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Coding/Design: Yours-Tragically
Icons: Enlaced

July 2009
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January 2010
May 2010

A Big Family by Zhang Xiao Gang

Zhang Xiaogang (張曉剛 / 张晓刚) (born 1958) is a contemporary Chinese symbolist and surrealist painter. His paintings, which are often monochromatic, stylized portraits of Chinese people, usually with large, dark-pupiled eyes and posed in a delibrate stiff manner reminiscent of family portraits from the 1950s and 60s.

Like Wang GuangYi, Zhang grew up during the Cultural Revolution which had a great influence on his paintings. Also like Wang, Zhang belongs to the best-selling contemporary Chinese artists and is a favorite of foreign collectors.

Both are also similar in that they use icons from the Cultural Revolution. For Wang he uses propoganda posters from the resolution while Zhang uses old family portraits from that same era. Both also use some bright colours in their works to
emphasis certain portions.

However this is where the similarities end. In both stlye and artist intensions, both artists differ greatly. Firstly Wang uses a cut and paste method similar to that of Andy Warhol's printing method. Zhang on the other hand paints rather realistically. Furthermore Zhang focuses on the idea of photographs instead of the idea of consumerism (Wang). Zhang noted that old photographs "are a particular visual language" and says: "I am seeking to create an effect of 'false photographs' — to re-embellish already 'embellished' histories and lives." He said: "On the surface the faces in these portraits appear as calm as still water, but underneath there is great emotional turbulence. Within this state of conflict the propagation of obscure and ambiguous destinies is carried on from generation to generation."

As said by Zhang on his painting of The Big Family:
We all live 'in a big family'. The first lesson we have to learn is how to protect ourselves and keep our experiences locked up in an inner chamber away from the prying eyes of others, while at the same time living in harmony as a member of this big family. In this sense, the "family" is a unit for the continuity of life and an idealized mechanism for procreation. It embodies power, hope, life, envy, lies, duty and love. The 'family' becomes the standard model and the focus for the contradictions of life experiences. We interact and depend on each other for support and assurance.

Art and Society
Arts and Entertainment
Art is closely related to entertainment because art itself is already a form of entertainment. Art's, which consists of visual art forms (eg. Paintings and sculptures), music and theatre, main purpose is to communicate ideas and is used as a visual form of expression, which in itself is entertainment. Many resources have been alocated to entertainment and art. For example the Esplanade theatre which is an area specially constructed for the expression of art. In our society art and entertainment can hardly be divorced from one another. For instance when we want to find out about art events it is always located in the entertainment sector of the magazines or newspapers. 

Art and business, science and technology
Art can also be a lucrative business. For instance in universities there are art management business courses available. Art can also be see in advertisements for businesses. In the past advertisements were mostly just words trying to convey their messages (eg. Sales, discounts). But now aesthetic 'arty' elements are added into advertisements to attract more customers. For example, photographer David Lachapelle. He often takes shots for fashion magazines, posters and directs advertisements for fashion brands. He makes his works look 'artsy' and different from others, thus collaborating business and art together. Art can also be seen in science and technology. It can be seen in science textbooks for example. Art and technology can also be combined in the form of product design. In the past technology used to be just grey and boring but now it has become more pleasing to the eye so as to attract more people, thus science and technology can be associated with art. Technology can also be used in art. For instance artists like Nam June Paik and Bill Viola who use aspects of technology in their artworks, collaborating both art and technology.

Communcation and media
Art itself is already a form of communication. Art communicates the message the artist wants to say to the viewers. Art forms translates the views and opinions of the artists into a visual form for the public to see. Art and media can also be related. Art often makes use of the media to advertise itself. Art also often makes commentaries about the media. For instance pop artist Andy Warhol who makes prints of popular celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe. He makes commentaries on the life of fame and media.

Art and the disadvantaged and marginalized
People that are marginalised include the poor, ethnic minorities, old and sick. Artists often use the disadvantaged and marginalised as major themes for thier works. They want to bring to light their plight and let people realize the way they live and how they are treated. Examples if artists are Duane Hanson and Dede Eri Supria. Duane Hanson does sculptures of elderly people and shows them as alienated and ignored. He wants to show how the elderly are outcasted. Dede Eri Supria often depicts the slums of Indonesia. he wants to show the impact of modernisation on the poor. He wants to bring to light the plight of the poor people in Indonesia. Thus the disadvantaged and marginalised are often used as subjects for art.

Education and school
Art education is often taught in schools. Society believes that if a young child us taught art from a young age it will cultivate their creative and innovative side. Often it is the rich that are 'educated' in art as art us often seen as something of high society and culture. However in Singapore art is taught in all schools, neighbourhood and private alike. This is important as in destroys the stereotype that art is only for the rich and mighty. By making art more accessible to the general public, it makes it more common and allows more people to associate with it and enjoy it. Thus art education is very important.

Family and home
Artists are often affected by their family conditions and history. For example artist Willem de Kooning because of his abusive mother, he developed a preconcueved notion of women. His works often depicted women as viscious terrible monsters. Another artist that is influenced by their family is Ng Eng Teng. He had a good relationship with his family which resulted in very playful and jubilent artworks. Thus family and home often influence artists in their style and preconcieved notions.

Government and leadership
Artists often have views on their governments and leaders and this is often expressed in their works. For example Andy Warhol who did prints on Mao Ze Dong. It was his way of making a commentary on Mao Ze Dong and communism. Art becomes a form of passive rebellion towards the government. Another artist is Tang Da Wu who did a publicity stunt asking the government for more funds for art. It was a critism towards the government for the lack of interest in the arts. However this is restricted in Singapore where the government has strict rules and regulations where voices are often stilled. Thus artists often express views on government and leaders.

Singpost apologises for publicity stunt
By sujin Thomas

The article "SingPost apologises for publicity stunt" is about the controversy that arose over a publicity campaign based on the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) theme, Express Yourself, which saw six post boxes scattered around the island sprayed with 'graffiti'. The stunt involved six post boxes being spray-painted by a shadowy masked figure dubbed the Inkman. 
The half dozen post boxes, scattered throughout the island in places such as Orchard Road and Holland Village, were subject to the Inkman's handiwork. SingPost said yesterday that it had originally intended the stunt to involve 10 of it's boxes but decided to let the paint dry when newspaper reports surfaced. These reports gave rise to the perception that a serial vendal was traipsing around the island, spray can in hand, emblazoning SingPost boxes with various slogans.
This seemingly good publicity plan ended up in smokes because of the conservative, intolerant and narrow-minded general public of such radical gestures. In my opinion, this publicity stunt would have not adversely affected anyone in particular. The post boxes after all belonged to SingPost and it should be up to them what they do with it. Perhabs they should have forewarned the public first before doing the stunt.
This graffiti stunts of art can be considered art to a large extent. It is visual as well as has a message and purpose to convey. However it might seem improper to certain people as it might seem unappropriate to most of the conservative public in Singapore. Graffiti would be seen as a form of defilement and vandalism.
From his we can learn that the relationship between art and the society is fairly important. When art does not take into consideration the society's views and the society is not liberal enough to accept art, problems such as this will continue to occur. As artists they should take in to consideration the views of the society and what is taken to be taboo and improper in society. As the general public they should be open minded and ready to accept art as it is. Only went both are able to collaborate and communicate with one another will art continue to flourish and the society be able to enjoy.

Dictionary Defintions;

ART
1 : skill acquired by experience, study, or observation
2 a : a branch of learning: (1) : one of the humanities (2) plural : liberal arts b archaic : learning, scholarship
3 : an occupation requiring knowledge or skill
4 a : the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects; also : works so produced b (1) : fine arts (2) : one of the fine arts (3) : a graphic art
5 a archaic : a skillful plan b : the quality or state of being artful
6 : decorative or illustrative elements in printed matter

synonyms art, skill, cunning, artifice, craft mean the faculty of executing well what one has devised. art implies a personal, unanalyzable creative power . skill stresses technical knowledge and proficiency . cunning suggests ingenuity and subtlety in devising, inventing, or executing . artifice suggests technical skill especially in imitating things in nature . craft may imply expertness in workmanship .

VALUABLE
1 a : having monetary value b : worth a good price
2 a : having desirable or esteemed characteristics or qualities b : of great use or service

~~~~~~~~~~*****~~~~~~~~~~

In my opinion there is no definite definition for the term art or for the term valuable. Both items are determined by personal tastes and preferences. Some people call certain items/pieces/performances art yet some call them rubbish. Some people find certain things of value yet some don't. For instance, I find my memorabila of certain value because they remind me of past memories and happy times. But those same items might not carry the same value to another person and they might find it useless. Art on the other hand is a little trickier. Most people only define art because that is what its been defined as. Take for example at auctions. People with plenty of money to spare often bid on useless things, for instance a blank canvas, just because it was critiqed by a well-known art critic or likened by a famous celebrity.

There is no bold line to judge what is valuable art and what is not. Most of what is judged to be valuable is often because people of "authority" say so. Than what I ask gives these people the "authority" to judge another person's piece of art. Is the the experiance? Degrees of Expertise? or because of their background? For this I am unsure. But for one thing I can be sure of, it is that every piece of art an artist produces would be valuable to the artist him/herself. Surely there isn't an artist (or at least rarely) that does not treasure their own masterpieces.

Although there is a large grey patch still present, artworks, in these modern times and age, still have to be critiqed so as to set a certain standard for future generations as well as to alleviate the artist and leave behind a "legacy". Some criterias of which artworks are judged by I can only guess. Maybe for instance, the artist itself. If the artist is famous (and/or dead?) the artwork would be considered more valuable. Or the art form. Paintings usually fetch a higher price than say performances. Or perhabs the subject matter. In my opinion, the general public would most likely pick a more optimistic subject matter compared to a more pessimistic one.

All in all, though I still strongly believe art cannot be judged as valuable or not, I agree that there must still be a certain level set so as to seperate the real art from flukes. And artists still need to make a living... so i guess art can be judged? Perhabs by the standards of the past (e.g. picasso, van gogh?). Furthurmore, art has always been judged upon even from the past. So i guess we can never be run away from being judged.

Studium operates in the arena of liking, while punctum operated in the arena of loving, as Barthes indicates.

What is the studium of this photo?

Studium denotates the cultural, linguistic and political intepretation of a photograph.

The studium of this photo is that there is a relative focal point, and relative harmony. Both subjects (the wall and the paper) blend well together and it is a pleasant photo. The message of this photograph could be that it wants people to go against the normal. This can be seen from the pattern on the paper which is repeatative but is folded at one end to show a sort of rebellion. This could mean that the message is telling us to go against the norm or the flow and show some originality and creativity.

what is the punctum of this photo?

Punctum denotates the wounding, personally touching detail which establishes a direct relationship with the object or person within it.

The punctum of this photo is the fold at the end of the paper showcased on the wall. Because it seems out of place in the whole photo and seems to pop out. It causes me to think of what the folded paper might mean and draws my attention. Thus if it were a photograph in a gallery full of other photographs, this would catch my eye because of that unusual folded corner, therefore that is the punctum of this photo.

This is an ad for the baby bloom series by M.A.C.
just posted it cause it looks kinda cool(:
and its pretty(: haha.

What is this work made of?

This work looks like it is made out of something solid and hard. It is also shiny, smooth and able to reflect light. The shape is also irregular and was probably molded into it's shape. In my opinion, I think the work is made out of metal which is easy to mold and shape due to the extent of technology that is readily available. Furthurmore metal is a durable material, able to withstand natural elements as well as highly resistant to everyday wear and tear. So I think a reasonable guess would be metal. Plastic could have also been used. But I think metal is a more effective and better choice because plastic can be easily damaged (such as scratched or melt from heat).

What do you think the title is?

Firstly the artwork makes me think of grapes. Because of the colour and the bunches. But than again it looks like raspberries because of the shape. So maybe the artwork could be about fruits? And the title could have something to do with 'fruits of labour'? Or 'fruitful'? The artwork can also be linked to perhabs a sexual theme such as reproduction because of the symbol of fruits. The title could also be 'luxury' because grapes can be linked to wine. Furthermore I think the colour of the sculpture is of a rather luxurious colour, deep red.

What do you think the artist is trying to convey in this work?

Perhabs the artist is trying to convey a message of labour. Because of the fruits. Or he could be encouraging productivity and reproduction. Maybe the artist is asking people to make more babies. If it is by a Singaporean artist he is probably trying to instill a urge and help increase Singapore's population. Another message could be that the artist wants us to pay attention to the little things around us. Grapes or raspberries are generally small in size and by enlarging them the artist is trying to make it stand up and make people notice them.

What feelings are invoked in you when you see this artwork?

I feel firstly a sense of peace. It gives me a sort of classy feeling. Maybe thats because of the smooth shape and rich colour. It feels that the artwork can be found inside some well mantained building with air condition. Like for example a hotel or exhibition hall instead of somewhere out on the streets or in a dipilated building.

Why do you think this work is suitable for public displaying?

Firstly because it doesnt contain explicit or immoral content. Also it doesnt show obscene images. That is probably the most important reason why this work i suitable for public displaying. Also the work looks sturdy enough to be displayed in public. The work is also large and visually stimulating. It would be able to capture the attention of the passerbys and stands out from its surroundings. Obviously not everyone would like it but i think it is a harmless enough piece that will not disrupt anything or disturb anyone if it is displayed publicly thus it is suitable.