Work of Art, The Next Great Artist on Bravo

I came across a show called Work of Art, the Next Great Artist  on the cable network channel, Bravo. It was kind of interesting and I was intrigued by the title more than anything. I was curious as to how the contestants were chosen and eliminated. Who decides these guys are the Next Greatest anyways?

The show is basically a bunch of young, hipster artists competing to win a large sum of money by competing against eachother by creating works of art with the days given theme or common materials to work with. There is a time limit for each artist and they are given a variety of themes they need to use in their art. They sometimes are required to use a certain material as well.

The show is pretty lame in my opinion. The people who are all judging are super snotty and don't really seem to have a pulse on what's cool these days anyways. And how does anyone expect the artists to be inspired to create worth while peice when they are required to be competitive? I've always thought of artists as being easy going types who are able to create because they are relaxed enought to let the creative juices flow. To make matters worse for the artists, they have this guy come in mid project and give them advice on how to make their projects more "winnable". I think this guys just messes the artists up more, stressing them further. Another thing that irks me about this show is how the catty attitudes and drama are highlighted in the show more than the artists and their work. Of course, it is a show on Bravo and we all know that competition reality shows are what sell. Plus, this is a show that is monitored by the FCC and can't have to vulgar of content or else no one whould watch.

Even though I do not like the premise of the show, I still watch it if I come across it so I can see the cool works of art that are created. I usually end up liking the project that looses. Not sure what that says about my taste in art?

 

Did the artists' controversial works go too far? You be the judge!

http://www.bravotv.com/work-of-art/season-1/photos/rate-the-work/episode-4-rate-the-work#image-63637

My Neighborhood Graffitti Artist

The exit off the 55 freeway to my house has two giant billboards. There had been a multitude of various advertisements plastered up there. Mostly for Vitamin Water, Coke, and various B-movies. Most of these billboards end up with all kinds of tagging and graffitti. They are quickly changed out and removed within a day or two. But lately, there has been a graffitti artist who is so subtle with his graffitti and tags that it goes unoticed by whoever it is that would order the billboard removed once it has been tagged. I have started noticing the billboard now, looking for new "improvements" to the ads on the giant billboards.

The best one and my favorite is the latest installemnent. The two billboards went up about a month ago, advertisements for the Adult Porn Conventions. I was disgusted to see a blonde chic in a provocative pose with her mouth open plastered twice on ajoining billboards in my neighborhood. The ad is placed so I have to see it coming and going from my house. It is so gross and annoying. But now, the cleaver artist has made the woman look as if she has been shot in the head! There is no tagging or other evident typical graffitti on the board, just a bloody hole in her forehead. I was cracking up when I saw it! The billboard has been there for almost a month! I'm sure everyone in our neighborhood hated the origional ad. Who wants an ad for Porn in their neighborhood? Where I live is families and old people, most definately not the ideal audience or consumers targeted for the porn convention. But I bet my fellow neighbors chuckled at the graffitti artist addition to the add.

I wish I were able to get a photo of it, but every time I try I'm never at the stop light long enough to get out my camera.

Other installements that have been improved have been making Ellen Degeneres' ad for Vitamin water into a graphic art-like piece with all kinds of dots and colors. It looked great and actually as if it were meant to be the ad. The one stayed for about a week before being replaced by a horrific ad for Knott's Scary Farm. My daughter had to hide her eyes every time we drove past because it was so ugly. I wish the artist would have done something with that one. Another one was altered for the better in my opinion was the basketball player making a slam dunk. The artist tagged over the Sprite logo. I think it said "douche" but I couldn't be sure. My husband, who follows basketball said it did. That billboard was removed in the next couple days also.

I usually hate all these ugly ads that have gone up in our neighborhood, but now I actually like them. I hope the advertisers continue to fuel the artist with all kinds of crap and drivel so the artist whoever he or she may be can create entertaining peices for me to enjoy.

Who questions the authenticity of their reality?

I was wondering why and how some people question the authenticity or actuality of their lives. Some say that our life is just a dream or a projection of our own imagination. I've even met some mentally ill people who believe they under control of some sort of machines and medications. The one common factor I have noticed about those who are questioning that their lives are real are all unhappy with the current state of their lives. Maybe the only explaination for why these individuals are so miserable or mentally ill is for them to tell themselves that "this all a dream, this isn't real".

However, I have had days that I felt were so terrible it had to be a nightmare. I;ve also been so sleep deprived and exhausted that I could barely distinquish awake from asleep and dreaming. But, once I've gotten back to my normal self, I am able to realize what is real and what's not. And my reality is pretty great, so I don't want to question it and I just enjoy the good times and try to roll with the punches during the bad times.

But if I had a terrible life with all kinds of mental health issues or unhappiness, I'm sure I would question my reality as well. I met many patients in the lock down units during my psych rotation and they all believe that The Matrix, Inception and Avatar as well as other similar Sy-Fy movies  are completely real and they fully represent reality for them. They were mostly schitzophrenic and off their meds but they were still very articulate and if you let yourself be sucked in by their words, it's easy to beleive their rationales and buy into their illness.

Alberto Vargas



Vargas



Alberto Vargas was and still is considered to be on of the great Pin Up Girl artists in history. He worked using water color and air brushing techniques. His father was a famous photographer and it is easy to see how he inherited the photographer's eye, creating paintings that look as it they are photographs. His attention to detal as well as enhancment of the models beauty are stunning.  The pin ups he created are iconic and well known all over the world.

He started out painting show girls and actually ended up marrying one of them. He went on to work famous Hollywood studios like Warner brothers and 20th Century Fox and worked for PlayBoy in the 1960's.  He created portraits of many famous women including Greta Garbo and Marylin Monroe. Vzrgas went on to create portraits for Esqiure magazine, where he did his most iconic works, icluding calanders. His work was very popular with the soldiers of WWII.

His paintings define an era and are a symbol of the 20th century woman. His origional works sell for thosands of dollars and continue to be popular and enjoyable today.

 

Gradient of Variation in Pattern

How much variation is pattern is considered to be desirable level depends greatly on the personality of that idividual and what aspect of their life they appretiate a lot or a little variety. Last week our group came to the concensus that having a large variety  and less predictability in the aspects of life that were on the more frivolous side. Music, friends, movies, fun stuff are all things that we did not consider predictability to be important. However, when it came to finances, kids, spouses, work and school we all agreed that predictability and little variety were best.

Some people constantly change and never put down roots because it is part of their personality. Their pattern of life is to try hard NOT to have a pattern. Others, like myself for instance, strive for the constant and predictable life. Maybe if I were younger I would be happy and enjoy surprises and unpredictability, but now that I'm older and have responsibilities I enjoy predictabiity. It's much less stressful.

Having predictable plans will allow someone to make other plans and allow time to address surprises that may arise in ones day. Planning and being prepared is like paying yourself in time and effort.

Plaster mold Beach Project



Over the weekend we decided that Sunday would be a great beach day. I was also able to do the plaster cast molding project while we were there. My oldest daughter, Isabella, was very excited about the project. She's a crafty kid and loves art projects, especially if they are messy.

It was a difficult trip since the baby is only five months old and cries unless she's being held. She definately did not like putting her feet in the sand. I thought it would be cute to do a mold of her little feet, but she wasn't having any part of it. My older daughter kept going further and further into the water making me nervous since the rip current was really strong that day.

It was a fun little trip and we had a good time taking advantage of such a pretty day. I think we will try doing this again but leave the fussy baby at home with daddy.

Avery excited Isabella getting ready to start plaster cast molds at the beach



Pressing her hand into the freshly fluffed sand

We poured the plaster of paris in the imprints left in the sand



Isabella's hand print



The plaster is starting to set

Seeing if it's all the way dry yet



Digging up the mold



Digging up the rest of the molds we made



It worked!



My mold is missing a finger, it broke off    :(

A fun family day at the beach

Survival of the Fittest and Beauty $$$

Beauty is equated with health and good genetics and has been the way species attract mates in the animal kingdom. Those who possess youth and beauty most likely are healthy and have the genes to pass on to ensure the species to continue on.  This is seen in brightly colored birds as well as human beings. But what about those animals that are so hideaous and frightening looking that they are able to survive and reproduce BECAUSE they are in fact so ugly that no predator is brave enough to attack it? Is that animal purposely ugly to others as a defense mechanism against predators?

The mockumentary about the trials and angst experienced by those who were considered to be The Beautiful People talked about the down side of being so beautiful. Would they have an easier time in life if they were to make themselves a little bit ugly? They might, but I can't imagine anyone doing that because it is so ingrained in our society and hardwired as a species to be the most beautiful possible that is almost unthinkable to make oneself ugly in order to fit in and be seen for what's inside.

The prettiest woman in the universe is named "Miss Universe" and is considered the most beautiful woman on the planet for that year. What does that title earn her? Money? Fame? Does it ensure that her genetics will continue on for generations to come? Of course it does. She will marry a billionare and have financial security and have beautiful little children who will also be financially secure with good looks as well.  But what if Miss Universe married a poor, unattractive artist or became a lesbian? Than her finacial security and procreation of pretty and finacially stable kids would most likely never be a reality.



Donald Trump Jr and his wife and  new baby

 So trying to be the prettiest, richest and strongest in today's world is just our species way of ensuring the survival of our species and to encourage procreation. The ugly, fat, unattractive, unhealthy, hairy and short millionaire will marry and lovely, healthy, young, leggy, blonde to ensure his genes will continue to proliferate. And they have a 50/50 chance of being beautiful as well. If they turn out to be unattractive adults, atleast they have their daddy's business sense and money, right?


Donald Trump and his wife and baby



Food art, more than just a cruise ship buffet decor?

These adorable and entertaining food sculptures are very inticate and detailed, showcasing the artists talents

A typical food sculpture/ carving

Renaissance artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo was perhaps the first artist to use food in creating images. He used paint rather than actual veggies, obviously since this painting was created far earlier than photography.

Knitting project

I liked the suggestion  of making hats for one of our art project that was made in class a couple weeks ago. Actually, I liked it so much that I decided to try teaching myself how to knit a hat for my baby girl. It didn't go so well, though.
I started out looking at the craft store, Michael's, with my 40% off coupon in hand. Searching through isles of yarn and books trying to figure out where to start was pretty ridiculous. I have never knitted or crocheted in my entire life and I have only seen my grandmother crochet blankets a few time and regretably never really payed much attention to how she did it.
Finally, I found a cheap and easy kit for kids that seemed pretty doable. It was a loom kit with four different sized round circular looms with a hook and plastic finishing needle. I was excited to try it and bought some cheap and soft yarn.
Well, the instructions were very vague and the black and white pictures did not do much to help in figuring out how to knitt the little hat. After a few days and couple of tries, I did actually complete something that resembled a hat.

Poor Baby Macy, she doesn't seem to like the ugly little hat either! It served it's purpose of keeping her head warm while driving big sister to school, though :)

Luxury of Questioning Reality

I beleive it is a luxury to be able to question your own reality. Centuries ago, most people were just trying to stay alive  and feed their families. They woke with sun, farmed worked and did what they needed until sun down just to start again the day. I highly doubt they questioned whether or not what the true meaning of their lives were. In the days of small pox and the plaque, people were just trying not to die and keep their children alive as well. The "Dark Ages" as these were called did not allow people time or the luxury of questioning their lives and the meaning of it.
After the Dark Ages and the into the rennisance, there became a much different attitude about life. Since suffering and struggling were no longer the norm. People were able to consider art, celebrations and have enough leisure time to think about things. With freedom of religion and availability of educatio, they were also able to spark thoughts about a higher power, the after life and the meaning of their present lives.
In the modern day, most of us do have spare time to consider a great many thoughts, good and bad. One of the common themes is what the meaning of life and the realities we have created. If we have a lot of free time to stew and think about these things we can become obsessed with the notion that there is more to what we see and how we live.  Many books and philospers have commented on the subject about our own reality and how we make them into what we want them to be. It's all very person and we choose our own reality and meaning of our lives as we feel comfortable to do. That is, if we are considered to be in complete mental health. Those who are mentally ill....well that's whole different topic.

Iconic Album Covers

Iconic album covers from Rock N Roll over the past decades can send someone back in time with a wave of nostalgia from the era in which the albumn was so popular.

The above albumn covers are very recognizable to most of us who are rock fans and even some of those who aren't. These were very popular albums by the Def Leopard and Pink Floyd, both with a large fan base and cult following. Did these artists and the record companies know these albums would be so popular and did this knowledge infulence the choice of art work? How does a piece of artwork become a contender for an album cover?
A band like Pink Floyd were notorious for political views inbedded in their music and the artwork on the covers of their albums reflect this.

Two of the Beatles album covers. Most of all their albums have their faces on them and little artwork as apposed to Pink Floyd who had a ton of artwork on all their albums and very rarely had photos of the band members. Maybe because the Beatles had that heart throb status and their pictures helped to sell albums?


U2 is a band who is also was origionally known for politcally charged lyrics and later on love songs. Most of their covers have band photos as well. Many consider U2 members to be "heart throbs" as well.

 While these metal band covers are very "Metal" they do not really reflect any type of polital message. These are pure advertisement for the music and the band. They are considered creepy-cool, which is the goal to attract a certain audience, mostly young men looking to be tough. These albums and bands were and still are very successful, proving that this artwork worked it's magic in sales.

This Is Not a Blog

This is not a blog.
This is not an art class assignment.
This is not an excercise in free speech.
This is not an expression of artistic opinion.

Interpret however you'd like according to your own reality.

Cool for some, freaky for others

This artist has created false eyelashed using the legs of flys. Gross? Cool? Edgy? I personally would not like to have insect parts anywhere near me, let alone my eyes!
The image makes an impact for sure. Long, lushious eye lashed are a global standard for beauty. Using insect legs, which are incredibly ugly and creepy to create the image of beautiful lashes is very interesting. What message is the artist sending by doing this?
The same artist has created images in a collection called
Mouth Eyes.   The eyes are the window to the soul and when we look at someone, their eyes are the main focus. By using mouths instead of eyes, the artist may be saying that the words they speak are over shadowing their eyes, covering the true essecense of that figure.  All kinds of weird and crazy things can be done using photoshop.


These are false eyelashes made from feathers with cool looking eye makeup to match.

 Makeup artistry along with photoshop can create a great number of disturbing and cool looking images. Sometimes it may be easier to just photoshop things, but it doesn't make as big of a statement or impact if the image is true to it's form.

Nail Art

The latest and greatest craze these days is nail art. I have seen girls and even some guys with really interesting manicures and pedicures that go beyond the basic buff and polish. It seems you can get any kind of logo or art work you wish on tiny toe and finger tips.


Extreme Nail Art

 The above nail art is incredibly impractical for everyday wear, but I can see how this would be a cool accessory for a celebratory occasion or fashion show. Maybe they only dress up the non-dominant hand and leave their dominant hand basic so one can still perform tasks such as going to the bathroom and writing?



Maybe you can get your manicure sponsered by local businesses and earn an advertising stipe end?



A variety of different designs, some painted free hand others using airbrush and stensiling techniques

Many of the more extreme nail art designs are done on acrylic nails using a large array of different techniques and products such as polymeres and glues. Not all of these products are completely safe to use on human skin and can actually cause burns or damage and permanent injury to nail beds It is recomended that all nail art is done by a professional nail technition who is schooled the appropriate sanitizing and safety rules for nail artistry.
For those of us who would like to participate in the trend, there are many inexpensive do it yourself kits like the one above. It's fun and the cost is less than 10$. Plus, with these kinds of kits you can still type.

Better off Dead?

It seems that many artists make more money and gain more notoriety after they die. From painters to musicians, artists who have passed on continue to reach high billboard music stature and sell pieces for millions. Why is this?

The most obvious point and explaination for a deceased artist's increaed popularity is that they will no longer make a single piece of artwork again. The number of pieces are limited to what is currently in existance at the time of their death, making each of those works immediately increase in value. Simple theory of supply and demand.

I also think that our society seems to romanticize the idea of artists and musicains who have died. John Lennon is loved and admired by many, including those who were born many, many years after his passing. These younger fans are so dedicated to his ideals and music, yet they only know of his philosophies and music from books, old videos, records and stories. And of course no one is going to speak ill of such an icon, so it's no wonder he is so loved. (As a side note, I do like John Lennon, I'm just not part of the cult following).

Another reason for an increased value of an artist's work who has gone to the other side is that everything old is new again. Like fashion, art is cyclical and the fun, exciting and hippest thing from generations ago becomes the in thing for those in the know. Bell bottoms, Converse, Jelly shoes and even the famous Danzig hair cut is cool again today. To get an origional item from fifteen-thirty years ago would be the ultimate in coolness, but many hipsters will settle for a mass marketed replica. The same is for music and art. An origional painting or vinyl record will likely fetch a hefty sale price.

Terminal 5 Documentary

I enjoyed the documentary we watched in class last week, Terminal 5. It was very interesting to see how an art exhibit comes together and all the hard work that goes into it. This was a case of life immitating art and how the entire exhibit and the airport terminals connection with the art world caused it's own undoing.

In the begginning of the film the architect said that they were not even sure the Terminal would even stand up and hold it's own weight. They were actually concerned that the entire structure would colapse on top of them once the roof was standing on it's own. The architects and those involved in building it were actually suprised that it worked and held up. The terminal was built with doubt about it even working from the begginning of it's conception. How they were able to get this project financed and how they could put lives at risk building a structure they were unsure would be safe is beyond me. I can only imagine that the laws and regulations in the 1950's weren't as strict as they are today. But the terminal was built and it did stand on it's own, becoming a beautiful work of architecture that created an incredible flying experience. However, it's beauty and design was it's ultimate undoing.

The currator also went into creating the exibit without a plan that was 100% fail proof. Her plans were done on a whim, just as the terminal itself was. The idea of the terminal was great on paper and in the minds of the creators, but in execution, but Terminal 5 and the art exhibit were in the end ultimately failures. Terminal 5 was celebrated and marveled at, loved and admired by those in the art world in it's short lived life. Just like the terminal, the exhibit was amazing and enjoyed for only one short night.

The terminal was not built to accomodate the newest codes and regulations and the exhibit was created in a place that had too stringent of codes and laws to exist. Both the terminal and the exhibit were not able to proliferate and flourish because of the codes, laws, rules, regulations and their inablity to exist while in compliance with them.

So in the end, was it the regulations that caused the terminal and exhibit to fail? Or was the very nature of Terminal 5 and the art exhibit able to be created because they did not comply with regulatons?

Art and Food

I was watching the the Food Network and noticed that a lot the shows are fueled by creative and artistic chefs and home cooks. The show that sparked my interest the most was a program called Halloween Wars in which the contestants were to create a variety of Halloween themed food items in a timed contest. The contestants were using various artist techniques to create their masterpieces. They were using sculpting, lighting, and imaginative engineering techniques to create really cool Jack O Lanterns. They were also making cupcakes and cake items that were spooky themed. It was so interesting to see how these people were able to create such interesting things in such a short amount of time.

Other shows I watched on the Food Network consistently referenced to the fact that we eat with our eyes first. Many of the fancy cuisine items made did indeed look like works of edible art. It makes sense that something so pretty would also taste pretty too. For a chef to be able to create a meal or dish that is georgous to look at and taste wonderful as well is a true talent.

I noticed that the chefs were judged on plating their items which is purely visual and doesn't change the taste of the food.  But it actually, a messy plate may change the taste because by looking at it first, we develop an expectation of the food before tasting it and an unattractive plate of food can give us a sense of disappointment before it's even tasted.

Maria the Korean Bride- Performance Art Project

Maria the Korean Bride is a woman who has been investigating the meaning of marriage in the United
States by marrying in each of our 50 states as a performance art project.  She started this project after receiving a lot of negativity about being a young and attractive unmarried Asian American woman. She really doesn't offer up any explaination or comment about the marriages on her website or photos. There is only a small blurb about why she decided to start this project. The rest is up for interpretation and exploration of the viewer.

It seems to me that she has chosen some stereotypical icons or type of people typical to each state. For instance she married a native Hawaiian in Hawaii and a gay couple in San Fransisco. Perhaps this is her protest to the very stereotype she has been fighting- a Korean woman who is unmarried must have something wrong with her. This assumption is mostly comming from the older generation. She is wearing the traditional dress of a Korean Bride which can also mean she is using another symbol of tradition in Korean culture as a way of communicating her message. In her message she looks very forlorn and kind of passive with a little bit of shame while the groom(s) all look happy and excited for the big day. Of course if a woman is only getting married because it is expected of her and the man is marrying so he can complete a perfect picture of his worth and life, this would be a typical  emotion and expression for bride and groom.




Alaska

  http://www.mariathekoreanbride.com/



Wyoming, marrying a 5th generation cowboy

 




Anyone Can Draw

I enjoyed the exercise and lesson about how anyone can draw in class on Tuesday. The analogy that Glenn used about a six year old being able to do anything with a lot of practice made a lot of sense. When you're young, around six years old, everyone tells you that you can do anything if you try really hard and practice. Being so young and idealic, not yet having those feelings of  self doubt and crippling fear of failure, we all felt we could do and acheive anything.

I was trying to show my seven year old how to draw a mouse for her homework. She was upset and said she couldn't draw good. I told her she could draw great and that I would help her. I showed her how to draw a simple mouse out of the letter "D" laying down. Her confidence was immediately boosted and she continued to draw the rest of her homework assignment without my help.  After the drawing exercise and lecture last week on how any of us can draw, I too got the same kind of confidence boost about my drawing abilities.

It's a shame that schools have not continued with art instruction classes. I see how easy it is for younger kids to pick up drawing and they learn so easily when they are young little "sponges" just craving for instruction. Learning a "cool" skill like drawing and painting could be a great confidence booster in children who may be struggling socially or scholastically. Sometime a little boost can go a long way for little ones. Art instruction should be included with writing instruction. They are all just lines, after all, right?

Dr Kavorkian was an Artist?!!




Fever, Jack Kavorkian

 

Brotherhood, Jack Kavorkian


Today I was watching the afternoon news and was intrigued to hear a story that the art work of Dr. Jack Kavorkian is going up for auction. I had no clue he was an artist, but appearantly he was a very talented painter, poet and composer. The currator who was being interviewed said his pieces are expected to fetch over 150,00.00$ After seeing some of his pieces, I am actually very impressed. He uses his knowledge as a physicain and his experiences with death, dying and illness to bring the subjects of his paintings to life with such gusto and intensity. While the theme of his paintings are mostly on the darker side, I find his work enjoyable.
The painting entitled Fever, depicted above really emulates how it feels to be sick with fever. The anatomically correct figure with the intense color of heat can make someone understand what being sick with a fever actually feels like.


Dr. Kavorkian makes use of political satire in a creative and cheeky way in his works. A perfect example is For He Is Raised. It shows Easter Bunnies as The Three Apostles raising Jesus from an Easter Egg. The message I got from it is that bunnies, eggs, jelly beans and fun stuff are more important to some than the actual reason for the season of Easter. The holiday of Easter has been totally commercialized. The message in painting is very hard hitting and may be considered offensive to some.

For He Is Raised



Jack Kavorkian has definately not been one to shy away from controversy. He used the medium and method of political expression of art as those have for hundreds of years. He was an extremely controversial character, even having a movie about his life made about him. He has had numerous prime time specials about his life and work as a physicain who pioneer physicain assisted suicide. His work has made all of us question our feelings about death and dying, terminal illness and our own automony versus the law and values of American society. It is no wonder that many people would hope to own a piece of Kavorkian's origional artwork.

The Gourmet (War)





Very Still Life



Nearer My God To Thee