druzzi – Page 2 – arts, ink.

“what is art?” #14 – Michael Lipsey’s Joyful Work

February 6, 2020February 5, 2020 druzzi Leave a comment

Yes, art is a variety of things but sometimes it’s just a piece of paper with a painting on it.

A writer and author from Chicago, Michael Lipsey, creates art simply because he wants to create. He composes images out of magazine clippings of people, quotes of his writing and watercolor. The blurbs Lipsey includes are all one sentence lines that push the narrative of his pieces. Not only are his quotes interesting but the colors and images of people included also help give his work character.

Lipsey’s work is powerful through its vulnerable innocence and its way of creating a human connection. I enjoy looking at and revisiting his work because of the simplicity, wisdom and wonder it contains. Known as @stoicmike on Tumblr, Michael Lipsey is an artist who proves that sometimes all you need to make art is a paintbrush and your own thoughts.

Here are a couple of my favorite collages thanks to Pinterest and Instagram. 🙂

“what is art?” #13 – art?!

February 3, 2020February 3, 2020 druzzi Leave a comment

A literal and physical question to “what is art?” can be examined when comparing this question to the piece by René Magritte’s, This Is Not a Pipe.

Discussions have begun with looking at this lithograph and arguing if the image of a pipe counts as being a pipe or if it is simply an image of a pipe. Additionally, the word “pipe” is displayed. Is that a pipe or is it just the word pipe written down? What is a pipe? Is it only the physical object or can it be an image of it or the word written down as well?

Now let’s examine “art”.

Do you consider paintings on wall art? Are the sculptures in the MET art? Is the wallpaper you put on your computer screen art? Is a seven year old’s crayon drawing of a tree art? What about the picture their mom posted on Facebook of it? Are the pictures artists post of their pieces on Instagram art?

Magritte wanted us to question not only what a pipe is but also have us play with the idea of what is real and what is not. When asking the question “what is art?”, one must also examine the complexity and simplicity of the question. If one were to answer this question they could say art is the physical work but then they would have to think about how digital art can be classified. Furthermore, one could say art is anything one says it is but then they would run into the problem of almost everything being art with that statement.

Art is defined in various ways and is interpreted in multiple ways. When answering the question one must be open to studying different takes on this question as well as many perspectives.

“what is art” Post #12 – The Framers of the Constitution

January 24, 2020January 24, 2020 druzzi Leave a comment

Opinion piece:

At some point in every art and art history course, one will most likely learn and talk about why a specific piece was created and what its function is. Never when joining the course, American Constitutional Rights and History, did I think these questions would arise during my discussion.

For homework this week we had to read the entire American Constitution and its annotation. A real joy honestly. My fellow students and I were also tasked with marking/tabbing every indirect and direct reference to slavery we could find in the reading. Then when we got to class, the discussion objective written on the board read, “To take the framers off a pedestal and critique them.” Reading it again I had no idea what my GSI was referring to until she began talking and questioning us about moral embarrassment related to the constitution.

An example of moral embarrassment in the constitution for an example is if it contained a pro-slavery law but then years later people realized it was immoral and stripped it. The embarrassment would be that whoever created it was indeed in the wrong.

In this case, we compared this example to why the framers of the constitution did not include the word slave(ry) anywhere in the constitution considering some of the framers themselves had slaves. They mentioned “Native Americans”, however, they only hinted at slaves with indirect and arguably some direct references. Did they know slavery would once be illegal? Were they trying not to face moral embarrassment themselves?

When considering why the framers did not include slavery in the constitution it made me realize they definitely knew slavery was immoral and were bystanders as well as some being owners themselves. This then made me think about how growing up history classes praise these framers and make you believe they were some sort of genius like gods, when in fact they weren’t so perfect after all.

(Here comes my connection to art finally)

We see it in textbooks, on the 4th of July, and in national art galleries how these framers are represented in a glowing manner. There are many elements of how the framers are represented that display this moment as historic and these characters as having lots of power. From the consistency of how they are displayed, it is inevitable for most to think of them as god-like.

The way the framers have been artistically represented in our culture has construed minds to believe these people were extraordinary. However, they were simply just smart and wealthy individuals carrying immoral baggage who had the opportunity to alter our history for hundreds of years to come.

To have an open mind about these framers is to become aware of the power art has on our society. By observing the warped history our early creators wanted us to see in these paintings, our society sometimes falls on the fact that there is much more truth to be uncovered. These framers should be known and appreciated for laying the foundation of our government but we should not glorify them if who they were as a person is against our ethical beliefs.

“what is art” Post #11 – Love is the message, the message is Death

January 16, 2020January 21, 2020 druzzi Leave a comment

Whilst in Chicago this summer I attended the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and stumbled upon a powerful video montage by Arthur Jafa called, “Love is the message, the message is Death”. Set to Kanye West’s “Ultralight Beam”, the video contains found footage displaying contemporary imagery that tries to trace and connect not only American culture but most importantly black culture through time. Jafa examines African American identity through history and focuses on what it means to contribute to the subject of black representation.

I sat through Jafa’s piece twice trying to take in all it’s proclaiming but I struggled to gather it all. The art spoke about a multitude of relationships and interactions which contribute to the complex discussion of its subject(s).

In an interview with the Louisiana Channel, Jafa describes how he has always collected images since he was a kid and how this progressed into his later work. He had no intention of making a portrait of America but just to collect and compile things he was attracted to onto a file. This file then became a strung-out video (with tweaking of course) that Arthur Jafa became highly interested in and shared with others.

“Sometimes I feel like you have to put things together to figure out what you actually are attracted to.” (Jafa, Louisiana Channel)

Jafa explained how when he was a kid there was no documentation of abuse to black people. However, as technology advanced there was a “title wave of documentation” of violence against black people. He explained how the violence was always happening but it was the documentation that was new and revolutionary.

“As I was collecting the files, I wasn’t collecting them to do anything. I was just collecting them in a sense because I noticed things would appear and then no longer be available; disappear. I kept these files mostly so I could look back at them if I wanted to.” (Jafa, Louisiana Channel)

When first looking at “Love is the message, the message is Death” I believed it to be a piece of artwork that came with an elaborate art practice. However, after watching Jafa’s interview with the Louisiana Channel I understood his work is a culmination of imagery that he is attracted to, him figuring out why he is attracted to it and how these images all connect together. He had no intention of creating this monumental piece but instead to figure out what the montage meant to him and others.

Love is the message, the message is Death is an interesting piece to me not only because of its content but also because of how Jafa created it. Jafa explained that he didn’t make these videos important but instead by stringing them all together, he made them important in a different light. Jafa is saying to have people look at things for what they are.

The videos themselves could be argued that they are not art but Arthur Jafa is announcing that they are art.

P.S. here is a link to a definitely illegal version of it on youtube but it is a must watch–> LOVE IS THE MESSAGE, THE MESSAGE IS DEATH

“what is art” Post #10 – Personal Photography

December 5, 2019December 5, 2019 druzzi Leave a comment

I recently saw a tweet that said the weeks/days at school between Thanksgiving and Winter break feel like the last lap of Mario Kart. The music is loud, you are on edge and everything is extremely stressful. Sounds about right…

As final project due dates and exam days approach my mind somehow wanders constantly. Instead of thinking about the 50+ film terms I need to know on Tuesday I have been thinking of what movies I am going to watch on break and what type of hot chocolate I will be drinking while watching said movie. I am thinking about what vegan food I will prepare for myself and what book I should dedicate my time to. Or maybe even what color yarn I will choose to knit a scarf with.

Since being in college winter break is an entirely different feeling than what it was when I was in high school. I used to have to study for exams but now I have absolutely no responsibilities over break(besides updating student loans and looking for internships but who wants to talk about those? Hint…hint…no one.) Since I have so much built into the final week of my first semester my mind can’t help but think about the upcoming break filled with opportunity.

This semester I have been writing ‘what is art?’ posts trying to connect with a variety of students on campus. I have written about typography, doodling, and even the Michigan ‘M’. As I sit here in Hatcher Graduate Library pretending to be prestigious while thinking about break, I have also been thinking about what argument I should discuss on this platform to leave my readers(YOU) considering it over our lengthy break and guess what? I have thought of one!

Photography.

No, I am not talking about fine art photography but instead the day to day average ol’ human photography everyone takes and consumes. Have you ever considered your photo album on your phone to be your artistic vision and/or daily expression? Well, tis indeed just that!

Everyone’s photography and photo collection are personal to them and are based on their interests, what they value, and other aspects relating to identity. For example, my friend has her photo album filled with pictures of fall leaves and Kerby memes. Odd? Maybe, but you can gain a lot of possible knowledge from this information. 1. She is attracted to the warmth of fall colors 2. The fall time is her favorite season 3. Her favorite animated character is Kerby 4. Kerby’s shape just really cracks her up.

These clues that connect photos to an individual are the essence of how everyday photography is an art. In Susan Sontag’s book, On Photography, she says, “…photographs alter and enlarge our notions of what is worth looking at and what we have a right to observe. They are a grammar and, even more importantly, an ethics of seeing.” We take and collect photos because we are addicted to the power of claiming who we are and showing we exist even if it’s private/hidden on our phones.

Although in our generation we can be seen as overusing technology, no one can argue that converting our experience into an image isn’t a form of art. We are choosing to prove we exist and are doing this by capturing a moment in time and displaying what we are seeing in our own perspective. We are showcasing that this collection contains who we are and that we are.

As you all head full force into exam season and then respectively to wherever you shall be during break, consider how your own photo album can be a form of you and your expression. Think about why you saved that photograph of a puppy smooshed up against a window or took that picture of the drips coming off of an icicle. Additionally, recognize the urge you feel to take a picture of something and why? Or maybe think about why you desire to save a photo or share it.

Photography as an art is hard to grasp for some especially social photography but it is an interesting argument to explore and discuss.

Well, that’s all I have to say for now. Talk to you in January 🙂

“what is art?” Post #9 – Helicon Student Art Exhibition

November 24, 2019November 25, 2019 druzzi Leave a comment

Last night at 101 W. Liberty St. the one-night student art exhibition, Spilt Milk, was showcased by the student art org. Helicon. Supported by the Art History department at the U of M, Helicon thrives by connecting people with art-related events and social platforms. Helicon hosts two student art exhibitions and prints two publications during the school year.

This past semester I joined Helicon because my friend who is an art history major encouraged me to. When I joined I understood what the club’s message was and what they do during the year, however, I didn’t realize how many opportunities there would be for me to help and contribute towards. I grew from being a new member in September to being actively involved with the club now. I helped with the publication release in October and these past couple of weeks I have provided efforts for the exhibition and displayed four of my own pieces in the show.

Being apart of Helicon has taught me logistical skills like how to get people to submit work for the publication and/or exhibition and how to put together an art show. However, Helicon’s most rewarding benefit is the community it invites you into. Helicon somehow has built a community of students from all different majors and an interest in art. They all want to share the beauty in the variety of what art can be and create outreach for students to come and learn about it. The club enables like-minded people to come together and share their love for their arts as well as growing their community.

Yesterday night’s show was a success and perfect example of how Helicon draws in a crowd with its diverse artwork. Held in a loft, the exhibition included small prints to large installation pieces about the agriculture food industry. Helicon included two projected pieces and had a dj and musician. People were able to walk through two different rooms and dance in the main room while observing the artwork. The lively energy filled the room with excitement. The exhibition also included zines that the audience could take with them on their way out.

Although Helicon just had our show that does not mean we are at rest. We are constantly figuring out ways to further connect students on campus and thinking of ideas for our next publication and exhibition. Look out for us on Facebook and Instagram in the upcoming months to see how you can join the community and/or contribute as well as for pictures of last night’s show.

P.S. We meet every Monday at 8pm in Tappan Hall so come and join!