Brilliant vs disjointed

I was in awe of Nam June Paik, I thought his work was so innovative yet at the same time some of his performance art pieces were very simplistic. I really enjoyed the performance art where he was "playing the violin". The way he decontextualized the violin and showed that it could be played just by dragging it down the street was brilliant. I also loved the T.V. Buddha, combining a video installation with one of the most spiritual figures of his culture. The Residents on the other hand were not my favorite. Although, It was hard to be impressed after watching Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody....Amazing! I felt like the resident's music was very strange and hard to listen to. I also did not like the concepts behind their music video. I also REALLy disliked their version of "We Are the World" it was pretty creepy. I do give them a lot of credit for their jump start into the music video but their overall style was not appealing to me.

NY Times article

To answer the question why... I think there is more of a connection physically when you have a human being standing in front of you as the artwork. There is more of a human urge to naturally touch and have the sense of connection. I think we are accustom to understanding that when you walk into a museum or gallery you do not touch artwork, but when the artwork is a person the rules don't seem to apply the same way to some people. When an artist is expressing their work physically, I think certain people are overcome and use that as an open door to be able to take advantage of the expression.

Art after Dark and electronic music

On Friday night I went to the Tampa Museum of Art for an event called "Art After Dark". I would highly recommend going if you have the chance!! They had live music and artists paired up with different charities to display their work. The funny thing was, when I walked in the DJ was playing the BLUR song "Someone You Really Love". It was cool to be able to make the connection from class. I have really enjoyed learning about electronic music since I have such a strong passion for music in my life. One of the most impressive ways of creating early electronic music, was the clip we watched of the Japanese scientists using the laser to create sound going over dark and light shapes. Amanda Galas was a little tough to listen to, but I admire the boundaries that she pushed creatively. It was funny to hear the ways in which a synthesizer could be used...incredible to hear Walter Carlos recreating classical pieces. The transition into house music was also interesting to learn about, and the fact it was created in a warehouse and that the entire movement was considered illegal. I have always liked Felix the Housecat's version of Sinnerman. I remember hearing it in the movie "The Thomas Crown Affair". Getting into some of the later artists such as Blur and the Gorillaz is a little more my taste. I love the concept of the Gorillaz and think their music always has an awesome beat. What really stood out the most to me was the Latin beat music that we listened to toward the end of class. I LOVED Side Stepper and the way he integrated the drums and repetition!! It made me think of being on vacation and the reality that we only have about 3 weeks left until the semester is over...wow time flies!

Creative Minds!!

It's so sad to think how many wonderful artists were lost to AIDS, and what an awful way to go during the 80s! Hard to believe the voice coming out of Klaus Nomi was actually real. His voice was so beautiful and I found the connection to Ferinelli to be interesting. The risk that he took by combining opera and pop during that time was great, but proved to be worth it. I loved the last clip we watched in class that was supposed to be his last performance, it was very moving! After researching The Wooster Group, John Jessurun, Squat theater and Troika Ranch, I have to say my favorite was Troika Ranch by far. I loved the concept behind their group. The three pieces that make up Troika are dance, music and media. Combining all three of these art forms provides a unique viewing experience as well as giving each performance a signature touch. I thought the choreography in their work was very modern and fresh as well as the sets they created. I also really enjoyed John Jessurun's work. In the age of computer and social communication, what better way to display the actors than from behind the computer screen?! The expression on the actor's faces were blown up and impossible to ignore. Incredibly eye opening!!

Body Image

I thought Stelarc was pretty amazing! His early work with body suspension was incredible and beautiful. Being able to use the body combined with open space was ingenious. His concept was that the body is obsolete and I think he proved that with "the virtual arm". Not only was it an amazing example of art/ technology replacing the body but also very useful for people who have lost their limb. The implanted ear grossed me out a little bit. I don't think I would really take the time to listen to the internet feed that he was trying to implement into the ear.
I was really moved by the documentary we watched in class today called "Sick"! Bob Flanagan really used his ailment in the most creative way possible. At times the film showed how negative he could become about his future, but for the most part he did a lot of good with the destiny he was given. I was so overcome towards the end when his wife was in the hospital with him, comforting him in his last hours. I admire the connection they shared in work and in life!!

A Gilbert and George picture...

More Performance Art...

Gilbert and George made me laugh with how formal they were in their business suites during their performances. Turning themselves into "living Sculptures" was a creative idea, however I didn't really see the point. I thought the song "Bend It" was cute but I couldn't understand the purpose. I understand the concept of turning yourself into the art work but it didn't really move me. I thought most of their art work was a little too over the top, but still made me think they had a great sense of humor. I did enjoy all of the color that they used in their pictures. Even though Orlan was very extreme and pretty disturbing in some cases, I thought her photographs were beautiful. I really liked the ones where she is coming out of the frame, I thought that was a cool concept. When she started getting into the plastic surgery/performance, it really grossed me out and I thought she went too far. I don't think she should have risked mutilating her own body to get her point across. When Orlan started transforming herself into African women and other cultures, I thought she looked beautiful and it was hard to tell she was the same person in some cases.