Modernism and Post- Modernism

Maggie, (1996), Oil on canvas, 30 x 24"
(76.2 x 61 cm), Photograph by Ellen Page Wilson, courtesy of PaceWildenstein, New York, © Chuck Close 

Self Portrait (1994). Chuck Close. Detail.

Water Lillies (1920) Claude Monet.

Water Lillies (1920) Claude Monet.

Both Claude Monet and Chuck Close were exploring paint, colour and human perception. 

      1.         Outline the intentions of each artist.

Chuck Closes' 'Maggie' (1998)

  "Artists... see both the device that makes the illusion and the illusion itself," Close says. "I'm as interested in the distribution of marks on a flat surface... as I am with the thing that ultimately gets depicted... [It's] shifting from one to another that really interests me."

Inspired by Close's keen interest in ancient floor mosaics

Close's monumental portraits-or "heads" as he prefers to call them-are often intensely personal images of friends and family, distinguished by a degree of detachment that seems to border on the impersonal.

Each piece of the potrait is both a highly abstract and systematic composition of individual strokes and a finely rendered likeness of his subject.

Claude Monet's 'Water Lillies' (1920) 

   

 The reflections of the water lilies on the water are not a result of sunlight; instead, they symbolize Monet’s personal artistic reflection on his love for Alice Hoschede. Investigation of Monet’s progression, which focuses on the vast beauty of the reflection of the water lilies in his garden, proves that the loving relationship he had with Alice parallels his paintings, proving that this series was far from a simple study on light. His love of observing nature and efforts to capture the different effects of light on a setting, particularly the water in this case, inspired the enormous panels that create such an impressive effect.

2.      Describe the techniques of each artist

Chuck Close combined photography and oil on canvas painting. His portraits and canvases were gridded off by assistants and then he used his mouth brush to paint, using the techniques of grisaille and pointillism within the grids. This is similar to technique used by the Impressionists and Pointillists. The result was still a canvas of mini-paintings,like pixels which when viewed from a distance are seen as a single or unified image.

The painting technique fundamental to Impressionism is that of , broken colour which is supposed to achieve the actual sensation of light itself in a painting. Monet worked primarily in oil paint, but he also used pastels and carried a sketchbook. He used quite a limited range of colors in his paintings, banishing browns and earth colors from his palette. By 1886, black had also disappeared.

Asked in 1905 what colors he used, Monet said: "The point is to know how to use the colors, the choice of which is, when all is said and done, a matter of habit."

3.   Find 2 quotes about each artists work, and reference them correctly.

Artists... see both the device that makes the illusion and the illusion itself," Close says. "I'm as interested in the distribution of marks on a flat surface... as I am with the thing that ultimately gets depicted... [It's] shifting from one to another that really interests me."

Phil/Fingerprint, 1981

Chuck Close (American, born 1940)

Lithograph; 50 x 38 in. (127 x 96.5 cm), framed dimensions: 52 3/4 x 41 x 2 in. (134 x 104.1 x 5.1 cm)

Edition of 36

Printer: Vermillion Editions, Minneapolis (Steve Anderson)

Publisher: Pace Editions, Inc., New York

"The point is to know how to use the colors, the choice of which is, when all is said and done, a matter of habit."

Farm Courtyard in Normandy. c.1863. Oil on canvas. Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France.

4 .   Note 3 similarities of the work of both artists.

     - They painted things revolving around their lives

     - They both used bright colours

      - They both used oil

5.    What are some differences between the artist's work

    -   They used different techniques.

    -   Chuck's paintings was more on people and portraits.

    -   Monet's paintings were about nature.

6.   Describe your response to the work of both artists.

I like Chuck's work better as it is more abstract but concentrated on people.while Monet's work is more nature oriented.

Refrences :

http://painting.about.com/od/oldmastertechniques/a/painting_Monet.htm
http://www.abcgallery.com/M/monet/monet.html
http://www.biography.com/articles/Chuck-Close-9251491

Industrialisation and Cao Fei's RMB City

Industrialization in the late 1800's and today.

1.    What and when was the Industrial Revolution?




The Industrial revolution was the period between the 18th and 19th century.
The industrial revolution brought forth the application of power driven machinery to manufacturing. It witnessed major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology. It began in the United kingdom, then subsequently spread throughout Europe, North America, and eventually the world. it thoroughly destroyed the old manner of doing things. 

Advances in agricultural techniques and practices resulted in an increased supply of food and raw materials, changes in industrial organization and new technology resulted in increased production, efficiency and profits, and the increase in commerce, foreign and domestic, were all conditions which promoted the advent of the Industrial Revolution.

2.   

Research both Modernist paintings in order to comment on the subject matter, form and style used to celebrate the machine and motion in each painting. Answer the question in 2 parts for each painting.




Boccioni was fascinated with speed and movement, and his goal was to capture the indivisible flux of life through his drawings and sculptures.


The first painting, The city rises 1910 depicts the labour s of men on a construction site utilizing the power of horses in their labours. It is this power that appears to be the central focus of the painting as the strong horse in a dominating position filling the centre of the composition.While the construction of a new modern building is the theme of this work, shown by the partially completed building visible in the top right hand corner, it is the strength and energy of the work that comes through. The colors are bold and dramatic, typical of Futurist artworks, shifting from the light yellows of the men in the bottom left to the dark shadows of the central horse. These shadows draw the viewer’s eye into the painting and their mind into the action.


The second painting, DYnamism of a dog on a leash (1912)  shows a lady  walking her dog; a widow and her pet. The lady has roughly 15 feet, variably solid and see-through. The dog has eight countable tails, while its legs are lost in flurry of blurry overlays. Four swinging leads go between them. The picture's sense of movement (if that is what it actually is) is created out of stark black forms and weird flowing lacy veils.






3.    Research Cao Fei's RMB City (2007-9)  in order to comment on this work in more depth.
i.e what images has she used in her digital collage that refer to China's present and history, and why has she used these.




RMB City, a recent work, was created by Cao Fei’s online identity China Tracy (with her platinum hair and suit of armor) on the Creative Commons Island of Kula. Named after Chinese money, RMB City shows a perverse view of Beijing—a blend of communism, socialism, and capitalism. Like Beijing itself, it is constantly under construction, candy-striped smoke stacks suggest continuous industrial production and ships move goods swiftly in and out of port. A giant shopping cart, filled with skyscrapers and religious monuments, floats nearby; and Tiananmen Square has been converted into a swimming pool. 






4.     RMB City is described as a utopia/dystopia. Comment on what these terms mean, and how they can be applied to the work.


Utopia generally means an imaginary  or dream like place. This word can be used to describe this place as it looks like a perfect world.
The term dystopia means  an imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives
They both relate to the painting as it gives the viewer the feel of an imaginary place that is unrealistic and far from reality.








5.     Although the Modernist paintings and the contemporary digital work have emerged from
different contexts, there are also many similarities. Comment on the similarities that you can see in the work. 


Both the works have alot of motion and movement it them. The  first two are represented in the form of fast vivid brush strokes and the other is done with the help of technology. Both, RMB City and the Modernist's work  can see the use of machinery to facilitate further destruction.








Reference :


http://www.suite101.com/content/futurism-and-umberto-boccionis-the-city-rises-a280519
http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=102816164
http://www.dunedin.art.museum/exhibitions.asp?p=3&y=2010

Understanding the industrial revolution / Charles More

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dystopia?show=0&t=1306726654

Science and Reason: Video art by Pipilotti Rist

1. Define the 17th century 'Scientific Revolution', and say how it changed European thought and world view.




The 17th century was known as the period of the " scientific revolution".
Scientific discoveries made during this period brought upon a fundamental change in the ways Europeans viewed the world.
During the 16th -17th century, people began to pursue truth's about the world,the heavens,truths about life etc, without the need of the church.






2.  Give examples of how we can we still see evidence of the 'Scientific Revolution' in the world today.


Without the scientific revolution there would be no technology. 
In 1609 Galileo bought the telescope.
The same idea based on the early telescopes are still used to day to see the existence of planets beyond our world.

3.  From your research, do you think that the contemporary art world values art work

that uses new media/technology over traditional media?

Yes, i feel that the contemporary world values art work that uses new media over traditional media.the contemporary art generation would remember the present  day movies with all its visuals and themes than compared to the old traditional forms of media,i.e.; sculptures paintings etc

4.    How has Pipilotti Rist used new media/technology to enhance the audience's experience of her work.

Pipilotti Rist showcased her art in the form of a 2 different video's playing  totally opposite emotions

there is a video of flowers,which gives the viewer a sense of peacefulness.And playing side by side is a video of a woman breaking car windshields portraying a sense of rage and anger.

5.    Comment on how the installation, sound and scale of 'Ever is Over All' (1997) could impact on the audience's experience of the work.

The installation of 'ever is over all' large in size, and thus the viewer has to observe it properly to get the entire image.The sound is is absolutely different and gives the audience a peaceful sound of birds followed by an alarming sound of breaking glass.

6.     Comment on the notion of 'reason' within the content of the video. Is the woman's behavior reasonable or unreasonable?

 

  The expression of the lady looks like she is in a dream state of mind,she looks extremely happy doing what she is doing.Even the gesture from the cop gives a sense of wellbeing and gratitude.






7.       Comment on your 'reading' (understanding) of the work by discussion the aesthetic (look), experience and the ideologies (ideas, theories) of the work.




The video shows happiness beyond reality,it shows destruction but with a different outlook.
I like the way the music is used to get the audience more involved with the artwork.








Reference ; 


  http://colquitt.k12.ga.us/wjwpg2/sciencerev/science.htm