Post modern art was a break from the earlier modern art. While modern art was revolutionary in its emphasis on reason and idealism, post modern art questioned the notion of universal principles. Inspired by the earlier forms of modern art, this art did not focus on subjects, but rather, form, processes and technique.
Much of post modern art took a skeptical, humorous or ironic approach to art. It also blurred the lines between "high" and "low" art by utilizing popular culture, comic books and other media in their art pieces. Post modern art embraced non-traditional art forms and materials and pushed the viewers opinion on what art is.
While the country was going through so many changes from the civil rights and women's rights movement, the Vietnam war protests and the unprecedented advancement of technology. Art too questioned authority and tradition and brought light to different environmental or social issues of that time.
The first artist I will be showcasing is Robert Rauschenberg, an American artist whos early art pioneered the way for pop art. Below is a screen print collage created in 1970 entitled "Signs."
In this piece Rauschenberg uses prints of popular people and events that had occurred
in this time period. You can see some references of the war and protests in the back as well as John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King. In the front you see an astronaut as homage to the 1969 moon landing.
The first impression of this piece that I get is strife and turmoil. I can feel the chaos of this collage, your eyes are drawn in all different directions as the prints are turned different ways. The red used also just reminds me of violence.
I feel that this piece is a call to justice. Upon further inspection you see right above Martin Luther King is a black man on the ground. This reminds me of police brutality against minorities. The woman at the top also sets the stage for this piece. I feel like I can screaming for it to just stop.
Below is another piece created by Robert Rauschenberg entitled, "Canyon."
This art piece is one of the most famous and controversial works that Robert Rauschenberg has created. It was made from wood, a pillow, a stuffed eagle and many other odd materials. Again, Post modern art pushed the boundaries of what we define art or beauty to be. This is the perfect example of just that.
This piece was actually started in 1954, Rauschenberg collected interesting items throughout his day to incorporate into this piece. He incorporated items that would usually be overlooked or thrown away into his art exploring the connection between art and everyday life.
The eagle protrudes out toward the viewer and I'm not quite sure, but it appears to be missing its head. This work of art feels gloomy and moody. The muted colors and the way that the paint drips down from the black paint gives off a kind of dark and ominous feel. You can see the collage effect from the different paint and objects that don't fit neatly within their boxes.
The next artist I would like to spotlight is a well known but unknown graffiti artist that goes by, Banksy.
Below is a piece created in Brighton, England in 2004, with spray paint of course. It is entitled, "Kissing Coppers."
This artwork for obvious reasons was controversial to say the least. You can see this art work as very pro-gay, depicting people of high authority openly embracing and sharing their love. Or you can see it as poking fun of police officers. I think that that may have been the intent of this piece. To question your own ideologies and why you may think a certain way.
I do like the meaning and intention behind this piece however visually it is not by favorite. The shadows help to create movement in the shirts of the police officers and create a little bit of a 3d effect. Towards the feet of the officers is where tyou can tell that this is spray paint. The other parts look to be painted with a stencil because it is so crisp and within the lines.
I like this work because you are used to seeing police officers very put together and often emotionless. I think that we forget at times that they are just as human as you and I and this piece highlights just that. It challenges the way that we see police officers, and people of the gay community.
The next graffiti art work was created in 2005 on the Israeli-Palestinian West bank wall. It is entitled, "Unwelcome Intervention."
My thought of this work was that it was highlighting how the grass was greener on the other side. That technology and the modern world was reality, and the tropical scene represented nature and living sustainably. I was suprised to find the meaning of this work of art.
This was painted on a barrier in which the Israelis consider to be protection, and the palistineans consider to be a physical barrier to keep the people segregated.
I am in awe of how realistic the landscape is in this piece. I am curious as to what Banksy used for that part of this piece. Also the children below the landscape have some great details and shadowing. Upon further inspection you can see that one of the children is wearing a bullet proof vest.
The lines surrounding the landscape are jagged and create cracks. I feel that this symbolizes that they need to tear down the barrier to get to that greener side.
The last artist I will spotlight is Robert Smithson, an American Sculptor.
This first work is actually a drawing, and it is ink on paper created in 1962 and entitled, "Blind in the Valley of Suicides."
I really enjoy this piece because I enjoy seeing the way that the body is turned to wood and all the little groves that it has. This man is positioned perfectly centered for a clear message. Usually I think that trees symbolizes hope, however the lack of color, the onimous look of the head and the ragged lines gives this piece kind of a dark feel.
The last piece by Smithson is likely his most famous. It is actually not an anything that is tangible but was created in nature, from materials native to the area. It is entitled, "Spiral Jetty" and was created in 1970.
In 1959 near the southern pacific railroad, a causeway was constructed which ultimately colored the water a red-violet color. Smithson used natural materials to create this spiral to bring attention to the environment.
The that looks like growth patterns of crystals or a primeval symbol. It looks historical and futuristic at the same time. I like the way that the lines are not perfect.
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