Critical Update No. 6
Sorry, haven't got round to thinking about today's update - here's a journal entry for you instead
JOURNAL ENTRY 19.10.2010
ART GALLERY VISIT
We were told we had to find 2 different pieces of art and spend 15mins simply ‘being present’ with them. Then spend 5 mins writing down our thoughts and then present one of the pieces to the rest of the group, sharing our experiences.
ART GALLERY VISIT
We were told we had to find 2 different pieces of art and spend 15mins simply ‘being present’ with them. Then spend 5 mins writing down our thoughts and then present one of the pieces to the rest of the group, sharing our experiences.
‘Empire Blue’ by Bridget Smith
Was keen to find 2 very different images and wanted to choose one that would inspire me in my own work. Was beginning to be become overwhelmed by the selection. Saw a few images I liked but wanted to see everything before I made my choice. Decided to go back to one green abstract one, but Chris (the lecturer) was looking at it, so waited in front of another, big glossy photo. Noticed that it was an image of the theatre and was reminded of the Schaverin paper that I’ve been reading, and am presenting in a few weeks. Ended up getting sucked in. Liked the colours and glossy surface. Noticed it was in 3 sections, that looked like
1.stars / aerial view of town lights, horizon, space, new dawn
2.wedding cake magnification
3.seats, expectation, an empty void (which is a nice contrast to the ‘city lights’ above)
It was odd looking at a scene which one is supposed to be a spectator, expectantly waiting for something to happen and felt abnormal to be outside, removed from the environment, like watching tv.
Became an abstract image, reminiscent of Rothko. The noise in the gallery was really very annoying, felt it was violating our relationship/conversation. Felt a very strong communication, almost that it had a power or magnetism to pull me towards it. A call to attend. Found it quite peaceful (when the noises stopped). Felt jealous of the ‘relationship’ and wanted to protect or preserve it. For the first time in my life I would say that I felt that art is as powerful as music to evoke feeling, and produce a reaction - it was also the first time I’ve devoted this much to time to doing nothing and being with a painting...maybe there’s a connection there.
‘Blessing the Sea’ - 1872 - Alphonse Legros
Was immediately drawn to this painting by the girl’s face, who is looking out of the crowd. She looks sad, wistful, alive with colour and yet somehow darkened by reality of life on the sea, with risk, danger, loss. (the purpose of the blessing). Her candle is the biggest of all but is not lit, similar to another’s. A few others in the crowd are also not focused on the scene of the religious procession, do they not believe? or are they just distracted by someone, like a baby or something else. Only one man joins the crowd of women. Is he injured? unable to fish? he could be a monk but he is not part of the procession with the other clergy. He also looks with a sadness and recognition of the reason they are gathered. The carcass of a ship rests centrally on the sands a very real reminder of the danger and death. The men (fishermen) are missing? working? lost? An umbrella seems out of place and yet, perhaps not (how old is the umbrella) has it changed in a few hundred years? is it a reminder of the present day and our fears/dangers/lives today? A post in the foreground is wrapped in chains and fishing equipment, could they signify security? the anchor of their faith, or do they feel bound to the perils of the sea, they are trapped in the tension and fear. Does a basket show provision? feeding of five thousand, a miracle.
Was immediately drawn to this painting by the girl’s face, who is looking out of the crowd. She looks sad, wistful, alive with colour and yet somehow darkened by reality of life on the sea, with risk, danger, loss. (the purpose of the blessing). Her candle is the biggest of all but is not lit, similar to another’s. A few others in the crowd are also not focused on the scene of the religious procession, do they not believe? or are they just distracted by someone, like a baby or something else. Only one man joins the crowd of women. Is he injured? unable to fish? he could be a monk but he is not part of the procession with the other clergy. He also looks with a sadness and recognition of the reason they are gathered. The carcass of a ship rests centrally on the sands a very real reminder of the danger and death. The men (fishermen) are missing? working? lost? An umbrella seems out of place and yet, perhaps not (how old is the umbrella) has it changed in a few hundred years? is it a reminder of the present day and our fears/dangers/lives today? A post in the foreground is wrapped in chains and fishing equipment, could they signify security? the anchor of their faith, or do they feel bound to the perils of the sea, they are trapped in the tension and fear. Does a basket show provision? feeding of five thousand, a miracle.
1 comment:
I love the first one... but I can't tell you why. Perhaps because it seems to be flat and three dimensional at the same time... bland and intriguing... it seems like a painting full of contradictions and THAT I suppose is what makes it fascinating!
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