Why did we do this project?

WHY?
I think the reason we did this project is because, well there is many reasons. First, I believe most artists have to accumulate whatever they need to for their pieces. Whether it be buttons, grass, money, or an audience. To be a successful artist you have to accumulate respect, things for your resume, and resources. Also, I believe that Malena wanted to have us constantly think about this project by having these monotonous blog posts- I thought it was such an ridiculous act. It made me lose interest in the project because I have such a sort attention span if I stay on something to long I get bored of it.

Actual Project

It took me a really long time to figure out what to do with all these buttons. I knew I wanted it to be about Galax. Why not make the project about the people of Galax because that is who makes up the town. In the past twenty years Galax has become more industrialized with a Walmart, Applebees, McDonalds, etc. Although these companies can be practical they ruin the authenticity of this small little mountain town. I believe that the people of this town don't really want these companies taking over their town. Most of the people there are pretty old fashioned and like to keep things the way they are. But I believe that this message that I will send them will remind them of the unity that they all share to this city.
PROPOSAL
For my project I want to send out these buttons I have collected to each of the residents of Galax. These buttons will be attached to a sheet of paper, explaining the purpose of my project. The message will read

This button is from a collection of buttons.
All from this town of Galax.
This button represents the history, and originality of this
Rural, mountainous, little city.
Help keep this area an historic landmark.
Stop industrialization now
And prevent the corruption of our small mountain town.
Next time you go to a chain store
I hope you think of this button
Supporting these corporations will only attract more.
Before you know it Galax will no longer be recognized
As a quiet, attractive, little treasure.

The paper represents the fragility of the town, how easily these companies can destroy the humbleness of Galax. The thread represents the people, together, although a small community, they can prevent industrialization. And of course the button represents the originality and individuality of Galax. See each button is different, but different in my opinion is a wonderful- who wants to have all the same stores and become cookie cutter just like every other suburban city in the United States? And receiving these button messages through the mail is also part of the process. I want people to compare this message to the annoying ads, and bills they receive. The more industrialization equals more ads, higher taxes, and more bills.

Accumulation Project

Accumulation Project
So beginning this project I thoguht what could I collect that would reflect me as a person. I thought of stupid things like tanning packets, and staples, but thoughs things don't have anything to them- completely materialistic (which is sort of who I am, unfortunately). So I went an antique shop and found a jar of buttons. I thought Buttons PERFECT- each button belonged to someone at sometime- I mean think what that button has seen/ been through. Maybe a wedding, a car accident, or even WW2. I hadn't planned on getting all my buttons in Galax, VA. But thats what happened- and half way through the project- I thought you know maybe I could do something with the small country mountain town. So basically, buttons are extremely expensive- but for the jars that they come in no the buttons- basically the buttons come with the jar you buy. I ended up spended around 100 bucks for all of the buttons I collected- The reason I don't have alot of posts is because I didn't go to Galax every weekend, and i really wanted this project to be about Galax.

4/28/08

LAST DAY OF CLASS!

I am glad this class is over- but I am going to miss it- it's like no other class Ive had, and I probably wont have again. I definately think the people made the class- such a great mix of personalities together with all different experiences and knowledge. But today we finished presenting our site specific projects. Joey's was so funny- I mean the concept wasnt with the eskomos dying out and everything, but it was almost like he was making fun of Scarlett Craafland's work. The photography was quite good as well. Arutyan's video was quite interesting I had no idea about the Armanian Genocide. And using his site as Youtube- so different, and smart. I would love to do a piece that I want people to see on virtual space. But i dont know if I feel that strong about anything. Ryan did urban sprawl which I thought was a great concept, but I think the piece would have been more understood on a larger scale, because after all it is happening all over the world- I cant believe that Charlotte is only going to have I believe 3% green space left- it's going to turn into Manhattan. That is why I do not want to live here in the future.

Unofficial Manifesto for Telling the Truth About Public Art

By Jeannene Przyblyski
(wow what a last name)

Well since every rule begins with "I am for" I assume this is for artists that display their art in public, which is almost everyone- unless your a closet artist. Only one rule that I dont agree with. " Rule number 8: I am for public art that doesnt pretend that everyone's story is instristically interesting to everyone else." Every artist that I look at I try to identify with them- like for instance with let's say Andy Warhol- without knowing anything about him I would say that he grew up in an urban city- tried to fit in, but couldn't and always wanted to be famous, loved the concept of identifying with the mainstream America. I find everyone's story interesting that is what makes people so interesting.
But I did identify with the quote that I want to put on my ceiling is that "I am for public art that believes with all sincerity that risk is a permanent condition." I feel that I dont but risk in a lot of my work. Well you know I take that back- with my Identity Project I put illegal drugs on the internet, and me "doing" them. For my time piece I went to private party- actually government property it was behind a school in broad daylight and dug hole (which is defacing private property). If I have an idea thats illegal, ill still do it. But does that define risk? I dont believe so, Risk is the chance of injury or loss; a hazard or dangerous chance. Risk in art is doing what you want without caring about what other people think- doing what you want- even if it disgusts, injures (like Arnaldo Morales' work), or upsets the viewer.

How Creativity is Killing the Culture

Ok this article is semi-interesting, I mean I usually don't read about bumper stickers. I would ram that person in the back just for that bumper stick and say "Boring people must be stopped" I mean seriously what does that guy have against creative people- he's just jealous. Anyway back to the article. Micheal Fallon is stupid to even question this statement. He says " Isn't it the case with all these creatives roaming around we simply dont have enough people left to ingest all the creative soup?" I completely disagree with this statement- artists feed off of other artists- that is what makes the creative world go round. Artists reflect on other artist's work and interpret their own idea for their art. It seems to me that Fallon is just feed up with the art world- I mean it is a dog eat dog kinda place. And there are so many young artists willing to sell their sole to be a famous artist. I do agree with his phrase "Just Create" because honestly that is all a person can do- and hope that people enjoy their work. Everyone isn't going to understand your work or like it, but the contemporary art world is so full of different styles someone is bound to like your work. I think one thing that artists have a problem with is negotiating their work to fill the needs of the public- which is good I guess If you want to sell out- I could understand if you are trying to make a living. I also think it's complete bullshit that rich people go out and buy art that has a name just so they can say they have a blah blah blah. It's just not fair, but I guess the world isn't fair and the only way you can make money is to be famous.

Andy Goldsworthy

This is a rather thorough description of Andy Goldsworthy's Garden of Stones. His work in most of his pieces is quite conceptual. I do like the idea that is contemplated with this piece whether it is a garden of life or death. What Im understanding is that the trees planted in the middle of the rocks. Goldsworthy brings stone and trees together as a representation of life cycles intertwined. For example I see the stone(or grave) representing death or rememberance and the tree represents life or growth. In which I think is perfect symoblizism of the Holocaust. I believe that the trees growth wiill be greatly affected by the stones, but will still grow strong- Just like the Jewish people after the Holocaust. Making the impossible possible. THe stones are the burden and hurt put on the people by the tragedy. I do not believe that the Hebrew words are neccesary on the stones- maybe for the unartistic mind who wouldnt understand his piece, but I believe that the piece speaks for it's self.

4/23/08

Today we presented projects- I presented mine-I always go last and we never really get to talk about mine. But I guess thats ok. Anyways, I loved Ray's of course- shes always so creative with her concept and her execution. And then there's Drake's piece- my FAVORITE- everyone always shuns sex- and we can look at cruesome horror films with torture and gore- but sex is looked down upon. Such a create phenomenon to pick for this project- simply genious. I completely agree sex is looked down upon becuase of all of the christian values, but christians have sex- its how babys are born- and it should be embraced not pushed away. Its also such a fun topic to talk about- everyone enjoys sex, they just dont want to admit it.

Site Project

Project 3

For this project- I took site specific quite literally. I planned doing pictures but a video seemed more effective for what I am doing. This project is supposed to represent the stereotypes in the eastern US- more specifically country people and city people. I am constantly subjected to noticing this difference in people. My boyfriend lives in Galax, VA (know one has really heard of it)- and his town has 3000 people- and alot of what some might consider redneck. I go and visited him alot on the weekends and driving from Charlotte to this environment that is completely different was shocking for me at first, but I deal with it because I love him. Opposites attract. But I everytime I go up there I always see the differences of how these people live and how I live.

Process
THAT WATER WAS SO COLD


VIDEO- make sure sound is on

4/21/08

In class we viewed some contemporary artists- that where quite out of the ordinary. Malena compared alot of the artist's work with greek mythology in which I had never heard before. I really enjoyed Jenny Saville's large scale paintings they remind me alot of Will Puckett's work with the expressive paint strokes and color schemes. Mark Quinn probably the first contemporary artist that I had remembered his name- my teacher at Virginia Tech had to me about his work. That blood head was so out of the ordinary it just stuck in my head- who knows what will stick with me next year.

4/16/08

Today we had a guest speaker: Barbara Schreiber. Her work was EXTREMELY interesting as well as her personality- she reminded me of my Mary Kay lady who i used to work for-open minded, fun, and hilarious. Her work was funny- which you seldomly see in artists- most are sad and depressing. She described her current work as "irritable little paintings about the obsurdity of daily life. Loved her paperdoll like Happy Penis (ithink) and Miss Titty. It reminded me of something my girlfriends would get me at a bachlorette party or something. One thing she told me was that galleries take 50%! I had no idea- thats ridiculous I mean I could understand it was like an extremely detailed installation that took alot of work to put up- but for a painting - all they did was hang it- its just ridiculous- it just turns me off about being an artist.

4/14/08

We talked about Project 3 today. Malena showed us examples of site specific work. I thought my Time project was site specific- should have saved it for this one. I loved Scarlett Craafland's work. It was almost biblical - her naked body against nature- but we don't consider naked women with nature anymore- naked women are considered sexual, provacative, and in some ways sinful. But I consider the naked body as parts of nature, like Adam and Eve. Also, we looked at Andy Goldsworthy's work which was more obviously nature vs. nature. I would love to do something like that- but i dont think i would have the patience. In his videos he didnt explain what his work meant to him- I really wish he would have- it sure is aesthetically pleasing, but what does it mean?

4/11/08

Went to Galax again, the lady at Bonaparte Antiques now knows my name- she told me that all the buttons I get are from one vendor. i wonder where he gets all these buttons. Maybe estate auctions.

4/9/08

Today we went to Will Puckett's house- I LOVED this field trip- it was such a pleasure to see how artist's live- it was such a personal experience- ok I do have to say that it smelled like straight up pot when we walked in there - but I figure most artists do some sort of drugs- But Will's work was very developed. He has his own style- and its so apparent in everyone of his paintings- like if I walked by a picture he did I would immediately recognize it as his work. I loved his house too- the kitchen was adorable- it was so vintage. The color schemes in his paintings are so expressive and help create a mood in all of his work. I liked how he didnt tell us at first that the mural that he did represented each one of the stores there because I didnt realize it until halfway looking through it. I guess you could say that is kind of "selling out" yourself, but hey if he wanted to do it thats all that matter and it looks amazing. He did have a freedom and thought more commercially then personally- which is fine, but i wouldnt want to get stuck doing work like that.

4/4/08

Today we talked about the Piss Christ piece. I personally didnt really find that piece offensive, and I am a Christian. I guess I am just too open minded- I mean I talk about everything with anyone- But 15,000 for this I mean yes the photography is very aesthetically pleasing, but I think that the reason that people sometimes pay so much money for art is becuase it is so controversial. I mean picture it you have the Piss Christ piece in your living room- everyone knows about it- and will be very impressed that you own such a famous piece of art- just like the starving dog artist. The reason he did that was because he wanted people to make a big deal out of it. I think that Andres Serrano wanted the same thing- hey it worked right?

4/2/07

We presented project 2 in class today.I thought people did a really good job on grasping concept in their projects. David's was most interesting to me- I still dont really get it- I know that its about how television changes the world. So many elements in his piece were not explained- which I like because that leaves it up for your own interpretation- at first I thought it has something to do with identity and childhood. Drake's piece was also really cool. He was telling me about his concept- 2 classes ago and i told him to look up this band that i know Handsome Boy Modeling School becuase they do this one song that has a hiphop beat to a famous Beethoven song, "Rock and Roll." It's actually really good- I figured if liked mixing beats he might like this group- its abunch of artists like Linkin Park, Deftones, Jay-Z, Wutang Clan, Jack Johnson, and many more.

3/31/08

I wasn't in class today.

4/16/07

What's it about?
This project represents my personal views of what happened that awful day at Virginia Tech almost exactly a year ago- wikipedia describes it a the "Virginia Tech Massacre" Seung Hui Cho killed 32 students then himself. I fortunately was not in Norris Hall when this happened- unfortunatly 2 of my dormmates that lived down the hall from me fell tragically in the massacre.
Part of the Process

After brainstorming many ideas with different people- one stuck out to me the most- Digging 32 holes to represent the 32 victims- Then covering myself in the mud from the holes, and putting picked green leaves in these holes.
My Project
I have to give my friend jeff who is an amateur photographer credit for these pictures- he did a great job in capturing my vision. In all of these photograph I am covered in mud- this represent the emotion that overwhelmed me from these people dying all around me. An emotion I had never felt before covered my body and I didnt know how to interpret it.

In the first photograph you can see the shovel in the background- this is Cho- he dug these holes that blemish the earth. The process of emotion is first viewed here - confusion- and disbelief- as we go through the photos the development of emotion is shown as it comes over my body as I watch this incident unravel.

The 2nd photograph is when the numbers kept adding up from 9 to 12 to 15. This mud is shock.

The 3rd photograph at about 20, 22, 24. The mud is numb- as you see there is leaves in each of the holes, picked leaves- the lives of these victims was just picked away from them.

And finally the last photograph represents sorrow- not only for the victims but my school, how would we recover from this? These kids families- it could have been me. I also found out the names of the peopel which I recognized. The mud is in my hands - the spilt blood is on my campus.

Artists
Ana Mendieta
Whitney Museum of American Art, Ana Mendieta Earth Body, Sculpture, and Performance,
Resource Library Magazine, http://www.tfaoi.com/aa/4aa/4aa459.htm (Jan 2003)
Julie Taymor
Academy of Achievement, Julie Taymor Biography,
http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/tay0bio-1 (Sept,17 2007)
Why these 2 artists?
Malena told me about these artists who concentrate on performing, and showing their work thorugh people in their pieces in which I had intended to do.
How will these sources make your aesthetic choices richer?
Mendieta really inspired me to work with the mud- she worked with lots of earth elements in her pieces and she makes it aesthically pleasing which is hard to do with mud. Taymor who directed Across the Universe is an amazing artist and closely works with costume to reveal her characters personalities- she taught me to alter everything you can to make it look like what you want.

3/19/08

Today we discussed Project 2 at Ritazzas with our classmates. It wasnt very helpful for me- nobody really knew what they wanted to do, and was really negative about the whole thing- not excited- with exceptions of a few people. I want to make a sculpture piece with bullets to represent the VT massacre- but Im not really sure that will be time sufficient- people didnt really seem interested either - so I dont know what Im going to do. I talked to Joey for a while and he tried to help me figure out what i was going to do- but I just kinda got confused haha. I was going to photoshop the bullets because they are so expensive.