Week 4- The social status of the artist.

Albrecht Durer's 'Self-Portrait in Fur Coat' (1500) shows a significant change in the way that the artist views and portrays himself.Research the paintings by Albrecht Durer, Gavin Turk and Damien Hirst in order to answer

the following questions;

1. Identify aspects of Durer's self portrait that show a changing view of the artist's view of himself as

an individual.

In Durer's self portrait he has depicted himself in a Christ-like pose. There was not supposed to be any gesture of blasphemy intended. It was an acknowledgement that God had made Christ and man his own image.

2. Explain how the artist's social status increased during the Renaissance period. Briefly explain why this happened.

Durer's introduction of classical motifs into Northern art, through his knowledge of Italian artists and German humanists, have secured his reputation as one of the most important figures of the Northern Renaissance. This is reinforced by his theoretical works which involve principles of mathematics, perspective and ideal proportions. The quality and wide range of his works and themes, both in terms of content and formal aspects, are astonishing.

3. Comment on Gavin Turk's work in relation to individualism, status of the artist and egotism.

Gavin Turk's work is an image of his signature in various colours over a white background. He uses his signature to show that the art is his. And also because he is a famous artist people would want to buy an artwork of his which is of his signature, because it is like a big autograph they could hang on their wall. The piece of art 
isn't an image of anythig but just  the artists signature in multi colours.

4. Comment on Damien Hirst's use of his work and the media for self promotion.

'Damien Hirst evinced marketing abilities while still studying at Goldsmith’s by organizing a student show entitled Freeze (1988) in a derelict Docklands’ building. Once established, he continued to curate high profile mixed exhibitions with wacky titles such as Some Went Mad, Some Ran Away(Serpentine Gallery, 1994).'

5. Find 2 images of work by artists or designers that reflects some of the ideas of individualism,

self promotion or egotism that have been discussed on this blog. Upload images to your blog, title and date the work, identify the artist/designer and comment on the work in relation to the question.

Title: Self-Portrait with Monkey

Date: 1938

Artist: Frida Kahlo

I like how Kahlo didn't make her self look better in this panting. Usually when someone does a self portrait of themselves they would change parts of the painting to make themselves look better that they actually do but Kahlo kept things like her monobrow, and from what I saw in a picture of her she actually made it darker. I think she is a could self portrait artist because she paints what she sees and not what she wants to see.

Title: Self-Portrait

Date: c. 1512

Artist: Leonardo Da Vinci

I like this self portrait because it fouses on only the main features of Leonardo such as the nose, mouth, hair, eyes and structure of the face. I like how only one colour is used,and how Leonardo used different shades of the colour to create an image of his face.

6. How do you think artists and designers are viewed in Western society today?

Artists struggle a lot with feeling under appreciated. In some countries, such as the USA, monetary value is the primary focus. People are frequently judged by their net worth and how much they consume rather than what they contribute to society as citizens and community members.

 Art inspires people, and allows them to share their appreciation of the subject. This could be a landscape of a place they've been, or a painting of animals that they adore. Art allows us to see through the eyes of the artist or photographer, or see a place we've never been. It can be educational; a recording of history, or it can simply capture the feeling of a moment in time. Some artworks provide social commentary and bring about empathy in the viewers. Art enhances our experience, especially if it expresses emotion or ideas. Sometimes it is the amazing skill of the artist that enthralls the viewers. Artworks enhance homes, businesses, and public spaces. There is no thing as too much good design.

http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/durer/self/

http://radicalart.info/ego/statements/index.html

http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG7733481/Maia-Norman-Damien-Hirsts-Californian-girl.html

Reference List:

http://www.artchive.com/artchive/D/durer.html

http://www.moodbook.com/history/renaissance/index.html

http://www.artdesigncafe.com/Damien-Hirst-media-celebrity-2001

http://www.artchive.com/artchive/K/kahlo/kahlo_selfmonkey.jpg.html

http://www.artchive.com/artchive/L/leonardo/leonardo_self-portrait.jpg.html

http://www.squidoo.com/artfulwords