Contemporary Art

My gallery, Gallery 9310, is closing this May, and I wanted to send out one more blog on one of my favorite pieces that will be shown in this last exhibition. I hope you enjoy it!

David LaChapelle’s Jesus Is My Homeboy series:

David LaChapelle, “Loves and Fishes,” 2003

David LaChapelle, “Intervention,” 2003

David LaChapelle created many color photographs focused on the topic of Jesus and His place, meaning, and the Truth He wished to share with the world in a series. The series consisted of several works, and I have chosen to focus specifically on two, but I am showing you six of them.

The purpose of LaChapelle taking these photos was to create a unique beauty that he felt can be found only through Jesus Christ. He wanted everyone to see that you do not have to be any specific color, race, ethnicity, or anything to be accepted and loved by Jesus.

Each photograph focused on Jesus on what He came to the world to do for us. No matter who you are.

David LaChapelle, “Anointing,” 2003

The common stereotype of a woman wearing platform heals is that she is a “whore” or a prostitute, an African-American wearing a flat-bill hat is automatically a gang member or a criminal, and the like. However, LaChapelle tries to eliminate these stereotypes by depicting these everyday people as healed, forgiven, loved, and accepted by Jesus Christ.

LaChapelle used normal, everyday people. The kind of people that everyone can relate to no matter what stage of life they are in or where they have come from or where they have been. He places these people depicted as prostitutes, gang members, ill and sick people into his paintings so that the audience might be able relate to each character or person depicted depending on which one they relate to the mostIy think LaChapelle wanted to escape the everyday stereotypes that we see played out in our society today.

David LaChapelle, “Evidence of a Miraculous Event,” 2003

He wanted the world to know that it is not just the “normal” people or the elite or “famous” people that are given the gift of free grace through Jesus Christ. Rather, it is for everyone. He wanted people to see in his art that Jesus came for every single, living, breathing human being so that they might have eternal life and spend eternity with Him. LaChapelle was very adamant about this in this series of photographs, and he wanted the world to know the Truth.

David LaChapelle, “Sermon,” 2003

These last two photographs in his series, Jesus Is My Homeboy, are the two that I really like, and also the two that really focus on what I have been writing about above. Jesus is the center or the focal point of the photograph, and the people around him are those who are listening to what He has to say as He tells stories and Biblical truths. I really like the vibrant colors and lighting in this photograph because it shines the light on what really matters, Jesus. He is the reason we have life, and in this photograph, the viewer can see it does not matter who you are, but Jesus calls all people to come unto Him and find peace and grace.

David LaChapelle, “Last Supper,” 2003

The Last Supper in the Bible is about Jesus spending His last meal with the twelve disciples before He was crucified. Once again, LaChapelle makes reference to the fact that it does not matter who you are, He wants to know you personally and intimately. The photograph shows some very similar characters as the photographs above, and the colors are still very vibrant, placing the main focal point on Jesus. There is a round, glowing halo around Jesus, and He is not wearing the same outfit as in the photographs above. Rather He is shown wearing light blue and white or just white under garments, unlike in this photograph where He is wearing red and blue. I think the reason He is wearing red and blue in this photograph is to emphasize future events, i.e. the Crucifixion and Resurrection. LaChapelle does a tremendous job in conveying the message and the Gospel of Jesus.

There are several verses that speak about what Jesus came for and who He came for. Below are a few of them:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. – 1 John 1:7

“For God so loved the world,that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17

There are a few music videos that I want to incorporate into this, and I think these songs in the music videos explain common stereotypes in the music industry. In the first video below you will hear a song from a band called RyFul which is composed of two white men that play what one might consider country. This is a common stereotype we face today – white people listen to country music and play country music. In the second video you will see African-American rappers singing about Jesus, and this is the common stereotype we think of when we hear rap music – African-American rappers. Listen to these two songs and their lyrics, and you might notice that they are both talking about Jesus and what He has done in their lives regardless of their race, ethnicity, etc. I think this is what LaChapelle really wants us to see through his photography, and I think he wants us to be aware that Jesus breaks the stereotypes that our society has set up.

http://bit.ly/1338GYk  “Jesus Is My Homeboy” – RyFul

http://bit.ly/121Xc4J  “Jesus Muzik” – LeCrae ft. Trip Lee

The last music video is below, and it really sums up everything LaChapelle’s point in Jesus being for everyone. Click the link below to view the video. Please watch this one!

http://bit.ly/121XGYB  “Everything” – Lifehouse (Skit)

I really hope that you enjoyed these videos, photographs, and verses! I really enjoyed studying LaChapelle’s photography series, Jesus Is My Homeboy. It shines light on a very important topic, but one that not many people are open to talking about much. Thank you for following my blogs as I talk about all of my favorite pieces of art that have been exhibited in my gallery the past few months. I hope you have learned something new and been able to take from these blogs and their subject matter something that will help you!

The End.

Gallery 9310

-The Owner

                                                                               Sources: http://bit.ly/YhLBiG

http://bg4.me/18vP8v2

http://bg4.me/101mfb2

http://bg4.me/105tKrY

 

Pop Art: No. 2

James Rosenquist, Portion of F-111 (1965) oil on canvas with aluminum, full dimensions 10’ x 86’

“Painting is probably much more exciting than advertising, so why shouldn’t it be done with that power and gusto, with that impact.” -James Rosenquist

James Rosenquist was always interested in the next big image in the news or in a magazine, which was similar to many other pop artists of the time. This oil painting reveals all industrially manufactured products that are all of equal importance during this period of time. He was trying to make the comparison that the F-111 fighter jet for our military was just as important to us as Americans as the spaghetti we eat at dinner with our families.
I love this piece because of the bright and vibrant colors it uses. If you were to view this piece in person it would be very large. I have place another photo below to give you an idea of just how large this painting really is.

There was a popular mindset during this time that a nuclear strike might hit the United States, thus this painting held a huge deal of meaning at this time. I also like that even though this painting was created many years ago, it is still relevant to us today. It seems that our society is never completely finished fighting a war whether it is literally with another country or on behalf of another country, as well as, on the home front. Some people were struggling financially at this time, and others were living the “the life.” Nevertheless, this painting was very influential and impactful during this period of time in America.

Below is a link to the video interview of James Rosenquist:

It is a really neat video, and I hope you did watch it and enjoy it! I have also included another video about the F-111 fighter plane. I found this very interesting! If you like
planes at all, then you will enjoy watching this video. It’s a great historical video and will give you an idea of the fighter planes during this day and age. Click the link below to view it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OWlEDzjk2s

The last video I have included tells about Rosenquist’s, Portion of F-111 (1965). Click the link below to view it:

This was by far my favorite video because it tells all about the meaning of this painting! I hope you have enjoyed reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing it! Please leave any comments or information you would like to below! Thank you for reading!

-Gallery 9310, The Owner

 

Pop Art: No. 1

Richard Hamilton, Just What is it That Makes Today’s Homes So Different, So Appealing? (1956) collage 10 1/4” x 9 3/4”

Richard Hamilton was one of the first artists to create what was considered as pop art. He was a British pop artist who created collages using ads from newspapers and magazines to create his artwork. This type of artwork, called pop art, was given a definition was found in a letter he wrote to Alison and Peter Smithson in 1957, saying:

“Pop Art is: popular, transient, expendable, low-cost, mass-produced, young, witty, sexy, gimmicky, glamorous, and Big Business.” -Richard Hamilton

Pop art stressed values of the day that were common. In this piece we see a small vacuum that was radical to have during this time, but it made cleaning your house easy for your maid if you were wealthy enough to have one. The viewer sees in the background “The Jazz Singer,” the first talking movie with Al Jolson in it, a Ford lampshade which explains how popular Ford Motors was at the time – the primary car company, an industrially manufactured rug, a mostly nude, adult female, and many more things. At this time a tape recorder was like our modern day iPod touch, which is also seen in the collage, and a male model using a tootsie pop to cover his area. The physical culture of this time is expressed through his model-stature by making the body an object and changing the way it looks to make it more appealing.

The last few things we see are directly indicative of where our country was at this time and where artists were at this time. There is a tropical plant which tells us that America was importing tropical plants at this time, the ceiling represents the moon and this tells us the importance of the space race that everyone is obsessed with going to the moon, and there is a John Ruskin portrait on the wall. The fact that there is a Ruskin portrait in the room tells us that he was disappointed in the fact that artists of this time were not using anymore academic or mythological subjects, rather they were turning to modern, industrial art or pop art. I personally have enjoyed pop art, and I also enjoyed abstractionism, however, I do understand that Ruskin was probably very frustrated because what he felt was true art was not being used anymore. He felt that true art was not valued anymore.

I have included a video below that is a documentary of Richard Hamilton. Please click the link below to view it!

I found this very interesting. I think pop art is very expressionist, and it is a way that people can express how they feel about society or their own experiences in life. It is really neat to hear him talk in this documentary and understand his view on art versus just viewing his art. It really helps me understand his style. The video below gave me a better understanding of pop art and its essence – how it began. Click the link below to view it:

Finally, I have concluded that pop art is by far one of the most interesting types of art. Thank you for your time! I hope you have enjoyed reading!

-Gallery 9310, The Owner

 

Nouveau Réalisme

Mimmo Rotella, Marilyn (1963) décollage

Mimmo Rotella created this decollage of Marilyn Monroe out of interest in her popularity. Marilyn Monroe became very popular even after she died, and American artists’ began to turn their attention to her as their subjects or the center of their pieces of art. She was a true icon of the time. Rotella created this using the technique of decollage. A decollage is the opposite of a collage. Rather than placing pictures or things together, decollage is tearing pieces off of a pre-existing picture. It is one of the most unique things I have seen. Nevertheless, Rotella was the artist who first made a way for other artists to use Marilyn Monroe as the main subject in their art pieces. If you look closely at the decollage you will notice the writing is in another language which would cause one to assume she was famous not only in America, but all over the world.
Below is a video of pictures to a soundtrack about Marilyn Monroe. It explains how popular and iconic she was.

I also added another clip from one of her famous video showings below:

I think Rotella chose Marilyn Monroe as his subject because of her beauty and classy-like demeanor that she seemed to have. She is truly timeless much like her poetry. Below I have added a link to look at some of her poetry, as well as a poem of hers that I found neat.

http://www.ellensplace.net/mm_poems.html

From time to time
I make it rhyme
but don’t hold that kind
of thing
against
me-
Oh well, what the hell,
so it won’t sell.
What I want to tell-
is what’s on my mind:
‘taint Dishes,
‘taint Wishes,
it’s thoughts
flinging by
before I die-
and to think
in ink. -Marilyn Monroe

I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog! I found the videos neat, and her own poems were quite unique. I did not realize she wrote poetry. Rotella became famous because he chose her as the main focus of his art, and I think that is pretty neat! Thanks for reading!

-Gallery 9310, The Owner

 

Postwar European Art

Jean Dubuffet: Le Métafisyx (1950) oil on canvas 116 x 89.5 cm

Jean Dubuffet created this oil painting as a symbol of what he thought about other people. During this period of time, metaphysics is most commonly being related to religion or mythology, but in this instance it is being compared to existentialists. Existentialism is all about the individual and how the individual feels. Dubuffet thought that the only people who truly knew what the reality of life was were those who were mentally ill. Although he felt this way about others, many people think he was mentally ill.

“There is no art without intoxication. But I mean mad intoxication! Let reason teeter! Delirium! The highest degree of delirium! Plunged in burning dementia!
Art is the most enrapturing orgy within man’s reach.
Art must make you laugh a little and make you a little afraid.
Anything as long as it doesn’t bore.” -Jean Dubuffet

The quote above that was made by Dubuffet, is the purest example of his beliefs on how people view art. In Le Métafisyx, the person Dubuffet is depicting has been flattened by life, and he believes that it is because of the absence of God that people have been left flattened by life. The painting shows marks throughout the painting that Dubuffet has places randomly throughout, and the anxious types of marks in the painting were viewed this way by the mentally ill people. Nevertheless, I think this painting is somewhat disturbing, but I am sure that Dubuffet would say I am not mentally ill enough to truly appreciate this piece of art.

This painting reminds me of many things, but what comes to my mind first is someone who has undergone some kind of difficult time and feels like the world is just bringing them down. I have added a link below:

I think that this painting is really difficult to understand, but it is one of the most impactful paintings I have run into that I have not been able to completely grasp. The quote below has a hidden meaning in my opinion. I think the quote below is saying that without a mental picture, meaning, without a mental problem, we cannot fully understand in our thought process what is in front of us.

“The soul never thinks without a mental picture.” – Aristotle

I hope you enjoyed this! Thank you for reading it!

-Gallery 9310, The Owner

 

All About Abstraction: No. 3

Alexander Calder, Southern Cross, detail (1963) painted sheet metal, 243” x 324” x 211”

Alexander Calder found much of his inspiration for his art from Piet Mondrian’s art work. “On seeing his coloured squares and rectangles, he is said to have declared: ‘I would like to make Mondrians that move.’” After coming into contact with Mondrian’s works Calder found himself changing in the way that he created his artwork. He began to change from very naturalistic art to more abstractionist art. His works were usually very large, tangible pieces that were strange to the viewer without knowing the title of the work, but they each meant something very significant to Calder. Calder wanted to create art that did not just stand still, but invoked movement. I find this piece very aesthetically pleasing because of its many pieces that can ebb and flow with the wind of nature.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cBsnopTVmo

Above is a link to a music video of a song called “Southern Cross” by Crosby Stills & Nash. The lines I think perfectly represent this structure say,

When you see the Southern Cross
For the first time
You understand now
Why you came this way
‘Cause the truth you might be runnin’ from
Is so small.
But it’s as big as the promise
The promise of a comin’ day.

I think it also represents the cross that Jesus Christ died on, and the promise that He will come back again one day. Anyways, I really enjoyed this song regardless of its age, I think it is timeless because of its meaning. Its lyrics are so relateable, and I think it perfectly represents this piece of art. Calder uses sheet metal to express the lightness and balance of this structure. In order to fully grasp the concept that Calder was trying to convey here, I think the viewer must see it in person for the best understanding of what the true meaning of this is. However, someone may be able to view this structure from several angles through pictures online or in galleries. Nevertheless, this is a very abstract structure which requires the viewer to experience it in several different angles, in my opinion.

The title of this work, Southern Cross, is also the name of a constellation, Crux. Below I have included a picture of Crux. It stands out from the other 88 constellations that surround it, and it was given the name Crux because of it’s cross shape. I thought I would include this because I really like the stars and what it represents as a cross in the sky is very neat. God created the stars in the universe, and I believe He made this little star in the shape of a cross all for His pleasure in hope that we would enjoy His creation of constellations as well.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the purest definition of a cross is a structure consisting of an upright with a transverse beam used especially by the ancient Romans for execution.

Source: http://bit.ly/XmOLRS

Calder created a beautiful cross that is not like your ordinary cross that one might see near a church, but it has significance in it’s title and in its structure! I really like Calder’s works, but I especially like this piece of art. Thank you for reading!

-Gallery 9310, The Owner

 

All About Abstraction: No. 2

Bridge Riley Drift 2 (1966) emulsion on canvas 7’ 7 1/2” x 7’ 5 1/2”

“I used to build up to sensation, accumulating tension until it released a perceptual experience.” “The pleasures of sight take you by surprise. They are swift, sudden, unexpected and elusive…momentarily turning the commonplace into the ravishing.  Even smells noise, taste, and touch have a visual equivalent and can be presented through the vocabulary of signs.” -Bridget Riley

Bridge Riley is best known for her black and white pieces, and she was very successful in using the different tones of these two colors. It was not until 1967, that she began to experiment with color, which explains why this piece is still in black and white. Some of the lines in this painting created a shimmer, and others remained very bold in color. The title of this piece confused me because when I think of drift I usually think of the ocean drift or a car drifting, but what Riley is imposing here is neither of these. In fact many of her works of art she gave titles after specific dates that were important to her or after a location that she worked in or found interesting and enjoyed. I am not sure why she named this piece Drift 2, but I can only assume that she titled it this because of the lines that look like waves or “drift,” if you will. Like I said above, I think of the ocean or a car drifting when I look at this painting. Thus, I have included a picture below that explains how a car drifts.

Although these curves are much more drastic than in Riley’s painting, I found it as an interesting comparison to what I think of when I am viewing her painting, Drift 2. The contrast of the black to white with what appears to be a dark blue tint surrounding the bold, black, wavy lines that run vertically throughout the painting. I really like that display of contrast. Another visual I have chosen to include below is of a car actually drifting. If you know anything about cars or enjoy racing at all, then you should enjoy this video.

This type of art that she has created in Drift 2, is known as Op Art, or optical art. It is visual art that uses optical illusions to frame geometric shapes as a response to the naturalistic. It deals with color and the mind – how we perceive things when we view abstract art. Op Art was developed in the 1960’s, and it grew very quickly in its popularity by artists. I have also chosen to include an excerpt from a poem by Walt Whitman called “Sea-Drift.”

  Out of the cradle endlessly rocking,
  Out of the mocking-bird’s throat, the musical shuttle,
  Out of the Ninth-month midnight,
  Over the sterile sands and the fields beyond, where the child
      leaving his bed wander’d alone, bareheaded, barefoot,
  Down from the shower’d halo,
  Up from the mystic play of shadows twining and twisting as if they
      were alive,
  Out from the patches of briers and blackberries,
  From the memories of the bird that chanted to me,
  From your memories sad brother, from the fitful risings and fallings I heard,
  From under that yellow half-moon late-risen and swollen as if with tears,
  From those beginning notes of yearning and love there in the mist,
  From the thousand responses of my heart never to cease,
  From the myriad thence-arous’d words,
  From the word stronger and more delicious than any,
  From such as now they start the scene revisiting,
  As a flock, twittering, rising, or overhead passing,
  Borne hither, ere all eludes me, hurriedly,
  A man, yet by these tears a little boy again,
  Throwing myself on the sand, confronting the waves,
  I, chanter of pains and joys, uniter of here and hereafter,
  Taking all hints to use them, but swiftly leaping beyond them,
  A reminiscence sing.

My favorite lines that I found while reading “Sea-Drift,” was

Over the sterile sands and the fields beyond, where the child

      leaving his bed wander’d alone, bareheaded, barefoot, 

Down from the shower’d halo, 

Up from the mystic play of shadows twining and twisting as if they     

were alive,

I really like this because another thing that this painting makes me think of when I see it is the sand on the shore that ripples and waves as the water comes in and then goes back out to sea. When the poem makes a reference to the shadows that twine and twist, I also think the waves lines here that are bold and black are like twine that twist back and forth and to the left and to the right. The gravity that pulls the current of the ocean back and forth and that which made Riley draw these lines in a curvy manner make me automatically think of gravity. Thus, the music video below explains just that – gravity.

I hope you liked reading about this painting! It is one of my favorites! I have really enjoyed studying abstract art because of how relaxing and simple it is – it’s truly beautiful! Thank you for reading!

-Gallery 9310, The Owner