Wrapped Coast by Christo and Jeanne Claude
One Million Square Feet, Little Bay, Sydney, Australia, 1968-69
Shall answer the questions posted to us first. (:
1) Christo and Jean-Claude’s work is highly unique. How would you describe this artwork to one of your peers? Use art specific vocabulary, as well as adjectives to anwser.
This work is one that defies the notion of conventional/traditional art. It is a site-specific installation. The most striking thing about the artwork is the scale: one entire coast is the artwork itself! It is an artwork that is temporary as the coast was only wrapped for a period of ten weeks. So photography is another important medium as it captures the work and allows us to view the work long after the work is dismantled.
The cloth is white and opague, so the details of the coast are concealed and only the shape and form is left for us to see. This brings out the importance of the shape and size of the work. The work consists of monochromatic colours, mainly due to the white fabric and dark shadows. Tonal variation can also be found in the work as the shadows can be of a different shade of grey as the shadows casted depends on the sun's position. As the day progresses, the sun's position will change and the shadows will alter according to the sun. To fully experience the changes of the artwork, we have to be physically there, to see the artwork with our own eyes. White is also a colour that reflects other colours, so if different coloured lights are shone on it, it will reflect the particular colour accordingly.
Lines are also present in the artwork, although they are unnoticed by many. The different folds of the fabric can mould the form of the coast, contributing to the contours of the artwork. The folds can also be lines themselves. The shadows due to the folding of the fabric create the illusion of lines in the work. This is contributes to the presence of both horizontal lines and vertical lines in the art piece. Lines are also formed by the ropes tying the fabric to the coast. There is also a distinguished "line" to separate the wrapped coast from the unwrapped coast, which creates the contrast between white fabric and the dark coloured coast. Another "abstract" line will be the perspective line.
As for the shape of the artwork, it is quite ambiguous as it is a combination of different shapes(mostly angular shapes with sharp edges). The defined shapes remind me of Cubism, where geometric shapes are the emphasis. Shape is definitely an important element in this work, as the shape is more defined due to the fabric being monochrome in colour. There is also a homogenous texture to the work. The work is crafted in such a way that the fabric hangs over the coast, giving it a flowing effect, giving it a certain fluidty.
Overall, this is an art piece that is a very unique piece, and it is also a controversial one. It challenges the notion of art. It is also quite environmental friendly too, as the fabric is recycled at the end of this whole project.
2) In your own words, what is the subject matter of the “Wrapped Coast”? What was the purpose of creating such a monumental work?
I think that the subject matter of the work is the coast itself, and how the appearance of the coast has been morphed after being wrapped by the cloth. By creating such a monumental work, it really stands out from other artworks as most artworks are placed in the museums and people just have to go to the museums to see them. However, as an entire coast is the artwork and it is site-specific, people have to make a special trip down to the coast to experience the whole artwork. Creating such a monumental piece also allows the viewers to interact with the artwork as viewing it from different angles, under different weather can change the aesthetic quality of the whole work. For example, viewing the artwork in the day is different from viewing it at night. Another thing about a monumental work is the size of it, as the huge size can bring out the dynamism of the artwork.
PERSONAL FEELINGS TOWARDS CHRISTO
Christo is an artist who is very dedicated to his art making. He has to be specific and do his measurements carefully in order to make this work. This is carried out in the form of preparatory sketches, which shows that the planning process is very important. We should always plan before excuting our plan. For example, we should do enough prep work before starting on our coursework final piece... Even though the work may seem effortless to create, but people often neglect the prep works that the artist does before working on the final. Christo is also an artist that is highly original. Quoted from Paul Gauguin: "Art is either plagiarism or revolution." Christo's works is definitely revolutionary and controversial, but the bravery to do something different from other art is very commendable.
In my opinion, I feel that black and white photos capture the true essence of his work. I think that the most interesting idea of this work is that it plays around with shadows. So though black and white photos, the importance of shadows is highlighted as our eyes are not distracted by colour. The tonal contrast between shadows and lighted areas is more obvious. In the photo on the left, we can observe that the shadows have different degree of darkness and the way that the cloth drapes over the forms is really fascinating. We can see each fold clearly, each shadow is captured with a different hue. As for the second photograph, the work looks like a waterfall!
However, a coloured picture is also nice in its own way. It shows the contrast between the artwork and its surroundings(the clear blue sky).
OTHER WORKS:
Wrapped Cans and Bottles, 1958/1959
Every artist has a starting point.The wrapping of small daily objects such as cans and bottles inspired him to continue to wrap different things, to explore the wonders of different surfaces and textures. Even though this work is not as monumental as most of his other works, I felt that this was important as this triggered the "artistic spark" in Christo, which led to him wrapping other stuff and eventually, wrapping large scaled buildings. This work may be insignificant in most people's eyes, but I felt that this was the crucial step that Christo took towards his artistic career.
Wrapped Trees, 1997-1998
This is an ordinary subject matter. But Christo transforms the ordinary into something special, just by wrapping them. Trees like this can go unnoticed as they are just like what we see everyday, but wrapped trees are something that captures people's attention.
Christo's forte is to create artworks of a larger scale, creating the biggest art pieces in art history.
The Umbrellas, Japan-USA, 1984-91
(This shows that he not only wraps things. His art is always situated outdoors and they are site-specific)
Wrapped Reichstag, Berlin, 1971-95
This shows that the impact of his works can be altered with different lighting.
Wrapping Reichstag reminds me of another work by Jenny Holzer, a conceptual artist! Both works are similar: buildings are turned into art by covering them with something.
For the City -Jenny Holzer (2006)
CHRISTO WRAPPING ACTIVITY! (:
Collaboration with Tze She!
Materials used inclue: Cling Wrap, Rock, Snail Shell, Grass (and railing in NYGH)
So these photos show our wrapping process:
Experimenting with composition of objects...
Beginning to wrap after confirming the positions of various objects.
& WRAPPING IS DONE! (:
Like Christo's work, this work cannot be permanent as I guess that any other NY girl who walks pass it will kind of get a shock to see something wrapped there. So we had to unwrap it. ): When unwrapping it, we realised that the objects became loose from their fixed positions and kind of fell or the railing, only to be suspended by the cling wrap. (: It is a nice effect! (: Like a mother carrying a baby.
Ok, I shall now offer the interpretations for our work.(: It may be different from Tze She's.
I guess the main theme of our work is the juxtaposition of the natural and the man-made, similar to Montien Boonma's Water Buffaloes from Field to Town:
The objects that we have wrapped are natural, but they are wrapped on man-made bars, with man-made cling wrap. So there is the contrast of the manufactored and the natural. Well, after the objects are wrapped on the bars, the several layers of the cling wrap actually concealed the details of the object(as the layers of cling wrap is translucent). Therefore, the form and shape of the objects are further emphasised, like Christo's work. In Christo's work, the coast is covered with opague cloth, so we cannot see the coast itself, but we can see the overall shape of it and how the cloth drapes over the different forms. In our work, even though the objects can still be made out(as the cling wrap is not opague), the different forms of the objects have morphed into one after being wrapped. In my opinion, the wrapped objects look like a shoe because we wrapped them as a whole and not as individual objects.
MEANING OF OUR WORK: In my opinion, I think that our work is trying to convey the message of how modernisation has impacted our world. Firstly, the manufactored cling wrap is covering the natural objects, which shows domination of the man-made over the natural. The metal bars are actually slanting downwards, which shows that nature is suffering and natual resources are decreasing due to demolishing and excessive usage of them. This symbolises that due to rapid urbanisation, we have destroyed nature. For example, to create new space for buildings, we carry out deforestation. We are so focused on the advancement of our human race that we have forgotten to take care of mother nature and we are demolishing nature.In the future, will nature be taken over by us? Will it be concealed by us? I hope not. Nature is beautiful, nature itself is a form of art. So we should take little measures in an attempt to save nature - reduce, reuse and recycle.
The main medium used in his works = Pure Natural stuff and Nature itself.
This implies that his works are only temporary as materials from nature are biodegradable and nature is subjected to change (the weather is unexpected sometimes). So, in order to capture his works and make them "last longer", photography is used as a "side medium". In other words, photography is a medium to document his works.
As viewers, we can only experience his works through photographs as I guess most of the works will have been demolished by now. Well, I think that the photograph shots are taken in such an angle that it somehow "guides" us when we are looking at the work. Maybe these photos are taken from angles that makes the work look best. However, I think that since it is a sculptural work, I would prefer that more photographs ought to be taken so that we can appreciate the work from different angles, as well as admire the beauty of the surroundings in which the work is created in. However, the best is to go to the forest and see his works ourselves. That way, we can experience the full impact that his works bring, and immerse ourselves in the nature of the surroundings. Since we are living in such a hectic city like Singapore, it will be nice to go to an isolated and serene place that is away from all the traffic to experience natural art. It will also be a different experience as it is looking at art that is situated outside of museums.
Personally, I admire him as an artist as he only uses materials and tools from nature to create his art. This brings out the sacred elements of nature and emphasises that nature can be art as well, although we do not notice it. He has broken away from the traditional definition of art as he creates eco-friendly art. (: The subject matter may be just mere forms and they are simplistic and abstract, however, I think that there is a hidden meaning in his art. His art is the manipulation of nature, however, since weather changes may just destroy the fragile pieces of art, it means that we cannot manipulate nature forever as nature will eventually return to its "natural state", the original way that nature is arranged.
I believe that he enjoyed the process of making his natural art and gained a lot of insights about nature through his art making. That is what makes his works so meaningful as he has to understand, explore and discover nature in order to create such works. Nature is a very powerful medium as nature is huge! The resources and materials available from nature is of a very wide range and they come in different forms, shapes, sizes, textures and colours. Furthermore, nature is a free source of materials! (:
Each of his works are unique and beautiful as he incorporates different elements of nature in different works, which contributes a different mood to each piece of artwork.
Nature is also like his art studio as he creates his art in nature! In this way, he is also not limited to the confinements of the art atudio and he can explore his ideas in a more free and expressive way. Since his "art studio" is situated in an isolated and peaceful place, he can create his art in peace and his creativity can run without interruptions(while breathing in fresh air at the same time!). An ideal art studio. (: He is an artist that is fully and physically involved with the natural surroundings. If possible, I would like to experiment with creating natural art too, but in the Singapore context, I guess that is almost impossible as almost every corner is covered with people as our population is too dense! Singapore is a crowded city and the most natural parts of Singapore would be places like Botanical Gardens, Bukit Timah Hill...However, if I start manipulating the flora and fauna there to create my works, I may be stared at by people. There is no sense of privacy here, it is not an ideal "natural studio". However, I feel that what we can take away from Goldsworthy is probably not his way of art practice, but his resilience and patience in creating his beautiful and delicate works. I feel that artists must be strong-willed and must truly love the art they do, in order to produce the best art. Goldsworthy is a remarkable artist! (:
From this video, we can see that he needs a lot of perseverence to create works in nature as they may just topple and fall. Stability and balance are very important elements in his work! Precision is also crucial.
STICK HOLE by Andy Goldsworthy
--> It is the work that is in our syllabus, so I shall write about it!
It is an abstract, organic piece of work which may be inspired by a bird's nest(something found in nature) as it looks like one! The work is simple as a whole, but it is actually quite a detailed work if the individual sticks are observed.
It is created using sticks that are arranged in a circular motion, such that it forms a circle with a dark hole in the middle, like an abyss. The sticks are criss-crossed and intersect each other to secure the branches in place. Each stick needs to hold another stick in place so it must be arranged carefully such that the sticks complement each other perfectly. It is placed against a tree so, creating a sense of juxtaposition of the manipulated and the natural. However, as the sticks are natural, it also blends into the tree behind it well, camouflaged in the surroundings. If someone is not careful, he may just walk pass the work without actually noticing it. This reflects the current situation of our face-paced modern world -- we are so caught up in our rapidly changing lives that we forget to stop to appreciate the beauty of our surroundings. Beauty is actually all around us, the key lies in whether we see it or not.
The colour scheme of this work is monochromatic and natural. The sticks are different shades of earthly brown, and they are different in shape, size and texture. The usage of sticks as a medium encapsulates the essence of nature as nature itself is unique, just like how each stick is different from the other. A tonal gradient is also present in the work as the sticks are of different shades. The neutral and earthly colour scheme conveys a sense of serenity and zen, making it merge into its surroundings even more.
A Collaboration with Ooi Shu Hui (: Inspired by Andy Goldsworthy.
Hmm, it is supposed to be horizontal but when I uploaded it, it became vertical. :/
It is supposed to be the infinity sign, but now it looks like an '8'.
Anyway, medium used is sand and pencil shavings (taken from the pencil sharpener in the art room) and newspaper for the background. Well, I can't say that it looks like Andy Goldsworthy works as Goldsworthy definitely spend more time perfecting his art compared to us and his is situated in a pure nature(while we did this in the art room). His work is also more natural than ours. Pencil shavings are somewhat "manipulated nature" so I won't consider it as pure nature. Goldsworthy's works are also larger in scale and requires more patience and skill. Even though it is not purely natural, the colours are definitely earthly, natural and warm, contrasting with the monochromatic background(the newspaper). There is a juxtaposition of the pure natural and the "man-made natural" in our work too, which is similar to Goldsworthy's works. The pencil shavings are "man-made" as pencils themselves are made by man from wood, while the sand should be considered as a part of nature(I am not sure if it is man-made sand).
I am not sure if Ooi Shu Hui thinks this way too but I shall offer an interpretation for our work. I guess that we wanted to portray nature as being infinite as there are no boundaries to nature. We also hope that nature will be better conserved by mankind as nowadays, nature is constantly being wrecked and destroyed by man. So by arranging our work in the infinite sign, it means that we hope that nature will last for eternity and not be gone because it is wiped off by humans.
From the side view, it looks like mountains clogged together...
Our work is 3D as nature as a whole is filled with different textures, shapes and sizes. (:
Went to art stage with a few AEP-ers! Well, there are too many things to see that we didn't manage to view all the works. ): Art Stage should be held for a longer period of time(Why is it only held for 4 days? ): )The exhibition totally changed my impression towards contemporary art. Before Art Stage, I thought that contemporary art is mainly nonsensical, but I am glad that Art Stage proved me wrong. I can feel the vibrancy of the works! I have decided to elaborate more on art stage as I felt that this exhibition was the one that sturck me the most. I have went to the Louvre to see the Old Masters' paintings, the Singapore Museum to see the Impressionists', to Berlin to see Dali...and now, I have went to Marina Bay Sands to see Contemporary Art!
This exhibition was really different from many of the previous exhibitions that I went to. Most exhibitions showcase works from a certain art movement being put together, so the painting style is similar, characteristic and distinctive. Therefore, there was somewhat a lack of variation of art as the works are similar to each other and the medium used is mainly traditional - oil on canvas or pencil sketches. However, at Art Stage, works are generally not related to each other and there was sense of vibrancy and spontaneity in the exhibition. As we walk through each small gallery of the art stage, we encounter different works juxtaposed together and we can be often surprised as we do not know what to expect. There are interactive works, shocking works, beautiful works and so much more. The richness of this exhibition is just...WOW!!!
Through art stage, I realised that contemporary art can be presented in many different forms, with many different media. There are many works that have captivated me and I am impressed with the variety of works showcased. The works showcased each artist's creativity, interpretation of issues and the ability to express himself/herself. Well, I only managed to snap a few photos as there is a 'no photography' sign outside. The first part of the post will be filled with pictures that I have managed to snap.
PICTURES THAT I TOOK:
I really like this work as the manipulation of the ink is really skillful! The colours are somewhat soothing too. There is a sense of gracefulness and fluidity in the work, even though there is no obvious form. The lines present in the work guides the viewers' eye movement and although there is no central focus, I feel that the forms are neatly organised amd presented,
The dots are actually 'pop-ups'. Cool textural effect! Simple but interesting! It plays with the application of different colours and CONTRAST. Firstly, the dots and the background contrast in colour, so that the countless dots are noticeable. Secondly, the texture contrasts. The background is flat, 2 dimensional with minimal variation of surface while the spots are spontaneously applied in thick dabs.
Let us zoom in on the work:
Well, this is impasto on canvas! Like really thick textural impasto! The dots are all pointed so as to enhance the 3 dimensional quality of the work.
The ingenious usage of pins to create the forms of a cherry blossom tree! The use of positive and negative space is important in this work as it emphasises the presence of the tree. There is also a combination of 3-dimensional and two dimensional effects. Well, you have to stand from afar to actually make out that it is a cherry blossom tree. Just like how the different dots of pointilism seem to merge into one complete scene or object when viewed from a distance! The work is simple when viewed as a whole, but detailed when viewed as individual pins coming together. The soft hues(a combination of pale pink and baby blue) in the work add to the lightness and airy feeling of the work. The scale is large, so the work looks more like a cherry blossom tree!
Moonlight of Franz Liszt(2011) - Shi Jindian
Coloured stainless steel wire and paper
Wow at the 3-dimensional double bass! (: Creative use of wire mesh and some other media to create the sense of lightness in the work! (: The double bass is suspended in the air to further emphasise the light weight and airiness of the work! The contour is also really clear and defines the shape of the double bass in a realistic way.(well, it is not distorted).... The artist must have carefully studied the shape of the instrument to achieve such precision!
When zoomed in, there are really intricate details! I think that the artist took a long time to plan the details! I feel that the work is 'seen through' so as to show each and every minor detail of the work. To me, the artist is using this to convey to the viewers that the process of art making is actually very tedious and requires a lot of patience and resilience. The process is something that most people tend to overlook and it is something that only the artist can experience.
Another work by the artist. This is a very unique installation! (:
These works are by a Japanese artist - Sakae Ozawa! (: I really like the juxtaposition of forms! (: The composition manipulation is really skillful and the figures are arranged in a somewhat non-realistic way but it is aesthetically pleasing. A little like the Surrealists!(In a cartoonised way) The use of arbitary colours in the second painting balances out the warmth of the painting, adding the tinge of vibrance and liveliness to it. Works 1 and 2 have a soft feeling to it, adding to the fantasy quality of both works. The forms are of a drapery quality, drooping downwards, which guides the viewers' eye movement in a way.
Human Paradise - Tokyo #7, #8, #9 (2011) - Tetsutaro Kamatani
Oil and mixed media on canvas
Close up:
Collage style. But too messy for my liking. There are too many things happening at the same time! I feel that there is no focal point so I feel confused, due to the messiness in the work. However, I have to admit that the strong, bold, bright and complementary colours actually attract the viewers' attention.
In comparison to the previous work, this has a central focus and there are no 'distractions' in the work. The flower dominates the whole composition and the lines in the work lead to a central focal point. The lines seem to be radiating outwards to form the flower, which reminds me of the stars in Van Gogh's "Starry Starry Night". Complementary colours of red and green are placed together in harmony so as to bring more attention to the focal point. A neat and tidy piece of work.
I find that this work is quite traditional and the definitive, realistic, well-blended, smooth brushstrokes are reminscent of the old masters. However, traditional methods of painting are brought to paint contemporary subject matter. The work is photo realistic, except that the eyes are exceptionally large nd exaggerated. The beautiful folds of the red clothing are perfectly captured with tonal variation of the same hue.
PHOTOS THAT I DID NOT TAKE (OF ARTWORKS THAT I HAVE SEEN)
I was trying to obey the rules by not taking photographs but in the end, I took out my camera. However, I have seen so many impressive works(which are unfortunately, not photographed). Since I had the book guide to works in found in Art Stage, I shall flip through it to get titles of the works and find pictures of them online. DISCLAIMER: Photos used in this section are NOT mine. ):
Nicole Kidman(2003) - Annie Leibovitz
The first artist that I wanted to introduce in this section is the photographer ANNIE LEIBOVITZ! I really admire her as she is one daring photographer(she is also one of the most famous photographers in America!). I came across her when I was in Sec 1, in Australia. She had an exhibition and her 'advertising' photo was this photo. The grandness and the flowing quality of Nicole Kidman's dress captivated me a lot, so I dragged my parents to the exhibition. She takes magnificant photos and she has also taken some controversial ones. She photographs celebrities, the Queen of England, the US President and her relatives and close friends.This photo was displayed at Art Stage. The enchanting photo of a daring photographer, who knows no limits.
Broken Mirror(2011)- Lee Yong Baek
42-inch monitors, Mac Mini, stereo speakers and classic frame mirror
This is an interactive installation. It provokes and awakens our senses! We can hear the sound of the crashing mirror. We can see the crack appearing out of nowhere then disappearing again. The sound of the mirror being cracked is the thing that brought me to view this work, because I was curious to find out why the cracking sound kept replaying. It is also interactive in such a way that it reflects each viewers who is standing in front of the ework, so the "components" of the artwork changes everytime a viewer comes and goes. It is a very original and unique idea!
Series 2 (No. 2) (1991-1992) - Fang Lijun
Oil on canvas
This artist was featured in the Chinese newspapers about one month ago! According to the title of the article, the artist stated that art practioners should deserve more credit and recognition. I totally agree! I mean being an artist is not a conventional job but I feel that being an artist is actually meaningful. Artists are creators, and their works ensure that the world's creativity does not die down. Anyway, back to the work! The bald men are actually "self portraits" of the artists(he is bald!). I suppose the artist is trying to convey the feelings of frustration towards a certain issue in his work. The dominant figure looks unhappy and his facial expressions are scrunched up. It reminds me of Lang Kacang, as the figures in both works have their mouths wide open.
Reclaim(2008) - Bai Yiluo
Colophony, pedicab and newspaper
This work is a huge model of the heart! It is like a comination of art and biology, which shows that the arts and the sciences do not have to be mutually exclusive! The size of the heart is humongous!!! It dominated the whole composition such that I never really noticed the rest of the objects until I looked closely at the artwork. Well, I guess that the heart is the highlight of the artwork, just like how our hearts are the "highlights" of our bodies - it is the most important and essential part. I believe that this work is to emphasise the importance of the heart in the human body. However, judging from the title, it is like asking us to "reclaim" our hearts. Maybe the artist is trying to highlight that there has been an increasing number of "heartless" people has our society modernises. There seems to have been a significant loss of heart-to-heart relationships as our society is growing colder. That is why we must "reclaim" our hearts so that warmth and love can continue to exist. As for the bicycle and the newspapers/books, there is a need to "reclaim" them as they are being replaced by cars and electronic reading devices. So I feel that this work is trying to highlight the importance of tradition and reminiscing the past.
Falling Feathers(2011) - Haris Purnomo
Acrylic on Canvas
In my opnion, this work is visually impactful and shocking. The first question that pops into my mind is: WHY ARE INNOCENT BABIES COVERED WITH CRUDE TATTOOS?!? The last beings to get tattoos would be babies! Is it to show that the world is becoming more and more corrupted such that babies so young seem to have lost their innocence to the world? I really wonder what is the real meaning behing this work...I feel that the issue that the artist is trying to convey is something negative and dark. A picture speaks a thousand words.
State of Being(Dress) (2011) - Chiharu Shiota
Metal, dress, plaster paint and wool
The detailed criss-cross patterns are similar to a work in the previous part of my post! (Moonlight of Franz Liszt). The "suspension" idea is also similar! Except that this time, the dress in suspended in the box, and since the box is placed on the ground, it gives a sense of solid and steadiness. This art piece is quite haunting because of the monochromatic colours used - black and white. It suggests creepiness as the white dress is "floating", almost ghost-like. It is a quiet work, one which suggests alienation from the world, enclosed in a box, retreating into one's own small world.
The Full Moon Story-06(2008) - Kim Kyung Soo
C-print
A stoic work. Still and Silent. The silent work shall speak for itself.
Future Project/Beijing (2011) - Weng Fen
Photograph
This work reflects a young individual looking forward and pondering what lies for her ahead. Maybe she is thinking about how she can contribute to the Chinese society in the future. China is a economic powerhouse that has slowly matched up to the USA, and this work hints that China is going to develop even further, especially Beijing. This is evident in the tall skyscrapers that are in the background of the work. Maybe the artist is implying that young talent is crucial for the further growth of the country in the future.
The Death of Marat(2011) - He XiangYu
Silicon, cloth
I got a shock when I first saw this. I thought that it was a live performance art and that the artist was planking, without moving. So I asked the person in charge of the gallery whether the person was real. Well, it turned out to be a sculpture! The realistic depiction of the human form is incredible! It looks even more realistic than ancient Greek Sculptures! The proportion was right, there was no exaggeration and the colours used were normal. It was a simple yet detailed artwork, but it was effective as people are drawn to the work subconsciously(ok, at least I was). I admire the skills of the artist - to be able to create a sculpture that is photo realistic!
Saturday Night(2007) - Kim In Sook
C-print on diasec
Each "room" shows what people normally do on a Saturday night. The work is about the size of a wall and it depicts a hotel/building with a glass wall. The rooms are covered by glass so we can all see what is happening inside- most of which is quite suggestive, seductive and subversive. I would classify this piece under controversial art as the subject matter is not what everyone would accept easily.
Untitled 2011 Series No. 1(2011) - Chen Yu
Oil on Canvas
Brushwork is refined and smoothly blended. The subject matter is about how one woman is entangled with many men? I feel that this work is highlighting the social issue about young people being less and less committed to love and do not take love as seriously as people in the past. That is a sad thing. ):
Childhood Horizon and Childhood Harbour - Chen Wenling
This is a playful art piece, one that suggests humour and fun. The single colour used - red, is a bold, raw, striking, strong and spontaneous colour, suggesting the playfulness of a child. The child's facial expression also conveys the notion of being mischevious. The large scale of the art makes the art dynamic and striking. With the scale and the colour, this art piece stands out from the rest of the works there. The children are also naked, which captures the raw essence of being a child.
Here are 2 videos that showcase some of the works that are in art stage. Well, in the videos, we are taken on a mini virtual tour through the exhibition. It shows the rich variety of works and some parts of the videos show how the viewers can interact with the work. Mainly for my own reference in the future, when I come back to relieve my memories of Art Stage 2012.
PERSONAL REVIEW:
This exhibition had exposed me to the broadness of the modern art world, to unique mediums that I have not came across before(like c-print). The forms of contemporary art are limitless and that is the freedom of art making in the 21st century. The richness and wide range of works in the art world is what makes art even more interesting now. In the past, art is more restricted, so new revolutionary art movements constantly challenge the meaning of art. Now, look at how art has developed into so many different forms!
As of today, the art scene is constantly changing and I feel that there is so much space for modern artists to express themselves and inspire others.
This means that all of us, as 21st century artists, are able to make art without any restrictions and I am really thankful for that. Imagine living in the Impressionists' period, where only Old Masters' art are accepted into the Salon and how painting in a new style attracts so much criticism. At that time, artists' work so hard to gain recognition and slowly change the not-so-open mindsets of people. Now that people are more open-minded towards different art, we can make art that we like, we can also challenge ourselves to break our boundaries and experiment with new things.
Art Stage had been a eye-opening experience for me. I feel that among all of the exhibitions that I have went to, this one was the best! Each work encapsulates the true essence of expression. There works there are all unique and special in their own wa, so different from one another! Some are light, some are dark. Some are multi-coloured, while the others are monochromatic. Some are simplified and abstract, while the others are detailed and realistic. Some are gentle and soft, while the others are controversial and shocking. Some are as small as an A3 size drawing block, while the others are at least 3 metres tall. Some are 2 dimensional, while the others are 3 dimensional and pop-ups.
THERE IS JUST SUCH A WIDE VARIETY OF WORKS!!! There are so many works that I admire and the works actually inspired me! I shall make a mental note to myself to drag some friends along to Art Stage 2013!!! A must-go exhibition!!! (:
Art Stage has inspired me to create more art and to callenge myself to develop myself as an artist. (:
Christo is an artist who is very dedicated to his art making. He has to be specific and do his measurements carefully in order to make this work. This is carried out in the form of preparatory sketches, which shows that the planning process is very important. We should always plan before excuting our plan. For example, we should do enough prep work before starting on our coursework final piece... Even though the work may seem effortless to create, but people often neglect the prep works that the artist does before working on the final. Christo is also an artist that is highly original. Quoted from Paul Gauguin: "Art is either plagiarism or revolution." Christo's works is definitely revolutionary and controversial, but the bravery to do something different from other art is very commendable.
In my opinion, I feel that black and white photos capture the true essence of his work. I think that the most interesting idea of this work is that it plays around with shadows. So though black and white photos, the importance of shadows is highlighted as our eyes are not distracted by colour. The tonal contrast between shadows and lighted areas is more obvious. In the photo on the left, we can observe that the shadows have different degree of darkness and the way that the cloth drapes over the forms is really fascinating. We can see each fold clearly, each shadow is captured with a different hue. As for the second photograph, the work looks like a waterfall! 
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