I could certainly appreciate Larry Lessig’s views in his talk regarding creativity and the way art has changed over the last 100 years. Who would have thought that Sousa would be correct in calling the newly invented telephone an “infernal machine?” If only he had seen what cell phones have done!
I however am not sure if I truly understand the concept of Altermodern art. It appears to want to embrace a more global presence, but it also seems as though some artists want to return to a simpler life. Are both of these possible in this time? And with the technology we so love? Many of the artists want to create a change in the world by their statements in art, but does it really make a difference? Does the majority of society embrace these ideas, and are they willing to change? I imagine the artists may feel that if their work makes people actually stop and take the time to look inside themselves and their environment and think about what the artist may be saying, then they have succeeded.
I do find many of the Altermodern art pieces that I have seen to be very abstract and somewhat confusing. That probably doesn’t come as too much of a surprise though! I tend to lean toward much more traditional types of art. I did find that when I read an artist’s statement, or as I heard Sara Worden explain her work, that their vision made more sense to me. For me it is more comfortable to just view a painting or a sculpture and having it’s representation be obvious to me.
Simon Starling Tabernas Desert Run 2004
I found the work of Simon Starling met the criteria of Altermodern. He definitely uses the concepts of travel, borders, and viatorisation (concepts listed on the Tate website explaining Altermodern) as a basis for his work. I was intrigued by his work “Tabernas Desert Run”, 2004 which he created to exploit the waste of natural resources. I however could not appreciate the concept of the work until I had read the detailing of it. I just thought it was odd that a bicycle and a painting of a cactus were an art exhibit. I still feel like the cactus painting is the art, and the bicycle was just part of the adventure.
Rachel Harrison Johnny Depp 2007
Rachel Harrison Fats Domino 2007
Rachel Harrison was another artist featured in the Altermodern exhibit at the Tate. I am not sure that she falls within the explanations of Altermodern. She may be making a statement with her work, but it doesn’t seem to be global or awareness driven. Even with what I read about her, I still really don’t understand her nor can appreciate much of her art. I especially can’t comprehend her vision in her sculptures. Like I have said before, I have trouble identifying with a piece if I can’t figure out what it is meant to be. I found this especially true in her sculptures that she named after various famous men. I can’t really see the vision or relationship in “Johnny Depp”, except for the earring, or in “Fats Domino”, with the Slim Fast can.
Peregrine Press artist Mary Lou Lipkin collaborated with Mwana of Zanzibar on this piece.
Chris Beneman created this print with her African counterpart, Jamila Mzee.
Lastly, I feel the current exhibit at the Portland Public Library is Altermodern, but in a different sense, not as eccentric as some others. Members of Peregrine Press and a group of women from Zanzibar created prints together. One group would create their prints and send it to the other group for finishing. I think that this collaboration shows many aspects of Altermodernism--travel-no borders, heterochronia, and even sustainability--teaching the African women new techniques to increase their skills to make money. Today's technology allows these groups, 6000 miles away from each other, to create beautiful art pieces together.
As with anything, art is very subjective. What one man finds hideous, another finds beautiful. That’s what makes it possible for everyone to have a vision—there will be someone out there who will appreciate it.
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