Weekly Selfie Performance: The Artist is NOT Here

The Artist is NOT Here

 Link: https://youtu.be/KY--y1zliEQ

Yoko Ono - A Groundbreaking Artist, Activist and Fighter behind the Myth of her Name

"Even her earlier pieces often demanded the viewers’ participation and forced them to become involved with the artwork."

I find it really intriguing how this artist's earlier pieces weren't just about looking at the artwork but actively participating in it. It's like she wanted us, as viewers, to be part of the whole artistic experience from the get-go. This approach feels pretty refreshing to me. It's not just about standing back and observing; it's about diving in and getting involved. I think it's cool because it makes art feel more alive like it's not just something hanging on a wall but something that demands our thoughts and feelings.

"Staged in 1964, one of her most famous works was The Cut Piece, where the members of the audience were invited to cut off pieces of her clothing until she was naked, thus making an abstract commentary on discarding materialism and its impact on society."

It's quite a bold and thought-provoking concept. By making herself vulnerable in front of the audience, the artist seemed to be confronting the idea of material possessions and their hold on us. It's like she was challenging societal norms and questioning the value we place on material things.

Performance, Pedagogy, and Philosophy

"I offer that narrative with the recognition that, over my life and professional career, I have witnessed young people be easily derailed when they don’t see themselves in the representation of who is creating."

This statement acknowledges the importance of representation in shaping the aspirations and paths of young individuals. From personal experiences in both life and professional settings, I've observed how easily young people can lose direction when they don't see individuals like themselves in positions of creation and influence.

"For a white student, particularly a young white student, seeing the mode of expression of an artist of color can shift as much of their worldview as it does for a student of color."

This quote speaks to the universal influence of diverse art on our perspectives, showing that exposure to different creative expressions can broaden everyone's horizons, no matter their race. It's a reminder of how art has this incredible power to connect us and make us understand each other better, including better respecting and understanding social and historical factors that might influence our morals. 

Performance Art: An Introduction

"Matta-Clark had taken a chainsaw to make two parallel, vertical cuts beginning at the roof’s center; the house was nearly cleaved in half, each half shifted outwards leaving a long narrow “V” shape allowing light to filter inside. It was a laborious process that involved the assistance of several friends and the resulting structure, demolished some three months later as part of an urban renewal project, was documented in photographs."

The fact the house was split almost in half, shifting each part to form a narrow "V" shape, sounds like a powerful statement about space and light. It's impressive how the artist involved friends in the process, but it's a shame that the structure was demolished so quickly, especially considering the effort and creativity behind it. 

"(Marina Abramović, The Artist is Present) Seventy-five minutes later she finally stands up and exits the square, declaring she lost all sense of time and thought it had only been a few minutes. Marina leans forward and closes her eyes, while the next sojourner steps forward and takes the empty seat. Marina sits up and another staring contest commences—this one lasting sixty-seven minutes. This process repeats—ten minutes, fifty-five minutes, twenty minutes, forty-five minutes, etc. Finally, the man in front of me takes the seat and I’m next. More than three hours from when I entered the succession I’ve seen only six people participate in the performance and more than thirty leave the line in frustration."

This one was my favorite. It was actually the quote and artist that inspired my performance. I loved how Marina completely committed to the character making participants thoroughly reflect about her art. I believe, not only her commitment, but her approach to art pieces is revolutionary.

BOOK- Chapter 1

"Seeing comes before words. The child looks and recognizes before it can speak."

This quote hits home for me. It's a powerful reminder of how our understanding of the world begins with what we see. It resonates because it reflects the way I perceive learning and comprehension: through visual experiences before speaking or hearing. I learn better by visuals up to this day.