The reading by Williams helped me see how the development of technology is chaotic and fueled by many competing interests and ideas. It is interesting to me that none of the reasons that television was created had to do with art and artistic expression. Williams helped show that humanity's drive to enhance their own abilities through the use of technology is a chaotic and a self-propelling process. What is interesting to me is the fact that regardless of what sorts of new mediums come about, people of an artistic inclination still are able to use it for their own expression. Television is in a way a combination of radio, still cameras, motion cameras, projection, etc. All of these things that were not created in order to further the reach of the artistic impulse, yet they can easily be adapted to make art.
It seems that art is not limited by medium. An individual could make art by himself on a desert island, or he could go to the fanciest studio somewhere with the most state-of-the-art equipment, and neither one would be creating something that is, by definition, more 'art' than the other. It is a nice concept, and makes you realize that all you need in order to express yourself IS yourself and your environment.
This has been made very clear by some recent artists who use video in order to express themselves. Wegman used video in a very simple, unassuming way, and created something that is refreshing and hilarious at the same time. His video about deodorant is stupid, simple, hilarious and witty at the same time. All Wegman needed to create this was his camera and his armpit; a very low-key endeavor. He went on to make similarly silly and simple videos for Sesame Street, such as this rendition of Rub-a-Dub-Dub.
The videos by Stan Brakhage also showed that not much is needed in order to express yourself. Although he seems to have spent more time on each work, at least compared to how long it is, his videos retain a certain simplicity that makes you scratch your head at artists who insist upon using high-budget resources and such. Not that expensive things are not good for making art, but sometimes the simpler things express themselves more effectively. I liked his two works that we watched, Mothlight and The Garden of Earthly Delights. They used simple things that occurred naturally, whether that was body parts of dead moths or plant matter. It was nice to hear Brakhage talk a little bit about Mothlight too. It shed some light on his intentions, and helped me experience the depth of the work more effectively.
The point of this all is that all you need is yourself! Express yourself through everything you do! In my eyes, every one of your actions can be a form of art if you look at it that way. Use whatever is at your fingertips at this moment!
Over and out.
I agree with you in that good art does not necessarily equate expensive art. Good art can be made out of things found around you. Some movies made in Hollywood that spend billions of dollars with the most advanced technologies often turn out to be crap, while extermely simple and short films like Stan Brakhage's Mothlight and The Garden of Earthly Delights that use found materials (like Moth's wings and plants) cause peopel to seize and really leave them thinking. This blog made me remember the time I visited my sister who is studying art in Vancouver, and my friend who is studying art in Chicago. Both of them were always looking for junks and keeping things like beer bottles. They both said that they will save it for later, because everything is their resources (to make art). It's not about buying expensive stuff. Good art can be made with anything, if you have the right mind and ideas and skills to make good art.
ReplyDeleteI totally remembered Wegman's dog skits on Sesame Street after I watched the video you posted! :)
ReplyDeleteYour paragraph about an artist making art on a desert island made me want to know your personal definition of what art is. Without it, it's hard to either agree or disagree with your stance of making art on a desert island. Moreover, with your definition, would Wegman's videos be considered art? Would Brekhage's?
Your ideas about Williams article was interesting as well, it actually never occurred to me to compare that article to the use of television as an artistic medium until I read your blog!
Also, a definition of art seems imperative after Maki's comment of making "good art". What is good art???
ReplyDeleteKevin, I agree that all one needs to make art is some resourcefulness, determination, and a good eye. I also really enjoyed Mothlight and The Garden of Earthly Delights. It was really interesting to see what Brakhage was able to create with dead moth bits and plant matter, a good idea, and amateur video equipment.
ReplyDeleteAlaina, I just wonder if one could give an all encompassing definition of "art". Sometimes, a person might like only some works from a certain genre, but not others. Even the most avid follower of surrealistic art, might not like all of what is categorized as "surrealistic".
Kevin, I agree that every form can be art if you approach it that way, but at the same time is it always considered good art? I briefly brought this argument up in my post. I just feel like so many people are stamping the word art on any and everything, and that's fine! I just wonder what is seperating a piece like Mothlight, that I actually enjoyed, and something like T.V plunger from Wegman?
ReplyDeleteI feel like it's always difficult to debate what is good and what is bad in terms of art. I do, however, also like the idea that art, unlike many other aspects of our society, can evolve without the immediate assistance of technology. News and entertainment are so directly connected to technological advancements that I can't imagine what would happen if their needs weren't met. I also find the simple applications of Brakhage to be more inspired than a majority of the over-produced feats of big studios.
ReplyDeleteWe're all for simple DIY approaches. Some people can't stop making art while others say if only they had a better this or that piece of equipment or type of material. Back in the day, there were always art profs who's say: "It's not the camera, it's the mind." It still rings true?
ReplyDelete