DSDN 171

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Postmodernism + Remix

This postmodernist painting titled, Don’t forget your scarf, by Banksy is an example of how “the past always tries to control the future.” It shows how the mother is trying to influence her view upon her youth because of her own past experiences. Here, she is trying to protect her son by covering him up with a red scarf, while at the same time disguising his voice and distorting his opinions. One can only assume that she is the one doing the talking, expressing a subtle command that he has no way to refute. The context of the painting becomes especially important because it is an ironic family portrait- meticulously embroidered with a glimpse of how two generations contrast but are joined together. It shows what is viewed as a socially acceptable youth compared to the display of the loving mother’s more ‘wholesome’ generation and attitude of the past. It therefore reveals the limitation of control of the past and the progression of the future. This new cultural view is

Politics of Design- the 3D world

3D movies- hype or justified purchase? The American National Exhibition in Sokolniki Park, Moscow, 1959 showed the ideology of design through images of what was considered as ‘happy’ families because of what the American society thought each individual needed. This idea is still implemented today through the idea that 3D viewing is an ‘enhancement’ to our cinematic industry. 2D viewing is no longer enough and so is slowly being replaced in cinemas and even in our own homes with TVs and video games specializing in the 3D world. With this growing technology our ‘needs’ grow and therefore our environment becomes ‘better’ and in turn so do we. Perhaps it implicates a false impression of status- that we can pay to own the experience of having things appear 3D in front of us although the feeling of what’s real is lost. Sure, we can reach into a virtual cave or building but it is a ghost effect, the imitation takes away from the authentic an

Cuba Street- the Political Campaign

A Political campaigner carrying a small child or a tray of ready made frozen bullets retailed at $14.99. Who wins your vote? The thought of what’s now culturally sensitive and insensitive in this modern world can still be viewed through a conservative viewpoint. How we interpret its aura through its visual language is determined by what has been hammered into us as socially acceptable. Regardless of whether we symbolize a child being carried as a ‘pure’ thought or frozen ice bullets as ‘impure’ our initial opinions and feelings fall under that social code. Perhaps we have only touched on what it is to be ‘culturally rich’ and base our ideals on the thought that in order to look forward you must look back.

Technology and Progress

“Art rises above all methods; in itself it cannot be taught, but the crafts certainly can be… hence, a thorough training in the crafts, acquired in workshops and on experimental and practical sites, is required of all students as the indispensable basis for all artistic production.” This key philosophy of the Bauhaus movement first introduced in 1919 by Walter Gropius can still be applicable in our first year design course today. Coming from only a high school level of experience of design, what I have taken from this year is the emphasis of experimentation and the importance of meaning within our projects. A recent project for example, focused on the poetic effects of simple materials to create a ‘story’ behind a sculptural piece. Like past Bauhaus students, who were taught to be intimate with their materials through drawing and feeling, we are encouraged to experiment with what could be considered as ‘common materials,’ such as wood or paper, “to achi

Modern Vision

"Don't be alarmed, ladies and gentlemen. Those chains are made of chrome steel."- Carl Denham Art can now be considered made for the masses which is why an original piece of work is lost through manufacturing. However, although it can be designed for reproducibility, the authentic piece of work continues to plays a roll in our age of digital design. This is because it is the foundation of new aged replicas made as we continue to refer to the genuine article for inspiration. Take the 1933 version of King Kong directed by Merian C. Cooper for example- a classic film appreciated because of the originality of its screenplay- containing a full aura, as Walter Benjamin likes to argue. Despite the mass-produced 2007 King Kong blockbuster at its digitally-manufactured best, it lacks the authenticity of the original, screaming toy figure of King Kong as seen in the picture above. Reproduced work can be modified or improved, however I disagree that the role of an "authentic&q

Design + Craft

The new craft. The gap between craft and design in the nineteenth century has now become a fine line. This contemporary piece of craft, originally guild-taught, shows how it has become mass produced because of its useful function. Although its original craft has been aesthetically modified throughout time the foundation of the bicycle has remained the same and the main evolution has become the division of labour. John Ruskin believed that the liberal and mechanical principles of design influenced this division between social classes where the poor were categorised as a "tool" for crafting. This went against Ruskin and William Morris' belief that the artist "must feel" free and have an understanding of nature. This example shows how the social division no longer limits what is defined as craft or design and instead creates a common interest in art which in turn unites people and as Ruskin states, "takes a serious view of human destiny."