my notes on Kinkade & Beecroft

These two artist are so diametrically different, but oddly enough they share something in common...appealing to the masses. Thomas Kinkade may not win the favor of those who prefer avant-garde art, but he is a smart in his strategy of creating generalized comfy art that is appealing to mainstream consumers. He could never argue that he is a starving artist. I thought that it was interesting that he is the only painter whose work is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. On one end it makes you wonder if his work is truly coming from authentic inspiration, but on the other end he is truly using his work to not only inspire people, but to make a living. What is wrong with that? To me he seems to be giving people a glimpse of the ideal and for some an imaginary comfort zone amidst their daily chaotic lives. I don't know, to me he is OK, nothing is negative about the art, so what is the big deal? If he wants to paint fantasy pictures of cottages and beautiful landscapes, let him.

Vanessa Beecroft...not really feeling her. Can't put my finger on it, but it reminds me of more of the same. Its unique that she uses live subjects to convey her art....but what is her point. I couldn't really decided if she was promoting the objectification of women or was she trying to provoke the viewer to rethink those images.

Class Notes -Films on Consumption

It is always interesting to open that "can of worms" about what we know or believe about our food. Watching clips from the Super Size Me video was pretty cool. Especially the part where they represent Ronald Mc Donald as a "pusher man"-too funny. The clip of the decomposing hamburgers and fries was really disgusting, but seeing the everlasting fries was really interesting...what do they put in those fries? Is that legal? Hmmm...watch out ladies I am sure that Mc Donald's fries are a major contributor to that cellulite that just won't go away.

The major thing that I will take away from today's film selections on consumption is the phrase, "Faster,Fatter & Cheaper". One the farmers used that phrasing to describe the driving force behind the farming industry, but somehow I feel that his observation is also indicative of the mainstream American lifestyle.

class notes: Museum Visit #2

Today's visit to the Mint Museum of Art was very interesting. I really enjoyed the works that we saw and the GIFT SHOP. My favorites were Couture Section and the Lois Mailou Jones. I will have to go back again to really take time to view her pieces and study them. When you go as a class you have to keep it moving and you focused on getting through the tour. But anyway, she inspires me in a number of ways...it was good to see her development over time and her involvement in other things like teaching art & dance,color inspired by cultural palettes from Haiti and Africa. On of my favorites is Eusebin Cosme. Again the color and vividness of her work was refreshing. I would like to read more about her life. I also found it to be useful to look at the student gallery, it helps to see other students work. The Multimedia pieces are always fun to view. Off I go...until next time.