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Participatory Culture

Participatory Culture – The 5th Phase.

A Haunting Necessity

In today’s society it is as if you don’t exist if you don’t have an online presence. Glued to screens millions now rely on smart phones, they have become a haunting necessity. We use them for our banking, we find love and work through them, they help us to our destinations, we consume more than ever now with their help. We have rituals with our phones now, we charge them, put them to bed and protect them.

Participatory culture is more prominent than ever, the constant contributions that are being made online are ceaseless, within five minutes you can know what someone has had for breakfast, what their relationship status is, where they go on a night out and what they see on route to work. The mundane every day has become a staple for so many. Do these contributions matter?  People use their online presence to mask their insecurities, it has become so easy to hide behind a screen and portray a life that you may or may not be leading. Our phones have a huge amount of control over us, yet we allow it, they bring ease, comfort, entertainment and confidence to so many.

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Making Histories

A list of 10 Practitioners on the history of art.

1. Johannes Vermeer – Girl with pearl earring (1665) Renaissance Period (1585 – 1702)  I chose this painting because I think it is a beautiful example of Renaissance art showing a true indication of the style at the time. 2. John William Waterhouse – The lady of Shallot (1888) Romanticism, Pre Raphaelite period (1800’s) A true depiction of the romantic movement in art that was distinguished by the interest at the time in psychology and expression of personal feeling and interest in the natural world. 3. Monet - Impression Sunrise (1872) Impressionist Period (1860 – 1890) The spontaneity and freedom of the impressionist period shines through in this painting making it the ideal painting to portray this area in the history in art. 4. Gustav Klimt – The maiden (1913) Art Nouveau (1890 – 1914) This expressive and symbolic yet delicate work is a perfect example of the flowing organic shapes that the Art Nouveau movement depicted. This style continued throughout the movement in paintings and in architecture. 5. Georges Braque – Man with Guitar (1912) Cubism (1907 – 1914) This painting is a great example of the cubism movement as Braque was one of the inventors. This painting in particular illustrates the idea of cubism representing a new approach to reality. 6. Marcel Duchamp – Fountain (1917) Dada (1916 – 1930) The original ready made ‘Anti Art’ piece that raised the question then and now ‘what is art?’ I think it is a staple in showing the history of art because it was a pinnacle moment, art became more than a beautiful object.   7. Andy Warhol – Campbell’s soup cans (1962) Pop art (1950’s – present) Pop art glamourizes and romanticises the everyday object and consumerism. This work like many others emphasizes these concepts within the movement. The techniques used to create pop art pieces have been very influential and are still carried through today in contemporary practice. 8. Banksy – Mild mild west (1999) Street art (1980’s – present)  A lot of Banksy’s work has been created in response to various social movements, commenting on current situations. This piece in particular was created in response to illegal parties. It again brings up the question for a lot of people ‘what is art ?’ 9. Damien Hirst – For the love of God (2007) Y.B.A (1988 – present) This conceptual and Indulgent work of art for some depicts what art has become to a lot of people. 10. Grayson Perry – The vanity of small differences (2012) Contemporary artist.  These works are witty and insightful, thought provoking, dark and humorous. These narrative pieces tell stories of morality addressing age old problems and observations of the 'human condition' and putting them firmly in the 21st century.

I have chosen these practitioners because of their importance in each movement. They are obvious choices but I believe they depict each movement showing a brief history of art in a clear way.

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Glossary

Critical Perspectives Glossary.

Epistemology - The theory and history of knowledge. Ethnographic  - To immerse yourself in a situation of everyday cultures and social organizations. This relates to art as it can be mimicked to allow you to express your own view of the subject you are presenting. Existentialism - A philosophical theory which focuses on the meaning of existence, freedom and choice.  Existentialism in art can create a personal and subjective experience through viewing it and through creating it. Historiography - The process of writing history or the study of that process. A piece of art is only one view of the historical event in question as that artist perceived the event. Idealism – The unrealistic belief in or pursuit of perfection. Artists are trying to create perfection as relates their state of mind at that moment in time. Ideologies – A system of ideas especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy. Through art ideology  has been criticised and challenged. Certain artists have encouraged  the status quo or theory of the current set of political and social ideals. Metaphysics / Ontology - Ontology is part of metaphysics concerned with the nature of being and things. Metaphysics questions the existence of the nature of things. i.e. time, being, knowing, space. Something all artists look at in their work, possibly without realizing. By creating it they have bought it into existence. Semiotics – The study of signs, language and symbols – verbal and written. Throughout history art and semiotics would appear to be Inextricably linked. Structuralism – Taking one whole thing, breaking down and identifying its component parts. Applying this to art is breaking down the arts form, medium, colour, concept and meaning.

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Questioning visual materials

For the task ‘Questioning visual materials’ I have chosen to list my views of Grayson Perry’s paradigms considering how each point impacts the reading of his works.

Style – Throughout his work he has maintained a visually busy, individual, animated, bold collage style, these features that distinguish his work make it not just visually striking but also reads a certain familiarity to viewers as he has never produced a ‘signature’ piece but a variety of works over the years continuing his style. Mediums – Perry has always worked in traditional mediums including ceramics, etchings and tapestries. I think using these methods draws people to his work as it is relatable, understandable and not too unfamiliar making it easy to read. Narrative & Content - Perry tells a story through each piece looking at social status, class, taste and identity, some is also autobiographical. His work often shows a witty sense of humour with a wry twist and at a closer look some very dark narratives. His work is relevant and accessible appealing to people from all walks of life. I think all of these traits are obvious in his works making it clear to the viewer that he is a great thinker and maker of art. Symbolism – Perry’s work has been heavily symbolic throughout his career. Having taken inspiration from historical artworks he has continued the use of symbols and signs giving his works a thought provoking quality making them captivating to pick apart.

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Top 10 practitioners

1. Grayson Perry. I have always admired Perry’s wit, humour, social comment and contemporary ideas he continues to keep practicing throughout each piece. Looking at his work for me is thought provoking and I aspire for my work to contain as many qualities on different levels as his.

2. Erwin Wurm. Looking at Wurms ‘fat object’ pieces I found these works in particular interesting because of the way he addresses consumerism, it’s in a light way, he is saying keep consuming but stay thin – something I think my current work relates to. I started looking at his sculptures for a recent project addressing food and consumerism and after looking beyond the visual component I discovered he looks at the links between power, wealth and body weight, a similar take on my interest in to what goes into our foods and the effects it has on us. I value him as an artist in my current practice because I feel he inspired me to look at my project from different angles.

3. Ron Mueck. Having studied special effects make up I have always admired Muecks’s craftsmanship. I think his works are beautiful pieces yet also haunting because of the hyperrealism in each sculpture. The subject matter of each piece has a dark and intriguing quality about it and each sculpture can take over a year to produce. All of these qualities  are why I value him as an artist.

4. Martin Creed. The first time I saw Creed’s work I thought how powerful and striking it was particularly his piece ‘Everything is going to be alright’ a large luminous text placed in various public spaces. His often work combines people and places and doesn’t appear at times to come across as art. Which is why I value him as an artist, for his capability of simplifying a piece of art.

5. David Cobley. One of my favourite portrait painters, his observations of places and people shine through in his work and are captured like photographs. To me the essence of the whole room, and personality really shine through in each piece, for that simple reason that is why I value him as an artist.

6. Herakut. A street artist duo who work on large scale murals and canvas paintings. I am drawn to their realistic style purely for their skill in painting on such a large scale. Their distinct and bold style is something I hope to achieve in my own practice.

7. George Stubbs. Stubbs was one of the first artists I remember looking at as a child and feeling completely immersed in. The realistic detail was something I was completely in awe of, for that reason I value him as an artist for fuelling so much inspiration.

8. Inkie.  A local graffiti artist, I have seen his work progress and grow over the years in Bristol and the south west. I find it inspiring to watch a street artist develop just by walking around towns and cities, he has a beautiful unique style which is instantly recognizable.

9. Sally Kier. I have always been drawn to botanical art, Particularly Sally Kiers work. I value her as an artist because looking at her work as inspiration gave me the confidence to paint again after a long period of not doing so.

10. Chuck Close. Photorealist artists have always been a big influence in my work especially the stylized work of Chuck Close. He captures the essence of peoples personalities in a very unique way.