If the last paragraph of Scholette's article struck you as a bizarre idea, here are a few more resources on the Artist Pension Trust:
New York Times article
Bad At Sports interview with Mary Cherry.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
The Art of Failure
"I don't even want ya to buy it. I just want ya to pay attention. That will keep me alive... Just look. I can feel when ya look." - Chuck Connelly
Our readings for tomorrow, with their common thread of critiquing the capitalist structure of the current art system, made me think of "The Art of Failure: Chuck Connelly Not for Sale." This documentary highlights the rise and fall of Connelly, a brilliant/manic painter. His 1980s NYC art-darling status plummeted as he alienated the art world (art critics, art dealers, gallery folks). The documentary shows the aftermath of an artist who wouldn't play the game. More power to him, but it's tragic. If you're interested in the film, here's the website:
http://www.theartoffailure.com/
And I some clips were strung together to make the short "Chuck's guide to the art of Failure" on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RRiADhEhog&feature=related
Saturday, August 29, 2009
How to explain art to your parents...
or inlaws, or your spouse's boss, or your former college roommates. Best line: "Explain in simple terms how this beer became art."
Friday, August 28, 2009
Blog Weeks
Here are the weeks you signed up to write the review for the blog
September 14: Josh
September 21: Katie M.
September 28: David
October 5: Kristen
October 12: Derek
October 19: Katie H.
October 26: Nicole
November 2: Ryan
November 9: Isaac
November 16: Taryn
November 30: Jesse
December 7: Teresa
September 14: Josh
September 21: Katie M.
September 28: David
October 5: Kristen
October 12: Derek
October 19: Katie H.
October 26: Nicole
November 2: Ryan
November 9: Isaac
November 16: Taryn
November 30: Jesse
December 7: Teresa
Fall Critique Schedule
First Critiques (Work-in-Progress/Reading Discussion)
September 14: Nicole, Katie M., Teresa
September 21: Katie H., Jesse, David
September 28: Isaac, Taryn, Kristen
October 5: Derek, Ryan, Josh
Second Critiques
October 12: Nicole, Teresa
October 19: Isaac, David, Katie H.
October 26: Katie M., Kristen, Taryn
November 2: Josh, Teresa
November 9: Ryan, Jesse, Derek
Third Critiques
November 16: Nicole, Kristen, Taryn
November 30: Josh, David, Katie M., Derek
December 7: Jesse, Katie H., Ryan, Isaac
September 14: Nicole, Katie M., Teresa
September 21: Katie H., Jesse, David
September 28: Isaac, Taryn, Kristen
October 5: Derek, Ryan, Josh
Second Critiques
October 12: Nicole, Teresa
October 19: Isaac, David, Katie H.
October 26: Katie M., Kristen, Taryn
November 2: Josh, Teresa
November 9: Ryan, Jesse, Derek
Third Critiques
November 16: Nicole, Kristen, Taryn
November 30: Josh, David, Katie M., Derek
December 7: Jesse, Katie H., Ryan, Isaac
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Why'd Ya Do It, Frank? (Post Secret Lecture)
I have a secret for you:
I was creeped out by tonight's lecture by author Frank Warren.
The author, who has now created five books (best-sellers, as he frequently reminded us) from the project , was a bit confusing (or maybe just confused) on the intent of his project. Initially, and most obviously, his intent was to "collect secrets". Why? Because it's fun to know secrets. Somewhere between the music video and the book deal, however, the project became one intended to both bring the world closer together, as well as prevent suicide, a topic touched on repeatedly, but whose connection was only explained peripherally.
The questions of ethics and intent surrounding this project were so apparent that my sister and girlfriend were both kind of creeped out by Warren. The three of us (my sister's boyfriend seemed ambivalent) seemed to be the only ones, however. Warren's claims about the big idea behind the project, sharing secrets with the ones you love, no matter how small, to improve your relationship with them, seem to be contradicted not only by the content of the slides presented, but also by the project as a whole. People don't visit Warren's blog and read his books to better connect with the people sending in the postcards; they look at the postcards to see secrets that go near and over the line of taboo. They are in it to see some weird, wild stuff. Call me cynical, but I find it hard to give real consideration to Warren's supposed philosophy when the "big event" of the lecture was being allowed to see postcards that were "too controversial" to be put in his books. The sizzle of sensationalism is enough for me, but evidently Frank and his creepy cult of personality need bigger reasons to be interested in people's dirty laundry.
After showing us the cards we'd ALL BEEN WAITING TO SEE, there was an even more awkward Q&A&C session, the C meaning confession, where fine folks from the audience told their "secrets", to resounding applause from the audience and a vigorous round of Frank telling the person they were courageous, and then telling us as the audience that we are courageous for accepting and supporting the person, and then we, as the audience, applauding for Frank, for his courage in making this all possible, and WE ARE ALL GOOD PEOPLE YAY.
As the lecture ended with a video advertising Warren's FIVE BESTSELLING BOOKS and directing me to the booksigning in the lobby, where I could buy any or all of said books, I again questioned Warren's ethics. Even if I buy that the reason that Warren is sharing the secrets is to make the world a better place, the overt marketing behind the Post Secret phenomenon leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I imagine the that the artists creating the postcards would probably put a "Non-Commercial" license on their works, if they had the mind or means to do so. No one, however, brought up the fact that Warren is not merely collecting secrets (and works of art), but is trading in them.
The picture from the poster, looking like a gangsta.
The real Frank Warren. Selling your secrets because he cares.
I was creeped out by tonight's lecture by author Frank Warren.
The author, who has now created five books (best-sellers, as he frequently reminded us) from the project , was a bit confusing (or maybe just confused) on the intent of his project. Initially, and most obviously, his intent was to "collect secrets". Why? Because it's fun to know secrets. Somewhere between the music video and the book deal, however, the project became one intended to both bring the world closer together, as well as prevent suicide, a topic touched on repeatedly, but whose connection was only explained peripherally.
The questions of ethics and intent surrounding this project were so apparent that my sister and girlfriend were both kind of creeped out by Warren. The three of us (my sister's boyfriend seemed ambivalent) seemed to be the only ones, however. Warren's claims about the big idea behind the project, sharing secrets with the ones you love, no matter how small, to improve your relationship with them, seem to be contradicted not only by the content of the slides presented, but also by the project as a whole. People don't visit Warren's blog and read his books to better connect with the people sending in the postcards; they look at the postcards to see secrets that go near and over the line of taboo. They are in it to see some weird, wild stuff. Call me cynical, but I find it hard to give real consideration to Warren's supposed philosophy when the "big event" of the lecture was being allowed to see postcards that were "too controversial" to be put in his books. The sizzle of sensationalism is enough for me, but evidently Frank and his creepy cult of personality need bigger reasons to be interested in people's dirty laundry.
After showing us the cards we'd ALL BEEN WAITING TO SEE, there was an even more awkward Q&A&C session, the C meaning confession, where fine folks from the audience told their "secrets", to resounding applause from the audience and a vigorous round of Frank telling the person they were courageous, and then telling us as the audience that we are courageous for accepting and supporting the person, and then we, as the audience, applauding for Frank, for his courage in making this all possible, and WE ARE ALL GOOD PEOPLE YAY.
As the lecture ended with a video advertising Warren's FIVE BESTSELLING BOOKS and directing me to the booksigning in the lobby, where I could buy any or all of said books, I again questioned Warren's ethics. Even if I buy that the reason that Warren is sharing the secrets is to make the world a better place, the overt marketing behind the Post Secret phenomenon leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I imagine the that the artists creating the postcards would probably put a "Non-Commercial" license on their works, if they had the mind or means to do so. No one, however, brought up the fact that Warren is not merely collecting secrets (and works of art), but is trading in them.
The picture from the poster, looking like a gangsta.
The real Frank Warren. Selling your secrets because he cares.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Readings for August 31
There are two short readings due for discussion August 31. Please print out the articles from the links below and bring them to class.
Cotter, Holland. “The Boom is Over: Long Live the Art!” The New York Times, February 15, 2009.
Sholette, Gregory. “State of the Union: Artistic Labor.” ARTFORUM, April 2008.
Cotter, Holland. “The Boom is Over: Long Live the Art!” The New York Times, February 15, 2009.
Sholette, Gregory. “State of the Union: Artistic Labor.” ARTFORUM, April 2008.
Welcome to Intermedia Workshop!
This is the blog for Intermedia Workshop, a Fall 2009 graduate course at the University of Iowa. We will use this space to post reviews of exhibitions, articles, films, and books and continue the discussion from class.
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