For Class #3 –
- Print out assignment sheet for Project #2 – follow instructions and bring in work for Class #3,
- Read “Artists in Times of War” by Howard Zinn, from collection of essays of same name Seven Stories Press, 2003.
- Comment on Class #2 on the Week 2 page.
- Bring in a song that makes you feel great – on a disk or USB drive.
Optional material:
The Artists Network of Refuse& Resist! – artists against the war.
Poets Against the War – website.
Theaters Against War – website.
The Art of Crossing the Street Weblog 
Last week’s class was an improvement from week 2. I felt that the discussions were more substantial and well responded to.While the short film on the Eyes Wide Open was a bit of a downer, it was fascinating and informative. I think that preparing questions ahead of time definitely helped us get more out of our time with the speaker. I enjoyed listening to the selected music and am excited about hearing the rest. I can’t wait to get the CD.
When we spoke to the Dean on the phone I found it more difficult to concentrate than this weeks speaker. I greatly enjoyed the Eyes Wide Open video and I really support the way in which they do this memorial. I appreciate that they do not try to shove their beliefs about the war down peoples throats, while they are still able to create this place for people to honor their loved ones, despite their take on the war. I also can’t wait to hear the rest of the music.
The Eyes Wide Open project was really interesting to look at. It obviously moved each person in the class in one way or another, judging by the silence after the video. I found it really odd that Mary wouldn’t call the project an “art exhibit” in front of the public, but once I thought about it more it makes sense. People are intimidated by “art” and “artists.” The public may be more willing to attend a “memorial” than to take part in an art exhibit. I guess that relates back to week two and what type of people/ social classes will participate in the arts. Does anyone recognize other art performances that are camouflaged as other events? What about pieces that serve other purposes, like Millenium Park being a showcase of sculptures, but still a tourist trap/ venue/ water park? I wonder if it would be as popular as it is today if it were referred to as an “art space,” not a “park.”
Who knew that sharing a piece of music could be a little nerve wracking … I love music, but I sensed that there was a hesitation in the air while the songs were being played; suggesting that people were nervous to share their songs. Music can be such a personal experience, that the prospect of sharing it with others, although exciting, can be a little intimidating! It is as if you are revealing and exposing a personal part of yourself to the wider group. You are forced to share an opinion and make a stand on what you think to be a ‘happy song’ … and maybe that is where the nervousness comes in … Maybe people want confirmation that their choice of music / song is a good one …
I have mixed feelings about Eyes Wide Shut. I respect the piece and its intentions. I sometimes feel like I shut down when I see an ‘anti-war’ piece … a piece can be created to alert people to the disasters of war, but have you actually solved the problem? The war still continues.
I often struggle with the ‘obviousness’ of work. The piece hits you in the gut, and the ‘obviousness’ of the piece is what makes it so powerful, effective, and moving. So what is the balance between a piece being ‘obvious’ and a piece being ‘powerful’? Maybe this is the difference between calling it a ‘memorial’ versus calling it a piece of ‘art’?
Ultimately, it would be wonderful if people did not need to create pieces such as Eyes Wide Shut; that the human race would find a solution to their problems with out resulting to weapons.
I thought the dialogue in this class was great, and I think had a lot to do with the questions we prepared for the class. Knowing what will be going on in the next class gives us some time to think about it, which results in a more informed conversation.
Talking to Mary about the thought process and technicalities of producing the Eyes Wide Open project was very interesting. It made me think what does art become once in the public realm? How do you make something so controversial accessible and unbiased? Also how as the war continues the piece evolves, like form follows function.
As it was my first week in the class I thought the discussion went well even though i was just listening i could get a jist of what it was all about. i really like the idea of bringing in some kind of music that make you feel happy, it brings the class together and listening to music is always a good time. I thought the Eyes Wide Open Video was very well made and very intresting, they werent trying to preach, but they did hit you at a very emotional level. My brother is in the army and just got back from Afghanistan, so the film had a deep impact on me. The conversation with Mary was very intresting to hear what it took to get the whole exhibit going. Also to hear about her point of view on whether to call it an art piece to the public or not. I definatly agree that there would be a big diffrence in the amount of people and the type of people that would visit the memorial if it was called an “art” exhibit.
I have similar feelings to Noelle about an anti-war piece or overtly political art in general. I’ve never liked to idea of letting politicians have influence over my own personal aesthetic along with everything else they control. My art is off limits to them and anything that they may deem important. However, I feel that the war in Iraq is an important enough issue that it deserves to be adressed in unusual and public ways. I think If I were in the same position, I too would not have labled ‘Eyes Wide Open’ as art.
I thought that sharing music part of the class was entertaining. It was fun to know the different genres of music that we (artists) like. However, I was nervous to share my music to others and I sensed that others were kind of nervous too. Other than that, the class was much better than the week before.
I also liked the fact that we prepared our questions before the actual phone interview because in Week 2 people would not participate; the overall conversation and discussion of the reading also improved too. But I hope that next class we would have more time discussing the readings.
I liked this class. I loved the music idea. I think people were really excited to share their music. It’s such a universal thing–and it really connects people too. When a song came on that someone else knew you could hear people like “ooooh yeah I like that song too!”
I think we need that because this class is all about working with eachother, and it helps to know eachother before we start.
I’m curious to see what we did the space analysis for…are we doing an installation?
Also I think another good topic for conversation would be discussing political art and aesthetic art. Does the artist have an obligation to be political, to make art about societal issues, or can art be just as purposeful when created for beauty?
I like the adea of sharing their favorite music. I can’t wait to hear the rest of the music. Also I was impressed by the film Eyes Wide Open; however, it makes me sad.
first off, i agree with noelle about the unexpected “fear” of sharing music! though we all would like to think we dont superficially judge, in ending its inevitable. i wasnt especially thrilled to share one song that could potentially put me into a catagory in someones mind. as well, depending on the song i did choose, the label i recieve could completely differ. BUT on the otherhand, to be more optimistic… hearing a persons music type can tell alot about the person and connect you with them.
i also really thought beths comment was particularly interesting when she mentioned the idea of millenium park going from “park” to “artspace” in relation to “eyes wide open” not being labeled an art exhibit. i dont really know the answer to this, but it is curious to think somethings function may completely change based on its label.
again, i think that sharing the music was great, and i know were not completely finished with it yet but i would like to spend more time on sharing. i really believe music is one of the most significant forms of expression that connects us all and i would like to explore that connection more. taking the name of this class literally made me think about what i see when “crossing the street”; almost everyone i walk past on the sidewalks is wearing headphones, which pretty seamlessly makes me think that we are all listening to music. so even though most of us are walking in different directions, we get there by listening to music….
after each class i keep finding myself asking “what is art” but after discussing ‘eyes wide open’ i found myself asking “what isnt art”. im still trying to figure it out
I think that to some extent all art is political. Art that is produced and exhibited for an audience voices the artists perspective. The messages revolve around different topics but the act of communicating personal opinion to engage an audience (often eliciting a reaction) is a political move.
I was really intrigued by Megan’s proposition for a discussion/comparison of aesthetic and political art. I brought a lot of questions to mind.
What drives an artists aesthetic choices? Is it an audiences understanding, a message they are trying to establish, or a personal gut feeling? And what makes art political? Does it have to be pertaining to government affairs?
I feel like all art forms are inherantly both aesthetic and political. But I also think that there is a huge spectrum of art that represents different intensities of politics and aesthetics in the message it communicates. The peice we saw in class was POLITICAL (with a capital P). But at the same time Impressionist Painting ironically makes a political statement about individuality and a rejection of aesthetic standards.
What do you guys think???
last class was nice.. nothing like some music to start off the day… in relations to the conversation on “all art being political” i don’t know about that… i know its easy to look at any piece of work and take an acid trip into sybolism Hell… but i feel there is alot of art out there that isn’t political nor do i feel it is the resposibility of an artist to produce political work. if i painted a picture of some large dicks smashing little kids into the ground like hammers to a steak one might find it to refrence the war in Iraq or think i like dicks.. or i was hit with a hammer as a child and it killed my inner child…… when in reality i could just have been drawing kids and dicks with no care in the world……. and if all artist have a responsebility to making political work wouldn’t that be very confining.. sure its ok to make political work , most people do, but there is no need to limit ones self…. … or feel u have a resposibility to any one thing or person… thats just my take.
I was very pleased with sharing our music. Sharing music was interesting and information was nice, too. The most impressive part was we got our books from last week homework, it is very special.
Also, our conversation was getting deeper and deeper, it was better than week 2.
It was unfortunate to miss last class since i had to fly over to my hometown due to family isssue; i heard that the last class was fun and casual.
What i heard from my friend was about the film that you guys watched in class last time.
I heard that it was about the collecting soldiers’ boots in Iraq who passed away to keep their countries safe. I am recently interested in that kind of issue, because my friend might go to Iraq to complete his military service. My friend told me you might not be very happy if I watched the film.. However, just by hearing and glancing at other people’s comments, I feel like I was unlucky that I could not attend the last class.
To follow the previous comments, music is one of the main functions of my life, and one of the most enjoyable. If it were up to me, with funds and what not, I’d burn everyone an MP3 with all of my favorites. In fact, in the next few weeks, if anyone would like one, email me and I will get you one. If not, I won’t take it personally.
As far as this weeks speaker was concerned, I really thought that she had some important things to say about art activism. I especially liked what she said about the middle. You can talk and talk and talk to an extremist until your face turns blue, but that doesn’t mean that you’re going to get anywhere. Now I don’t think that forcing your opinions on anyone is right, but I must say that if there was any group of people that you may be able to at least respect your ideas and possibly even be able to get them to change their mind about something, it would be them.
I think it’s also a good question as to wether we, as artists, need to be activists. Can’t we just do something because we like it? Do you have to be labeled as a crafter, or cartoonist, or any other sometimes derogatorily meant titles. Personally I think that those professions are fine, and that you don’t. If you like making quilts for your family, go ahead and do it! Anyway, that may not be the best example, but one none the less.
I dislike the sentiment that those with a voice must use it to speak to political issues. I intensely dislike celebrities who try to spout off their views and such. Who are they to tell me A is right and B is wrong?
Why should there be any sort of obligation to the political in art? There are certainly other topics worth exploring, politics is to a degree important, yes, but it should in no way be “mandatory” in art. Artists who don’t use their work to convey political issues are not better or worse than those who don’t.
by the way, my E-mail is nmatej@saic.edu if you want a cd.
I thought the weeks class was quite interesting as far as the topics covered and discussed in class. I felt really involved in the discussion about an artist’s responsiblity to do certain things or to create work about certain things. I also enjoyed the the film, as I attended it when it came to Washington, DC, to support my brother who is now on his second tour.
Oh, I remember when I went to Santamonica, California. I saw tons of combat shoes there, and tags with their owner’s names too. It was the eyes wide open.. Frankly, I had no idea about wthat it was. The film of eyes wide open recall the moment when I saw that event, and touched heart. Someone above here mentioned about it and some of them have negative aspect about anti war campaign, but campaign like eyes wide open is necessory I think. At least, it’s better than nothing.