Week 2- Post-Modernism, Ai Weiwei and Banksy

1.   Define Post-Modernism using 8-10 bullet points that include short quotes.

Post-Modernism is:

·      “open, unbounded, and concerned with process and “becoming” Witcombe (2000)

·       The ideas derived from Modernism were unjustifying and inflicting. “Modernism has played itself out and is now floundering and directionless” Witcombe (2000) which therefore marked the beginning of post-modernity at the latter half of the 20^th century.

·      “For some it means anti-modern; for others it means the revision of modernist premises.”

(Witcombe 2000)

·      Deconstructive Modernism:

The principle and beliefs of Modernism are cast aside:

“it seems to destroy or eliminate the ingredients that are believed necessary for a world-view, such as God, self, purpose, meaning, a real world and truth” (Witcombe 2000)

Or nihilistic.

·      Constructive Modernism:

Attempts to remove all pre-existing borders that withhold the fundamentals of modernism. Seeking “to recover truths and values from various forms of premodern thought and practice”. Unifying “scientific, ethical, aesthetic, and religious intuitions”.Witcombe (2000)

·      Minouru Yamasaki, Pruitt-Igoe Housing Estate, St Louis 1950-54 proved that “social design requires an understanding of social context” Crouch(1999)

·      Postmodernism was playful, where as modernism was about purpose and coming to a conclusion.

·      There was a return of optimism after many wars and revolutions

2. Use a quote by Witcombe (2000) to define the Post-Modern artist.

“The post-modern artist is “reflexive” in that he/she is self-aware and consciously involved in a process of thinking about him/herself and society in a deconstructive manner, “demasking”

pretensions, becoming aware of his/her cultural self in history, and accelerating the process of self-consciousness.”

3. Use the grid on pages 42 and 43 to summarize the list of the features of Post-Modernity.

Postmodernism challenges the fundamentals of modernity. The post modernist artist plays with ideas to make a statement based on own opinion and beliefs rather than in relation to context. There is a balance between pop culture and high culture paving the way for social and cultural pluralism, hyper-reality and intertextuality.

4. Use this summary to answer the next two questions.

5. Research Chinese artist Ai Weiwei's 'Han Dynasty Urn with Coca-Cola logo'(1994)
in order to say what features of the work are Post-Modern.

Ai Wei Wei is one of the most highly recognised and influential avant-garde artist. Ai Wei Wei is known for his installations, sculptures using historical pieces and found objects and sensual photographs. On first appearances you can see how Ai Wei Wei has made a statement based on own opinion and beliefs. As a member of “The Stars” the Coco Cola label makes a mockery of the Chinese government. A country that is based on tradition and values opposed to western ways of living circum when it comes too money, represented by the coco cola label. Thus showing just how despotic pop culture is over high culture. There is playfulness about the work labelling an ancient artefact with a internationally known brand.

6. 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.)

Banksy is an England based artist who uses various different media from graffiti, film and paint. Like Ai Wei Wei Banksy is also a political activist. Banksy’s “Flower Riot” can be seen as postmodern in the aspect the artist is voicing his own opinion. In relation to society today we are seeing allot of widespread looting, rioting and arson in cities and towns in England due to a rise in prices of goods that lower class people can’t afford. Banksy has taken the seriousness away from the piece by placing a bunch of flowers in the hand of the man thus creating humour. There seem to be attributes of hyper-reality. This stencil image is a depiction of what we see on TV a man wearing a bandana, hat and baggy clothing therefore making the image more powerful.

In the second image we can see a Neanderthal holding a bone in his left hand and fast food in his right hand. It makes a statement about humans and the way we live. It questions whether not we have evolved and revolutionised as race for the common good. The bone in his left hand represents a sacrifice of hunting for food and the fast food a sacrifice of good health. Has much changed in the few hundred years? Using reference to Cyndee Mudilar (2011) “ he is also exploring pluralism and acceptance of apes in our society”. To expand, science has told humans that we originate from apes; religion has told us god created us. It is the idea that two different ideologies can co exist about existence. Again displaying humour and taking away from the seriousness a primitive holding a burger, chips and drink. In relation to intertextuality the image almost looks like an early prehistoric cave drawing, “art as a recycling of culture” (n.d)

References:
 Banksy (n.d). Retrieved July 31st, 2011. from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banksy
 Ai Wei Wei (n.d). Retrieved July 31st, 2011. from
http://www.artzinechina.com/display_vol_aid109_en.html
Amir, S. (2008, October 24). Writing is on the wall for banksy's west end mural; Art attack: a council order to remove this Banksy work near Oxford Circus has started a row over who owns the wall, The Evening Standard, (n.p)

WeeK 1- Nathalie Djurberg's 'Claymations'.

1. What do you understand by the word 'claymation'?

What I understand by the word claymation is clay that is used to make animation. “a method of animation in which clay figures are filmed using stop motion photography" (definition: claymation 26/07/2011)

2. What is meant by the term 'surrealistic Garden of Eden'? and 'all that is natural goes awry'?

According to Stangos (134) Surrealism is:

" a certain point of the mind at which life and death, the real the imaginary, the past and the future, the communicable and the incommunicable, the heights and the depths, cease to be perceived contradictably. Now it is in vain that one would seek any other motive for surrealist activity than determining this point."

Alan (1996) goes on to further explain: "Through the unconscious or a highly sensitized state of mind, the surrealist brought forth a new manner of seeing and feeling the world as it was understood and negotiated by Western peoples". 'Surrealistic Garden of Eden' can be applied to the work 'Experiment' 2009 by Nathalie Djurberg as it is almost as if what you are seeing is like a dream or in this case a nightmare. Gloomy and dark, the flowers are out to attack you, everywhere you walk there are claymation horror scenes. As the viewer you step away from the appropriate, planned or expected. What was told in the bible and storybooks off this happy and plentiful paradise is the complete opposite. Therefore all natural goes awry.

3. What are the 'complexity of emotions' that Djurberg confronts us with?

The 'complexity of emotions' that Djurberg confronts us with are fear, horror, imagination, excitement. When I look at this piece I don't know what to think or feel.

 "Through these minutely composed sequences of stop-motion animations, Djurberg toys with society's perceptions of right and wrong, exposing our own innate fears of what we do not understand and illustrating the complexity that arises when we are confronted with these emotions." Biennale Catalog (n.d)

 Aside from being absolutely terrified from the creatures that roam this forest, there is a feeling of utter amazement. The "non-rational drives and impulses in human thought and behavior" Kreis (2000). There is a unexpentancy, so you don't know whether to be happy or sad. Djurberg's work raises allot of questions in relation to what is right and what is wrong. You are pushed out of your comfort zone into the unknown, which makes the work so successful. We like the claymations are always running from something, judged by people who think they are above us, unusual yet unique only to disintegrate in the world.

4.  How does Djurberg play with the ideas of children's stories, and innocence in some of her work?

According to Alan (1996) "Art produced by young children was more real than that produced by adults-- since the art of adults was usually repressed and contaminated." Djurberg has recreated this classic and portrayed it through the eyes of a child. When something is scary and frightening it’s always dark, there are loud and strange noises, and monsters under your bed. The pretty princess is represented by the woman in one of the claymations trying to escape the forest, the Catholic priest are the villains and the clay figure battling her limbs or inner demons. In relation to innocence the catholic priest just stand and watch as the nude woman rip each other to shreds for entertainment. When we observe other works produced by Djurberg’s is it is almost as if her characters have got themselves into trouble by accident which is usually the case in most story lines.

5. There is a current fascination by some designers with turning the innocent and sweet into something disturbing. Why do you think this has come about?

I think that some designers are turning the innocent and sweet into something disturbing because people are sick of “and they lived happily ever after". We live in a world were unfortunately “happily ever after" does not exist. Society has changed and has come to grips that not all stories end well. The innocent and sweet doesn’t sell, where as the disturbing does because it is the truth. When you look at Djurberg’s work it shows the world and the people for who they really are "civilization is a burden and people must bear it for the alternative is worse" Kreis (2000). In relation to psychoanalysis and the subconscious artist are able to express the non-rational.

6. In your opinion, why do you think Djurberg's work is so interesting that it was chosen for the Venice Biennale?

In my opinion I think Djurberg's work is so interesting that it was chosen for the Venice Biennale not only for its visual impact but the message the artist is trying to communicate with the viewer. The work gives credit to surrealism and surrealist artist in the world of contemporary art. What I find so daring about the artist is that the Catholic Church knows Italy as the home. 'Experiment' as we know means "a method of testing with the goal of explaining the nature of reality". In a way this piece questions the foundations of the Catholic Church both faith and belief.  Was the Garden of Eden picturesque and harmonious as depicted in the renaissance paintings? Was it Eve who eat the apple from the tree of knowledge of good and evil? Maybe it was Adam? The work also brings to light speculations that I'm sure the Catholic Church would like to stay buried.

7. Add some of your own personal comments on her work.

I didn't understand the work until I researched into it and read other student blogs on their opinion. This was my first time analyzing and researching into surrealism and I found it really interesting. The way in which artist developed and came up with new ideas to inspire and create art was fascinating. You are taken to another world, exploring the forest and vicious creatures, stumbling across true horrors. The use of installation and claymation is something I have never come across which is what I find so rare and effective.

natalie djurberg: 'experiment' at venice art biennale 09. (07.05.09). Retrieved August 24th, 2011, from 

http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/10/view/6886/nathalie-djurberg-experiment-at-venice-art-biennale-09.html

Claymation (n.d). Retrieved August 24th 2011, from

 http://www.google.co.nz/#hl=en&rlz=1R2ADRA_enNZ420&q=claymation&tbs=dfn:1&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=7nwrTpvWBcOJmQWpyYC6Dw&ved=0CBYQkQ4&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=23252b83265afd95&biw=1366&bih=498

How to make Animated Films

Tony White 2009 published by Elsevier Inc

Digital Character Animation

George Maestri 1996 published by New Riders Publishing