The Blockbuster Exhibition and Artist Crossing Disciplines-The Celebrity as Artist
The Blockbuster Exhibition and Artist Crossing Disciplines-The Celebrity as Artist
Sabre Crow
For my presentation, I was able to look at "The Blockbuster Exhibition and Artist Crossing Disciplines-The Celebrity as Artist", which featured three outstanding artists: Banksy, Yayoi Kusama, and Jeff Koons. I looked at each artist individually and how they were all relatable to one another. In this blog, I will be sharing with you what I have learned about these remarkable artists!
Who is Banksy? He is a graffiti artist, filmmaker, painter, activist, and “all-purpose provocateur.”Banksy was born in Bristol, England on July 28, 1973 and featured under 2010’s, World’s Most Influential People list in Time Magazine. No one really knows who he is or who he looks like, his last face-to-face interview was in 2003. He is known for “bombing” cities all over the world, starting in Bristol, England in the 1990’s. He changed signing his name from “Robin Banx” to not associate with gangsters and robbing banks to his well known identity as “Banksy”. He uses unique and identifiable method of stencil graffiti, mostly political in some way, known for his “exhibitions” in tunnels, train cars, and on the sides of buildings. He sells his works for millions of dollars at auctions. Has moved from graffiti bombing walls to paint on canvas, conceptual sculptures, and filmmaking.
These are all contemporary artists from the 21st century who have had an outstanding affect on the art world. They have changed the way that we enjoy it, how it is funded, who is buying it, and the message that it is portraying. A few of the shifts in the art world that these three artists have taken are:
Focus on Experience
Over the last decade, our society has become infatuated with our phones and what is going on in the world online. Throughout this dramatic change, it has left us craving more outside of the online world, bringing a focus on installation, interactive art and performances. Also over the last decade, we have seen record attendance numbers for immersive art exhibitions. Classic forms of art such as painting are not going anywhere but artists are continuing to embrace and push the limits of their mediums.
Focus on Identity
With the growing trend in social media use, there has been an awareness to shine light on identity and equal recognition everywhere including in the arts. For a long time, male artists have been the main artists in museum spaces. In most major United States museum collections, 87% of the collection is from males and 85% of those are white. Male artists have also been setting new record numbers in auction. For example, in 2019, Jeff Koons sold his sculpture “Rabbit” for $91 million, naming him the “world’s most expensive artist.” Koons states, “its about the viewer.” Many museums and galleries have devoted whole seasons to only acquiring female and minority works of art in response to these studies and statistics.
Focus on The East
Following identity, we see a rise in influence on the art world from the East and the Middle East. The incredible wealth from places like China and countries in the Persian Gulf, has led to cultural and political ramifications. Despite everything that may be happening in the East, the art market has stayed strong. Artists like Yayoi Kusama, from Japan, have maintained their popularity and relevance in the West as well as American artists gaining and maintaining success in Asia.
Focus on Money
Since practically the beginning of time, we have used art as a form of expression and culture but also as a form of commodity. More recently, we have seen a discussion, globally, about who should have the power and fund the arts and culture. In 2018, Banksy’s, “Girl with Balloon” was sold for $1.4 million to a private investor and was immediately shredded by “Banksy” as an act of self-destruction because he didn’t want his piece to be sold to a private collection. Nearly a year later, the Notre Dame Cathedral caught on fire and $1 billion was pledged by private and rich donors. Over the last decade, there has been an awareness brought to attention by Occupy Museums of the corrupting power that comes from private interest in art and calls for the resignation of CEOs of company’s that produce things like tear gas and have their hands in oil, to resign from museum boards.
Focus on Earth
Environment has always been an admired subject of art but with climate change becoming a bigger threat to global population over the last several decades, environment is a vital topic now more than ever. Artists have begun making installations that offer a “tangible encounter with the consequences of (mankind’s) actions.” One of many examples is a work of art from Banksy called, “Season’s Greetings.” The painting was featured in Port Talbot, Wales after the World Health Organization suggested that it was the most polluted town in the United Kingdom. Banksy’s painting shows a little boy that is dressed to play in the snow but is actually playing in falling ash and smoke, hinting to the town’s long industrial heritage.
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