Self Portrait in Fur Coat (1500)
Albrecht Durer
1. Identify aspects of Durer's self portrait that show a changing view of the artist's view of himself as an individual.
This is the most famous painting of Durer’s many self-portraits. In my opinion he almost looks magical with a serious look in his eyes, his golden dread locks, his hand position and the fur jacket that he is wearing. “Frankly idealized into a Christlike image, it may have been meant by Durer to remind viewers that an artist’s creative spirit is God-given.” (Russell, 1972, p.89) I also agree with Russell that Durer looks like Jesus Christ. He painted his eyes bigger than he actual had and put his brows lower above the eyes. "He did not paint himself as he was but as he wanted to be. It belongs to the Italian period of idealization." (Wolfflin, 1971, p154) Both Wolfflin and Russell agree that Durer wanted people to view him as a strong and focused individual, who possesses a rather unique talent.
2. Explain how the artist's social status increased during the Renaissance period. Briefly explain why this happened.
According to Blunt, painters were traditionally thought of in the lower social role of craftspeople. He suggests that they wanted their profession to become a member of the liberal arts, which would raise their social positions. (Blunt, 1962)
In the latter fifteenth-century theoretical writings became a commonplace that a painter refers to knowledge of mathematics and different branches of learning.
Before, the painter or sculpturer went through an exhausting labour with a hammer and chisel to produce his work. He got covered with dust and sweat. He looked like a baker, not an artist. “The painter sits in great comfort before his work, well dressed, and wields his light brush loaded with lovely colours. He can be dressed as well as he pleases and his house can be clean and filled with beautiful paintings. (Blunt, 1962)
3. Comment on Gavin Turk's work in relation to individualism, status of the artist and egotism.
Knob (1997) Gavin Turk
Title (1990)Gavin Turk
Epiphany (1992) Gavin Turk
Knob (1997) Gavin Turk Title (1990)Gavin TurkEpiphany (1992) Gavin TurkIndividualism and Egotism are two perfect words to describe Turk. His style is like no other artist and his opinion of himself is very high. “He stages the (ironic) myth of ‘Gavin Turk’, as though heroism were still a credible option.” (Kent, 1994, p.94)
Turk is also famous for his signature. The idea that Turk’s obsessive naming and signing is somehow a defence against his work being defrauded or copied is a false notion, a dead end. After all, Turk’s own identity – his very Turkness – is itself partially concealed behind the identities of other artists that he’s emulated or inhabited, be they Duchamp, Warhol, Manzoni, Klein or Picasso.
4. Comment on Damien Hirst's use of his work and the media for self promotion.
Damien Hirst and Maia Norman (1995)
Hirst is said to be the richest living British Artist. He has his own flair for self-promotion and gained exceptional publicity skills from Charles Saachi. Hirst created publicity by using unusual names for his exhibitions. The unusual names related to the unusual work that was on display at his exhibitions. Works included the corpses of creatures such as fish, sharks, cows and sheep. Further into his career, he realized that all publicity, good or bad was good publicity. Receiving media attention was vital for Hirsts exhibitions.
(http://www.artdesigncafe.com/Damien-Hirst-media-celebrity-2001)
(http://www.artdesigncafe.com/Damien-Hirst-media-celebrity-2001)
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.
The Arnolfini Portrait (1434) Jan Van Eyck
In the most famous painting The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan Van Eyck. The unusual signature appears on the wall above the mirror. The writing is Gothic script and says "Johannes de Eyck fruit hic. 1434" ("Jan Van Eyck has been here. 1434"). "The artist established authorship. His individual style is equally a sign of his presence. " (Smith, 2004, p.103)
Another example is "the Coca-Coca Light the Lagerfeld way" . The limited-edition Coca-Coca Light bottle designed by Karl Lagerfeld last year. This favorite drink of women has called upon the genius of Karl Lagerfeld to dress the Coca-Cola light aluminum bottle with his inimitable style and unmistakable silhouette to the chic lines of the bottle. The famous signiture right besides the designer's image.
The limited-edition Coca-Coca Light bottle (2010) designed by Karl Lagerfeld
Karl Lagerfeld is the creative director at Chanel and the most famous fashion designer in the world. He is also famously credited his 90 pounds weight loss in 2001, so his slim image is a very good advertisement for the light coke.
6. How do you think artists and designers are viewed in Western society today?
The artists and designers have a very high social status in Western society today. They have much more different means to express themselves and better way to show the liberal arts. People can accept a huge range of arts.
Kent London
Reference:
Blunt, A. (1962). Artistic Theory in Italy Oxford : Oxford University
Brion, M. (1960). Albrecht Durer: His Life and Work. London : Thames and Hudson
Russell, F. (1972). The World of Durer 1471-1528. Nederland
Rivoire, M. (1970). The Life and Times of Durer. London
Smith, J.C. (2004). The Northern Renaissance. New York
Self, W., Fuchs, R., Obrist, H. U. & Hirst, D. (2008). Beyond Belief: Damien Hirst. London
Wolfflin, H. (1971). The Art of Albrecht Durer. London
http://gavinturk.com/artworks/image/9/
http://gavinturk.com/artworks/image/23/
