Awareness Post

Alma Thomas, Starry Night and the Astronauts, 1972, Acrylic on canvas

Thomas succeeded in creating a non-objective abstract piece. The streaks of color in the top right color are meant to symbolize streaks of light seen by astronauts. I like how the theme makes sense when you know what it is, but is very ambiguous when you first look at it. Abstract expressionism was one of the most difficult types of art I did this year, so I would like to incorporate how she loosely represents the theme in my work.

Andy Warhol, Campbell's Soup, 1962

I really like Warhol's work because of its simplicity but important theme. The repetitive cans symbolizes consumerism and mass production. I think this theme is really interesting because it is included in some criticisms of capitalism, so I find it bold that it was created in the 60s when American culture was pushing capitalism and that anything against it was communist. I find this boldness one of the things that makes great artists so significant.

Damien Hirst, The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, 1991

This work by Hirst was extremely controversial when it came out, and it sparked debates of animal rights. Moreover, many don't even consider this piece to be artwork. Despite this, I think this work is very interesting. It shows the reality that we don't know what happens to the mind after death. The shark being in formaldehyde has preserved it, helping Hirst show his theme as the shark's body looks completely capable of life but is dead. I like this work because of its boldness, and exploration of mediums that many wouldn't consider art. I find it to be bold and shows a new way of putting forth a message.

Tracey Emin, My Bed, 1998

This work is a recreation of the artist's bed after a period of depression, and her disgust at the mess that had accumulated. Like Hirst's this art has sparked controversy over whether or not it should be considered art. I find this extremely interesting as it shows how anything can be art. Her bed serves as both a product and symbol of depression. Furthermore, I like it because it exposes the reality of depression and not just the symptoms glamorized in media.

Jeff Koons, Balloon Dog, 1994

This work, as well as Koons's other works, is very interesting to me because he says that they have no meaning further than aesthetics. At first, my reaction is dislike because I find that the best art has a meaning behind it in some way or another. On the other hand, I think that having no meaning is a meaning itself. To create something just because it looks good and for nothing else could possibly be interpreted to be a critique of society, and how things are being mass produced for no reason. The balloon dog is interesting as well because balloons are polluting our environment, another consequence of mass production of meaningless things that end up in landfills.