Module 13/14

1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

The MET’s curator explains how they are very selective with their exceptional work. Philippe de Montebello was incharge of the hundred of flemish paintings, sculptures and other objects he would be the director of. Two million objects from across the globe have been under his wing. He urged many purchases of paintings from around the world. Before any artwork is put on display, it has to go through an extensive process by the director first. He decides whether or not it is possible to obtain that art object. There is such an array of styles and origins to artwork, the African art accumulated in the MET. There is an openness and artistic eye that the curators contribute to the museum’s collection but more importantly to express these amazing objects.

The video talks about the balance of personal attraction to certain art and how to deal with that in museums. I thought it was very interesting how people have only a few minutes to present an object to the director and board. The trustees have a lot of power in what is bought or bided upon in the museums. The video reviews many medias, styles and artists art that is wanted in the MET. Preserving and conserving art is another aspect to museums that is difficult and delicate process. The discussion of what to keep, remove or repair is an in depth subject that many agree or disagree upon. There are many tests or processes to restore paper drawings or paintings. Stained Glass in the MET is one of the largest collections, there are trained professionals that deal with stained glass restoration. Even metals could become fragile and need to be repaired. Many changes of art location and ambition for buying some pieces by the director increased the value of the MEt’s collection. These is also a Japanese garden within the MET, serving as a museum within a museum. The MET was renovated and expanded to house more art of diverse styles. The facade was also cleaned to look as though it was brand new. Exhibitions are a way to represent a collection of art in a certain way. There are wall text, strategic lacing and connection of art throughout the space.

Lowbrow is basically reactionary and a very free spirit to the artworld. The artwork is centered around surrealism, bold images. Samara explains how this type of art has many options and there are no boundaries put on the artist. It is meant to relate to the common public, to culture or social aspects of society. It is a very relatable to popular culture that is personal. Art as war is the main centerpoint for this type of art as well, it is a reaction to society after the war. Many people don't give this art style enough credit as the art that is held to a standard in society such as Renaissance or Flemish paintings.

The discussion of underground comics and the evolution of how the style originated and is now a very desirable item for museums. Conceptualism in art doesn't always mean that they are is skill, this was discussed by Lowbrow artists. The video talked a lot about how artists like Rothko, Pollock or minimalism in art is diverse than Lowbrow. Art should be an open playing field and people don't appreciate Lowbrow art as much as expressionist or abstract painters. Punk Rock is centered around fine art, which society created a connection between the both. There is a sense of freedom in music and art, there was a sense of action in making things happen in your interests. A lot of artists survived by making record covers or posters. THe culture of the Lowbrow is about being accessible to anyone and accepting. After the images were included in a book, there art begane to become part of exhibitions throughout the world.

Tate modern discusses how principles of a space creates a high standard. This is a place that provides a story that is helpful to the public. Fresh ideas were always exposed into the space as well as using Pollock and Monet. There is discussion of how hanging certain paintings next to each other provides a beautiful compare and contrast. There is also a way to bring structure to non representational paintings. The video talks about how the paintings connect with the other paintings in the room. This is all centered around how successful curators bring modern and classical art together.

2. Do the videos relate to the creation of your Art Exhibition project? If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.

The Tate video is the most influential or the video that is most reflected in my art exhibition. The video talks about connections and inter relations and that is a theme that I enjoyed playing with in the project. As for Lowbrow, this is not a style that I choose to focus on but I really enjoyed learning about it. The other video on the MET was a very helpful video in knowledge about museums and how they operate. I used some smaller ideas from this video but the larger picture about African or Flemish paintings are subjects that I didn't expand on in my project.

3. What is your opinion of the films? Do they add depth to understanding of the art concepts you practiced while creating your curation project?

The films were very interesting, they covered many topics under the same category of knowledge. I really enjoyed learning more about the MET, their collections and how they choose works of art. I also thought that the video on Lowbrow art was captivating, I have seen examples before but was never really educated on it. I think that this style is fascinating and a style that should be more well known in society. I thought that Lowbrow theory on making art was so cultural and different than any other movement I have learned about. ALthough I did not use this in my curated project, I am thankful to know the style of art. As for the last video, Tate, this was very helpful information for the project. This adds to the main ideas of how to compose, make and go about designing a space for art to be displayed. There was a lot of valuable information on connections and interpretations of how art is relatable to each other.