Presention Methods - Assignment #1 - JABBERWOCKY

Wk 13 - GOAD

I found the backyard fence appealing to me because as kids we were forever jumping the old school wooden fences to get the footy we accidently kicked over or to play with the kids next door while Mum and Dad would hang over the fence having a chat to their parents. 

Obviously referencing the typical backyard fence Richard Weller included it in the Garden of Australian Dreams at the National Museum of Australia because it gives that sense of home, bringing back the same sorts of childhood memories as I mentioned above. 

Compared to our 6ft high colorbond fences most homes have these days, I think the typical wooden fence although not so private, gave a reason for neighbours to be social.

In my opinion the GOAD is considered to be 'Postmodern' because of its approach to body of theory in bringing symbols of tradition and different cultures in Australia into one space for all people of different backgrounds / cultures to appreciate. It gives the viewer a chance to come up with their own opinions on how they see these different symbols & artwork, giving more meaning to what the GOAD means to the different people of Australia.

Week 12 - Dada Poem

For my Dada poem I cut up a quote from the 

back of a Uncle Toby's muesli bar box

Here's what I came up with...

'the favourite makes of Grant bars Hackett 

Toby's whole-grain my muesli them goodness 

that champion oats Australia in it's Uncle'

Artists Statement

This artwork is important in relation to Dada because it depicts the main characteristics that we as viewers recognise as Dada; Complete nonsense and randomness, merged and handmade, the photomontage is crafted with industrialised production technology (Photoshop) easily relating to random words in the poem with use of primary colours.

Week 11

Who is your artist?

Henri Matisse

What period did this artist work in?

20th Century

Was the artist affiliated with a movement? 

If so which one and what are the key characteristics of this movement?

Henri Matisse was affiliated in the movement of Modernism

The key characteristics of modernism were use of new materials, creation of new techniques and challenging previous ideas of the 19th century.

What are the key characteristics of the artists work?

The key characteristics behind the work of Matisse are

- making non western art western

- use of bright colours

- rough brush strokes

What characteristics about the artists work has Collings highlighted as beautiful?

Do you agree/disagree with Colling's assertion? Why/why not?

Find an example of a photographer whos work is 'beautiful' according to the same criteria.

[TO BE FINNISHED]

Bauhaus

My definition and understanding of Bauhaus is

"Simplified practical design with the idea of mass production in mind"

I have a wide variety of door, cupboard and draw handles that, to me, are a prime example of what I understand to be Bauhaus. 

Most of these handles around my house are made from stainless steal or steel alloy a non staining, hardy, corrosion resistant material that comes in a variety of convenient finishes to suit the environment to which the material may be subject to in its life time. 

The handles display a very basic clean finnish and practical design that flows nicely with its accompanying subject (eg. door, cupboard or draw). The simplicity of the design never takes away from simply being there to provide the user with an accessible grip to able operation of the subject itself.

NPG - National Photographic Portrait Prize

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu
by Adam Knott 2008

Based of first impression impact for me this photograph by Adam Knott would have been my preferred choice in taking out 1st place in the National Photographic Portrait Prize.

Being unframed the photograph is much more appealing and memorable with nothing to draw your eye away from the subject. The lighting used brings great depth to the subjects features at the same time spotlighting the importance behind this Aboriginal mans pride in his culture, achievements and experiances within his individuality. I find this image very inspiring. When I look at it, it reminds me of Martin Luther King's confidence behind his pride when voicing "I have a dream". It also sends across a strong message that no matter what you are, who you are, even if your unable to see, you can do anything you set your mind to, you can become anything/anyone you put yourself out to be.

Still life with vanitas symbols (after David Bailly)
by Kevin Best 2008

I would have cut this image from the final set because I don't find the image aesthetically appealing because of its poor framing, distracting the eye from the main subject. Also, the content of the photograph is more just clutter than symbolic objects. The self analysis from the photographer explains a relation in the photograph to global warming and uncertainty. However, the story the photographer is trying to display does not seem to be clearly evident in this portrait.

Primitivism

This subject has been extremely hard for me to get my head around especially with the massive workload we already have on top of us, but Ive given it a red hot go...

PRIMITIVISM

1. Formal Characteristics of Primitivist art

Rough application of what ever medium happened to be used (Paint, Pencil etc.)
Subjects were sexually accessible usually women, childlike and unsophisticated depicting a sense of exoticism, savagery, nobility, vulnerability, mythological and mysterious with flattening in physical planes. The artworks were non restrictive and generally simple with abstraction and distortion of figures/bodies and no specific technique or style/s.

2. What is the difference between "Primitive" and "Primitivism"?

Primitive is a term used to describe people from a non westernised society particularly those from an African, North American Indian, and Oceanic cultured area. Basically those who came from countries that were classed as "unsophisticated " were often labelled as "Primitive".

Primitivism is a response or opinion on how technology has effected civilization, whether it has effected mankind for better or worse. A debate of how our lives can be kept basic and to what extent?

3. Discuss how contemporary Primitivism might manifest itself.

Contempoary Primitivism doesnt have a particular style, each artwork has its own unique appeal and escapes the boundaries of what is known as contemporary art. Primitivist works are a much less refined form of art, leaving behind the complications of westernised technique and simplifying the form of a subject using geometrical shapes such as triangles to create details of both facial and the human body appearances . In a sense, Primitivism draws inspiration from new primative sources (eg. glorification to nature and native people), a new way of looking at the world. Many people saw this new type of art as a reaction against impressionism (typical westernised art technique and form).

4. Find an example of a work at the NGA that you think might be primitivist and discuss what makes it so.

Henri MATISSE L'Enlevement d'Europe
[The abduction of Europa]
[Rape of Europa]

This work by Henri MATISSE displays prime examples of formal Primitivist art characteristics.
A nude sexually accessable women in an vunerable exotic position. Her physical appearance flattened, abstract and somewhat distorted. The application of medium is rough and has no specific technique (that I as a viewer can relate to) displaying art in its simplised form.