CONTEXT OF PRACTICE

COP LECTURE - PRINT CULTURE!

Thoughts 

(Personal opinions included. Thus I may be wrong at some things.)

• I think that I particularly enjoyed this lecture because it made me question a few things regarding the art world. 

• It's interesting to know that there was segregation between social classes as well as in art, such as comparing 'high art' to 'commercial art' (industrial revolution may have changed things)

• In some ways I think that in this day and time, it's not too different. There would always be an invisible barrier between fine artists and commercial artists. Perhaps some would presume fine art to be rather an 'elite' form of art. Though what I find particularly interesting is that commercial art is what surrounds us at the moment, maybe due to the consumerist culture, society and technology

Recycling artworks

• It made me wonder if a piece of artwork is recycled, would it loose meaning? For instance, the Mona Lisa had now become an iconic figure, famous for the monotonous face. 

• Also putting art into galleries. It just happen to struck me at how it actually change the way people behave towards particular artworks. Though what made me think is that what is the difference with putting an artwork in a frame and hung up in gallery and any other public art? Both impact the audience in a certain way, though I feel that art that is open to the public is much more influential and impactful. 

• I feel that it is where people get to openly think and speak, respond. That is perhaps what I find art interesting. 

Print Capitalism 1842 & William Morris 'The Lesser Arts'

• His opinion on this matter is rather intriguing. His work seem to focus on nature, humanity and not the industries. 

• I suppose it's true that popular culture is dominating art and whatever is economically beneficial would generally be favoured. I have to agree with the idea of having mindless, cheap and profitable work to be a waste for talented creatives. 

• The Lesser Arts - printing, textile, crafts, graphic design, illustration, why are they lesser? It also made me think and consider what really defines/make art? Some may argue that commercial art reduces status as they simply create work to produce money. 

• Whereas William Morris simply wanted to level the culture and bring about equality. Though looking at it in a certain way, fine artists and commercial artists are somewhat similar. Perhaps one works around meaningless, profit driven art and the other leans towards a pretentious, elitist art. Something to think about (?)