“While the detournement of preexisting artworks is a currently employed tool, artists use it not to "devalorize" the work of art but to utilize it. In the same way that Surrealists used Dadaist techniques to a constructive end, art today manipulates Situationist methods without targeting the complete abolition of art.”
As artist are we not continuously creating conversations with the world around us? Have artist not done this for decades? I am visually drawn to this type of work, I think the public is drawn to it because of its familiarity. It creates a conversation that people can relate to. I guess I am having trouble understanding the conflict that comes up with this type of work? It feels like this is something that has gone on since the beginning of time. While I am drawn to the use of pop culture I do feel like some of this work becomes similar to a one-liner. It grabs my attention for a moment, I think about it, maybe I chuckle but after that I am done. On the other hand some of the work stays with me, for example Billionaires for Bush. A group that went to pro-bush rallies dressed up in elite clothing and protested for the war in an ironic way (check out the image).
Andrew posed a question in his response in his blog “are we living in a cut ‘n paste society in which we are condemned to recycling of ideas, or has this always been the case?” I believe this has always been the case. What is different about this work recently is the access of information. Back in the day information was slower but now we can get it faster, better, and stronger. Perhaps its easier to recognize when artist pull from the society around us but does that make it any different from what artist have done in the past?
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ReplyDeleteI do not think it is any different from what artist used to be doing in terms of being influenced. However, I am curious to know how you would feel about someone cutting and pasting images of your work and drawings to use for their work? Say for instance what if, I was to take your images and drawings and make something out of them, rename them and write a new artist statement for them. How would you react to this? Or what if I was to take your theme and/or idea for your work and apply it to my own because I thought it fit. Would this be problematic or just part of the evolution of art making?
ReplyDeleteI think I would feel a bit twisted inside, one side of me wouldn't want that to happen and the other side of me would be honored. As far as taking an idea or theme I think that happens all the time, we are always feeding off each other.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your sentiments at the end, that appropriation has always been the case and now it is just easier to access and disperse information, so idea sharing is perhaps more ubiquitous. I do also wonder if the tendency to appropriate in today's society has something to do with feeling that net art is less sacred? I am NOT saying that is is, but I just wonder if this plays into the increase in appropriation...
ReplyDeleteI like your tie to how we, as artists, as people, as students are all part of this spectacle, whether we want to be or not. It is our culture, and our society. Our voices become filters and ways to increase the creativity brought forth by other people. It is a way of life, almost. Your question, "as artists, are we not continuously creating conversations with the world around us". This got me thinking and I completely agree with you. It is impossible to read the articles that we have been, and in my mind, not ask these sort of questions.
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