The Stories They Tell 1/14/08

Intention is everything, well not everything but apparently a largely significant part. One thing i glean from this is that being specific i your choices of materials, dimensions, textures, every single part of the art can be investigated and evaluated by the viewers. this reminds me of Susna Harbor Page's Light boxes at McColl. I wouldn't have thought that leaving the plug exposed was important to her message. One student when asked about the inclusion of the power source in Page's light panels that she wanted her "work to seem grounded" . This makes sense I wouldn't have immediately been drawn to this part of the piece, i was more dazzled by the light panels. This brings up what kind of history the viewer brings to the work, baggage as it were. Some people have huge amounts of knowledge in their heads to evaluate and understand art, some do not. Parrt of me thinks that a"successful art work" does not cater to only the overly informed critic but also to the novice viewer. Not saying art should dumb down but maybe there is something to be said for viewing with an unfettered eye and also to creating art that speaks to all humans no matter how steeped in artistic culture they are. this would bring into play the artist intention and their ability to convey that in a "language" that is truely universal.
This article speaks to the fact that subtle differences in color or material or lighting can change the message and interpretation of art. Artist have to be aware of cultural morays, taboos, universal symbols, political power struggles, pervasive religions, human prejudices, fears, and ultimately deep-rooted desires. When the woman cuts her hair the witnesses are filled with the sense that they have been privy to a sort of daring ritual of imposing the will and creating change. Something was risked, blood was spilled and the smoke rose carrying the charged moment out into time.There is a scene in Electra when the wronged princess is being cast out of the castle and denied her name and freedom,she cuts her hair and throws it at her evil mother's feet in an act of rebellion and grief. For some reason the ability and will to alter oneself constantly is not totally universal. Many people seem quite attached to a certain look or dress or food or whatever, and anything that deviates is frightening or threatening. When someone drastically and willfully alters their form people are alerted. They seem either impressed or fearful and reactions vary. It is brave to perform an intimate reach for transformation in front of others. Like mudman covering his form with sculpture and taking to the streets in search of his audience.Ritual is severly lacking in our culture there are remnants in perrformance art and it appears more and more artist are devouring boundaries between who can do and who does.