Mini-Post

The semester is over! (Somewhat.) I still have a paper due Monday and another due January 15--but I am off Long Island until January 26 and that makes me happy as a clam. (Weird saying, by the way...etymology?)

Anyhoo...exciting news since last post:

1. Got an A as my first semester grade of graduate school!
2. Got an internship for the Spring at the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts.
3. Got accepted into my first conference!!!


With all that happening I still had time to see one of the best movies I've seen in a very long time.




I highly recommend "Synecdoche, New York" to anyone and everyone...but be prepared to think about it and life and love and everything way more than you'd probably like.

Also, from "Synecdoche, New York" comes one of my new favorite songs (maybe of all time). "Little Person"--sung by Deanna Storey (who is NOWHERE), written by Jon Brion (who has written scores and music for a lot of great films and personal favorites), and Charlie Kaufman (who is Charlie Kaufman. Haha.) I have no clue how to upload a song on here (instructions welcome in comments), but if you search for it on www.elbo.ws (my favorite music blog aggregator) you can surely find it.

Phew...a lot of parentheses.

Well, I'm off to wake up Mark so we can get on the road to Lil Rhody! Whoop whoop! Blog post on female artists coming soon...very soon.

Neglectful Parent

Yet again, it has been too long between posts. Hopefully, after this semester is over I will be able to dedicate more time to this blog, art-making of my own, and general enjoyment-having. Until then, all of my time and brainpower is reserved for papers and presentations on Performance Art and Janine Antoni, Hans Sedlmayr's Theories on Art, and Baudelaire's Theories on the Constructive Imagination. If that doesn't spell G-O-O-D-T-I-M-E-S I just don't know what does!

To make up for the fact that I am many AYSK's behind, I am going to provide links to blogs/websites of some of my male friends that make art and generally rock. (Don't worry...female edition to follow!) They are out there, living in the world, and making damn sure they do what they love--and for that, I have to give them credit and praise. So here goes...a slight deviation from the usual formula...but the Artists (and People) You Should Know:


1. Mark Jay Brewin Jr. Yes, my fiance, BUT also, an incredible artist. Although he is currently getting his MFA in Creative Writing--poetry, specifically--he is very talented in many other art forms and mediums. His work focuses on found objects, memory, constructing narrative, and nostalgia. If you only have time for one work, I suggest the Woodrow Jefferson Project.

2. Andrew Spears. When I first met Mr. Spears he had a fro and orange sneakers. Now, he has a beard and dinosaur-footsie pajamas. A phenomenal artist that is constantly thinking about his next project even when serving up brews and booze in Greensboro, NC. He does not restrict himself to one medium and has created exceptional photographic, digital, and installation work. My favorite work of Spears is an installation entitled "Reaction."

3. M. Spencer Johnson. When one thinks of contemporary art--what's hip and new--one rarely thinks of ceramics/sculpture. However, this bike-enthusiast works primarily in the medium of ceramics and does a fantastic job of creating different, interesting, and beautiful pieces. He challenges those nincumpoops (that's right, I said it...nincumpoops!) that say ceramics is strictly functional and out-dated by incorporating unique elements into the materials he uses. His "Ashes to Ashes" series is a great example of this.

4. Andrew Jonathan Giles. I had the pleasure of working with Andrew at camp this past summer and he is wonderful photographer, teacher, painter, artist, and human being. Originally from Texas, he now lives and creates in Denver, CO. He has a great website of his work, and although I knew him first and foremost as a photographer--he is also a talented poet and painter. Also, did I mention he has great taste in hip-hop?


Well, here are just some of my amazingly talented friends and I hope you enjoy some or all of their work as much as I do!

So now that I have 4 male friends promoted, 4 females are up next. Feel free to bribe me if you are an artist (with a vagina) and want to be mentioned on this blog that no one reads. Haha. I actually really liked doing this so maybe this will become a weekly separate from the AYSK series. Like "NYSK"--"Nobodies You Should Know"--and once they become famous (which they will because I wrote about them) they can join the ranks of "AYSK." Or maybe I'll just call it "Friends You Should Know" --nah...NYSK is much catchier. A new weekly is born!

Let me know what you think of their work and this new idea and how it can be improved. Also, if you have any friends you think I should mention, feel free to pass their info along!

Yay Art! (Now, back to work.)

AYSK #4

So this has gone from a "weekly" into a "whenever-I-have-time-and-want-to-avoid-work-and-or-feel-like-it." Hope that's alright with all of you... (all 4-5 of you.)

Without further ado...

AYSK #4:

YOUNG-HAE CHANG HEAVY INDUSTRIES

Mini-Bio: Your guess is as good as mine. (You'll see why I say this when you see the website/artwork). But Wikipedia says: Young-Hae Chang Heavy Industries (장영혜중공업) is a Seoul-based Web art group consisting of Marc Voge (USA) and Young-Hae Chang (Korea).

What kind of art? Online, or Net, Art. Video (if you can call it that).

Examples of work: (And for AYSK #4, this will take some work on your part since all of their work is located at various websites, that operate off of their main one.)

My favorites that I've looked at so far are as follows:

Dakota

All Fall Down

Victoria's Fire (Lovely reference to the classic Doors song, for those that are into that)

So, So Soulful


Online/Net/Web art is a very new field--mostly because the interweb is so dang new. The work of Young-Hae Chang Heavy Industries has gotten a lot of recognition for its simplistic methods (Macromedia Flash) and for its unique blend of word/language, sound, color, and timing. Their work has been exhibited in galleries and museums as well as on the Net--which I unfortunately have not witnessed firsthand. I hear it is an amazing experience that highlights their use of all the techniques/elements mentioned above. I have decided to share them and give them the AYSK title because I feel like Net Art is an overlooked or unknown medium that produces some truly interesting and stimulating (emotionally, visually, intellectually, etc.) work that is quite poignant in this age of technology.

Let me know if you discover any other Young-Hae Chang Heavy Industries work on their website that you feel is of note or just plain fun. Sadly, I have not had the time to view them all and part of me is afraid I will develop epilepsy with too many viewings. So, with that, happy/safe viewing to you all and to all a goodnight!

The Pictures...Late, But as Promised

Below are the images I promised from my trip to the New-York Historical Society. Again, they are very poor quality, but thankfully I was able to make photocopies--which I have yet to scan. The first two images highlight the kiddie/kitty phenomenon I mentioned in my previous post. It doesn't really have anything to do with my paper's thesis, and I don't see how I could ever make sense of it, but it's funny and interesting nonetheless.

The two images below those are just some examples of the coffee companies advertising to the patriotism and "American-ness" of their consumers. By creating state trading cards, with imagery that is representational of the state it's depicting, coffee companies (especially Ariosa, of Arbuckle Bros. coffee--which is the company that made these trading cards) played off the American nationalism, but also the state pride of its customer.

And coffee companies never forgot to cater to those who related more to their religion than their nationality--which is demonstrated by the Hagadah, Passover Seder Service booklet, compliments of Maxwell House Coffee.

And finally, Maxwell House's "American Series," which perhaps demonstrates best the patriotic/American advertising strategy.

Hope you find these as fascinating as I do! I'll keep you posted on any more research discoveries or new theories (especially about the kiddies/kitties).



Coffee advertisement doubling as a mock newspaper and pretty picture of young girl with kitten?

Kitties--On the reverse side is an advertisement for coffee...obviously. When I think coffee, I think kittens.

In Florida, there are oranges, but there is also Arbuckle Bros. Ariosa brand coffee!

North Carolina--poor quality image, but another example of the state trading card.

Not necessarily in line with my theories on patriotism/Americanism, but still an interesting advertising tactic to reach a specific demographic. Not only did coffee companies want to give you free pretty pictures, they also wanted to sponsor your religious booklets! Go figure!

The slogan for Maxwell House's "American Series" campaign: "...and it's Maxwell House wherever you go."

Maxwell House is in Times Square!

Maxwell House is also in your small town, that waves its American flag and plants trees!

And don't forget! Maxwell House is with you during all seasons, even in more rural areas!

**Note: The last 2 images did not have the Maxwell House slogan "and it's Maxwell House wherever you go." However, the last two would be sent to customers who purchased Maxwell House as a sort of present for purchasing the "right" coffee and, since they were part of a series, there was an incentive to collect all the pretty pictures (by well-known artists)--thus, creating an incentive to purchase Maxwell House.

And who could live without their American songbook?! Compliments of Chase & Sanborn coffee (the coffee company that also created the spanking ad). One second you're promoting nationalistic pride, and the next--domestic violence. Or do they go hand in hand in America? I kid, I kid.


Well, that's all for tonight kiddies (or kitties, whichever you prefer)! Off to work on my presentation for tomorrow on the role of man and woman in Post-WWII society and how they were, in turn, depicted in popular culture and advertising. Goodnight!

Update on the Research

Tuesday I spent the afternoon at the New-York Historical Society. The hyphen is their addition--not mine. Weird huh?

Unfortunately, I did not uncover any more misogynistic coffee advertisements. I did, however, discover that coffee companies frequently link themselves to being "American" in order to relate to their consumers. I found many advertisements that included images of "American scenes" and images/copy that linked certain types of coffee to the different/all states and the American way of life. I think it's fascinating that when trying to market a product where there really are minute differences (I'm sorry, but doesn't all coffee taste the same? At least the kind you can buy at the grocery store...) the companies have to relate to their customers in another way--Can't advertise to their taste buds or palettes so why not their pride for their country? There was also a tendency to offer beautiful pictures and collectible cards as an incentive to purchase one type of coffee over another. Buy Maxwell House? Well on top of getting a pound of coffee---you get a lovely, frameable, collectible print by a famous painter! Everyone loves a little extra--especially when it's "free."

When I get back to Long Island (currently in NC) I will post pictures of these said advertisements. All of the images I took with a digital camera (without a flash...so looooow quality). They are part of the Landauer collection. Interesting tidbit about the Landauer collection: Every piece within it and there are THOUSANDS was all collected by one woman who just loved her ephemera. Talk about a pack rat! Her gain is my gain!

Let me know what you think about the images (when I post them) and/or my new research topic!

**NOTE: There was also an absurd amount of advertisements with images of kids and kittens. Like ABSURD amount. Any thoughts on why? Because I'm at a loss!

EXPECT PICS TOMORROW NIGHT!!!

So it's all personal lately...

Another personal note:

I am swamped with work. In order to combat my growing stress level and constant feeling of inactivity, I decided to make a mental map. It is amazing. I am in love. And it's beautiful, color-coded and somewhat visual/artistic (which is my reasoning for sharing it on this blog.) Enjoy looking at my life and feeling either sorry for me, likewise, or even more stressed than before. I was mostly going for sympathy.

Note: You can click and drag my mind-map around. Yep, keeps getting better.
Also, if you want to make your own map, visit the website! It's free and so easy to sign up and you can make numerous maps and save them! Happy mapping!

On a personal note...

CONGRATULATIONS KEVIN AND DANIELLE!!!

Dear friends of Mark and myself got engaged tonight November 1st (or 2nd--don't know the exact time of the proposal). They are wonderful people and an amazing couple and I could not be happier for them!

And...to keep this blog post "art-related" I have decided to include the trailer for a short film that Kevin wrote and directed and that Danielle produced. Not only are they a phenomenal romantic couple, but a tremendous professional duo as well! The film is amazing and they just had a screening with a packed house! Kevin and Danielle are talented, fun (and funny), genuine and caring and Mark and I are the luckiest people to have them as friends. Congrats again!

AYSK # 3

I may be late (as usual), but the third installment of the "Artists You Should Know" weekly is here! I have chosen the following artist because he proves that street art is a viable and important art form that sometimes, just sometimes, gets noticed by the mainstream.

AYSK #3 is...

Shepard Fairey

Mini-Bio: Born in 1970. Attended RISD (Hellz yeah RI!). Became famous for his "Obey Giant" campaign. Now resides in Los Angeles.

What kind of art? Street art. Graphic Design. Illustrations.

Examples of his work:

The original sticker/design from the "Andre the Giant Has a Posse" sticker campaign in 1989. The campaign that later became known as the "Obey Giant" campaign.

Shepard Fairey's work in action.

Another Fairey graphic design. If you couldn't tell, he has strong political and social views.

Betcha didn't know this! That's right! Shepard Fairey painted this...which became the design for Obama's "Hope" campaign. It is beautiful and amazing and I am so happy it became a campaign poster.

If you want to know more about Shepard Fairey, check these websites out:

Wikipedia...Yep, Wikipedia--Deal with it!

His personal "Obey Giant" Website

Hope you like his stuff because I LOVE it! Enjoy!

AYSK #2

A little late, but still keeping up with the Artist You Should Know weekly edition.

And the AYSK #2 award goes to...

Olafur Eliasson

Mini-Bio: Born in 1967 in Copenhagen. Lives in Copenhagen and Berlin. Scandinavian break-dancing champion. (And I did not even make that up.)

What kind of art? Public and site-specific art. Scientific art (art and science combined.) Large-scale sculpture/architecture and installation.

Examples of his work:

The Weather Project, Tate Modern, 2004
For more information: The Weather Project

Green River, Moss, Norway, 1999
For more information: The Green River Project

Two images from his Waterfall Project, New York City, 2008
For more information: NYC Waterfalls Project

As you can probably tell, Olafur Eliasson's work has a great deal to do with nature--or, more specifically, human perception of and relationship to nature. He has been considered a "relational artist", which means that his work's purpose is centered around its relationship to the viewer, the relationship to its surroundings and the new relationship it creates through its existence. The theory of "relational art" is complicated one, but Olafur Eliasson is the best artist to demonstrate the practice of that theory. I find his work particuarly important because through his artworks he creates a dialogue about reality, manufactured reality, the fear that stems from the altering of realities and the importance of nature.

If you want to learn more about Olafur and his work, his own personal website is a great place to start.

Enjoy!

When you've got coffee breath...

So my initial research topic for my American Visual Cultures class was on coffee advertising and tin design prior to the 1940s. BUT--since there is hardly any information/images on this topic, I decided to switch (quite sequentially) from coffee, which give you stinky breath, to advertising for a mouthwash, which improves bad breath!

I did not have this connection in mind when I decided on switching topics. I mostly wanted to cover Listerine advertisements because--as you can see below--they are AMAZING, and by AMAZING I mean they are full of ridiculous claims, spectacular photographs and overwhelming sexism.

I will keep you (blogosphere) posted on this research, but here are two Listerine advertisements to hold you over for now.

Listerine Advertisement, 1928

Listerine Advertisement, 1929

AMAZING!

I have attached a link that everyone should look at. It is unbelievable. It shows how so little can go so far--how ingenuity and creativity can come from anywhere and exist everywhere--how dedication is the backbone of great artwork. Please take a look. Hopefully it will inspire you as it has inspired me.

AYSK (Number 1)

Or "Artist You Should Know" (in case you're not hip to the lingo quite yet.) I have chosen this particular artist because she is one my absolute favorites. So much of contemporary art seems to exist only to cause a stir--to be "avant-garde." This artist, on the other hand, actually thinks about her art and her cause is to examine much more that current political, social, or personal issues. Without further ado...AYSK #1 is... (drum roll please...)

Janine Antoni

Mini-Bio: Born in the Bahamas in 1964. BA from Sarah Lawrence and MFA from RISD.
What Kind of Art?: Process art. Performance art. Body art. Sculpture. Installation.
Examples of her Work:

"Slumber"
2000

"Loving Care"
1993

"Lick and Lather," detail
1993
7 soap and 7 chocolate self-portrait busts, 24 x 16 x 13 inches each

Each of these artworks deals with the body, the process of creation, and the cyclical nature of life. It also deals with many issues relating to women and contemporary standards of beauty. Every piece that Antoni creates is unique--with intricate details and choices--yet somehow related to her greater body of work--work dedicated to examining human existence, human relationship to the outside world and vice versa.

For more on her and her work, please visit:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janine_Antoni
• http://www.luhringaugustine.com/index.php?mode=artists&object_id=64
• http://www.pbs.org/art21/artists/antoni/index.html

Hope you begin to enjoy Janine Antoni's work as much as me!

WEEKLY INSTALLMENT--ARTIST YOU SHOULD KNOW

I've decided that in order for me to actually keep up with this whole blogging habit, I'm going to have to impose upon myself some obligatory daily/weekly/monthly posts. I am really bad at keeping this sort of thing going, but I figure if I set up various "Weekly Installments" I will have a greater chance of succeeding. So here is the first idea...

WEEKLY INSTALLMENT #1: Artist(s) You Should Know

As the title suggests, this topic is meant to enlighten the masses on the various artists that are living/working/still relevant today. The person(s) chosen could be a visual artist, a musician, a writer, etc. If they make what I believe to be art, they could be an "Artist You Should Know" (or AYSK).

I will strive to provide some biographical information, info about their influences, their artistic style and links/images of their most important work.

Here goes! [Fingers Crossed]

Research in Progress...

It seems fitting that my first post on this blog is one that is a "work in progress"--since that is exactly what this blog is and forever will be. Art may be frozen zen, but there is nothing frozen about it. It is fluid, constantly changing and shifting. The definition of art is updated, negated, and reprocessed so often that defining it at all is a pointless endeavor. Art--and its endless motion--is frozen zen.

Currently, I am researching advertising as art--specifically, advertising and package design for various coffee companies in the US prior to the 1940s. If it seems obscure, that's because it is! Very little research has been done on advertising as art--and an even smaller amount on coffee advertising. What can I say? I guess I like a challenge. Below are some interesting advertisements/package designs that I have found. More on how this formulates any kind of thesis will hopefully come in time...

My Favorite Ad So Far...

A Coffee Tin Belonging to Mark...

As I'm sure you can tell, there is a certain theme I am trying to follow in my research--however, these two items are the only ones I've been able to dig up with clearly sexist tones. The search continues...