The Artwork, The Viewer & The Artist’s Intent

In order for art to work (hence: ‘artwork’) There has to be a successful relationship between three things: the art piece the viewer the artist’s intent

So for example… Part one of the relationship - The Art Piece: This appears to be a two page artwork made up of four triangles. The triangles appear as two sets of two. One set is blue and appears to have strips cut out, behind the cut-outs appear to be black & white images of a child. The other set of triangles seem to be painted and have stenciled text.

Part two of the relationship - The Viewer: You are the viewer - what do you think it is about?

The third part of the relationship - The Artist’s Intent I happen to know the person who made this, a grade 12 student whose name is Mike. This was a project where students had to use two pages in their sketchbook and create an art work based on a childhood accident (you know, the kind you never forget). Mike said he got on top of a dresser because he was looking for something, he peered behind the dresser and saw what he was looking for - and promptly crashed. He was then behind the dresser and his mom heard him yelling. He had a fat lip and some minor face trauma; the photo was taken after he stopped crying. His art piece is about that experience.

Art & Current Events Art can affect the way we think about the world. We switch out of the mainstream dream or trance, and think. An artist’s job is to bring you (the viewer) to a new place, a new consideration or simply jar your understanding of something. Good art provokes thought.

Your current event is: Japan

Pick a word from each column: Chaos Destruction Despair People Order Mass media Debris Impending Infrastructure Celebrity opp Economy Real Superficial Corrupt Violence Fear Catastrophe Water Force Double Triple Multiply Divide Repeat Cover Distress Modify Layer Distort Expand Reduce Simplify Slice Drown Photo Series Set Shadow Shadow box T-shirt Untraditional card Quiet installation Sound Texture Garment Box Tiny Too large Story Print Bottles Remains

Create an artwork that takes no more than 3 hours. Your piece must be influenced by the three words you choose You are not allowed to do a traditional drawing or painting Don’t hit your viewer over the head Be subtle, smart and provoke thinking Your artwork must have a finished and intentional appearance

We will discuss ‘referencing’, and how to choose what to create, in class next week. In the meantime: Research what is happening right now in Japan Write down ideas and concepts that strike you as you are researching Get attached to one major aspect of this current event (ie: water, nuclear power, force, protective gear, empty shelves, heroes, news coverage, etc.). Begin to imagine how you can convey your idea/intention via an artwork It is fine if your work affects the viewer, but it must be respectful of the event and significant depth of thought Avoid superficial responses Keep all of your notes, research & ideas together in your book (observe rules #1-#33).