Sorry for hogging all the blogging, but I have to comment on the so-called "Movement Movement". I would like to first applaud the critical audience members calling out some interesting points such as what sort of movement they are actually trying to create.
My opinion is that this is a simple group activity, nothing more. The whole idea that they are trying to challenge rules or "break" social conventions is completely out to lunch, as a few audience members illustrated. It seems that this an event about breaking the rules, as long as nobody breaks the rules that were agreed to by the event coordinators and the museum management. "Bringing your dog is a bit of a stretch" one of them said. "No spitting" was another. Ridiculous. If you want to challenge the system, you outright challenge it. You don't proceed with lengthy discussions and compromises in order to get permission. Bring on the flash mobs, I say.
As the guy in the green hat mentioned, there is an election happening as we speak. Why not make this event worthwhile and base it on a political platform? Why wouldn't they substantiate this whole project by giving it some tangible meaning? My guess is that the museum would never allow a politically aimed project in the doors.
Another ridiculous point was mentioning sponsorship from Nike as being improper due to questionable business practice but then saying they were sponsored by American Apparel. If these girls knew what they were talking about they would be well aware that American Apparel is involved in some pretty shady operating practices as well. "We were into a short shorts thing" was their reasoning. Please.
I think (or hope, rather) that the steam is being let out of this balloon really fast. It's all fine if their intentions were to simply get a large group of people together in order to have a bit of fun at the museum and run around, but to attach arbitrary meanings to the event is plain old silly.
Forgive me for my ramblings, but I have a hard time swallowing "movements" that are not based around a critical analysis of it's own intentions. So please, challenge this perspective if you will.
Unknown Unknowns. An Introduction to Mysteries
3 years ago
4 comments:
I have to agree 100%, there topic came with no balance or backing, I found there statements to contradict each other more then bring a factual notion with a relative conclusion. Its running, plain and simple, maybe there are some semi artist view points but why not include that into some sort of marketing plans. The fight of the struggling "poor" artist is nonsense when there working with this scale, it is obvious they could use there project to benefit themselves in a far greater way. It has some artistic relavence but only within the space that it is being held, not the act. I say accept the marketing and sponsorship proposals, keep doing the project for the love of running, make some money, and do you are careers on the side because I see no use in making this "running art" which is basically to me saying my coffee table im writing on is an artistic statement..... rant rant rant....not my style but this thing got under my skin a little....If it were me, I'd be scoopin up some coin from nike or adidas and ride the project out..... much love - M.P
Hahaha...Yeah, to be honest, I kinda enjoyed watching the audience members rip those poor girls apart too, heh heh. I think 3 separate people asked them the exact same question: "How on earth is this piece of yours transgressive/rebellious in any way?" It actually made me feel a bit proud to be a part of that audience; it made the students of ACAD seem like HARDCORE rebel artsies - as opposed to the two pansy wannabe artsies hosting the presentation. My favourite audience comment of the night came from some guy behind me - "A museum is a place DEVOTED to artistic and personal expression; if you really wanted to make a statement, you should do this run in places like office buildings and places like that where, generally, the opposite is encouraged." The girls of course rejected this idea.
To be honest, though - even though I did enjoy watching that critical onslaught, my OWN feelings on the 'artistic merit' of these girls' work is pretty mixed.
I generally ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT when an artist does something really stupid (like run around a museum) and then expects people to appreciate its "incredible complexity". This "Movement Movement", though...it's basically just a fun-for-the-family weekend day activity to help bring more customers in to art museums. It's no more 'artistic' than a High School track meet. That's not saying that a High School track meet isn't artistic (on the contrary - I personally believe that "everything" is artistic, if you can define it in the right way), but it's just...I dunno, the girls' justification for their work and their idea behind it all failed to "blow my mind"...to say the least.
But...I guess that was kinda the point. I don't think Movement Movement is really ABOUT making a "deep, meaningful statement" or anything like that. It's just about helping to make art a bit more 'fun'. Art doesn't always have to make "uber-serious political statements" to be valid. Sometimes you can just do random shit for the giggles.
Movement Movement is NOT a 'serious' work of art. The girls did themselves a disservice by treating in that way. As far as I can tell, Movement Movement is all about turning things that people generally SEE as 'serious' (like museums - or even art in general) in to things that are a bit more FUN. That's a valid idea; it shouldn't be dismissed. The girls should maybe have focused more on THAT aspect of their work, though, during their presentation instead of trying to justify their work all seriously-like with their schooly art lingo.
...Hmm. Okay, at this point, I don't even know what I'm saying anymore, or if I even really agree with myself. I don't really want to erase this post, though, because, gosh, I wrote it so well. So I'll just post this message anyway. I might change some of my opinions later.
Kudos to the girls on getting art students to do some exercise, though, heh heh. Never seen that many artists do exercise before.
(P.S. And since I'm here, I might as well also tell you guys about the daily webcomic that I write/draw. It has nothing to do with "Movement Movement", but you guys ARE art students, so I figure some of you might be in to comics. So I might as well mention it. If you're interested, you can read my comic at: www.cognoman.com . Sorry for the shameless plug!)
some interesting points brought up here in this discussion. it would be interesting also to hear from someone who participates in the event tomorrow.
I actually found the idea of "The Movement Movement" interesting. I think it’s a good way to raise interest in art community. An event such as this can be aimed towards people who aren’t as involved in the art world. This is a great idea in raising awareness and interest about the art world from people who are not normally participating in 'art world' events.
I think the idea of a political platform is interesting. Although, it sort of is a political platform. With all this talk about cutting funds to the arts, people banding together to experience the space of art galleries and museums can only remind people of the importance of such facilities and influence them to vote against art cuts.
Personally, I felt a little embarrassed of how the college reacted to the presentation. If we learn anything in art school it is critique, however there is a way to frame it in a positive light. Some of the comments were framed in such a way, but some were just embarrassing that this is how our facility reacts to other people in the art world.
Just my two cents.
Karen Little
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