Final Blog Post!!!

In the final reading of our text and the last couple classes, we have discussed the inter-relationship or the interconnectedness of man with animals and technology. I stressed the idea of "networks", and how humans are made up of cellular networks but also how we interact within broader definitions of the term network. These days within the art world there are theories that center on man as a cyborg or the idea of man as a hybrid type of machine...this is due in part to our ever growing dependence on forms of technology...we are connected to our cell phones, laptops, mp3 players, which are in turn connected to much larger networks...and it is this connection that links our human flesh and bone with circuits and wire...therefore mingling our souls with machinery....something to think about!
In class we watched both Tim Hawkinson and Mel Chin on art21. Both artists use technology in their art works...Hawkinson, incorporating more crude, mechanical or kinetic elements that reference the human body and Chin using science and advanced technology as primary elements in his work. These two artists, although working in different ways, talk about the human condition in their works...social communities, our own bodies, emotions, and environmental concerns in our immediate surroundings. Take a moment to revisit those links and look over/read their work and info then respond to one or more of the following :

How much do we model the systems/structures we make-whether freeways or the Internet-upon systems within our own bodies?

Because of ecological changes as well as technological changes, how is art different now from art work created in the 1950's?

How do these two artists above, show us the good and bad results of man's fascination with machines?

Do you believe that you are interconnected with much larger systems of knowledge and networks and that in some ways you rely on machinery/technology as much as you rely on your body?

Blog Post # 6

In the past week we started talking about Romanticism and Romantic era landscape paintings by Hudson River School Painter Thomas Cole and his peers. We learned that this style of painting was simply about showing beauty and the awe in confronting the sublime within nature.

We also looked at a two photographers, Robert Adams and Ansel Adams. Robert Adams became interested in documenting how the western landscapes of North America had been shaped by human influence. Much earlier in the 20th century, Ansel Adams began creating fantastic black and white photographs of the west before man's intrusion. All three of these men had a similar focus when dealing with their subject matter...beauty.

Take a moment to click on the links then compare and contrast these artists...Respond to one or more of these questions when you compare/contrast.

Please explain how each of these people represented the landscape.

What makes them different besides the medium?

Did they have different agendas in their art?

Is it enough in our current culture to just pursue beauty without any other content attached?

This post requires a mandatory response from you the student...If you are unable to post a comment here, I expect a solid paragraph in hard copy format...thats paper for you non-blog comment people. No handwritten responses.
Due Date: 9:00 am, this Friday morning.
No late papers or comments accepted!