On October 22^nd, 2016 I visited the Institute of Contemporary Art which was holding “The Free Principle: Experiments in Art and Music” exhibition. The exhibition held was a mixture of many forms of art responding to the topic. The Mixed medias in the exhibition spanned from Paintings of all sorts, to Sculpture, to New Media (video, photographs, and music) Installations. Some of the artists included in the exhibition were Lilli Reynaud-Dewar, Muhal Richard Abrams, and Roscoe Mitchell. The exhibition was primarily based on works created from 1960’s onward heavily influenced by the Harlem Renaissance.

In light of the this exhibition which clearly references movements in history beyond fine arts like the Harlem Renaissance one cannot help but understand the impact of something such as a movement important to a greater majority. A movement that can evoke emotion such as the Harlem Renaissance did so by understanding the importance of the artist through his/her relationship with the audience. When we view images and art today like the ones seen at the exhibition, someone who can reference American history and art understands immediately how a movement can make people respond decades after the event.

The manner in which someone displays art is just as important as the creative process in reference to enhancing the viewer’s experience. There is an obvious difference between the physical act of visiting an exhibit and experiencing the exhibit through a form of new media be that on a computer through a website or slideshow. I do admit the actual piece is the “star of the show” almost always no matter the location; the presentation is merely an enhancement of the process in evoking emotion or memory through the use of senses.

I personally enjoy the presentation especially when it is in a form of New Media, but I contend that there is an absence of personal connection primarily speaking on the intimate viewing factors that can only be experienced in person. This intimate relationship is successful only through the viewing in the works at its actual location. It is one thing seeing these works prior to visiting on the ICU website but the experience in visiting the Rio Negro II or La Grande Oreille is something a camera simply cannot capture. The ability of including multiple senses in a work of art is important when attempting to evoke memory. Although, the visual aspect of memory is arguably the most important including hearing and touch will fortify the ability to include and immediately associate that memory with something else.

References:

• Bier, Arielle. “The Freedom Principle.” ART FORUM. Artforum International Magazine, Web. 21 Nov. 2016.
• Alvarado, Lisa. “LISAALVRARADO.” LISAALVRARADO.BIZ. Web. 21 Nov. 2016.

• “VISUALIST.” Lisa Alvarado: The Traditional Object. Web. 21 Nov. 2016.

On September 9th, 2016 I visited the Habitus installation, which is a part of the Philly Fringe Festival, located on Municipal Pier 9 121 North Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19106. This installation is the work of Artist, Ann Hamilton who is known for her works in many medias including textile design, sculptures, photography, video, and printmaking installations. She is most known for her work in Textile design and in the Habitus installation we are introduced to the visions of Ann and her expression of life through the history of Fabric. The installation includes an interactive piece in which multiple spinning curtains are controlled through pulleys. The Installation also presents two other artists who are to remain silent and through their work one artist is pulling fabric apart and the other is spinning wool.

In the exploration and interaction with the installations the sea of curtains and manner in which Ann draped the curtains immediately captivates the audience. Due to the placement of the installation being next to the pier, one can witness not only how the operation of the pulley affects the curtains but also how the constant winds manage the curtains as well. The installation attracted the likes of diverse groups of people both participating in the interactive part of the installation and those simply admiring the flow of the curtains. There was an additional aspect of the installation where a woman was pulling fabric and in the distance another woman was spinning wool which both have a direct association with the use of fabric to both in terms of creativity and using clothing as form of personality.

This installation has assisted me in putting life into perspective both in terms of how external factors in our lives can directly affect the flow and progression of life. The use of fabric being used by us as a form of showcasing our personality to the world is interesting; However, the message conveyed through the destruction of fabric is interesting seeing how something that is used to convey a message and judgment by others in the public eye can easily be taken apart. In addition, this installation allowed me to see how other artists can use many mediums to showcase the their message in simple forms and leave room for interpretation. Ann, in this case, left room for interpretation in visual as well as interactive aspects. The ability to make the viewer interact with the installation in a natural as well as a mechanical way is something I will definitely take into consideration in my future works.