Tim: I remember this project that you had going a while ago. It was very interesting the last time I saw it purely because so many people friended your fake persona so quickly and begin in open discourse with you. What types of subjects is your discussion branching out to outside of politics? I saw this article not too long ago that had to do with gay men in the military. Was this a hot topic in your discussion? I still think that it was funny that you chose an alter ego for your website. On your page, you said you needed a new persona, one that was more attractive and appealed even more to the gay community. Did this tactic work? Are there other people besides the gay community participating in these discussions?
http://sovital.blogspot.com/
Steve: You also have an interesting project. The idea of leaving small gifts to the world is thoughtful. I liked your idea of leaving a tennis ball for a kid or dog to play with. Kind of funny because I found a tennis ball not too long ago and commenced to bouncing it and even created a make shift game of catch with one of my friends. Beyond my game of catch, how does this concept relate to the world of relational aesthetics? Is the world a giant installation piece where you would keep adding items to your gallery for people to "steal"? In that essesnce, you have a lot in common with Luis Maldanado in the sense that your piece is made up of many different things that other people are acquiring from you, not through bartering, but by chance.
http://stephennyktas.blogspot.com/
Carrie: I like the way your rpiject has unfolded over the course of time. I like the spin you put on an older project of yours where you used objects that were not meant to last to respresent human ties and sexuality. You are wearing everyone's private confessions out to the real world for everyone to see now, sort of putting everyone on "blast" (putting their business out there for others to acknowledge). I say this because it seems to be every man, woman, and child's birthright to find out others embarrassing guilty pleasures. Does your project satisfy this underlying need to know? This project raises many questions in my mind due to the fact taht you are bringing the private into public. Are these confessions that people would gladly state in a public forum? Wearing the confessions also brings up the idea for a new project. That being you getting a large group of people to walk around naked for a day. This would definentely bring the private to the public stage! Well, try to forget my twisted thought on your project. It is a nice project the way it is.
http://theconfessionsession.blogspot.com/
-David Ngene
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Check this website out!
Hello all, I have a cool website I made to go along with my final project. Feel free to navigate and participate on the website!
Website: Open Session is back!
http://blue.mmlc.northwestern.edu/~atpda-dnn318/Open_Session/title.html
Final Project: Three Words
http://three3words.blogspot.com/
Website: Open Session is back!
http://blue.mmlc.northwestern.edu/~atpda-dnn318/Open_Session/title.html
Final Project: Three Words
http://three3words.blogspot.com/
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Interview with Jorge Pardo coming real soon...
Don't know how I talked him into it, but and interview with Jorge Pardo is coming soon
"Pass it On!: Connecting Contemporary DIY Culture" Rant & "Luis Maldonado: It's All About Things" Critique
DDIYOIWLLC: Don't Do It Yourself or It Will Look Like Crap
"DIY is the continuous desire to adapt and improve existing conventions, tools, and practices, so that they may better fit an individuals purpose." (A + D Gallery "Pass It On: Connecting Contemporary Do-It-Yourself Culture") DIY or "Do it yourself" is a term that has become a fuselage in modern, hip, artistic trends.
Upon walking into the gallery space at the DIY show "Pass It On: Connecting Contemporary Do-It-Yourself Culture," I really noticed how much I stood out from the crowd. It's not that I came decked out with my trendy urban wear that I created from scratch, but rather that I sported my store bought shoes, non-ripped/dyed jeans, and a name brand shirt. The atmosphere at the DIY show was unique. The show was very well organized and sharp looking, but the work itself seemed to throw the space off a bit, like it did not belong in a gallery setting. It was interesting looking at the contrast between the two.
Upon walking around, I found myself drawn to the economic areas of the DIY show. This is where I felt as if the individual artists work showcased the mission of the artists who engaged in stopping a passive consumer lifestyle. This area had a "punk" like feel to it and showcased many revolutionary (I say that out of sarcasm) iPod products, which one in particular, ended up being my favorite piece of the show. The iPod I loved so much encased in the Altoids container took the cream of the crop award in my opinion. Really, I was upset that I did not think of it first. It was so simple, yet it was one of the most straight forward examples of one of the "down with the man" pieces. Which is funny that I say this because the "man" is most likely the father of that particular "activist artist".
There were many other pieces that were interesting none the less at the show. The clothing that was created for the show had a homeless feel to them. I'm not sure that I would sport any of the clothing, even though a few of the DIY scarves were fairly sharp. (I again, say that out of sarcasm)
There was a handbag I had seen at the show that was created out of old computer disks. It seemed to function well but appeared it would be very time consuming to make, even for a homless person that technically should have all the time in the world.
All in all, I felt as if the show was great in showing the poilitics behind the pieces, but a few of the pieces were pretty over the top to be deemed DIY. At times, I felt as if a few of the pieces were made in mockery of being homeless or less fortunate which left me quite offended at times. Especially since knowing that the DIY crowd itelf was far from being less fortunate in general, and only wanted to appear so. (maybe in hope of looking/feeling cooler? But to ask that question, one must define what being cool means. Does cool mean being less fortunate, hence not being able to afford items such as iPod cases and scarves?)
"Pass It On!: Connecting Contemporary Do-It-Yourself Culture"
A+D Gallery
Luis Maldonado: Its All About Things Critique
Driving down to ThreeWalls, I had no Idea what to expect from the show. I did not previously know who Luis Maldonado was before I attended the show/auction, but I quickly learned that Maldonado was a up an coming artist that had a on going project where thing focus of his work is "things." The title "Barter Days" was also confusing to me at first because I did not think that the word "Barter" actually meant people would be bartering for things at the show. (not sure why I didn't, don't ask)
Before entering, I had to double check to make sure that I was in the right place a couple times because the gallery space did not look a typical gallery space. (hence being sleek and minimal with white walls, etc.) When you enter, you are then greeted by Luis Maldonado (I did not know that was him at first) and walked into the main room where the bartering was taking place. There were different sections to the gallery and the infamous lounge area that was noticeable form the main room. The gallery space looked a bit odd. It was not like any space that I have seen in the past. It reminded me of a first grade class room. With several painting and other "things" on display. There was a loud speaker or some sort of contraption Maldonado was loudly speaking out of, describing his artwork as if he did not make and own it. It felt like I was part in a perfomance art twilight zone that I would not be able to escape in a timely manner.
I tended to shy away from all the commotion of the bartering, but I observed what was taking place. Through the bartering, Luis Maldonado was actively engaging in role reversals. Usually the art patron or collector comes into the gallery looking for art to add to his or her collection. Maldonado however, created a scenario where he would be collecting artwork for a later show through his trades, thus making him the art patron and the consumers the artists. The idea of role reversals is what his art work focuses on. I think this was a well thought out way to express his thoughts.
I came to find out during the time I stayed at the show that Maldonado was not looking for monetary value for his trades.(which I thought was odd) The reason this is mentioned is because the people participating in the trades were offering some pretty rediculous things that they had on the or had brought to barter with. But everything that was being offered had a story to it. This is what makes his next show significant because it displays the things that he traded for and the documented photos and stories behind them. I do applaud Luis Maldonado for what he did at Three Walls. Even though it felt performative, he tried something different that has the potential to change the way art in viewed and traded.
"Luis Maldonado: It's All About Things"
Three Walls
_______________________
David Ngene
"DIY is the continuous desire to adapt and improve existing conventions, tools, and practices, so that they may better fit an individuals purpose." (A + D Gallery "Pass It On: Connecting Contemporary Do-It-Yourself Culture") DIY or "Do it yourself" is a term that has become a fuselage in modern, hip, artistic trends.
Upon walking into the gallery space at the DIY show "Pass It On: Connecting Contemporary Do-It-Yourself Culture," I really noticed how much I stood out from the crowd. It's not that I came decked out with my trendy urban wear that I created from scratch, but rather that I sported my store bought shoes, non-ripped/dyed jeans, and a name brand shirt. The atmosphere at the DIY show was unique. The show was very well organized and sharp looking, but the work itself seemed to throw the space off a bit, like it did not belong in a gallery setting. It was interesting looking at the contrast between the two.
Upon walking around, I found myself drawn to the economic areas of the DIY show. This is where I felt as if the individual artists work showcased the mission of the artists who engaged in stopping a passive consumer lifestyle. This area had a "punk" like feel to it and showcased many revolutionary (I say that out of sarcasm) iPod products, which one in particular, ended up being my favorite piece of the show. The iPod I loved so much encased in the Altoids container took the cream of the crop award in my opinion. Really, I was upset that I did not think of it first. It was so simple, yet it was one of the most straight forward examples of one of the "down with the man" pieces. Which is funny that I say this because the "man" is most likely the father of that particular "activist artist".
There were many other pieces that were interesting none the less at the show. The clothing that was created for the show had a homeless feel to them. I'm not sure that I would sport any of the clothing, even though a few of the DIY scarves were fairly sharp. (I again, say that out of sarcasm)
There was a handbag I had seen at the show that was created out of old computer disks. It seemed to function well but appeared it would be very time consuming to make, even for a homless person that technically should have all the time in the world.
All in all, I felt as if the show was great in showing the poilitics behind the pieces, but a few of the pieces were pretty over the top to be deemed DIY. At times, I felt as if a few of the pieces were made in mockery of being homeless or less fortunate which left me quite offended at times. Especially since knowing that the DIY crowd itelf was far from being less fortunate in general, and only wanted to appear so. (maybe in hope of looking/feeling cooler? But to ask that question, one must define what being cool means. Does cool mean being less fortunate, hence not being able to afford items such as iPod cases and scarves?)
"Pass It On!: Connecting Contemporary Do-It-Yourself Culture"
A+D Gallery
Luis Maldonado: Its All About Things Critique
Driving down to ThreeWalls, I had no Idea what to expect from the show. I did not previously know who Luis Maldonado was before I attended the show/auction, but I quickly learned that Maldonado was a up an coming artist that had a on going project where thing focus of his work is "things." The title "Barter Days" was also confusing to me at first because I did not think that the word "Barter" actually meant people would be bartering for things at the show. (not sure why I didn't, don't ask)
Before entering, I had to double check to make sure that I was in the right place a couple times because the gallery space did not look a typical gallery space. (hence being sleek and minimal with white walls, etc.) When you enter, you are then greeted by Luis Maldonado (I did not know that was him at first) and walked into the main room where the bartering was taking place. There were different sections to the gallery and the infamous lounge area that was noticeable form the main room. The gallery space looked a bit odd. It was not like any space that I have seen in the past. It reminded me of a first grade class room. With several painting and other "things" on display. There was a loud speaker or some sort of contraption Maldonado was loudly speaking out of, describing his artwork as if he did not make and own it. It felt like I was part in a perfomance art twilight zone that I would not be able to escape in a timely manner.
I tended to shy away from all the commotion of the bartering, but I observed what was taking place. Through the bartering, Luis Maldonado was actively engaging in role reversals. Usually the art patron or collector comes into the gallery looking for art to add to his or her collection. Maldonado however, created a scenario where he would be collecting artwork for a later show through his trades, thus making him the art patron and the consumers the artists. The idea of role reversals is what his art work focuses on. I think this was a well thought out way to express his thoughts.
I came to find out during the time I stayed at the show that Maldonado was not looking for monetary value for his trades.(which I thought was odd) The reason this is mentioned is because the people participating in the trades were offering some pretty rediculous things that they had on the or had brought to barter with. But everything that was being offered had a story to it. This is what makes his next show significant because it displays the things that he traded for and the documented photos and stories behind them. I do applaud Luis Maldonado for what he did at Three Walls. Even though it felt performative, he tried something different that has the potential to change the way art in viewed and traded.
"Luis Maldonado: It's All About Things"
Three Walls
_______________________
David Ngene
Friday, April 27, 2007
Welcome
Welcome to my blog. This is my first one so be nice! More to come soon...
Interview with Jorge Pardo anyone?
Interview with Jorge Pardo anyone?
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