LOGORAMA (Part I)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksmGnlxXL5s

This short, animated movie begins by showing various companies/organizational logos almost like one giant billboard ad. There is a wide range of companies on display including retail (Best Buy and K-Mart), lodging (Comfort Inn) and even the automobile industry (GMC Truck). Characters include such recognizable figures as the Michelin Man, Mr. Clean and Ronald McDonald. In this case Mr. Clean serves as a gay tour guide while Ronald McDonald plays the role of the criminal. The Jolly Green Giant also makes an appearance and immediately is one of the more imposing characters for obvious reasons. The Planters Peanut guy and the familiar Pringles mustache man are included as is the Pillsbury Doughboy. Ronald McDonald is certainly portrayed much differently in this movie compared to his real life image. Hes involved in a high speed police chase and eventually takes a hostage and opens fire on the police, just a slight stretch of character I'd say. Overall the animated movie is rather entertaining because of the characters involved and due to the fact that their personalities and behaviors have been drastically altered.

Art critic Dave Hickey podcast

http://www.friezefoundation.org/talks/detail/custodians_of_culture_dave_hickey/

Art critic Dave Hickey opens his keynote lecture by discussing the object of money and how some artists are more attracted towards money than artwork. He states that you can be an icon of virtue by behaving well, right, and/or correct. According to Hickey being wrong entails selling something for too much money which is known as primary practice. Hickey says that art dealers today are creating value but not real value which is resulting in higher prices for works of art. In the 80s and 90s public funding began declining which affected museums. He also mentions the presence of art bubbles which "suck money into the art world but actually hurt greedy artists and stupid collectors". Hickey comments on non-commercial art as being essentially art that doesn't sell in galleries but yet the artists that created these particular works are still getting paid. He reverts back to public funding and discusses how the government overtook the community and became the primary source of funding for museums. Museums then responded by separating themselves from the community. During certain moments throughout the lecture Hickey tends to drift a bit off topic but he is able to maintain the audience's attention through his use of humor.

Stormtroops Advancing Under Gas by Otto Dix

Stormtroops Advancing Under Gas is one of the most famous anti-war paintings created by German-born Otto Dix. Dix served in the German army during WWI, fighting on first the Western front then later the Eastern front until the end of the war. He was wounded several times, and the trauma of war stayed with him long after he left the armed services. In a 1963 interview he is quoted as saying:

"As a young man you don’t notice at all that you were, after all, badly affected. For years afterwards, at least ten years, I kept getting these dreams, in which I had to crawl through ruined houses, along passages I could hardly get through… "

These horrors of war are depicted in this painting in which German soldiers, wearing gas masks and weilding grenades, are advancing toward the enemy. The dark dark hues and faceless figures create a dark, almost cartoonishly nightmarish, atmosphere that is the reality of war.

Maman by Louise Bourgeois

Louise Bourgeois is a French artist and sculptor who was born in 1924. Most of her works deal with the life cycle from birth to rebirth and the fragility and vunerability of mankind. Spiders have remained a constant image in several of her works throughout her career. In this sculpture, entitled "Maman" (which is French for "mother") she depicts a giant, 30 foot tall bronze and stainless steel female spider. On her back she has a sac containing several marble eggs. The sculpture is located outside the Tate Modern Museum in London. It provides a sharp contrast to the the typical city landscape, which is probably what Bourgeois was going for. Despite its massive size, the spider is supported by extremely thin legs which make it seem fragile yet overwhelming all at once.

Wiggenstein in New York by Eduardo Paolozzi

Paolozzi was a Scottish artist and sculptor who was a prominent member of the international art community during the 20th century. This piece, entitled "Wiggenstein in New York" was completed in 1965 and is part Paolozzi's collection called "As is when." It is a color/photo screenprint that contains many abstract and seemingly unrelated images. In doing so, Paolozzi attempts to create the sense of fragmentation that exists within our society. The bright colors also act to make the painting stand out, with the more earthly colored human figures appearing in front of a background of bright blue and orange skyscrapers. Along with Andy Warhol, Paolozzi helped spearhead the pop art movement in Britain and America in the 1950's.

Saturn Devouring His Children - Goya

Saturn Devouring His Children is the title for this work done by Spanish painter Goya. This piece like many of Goya's works incorporates themes of human bestiality and madness. These themes became prevalent in his works because of the first hand experiences he had such as with Napoleon's brutality towards the Spanish people. He was one of the first artists to focus on the irrational aspect of human nature which he then translated into art. Goya had a tendency to look at the ugly side of society, the inhumanity that existed among men.

All of the Above by Judy Pfaff

Judy Pfaff is an artist well known for her installation works. She is a very hands on artist using many tools to create her artwork. This particular piece, titled "all the above" shows her creativity through the use of many different materials, tools and contrasting colors, white and black in this case, possible signifying light and dark. There is also the very subtle appearance of other brighter colors such as light greens, yellows, and reds that are enhanced through the use of black lights.

Eye of the Storm by Michael Craig-Martin

Michael Craig-Martin is an artist who is famous for his use of signature colors, plays on other artists previous works as well as his own, and his play on words in his artwork. This piece titled "Eye of the Storm" is one display of his use of daily objects, objects that he has also used in previous works of his. The handcuffs, table fan, pitchfork and light bulb were all objects found in some of his more well known pieces. Also in this painting are the groups of signature colors that he is known and famous for.

Lavender Mist by Jackson Pollock

Jackson Pollock's Lavender Mist is an abstract piece of work that relies heavily on texture and contrast in order to create an earthy appearance. The texture feature of the painting creates multiple layers which allows for a 3-D like appearance. Pollock also uses different shades and colors which attracts the viewer's attention over the entire image. This painting incorporates Pollock's infamous drip paint technique which heavily influenced the works of later artists. Lavender Mist is a quite popular piece but I don't view it as an amazing work of art. Its three dimensional appearance is interesting but the colors are not appealing with this piece. Although I personally don't care much for the painting, the process that is necessary to create this work is not simplistic. Pollock didn't simply splatter paint on a canvas, he is a talented artist that carefully planned out his approach and through using his drip technique he was able to design this painting.