Blog Post No.4

One of the most notable ideas expressed in the movie “The Price of Everything” that is also noticed in “Ways Of Seeing” is what happens to art and its value and message when it is reproduced. The movie in particular shows several peoples opinions on the reproduction of artworks that tie into what Berger was writing about in “Ways Of Seeing”. One aspect that is covered in each one is how after art is replicated it is now judged based on how rare it is as to being judged on its quality or message. Another affect of art replication is the “mystification” or treatment of art as “holy relics”, giving art an unexplainable and odd value that can differ from person to person but is held by a large enough group to continue the odd idolization.

On the matter of ethics the art world is varying. The use of reproductions has been used in a manner that has both promoted the original piece and been seen as lessening the value of the original but is a continued practice. The ethics of the high-end art industry are also thrown into question when, as explained in the movie, that certain artworks from certain people may sell for more because of what Serge Tiroche described as “financial interests of certain parties”. This apparent lack of ethics encourages the idea that art should not be too or better yet as associated with wealth as it is currently. The movie also discusses how people may purchase art because they have heard about how great, sought out for or expensive it is rather than seek art that they find appealing. This trend in ways has diminished art making it so commercial that it is considered shameful and unattainable.

When art is reproduced the original does indeed become something that is almost worshipped and idolized. Since the art is “mythicized” and taken from the common people it becomes unfair. The way high-end art is circulated creates a strange world that is only accessible to the rich and elite that is described by Berger as an “oligarchic, undemocratic culture.” This system heavily influenced my opinion on ethical accountability for art and how much money should be involved. If it were more open and uncontrolled by an invisible group then art would be less inaccessible and my opinion would be less harsh on the art community.

Blog Post No.3

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As we have all likely read or heard Kant believes that beauty comes from genius which comes from nature. The particular image posted along with this text is not the art that is the subject of the blog but one of many examples of the art that is being discussed. E=mc^2 may not seem like it but it is a very beautiful and popular piece of art. As Kant wrote “A natural beauty is a beautiful thing, artificial beauty is a beautiful representation of a thing.”(PAB 315) It may not be what first comes to mind when people think of a thing but that is exactly what this represents. The equation basically means that the amount of energy an object overall possess is equal to its mass multiplied by the speed of light squared. This equation is the art designed by Albert Einstein that represents what happens when mass is turned into energy which is constantly happening in nature. This equation was first publicly penned in 1905 and has largely been held accurate since. What this equation helps illustrate is how much energy can be created from a particular amount of mass or how much mass came from a certain amount of energy. This is a natural process and is what happens in the core of stars as fission occurs.

Others may not see an equation as art or see it as just a representation of a possibility instead of a thing. However, when mass is directed into energy what the equation represents is what happens. If one doesn’t consider an equation art then Kant would quite possibly disagree since it is a representation of something that happens in nature meeting a very important requisite of being beautiful artwork. All this makes the equation Energy equals Mass times The Speed of Light squared beautiful artwork that meets the element that Kant described as beauty being a representation of nature.

Blog Post No.2

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Alan Pocaro recently left a review of the exhibition “Deborah Boardman: Painter, &” full of positive praise. Outright you can judge that what the Mr. Pocaro liked was the “light touch, gestural freedom” and “sense of spontaneity”. Pocaro acknowledges and seems to enjoy the consistent use of greens and blues and other cool colors that dominate the many paintings of the exhibit. The consistency of the art that spans decades is also enjoyed by the critic. Pocaro also described with praise the artists so called mixture and filture of the “mystical and the mundane” who feels that “Flipping through any one of the dozens of books on display feels like a direct encounter with the mind of the artist.” Alan Pocaro definitely see’s the art of Deborah Boardman a posteriori with a very Hume like view. Yet the critic also has an eye that sees in a very Kant like manner as he describes the art without any other concepts being put to into his judgement. However, that pattern of thinking is limited as Pocaro frequently describes the art as having meanings and being involved with other concepts, emotions and ideas. The author of the critique clearly finds representation in the art, sense of freedom and continuity of style as standards of beauty for something like the art found in “Deborah Boardman: Painter, &” https://art.newcity.com/2019/02/09/a-lifetime-of-inspiration-a-review-of-deborah-boardman-and-the-hyde-park-art-center/

Blog Entry No.1

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I know I know this doesn’t seem like art or anything that’ll incite great emotion. This may not be one of those things but somethings that appear to not have any power over peoples thoughts or emotions can do exactly that. There are many ways to see the beautiful in this. The most important and beautiful thing in its own right that this image does is share humor. Its hard not to at least smile at this meme just from the corniness of it alone. The picture isn’t really directed at you specifically but the idea of it being is absurd which incites humor. I’m sure 910kayden doesn’t know who I am, what I look like or a thing about me but it is funny to think that him or Patrick Star do. The quality of the editing to make this meme is also rather funny, is it because it makes the joke cornier or that some one went through the effort of making this but not through that much effort? Referencing is also something people enjoy as it is the core of much of the what we call memes today are and I’m sure we all get this reference. I find that humor and comedy are some of the most beautiful things anyone can come across. It’s not impossible that this image could boost someone’s confidence actually improving their self-image, at least a little. However its the fact that this is a light hearted joke that really gives that warm wonderful feeling of happiness and laughter. Images like this no matter how silly can really improve a persons mental state. I’ve definitely used humor ,especially in this form, to get through tougher times and I know that things like this can help to make someone’s day. When shared with others this image is better, even a bad joke can be good when its shared with someone else. There is something about humor that creates connections and brings upon a sense of oneness that can be hard to find elsewhere. The bond this image and others like it can create can feel everlasting and unique. I believe that one of the things all humans need, above money, above material gain, is happiness and joy and that can come from some of the simplest and silliest of things. This image has given me more joy to carry with me, for me to laugh at silently in my head or to crack up with others about. As I type this I’m sharing this and pictures like this with several groups of people, sharing the beautiful joy of comedy and creating the comradery that comes from shared humorous experiences.