To continue our discussion about the performance arts, we zeroed in on a particular performer by the name of Matthew Barney. Barney worked with interesting connections to the body, the shaping of the body, temperature changes and different tensions that tested the body’s limits. He also worked with alter egos; this allowed him to act as both himself and another performer as this other person. Barney takes himself on journeys both literally and figuratively with his body. Some of his narratives are literally about him going somewhere while others include conflict, race or putting his body through certain things through his travels.
One performance we brought up in particular was his piece where he worked with drawing restraint. He was dressed up in mountain gear and harnesses in the middle of a gallery space. He had to navigate himself around while being restrained by the harnesses to try and draw on the walls of the space. Barney had to force his body against this in order to reach the walls with his pencil. This was his first show or performance piece with his body and he practiced this idea of resistance. I found this performance to be the most intriguing because although it seems difficult and may be frustrating, it kind of sounds fun as well. I think after a while I might give up, which is where I am definitely different than Matthew Barney. But for the first few minutes I think it might actually be something fun to experiment with!
When watching a film regarding Barney and his work he notes that he considers everything he works with attractive even if he is repulsed by it. We se his performance where he uses the ten horses, or five groups of two. As a performer he is very focused and he works diligently to reach his goals. Barney’s artist side did not emerge until later; his original plan was to become a plastic surgeon. His coworkers note that he does not seem to have these fears that the rest of us do. He views the world through images rather than through models. With his alter ego, he can do and be anything he wants and assume these other identities.
Right before the conclusion of class we talked about another performance artist named Marcus Coates. We saw his “interesting” performances where he trains himself to become an animal. He says that he imagines himself going in a hole down into the center of the earth and if he cannot find any ideas down here, he calls out to the animals and birds for ideas. His work is most definitely unique, but I could not get myself to understand where he was coming from. When watching his performance, I was right there with the lady in the audience laughing. He is so serious and into these animal calls, but something about it is just so ludicrous. I definitely think that I’d be interested in Barney’s work before Coates’.
On Wednesday, we switched gears and moved onto Installation Art. When viewing this type of art, we experience it by walking amongst the work. There is no formal way that the work is seen but it works with changing space and the way we see what is in front of us. Installation Art works with putting unusual things in a gallery space. The viewer physically enters the work through this immersive, theatrical state. We as viewers work as active space around the work as well. This type of art can include paintings, video, sculptures or objects; you can work with several different mediums. The work addresses the viewer directly in the space; they key to this is that there is the literal presence of the viewer.
One artist we discussed was Damien Hirst and his piece called “The Pharmacy.” He chose to fill the gallery space with all of these objects and prescriptions, along with the four apothecary bottles on the counter representing the four elements: earth, air, fire, and water. Another artist was Song Dong, who created this piece called “Waste Not.” For this piece, Song Dong took every piece that was in his mother’s home in Beijing and recreated it in this gallery space. This piece was very intricate and timely; there were so many pieces to the work it seemed almost impossible to put together. Lastly, we discussed Jason Rhoades, whose work was very carefully orchestrated. He would empty out things like garages, basements and spare rooms. As we saw in some of his pieces, he would have neon words hanging in the space that just adds to the craziness of the installation.
I believe Installation Art is really fascinating. It is so different and unique and I would never think to do any of the things that these artists do. At first when I saw the pieces created by these men I really didn’t think much of it. But as we discussed them and focused on the details of the pieces, I really came to appreciate the work and see just how much time and focus goes into these installations. I couldn’t believe how many pieces went into the “Waste Not” piece and how much was going on in Jason Rhoades’ pieces. I personally thought the piece by Rhoades where he had a table and then presents as chairs was really cool. It was just so different and so out there but at the same time it worked. It’s funny how stuff like that all comes together even when you think it would be really weird. Even the piece where he has the giant donut placed next to the cheese is fun. At first all I could think was “What the heck?” But at the same time, I couldn’t take my eyes off of the work. It was really something different, but I enjoyed looking at these pieces and discovering more about these artists. My personal favorite is the neon lights. I love neon and I think it gives so much life to everything, especially his art. Before today I don’t think I even knew that Installation Art existed! It is definitely something I don't think I would be good at, but I'd love to try it. I wish my mind was that creative!
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