Friday, May 21, 2010


Robert Rauschenberg
1925-2008

Robert Rauschenberg was an American artist, born in Texas in 1925. He studied art at Kansas City Art Institute, and informally in Paris after World War II. In the late 1940's he attended Black Mountain College in North Carolina. Black Mountain was a progressive school for the arts, which had a number of influential teachers and visiting artists, including Josef Albers and John Cage, the avant garde musician. A freer spirit, he related more to the latter, than to the former (Albers), whose methodical color studies were perhaps too disciplined for Rauschenberg. He came to New York in the early 1950's, attending the Art Students League, and associated somewhat with the Abstract Expressionist artists then prevailing, as well as other younger artists such as Jasper Johns. He and Johns are perhaps artists who formed a bridge between Abstract Expressionism and Pop art, with which they are both also associated.
One of the reasons I feel that Rauschenberg was a great artist is what he could do with such limited means. His sense of design/composition was so strong that the placement of these simple geometric forms becomes actually monumental - an ironic juxtaposition with cardboard boxes. In an interview with Barbara Rose in her book, Rauschenberg, he said that his work attempts to ennoble the ordinary. Rauschenberg was an incredibly prolific artist - like an art machine, he continued to produce his distinctive images since the early 1950's. They are mainly two-dimensional works, however he continued to mount the often large images on various types of materials, such as metallic supports. In fact, some of his images are actually placed onto reflective materials, such as metals (aluminum, etc.), so that the reflection of the viewer and the environment become part of the image. His experimentation and exploration of techniques and materials was staggering, and included use of various technologies. Most of his images were not directly painted onto the surface, but transferred with various methods, including transferring photographic images to photosensitized canvas or other support. Like da Vinci, he was also interested in engineering and technological possibilities in art. To say that he was an inventive artist is such an understatement. His methods, materials, techniques and iconography were an endless evolving array, and at the age of 76 he was still growing and changing and producing. I've always respected and admired his work, and there is something about his spirit that is also engaging. I've seen still photos and film footage of him working, and there was an expression of pure joy on his face, like a child discovering, sometimes through play and free association and invention.
One of his most reproduced images is an example of his signature style. What he did was combine images from popular and contemporary culture in interesting and unexpected ways, and in unusual media. This well-known image was created circa 1963, and contains an image of President John F. Kennedy, with his finger pointing in his characteristic way. He also used other evocative fragments and images, most recognizable, some abstracted shapes or forms as well. This type of image is reflective of Pop art; but there are also painted elements, often sweeping and gestural, in the manner of the Abstract Expressionists who came before Pop. His work often combined geometric structures and "painterly" photographic images in a masterful fashion, many of which were his own photographs.
Rauschenberg's heritage was part Native American, and sometimes I've wondered if this played a part in his choice of images, his iconography, or the poetic and transcendent quality of his work. But his work was definitely American - as opposed to the European tradition, which at the time tended to be more refined, elegant, or cerebral. We Americans had tended toward ruggedness and independence of spirit, in our history and in our art. We liked things big - bold - free - impulsive (of course there are exceptions to this). Like Jackson Pollock, who also seemed very American, we liked to form our own opinions, explore our own territory, not that of the Old World, though of course we were still influenced by it, and for a long time tried to "measure up" to it. Perhaps like the Great American Novel, artists searched for an "American" artistic identity, and finally found it after World War II (with some help from emigre European artists, some fleeing from Hitler). Rauschenberg died in 2008, was one of the most well-known artists in the world, and was very successful.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Critique #3


The name of this piece is Vote issues not image by Anita Dillman. The medium of the piece is charcoal on canvas. The subject matter of this image is censorship. I believe this image has a very strong meaning because it has the president of the united states and a candidate that was running against him. Also it shows issues that the U.S is facing. This piece was also censored by Berkley College for the so called reason of depicting guns and violence. It shows how censorship is covered up with so called ethics.
The chiaroscuro of the piece is the transition of the different things and people in the picture that make them not blend together. There is emphasis throughout the whole image including Obama, McCain, and the gun it all stands for either the upcoming issues or the one we are already facing. The foreground of this piece is the American flag because it looks as if all the other images are placed in front of it. The hue of this piece is black and white which gives it a very fascinating look that catches your eye and makes you pay attention to detail. There isn’t really a focal point of this piece because all the characters in it mean something. The image has a lot of shading in it to give the characters detail and make them stand out from one another. The subtle of the piece is the smoke stack on Obama’s shoulder it has a certain meaning to it that I couldn’t figure out. This image also has a lot of proportion in it so that the objects in it do not look out of place and are in plain sight. The pictures of Obama, McCain, and the women are figurative because they have humanistic qualities that make them look real and recognizable. The stripes on the flag are linear. There is no tone in this piece which makes it interesting. All the characters in the picture are juxtaposition because they are close together and are placed side by side.
The story behind the piece is within the title Vote issues not image. This is because the artist is trying to say that people vote on what peoples images are and not on the issues that are bringing our country down. If we did vote for issues we would not still be at war and worried about the global warming crisis. It is interesting that this image was censored by a college because it only speaks the truth about what our country is coming to.

Monday, May 17, 2010

excerpts

1. Mosh By Eminem
I scrutinize every word, memorize every line I spit it once, refuel, re-energize and rewind I give sight to the blind, my insight through the mind I exercise my right to express when I feel it's time It's just all in your mind, what you interpret it as I say to fight
2. Poem
Censorship by The Factologist- Censorship would be a good thing if it was used to ban lies, deceit, fraud and theist preaching; but sadly it's only ever used to ban truth, honesty, facts and atheist teaching.
3. Poem
PREVENTIVE CENSORSHIP by Nicky Kelly- Art removes her pubic hairs Scandal to secrecy his suspender belt swears Venus and Mars dig below the surface Limits Limit by AlexMcg
4. Limits Limitnot to abide Censorship pushed aside Starved I am for what is shine so feed I must on what is finethis excerpt of a poem represents censorship. This is because it is saying that is going to push censorship
y words to call a spade a spade).
5. Censorship by HeavensDarkestAngel
CensorshipI got a mind, a mouth, and a voice that should be heard. But you have taken away my right to speak my mind as if I committed a crime; because you know what I have to say is exactly what you don't want to hear. You see it's my first amendment right that you’re infringing on and I say it's time to be released from your bonds, to speak my mind. Politicians are the disease of our society who infects us with their lies that lead us closer to our demise. And yet we allow them because we lost our balls to stand up to them. Well not me I still got my courage to stand up to them regardless of what may be.This poem speaks for itself.




6. Puppets by Curious Licinius
Puppets by Curious LiciniusBold or foolish, open our eyes we must. We cannot afford to stumble, through the dark, always trusting that others will take care of us; for they may just seem to be on our side.This excerpt from a poem represents censorship and how people can be blind to what is going on. It says we shall not always trust others to take care of is and this is true because in life you have to be somewhat indecent.
7. 67-freedom vs. censorshipYour not allowed to question The mighty heads above They are right You are wrong Suicides are always Someone else’s fault A horror film Or Eminem song We live in a society That tells us Do what you want Say what you want It's ok we won’t tell As long as you keep in line Don't swear Don't hate Don't kill Don't question those in power Don't speak your mind
8. Censorship and Other Illegal Stupidity in Life.Censorship will be vastly on our own horizon and we will not be legally able to write our artistic poems. I agree that hoes is not nice or respectful labeling of females. But censorship stifles all creativity dead in its tracks. We have the freedom of speech just as bible thumpers have the right to judge and condemn and preach. The NRA cries foul very loudly when many redneck country hicks feel that their right to kill defenseless deer’s or ducks are threatened to be deprived. It’s been considered offensive for the Ten Commandments to be displayed on some school or judicial property but yet it should be illegal to say or write the word hoe? Where will all these redneck ideas spread to or lead and go? Legalities must remain the same to all others to be seeing as well as shown.
9. Censorship Sucks by Ramona ThompsonGot a right To say what we want When and where we want Leaders not followers and useless sheep like you Trying to dance this world on over to the slaughter Wish you and your kind would just let us be Stick your nose right on out of our business Before we cut it off of your ugly face Liar Deceiver False believer Tell us What are ya gonna do about this?
10. Censorship by Tearon UzukiGo ahead. Shut me up. Gag me. Sew my mouth shut. Threaten me. Hurt me. Accuse me. Defame me. In the end, you can only feed the very poemsthat you hate so much.
11. “If this nation is to be wise as well as strong, if we are to achieve our destiny, then we need more new ideas for more wise men reading more good books in more public libraries. These libraries should be open to all—except the censor. We must know all the facts and hear all the alternatives and listen to all the criticisms. Let us welcome controversial books and controversial authors. For the Bill of Rights is the guardian of our security as well as our liberty.John Fitzgerald Kennedy quotes (American 35th US President (1961-63)
12. Nadine Gordimer quotes (South African novelist and short-story writer, 1991 Nobel Prize for Literature “Censorship is never over for those who have experienced it. It is a brand on the imagination that affects the individual who has suffered it, forever.
13. Censorship is the very wall that holds creativity back from complete freedom; becausewithout Exposure to the good and the bad, the acceptable and inappropriate, and the offensive and polite, how will the mind thrive for more than what is given?
14. Freedom of speech. It is our most cherished privilege as Americans, guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution since 1791. But our current presidential administration threatens to sharply curtail or silence altogether the freedom of expression that distinguishes America from the average dictatorship. What is under direct attack? Conservative talk radio. Censorship By Brian Jennings
15. Nature knows no indecencies; man invents them. ~Mark Twain, Notebook, 1935
16. We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people. ~John F. Kennedy\
17. Artist: Ice-T Title: Freedom Of Speech Lyrics
Freedom of Speech, let 'em take it from meNext they'll take it from you, then what you gonna do?Let 'em censor books, let 'em censor artPMRC, this is where the witch hunt startsYou'll censor what we see, we read, we hear, we learnThe books will burnYou better think it outWe should be able to say anything, our lungs were meant to shoutSay what we feel, yell out what's realEven though it may not bring mass appealYour opinion is yours, my opinion is mineIf you don't like what I'm sayin'? FineBut don't close it, always keep an open mindA man who fails to listen is blindWe only got one right left in the world todayLet me have it or throw The Constitution away
18. Today, we have seen many games become banned or censored by governments around the globe. Sometimes for violence reasons, other times political reasons, countries like the People’s Republic of China, Germany, and Japan, have all have banned games. The question still remains however, what do these countries try to hide when banning some of these games? Upon looking at some of these countries’ histories, it’s very clear that there might be some other issues at play besides violence and politics. You be the judge. by Sean Simons
19. The fact is that censorship always defeats its own purpose, for it creates, in the end, the kind of society that is incapable of exercising real discretion.” Henry Steele Commager

20. Censorship ends in logical completeness when nobody is allowed to read any books except the books that nobody reads.” George Bernard Shaw

Critique#2


The artist of this piece is unknown, also the title is unknown. The medium of this piece is spray paint. The subject matter of this piece is censorship. This piece of artwork so interesting because of the message it is trying to send. The police man is a pig which is a common slang name used by people for the police and he is arresting the man for spray painting, this is where the first sign of censorship comes in. The other is the person holding the book the expression on their face seems to be confused, to me this shows the censorship of literature and how the truth is twisted to what the government wants you to believe.
This piece is aesthetic because of the colors used to express the feeling of the artist. In the piece there are some abstract qualities for example the building in the background are less detailed than the one that is clearly seen. The content of this piece is censorship in graffiti. This piece is also a graphic because of the writing in it that also expresses what the artist is trying to say. There are many colors and shading in this piece which give it hue. There are also dramatic distinctions between light and dark which give it a sharp three dimensional look also known as chiaroscuro. The artist showed realism with his representation of censorship by the policeman arresting the man doing the graffiti. I believe that this was also the focal point of the piece. The city in the background is the field of the piece because it is an area of consistent quality. Throughout the piece there is shading mixed in with the colors to make them appear darker. This gives them implication of action or movement. The artist did a great job of rendering a scene of censorship because he expresses his true feeling throughout the painting.
The focal point of this painting is the policeman arresting the man spray painting because it shows how censorship controls everything that we do. It controls us from expressing our true feelings. The narrative of this piece is that we are held back in some sense from what we really want to express because the government does not want a rebellion once again. If they have us under control they do not have to worry and this means all aspects of a freedom are untrue.

Critique#1


The name of my graphic is lockdown dissent by Eric Drooker. The medium of the piece of art is a computer graphic. The subject matter of the graphic is censorship, this represents censorship to me because in the graphic the man is holding a pencil which represents freedom of speech and by the man being locked in a cell it shows that the government can control what they want. The allusion of the piece is great because you really have to think in a certain way to see the censorship side of the graphic.
In this piece there are 2 major points. One of these points is chiaroscuro; this is represented by the cell because it is dark and dreary. By making the piece dark it gives it an effect of a bad place where you do not want to be. The second major point of the piece is the focal point; the focal point of the graphic is the hands on the bars holding the pencil. This is the focal point because it give the graphic its meaning of censorship without the pencil in the hand it would just be a man in prison but the pencil is meant to represent freedom of speech, and within the cell he has no way of expressing this freedom.
The story I see within the piece is that the man was trying to express his freedoms and he is locked up for doing so. The graphic shows that the government can control all aspects of what they want to get out to the public from writing to music, it is all in their hands. This is shown by the man locking the cell with the keys it gives us an idea of the government and the power they have to do such things even though we have commandments stating we have freedom of speech. There is only one thing that makes the graphic weak to me and that is that you have to really search for the meaning of the piece because there is not very much going on at first glance.

Narrative#1


They told me to never question what I was told, they told me not to look where I’m not supposed to see, and they told me not to listen to what I am supposed to be. The problem was I’ve done all these things without them knowing... or at least that’s what I thought. Every day I questioned their choices, I wondered why they would not want me to know these things, why are all the people and I being told lies to cover up the truth? This was a question only they could answer but they never did.
Every day I saw things they told me were not true and knowing this made it impossible to look away. I seek the truth but I am not so sure I will ever find it. So I try to listen for clues and hear the message that they are trying to hide it with. My life is a lie and today is the day it will end, I will confront these powers and I will let them know that I am not fooled. I will demand the truth and nothing but it, because this is the day I will finally have all the answers to my questions.
I entered the building with my head held high with confidence because I am the one who stands up for what I believe in. I was at the main desk when I told the clerk I would like to meet the man who controls these lies. He sent me to the top floor where there was a long dark hallway with an old oak door at end of it. I entered the room and there was nothing, this made me wonder if there even was a single person controlling this maybe it was something I made up in my head or is it?

Narrative #2

Ever since I was a little boy I have been told what is right and what is wrong in this world. My government has always had the upper hand on my people and I think it’s time we say something about it. We shall start a revolution against our communist government and begin a new life without censorship. I am sick and tired of the blindness that we live in everyday; we need to pull the blindfolds from our eyes and live our lives the way we want to.
No matter what I do to free myself from their grips I can never find a way. No matter where I go I can feel them watching every move I make. They control almost every aspect of my life in some way and they do not care to hide it. They believe what they do is for the good of our people but the truth is it’s not truth at all it is tampered with to fit their views.
I know if you are reading this from china… well you won’t be reading this because it will be censored. It will be removed from the internet because it is going against what they want you to hear and know. My message will never reach who I want it to and this mind as well not exist, but for the few who might see it stand up for what you believe in and never stop fighting until the truth is revealed.