CONTEXT OF PRACTICE

COP NOTES - Relevant artists/creative practitioners 

Artists to look at: 

Laura Callaghan 

Tatsuro Kiuchi

Malika Favre

Mitch Miller 

JR

John Holcroft

William Morris

Thoughts 

• From what I have gathered and personally concluded, there is no possible way to simply create artwork that mean nothing. Looking back to even modernism and post modernism and the whole idea of abstract and conceptual art, a piece of work would at least hold meaning or idea to the artist themselves (a self-reflection and all about the concept). 

• Even though I still don't consider most conceptual/abstract artworks, 'good art'. I believe that it is still art, but it isn't something that I would say is a wonderful, admired worthy artwork.

What is this painting? I honestly have no comment.

White Painting [three panels], Robert Rauschenberg. 1951. Oil Paint.

Not really. I have a lot to say actually. So bear with me.

• I don't consider this an artwork great or anything, aesthetically pleasing perhaps. Though not beyond that. I pieced a few reasons as to why such artworks (now) costs a lot and is infamous. These reasons being: 1. Name, 2. Trend/culture/society

• Name and fame get together pretty well. It similar in terms of products. As I learnt from the consumerism lecture (yay!), there is product placement and branding. People, society (having a consumerist behaviour) easily fall into such traps. For instance, Nike and Adidas are particularly expensive since we are technically buying the brand not the product. 

• Trend, culture and society perhaps combine well together. Since we live in a digital age, I found the relevance in simplicity and minimalism in art, design and technology. 

• I would say that simplicity isn't purely aesthetics though it is the idea of convenience and what is easy and quick for people to use. I suppose this is more relevant to architecture, product design and those alike.

• I feel that I kind of understand where Zeegan is standing. If Rauschenberg weren't well-known and was of this age, perhaps this painting would be scorned for the thoughtless look of it. And it wouldn't make him successful as an artist in comparison to other artworks that are much more impactful and meaningful. Though it may be well known for being different, revolutionary and the process (painted over and over by different notable artists)

More thoughts 

• And in terms of aesthetics, it would completely depend on the individual (what is aesthetic to them?). Though due to the trend and current society, the idea of 'aesthetics' perhaps could be influenced by the modern technology and the concept of simplicity and cleanliness (e.g. the aesthetics of Apple products, now Samsung is following in their footsteps)

• It is true that not all artworks serve a purpose to 'change the world', though some are much more subtle in terms of communicating a meaning or message.