Reading Response #1

Post #1

What work have you made that seems most yours? Why?

Of the works I have made, only a few have been any where near what I would call my own. I personally do not enjoy 2D art and unfortunately only was able to make 2D art for the first couple years of my schooling. It was until I branched out into other mediums like wood, clay, metal and interactive pieces that I started to really feel like what I was making was any good let alone something that reflects on who I am as an artist. The Octopus is a ceramic piece I made in my ceramic sculpture class, It combined aspects of both man and animal into one creation. It has an otherworldly feel too it. The webbing between is tentacles were razor blades as well as the spines on its back. This piece was an homage to my younger self back when I dreamed of making all the creatures I saw in my head. And the dangerous aspect that it took on from the razor blades helped mend who I was with who I am. This piece was a reflection on the transformation I have made in my life and a reflection on who I was becoming. It was an attempt to grasp at what I used to be as well.

Who are artist that are making work that relates to you? Are there other influences? How are these other influences connected to your work?

Phil Hansen has been making art works that are "temporary."  These resonates with me very deeply. In many ways my view on life is what an average person would refer to as "bleak" or "pessimistic." But I personally find comfort in the finite reality we life in. The knowledge that nothing is forever gives me a constant that I can depend on. My work is heavily influenced by my own personal experiences. I view art as a method of expression that is uninhibited and completely unique to ones self. Do to certain unavoidable biological factors, my outlook has always been different from my peers. Its this difference and constant sense of alienation that truly influences my work and decisions.

"And while a hundred civilizations have prospered (sometimes for centuries) without computers or windmill or even the wheel, none have survived even a few generations without art." p. 104

Discuss, in your own words, Why you think this is so.

In my opinion, Art is the symbol of intelligence. It is expression of emotion that, while still able to be primal, is cognitive and purposeful.  It serves multiple functions within a society whether it be for historical purposes, monetary purposes or simply to serve as an outlet for a creature constantly seeking one. Art gives man the capability of rationalizing thoughts and emotions that cant be properly articulated through words. I think any civilization that does not have art, is one that does not promote free thinking and expression. And any civilization that limits that can not grow or prosper, ultimately leading it to demise.

"Art is something you do out in the world, or something you do about the world, or even something you do for the world. The need to make art may not stem solely from the need to express who you are, but from a need to complete a relationship with something outside of yourself." p. 108

Which of these ideas resonates most with you? Why? If they all resonate, how do they differ?

"Something you do about the world" is a simple and beautiful line in my opinion when talking about art. It resonates with me very much. Although more so the ending idea of "a need to complete a relationship with something outside of yourself" resonates with me even more. For me, Art is a way for me to cope with the powers and truths outside of myself that I have no control over. It is a way for me to integrate myself into the ever flowing mix that is existence. It is the answer to the questions that cannot only be answered with words. Unlike language, emotion and possibilities are endless and can not be fully spoken of or explained. Art seeks to help connect and understand rather than explain.

What do you notice about yourself? What are your methods? Subject matter? The answers do not have to be limited to art related topics.

To ask what I notice about myself is asking for a hefty answer. I noticed early that I self analyze more than your average person. The past four years of my life have been such a torrent of change and realization that is seems as if I have made no real progress. (Getting personal) I started attending therapy over two years ago, per my parents request. More along the lines of a condition of support really. But In the time that I have spent going to therapy I have discovered and forgotten many things about myself. This is an unfortunate consequence of my inability to take my medication for depression consistently. Somethings I have learned go as follows:

I am clinically depressed.

I am a masochist.

I care more for others than myself.

My mind forces me to dissociate when I am in a state of depression.

(this is the reason I can barely remember eight years of my life, eight years diagnosed and untreated.)

I blame myself for the things that happen to those around me.

I want to be a stand up comedian.

My ability to express emotions is drastically limited to anger and happiness.

I am never happier than when I am in the woods.

I'd rather tear my skin off then hurt someone I care about.

I'm a romantic.

I've nearly died three times, and I still haven't learned my lesson.

And above all else, the single most important word to me is Truth

My methods are almost always experimental. I work best when I feel inspiration hit me and I go with it. My best works are those that have some sort of personal meaning to me. 

My subject matter:

Confrontation

rejection of the status quo

mental illness

masochism

nature

more nature

my personal struggles and experience

humor

The absurd

existentialism

denial

romance

What do you care about?

Dylan

Zoe(sister)

Jennifer(mother)
Stephen(father)

Pelican

My friends

conservation

Truth

Honesty

genuineness

correctness

incorrectness

expression

animals

trees

anarchy

existentialism

Every person I've met, who hasn't given me a reason not to care

Every person I haven't met yet

In reality I find that I don't care about anything my peers do.

More important than what I care about, here is what I don't care about:

Status

Social media

Myself

Money

profit

nationalism

the rights of those who infringe upon other's rights

Government/Politics

gender

race

political correctness

Most of all, I am a walking contradiction. I hold others and myself to a strict moral code that I myself am not able to adhere too. Those who prove themselves honest in intent and action will always be able to turn to me for support in anyway; those who don't, can rot.