The social status of the artist

1. Identify aspects of Durer's self portrait that show a changing view of the artist's view of himself as an individual.

Self Portrait in Fur Coat (1500)Albrecht Durer

In the arts, Humanism brought a new concept of the artist as a learned individual. His final painted self-portrait, dated 1500, is inscribed: 'Thus I, Albrecht Durer from Nuremburg, painted myself with indelible colours at the age of 28 years.' His upper body fills the pictorial space and stands out clearly from the dark background. There are no details to distract the viewer. On the contrary, he faces the viewer as a confident man creating the illusion of an intense presence. Although the artist has depicted himself in a Christ-like pose, this was no gesture of blasphemy. It was an acknowledgement that God had made Christ and Man in his own image. Artistic talent therefore ultimately derives from God. His activities reflected the impact of humanism as an intellectual movement on art. Durer confidently demonstrated his professional attitude through series of self-portraits marking the gradual progression of his career and conceived as straight forward self-promotion.

2. Explain how the artist's social status increased during the Renaissance period. Briefly explain why this happened.

Speaking at the conclusion, his social status increased in an effort to go professional artist by humanism. Durer did not agree to the idea of the artist being low class at all. He was very much aware of his social status and reputation and intended to elevate himself through the self-portrait works. His social status began to increase after his self portrait at 29. He is using his artistic skill to represent himself and himself only. It can be concluded that it was merely the combination of factors that led to Durer’s self-portrait. He was primarily against the belief that artists were lower class and therefore they should not be mitigated to hide from view, and also that he had to somehow represent himself as an ideal husband without being there in person to do so. Even so, the importance of this act is only truly appreciated when it is viewed with his other self-portraits.

3. Comment on Gavin Turk's work in relation to individualism, status of the artist and egotism.

Knob (1997) Gavin Turk

I admit Gavin Turk is a fantastic artist who is very advantageous in expressing individualism and I like the idea of it being casting himself in the images of culture icons like Che Guevara and Sid Vicious. He expressed equating with famous people and he became a real famous person. According to The Independent Art (*), he said I was actually trying to critique the notion of mythology, he recalls. “I was hoping my work would be iconoclastic rather than iconic. I felt that what I was doing was constructing or creating an artistic alter ego which I could then control, almost as if it were a character that was not necessarily me.”  There is great pride as an artist in his producing and I can find his value as an artist but I am holding my comment about a blue heritage plaque (1991), it is called Cave.

(*) http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/pop-life-meet-the-stars-of-the-new-york-and-london-art-scenes-1792543.html

4. Comment on Damien Hirst's use of his work and the media for self promotion.

Damien Hirst and Maia Norman (1995)

I admit art has tangible value and can be traded in any current but his “Diamond Skull (2007)” seems hard to share to other viewers. He did not mind about this kind of negative opinion. He ignored that he was being imitated, parodied, reproached and exalted by media and public. He used the media alike. In his self-promotion and general efforts to publicize his works do not always satisfied with the public. Even his own supporters do not always acclaim his work. Moreover, some members of the media advocate that the public cannot understand the art without professional knowledge but he argues that the public can understand and appreciate art because of their extensive visual background knowledge. This seemed very sweet because I could not understand his Diamond Skull. I think artistically I need to understand some of his art products.

5. Find 2 images of work by artists or designers that reflects some of the ideas of individualism, self promotion or egotism that have been discussed on this blog. Upload images to your blog, title and date the work, identify the artist/designer and comment on the work in relation to the question.

Acrylic and gouache on gesso on board 2010

In Josephine Cachemaille’s art practice, she uses ruminations on insecurity, ego and personal psychology to describe collective, shared conditions and experiences. She is interested in the tension between the universal and those things that are specific/ personal/ trivial, using loaded images that describe both our individual shape and our greater collective state. I guess the “Destiny 2010” seems related with her personal interests because of her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Otago University in 1992. Even though it is hard for me to understand I chose her because I am impressed deeply by her small paintings with monochromatic.  I wonder what she thinks about.

The Scheme 1893

This is the only painting I knew from all of his artwork. Before I knew Edvard Munch I guessed this artist had a hard time mentally because I think “The Scream” seemed to express anxiety by extreme confusion. It was dangerous but I felt empathy. After I read some information about him I believe he attempted to explain his life. He recognized this is one of egoism too. “The Scream” gave me a lot of inspiration, especially the weight of the orange color which seems like a explosion of extreme anxiety.

6. How do you think artists and designers are viewed in Western society today?

I think artists and designers make something that was developed by their creative idea and view. It is recognized as the substance being and assessed value in the age but sometimes viewers cannot think or view. There are overflowing, harmful actions in the name of art. Their barrier was demolished between artist and designer. Their social status was clearly enhanced with fame and fortune from a long time ago but there are just some artists through contemporary designs take fame and fortune, such as Damien Hirst, Gavin Turk and Vera Wang.

References:
The Artchive

http://www.artchive.com/artchive/H/hirst.html

Damienhirst

http://www.leninimports.com/damien_hirst.html

Albrecht Dürer

http://www.artchive.com/artchive/D/durer.html

Sanderson Contemporary Art

http://www.sanderson.co.nz/Artist/135/Josephine-Cachemaille.aspx

Edvard Munch Gallery

http://www.edvard-munch.com/gallery/anxiety/scream.htm