Adrian Piper, is a conceptual artist who works across a range of media to pursue her idea. Today, Vince carried out the discussion into her influences on politics and her early work based on the street in 1970. One of the key aspects of the lecture that I was interested by was the work influenced by the issues targeted at herself and to show that being different cannot make you stand out but invisble to those around you, as those do anything to try and avoid and ignore you because of your individuality.
She went out into the public displaying her odd, unique presence to experience public responses to her actions. This involved activities such as covering herself in sticky white paint, wearing a wet paint sign. The work focused on the interaction between the artist and the public and the reaction of the individual to her presence which resulted in the theory of being different can make you invisble.
Another project that supported this statement, was the work she carried out in relation to her personal concerns on racism. Work that explores her concern include a pencil drawing of a self portratit which exaggerates her 'negro' features. First you see the work as a highly detailed drawing although the supported statement reveals the concept and idea. The statement below the drawing puts an entirely new view on the piece, and also opens questions to what she really may look like.
She experienced that the majority of people who passed her did not recognise her background, therefore a lot of racist remarks were said around her with no support of her concern and the offence she could take. Therefore to raise racial awareness, she created calling cards like the one on the left. These were handed out at events, again to observe peoples reaction and to identify how someone who is different can appear invisible.
Another influence Vince had discussed was Jenny Holzer who worked similarly to Adrian Piper although was not as confrontational and her work performed more like poetry. She was also a conceptual artist who worked around her interest in politics. Her influence and style was similar to Mark Rothko. What he had created with paint was what she had explored with words.
Holzer looked for new ways to make narrative or commentary an implicit part of visual objects. She uses mass media and marketing techniques to challenge our attitudes and values. She displayed 'truisms' around New York such as the phrase, 'Abuse of power comes no surprise' and was commonly used on t-shirts as well as around Time Square.
It was inspiring to see that her work functioned and performed in the same way as an advertisement even though it was not neccesarily created for that purpose. The work she had created was wrote in the perspective of the victim or observer; it was the voice of the people. If the public had the tools to advertising and the opportunity to present their word, this is what they may say. It was up to the public to agree or disagree with her judgments.
The phrase used below challenges and questions the freedom of capitalism.
After discussing these heroes, he presented a video by Devo again active in 1970s. The purpose of Devo, is to show that mankind is not evolving but devolving. The video shows that helpful ideas can be presented in a fun, innovative way. The video presents the theory that as much as people try to be individual, all man kind can end up being the same. The video also portrays the idea of people having to make a 'false choice', presenting two objects that they may not want either of in comparison to making a real choice.
I learnt from Vince and his heroes, that a strong visual combined with a strong concept produces a strong, meaningful piece of art or design. It is easy to produce something that looks good, but if there is no concept or idea behind the piece it will not be as satisfying to your audience.
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