Avantgarde Culture
ART AVANTGARDE CULTURE Issue #1 June 2012
COUNTRY Spain Abalos &Herreros Mermelada Studio Tatiana Bilbao
TRENDY Arts &Craft Jo Meesters Havass & Hannibal Form us with lovew
VISION Stret Art Jr Quemeneur Vidar Fin DAC Hofman
6-23
24-39
40-55
DESIGN Fin zhao Fredrik f채rg keller Li xibin & Yao ye
GALLERY Rothschild Moderna museet Betty Guereta Gallery
HAPPENINGS Yue Lie Jonathan Chadwick Tom Eblen
56-63
64-71
72-79
WORK REVIEW Ai Wewei Origin of the beginning
AGENDA July-Sept
80-96
Avantgarde Culture
Editorial Los avances en la profesión son notables. Se dan en todas las especialidades y cada día en un número mayor. La demanda cada vez más tiempo mantenerse al día y poder revisar toda la información.
ART Edición Colaboradores Traducción Dseño gráfico Comunicación y prensa Produccion suscripciones Pública Impreime Depósito legal Parte divulgativa Contamos con secciones Información sobre eventos Institucionales Entrevistas
ART es una revista que surge con tres objetivos principales: Ayudar en l divulgación de nuevos conocimientos médicos, apoyar en la difusión de las actividades médicas que se realizan en Puerto Rico y presentar temas variados que puedan interesar a los profesionales médicos. Para cumplir con el primer objetivo nos hemos trazado un plan que si bien es modesto significa un granito de arena, que sumado a otros esperamos puedan cubrir una amplia extensión. Tocaremos en cada número temas que serán presentados por reconocidos especialistas. Así, en este primer número se ha escogido al PE T-CT, una de las más modernas y novedosas tecnologías para el diagnóstico de enfermedades críticas, como el cáncer, la enfermedad coronaria. Dentro de la parte divulgativa contamos con secciones de información sobre eventos médicos, actividades institucionales, entrevistas, información sobre centros de salud, temas de interés general y un calendario de las actividades de la comunidad médica de Puerto Rico. Agradecemos la confianza en recibirnos, trataremos que Galenus sea un vehículo de unión para el gremio médico y los comprometemos a todos ustedes a acompañarnos y a colaborar con esta publicación, teniedo como leitmotiv el siguiente concepto
Marina Serrano Chief Editor, magazine June 2012
COUNTRY Abalos &Herreros Mermelada Studio Tatiana Bilbao 5
Mermelada studio Working with ideas, giving special importance to the conceptual and formal research and seeking the essence of the objects to find harmony in the areas that generate them.
1 Moodboard Details and specifications to illustrate the various elements of the design
6
2 Scisors chair A creative practice that analyzes programmatic information, establishes a conceptual direction.
MERMELADA STUDIO
the field of interior design or office who designs interiors as part of their work. The interior design is a creative practice that analyzes programmatic information, establishes a conceptual direction, refines the design direction, and produces graphic communication documents and construction. Interior designers may perform some or all of the following, among other duties and responsibilities: Research and analyze the arrangement and description of the product. Develop the contract documentation to facilitate pricing, procurement and installation of furniture. Provide project management services, including preparation of budgets and project schedules. Prepare construction documents consisting of plans, elevations, details and specifications to illustrate the various elements of the design concept, including the provisions and locations of laying power and communications locations and non-structural or non-seismic, the ceiling, lighting design, the provisions of the furniture and materials. Prepare construction documents that adhere to regional codes fireproof materials, municipal codes and any other statutes, regulations and guidelines that apply to the courts indoors. Coordinate and collaborate with allied design professionals who provide services including additional project design, but not limited to architects, structural engineers, mechanical engineers and electrical engineers, and several consultants involved in the project design. Interior designers can specialize in a particular interior design discipline, such as residential and commercial design, developing several specialized areas of design skills such as hospitalization, health care and institutional design.
Juan Miguel JuĂĄrez Laura Blasco Alex EstĂŠvez The interior is the discipline projecting involved in the process of shaping the experience of interior space, with the manipulation of spatial volume and surface treatment. Not to be confused with interior decoration, interior design explores aspects of environmental psychology, architecture and product design in addition to traditional decoration. An interior designer or interior, is a qualified professional within 1
2
7
3
A professional activity of design orientated to trying the most suitable resolution of the inhabitable environment of the man, by means of the application of certain elements and basic procedure of design, functional, aesthetic, environmental, psico-social, sensory, economic and legal technologies, in order to improve the quality of life of the users. Interior design of a room of baroque style for the sale of furniture. The interiorismo is the discipline proyectual involved in the process of forming the experience of the interior space.
4
5
8
3
6
Mirror Design orientated to trying the most suitable resolution of the inhabitable environment of the man.
Plastic Candels The interiorismo is the discipline proyectual involved in the process of forming the experience of the interior space.
4
Pastesery A room of baroque style for the sale of furniture The interiorismo is the proyectual involved. 5
Tabutere Laminate Prepare construction documents that adhere to regional codes fireproof materials.
They make dÊbut in the Salone Satellite with objects a collection of objects thought to claim simplicity Country • Mermelada
9
10
Simplicity in a complex world
11
Enterview Miriam Sancho ART: Where the profession is regulated by the government, designers must have extensive skills and demonstrate? MER: Competence in all areas of the profession, and not just one specialty. It is preferable that the designers of specialty certificates obtained from private organizations. Interior designers who also possess a specialty environmental design solutions that encompass specialty construccione interior designers is the imagination and are continually growing and evolving.
8
With increasing population growth, a target elk in the development of solutions to improve The home environment of the elderly population, taking into account health problems and accessibility that can affect the design. It is becoming increasingly aware of the ability of interior spaces to create positive change in people’s lives, so that interior design has also become relevant for this kind that interior design of support. with the manipulation of the spatial volume as well as the superficial treatment.
7
Whatever type of building design process is the same? The first step is to determine the client’s objectives, deadlines and budget. The ultimate goal is almost always improve the customer’s income - even in households will take into account the resale value of the house. The designer then presented a proposal outlining the concept design and cost to do so. It also specifies whether it will seek furnishings design, property, or leadership and management and labor costs or margins differ from these services. Design sketches and drawings are required before proceeding with any work? These are detailed studies of existing space. The first step once commissioned the project will be creating these drawings if they do not exist. After studying and working drawing, the initial concepts are presented to the client for approval. If approved are carried out floor plans, and then the detailed specifications of all modifications finishes and furnishings. It is likely that the doors, windows and walls should be repositioned. Moreover, it is of great importance to the construction approach .
12
Together with the interior design? Of course, only if the designer is responsible for the purchase of furniture or management and site management is going to assume these functions. Many design specifications will be included in a package deal that ultimately will be used by a builder, for the design of the customer. The site design stage may take several months or even years after completion of the design specification. est experiam ipsunt lab we sante aborest, eium leak. Inum optatem et ut Lecus Whatever type of building design process is the same. The first step is to determine the client’s objectives, deadlines and budget. The ultimate goal is almost always improve the customer’s income even in households will take into account the resale value of the house. The designer then presented a proposal outlining the concept design and cost to do so. It also specifies whether it will seek furnishings design, property, or leadership and management and labor costs or margins differ from these services.
7 Winter Chair The designer then presented a proposal outlining the concept design and cost to do so. 8
Winter Tabutere It is of great importance to the construction approach so that the outside is always considered 9
Gold rest Resale value of the house. The designer then presented a proposal outlining the concept design and cost to do so. It also specifies whether it will seek furnishings design, property, or leadership and management and labor costs or margins differ from these services.
9
“The designer presented a proposal outlining the concept design and cost to do so.â€? Country • Mermelada
13
10
12
11
Objects is a collection of objects thought to claim the figure of the “Sunday one” 14
Design sketches and drawings are required before proceeding with any work, these are detailed studies of existing space. The first step once commissioned the project will be creating these drawings if they do not exist. Today, designers use computer-aided design (CAD planimetry), although the hand sketches are still valued for their “personality”. CAD is a program used to communicate design solutions in realistic views at various angles. This program optimizes the work and eliminates many hours of hand drawing. After studying and working drawing, the initial concepts are presented to the client for approval. If approved are carried out floor plans, and then the detailed specifications of all modifications, finishes and furnishings. It is likely that
the doors, windows and walls should be repositioned. Moreover, it is of great importance to the construction approach so that the outside is always considered together with the interior design. Of course, only if the designer is responsible for the purchase of furniture or management and site management is going to assume these functions. Many design specifications will be included in a package deal that ultimately will be used by a builder, for the design of the customer. The site design stage may take several months or even years after completion of the design specification. A wide range of disciplines within the career of interior design. Some of the disciplines include: structure, function, performance, special group needs, discipline needed for business, technology, information, representation techniques, craft skills, social disciplines, promotional disciplines, professional disciplines, aesthetic disciplines and disciplines and language cultural. This shows how the interior design encompasses many different disciplines and requires much training in science and technology and be creative and imaginative. Health problems and accessibility that can affect the design. It is becoming increasingly aware of the ability of interior spaces to create positive change in people’s lives, so that interior design has also become relevant for this kind of support. Whatever type of building design process is the same. The first step is to determine the client’s objectives, deadlines and budget. will take into account the resale value of the house. The designer then.
10
13
Tarterie Health problems and accessibility that can affect the design.
BBQ Some of the disciplines include: structure, function, performance, special group needs, discipline needed for business, technology, information, representation techniques, craft skills, social disciplines.
12
Fire Tool After studying and working drawing, the initial concepts. 11
Ligths will take into account 13 the resale value .
Country • Mermelada
15
TRENDY Jo Meesters Havass & Hannibal Form us with love
17
ARTS & CRAFT REVIVAL
18
1 Craft Museum Promoting the creativity and the art opposite to the production in series. 2 Lake Style Craftsman to say to the architectural and decorative style that it prevailed between the periods of the Art.
2
The movement Arts and Crafts was an artistic school that arose in England in the middle of the 19th century and developed in the United Kingdom and in the United States during the last years of the 19th century and in the beginning of the 20th century. Inspired by John Ruskin’s work, it had the second generation about 1880 and 1900. Detail of a drawing of William Morris and John Henry Dearle on a carpet Bullerswood, The Arts and Crafts associates especially with the figure of William Morris, craftsman, printer, designer, writer, poet, political activist and, in end, versatile man who dealt with the recovery of the arts and medieval trades, renouncing the nascent forms of production in mass. Apart from William Morris, his principal impellers were Charles Robert Ashbee, T. J. Cobden Sanderson, Walter Crane, Phoebe Anna Traquair, Herbert Tudor Buckland, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Christopher Dresser, Edwin Lutyens, Ernest Gimson, Gustav Stickley.
19
The movement revaluated, in full Victorian epoch, the medieval trades, with which it claimed the primacy of the human being on the machine, with the philosophy of using the industrial technology to the service of the man: promoting the creativity and the art opposite to the production in series. It is characterized by the use of wound and asymmetric lines, and it constituted especially a decorative art. There treated himself about an aesthetic movement reformist who had great influence on the architecture, the decorative arts and the British and North American crafts, and even in the design of gardens. In the United States there are used the names Arts and Crafts movement, American Craftsman or style Craftsman to say to the architectural and decorative style that it prevailed between the periods of the Art nouveau and the art decó, that is to say, approximately between 1910 and 1925. It was holding that every object should.
Jo Meeners
1
Pulp
Papier-mâché
Eindhoven-based designer Jo Meesters is on the cusp of an international breakthrough, but Leolux spotted him a long time ago. The first time was when a stylist lent us a rug by Jo for a photo shoot for the Leolux Annual at that time, and later when he gave a lecture as a curtain-raiser to trendwatcher Li Edelkoort before the Nederlands Interieur Instituut, at which Leolux was also present. The result of their cooperation was first seen at the Cologne Furniture Fair in 2010, surpassed only by the Leolux stand in Cologne earlier this year. In the mystical décor his floral carpets made of sheets, as well as enormous vases and lamps in papier-mâché, acted as intriguing eye-catchers.
‘Papier-mâché is a material that I’ve actually rediscovered. It’s a left-over material stemming from old, recycled newspapers. So utterly green and sustainable. I began to experiment with it and then developed my own recipe as it were. It is a surprising, alternative material and I keep discovering new ways to use it in a playful way. The pulp is mixed with glue and then finished with an epoxy lacquer. After grey and black, I’m now working in white too. To really emphasise the contrast between throw-away and valuable, some vases and dishes have even been finished in gold leaf. It was together with Leolux that I first made such big objects with it.
20
1 Pulp A creative practice that analyzes programmatic information, establishes a conceptual direction.
2
3
4
234
Work process Taburete iuresente labor re sitassunt ture venis acerro es que perem quodia. Taburete iuresente labor re sitassunt ture venis acerro es que perem quodia 5
Flowers Chair Rum iniendias sita que lam as audandant dis erruntis siminto rumquam.
5
Passion for materials
Sustainable
Leolux is open to joining forces with young designers and artists and profiling itself with them. The same applies in reverse, says Jo Meesters. ‘I was really impressed by the Leolux factory. It’s amazing that all this happens in house; from production to transport. What binds us is a piece of tradition, and a passion for well-designed products. We both try to give our designs a soul and do that with a lot of attention and care. As soon as I have the materials together, I know what to do by sheer intuition. I’m an intuitive person. With a passion for materials.’
Jo Meesters’ career as a designer began when he graduated in 2000 from the Design Academy. But it was no bed of roses. ‘I applied to a few companies as a designer, but I was apparently difficult to place. Too diversified and not really specialised, so they weren’t sure what to do with me and the answer was always “thanks but no thanks”. So I then spent no less than three years doing office jobs. Working from 9 to 5 to clear my head, to distance myself from the design business, to see whether there is a life after the academy after all. And then I was asked in 2003 to help work on an exhibition called Eternally Yours. A turning point in my career, that expo was all about the question of how we can prolong the lifecycle.
Trendy Arts&Craft
21
Havass & Hannibal 22
6
Noddels Continuously challenge our own limitations, and our finest goal is to always deliver extraordinary work, no matter how big or small. 7
Tokio Sensesion Studio takes projects from esoteric illustrative beginnings to a full art direction and graphic design solution. 8
Takaguani Always developing our skills and mind set, and therefore we find that personal projects are of great importance.
7
6
Hvass&Hannibal is a multi-disciplinary arts and design studio based in Copenhagen. Since 2006, its founders, Nan Na Hvass & Sofie Hannibal have worked in close collaborative partnership with illustrative and conceptual design in a number of different fields for numerous clients in Europe, Asia and the US. Whether in the digital realm or on a threedimensional scale, the studio takes projects from esoteric illustrative beginnings to a full art direction and graphic design solution, all in-house. As well as being image makers we have also directed high profile photographic projects, and created sets and costumes for amongst others, one of Denmark’s famous musical successes of recent years - Efterklang. At Hvass&Hannibal we hope to continuously challenge our own limitations, and our finest goal is to always deliver extraordinary work, no matter how big or small the task. We dive into projects with an intuitive yet thorough approach, employing design-
Trendy • Arts&Craft
8
techniques spanning from immediate and spontaneous expressionism to conceptually structured and methodical design processes, depending on the commission. We seek to create distinct imagery and concepts that give our clients unique and artistically inspiring solutions. We believe in always developing our skills and mind set, and therefore we find that personal projects are of great importance, as they give rise to new inspiration and insight. We try to continuously maintain a good balance between non-commercial and commercial projects, and in juggling between the two fields we keep our minds and hands challenged. Tae Ossimin ciendicipid minis mi, se con ea volore, tes repra con corehenia dit, sus est aliquatia cone pores nia porem et laborro voluptas dolecus ut eos si dolupta speriossum sequias pitatatur rendelisto con cus ra il ium apere eatempe balance between noncommercial projects.
23
9
Mirror We dive into projects with an intuitive yet thorough approach 10
Elogas Illustrative beginnings to a full art direction and graphic design solution, all in-house. 11 Elogas CD Studio takes projects from esoteric illustrative beginnings to a full art direction and graphic design solution.
9
Hvass&Hannibal is a multi-disciplinary arts and design studio based in Copenhagen. Since 2006, its founders, Nan Na Hvass & Sofie Hannibal have worked in close collaborative partnership with illustrative and conceptual design in a number of different fields for numerous clients in Europe, Asia and the US. Whether in the digital realm or on a threedimensional scale, the studio takes projects from esoteric illustrative beginnings to a full art direction and graphic design solution, all in-house. As well as being image makers we have also directed high profile photographic projects, and created sets and costumes for amongst others, one of Denmark’s famous musical successes of recent years - Efterklang. At Hvass&Hannibal we hope to continuously challenge our own limitations, and our finest goal is to always deliver extraordinary work, no matter how big or small the task. We dive into projects with an intuitive yet thorough approach, employing design
“We believe in always developing our skills and mind set gives rise to new inspiration and insight.”
have worked in close collaborative partnership with illustrative and conceptual design in a number of different fields for numerous clients in Europe, Asia and the US. Whether in the digital realm or on a three-dimensional scale, the studio takes projects from esoteric illustrative beginnings to a full art direction and graphic design solution, all in-house. As well as being image makers we have also directed high profile photographic projects, and created sets and costumes for amongst others, one of Denmark’s famous musical successes of recent years efterklang. At Hvass&Hannibal we hope to continuously challenge our own limitations, and our finest goal is to always deliver extraordinary work, no matter how big or small the task. We dive into projects with an intuitive yet thorough approach, emplo try to continuously maintain a good balance between noncommercial and commercial projects, and in jugling
24
10
between techniques spanning from immediate and spontaneous expressionism to conceptually structured and methodical design processes, depending on the commission makers we have also directed high profile photographic projects, and created sets and costumes for amongst others, one of Denmark’ We seek to create distinct imagery and concepts that give our clients unique and artistically inspiring solutions profile photographic projects. We believe in always developing our skills and mind set, and therefore we find that personal projects are of great importance, as they give rise to new inspiration and insight. We try to continuously maintain a good balance between non-commercial As well as being image makers we have also directed high profile photographic projects, and created sets and costumes for amongst others and commercial projects, and in juggling between the two fields we keep our minds and hands .
11
Trendy • Arts&Craft
25
“I believe that I was remaining with the last option though, which knows my painting will be able to state it” NAN NA HVASS Enterview Jose Vallejo ART: Did you decide that he was going to be an artist, or that was going to devote to the plastic arts? NH: It was a way that I initiated from very boy. To the question “ what are you going to be when you are big? “ I had periods in which I answered: scientist, zoologist, paleontologist, teacher, draftsman. I believe that I was remaining with the last option though, which knows my painting will be able to state it, the sciences of the nature never stopped interesting me since I use them as reference and motive of my work. Quiénes son en su carrera, los Maestros, con los que se siente mas identificado? The topic of the external influences in the work of an artist is complex and sometimes very difficult to determine. Evidently, in my stage of formation I have received much of my teachers, though I have never met any who has guided significantly my work, probably it is a failing, who knows; the certain thing is that in my painting there come together many trends that, I believe, I them have taken more of the history of the painting: The medieval thing, the classic ones, the ingenuous ones, the surrealistic ones they are present in my pictures. I am carried away of the painting, and volume of all the big teachers what serves me for my work. If I put to choose whom it would save in Noé’s Ark of the painting, I would not forget Michael Ángel, the Bosco and Dalí.
12
26
13
12
13 14
Winter My painting there come together many trends that, I believe, I them have taken more of the history of the painting: The medieval thing, the classic ones.
Desert Sortud In my stage of formation I have received much of my teachers, though I have never met any who has guided significantly my work, probably it is a failing, who knows; the certain thing is that in my painting there come together many trends.
14
Trendy • Arts&Craft
27
13
13
Clothes Collection Life does not turn out always as you you thought it would, and suddenly I was a freelancer and I was starting to like it 14
Pattern This scheme of thought of the humanity has ancient echoes and not even the most merciless. 15
Bycicle The world without miracle, without magic; it is a desolate place. 14
28
“I want to put everything to the light and to invent possible realities that are not any more than materializations of impossible ideas.�
16
16
Paralel CD Why it is the art but to create other worlds, other realities and to make visible what exists inside the human spirit.
For me, the “royal” life is loaded with significance mistérica. The world without miracle, without magic; it is a desolate place. This scheme of thought of the humanity has ancient echoes and not even the most merciless rationalism of last century has managed to silence this mystical and basic voice. In my painting I want to put everything to the light and to invent possible realities that are not any more than materializations than impossible ideas. Why it is the art but to
create other worlds, other realities and to make visible what exists inside the human spirit. How it achieves something so difficult as to form the oneiric of the Work? What does feel before the surprise effects of the materials? NH: If the material is in use with freedom, the surprise effects enrich the image, it is necessary to allow that the work should grow alone, that it is born. I, in many cases, am constructing from a spot of color, or am adding elements, associating them, as arming a puzzle. In other cases I draw, and the color is arising only. The major satisfaction for me is in the process of to do. If I achieve a connection with the one that looks at a picture, and I receive opinions. How did you decide to become and entrepreneur? Honestly, until 2 1/2 years ago, I wasn’t really thinking of starting my own business, but life does not turn out always as you you thought it would, and suddenly I was a freelancer and I was starting to like it, after a period of insecurity and thinking whether I will like it or not.
Trendy • Arts&Craft
29
From us with love 30
17 17
Show Room Architectural background, with main focus in interior design, and many of my different design.
Is with interesting and amazing Benigna Iwasaki, whom I have had a chance to get to know more personally during the last week. For those of you who are reading one of the interviews on :we are micro’s talent watch, welcome and enjoy! The idea of Talent Watch is to inspire you with stories from other people who have started successful micro businesses and for you to be able to learn from their experiences, but also to support the existing community of micros. To find out how to get your business ou decide to become an featured, To start off, tell us a little bit about what you do and what your philosophy isI am a freelance designer with emphasis on graphic design, branding, logo
Trendy • Arts&Craft
design, but also a great interest in product design; originally from Germany, and based in Tokyo, Japan for over 10 years. I have an architectural background, with main focus in interior design, and many of my different design interests, so I would not call myself a specialist, rather a designer with several main focuses, who is enjoying challenging herself every day with her creativity. Honestly due to my several interests, I often have to myself a bit together and tell myself better to focus on a few design fields instead of trying to do everything I am interested in it was just fun and relaxing and I enjoyed being able to get creative as I was never able before, while. myself a bit together few design fields instead of trying to do it.
31
18
20
Doble Table Constantly looking for plugs, says Petrus Palmér of Fuwl.
Ligth Display A bulb and electrical socket combine in the Plug Lamp, a new design by Swedish studio for ateljé Lyktan.
19
Winter Tabutere Creative as I was not ever able before, while working in an officeust fun and relaxing.
21
Bee Lamp Not only facilitates access to plugs, but is simultaneously changing the way people 22
Ant Chair Due to the fact that the first steps were not really intended for starting my own micro business, in the beginning.
18
‘We are super pleased with the product and in our eyes it’s also a beautiful thing”
19
32
20
21
22
A bulb and electrical socket combine in the Plug Lamp, a new design by Swedish studio Form Us With Love for ateljé Lyktan. ‘We are constantly looking for plugs,’ says Petrus Palmér of FUWL, saying that modern gadgetry results in people looking for sockets to power their toys. To meet this modern demand, Plug Lamp combines two functions in one: illumination and a source of energy. The result not only facilitates access to plugs, but is simultaneously ‘changing the way people think of what a lamp can be,’ Palmér says. Since lamps are often located in accessible places, FUWL thought it logical to combine them with a socket.
The construction industry served as a source of inspiration, where similar objects are commonly used, but Plug Lamp brings the idea to offices and home environments. The base is made with moulded aluminium, while the shade if made of blown glass. ‘We are super pleased with the product,’ Palmér says, ‘and in our eyes it’s also a beautiful thing Due to the fact that the first steps were not really intended for starting my own micro business, in the beginning, it was just fun and relaxing and I enjoyed being able to get creative as I was never able before, while working in an officeust fun and relaxing and I enjoyed. get creative as I was never able before.
Trendy • Arts&Craft
33
VISION Jr Michele Quemeneur Vidar Fin DAC Hofman 35
STREET ART 36
1
Rio Janeiro Graffiti art originated in the late 1960’s, and it has been developing ever since. 2
Pekin Suppose that one of these famous artists decided to paint a masterpiece on the side of your house or on your front door or on a wall
Jr
Graffiti art is an art form. The reasons, including aesthetic criteria, as to why it is an art form far outweigh the criticism of illegality, incoherence, and nonstandard presentation. The objective of this paper is to explain how graffiti art overcomes these concerns and thereby can be considered as an art form. Suppose that Leonardo, Monet, Picasso, or any of the recognized artisans of Western European culture were alive in the present day. Then, suppose that one of these famous artists decided to paint a masterpiece on the side of your house or on your front door or on a wall in your neighborhood. Would Picasso or Monet’s markings be graffiti or art or vandalism or graffiti art? The answer may vary across people, but I would claim that those markings are art in the form of graffiti. Their markings would qualify as vandalism only if they appeared on private or public property without permission. The same answer holds for the present day, genre of graffiti known as graffiti art a private or public property that is usually considered to be vandalism. Graffiti art originated in the late 1960’s, and it has been developing ever since. However, it is not readily accepted as being art like those works that are found in a gallery or a museum. It is not strictly denied the status of genuine art
37
because of a lack of form or other base aesthetic elements. Most of the opposition to graffiti art is due to its location and bold, unexpected, and unconventional presentation, but its presentation and often illegal location does not necessarily disqualify it as art. In this paper, I elucidate how some forms of graffiti can be accepted as art. This type of graffiti is known as graffiti art, subway art, or spraycan art. The arguments of vandalism and unconventional presentation as negating the ability of some graffiti to be art is usurped by an explanation of those properties apparent in some forms of graffiti that do qualify it, aesthetically, as art. To show this, I provide a historical context of graffiti.
2
and then I provide persuasive evidence that graffiti art is art. cave paintings”, bathroom scribbles, or any message that is scratched on. The origins of graffiti go back to the beginnings of human, societal living. Graffiti has been found on uncovered, ancient, Egyptian monuments, and graffiti even was preserved.
Quemeneur Michele
There are various forms of graffiti. One of the simplest forms is that of individual markings such as slogans, slurs, or political statements. Examples of this type of graffiti commonly are found in bathrooms or on exterior surfaces, and this graffiti is usually handwritten. Another simple form is that of the tag which is a fancy, scribble-like writing of one’s name or nick-name. That is, tag signifies one’s name or nick-name.r carved on a wall or surface. Grafficar also signifies “to scratch” in reference to different wall writings ranging from “cave paintings”, bathroom scribbles, or any mes-
sage and out because of creativity, color, vibrancy, crisp outlines, and overall artistic appeal. It is the recognizable artistic talent of the graffiti artist. Both the tag or individual mark have little or no aesthetic appeal. While they might suggest a flair or style of writing, these forms fail to qualify as example of superb graffiti art because of a lack
4
of aesthetic qualities and inability to produce a maximal aesthetic feeling in the viewer. In fact, the tag or individual mark is not produced for artistic purposes. Gang markings of territory also fit the definition of graffiti, and they mainly consists of tags and messages that provide “news” of happenings in the neighborhood. Murals for community enhancement and beautification are also a form of graffiti even though they are not usually thought of this way because most murals are commissioned. These are more colorful and complex. They take considerable amount of skill to complete, and murals can be done in a graffiti art style or a traditional pictorial scene. The last form of graffiti is graffiti art which is the creative use of spraypaint to produce an artwork that is graffiti or done in a graffiti-like style, and this is the the concern of art.
3
38
Modern graffiti art originated in New York City, and it was known first as “New York Style” graffiti. This art form began in the late 1960’s when teens used permanent markers to tag or write their names, followed by the number of the street on which they lived, in subway cars. This trend originated with the appearance of “Taki 183” which was the tag of a Greek American boy named Demitrius. Tagging soon became a way to get one’s name known throughout the city. However, it should be noted that tagging appeared in Philadelphia before New York. The monikers, “Cornbread” and “Top Cat” were well known in Philadelphia, and when Top Cat’s style appeared in New York, it was dubbed as “Broadway Style” for its long skinny lettering. The advent of the spraypaint allowed for the tag to develop in size and color. For it was not enough just to have one’s name scrawled over any available and visible surface because everyone was doing this. The spraycan separated the taggers from the artists in that color, form, and style could be emphasized creatively with this new tool to produce s tag as a part of an overall artistic production. The tag which is monochromatic and a writing style that just about anyone can do, gave way to the throw-up. Which is a two color tag usually in outline or bubble-like lettering. Again this style is not too difficult, but soon more complicated styles evolved. The stamp is a little harder and involves the use straight letters to produce a 3-D effect. The piece, which is short for masterpiece, appeared next, and it is a large multicolor work. A production is a piece that is usually on the scale of a mural,
Vision • Street Art
5 3
Vidar and it involves original or familiar cartoon characters in addition to the writer or graffiti artist’s name. It should be noted that every graffiti form listed involves the artist’s name, whether as the central feature or as an ornament within the piece because writers want to be known. Hence, finding new and creative ways to display one’s tag. In the middle to late 1970’s, writers started painting subway trains; thus the name, subway art. Train painting was instrumental to the development of graffiti art because the trains became the stage for the style wars which was. A time when everyone who wanted to be recognized as the best artist or the “King” almost impossible.
39
Chanlery France The styles that emerged with the previously mentioned forms during this time were round popcorn or bubble letters, wildstyle which is an intricate, interlocking type of calligraphy 4
Ocean On the contrary, style and artistic talent were and continue to be extremely important 5
Queen Subway line got- up, i.e., painted trains as often as possible. If one’s name was on a train in a colorful and unique.
Fin DAC 8
9 8
Geisha The goal was and is to create burners which are pieces that stand out because of creativity, color, vibrancy. 9
Virgin It is the recognizable artistic talent of the graffiti artist that established his or her reign on the subway line.
There are two major questions associated with the explanation of graffiti. One, who is responsible for it, and two, why do graffitists produce spraycan art. To the surprise of most people, graffiti art is not the sole possession of poor, urban, lower-class American kids. Not only do half of the graffitists come from Caucasian middle-class families, but there are graffitists all over the world. When asked, “What sorts of kids write graffiti?”, police officer Kevin Hickey of the New York Transit Police Department’s graffiti squad replied, New York City. They range from the ultra-rich to the ultra-poor. There is no general classification of the kids Graffitist range in age from 12-30 years old, and there are male and female artists. In the past, graffiti artists usually worked alone, but the size and complexity of pieces as well as safety concerns motivated artists to work together in crews, which are groups of grafitists that vary in membership from 3 to 10 or more persons.
40
A member of a crew can be down with, affiliated, with more than one crew. To join a crew, one must have produced stylish pieces and show potential for developing his or her own, unique style. A crew is headed by a king or queen who is usually that person recognized as having the best artistic ability among the members of the crew. The reasons and values for why one might engage in graffiti art are as varied as the artists who produce it. A chief reason is the prospect of fame and recognition of one’s artistic talent. Graffiti is also a form of self expression. The art as “writing” is a creative method of communicating with other writers and the general public. What it communicates is the artist’s identity, expression, and ideas. Judgments are based solely on one’s artistic ability. This type of communication is of value because it links people regardless of cultural that nothing else can. In addition, producing graffiti art with a crew builds team work.
10
Japan The ability to produce complicated pieces is what separates the tagger from the graffiti artist graffitist for short.
Vision • Street Art
41
DESIGN Fin zhao Fredrik forg Li xibin & Yao ye
43
MUSEUM &GALLERIES Rothschild Moderna museet
Betty Guereta Gallery 45
HAPPENINGS Yue Lie Jonathan Chadwick Tom Eblen 47
WORK REVIEW Ai Weiwei Retrospective of China
49
Ai Wewei
www.aiweiwei.com
ORIGIN OF THE BEGINNING 1 Sunflowers Chinese poet Ai Qing, who was denounced during the Revolution Cultural TATE and sent to a work camp in Xinjiang with his wife, Gao Ying 2
Embassy It took part in the foundation of the Chinese United Nations Artists arts.
1
Ai Weiwei 50
2
Ai Weiwei, born in 1957, Beijing, is an artist of the first Chinese line, healer, architectural designer, cultural and social commentator, and activist. Ai is known by the design of the National Stadium of Pekin, more known as the “ Nest of Bird “, the principal stadium of the Olympic Games of Beijing 2008. Beginning with Sichuan’s earthquake 2008, Ai has turned in one of the most influential bloggers of China and the social activists, he is known by his social and vulgar critique sometimes, and has had frequent frets with the Chinese authorities. He centred particularly on the exhibition of a scandal of supposed corruption on the construction of Sichuan’s schools that was ruined during the earthquake. Born in Beijing, his father was a Chinese poet Ai Qing, who was denounced during the Revolution Cultural and sent to a work camp in Xinjiang with his wife, Gao Ying. Ai Weiwei also happened five years there. Ai Weiwei is married with the artist Lu Qing. Ai Weiwei is represented by the Galerie Urs Meile Beijing-Lucerna. In 1978 it registered in the Academy of Cinema of Pekin and was present at the school with the Chinese directors Chen Kaige and Zhang Yimou.
51
In 1978, he was one of the founders of the group of art avant garde beginning of the “stars”, Together with Ma Desheng, Keping Wang, Rui Huang, Li Shuang, Acheng Zhong and Leilei. In China, the group dissolved later in 1983. Nevertheless, Ai Weiwei informed in collective regular exhibitions You Star, The Stars: Ten Years, 1989 (Hanart Gallery, Hong Kong and Taipei), and a retrospective of exhibition in Pekin in 2007: Point of Origin (Museum of Art of Beijing). From 1981 until 1993, it lived in the United States, especially in New York, doing the performance and the creation of conceptual art when Zhang Hongtu altering readymade objects. During his stay in New York, he studied in the Parsons School of Design. In 1987 it took part in the foundation of the Chinese United Nations Artists’ Association of overseas, Ai returned to China because his father together with Li Shuang, Qu Leilei. It’s full of problems, but at the same time it’s very peaceful, yet full of crisis.
“My safety is actually Ok, I think if you watch the secret police you are especially Ok” AI WEIWEI Enterview Gill Evans ART: When I told colleagues in Hong Kong and Europe that I would be interviewing you today, they were genuinely concerned for your wellbeing. So let’s begin with that: how are you? AW: This is becoming difficult to answer. My situation is like the studio I’m living in right now. It’s full of problems, but at the same time it’s very peaceful, yet full of crisis. For example, the car park, in that direction, has had a car watching me for over a week, day and night, two people sitting inside, even during the snowfall. How closely are you being monitored? Sometimes it’s one car, sometimes it’s three cars. Undercover police. This is becoming such an absurd picture. If you walk into Beijing city centre you see people are quite comfortable, nothing in crisis; but there is a lot of problems I think. How has your personal safety been these past few days? My safety is actually OK. I think if you watch the secret police you are especially OK. They will make sure nothing happens to you. But they are still trying to remind you that everything is under their control. Remember, this is the period of year where the big congressional meetings will take place, and so now that the Jasmine.
3
52
Is the ‘Jasmine Revolution’ a genuine online movement? Yes, because China censors the entire internet and really crashes down on those who have opinions of why this society should be changed. In the past
3
Young They will make sure nothing happens to you. But they are still trying to remind you that everything is under their. 4
Broke This is the period of year where the big congressional meetings will take place. 4
two weeks, over 100 people have been arrested. Some are long-time writers, scholars, lawyers; some are just onetime students saying ‘let’s meet on a certain corner, a certain street.’ It’s very strong. Many universities will not allow students to come out, mainly because teachers have received a certain note ordering them to do their duty, otherwise they will be in trouble, or their school will be in trouble. this battle. But another factor is that the people who have strong beliefs for change have become ever more necessary. The word ‘jasmine’ has been blocked on the internet. President’s Hu’s ‘jasmine song’ has disappeared? It’s really amazing that you can’t. Foreign journalists have been kicked and punched for standing on the street. How severe has the police reaction been to what is essentially a non demonstration? Firstly, on the Chinese internet you cannot type any sentence with the word ‘tomorrow’ in it - the word ‘tomorrow’ has become a sensitive word. Why? Because maybe people will say, “Tomorrow we will all walk in Wang Fu Jing.” [The central spot in Beijing for the recent jasmine protest activity]. At the same time you cannot type, ‘today’. The machine will just take anything with ‘today’ in it. It’s really amazing that you can’t use the words tomorrow and today. So you can see how extremely nervous they have become. Now students to come out, mainly because teachers have received a certain note ordering them.
Work • Ai Weiwei
Usually, where there has been an economic boom, there is also a corresponding burst in creativity. But in Chinese culture there has been no advancement at all. Why is that? Because the economic revolution has come from a military result, from violence. The group of people who control the power do not believe in spiritual freedom, individualism, or the freedom of speech. Those are all the bad words for any kind of military action. Why don’t the people revolt? Because the structure of our society after these 60 years of very brutal control, has crushed all the intellectuals who have held a different opinion. They have been punished, or jailed, or killed. So there is almost no way to do it. The last performance was Tiananmen Square [1989]. So people have realised that this state can do anything to crush the concept of freedom. But when the Chinese come together, they really come together Yes, but that can be terrifying also. It’s just like the land in China. Every year there is either too much water or it’s a draught. There is no in-between. It’s either a few drops of rain or a flood. It’s been a hundred years like this, and it’s getting worse and worse because society has many levels of need. Now it’s creating interest through capitalism principals, but before you were either a worker or a leader, and that is very difficult have become.
53
5
7
Chair New York, doing the performance and the creation of conceptual art when Hongtu altering readymade.
Bike Ride It took part in the foundation of the Chinese United Nations Artists of overseas.
6
United Tables this is the period of year where the big congressional meetings will take place
5
After the success of “Fuck Off� moved to Caochangdi where he built and opened his study Real / Fake
6
54
Work • Ai Weiwei
55
56
57