Two exhibits at the Worcester Art Museum

For more information  go to  the link below.


http://www.worcesterart.org/


Both exhibits focus on what we have been reading/viewing  this semester.  Thank you.  Hope to see you there.

Ariel Sharon art installation

We are currently reading about the  political  impact in the arts; and, also reading about  installation  art, you should look at the attached site.

From the site ImpactLab:

Controversial Leader Coma-tized

Ariel Sharon, once one of the Mideast’s most controversial leaders, is the subject of an unusual art exhibition presently on display in Tel Aviv. Israeli artist Noam Braslavsky has created a life-size sculpture of the comatose Sharon lying eyes-open in his hospital bed

http://www.impactlab.net/2010/10/19/ariel-sharon-in-a-coma-becomes-an-art-installation/

Abstract Expressionism

BIG BANG    New Yorker.COM  slide show Abstract Expressionism.  Take the time to enrich your visual  knowledge.  Thank you.

New Book on Frida Kahlo by Judy Chicago

Since femanisim and gender will be themes discussed in Contemporary Art,  the new book on Frida Kahlo by Judy Chicago should be interesting, to see if the viewpoints of a contemporary feminist artist will enhance our understanding of Kahlo and her work. Kahlo is not covered in your text, but she has gathered much interest in our time, particularly as a role model, etc. for women. She gained further notic among today's generation through the release of the film "Frida" in 2002. If you haven't seen the film, it is well worth seeing.

You can find out more in the information section of the Judy Chicago web site:

http://www.judychicago.com/?p=news_chicago

And more about Frida Kahlo at:
http://www.fridakahlo.com/

A visit to the Addison Gallery

The Addision Gallery (http://www.addisongallery.org/) is a very good small museum in Andover, Massachusetts, on the grounds of the Andover Academy.

I re-visited this week, since they had an exhibit of highlights from the collection, in celebration of a major renovation project just completed. The facility is beautiful - a classical building, in keeping with the setting.

It was interesting to see the approach they took with the installation. The works were grouped by themes such as Construction, Sequence, etc. - not chronoglogically. This allowed them to juxtapose works from all periods, and cause the viewer to think about the content of the work and the interrelationships.

As with most museums, photography was not allowed indoors, but I was able to capture a glimpse of one of the Dale Chihuly spheres they had embedded in the greenery of a rooftop garden.

The current exhibit ends in October; admission is free to the museum.

The Mightier Pen

The New York Times Magazine, September 19,2010 .  Jim Margraff, inventor of the Livescribe pen .

Contemporary Art for the now and future generation of education.  This article is beneficial to the arts education we all want to know.  On-line, library, worth the trip.  "The Pen That Nevers Forgets"

Artists and Celebrities

Here is a link to a slide show on Slate.com about artists using celebrities (or are the celebrities using artists?). Take a look, and think about it. Artistic expression? Marketing? Publicity stunts?

http://www.slate.com/id/2267425/

New York Times Art Section

September 12,2010, Arts and Leisure..two sections...worth the time and effort to review.  Theater, Dance,Video Games,Television, Film, Pop Art, Music, Architecture, Painting, Exhibits....and the list continues.  Covers all the above that will take place in various locations in the USA....including a full page ad for the Russian Icon Museum in Clinton, MA. , and the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA.
Enjoy  and maybe plan a trip !  Thank you.  R. Parente

Damien Hirst tire cover

Although we won't be discussing this artist (Damien Hirst) until later in the course (when we will also be discussing the interesection of art and commerce), the announcement of what is purported  to be (and probably is) the most expense spare tire cover available today caught my eye.

This has been reported on many automotive news blogs (how's that for bringing contemporary art to different audiences!), and here is one link: http://most-expensive.net/spare-tire-cover

Even if you have not followed the art world in the past, you most likely remember seeing news stories about Hirst's works, in particular, the shark floating in formaldehyde. His "spin paintings", such as the one used on the tire cover, are usually created by staff in his studio, and as you can tell, created by dripping paint on a spinning surface (you may remember doing something like this when visiting a carnival as a child).

So, check it out, and try to answer whether this is art?, commerce?, serious? a publicity stunt? Elements of some or all of these?

Is your reaction affected by the price and/or the claim that it is a creation of a world-famous artist?

Art in the Park - Contemporary Sculpture Installations in Worcester

With the nice weather, you don't even need to go into a museum to see contemporary art.

The Worcester Arts Council sponsors an exhibit of outdoor sculpture in Elm Park, remaining on-view into October. A visit might be nice. Follow the link for more information and images.

http://www.worcestermass.org/arts-culture-entertainment/worcester-arts-council/art-in-the-park

Welcome to Parente's Art Blog for Contemporary Art 121

Welcome to Contemporary Art 121. The world of contemporary art may seem strange, and often incomprehensible. I hope that you  will not, however, find it boring.

Almost every day there is a news item in the mass media about contemporary art, usually in the “Arts” section, but often in the main news, and often presented due to some controversy or sensationalistic aspect.

In this blog, and in your exploration of contemporary art, will will look at current happenings and trends in the art world.

I will post items of interest here, and I welcome your comments, inputs, and expressions of your own reactions to the world of contemporary art.

Thank you,

R. Parente