Landscape and the Sublime

Wanderer in the mists (1818) Casper David Friedrich

Untitled # 394 - 03 (2003) Richard Misrach

Untitled # 2 (2002) Richard Misrach

1. What and when was the Enlightenment?

The Enlightenment was set of ideas which mainly was the questioning of tradition, customs, and morals which was mainly from the church, aswell as a strong belief in rationality and science. (Hackett, 1992)

It was hard to say when the start of the age of enlightenment was but most historians simpy use the middle of the seventeenth to beginning of the eighteenth century as a deafly date however some say it started with the Napoleonic Wars (1804-15) or even Britains "Glorious Revolution" (1688). (Frost, 2004)

2. Define the concept of the Sublime.

The exact definition of “the sublime” changes from author to author, but most agree that the sublime

is marked by the grandness, enormity and incomprehensibility by the world around us and gives us a humbling pleasure which is commonly associated with nature like mountains, landscapes and storms. (Stone, 2007)

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

The concept of the sublime came from a smiler thought process of the Enlightenment but was more about society. However sublime focuses on how insignificant humans are compared to the world as a whole. Before the Enlightenment western society thought they were the center of the world which could be demonstrated by how they thought they were the center of the universe and Galileo Galilei proved that we were not. With the idea of reasoning with scientific fact from the Enlightenment it was very humbling and showed how insignificant humans are compared to the vastness of the natural world. (Whitlock, 2004)

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.

Playground and Shell Refinery, Norco, Louisiana (1998) Richard Misrach

World's Fastest Mobile Home (96mph), Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah (1992)

With Misrachs work he always has some form of society represented either by man or a common object or scene which is necessary to explain the idea of sublime. I particularly like how he has developed from having just nature and using a city landscape in "Playground and Shell Refinery"

In terms of the aesthetics of his work i like the balance between the representation of society to the landscape and how it still has a strong relationship even though the scale is way out of proportion. Also the placement he uses is very central based which I think supports the idea of the sublime swell.

He says "Both in reality and metaphorically the ocean is just this vast unknown for us. It’s the ultimate definition of the sublime because we’re in awe of it—its glory and its beauty—but it’s still really scary and dangerous." which confirms his understanding of the sublime in his works.

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

J. M. W. Turner

William Pars (1742-1782): "A Bridge near Mont Grimsel", n.d.

The Nile River, Van Diemen's Land, from Mr. Glover's Farm, by John Glover, 1835. Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide.

Olafur Eliasson’s 'The Weather Project’ (2003)

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

In his photos of the beaches and ocean i find it is very transcendent and easy to look and reflect upon. I find myself imagining myself in the vastness with a sense of ease and humbleness. Living in modern society we find ourselves not simply appreciating our surroundings but looking at his work he almost locks you in a trance of bliss from your normal life.

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

References:

Whitlock, D. L. (2004). Galileo Galilei. Retrieved from StarChild Nasa: http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/whos_who_level2/galileo.html

Frost, M. (2004). The Age Of The Enlightenment. Retrieved from Martin Frost: http://www.martinfrost.ws/htmlfiles/enlightenment_age.html

Hackett, L. (1992). Age Of Enlightenment. Retrieved from History World: http://history-world.org/age_of_enlightenment.htm

Stone, J. (2007). The Sublime.

The Social Status of the Artist

Self Portrait in Fur Coat (1500) Albrecht Durer

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

Durer has portrayed himself as a successful artist indicated by his posture and clothing. he makes himself out to be a very important man and looks very knowledgable and wealthy. This idea of painters being respected highly was new in his era because painting was not valued as much as the other arts.

With this the artist's view as an individual was more profound and the idea of individualism was conceived. (Steven, 2011) People began to admire their artistry as well as the subject of the artwork and there was more worth put in work that was innovative. Durer was one of the key people of this idea and was one of the few artists from the renaissance period to paint self-portraits and had been claimed to be the first known artist to do a self portrait.

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

“The renaissance period was the start of a great debate over the social position of the artist”, (Blunt, 1962).

Artists were originally classified as tradesmen being perceived as just simply copying what they see. As artists became more innovative and explored new techniques and skills the artist created greater depth and were acknowledge as needing a skill and knowledge to do their work and artists were no longer thought of as tradesmen. A master artist could become a highly respected member of the community. He could dictate his own terms in his work and enjoy a much higher social status than a mere craftsman. And superstar artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo became famous throughout Europe, helping create the modern image of the artist as an independent creative genius. (Hauser, 1999)




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

Knob (1997) Gavin Turk

Damien Hirst and Maia Norman (1995)

Announcing his signature and his mere name as art is very self glorifying and egotistical but can perceived in a individuallistic sense as in himself is completely different to anyone else and showing his importance. i wouldn't see this as art but i can appreciate his explanation of individualism and status of the artist in this work.

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

“During the 1990’s Damien Hirst became Britain’s most famous, young, living sculptor and painter, in part because of his own flair in self promotion and publicity skills,” (Walker, 2009).

In his self-promotion and his efforts to publicize his painting, sculpture and installations his work he has made him the worlds richest living artist. Even though he is not doing as much more then other artists he has become very popular and has been very fortunate with finding publicity opportunities. He employs 180 people to make his ideas into art and this has been very controversial amongst the arts community but he still has become one of the most influential living artists.

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.

Display Book Shelf (2010) Daniel Eatock

One Pin Notice (2010) Daniel Eatock


Eatock has created these simple looking pieces which with there variables form a coincidental form. For example in One pin notice the writing is perfectly horizontal where the rest of the paper is on a slant. If the paper was horizontal then the writing would be crooked. I think this brings out an idea of individualism because he is going for something innovative in a very normal setting. the objects he uses are very plain everyday objects but has innovatorly placed them in a manner that expresses coincidence and individualism.


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

I think artists toady are recognized as individual expressionists who are to give the audience something to experience. To be viewed as a good artist in western society today however also involves being individualistic and innovative in their work. Since there are less restraints on artist today artists aim to be ever more creative then the renaissance period.

“The goals for artists that were formed during the renaissance – creativity, originality and innovation – are still what artists strive for today.” (The Artists Life)


Reference:

Individualism. (2011). In Encyclopædia Britannica.

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/286303/individualism

Blunt, A. (1962). Artistic Theory in Italy 1450-1600. Oxford; Oxford University Press.

Hauser, A. (1999). The Social History of Art: Renaissance, mannerism, baroque. London: Routledge.

Walker, J. (2009, December 9). Damien Hirst: The Artist as Media Celebrity.

www.artdesigncafe.com/damien-hirst-media-celebrity-2001

Ron Mueck's Sculpture & Humanism

A girl (2006) Ron Mueck

Mask II (2006) Ron Mueck

Q1: Mueck's sculpture is described as 'hyper-real'. Define the meaning of this term and apply it to his work.

if a sculpture were hyper real it would be a "photorealistic sculpture, for the most part... (and) aim to show us our bodies and life as it really is. Technically, artists who strive for a high resolution level of detail in painting or sculpture are called “hyperrealists”, although all hyperrealists are also considered to be photorealists."

in ron mueks work he makes these sculptures so life like that the viwer stugles to determine if his works are real or not.

Q2. Mueck is not interested in making life size sculpture. Find out why he is more interested in working with the scale of the figure, which is not life size, and mention 2 works, which use scale that is either larger or smaller than life.

Mueck intention was for "the viewer to be struck first by the scale of the piece, rather than its topic" ("Playing with scale", 2003) with the piece 'pregnught woman'. this piece was put at the entrance of his exhibitions and you would encounter the piece from the rear and the visitor "would only discover her bulging belly--the ostensible reason for the sculpture--by moving around the figure."

Mueck also mentions "I never made life-size figures because it never seemed interesting," (Making Unreal Faces, 2011) and further reinforces that "We meet life-size people every day." the below image is 6 feet long and 5 feet tall and is detailed down to every hair and wrinkle. implying this sense of hyper-realism

Q3. Define Renaissance Humanism, and analyze the term in order to apply it to an example of Mueck's work. Note that the contemporary definition of Humanism is much broader than the Renaissance definition.

"Renaissance Humanism is a system of thought that considers human beings, rather than the church, as able to decide their own morals, truths and behaviours", (p54 ALVC resource book). This humanistic approach was the start of the renaissance and artists were not limited by dominant religion and church norms.

Muecks works do not directly relate to humanism like works from the renaissance period would but do however challenge the viewers morals, truths and behaviors with his hyper-real approach.

4. Research and discuss one of Mueck's sculptures that you might find challenging or exciting to experience in an art gallery. Describe the work, upload an image of the work, and explain your personal response to the work.

i found this image to be very provoking and challenging. it looks like its a still born baby which has just been born. its position makes it seem neglected and unloved. this challenges me cause I initially think of a new born baby to be a precious moment and to see it in this light its challenging. i can see this sculpture being very relevant to many woman swell.

References:

Playing with scale (2003, March)

http://find.galegroup.com.ezproxy.aut.ac.nz/gtx/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T003&prodId=EAIM&docId=A100174509&source=gale&srcprod=EAIM&userGroupName=aut&version=1.0

Making Unreal Faces (2011m, February)

http://ezproxy.aut.ac.nz/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/847025885?accountid=8440

AUT University (2011) Academic Literacies In Visual Communication 1. (pp.54) Auckland, NZ