Week 7
This week in class we were fortunate enough to see photographs from Terri Warpinski. I liked how Terri goes about her photos; she takes picture of the real world and keeps it true to how she sees it. Most of her photos deal with social disorder and turbulence and our environment. I have always been a fan of black and white photography but it was nice to see photos that really had something to say. I felt like her images were very powerful especially the ones of the old concentration camps. Not only was Terri passionate about her artwork but each photo had a story to tell and captured that moment. It was like Terri was taking you inside of her life for an hour. I feel like lots of photographers just take photos but do not have motive and this was not the case for Terri. From the places she has been you can tell she is cultural educated. Terri’s art really spoke to me personally and I was happy to view such beautiful work.
In the readings for this week Gablik spoke to Richard Schusterman, a professor at Temple University. Schusterman being a professor of philosophy he talked about the relationship between art and science. I found it interesting how he made connections between the two saying both relate to economic regime of capitalism. On page 257 he says, “In both art and science we see the need for radical new discoveries. Part of the impulse of modernity-and this has come with us into postmodern-is the demand for change, new discoveries, new movements in art.” I agree with him because like science art is changing as people are always looking to make something new and elite. Sometimes I feel like art is bases on pioneering less than overall quality. Like in my art history class, I feel like a lot of the artwork is bad art but because it like thousands of years old it gets recognized as masterworks. Schusterman even gives his two cents on what is art? On page 259. “Sometimes you can debate with people what is art? Isn’t it art? And you get into an empty stalemate or into silly circular bickering. Then it’s worth asking: In calling this art, what is at stake?” I loved how he then talks about how most people think art is everlasting or eternal. He goes on to talk about how beautiful things that are temporary get overlooked like sunsets or fireworks for example. I really enjoyed this reading but what really caught my eye as a hip-hop head was his passage on hip-hop. He talks about hip-hop culture and its affect on the rest of the world. On page 263 he says, “The interesting thing about rap music is that although it’s black music and it maintains its deep connection to African American culture, when it travels, it gets inflected by the local culture and deal with that local culture’s problems. I guess what I’m talking about are two needs that are different, and might even seem conflictual, but perhaps could be brought together”. I agree with Schusterman because he believes like through hip-hop and art, certain things that normally do not go together can work to better the world.
The next reading interviewed Carol Becker, the vice-president for academic affairs of the School of Art Institute of Chicago. I found this interview very interesting about it address students need to be exposed to the real world. Growing up in a small nice town surround by Oakland, California I feel like I have seen the what can go down in the real world but a lot of people I know are very sheltered and really do not know about the poverty going on in our backyard. On page 361 Becker talks about how society wants artists to be, “American Society hasn’t encouraged artists to be part of the dialogue –not just to talk politics, but to talk about life. There hasn’t been any attempt to pull out from people who are really creative.” I felt like Becker address some strong issues and problems our society has. I know Becker would enjoy Terri’s artwork because it shows the world in a real way.
This week I loved the readings and the artist because I felt like I shared a similar outlook on what they were trying to say.
Mural for Oscar Grant. The young man who was handcuffed then shot by bart police in Oakland, California. Johnannes Mehserle, the cop responsible for the murder was given the lowest sentencing possible last week.
