac.nz/dspace/bitstream/10182/531/1/cd_dp_88.pdf

Pluralism And The Treaty Of Waitangi-Week 4

1. Define the term 'pluralism' using APA referencing.

Pluralism means three things. It means Multiculturalism, equal opportunity and Racism. which seems to base itself on 'celebrating Cultural diversity,' It is also celebrating humanity and 'respect' for people in the sense of their own culture and identity (Wordia, 2010, YouTube.com)

2. How would you describe New Zealand's current dominant culture?


The current dominant culture in New Zealand would be difficult to pin point.The Diversity of Ethnics in New Zealand are remotely intercultural and Multicultured for terms. The pre-existant cultures are the Maori and European to dominate originally, yet here in today's society many ethnic groups are indefinately increasing in numbers. From mere observation it would be a layout of *European, Pacific and Island cultures, Asians to Indian as the most common races to be found (statistics New Zealand,1999. 'New Zealand society is culturally diverse, and becoming more so through changing immigration patterns,' (Social Report, 2001) and this is evidently true considering the large amount of Immigrants the Government allows into the country per year.

According to the (Statistics New Zealand,1999) the European Culture is in fact the dominant Ethnicity in New Zealand given the statistics of 71 percent of the population being European with 14.5 percent being of the Maori ethnic group. European dominance; described as 'the pakeha mainstream culture can be described furthermore as 'the culture of power,' Delpit, (1988) pg. 282.

3. Before 1840, what was New Zealand's dominant culture?
New Zealand in the 21st Century is a more Multi-cultured society than it was during the 18th-19th century. The first New Zealanders, the Maori, voyaged thousands of miles across the vast unknown Pacific Ocean in small ocean-going canoes. In order to reach New Zealand, these brave adventurers developed their own navigation system using the stars and the currents (New Zealand Tourism Guide, 2010)

4. How does the Treaty of Waitangi relate to us all as artists and designers working

in New Zealand?

Various New Zealand Artists associate their Art with 'Cultural Diversity', and let alone New Zealand  Culture. The focus on Maori art is dominant through the Markets as a standardisation of Maori representation. Artists are simply interested in the maori culture so they reproduce artworks for historic or moral value, and others would use very average representations of maori art through the purpose of tourist ornaments to sell through common trade.

5. How can globalization be seen as having a negative effect on regional diversity in New Zealand in particular?

Much of the Maori culture has indeed become less apparent to society. The Multi-lingual personal, and intercultured status of society in New Zealand has left the percent of Maori culture without a strong hand for it's language. Through this recent decade New Zealand Media (Tv Mainly) has intergrated more Maori orientated shows. Yet, the effect on people is still dominated by many other ethnic groups in New Zealand.

6. Shane Cotton's paintings are said to examine the cultural landscape. Research Cotton's work 'Welcome'(2004) and 'Forked Tongue' (2011) to analyze what he is saying about colonialization and the Treaty of Waitangi.

REFERENCES:
Becca Carter Hollings & Ferner Ltd, Government of New Zealand. New Zealand Tourism Guide (2010)


http://www.design.iastate.edu/NAB/about/thinkingskills/cultural_context/pluralism.html
http://socialreport.msd.govt.nz/2001/culture-identity/culture-identity.shtml

Cameron, K. 'Biculturalism, Multiculturalism' in Biculturalism: The Next Conversation Lectures delivered at the invitation of Dr.Ken Nicholson, District Senior Inspector, Wellington Education board, (1995)

Henry, S (1987)‘The Construction and Deconstruction of Social Control: Thoughts on the Discursive Production of state Law and Private Justice. (Gower Publishing, Aldershot, 1987) at 6-7, 107-11.

987) at 6-7, 107-11.

Kahinde Wiley-Week 4

Kahinde Wiley is a Gay American based painter born in Los Angeles, who has an international reputation. Wiley lives and practices between Beijing and Brooklyn.


This week’s ALVC class focuses on the postmodern theme "INTERTEXTUALITY", re-read Extract 1 The death of the author on page 39 of your ALVC books and respond to the oil paintings of Kehinde Wiley.

1. Find a clear definition of Intertextuality and quote it accurately on your blog using the APA referencing system. Use your own words to explain the definition more thoroughly.

Intertextuality is the concept of texts' borrowing of each others' words and concepts.The discussion of  based off  an ideological concept and as little as a word or phrase that  transmits directly from writer to reader. (Robinson. K. Slideshare.net). I understand that intertextuality is the imput of an idea that we base something off another idea.  The academics of intertextuality define that we live off someone elses idea and use it to create another.  Music for instance correlates to every human on the planet, it surrounds us and it cannot be escaped. So, I'm saying a music artist is to create a song based on their interpretation of a situation and produce that song. The idea, and thought to the lyrics may be completely sentimental to that artist but the idea to create a song based on whatever subject of sentimentality, is derived from the idea of Sentimentality (from another person). That might be a poor example per say, but the intertextuality lies within any subject, idea given.

'intertextuality refers; text (literary material), the formulaic (fixed elements in language or myth), human folly (human behaviour or history) and grand narratives,' Aalborg University (2006)

The purpose of intertextuality as academic thought is obvious, it carries on documented information about authors,publishers etc.. and makes an appropriate referencing system, that is fair.

REFERENCES:

Anderson.D, 2006. An Analysis of Intertextual Resonance in the Witch-sequence of Terry Pratchett's Discworld. Submitted to Aalborg University, Denmark.

http://narrative.georgetown.edu/wiki/index.php/Intertextuali


http://www.slideshare.net/kathleenrobinsonmalone/literature-and-inter
textuality
2. Research Wiley's work and write a paragraph that analyzes how we might make sense of his work. Identify intertextuality in Wiley's work.

Kehinde Wiley's work is somewhat extravagant. His works display at the size of a kitchen Table and are presented with oils on canvas.

'My goal is to make paintings that have a physical weight in the world and to contend with human scale. Generally these paintings are 8 to 12 feet in height,' Kehinde Wiley Digital Interview (2007)

. They are classy and intertwined with today’s rendering of reality, with references to medieval and queenly subject backgrounds. Wiley, described as a 'Renaissance Technician with Hip-Hop subject matter' that defines intertextuality with visual dialogue and mixed ideas. Part of Wiley's process is lifting his subjects straight from the street and rendering them-complete with sneakers, track pants, tank tops, and team caps-in the visual language of classic European portraiture. As Wiley’s paintings regularly blur the boundaries between traditional and contemporary modes of representation. He displays realistic portraits with the addition of highly decorative and ornamentative qualities  –– while making references to specific old master paintings.
To discover his suggestion of intertextuality within his art,  it lies within his ideas that associate with the renaissance style

3. Wiley's work relates to next week’s Postmodern theme "PLURALISM" . Read page 46 and discuss how the work relates to this theme.

Wiley makes reference to African American neighbourhood life style. He does this by physically finding a range of black American males from the street, and obstructs them with renaissance significant poses. The fact these people are derived off the street as average joes challenges the perplexity of Pluralism. Pluralism is based on many things, yet Culture is the most signifying representation of its concept. Wiley leaves the boundaries of culture and presents a rather offending representation of what African American males are like.

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five Kehinde Wiley, 2005
Oil on canvas
182.9 x 243.8 cm (72 x 96 in)
Glenn Fuhrman

During the time of the Renaissance, portraits of an individual reflected much about a person. The purpose of the portrait was to retain someone's wealth and placement in society. Muchly involved with Hierachy and politics a painting would document that persons power in society at the time. Wileys art shows similar value in subject matter, but represents in particular, African American males in today's society. “The absence of young black urban men in paintings says something about our society” (Jackson, 2003)

Napoleon on his Imperial throne, By jean Auguste, 1806

Ice T Kehinde Wiley, 2005
Oil on canvas
243.8 x 182.9 cm (96 x 72 in)
Private collection, courtesy Rhona Hoffman Gallery

5. Add some reflective comments of your own, which may add more information that
you have read during your research.

I like Wiley’s challenge that he proposes in his work. It signifies strength, value and reason. I believe his work should be accounted as an appropriated style of intertextual value. As I appreciate his work, because it is not based on improving or disproving subject matter. It's real, and values the placement of African Americans in todays society. It's not about who the person is individually in his paintings but what that person represents to society. I believe that the subject matter that is surrounded by a stunning style of painting is impressive. Wiley is mixing modernity and the context of the Renaissance in a very beautiful manner. Researching his working process I found that he projects photographs onto a disk firsthand, and are then drawn onto the canvas and a sepia underpainting is applied. tones, colours etc. As a whole new approach to painting he works away from traditional in a way. Even though he projects the images first on to the canvas, it would take great skill to create a full image out of what is made.

REFERENCES:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ingres,_Napoleon_on_his_Imperial_throne.jpg

http://www.npg.si.edu/exhibit/recognize/paintings.html

http://narrative.georgetown.edu/wiki/index.php/Intertextuali

http://www.interviewmagazine.com/art/kehinde-wiley/

http://www.art-interview.com/Issue_009/interview_Wiley_Kehinde.html

 New Museum. (2011). Rethinking Contemporary Art and Multicultural Education. New York, USA: Routledge.

Galt, R. (2011). Pretty: Film and the Decorative Image. New York, USA : Columbia University.

Post Modernism-Week 3

Post Modernism is not simply defined. There are many concepts to understand because it is used     in Social sciences, architecture, literature and philosophy - G.K. Chesterton

The view point of Post-Modernism . ‘Post’ is referring to afterwards. Therefore in the case of Post Modernism it is the philosophical movement after Modernism.

If Modernism is at an end, we are now facing a new period. The name given this new period is Postmodernism.  It introduced fields of thought that focused more on ‘reason within thought’ and reality.

-claims to be the successor to the 17th century Enlightenment. For over four centuries, “postmodern thinkers” have promoted and defended a New Age way of conceptualizing and rationalizing human life and progress

-interpretation is everything; reality only comes into being through our interpretations of what the world means to us individually. Postmodernism relies on concrete experience over abstract principles, knowing always that the outcome of one's own experience will necessarily be fallible and relative, rather than certain and universal.

-There is a belief that is associated with ‘Relativism’. Relativism is the belief that It is the idea that ‘’anything goes’ and is the position where one has left the belief in absolute truth, and instead embraced the idea that knowledge is dependent on one’s perspective. 

’ "it cannot on its own principles ultimately justify itself any more than can the various metaphysical overviews against which the postmodern mind has defined itself." -Richard Tarnas

2. Use a quote by Witcombe (2000) to define the Post-Modern artist.
"The name given to this new period is Post modernism. The Term post modernism is used in a confusing variety of ways. For some it means anti-modern; for others the revision of modernist premises" Witcombe (2000) pg. 18


3. Use the grid on pages 42 and 43 to summarize the list of the features of Post-
Modernity.
-Social and Political, in view and philosophy
-Hyper-realism has significance in current ideas for art
-Work is usually Ironic, containing an interesting twist or idea. The freedom to choose whatever subject matter is free and often based with a social-political stance.

              

Research British artist Banksy's street art, and analyze the following two works by the artist

to discuss how each work can be defined at Post-Modern.(Use your list from point 6.)

The famously under cover street artist Banksy challenges the paridigm 'Only the future will get better' with a number of his works.  He profusely looks towards the nature of politics and frequently refers to serious social-political issues.  With the image of a Neanderthal clasping a representation of a fast food he undertakes the manner of society pushing its way through life with consuming. Consuming may not refer to eating in particular, but other things like money, wealth, and the economy, and consuming more than necessary. I think this image contains Post Modern value because he is trying something different by representing something Modern like fast-food and replacing a the human with a primitive version. This  refers to human's being equivalent to a Neanderthal in todays form. He is basically saying that we are ignorant for what we do for ourselves. Whether it is consuming too much fast food, money, wealth, and that we just consume without thought. 

REFERENCES:

http://www.pbs.org/faithandreason/gengloss/postm-body.html

http://www.onenesspentecostal.com/apologetics.htm

http://www.kon.org/archives/forum/13-2/mcgregor.pdf

http://www.kon.org/archives/forum/13-2/mcgregor.pdf

http://blastmagazine.com/the-magazine/culturefashion/arts/art/banksy-a-postmodern-pioneer/

http://christopherbutler.wordpress.com/category/gk-chesterton/   

Postmodernism is a philosophical movement away from the viewpoint of modernism. More specifically it is a tendency in contemporary culture characterized by the problem of objective truth and inherent suspicion towards global cultural narrative or meta -narrative.