Week 6-Landscape and the Sublime

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Wanderer in the mists' (1818) Caspar David Friedrich

 'Untitled #2" (2002) Richard Misrach

 'Untitled # 394-03' (2003) 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. Then answer the following questions;

1. What and when was the Enlightenment?

The Enlightenment was an era in Western philosophy. It took place in the 18^th century – some believe it also took place in the late 17^th century – when people questioned ideas about traditional institutions, customs, morals, and rationality and science, it was the ‘age of reason’. this period of time was all about change in human ideas (beliefs) about religion, government and science. The enlightenment took place all through Europe.  

2. Define the concept of the Sublime.

According to Alexander Gerard, writing in 1759, ‘When a large object is presented, the mind expands itself to the extent of that object, and is filled with one grand sensation, which totally possessing it, composes it into a solemn sedateness and strikes it with deep silent wonder and admiration’

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

The concept of the Subliime came out of the Enlightenment as the sublime was something literally overwhelming, either because of its huge size (a high mountain, a deep chasm, a blinding light), its infinity (the spiritual or timeless) or its darkness (a cloud-capped mountain, a floating mist, night, intense darkness). These are all the opposite in relation to the ‘light’ of  the Enlightenment. These artworks allowed viewers to feel a thrill from the sublime aspect of the artworks without real consequence.

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

The subject matters in the two above images are figures that are of a tiny scale inrealtion to the foreground and area around them. I feel they make the viewer think the subject is small and isolated and it looks like the setting is very lonely and distant from any real civilization. The contrasting use of scale makes the images overwhelming because of its vast size.

In this image which I have found the large dominating dark mountain makes the image dark and gloomy looking especially with the small figures ‘treeking’ al the way out across the water and sand to get to it. It causes me to feel scared and pitiful for the subjects. The infinity in the background of the image looks like it is never ending ant that there is absolutely nothing else for these subject matters other than a dark and gloomy, unwelcoming looking stone cold mountain for them.

Swimmers, Pyramid Lake Indiana Reservation, Nevada, 1987-93

http://mocp.org/collections/permanent/uploads/Misrach1994_21.jpg

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

Mark Rothko (1903 – 1970), was a Latvian-born American painter. He is classified as an abstract expressionist. I feel his works relate to the ideas based around the sublime theory as his paintings can easily lead many different people to relate and let their imagination lead them to many different places, memories and thoughts. His different paintings with different tones and colours all lead you to think about different things, happy and sad, exciting or dull.

Mark Rothko

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyBTGLDsZNADjArk7W_KHA1Eypam-iWRH5Mo_IhHBi3Olin2mHlwaeNH2qZcwQC40FTi6kuN5Kckeu7TjXbnVTWZUp85Ns6WLhR6s-2jU71-m5p5Cs8-Y7HLTZ_NDs_clytIyAfFVUMI/s400/Mark-Rothko-No-14-1960-7893.jpg

An engraving of a sketch by Turner depicting Brougham Castle. The sketch, made during a visit to the castle in 1809, provided the starting point for a later watercolour.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Brougham_Castle_mezzotint,_J._M._W._Turner.jpg

Joseph Mallord William Turner RA (1775–1851) was an English Romantic landscape painter, watercolourist and printmaker.

I feel some of his works relate to sublime characteristics as they are very dull and have extreme subject matters included in them. This one especially is scary and looks intimidating.

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

When looking at other works of Misrach I feel slighty depressed and not happy when I look at his works, although I still really admire them I would not want them hanging in my home. I don’t think they have happy and positive connotations that com ewhen looking at them.

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

I think Jerry Uelsmann's works have a sublime relation to them, and i fond them extremely visually appealing.

8. Reference your sources (books and websites).

http://www.answers.com/topic/sublime-1#ixzz1JBp8fibV

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_was_'The_Enlightenment'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sublime_(philosophy)

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Z84Vr5r2r8cJ:openlearn.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php%3Fid%3D397117%26section%3D6+sublime+enlightenment&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=nz&client=safari&source=www.google.co.nz

The social status of the artist.

1. Identify aspects of Durer's self portrait that show a changing view of the artist's view of himself as an individual.

Albrecht Dürer was an artist highly conscious of his public image and reputation. A previous painting that he did depicts him wearing a fashionable Italian dress, which reflects success. This was followed by the self-portrait resembling an unmistakable similarity to Jesus Christ. This self-portrait portrays that Durer thinks very highly of himself as he is comparing himself to Jesus Christ who is a very highly looked up to, worshiped and sacred figure, especially in the time when this self-portrait was made.

2. Explain how the artist's social status increased during the Renaissance period. Briefly explain why this happened.

In 1494 Dürer increased social standing as a result of his arranged marriage to the daughter of a wealthy machine and instrument maker. He was able to marry this woman, as he was a very great artist. He was educated, and the only northern artist who took note of the Italian dialogues between scientific theory and art, he was almost a Renaissance in his own right.


3. Comment on Gavin Turk's work in relation to individualism, status of the artist and egotism.

Gavin Turk's work is often doubted, as many people are skeptical about its authenticity and originality. His work creates controversy as he takes everyday items and copies them, his work is so simple yet effective and causes the viewer to think twice about its meaning. Gavin Turk’s work relates to egotism, as it is quiet insensitive for example the turkey foil wrap. He has simply copied what appears to be an everyday item, by using silkscreen on wood to create his own Turkey foil to create a sculptured piece of artwork. His insensitivity to the people is shown as when visitors come to his contemporary art spaces whose bored glances pan the room with an expression of ‘seen that before’ will take a second look.


4. Comment on Damien Hirst's use of his work and the media for self-promotion.

Damien Hirst is one of the greatest self promotors of his own work, he is famous for installations, sculptures and fine art paintings. "Hirst's work is an examination of the processes of life and death: the ironies, falsehoods and desires that we mobilise to negotiate our own alienation and mortality. His production can be roughly grouped into three areas: paintings, cabinet sculptures and the glass tank pieces.’’ Hirst’s work is different and real life, which causes controversy in the media. Because he is so widely talked about he has become a household name.
5. Find 2 images of work by artists or designers that reflects some of the ideas of individualism, self promotion or egotism that have been discussed on this blog. Upload images to your blog, title and date the work, identify the artist/designer and comment on the work in relation to the question.

Alexander Wang's tortoiseshell acetate and gold metal sunglasses with exaggerated angular frames. These sunglasses have a utilitarian look to them, they have a very different aesthetic design to them compared to normal circular sunglasses and would suit any individualist. This style was inspired by an iconic Individualist Andy Warhol. 

EGOTISM™ is the Art of the Individual. We excel in providing creations from the Mind and Soul. Our brand is inspired by LIFE,TRUTH,REALISM,LOVE,NATURE, and INDIVIDUALISM. In these times, the importance of SELF AWARENESS and SELF CONFIDENCE is VERY valuable and having a sense of SELF-WORTH is vital. Though others say can't, EGOTISM™ have always knew within, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. The Cleveland,Ohio based brand was established in 2010 and reflects being TRUE TO ONE'S SELF which inspires us to deliver quality collections with Purpose,Passion, and Optimism. Our Pieces are created to portray an excessive view of individual substance. Yes, it is TRUE, when one wears EGOTISM™, what anybody else is wearing WON'T matter!

http://www.egotismbrand.com/p/introduction-to-egotism.html


6. How do you think artists and designers are viewed in Western society today?

Today, I think artists and designers are portrayed in a very different way compared to the times of the renaissance. Today artists have to keep coming up with new innovative designs to ensure they are not labeled as frauds and copies. Today designers in western society are a lot more creative and have come along way in be individualists.

8. Reference the websites and/or books you have used, at the end of your blog.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-portrait
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:0LbR98_WOskJ:www.skny.com/artists/gavin-turk/+Gavin+Turk's+status&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=nz&client=safari&source=www.google.co.nz
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:YrG4Em-SUzsJ:www.visual-arts-cork.com/famous-artists/damien-hirst.htm+damien+hirst+work+and+self+promotion&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=nz&client=safari&source=www.google.co.nz
http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/show/112372 

Barbara Kruger & Mercantilism

I shop therefore I am (1987) Barbara Kruger 

Face It (Green) 2007 Barbara Kruger

Barbara Kruger has been described as a feminist, conceptual and a pop artist.

Her work reflects her interest in graphic design, photography, poetry and writing.

Barbara Kruger's graphic work has a very distinctive style that is shown in a wide range of her works. It more often than not consists of black-and-white photographs with overlaid collage style captions set in a white typeface, Futura Bold Oblique, over a ‘slashing’ of red background. However the second piece still consists of the type and slashing, however the background has been altered to be green. The phrases usually make a bold statement and commonly use pronouns such as you, I, your, we and they. She combines imagery with the clever use of text to create criticism and cause the viewer to think twice. A large amount of her text questions the viewer about feminism, classicism, consumerism, and individual desire. She also uses black and white images cut from existing sources such as the media and mainstream magazines, which further creates controversy and an immediate response. As the magazines that she is sourcing the images from are often selling of promoting the commercial things, and objects of desire that she is challenging the viewer to rethink. I think that Barbara Kruger’s style is immensely effective and visually appealing to the viewer. Her artworks are cleverly composed and thought out and highly original. She is an inspiration to me as a student designer

There are strong and effective messages being portrayed in all of Kruger’s artwork. In piece one, ‘Untitled’ (‘I shop therefore I am’), I think the main message being portrayed is the relationship between many people these days who rely on shopping and purchasing objects of desire as a temperamental happiness fix. These days a majority of people in developed countries live in a consumer culture, were shopping has turned into a lifestyle were the power of consumption is stopping people from finding true and sincere happiness.

In the second piece ‘Untitled’ (‘Face It (Green), I think a similar message is aimed at the audience as it says on the tag of the garment. By purchasing it will not change as a person just make you have less money and look ‘cool’. However it will not make you happy or more successful as it is what is on the inside that really counts. The old saying ‘money doesn’t buy you happiness’ comes to mind when studying the deeper messages of these two artworks.

Mercantilism can be defined as; ‘an economic system (Europe in 18th century) to increase a nation's wealth by government regulation of all of the nation's commercial interests.’ It was put in place to aim to make everybody more equal and put an end to the hierarchy of the rich and poor, making goods more accessible to poorer families.

Barbara Kruger’s two works can connect with this concept as I think she is trying to make more people less reliant on commercial goods for happiness. It also maybe that the concept of Mercantilism has gone to far the other way and that more and more people find it to accessible to purchase expensive goods and in away never earn true happiness.

Title: ‘All eyes on you’

I feel this is an appropriate title as Kim Kardashian is a socialite who is famous for doing nothing. I feel that it is incorrect the way the media portrays people. It also has relation to Kruger’s work talked about above as this art has a socialite pictured however the real artist behind it is Kruger who is widely known for being an extremely talented designer, not for taking her clothes of and being a ‘sex’ symbol. I think the audience of this work would just think of the glamorized woman on the front, and not have any idea about the real artist behind it. This I feel backs up the meaning behind Kruger’s earlier work regarding more people ‘buying’ happiness.


http://www.highsnobiety.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/w-magazine-kim-kardashian-barbara-kruger.jpg