Google Art Project

Last week the folks at Google unveiled what they have called "Google Art Project." This project apparently presents artwork from museums around the world in an online format. Viewers can even tour portions of each museum virtually. Try it out here.

Reviews have so far been mixed, some have argued about copyright. but overall I think this is a positive development. This technology allows more people to see and experience art, and that's one of the main things art tries to do. A very good review of this project can be read here.

Censorship and Art

This week I am going to post two links regarding the recent censorship issues at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. The full story can be read here.
An official Q and A put up as a result of all the protesting can be read here.

As a general rule I am opposed to censorship. There must be guidelines on what is, and what is not acceptable artful expression. For example animal cruelty or child pornography would clearly fall under the category of unacceptable.

But far too often, as in this most recent case, the public has rejected expression based on emotion rather than sound thought or judgment. Most of the protesters have probably not even seen the video in question, and are basing their opinions on the ideas of one perspective. Many of the protesters stated that they did not want their tax money supporting this type of expression, despite the fact that this exhibition was put together with private funds. The core issue here is the development of an informed opinion.

I will add as a christian and a Catholic I can understand the protesters viewpoint, but I believe it to be misguided. First: there could be a whole variety of interpretations of the ants on the crucifix, and not just the negative anti-Christian views expressed. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, this is not that different than the bible story of the golden calf. If we confuse our faith relationship with God and the icons that represent those relationships, then our belief is not really based on anything. Our individual relationship with God is what matters, not the physical objects and imagery associated with that relationship.

Two types of art

The first of this weeks posts addresses the idea of New Media in art. An art professor has implanted a camera in the back of his head, and the video recorded from this camera will be offered as part of an opening of performance art. Read more here. To me this serves as an example of New Media. Although New Media has been growing since the mid to late 20th Century, it has sprung up recently in the last decade or so in a more prominent way. As an artist, I do not have an issue with New Media, I am all for experimentation and exploration. However, I do think art is something that is meant to be understood across a variety of eras and spectrums. How will this stand up to time? After the apocalypse of the modern era, how will archeologists and art historians of the future be able to interpret this type of work? And, is it important that they do? Perhaps my understanding is biased in an unproductive way. What do you think?

The second post for this week addresses human creativity. A graphic was recently released detailing the NFL wins and losses for the season. This image was so popular it went viral. Read about that here. I think that a graphic design created spontaneously and recognized by a wide audience as useful qualifies as art. Again, as an artist I can only wish that an image I have created and posted on the internet would go viral. That would be amazing! Too often I think people perceive art as an abstract high culture activity that only the upper class understand. I believe this to be incorrect. Art is the spirit of creativity, and this graphic represents one example.

Graduate Studies in Library Science

This year marks the first full year that I have been enrolled in the LIS graduate program at the University of Southern Mississippi. This program is ALA accredited, and the specifics can be read here.

As part of my studies I am enrolled in LIS 558 Internet Resources and Applications. This course examines on-line tools, and social networks in the library. What I have learned thus far, both in this class and in the others I have taken, has been amazing. Librarianship is a fascinating subject.

Since the majority of postings on this blog are about art, and art related issues, I will close by adding that I hope to one day use my degree in an Art Library. More information about art librarianship can be found at the Art Library Society Web site. A link is here.

Temporary installation art/Public art

The above image is an example of public art. From the looks of things I would guess that it is also probably impromptu public art. This is art created freely and spontaneously.

Another example of this type of art was posted in the New York Observer . This story was about an abandoned area of Long Island. Artists took over and made it their own. The full story can be read here.

Spontaneous creation is good for artists and non-artists alike. I think it opens the mind and frees space from random thoughts. The creativity also offers an opportunity to grow in terms of expression. Your thoughts?

Artists and documentation

Recently an artist decided to visually depict how a Mc Donald’s hamburger and fries does not decompose. The full story can be found here. I think it is interesting that it was an artist that decided to illustrate this point, and I also think she did a nice job.

The idea was to keep a McDonald’s burger and fries, and photograph it each day. It has been six months and there has been no change in the way the food looks; no mold, no breakdown, nothing.

This was a very effective way of making the point that this food is not in any way healthy. Artists have historically documented ideas and experiments, but it has been centuries since this role has had a significant impact. The reaction from the public, as well as from the corporate offices of McDonald’s has been swift. I’m not saying artists should look for ways to anger or frustrate people, but I do think they have a responsibility to get people thinking and talking, and this project did exactly that.

Painting unearthed

A painting by Giovanni Boldini was recently discovered in a Paris apartment. The apartment had been locked up and unoccupied for the last 70 years. The news item can be read in full here. Information about the artist can be accessed here.

This discovery has made the value of Boldini art increase. In addition, on-line searches for this artist have also risen. I think it is interesting that one painting discovered in a Paris apartment could cause such a stir. I also think it is interesting that more people have become curious about the work of Boldini. I like that an artist can create a sense of buzz about their work, years after death without much more occurring than the unlocking of a closed door.

A sample of his work can viewed below.