Artistic Explorations: Damien Hirst

Monday, April 16, 2012

The Last Lecture

The Annunciation

A comparison between the Ustyug Annunciation, 12th Century and Edward Knippers Annunciation, 21st Century

At the beginning of this week's lecture, I announced, "Today is the last art history lecture for the school year." The announcement was met with mixed reviews. The lecture: Contemporary Art, beginning with Damien Hirst, concluding with Banksy.

The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living

Damien Hirst

Graffiti Removal Hotline

Banksy

Our series began last August with cave art in France and ended Thursday with building art in England- full circle. it seems... there is something about walls that cry, "Paint me!"

Resting during a still-life drawing

This week, Allison Meyer finished her Serigraph (Screen Print). It is always a joy to see a new piece of art come together. Allison, who loves to bake, chose cupcakes as the subject matter for her latest print. First she baked and iced the cupcakes.

Next, Allison arranged and photographed the cupcakes (with a little help from her friends). After transferring the drawing to her screen, she began the arduous process of pulling and blocking- one color at a time.

Twelve States

Naming a new piece is always important. Initially Allison titled the print, Tower of Cupcakes. After realizing she pulled thirteen colors, she decided on the title, Baker's Dozen.

Baker's Dozen

Serigraph

Allison Meyer

Allison's next print should be equally amazing (and delicious).

Monday, July 11, 2011

What in the World Is Going On?

George
U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing

"I've seen a look in dog's eyes, a quickly vanishing look of contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts."

John Steinbeck

Art is a commodity. But, that's old news. On July 3, 1497, Michelangelo received the final payment of 150 gold Florins for the statue of Bacchus. This "represented what his father would have earned in six years in the customs job he had obtained from Lorenzo de Medici" John T. Spike, Young Michelangelo. Upon completion of The Ghent Altarpiece in 1432, Jan van Eyck was given a bonus that was "the equivalent of the annual salary of twenty skilled workers" Noah Charney, Stealing The Mystic Lamb. So it shouldn't seem shocking when a Venetian painting from the 18th Century fetches nearly 43 million dollars at auction. Of course, the artist didn't receive the money. He has been dead for some time.

New benchmark for any Venetian view painting established when Francesco Guardi’s Venice, a View of the Rialto Bridge, Looking North, from the Fondamenta del Carbon sold for £26,697,250/ $42,865,105/ €29,834,146.

Photo: Sotheby's.

The age-old question comes to my mind- 'Are the things around us increasing in value or is the dollar decreasing?' Perhaps it is a matter of perspective, which reminds me of a story Alan Smith told-

One fellow said to another, "I just bought an amazing huntin' dog."

"Huh, how much did pay for it?"

"1,500 dollars."

"Well, let's see him hunt!"

So, they take the dog out and the 1st fellow shoots a bird. As the bird falls over a pond, the dog runs on top of the water and retrieves the bird. The second fellow says, "You got jipped. You bought a dog that can't swim!"

As a child, I watched clouds travel across the sky. To my mind, the clouds remained still- it was the earth that moved. Perspective is a strange creature. We give life to erroneous notions. When it comes to the visual arts, WTMWB (whatever the market will bare) is ever expanding. Sotheby's and Christie's both report record art sales. Artists thought by some to be cheap carnival conjurers seem to financially thrive. For an interesting article from a UK perspective, click here.

So, what in the world is going on?

The world, of course.