Art is such a vast field that exploring it is endless. Art is probably one of the first few fields that have been affected by the recession. Even though it is of great importance, not everyone seems to be looking at the bigger picture of it. There is so much criticism for those getting into this field, somewhat like a stigma attached to it about financial stability and how one can succeed in it. On one hand their are people questioning it and the other there are people practicing it with purity, because they love to. One can see these people on the subway, at the streets, their passion doesn’t seem to die.
There are all types of artists in this world. Some are more about expressing themselves, others who want to gain attention and those who want to provide the public with awareness. The contributions from this field are immense. Specially when it comes to awareness. Exhibitions such as the current one going on at Cooper Hewitt about Why Design? helps the public to understand the possibilities of living in a cleaner and energy efficient world. Self awareness through art therapy is another contribution the art field provides. Expressing the deeper and inner issues through art helps for those who cannot verbally explain the trauma they have gone through. A number of art therapy programs have been set up such as the victims of Katrina and even criminals. Escaping from art is not a possibility. There is art in everything and all around. Its unfortunate that only a handful of artists get the exposure they deserve. The world has so many great artists but like “brands” only a few sell out. This year some of the biggest auctions in art were made, such as Picasso, Giacometti and Mark Rothko. Ironically while this is happening artists are surviving by two or three jobs. Art apparently is just not enough. Specially with the recession going on people belonging to the upper class in society seem to be the only one’s who can afford art; but for them buying art is just not like entering a store and buying a dress, it is a investment. Artists need a boost in the art market and this is only possible by the people even belonging to the middle class see art and buy art. In fact it is important to educate people on art so that the stereotypes of it are dealt with and that it is given as much reputation and is in par with any other job in this society.
Don’t Say It Just Draw It
Art Therapy to me is a way of telling a story behind the pain or issue one is dealing with, without saying it aloud. It is an interesting way to deal with the inner self through creative means.
Art therapy is used in a number of ways, tackling different problems with a wide range of people. It has continued to help the victims of Katrina. After all they have seen whether it may be the snakes, the death, and their very own houses being destructed. It surely leaves a mark on them; they deal with trauma, anxiety and depression. Young children specially benefit from this because they are unable to express everything. Another way art therapy has been used is for criminals. It is believed that criminals will be able to feel more part of their community and that it will help them as individuals understand what led them to the crimes they did. Society today needs art therapy; there is so much to take in. Everyone is going through stress, health problems and depression to some extent. In this fast pace world sitting with a blank piece of paper in front of you, in which you can do absolutely anything on gives a relief some freedom. Therapy aside it can be a diary, a person can express anger, humor, happiness .The best part is no one is looking for perfection in it.
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Sunday at the Cooper Hewitt Museum
Last week I took the opportunity of the free Labor Day weekend entry to the Cooper Hewitt museum. It was my first time going to Cooper Hewitt; I never really noticed the museum even though I must have passed by it a number of times as it is near Metropolitan. The special exhibition that was taking place was the National Design Triennial- Why Design Now? Though the museum is small it was packed with information. Almost all the designs were supporting the green movement, using recyclable materials and energy efficiency, showing the public that it is not impossible and we don’t need to give up our needs while trying to save our planet. Examples of some spectacular designs include the New Carver Apartment, the architect Michael Maltzan built a place that was worthy for the homeless to live in. The building is built in such a way that it feels like it is still connected to the outside world but at the same time they are safe in their own sanctuary.
In the health section of this exhibition was a modular prosthetic –limb system, Car parts Incubator, hearing aid etc… these designs have a esthetic side to it at the same time they are reaching out to important causes that need support. The overall show was indeed very interesting and informative. It takes a lot of effort to make these designs come to life and looking at the many alternatives at this exhibition I only hope to see them being used in the near future to change things for the best. It is crucial at this stage to use such tools with the ongoing problems the world is facing, we have no excuse now but to save the planet.
sources- http://exhibitions.cooperhewitt.org/Why-Design-Now/
Where’s The Middle of Art?
Majority of the educated population comes from the middle class background. Same goes for most painters. Paintings as we know in the past were more of a luxury; it was more evident to see paintings of portraits, religious and scenery in a palace but not in the living rooms of ordinary people. Art was a medium, showing off wealth and power.
The question I ask to myself is how did art reach the middle class? It was always popular amongst the wealthy, so how did the middle class approach it?
At first without any such research, I pondered over this question and one of the first styles of art that struck my mind was genre paintings. Genre paintings are paintings that depict the everyday life which became popular in Germany. Genre painting was coming to its existence around the Renaissance period. Artists seemed to flinch from the same old historical and religious attachment with art, now for them the satisfaction was painting and being realistic. Since people were even against so much that was going on and as they could relate to these paintings they became popular in their own way.
In today’s world buying art is not just for what is pleasing to the eye but more money oriented. Even art is seen as an investment now. Although art is more of an investment the middle class are not willing to spend their money on it. They may like a work but purchasing it would not be the immediate reaction. Whether this is to do with the awareness about art or just the fact that the average middle class person would prefer spending money elsewhere can be a few reasons; but what is strange is if people during that time and age could form a relationship with art then what makes it so hard for this to happen today?
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Dyske.com/paper/818
www.blogher.com/middle-class-artmaker
Art And Humanity Hand In Hand
One unique way to give a different approach towards what this world is dealing with today is art. Recently while watching BBC news I learnt about a bombed Iraqi car that had been brought to the Imperial War Museum in London. Looking at the car one can only imagine what would have been the state of the people surrounding that car. I recall the news the past few years about constant suicide bombings and devastation that took place in Iraq, but looking at that car reminds me of what we take for granted. Actual lives and a state of living that the citizens of Iraq had to deal with on a daily basis. This was the intention of Jeremy Deller, the artist that took the initiative to showcase this car to show people the effect this war had. Another artist educating people and showing the other side of the fence is Jerry Rosembert, a graffiti artist. Facing the earthquake that shook Haiti this year, he looked over the remaining works left before the earthquake. He depicted poverty and the miserable conditions Haitians were dealing with through his graffiti. Art being showcased this way makes people feel connected to humanity. We all see so much hear so much but there is no way of knowing what people are facing until it is expressed in some way and art such as these give us a perspective of the actual happenings.
sources- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11253030
sources- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11253030
No Money No Art I Think Not
Make A Noise For Some Art Today
Edward Munch
Every day while I am making my way to college I pass by the 42nd Times Square station. I am always in a rush but I still can’t help and notice the murals and the people singing and performing. Passing by this everyday makes my day a little brighter. I have heard a number of people talking about artists not being able to survive by just selling art. Looking at the people I see at the subway or elsewhere that are performing and making art in their own small way makes me come to the realization that the point is not about making money, it’s about sharing an idea, a thought. Of course in the world today one needs money to survive but if one understood the true essence of art such questions wouldn’t come to mind.
Art can be in anything we see, whether it is photography, paintings or poetry. Even though art is such an integral part of our lives, knowingly unknowingly the significance of it seems to be diminishing. It is sad to see it slipping as art provokes imagination, expression and individuality. These factors are important in shaping a child. Yet one of the first programs targeted in public schools in U.S during the recession were the art programs. Is art not considered a subject of its own? Art should not be taking a back seat, in fact at this time it should play a bigger role. It is not necessary to have crisp paper and out of the box watercolors to make art. Scraps of paper, recycled materials and sticks can even be sufficient.
Recently my mother who is an artist herself was asked to judge students for a scholarship grant at a college. She told me how shocked she was that though the quality of art was good these students seemed more into their own art and had less of knowledge about the current artists. I too can relate to this, none of my friends and I are engaged in a conversation about art. As students many of us are made to study art history but who knows which artists today is going to make it in the future art history books. Being educated in art should not be a supplementary; it is time that it shares the same platform.
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