1. Identify aspects of Durer's self portrait that show a changing view of the artist's view of himself as an individual.
Durer paints himself as Jesus, perhaps to remind people that creativity is God-given. Despite the reason, to paint anything or anyone in the image of Jesus was not accepted at the time. At that time [1500] religious symbols were highly sacred and not to be taken lightly. Therefore Durer must have thought quite highly of himself to be equal to Jesus.
2. Explain how the artist's social status increased during the Renaissance period. Briefly explain why this happened.
Previous to this time, artists were thought of as mere tradesmen who were hired for a specific purpose. But in the fifteenth century artists began to take a more scientific approach to art. This helped to establish their practices as one of the liberal arts.
3. Comment on Gavin Turk's work in relation to individualism, status of the artist and egotism.
Gavin Turk's work is often of his signature, himself, or a version of himself. By using himself as the subject, he explores ideas of authorship and identity. The individuality of a signature shows that the contemplation of one's self through art. Sure, repeatedly portraying yourself in your art could seem egotistic, but Turk uses it to contemplate the status of the artist in pieces such as in his work, Cave. "Cave" consisted of an empty room with a single plaque on the wall reading, "Gavin Turk Sculpture worked here". He was asking what makes art valuable, the work itself or the status of the one who made it.
4. Comment on Damien Hirst's use of his work and the media for self promotion.
Hirst's work has become very well known and has great value. "For the Love of God"[2007] was bought for $100 million dollars. His popularity as an artist has grown so much that he has a company, Other Criteria, that licences his imagery, creates products and sells them on the Web. He has practically become a brand because of the popularity of his work and his status.
5. Find 2 images of work by artists or designers that reflects some of the ideas of individualism, self promotion or egotism that have been discussed on this blog. Upload images to your blog, title and date the work, identify the artist/designer and comment on the work in relation to the question.
6. How do you think artists and designers are viewed in Western society today?
I think that on one level, artists are seen as higher thinkers with the ability to create in such a way that most people are unable to do. But there is definitely that school of thought that artists are depressed and poor and it is not a 'fitting' profession as income is unreliable. For the most part though, I think that artists and designers especially, are seen as intelligent, and useful, important and part of society.
References:
http://www.artnews.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=2367
http://www.skny.com/artists/gavin-turk/
http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/durer/self/
http://www.sharenator.com/Banksy_Graffiti_Art/
- Blunt, A. (19620). Artistic Theory in Italy 1450-1600. Oxford; Oxford University Press
- Barker, E, Webb, N. Woods, K. (1999). Historical introduction: the idea of the artist. In E. Barker, N. Webb and K. Woods (Eds.), The Changing State of the Artist (pp. 7-25). London: Open University.
Durer paints himself as Jesus, perhaps to remind people that creativity is God-given. Despite the reason, to paint anything or anyone in the image of Jesus was not accepted at the time. At that time [1500] religious symbols were highly sacred and not to be taken lightly. Therefore Durer must have thought quite highly of himself to be equal to Jesus.
2. Explain how the artist's social status increased during the Renaissance period. Briefly explain why this happened.
Previous to this time, artists were thought of as mere tradesmen who were hired for a specific purpose. But in the fifteenth century artists began to take a more scientific approach to art. This helped to establish their practices as one of the liberal arts.
3. Comment on Gavin Turk's work in relation to individualism, status of the artist and egotism.
Gavin Turk's work is often of his signature, himself, or a version of himself. By using himself as the subject, he explores ideas of authorship and identity. The individuality of a signature shows that the contemplation of one's self through art. Sure, repeatedly portraying yourself in your art could seem egotistic, but Turk uses it to contemplate the status of the artist in pieces such as in his work, Cave. "Cave" consisted of an empty room with a single plaque on the wall reading, "Gavin Turk Sculpture worked here". He was asking what makes art valuable, the work itself or the status of the one who made it.
4. Comment on Damien Hirst's use of his work and the media for self promotion.
Hirst's work has become very well known and has great value. "For the Love of God"[2007] was bought for $100 million dollars. His popularity as an artist has grown so much that he has a company, Other Criteria, that licences his imagery, creates products and sells them on the Web. He has practically become a brand because of the popularity of his work and his status.
5. Find 2 images of work by artists or designers that reflects some of the ideas of individualism, self promotion or egotism that have been discussed on this blog. Upload images to your blog, title and date the work, identify the artist/designer and comment on the work in relation to the question.
Untitled [date unknown] Banksy
Banksy is a street graffiti artist who purposely remains anonymous. He wants to comment to social issues without becoming famous. Ironically, he has become quite famous. Banksy is now a household name and he has published a book and a made a documentary style film about himself and his art. His style and images of his art have become a kind of brand, but with no revenue going back to him. He is unique in that he promotes himself but without reaping any of the fame and money usually associated with it. Instead he promotes his art and issues they address. 6. How do you think artists and designers are viewed in Western society today?
I think that on one level, artists are seen as higher thinkers with the ability to create in such a way that most people are unable to do. But there is definitely that school of thought that artists are depressed and poor and it is not a 'fitting' profession as income is unreliable. For the most part though, I think that artists and designers especially, are seen as intelligent, and useful, important and part of society.
References:
http://www.artnews.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=2367
http://www.skny.com/artists/gavin-turk/
http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/durer/self/
http://www.sharenator.com/Banksy_Graffiti_Art/
- Blunt, A. (19620). Artistic Theory in Italy 1450-1600. Oxford; Oxford University Press
- Barker, E, Webb, N. Woods, K. (1999). Historical introduction: the idea of the artist. In E. Barker, N. Webb and K. Woods (Eds.), The Changing State of the Artist (pp. 7-25). London: Open University.
The reason for the rise in social status—artist being a bit more scientific—seems trivial thinking about it now. It would have been nice if the artist was originally recognised for there potential to send a message, change society and what not. I also like the example of banksy as an individualist. An individualist who isn’t obsessed with himself, his fame and the money to be made, but instead cares most about his ideas and what he can say to people. I like how you can see a positive side to individualists, all I thought when I heard the term was self obsessed artist.
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