artists - #3

Mouchette, mouchette.org

I chose this artist and piece in response to our discussion regarding the film "Growing Up Online". Here is a website created to be the profile for what appears to be a 13 year old girl. However, the artist of this piece is actually unknown. Upon taking a closer look at the subject matter within the website, the viewer realizes (or at least hopes) that he is not dealing with an adolescent girl. Instead, the artist uses controversial material to remind us that things on the internet are not always as they appear. I think this piece is an interesting graphic comment on the falsehood of many aspects of the world wide web. We can never be 100% sure that what we are looking at is real or factual.
It also goes back to our film discussion because it mimics the social networking sites ued by so many people today. And the fact that many of us have a false self-confidence on the web, and make comments or postings that we would not share face-to-face.

1. Social networking was completely different before myspace/facebook. Geography was the constraining factor for social networking. People were mainly interacting with those located nearby, or in a very small travel area. With the exception of the telephone, which doesn't provide face-to face contact, people had little way of communicating in real-time. With the internet, and social websites, people are now open to an audience that spans the entire globe.
2. a)It's a neat little website where we can all make our own pages and keep in touch with each other. It's also a cool way to get back in touch with old friends, schoolmates, etc.
b)It's a website that lets me keep up-to-date with friends. It's a journal of sorts where I can let friends know what's new with me and what's going on in my life.
c)Pretty much the same as above.
d)Combine the television, telephone, and typewriter into one device that lets you communicate visually with people all over the world.
3. Most peoples pages are covered in artwork or designs that signify what they enjoy. I would not be someone's friend unless I knew them, at one time or another, in real life.
4. Facebook compartmentalizes how you present your life into little pre-fab boxes. Each person's page looks very similar in design, you only really have control of the content. Myspace allows you slightly more freedom. But the best online expression would be a website designed from scratch.
5. Facebook allows you to interact, but it does not challenge many of your senses. Also, I think using facebook as a medium to present yourself to the world makes a statement about you as a person.

artists - #2

Fountain was a work created by Marcel Duchamp in 1917. Some critics would say the term "created" must be used loosely in this case. As the piece is simply an everyday object, a urinal, placed on display and signed "R. Mutt 1917". Duchamp was a leader in Dada movement in the early 20th century. Dada art was based around the idea of the non-sense and farce, often charged with social and political undertones.
This particular piece was part of a collection that Duchamp referred to is "readymades". He worked under the idea that everyday objects could easily become art by changing their environment and the way people view them. Fountain caused quite an uproar when it was first exhibited, as did many Dada artworks. The art of the Dada movement pushed the boundaries and went against most beliefs of what constitues art, especially good art.
The scrapbook project reminded me of this piece. The task of identifying art in the everyday world can be difficult, but it is a skill that can be invaluable for any artist. When you can see beyond the everyday, into the realm of creativity and visual thinking, it opens an entirely new world of subject matter possibilities.