Category: Uncategorized

Amy Lowe-ArtsXpose 2

Title of Event: Bois Just Want to Have Fun
Date & Time of Event: Tuesday February 25, 3pm
Location of Event: Samek Art Gallery, Downtown Gallery
Type of event: Visual Arts Exhibition

Matt Turconi, Omar Aqil

1. Initial response
In 2005 DreamWorks released a movie called Robots. The style of this artist’s work really reminds me of this movie. My initial thought was that it looks like a weird futuristic coffee maker right out of the movie. The piece is a little goofy and sparks a bit of joy when I look at it. Something about all the different shapes sizes and colors grabbed my eye as I was looking through all of this artist’s works. I noticed that the name of the piece is “Seated Woman” and I must say that I do not understand why it is called that. I can see some of the components that relate to this title but I will need more time to figure out how to make sense of it all.


2. Object description
Front and center is a white ceramic vase with a very skinny neck ending with a small flair at the top. Perched on top of the vase is a triangle object with a whimsical face made out of various triangles and ovals. Behind this vase sits many other objects. In the very back is a white chair with a chair back that looks like sound insulation. In the middle between the chair and the vase are two objects on the same plane. On the left is a black swirly tube that sort of resembles a small water slide. On the right side of that plane is a golden tube with a red base that sits halfway up the vase. Out of the base, the golden tube moves up and to the left, curving behind the head situated in the base. 


3. Technical Decisions
This work is not a physical sculpture but it is presented in what looks like a room. If you look at the very very back of the photo you can see what looks like floor molding. This to me says the artist wanted this to look as it was photographed in a physical room. It also looks as if it was presented in a way to make each piece look supported. A lot of times it can be easy to make a digital work look as it could never exist in real life. The Constitution looks like it was planned to look as if it wasn’t planned. I find that with art that looks like it was pieced together in a random way, it actually requires a great deal of thought and practice to achieve. Since this is a digital piece, I don’t really see specific materials but rather different kinds of textures. The vase seems smooth and clean, where the gold tube behind it looks like it would feel sandblasted if you were to run your hand along with it. The context is very formal to me. The piece is presented in a room all by itself with a very clean background, drawing all the attention to it forcing you to understand that it is the art and not something to glance once at and write off immediately.  The orientation is exactly like the Picasso painting that this sculpture is based on. The work is presented upfront, allowing the viewer to see it all directly.

4. The Work in the World
The most obvious relation is its connection to the Picasso piece. It is a fantastic render of Picasso’s painting in the 3-D world. The artist also added a few new details that gives it its own look and feel. It allows you to see a cleaner version of the painting. This interpretation is a good one but I think it looses a few things. For example, comparing the two, I find it easier to pick out the golden hair from the Painting, than from the sculpture. In this case, the added depth made it harder to see where the “woman” starts and ends. I think that this sculpture would look very at home in an art gallery that highlights art that is not perfect.

5. The Story It Tells
I had a really hard time finding meaning or a purpose in this work. I’ve never really understood what Picasso is all about, and since that this is a mimic of one of his paintings, it was no surprise that I would have some difficulties with this as well.
Imagine a woman sitting thinking about her life. We see a smile and happy look on her face, but yet it’s not quite right. It’s not symmetrical, it’s not what we are used to seeing. The world around her is contorted and lacks structure. The story I imagine is one of a woman who is troubled. Her life is in disarray and she sits by idly with a fake smile on her face unwilling to stand up and make a change to better her life.

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