Week 6- Anish Kapoor Sculpture

Anish Kapoor

Cloud Gate (2004), Millennium Park, Chicago

Celebrated for his gigantic, stainless steel Cloud Gate sculpture in Chicago’s Millennium Park, Anish Kapoor is changing the cultural environment with his public works. 

1.Research Kapoor's work in order to discuss whether it is conceptual art or not. Explain your answer, using a definition of conceptual art.

Conceptual Art - a type of art in which the artist's idea, or concept, of a work of art and of the means of executing that idea have primary importance while the artwork itself, which may or may not be produced, is regarded as secondary (yourdictionary.com, n.d.).

Kapoor's work is recognise as conceptual art in my point view, this is due to most of his art work (specially his recent ones : mirror-like, reflections) are base more on the idea more than the artwork itself, this made the viewer which would think more on the idea behind his work more than the art sculpture itself.

2. Research 3 quite different works by Kapoor from countries outside New Zealand to discuss the ideas behind the work. Include images of each work on your blog.

ANISH KAPOOR

Grand Palais 2011

Monumenta

Leviathan

This huge sculpture 'Leviathan' designed by Kapoor  surprise me with its size comparing to the building Grand Palais. The idea behind this artwork is to work with and to show the incredible quantity of light within the Grand Palais building, he wants to show and describe the size of the Levianthan, where it is a sea monster which is so big that it cannot even control itself by its size.
Inside this huge sculpture, it is a dark space, filled with the colour of dry red blood, this is to make the viewer to feel that they are associating within a body.

Youtube Video Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12Ni0c4D27Y&feature=player_embedded

NZ Herald Video Clip: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/arts/news/video.cfm?c_id=544&gal_cid=544&gallery_id=118592

Anish Kapoor, 

Yellow, 1999, 

installed at the Royal Academy of Arts, 

Fiberglass and pigment, 6 x 6 x 3m,  Courtesy of the artist and Lisson Gallery, London,

Yellow is a monument and arresting work. this work takes up all our vision with a monochrome state. This work is like a belly button into a wall to me, makes me struggle to understand what am I looking at.

" Yellow, a sculptural monochromatic work on the very wall, defying the rules of perception, Yellow is first and foremost a jubilant artwork. The pure solar colour draws the eye, which basks in it. What seems a flat, yet mysteriously rounded surface proves to be concave: the eye dizzies and loses itself in this bottomless bath of colour. Anish Kapoor has produced an artwork that is both thought-provoking and sensational. Yellow is nevertheless nothing more than its title: pure colour." (monumenta.com. may11th)

Anish Kapoor's 'Shooting into the Corner' at the Royal Academy

youtube video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umVSGErfg8E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mrWJv6XdiM

"Shooting into the corner" consists of a cannon developed by Kapoor together with a team of engineers. The way how this cannon work is, it shoots 11kg balls of wax into the corner across the room; and 20 tones in total of wax were used throughout the exhibition. The way how Kapoor makes his work is that he does not want to create it with a purpose of his own, but to let art speak for itself.

3.Discuss the large scale 'site specific' work that has been installed on a private site in New Zealand.

The Farm; this large scale sculpture, really fascinate me, this ellipse shape is really unique, comparing to other big scale artworks, specially the "tunnel" aspect in this work, I always wonder when I was looking at this work, only if I could look through this "tunnel", would there be a interest point of view towards Kaipara.

4. Where is the Kapoor's work in New Zealand? What are its form and materials? What are the ideas behind the work?

'The Farm' is sited in Kaipara Bay, north of Auckland. The sculpture is fabricated in a custom deep red PVC-coated polyester fabric  by Ferrari Textiles supported by two identical matching red structural steel ellipses that weigh 42,750kg each. The fabric alone weighs 7,200kg. The ellipses are orientated one horizontal, the other vertical. Thirty-two longitudinal mono-filament cables provide displacement and deflection resistance to the wind loads while assisting with the fabric transition from horizontal ellipse, to a perfect circle at midspan, through to the vertical ellipse at the other end.

 (Fabricarchitecturemag.com. n.d.)

This artwork is very similar to Kapoor's previous artwork "widow", but he describes his tubular sculptures as "colostomy bags." unlike "The Widow", a sculpture in black, "The Farm" is a vibrant, un-miss able red.

Kapoor wanted to make body into sky with this large scale sculpture, and at the farm, he did it.

the idea behind this is to show a form that both freestanding and capable of surviving a constant arm-wrestle with the sky and the mercurial weather condition.

5. Comment on which work by Kapoor is your favourite, and explain why. Are you personally attracted more by the ideas or the aesthetics of the work?

Personally, I love his series of work 'Cloud Gate', it is a public scuplture in United State. one of the Sculpture,

"Tall Tree and the Eye", it consists of 5ft silver balls stacked on top of each other and reflects the magnificent buildings which are surrounding it. Reflection artwork always interests me, it is always a mystery to me, what I see in the world with my eyes within the refection, is it really what I will see out in the real world. ( of course i know it will be the same, but I feel things are always moving, so it will never be the same.)

Anish Kapoor's artwork, reminds me one of the reflection idea I saw in the Central City Star Bucks Cafe (Metro), the ceiling is filled with a large round shape of mirror, whenever I look up the ceiling, it reflects what is happening on the floor, specially the height between me and the tall ceiling is really interesting.

Youtube has some excellent footage on Kapoor-take a look at Anish Kapoor at the Royal Academy.

www.royalacademy.org.uk › 
http://www.robgarrettcfa.com/thefarm.htm
http://www.billslater.com/cloudgate/ 

 Reference:

Websites-

http://www.yourdictionary.com/conceptual-art

http://www.anishkapoor.com/741/Grand-Palais-2011.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/6218813/Anish-Kapoor-retrospective-at-the-Royal-Academy.html?image=2

http://www.monumenta.com/en/2011/medias/view/19/yellow-1999

http://www.e-flux.com/shows/view/6532

http://fabricarchitecturemag.com/articles/0110_sk_sculpture.html

http://www.spreadartculture.com/2010/07/07/anish-kapoor-part-of-permanent-collection-at-maxxi/

http://www.gibbsfarm.org.nz/kapoor.php

Week 5 - Pluralism and the Treat of Waitangi

Pluralism and the Treaty of Waitangi

In teaching week 5 you will discuss pluralism and the Treaty of Waitangi in your tutorials.
Use this discussion, the notes in your ALVC book and the internet to respond to the following
questions;

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

According to Caldwell (1999), it appears that Pluralism is define as recognising more of contemporary art,  inclusion of individuals of different ethnicities, genders, ideologies, abilities, age, religions, and economic status.

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

New Zealand is a country fill with a mix of the tradition Maori culture and the Europeans, I think it really depends on where in New Zealand we are talking about, since Auckland is the majority of New Zealand's population within, Auckland is being more of a develop city, accepting other culture lifestyles. Probably American type of dominant culture would be prefer as in my opinion, since nowadays, people in New Zealand are often very attracted and observing what are the most fashionable clothing trends, what's on TV and so on. when it comes to New Zealand, first thing I would thought about is rugby, it is coming to more than just a sport itself, is more like a signature for New Zealand, which creates history for the world, especially with the upcoming event, the rugby world cup.

3. Before 1840, what was New Zealand's dominant culture?

Before 1840, there were approximately 2,000 Pakeha in New Zealand, mostly lived in the far north. The Maori began to approach with the pakeha with the settlers, since they were heavily involved in trading activities. Te Reo Maori was the language spoken by the Maori, which was the dominant culture back in the 1840s; woman back then was always under the Maori men, it is told that the man were the hunters and defenders for the lands, since they believes in their life with god and the maori myths.

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

The Treaty of Waitangi back in 1840, it was written in 2 versions, one of them are written in Maori language, for the Maori, the other one was in English, which of course are for the Pakeha; both of the contract was actually different, they both have different meanings and uses in it; I find it really unfair, the British are being really sneaky, which they did this, and nowadays in the 20th century, it still has problems with the treaty . As being a design artist, it is very important we do our researches carefully which does not have any copyright or other intercept problems with other people when it comes to making our own work, so we can avoid having the problems such as what it is happening in the treaty of Waitangi. we need to know what is happening around us clearly.

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

Probably is because of the more people around the world coming over to New Zealand, creating somthing new which will overcome more of New Zealands own cultural environments. But New Zealand is actually quite good in which protecting their own culture throughout the whole world in my opinion. Example like during a rugby game, the All Blacks always does a Haka dance right before the game, which to me it shows they are really keen to protect and to cherish what their culture is like.

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. 

'Welcome' (2004) Shane Cotton 

http://www.printsandprintmaking.gov.au/catalogues/work/52293/shane-cotton-welcome.aspx

This art work 'Welcome' are very unique, it has a meaning behind these images, the top image are representing as Jesus which refers back to European settlers in New Zealand and the missionaries did came to New Zealand before the treaty of Waitangi to spread the word of Christianity; the other face is refer as the Maori, with these 2 combine together in an image, Shane wants to shows the multi cultural side of New Zealand which shows its colonization as more than one cultural group are living together on the same land.

'Forked Tongue'(2011) Shane Cotton

http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/shane-cotton-paintings-examine-cultural-landscape-126412

In this painting, it features a cliff face, a fantail, some maori designs and a tracery of red lines, all these elements are symbols or metaphors which elaborates on the links between the physical, historical and spiritual landscape. the aspect of his art is somehow relates to the treaty of waitangi in my opinion, the trace of the red lines, and the cliff patterns seems to be the landscape shapes, which are symbolic to show the lands which they are referring to.

7. Tony Albert's installation 'Sorry' (2008) reflect the effects of colonization on the aboriginal people of Australia. Research the work and comment on what Albert is communicating through his work, and what he is referring to. Describe the materials that Albert uses on this installation and say what he hopes his work can achieve. Define the term 'kitsch'.

this installation Sorry, is a collection of his work which brought up all together, most of the work are faces of the aboriginal people, the reason why he installed all these work into the text "sorry" is because he wants to show the aboriginal people which were affected by the policy, which cut off the aboriginal people, and culture; this work was inspiried by the sorry as an apology which was from the former australian prime minister Keven Rudd.

the term 'kitsch' means a form of art that is considered an inferior, tasteless copy of an extant style of art or a worthless imitation of art of recognized value. albert uses these items to become art wants to show that the kitsche items that appears to be items of historical value but manufactured, and the word sorry to represent everything what aboriginal people have lost.

                                       Tony Albert | Australia b.1981 | Girramay people | Sorry 2008 |

                                               Found kitsch objects applied  to vinyl letters | 99 objects :    

                                               200 x 510 x 10cm (installed) | The James C Sourris Collection.

                                               Purchased 2008 with funds from James C Sourris through the 

                                               Queensland Art Gallery Foundation | Collection: Queensland Art Gallery

                              

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6afMy0rlqq8

http://qag.qld.gov.au/collection/indigenous_australian_art/tony_albert

8. Explain how the work of both artists relates to pluralism.

Shane Cotton's work has the work of referring back to both culture European and the Maori, which brings a good contrast between both cultural group with simple and clean art, this to me it refers back to the ideology of pluralism.

and in Tony Albert's work, his recently work 'sorry' has a strong idea with the ideology of pluralism, the reason for this is because the work sorry refers to how the aboriginal people was being looked down before, and then the former prime minister in Australia apologize to the aboriginal people which thought that they were anything not as important, and now they make the statement as anyone are just as equal. both of these artist has the idea of exploring within pluralism in my opinion, both shows a great aspect of multi cultural and equality.

 

Reference :

 21st Centyury Blog-Art in the First Decade,(n.d.) Retrieved Aug 28, 2011 from http://21cblog.com/behind-the-scenes-tony-albert-sorry-2008/

AUT University (2011).  Acadamic Literacies in Visual Communication 2: Resource Book.  Auckland, New Zealand: Lyceum Press, Page 46

 Tony Albert | 21st Century: Art in the First Decade. Retrieved Aug 28, 2011, from  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Drb9RbW3Tw

Week 4 - Kehinde Wiley and inter-textuality

3. Kehinde Wiley Count Potocki, 2008 oil on canvas, 274.3 x 274.3cm

4. Kehinde Wiley Support Army and Look after People, 2007 oil on canvas, 258.4 x 227.3cm

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 weeks 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 used in literary criticism to describe the variety of ways that texts interact with other texts, and in particular to focus on the interdependence between texts rather than their discreteness or uniqueness.” (Montgomery, M. 2000; Durant, A. 2000; Fabb, N. 2000; Furniss, T. 2000; Mills, S. 2000, p. 191)

Intertextuality is a way of having contact with the originals, by creating or making something new, following with the originals method or structures.

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. 

Napoleon Crossing the Alps

Jacques Louis David
Year 1800

Oil on Canvas

Napoleon Leading the Army over the Alps, 2005
Kehinde Wiley
Oil on canvas

The way how he create his work is, I would say he  imitates original artwork, then modify it with a post modernism style of painting his artwork.

His work does have relation to intertextuality, this is because referring to intertextuality, is having contact with the original work, which will also remind us from this new piece of artwork, to the original artwork. Just like the Napoleon Leading the Army over the Alps, comparing to the oil on canvas painting painted by Jacques Louis David.

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

According to Caldwell (1999):

Pluralism in art refers to the nature of artforms and artists as diverse. The cultural context of art is all encompassing in its respect for the art of the world’s cultures. Inclusion of individuals of differing ethnicities, genders, ideologies, abilities, ages, religions, economic status and educational level is valued.

Pluralism, in the art way of saying is base on varieties of subjects combining together into one piece of art, for example of Wiley’s work, Napoleon Leading the Army over and Alps, the young black man dressed in contemporary clothing, substitute with the original Napoleon Bonaparte, the king of Spain; he uses the black cultural, to show historical traditions to critiques to the historical tradition that does not acknowledge the black cultural. This also shows that Wiley tries to show the black identity but also question of western painting which not only the white are allowed to be the “noble” being painted.

4. Comment on how Wiley's work raises questions around social/cultural hierarchies , colonisation, globalisation, stereotypes and the politics which govern a western worldview. 

Wiley's work raises question about why does the "white" race which were seen to the society as more powerful, elegant, higher status than the " black " race, and why the "black" race are considered as less important and always being judged as thugs, or trouble makers. When we look back at the time frame of Renaissance, paintings of portraits are usually with the "white" races being the high and mighty Nobel, he creates these artwork referencing intertextuality with the black races replacing the white race as the subject of the painting.

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

As I was researching more information about Wiley, I find it really interesting in the way he makes his work, his style of work gives me a feeling of "fair-play", races which are all equal, no racism; the vivid colours which he uses are attractive, and more of a contemporary art in my opinion, and on top of that, detail patterns as background of the painting are one of the points I really admire.

Reference :

Books:

Montgomery, M. ; Durant, A. ; Fabb, N. ; Furniss, T. ; Mills, S. (2000) Ways of Reading – Advanced reading skills for students of English literature. New York, USA: Routledge

AUT University (2011).  Acadamic Literacies in Visual Communication 2: Resource Book.  Auckland, New Zealand: Lyceum Press

Websites –

Wikipedia – Bonaparte Crossing the Alps (n.d.) Retrieved August 25th, 2010, from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonaparte_Crossing_the_Alps

Flickr, By Wallg (n.d) Retrieved August 25th, 2010, from

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/2426843416/

http://igobyandy.blogspot.com/2010/05/kehinde-wiley-and-representation-of.html

http://www.cretique.com/archives/4012

http://www.deitch.com/artists/sub.php?artistId=11