THE SHOCK - HUGHES

 1. What did America invent, relative to the museum, according to Hughes? How did this change the art collection approach of modern collectors? How did Alfred Barr contribute to this approach. How did this shape MOMA? How was this exemplified by The National Gallery?

According to Hughes, America invented the Museum of Modern Art, which shifted the focus of collectors from solely historical art to modern works. Alfred Barr played a crucial role by organizing exhibitions and acquiring pieces that showcased the ongoing evolution of art, turning MOMA into a modernist hub with works by artists like Picasso, Van Gogh, and Pollock. The National Gallery also began embracing modern art, creating exhibitions to reflect this shift.

           Museums Shake Things Up by Mixing Old and New - The New York Times

2. Describe "urban renewal". Use examples from SOHO, and the area around the Pompidou in Paris (the Culture Gulch). Describe how we arrived here. How the function of art changed from visual communication, through public discourse, through avant-gardism to this point of urban renewal?

Urban renewal refers to the redevelopment of neglected urban areas. SOHO, once an industrial area with factories and warehouses, transformed when artists moved in and started using the space for galleries and studios, turning it into a cultural hotspot. This shift happened as artists began exploring societal values and critiquing power, turning art from visual communication into a form of public discourse, and eventually leading to the integration of art in community spaces.

             SoHo Street Art — NYC URBANISM

3. What is the function of a museum? What can it hold? What can it not hold? Expand on the narrators museum and Zoo metaphor. What should the function of a museum be? Do you agree with this films conclusion? In some ways it is directly at odds with my opinion. Who is right? does it matter?  What is your opinion? Why should we care? 

The function of a museum is to preserve and present objects with cultural, historical, or artistic significance. While museums can house objects and knowledge of importance, they cannot contain site-specific installations or intangible experiences like personal meaning. The narrator’s zoo analogy compares museums to zoos, as both trap dynamic, living things in fixed environments. I agree with the film’s conclusion that, like animals, art shouldn’t be confined too rigidly, though sometimes public displays benefit art. Whether we agree or not, the discussion matters because it questions the purpose and limitations of museums in shaping culture.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

POST 2: Manet: How Impressionism's Most Controversial Artist Craved Notoriety AND The Father of Impressionism

Image
  1: Why is Manet considered the father of Impressionism? Édouard Manet's pivotal role in the genesis of Impressionism is widely acknowledged. His departure from conventional academic techniques, characterized by his utilization of loose brushwork, vibrant color palettes, and a focus on luminosity over meticulous detail, established the foundational aesthetic principles that would define the Impressionist movement 2: What is Manet's most significant contribution to art? Manet's groundbreaking contribution to art lies in his ability to dismantle the boundaries of Realism, thereby forging a pathway to Impressionism and establishing a new paradigm for modern artistic expression. Manet's work, exemplified by its abrupt color transitions and unconventional stylistic choices, initially provoked strong opposition from his contemporaries. However, these very elements, which were deemed objectionable at the time, are precisely what render his art so compelling to modern audience...
Read more

FILM 3- MODERN MARVELS - PAINT (Run time-44:18)

Image
       What is Paint? What are the parts that make it up? What are its purposes? Paint is a material used for surface protection, art creation, and color addition. Pigment, binder, solvent, and additives make up this mixture. The binder helps the paint stick to surfaces by holding the pigment particles together while the pigment gives the color and opacity. The solvent makes the paint simpler to apply by adjusting its thickness, and it evaporates as the paint dries. Properties and mold protection are improved by additives. There are numerous varieties of paints. The development of oil paint, the production of synthetic pigments, and the introduction of acrylic paint were the three most important advancements in paint technology.  Oil Paint (15th Century): Developed and popular by artists such as Jan van Eyck, oil paint produced detailed, realistic artwork, as demonstrated by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. It also allowed for smoother mixing, longer drying t...
Read more

FILM 8 - DAVID / SCHAMA

Image
  One question about David that is specifically related to his artmaking should be asked and answered. Question: How did Jacques-Louis David incorporate classical themes into his artmaking? - Jacques-Louis David used the themes and forms of classical antiquity to express political and moral ideas. David emphasized themes of duty, sacrifice, and allegiance to the state in his painting The Oath of the Horatii (1784) by drawing on a story from Roman tradition. Strong lines, symmetry, and clarity—all characteristics of classical art—are present in his compositions, and the characters in his paintings frequently have idealized, sculpture-like forms that resemble ancient statues. David's artworks aligned with the "Enlightenment" ideas of his day by utilizing these components to promote the aesthetic and ideological idea of classical virtues. Question: How does Simon Schama address the tension between David’s artistic ideals and his political actions during the Revolution? - Sch...
Read more