PLACE
I think that a place is what defines us as people, or further more as individuals. There are many things that can be said about a person by where and how they live. Something as simple as their cleaning habits can lead to understanding their personality. Sometimes people will decorate according to their interests, but it is this atmosphere they live, that truly defines who they are.
Artist Richard Sierra has a relationship with the elements in his art, if he is startled by his ideas then he continues to proceed on carrying them out. He keeps sketches of his ideas at all times on his artwork, he calls this "keeping himself together." Sierra was greatly influenced from his younger years when he used to watch ships in a shipyard. He recalls this memory as a re-occurring dream that has affected him as an artist.
Sally Mann's childhood greatly influences her as an individual and as an artist. The environment that she grew up in reflects her ideals when she does art now. Her father gave her her first camera and since then she has had a love for photography. She recalls that when she was little she was kind of neglected and often was naked running around. This fact is why she is probably so comfortable and laid back about taking pictures of her children naked, even when other people get uncomfortable about this idea.
Margaret Kaligan and her husband are influenced by folkart and handmade art. They both would rather do things out on the streets than indoors for galleries or museums. They find that their street credibility is much more important than being will know. Making statements by using graffiti and writing on trains are what they find important.
Pepson Osorio is an artist who likes to have places that can make other people feel like they are in a certain place. For instance he produces these houses that tell a story about a family and have them travel around calling them, "Home Visits." Pepson recreates many of his childhood memories which deal with a lot of contradiction of emotion. One example is of his barber shop experience, how it was a celebration but at the same time a nightmare.
The program has in a way altered my interpretation of what a place is. A place defines who you are as an individual however these artists can bring these places to other viewers. Helping to recreate the memories of the places they witnessed.
From the art 21 episode, I feel most connected to Richard Sierra. He makes huge organic sculptures, mostly from sheets of metal. I feel connected to him because he keeps "himself together," by constantly keeping sketches of his progress with different pieces of art and every stage they go through. From the original design all the way to installation and showings. Hey says that his hand and eye coordination is what enables him to see. His sculptures make people feel startled because they are unable to locate themselves. Sierra describes his art as working from the inside out.
The most accessible artwork from any of the artist is that of Pepson Osorio. Many of his pieces travel around to different houses on home visits. Margarte Kaligan and her husband also have very accessible artwork, mainly because it is outdoors available to the masses as a whole. Mainly due to the fact common people, not the same crowd that goes around to museums, see the work. However because of it being mostly graffiti it is often covered up or changing, so because of this it is hard for one person to see the exact same thing as someone else saw the previous week. Sally Mann's photographs are accessible because they don't change and will stay the same as what they always have been unlessthe artist herself makes changes. The least accessible is Richard Sierrra's huge metal sculptures. Even though they are huge they are in museums and galleries.
The most common place from my childhood that I remember is the creak that is behind my parents house. I would describe this place as being relaxing. Another on is my best friend's barn. A word I would describe for this is frightening. I found it frightening because there was this dead cat that was mummified stuck in the rafters. My parents pop-up camper I remember as being adventures. My sister anad I would always go little adventures around campsites. There used to be an old funhouse in one of the local malls. It had all different kinds of rooms, including a ballroom. One word to describe would be fun. Stuffy is a word I would use to describe my memories of my grandparents house. They only had old toys to play with and it smelled weird.
The creak behind my house: I remember mostly this place as being somewhere for me to go and get away from people. There was obviously the stream that went through the woods, that was home to many creatures. Once in awhile I would see little furry creatures, but I don't know what they are. Many little fish and bugs would be living in water. My lab Lacey would usually keep me company when I went on my little trips back there. It was neither a dark dreary place or a bright happy place, it was somewhere in between.
STORIESStories that I find important are that told about family stories. These stories can be about moral issues or things parents find important to tell their children to make them better individuals. I also think it is important to carry on folk stories to generations. I think an important story that everyone should know is The Velventeen Rabbit. Its a good story that teaches a variety of things including the idea of growing up.
There are different importance levels of different stories. Throughout time some stories get lost over time, while some continue to get passed down through generations. Stories that get passed down generally tend to be folk stories. These stories have a tale to tell that is not only both entertaining but also teach children a lesson. For example little red riding hood, don't talk to strangers. There are also stories that are just told through specific families, these stories could relate to culture, language, or an important event that took place in history.
Artist Kara Walker "shadows" tell a story almost in a journalistic way. They are fictious stories about the south and slavery using specific grotesque stories. Kiki Smith uses the characte the witch over and over in her artwork. She explains that using the same character repeatly like that gives them life. Do-Ho Sun wanted to keep his history with him whereever he went. So he created a house that travels with him, made out of cloth. The house resembles the one he grew up in as a child in Korea. Trenton Doyle HAncock is the best example of an artist the works in a journalistic way. He tells maltipule stories through is work many using the characters, Mound and Toredo Boy. This is so much him that he even dresses up as Torpedo Boy do do some of his artwork. I believe that a journal is a constant work of art. It is not only an expression of the individual, but it changes and adapts over time. Journals are constant records of thought and ideas that express a person as an individual.
10 years younger:
My friends are very important to me, and what they think help to shape me in what I do. I spend most of my time playing with my sister who is four years younger than I. Going to school everyday is my biggest most important thing I do. I like getting good grades and I like to show people that I know what I am doing and get praise. Often when I dream, I recall experiences I went through within the past week. I often find myself reworking the events to have them go my way, or just simply to please me.
Now:
College is the most important thing in my life right now. My courses are what shapes what I do when I do it. I can only manage so much, when I get time I try and have a good time, to help and balance out my busy schedule. Between school and work I don't have much time for family and friends. The emotion I mostly feel is stress, but at the same time I feel freedom. College offers so many possibilities that could potentially shape my future. Dreams now days are rare for me. I hardly ever remember what I was thinking when I wake up in the morning. I wish sometimes I had more time to reflect on my thoughts.
