Week 4. Anish Kapoor

1.Research Kapoor's work in order to discuss the ideas behind 3 quite different works from countries outside New Zealand.

'Cloud Gate' (04-06)

located in Chicago is also named 'The Bean' sculpture because of its bean shape. It is made of stainless steel plates and is seamlessly put together. The work is inspired by liquid mercury and reflects while distorting the city's skyline around it. When standing underneath, a 'concave chamber' is full of multiplying reflections whilst also warping them.

'Svayambh' is a red wax-like block which is installed between the doorway of the gallery. It moves slowly on tracks creating a car-like trail as it squeezes its way through. In Hebrew, adom means red whilst dam means blood. It is like the wall is 'wounded' and the wax represent its blood.

'Shooting into the corner' is a cannon created in co-op with a group of engineers. 11kg balls of wax are shot out using a compressor throughout the exhibition at MAK Vienna. The idea is to produce 'loud aggression yet silent growth' which creates the power and tension.

2.Discuss the large scale site specific work that has been installed on a private site in New Zealand.

Named 'The Farm' after its site, it is installed for permanent existence. The site is 1000 acres. The sculpture is designed to stand up to the high winds which blow in from the Tasman sea so therefore Kapoor has taken in the environment and created something to permanently suit.

3. Where is the Kapoor's work in New Zealand? What are its form and materials? What are the ideas behind the work?

The sculpture has been constructed with a combination of PVC and fabric and structured with steel. Located in Kaipara Bay, it passes between the curves of the hillside. The viewer is faced with a kaleidoscopic view of the Kaipara harbour.

4. Comment on which work by Kapoor is your favourite, and why.

My favourite work is the 'Cloud Gate'. This is Kapoor's most well known and highest valued work. I like how it interacts with the viewer and how it also includes its surroundings at the same time. I think it is a perfect example of how using a space in the right way, can transform it into another world.

www.anishkapoor.com/works/

www.sculpture.org.uk/image/910000000542/1/

www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/kapoor_anish.html

fabricarchitecturemag.com/articles/0110_sk_sculpture.html

http://barnmotskogen.blogspot.com/2009/11/anish-kapoor-royal-academy-of-arts.html

artasauthority.com

e-flux.com

Week 3. The Walters Prize.

1. What is the background to the Walters Prize?

To honor contemporary work New Zealand produces. It is named in honour of artist Gordon Walters

2. List the 4 selected artists for 2010 and briefly describe their work.

Saskia Leek - used yellow and pastel colours in which, the paint goes past the edge onto the border.
Fiona Connor - did a more architectural work. Transparent and white it was very open and refreshing.
Dan Arps - used various medias to create odd and questioning sculptural work.
Alex Monteith - did a video about the illegal lane changes of motorcyclists on the motorway. Was filmed from both the front and back.

3. Who are the jury members for 2010?

Jon Bywater - Programme Leader, Critical Studies at Elam School of Fine Art, The University of Auckland.
Rhana Devenport - Director, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth
Leonhard Emmerling - Visual Arts Adviser, Goethe Institute, Munich, Germany, former Director, ST PAUL St, AUT University
Kate Montgomery - Director, Physics Room, Christchurch

4. Who is the judge for 2010 and what is his position in the art world?

Vicente Todoli who is the former-director of London's Tate Modern.

5. Who would you nominate for this years Walter's Prize, and why? Substantiate you answer by outlining the strengths of the artists work. How does this relate to your interests in art? What aspect of their work is successful in your opinion, in terms of ideas, materials and/or installation of the work?

My favourite was Alex Monteith, Passing Manoeuvre with Two Motorcycles and 584 Vehicles for Two-Channel Video. I thought the video was a good way to demonstrate what happens in our day-to-day lives which in law is illegal, yet we are so oblivious to it and accept it as normal. I am personally interested in cars and bikes so this may have effected my choice although i still think Monteith is a good choice for the Walters prize. I am more digital orientated so I think this is why straight away I was the most interested in this work.

http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2010/jul/auckland-cbd/walters-prize-2010

http://www.aucklandartgallery.com/whats-on/events/2010/july/the-walters-prize-2010

http://www.alexmonteith.com/work_detail.php?id=66

Week 2. Hussein Chalayan.

I feel like Chalayan definitely tested boundaries with his work 'Burka' (1996). I think that some people would be offended by this as the Burka is something meant to cover the whole body of a Muslim woman. I feel that it is meant to be something that represents values and respect but then I think the work is also promoting women's freedom to dress how they want. 'Afterwords' takes an architectural approach to fashion. Like wearable furniture. I think the skirt which transforms into a table is takes an interesting approach to things practical. His work is very futuristic and I think it is difficult to distinguish if his work is fashion or art as he has aspects of both. He has the 'trend' side of fashion but also the creative skill and imagination of art.

I feel like Chalayans links to the industry haven't changed his approach to art. The only difference is because it is commercial he has to slightly adapt it for the product but that is what an artist does anyway. They adapt their work to the emotion they are aiming for. The work still has his modern, simplistic approach that his other work include which is not commercialised. If he is selling the product then he is also selling his work.

I think its important for an artist to make their own piece as things always change when you try to explain to get someone else to do it. Even if the design is fully laid out, the person constructing the work always see's it differently to the person who has come up with the idea. I read that Chalayan is a very technical person and applies this approach to his designs, so i suppose that it is easier someone else to construct this rather than something which carries that personal emotion.

http://inspiredoutsiders.com/fashion/break-it-down-hussein-chalayan/

http://art110.wikispaces.com/art+paragraph+a+day

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burka

designmuseum.org/exhibitions/2009/hussein-chalayan

SEMESTER 2. Week One.

"Claymation" is the term used to describe a "method of animation in which clay figures are filmed using stop-motion photography".

Surrealism was a 20th century movement in art and literature. Its intention was to release the creativity of the unconscious mind such as creating images using juxtaposition that is absurd. So i feel that the term 'surrealistic Garden of Eden', Djurberg is taking an unconventional approach on a religious tale and testing the boundaries of the viewers. 'Awry' refers to away from the appropriate so 'all that is natural goes awry' I think relates again to the unconventional method of how the art was made. The colours are very bold and characteristic. She has taken something which is supposed to be so beautiful and made it crazy and out there.

The complexity of emotions Djurberg confronts us with is taking something pleasant and adding a rough edge that almost adds troubling emotion. The colours and the texture and the sort of melting look about the clay figures add to this.

Djurbeg plays with the ideas of children's stories and innocence in her works through her child like figures in which she then goes and adds a touch of disturbance. I noticed she adds a lot of sexuality to her work which plays on that 'complexity of emotions'. What starts of sweet seems to end quite irrational.

I think the fascination with turning innocent and sweet into something disturbing comes from the fact that it is more of a shock factor. In reality, we are faced with a lot of things which are disturbing, and although we wish we weren't interested, we are. It leaves more of a lasting mark, and I think designers are now playing on the fact that we are much more pulled in to things like this, compared to sweet and sensitive.

I think that Djurbeg's work is interesting and chosen because she took risks. The contradiction between the subject and the media is very interesting to look at and it makes you want to know her thought behind it. Her work is displayed almost like a playground which then relates to her ideas of children's stories. The work feels young and playful but then also very mature and dark at the same time.

Djurbeg's in a way reminds me of Alice in Wonderland. These outrageous figures that jump out at you and let you explore around. I think the work is very successful in bringing a lot of emotion to the table

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0268/is_7_45/ai_n24354920/

http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/10/view/6886/nathalie-djurberg-experiment-at-venice-art-biennale-09.html

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nathalie-djurberg

http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/blogon/art_news/nathalie_djurberg_in_conversation_with_ana_finel_honigman/3391

http://hammer.ucla.edu/exhibitions/detail/exhibition_id/73