Traditions and Heritage: Ibrahim Hussein

Ibrahim Hussein, My Father and the Astronaut, 1970, acrylic.

Ibrahim Hussein was born to a poor family in Malaysia, and always had a knack for art. He studied at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore, and considered his medium to be "Printage", a combination of printing and collage.

What you need to know about this artwork in relation to world history:

THE SPACE RACE: a competition between Russia and the USA to land a man on the moon first. Landing first meant that the winning Superpower would show that they were technologically more advanced, and would be seen as more advanced in a military sense as well.

The Russians landed a craft on the moon in 1959.

The Americans landed a manned spacecraft, Apollo 11, on the moon on 20th July 1969. The world stood watching as Niel Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin set foot on the moon.

Please make sure to zoom in and see the writing that is present in the artwork. They are important.

"Place sungai limau dalam, yen" is the place where Ibrahim Hussein was born.
"13 March 1936" is the artist's birthday.

Also: Asian Cultural History:

Sometimes, children would refer to their father as "My Father the Astronaut". This was because some fathers would always be traveling for business, and only home for brief periods of time. However, based on the image of how his father is portrayed, we can infer that this was probably not the case in Ibrahim Hussein's household. Also, the title of the painting is "My Father AND the Astronaut". It is still worth noting however.

Question 1a: Using what you know, why do YOU think that Ibrahim Hussein has juxtaposed the image of his father with an astronaut? What is the relationship between the two (also think about the title)?

Question 1b: Why do you think that the text that is placed between the figures relates to the artist's birth? Where does the relation lie between this and the rest of the work?

Question 2: DESCRIBE the mixed-media artwork:

Answer these questions as a guide for ALL 2-D mixed media works (some questions do not apply to every painting):

• What is the artwork an image OF? (What are the identifiable things IN the artwork?)
• Where are these things located IN the artwork?
• Where does the subject of the artwork take place? (in a room, at a festival, etc)
  
• What COLORS are used & what do they look like? (bright, dull, earth tones, etc)
• What type of PERSPECTIVE is used in the artwork?
• What materials are used? Is there a unique effect that these materials create?
  
• What texture (if any) does the artwork have?
  

The title of this artwork is My Father and the Astronaut

Using Nature in Art: Mark Dion

Mark Dion, Neukom Vivarium, permanent installation Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle, 2006

After watching the PBS documentary on his work, and following our in-class discussion, please respond to the following.

1. Mark Dion dulls the line between artist, scientist, and historian. In his artwork, Neukom Vivarium, he focuses on re-creating nature in a lab/classroom-like environment.
a. Recall some of the steps that were used to recreate the environment of a tree underneath the canopy.
b. Dion stated that each time this artwork is visited, it would be a different experience. Why is this? (also recall where the work is located).
c. How does this artwork create a commentary on how we treat our environment? Make sure to use supporting elements from the artwork itself, artist intent, and process to justify your answer.

For his artwork Rats and Tar, please answer the following:

1. What is the historical background of this work?
2. Depending on who you are, you may find this work humorous or offensive. Dion's work is creating a commentary. What is the work a commentary about, and do you believe that he is successful in getting his point across? Why or why not?

Don't recall the video? Catch it again @ PBS.org. Search Mark Dion.

VIsual Culture

Art inevitably reflects life, but at times, life reflects art.

Let's revisit the work of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, this time, 2 other works, The Gates (left, 2005 Central Park, NYC) and Running Fence (California, 1976).

I'd like you to view this video on youtube, and answer the question that follow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QddkHo1X5qY

1. Christo and Jeanne-Claude have been made famous by their large wrapped installations. They are well known both in the art world, and by the general public. Is it ethical for AT&T to use a similar idea in their advertisement without the artist's endorsement?

Please consider the following in your answer: how do you define ethical, how do we know that the artists do not endorse the product, supporting rationale. Also take into consideration Cristo and Jeanne-Claude's stand on having patrons for their own art, as well as the purpose of their art.

Please respond to this question on your own blog.

After you've finished with that, I'd like you to go back to Christo and Jeanne-Claude's website and look at various photographs of their work, The Gates (2005 Central Park, NYC). Follow this link. http://www.christojeanneclaude.net/tg.shtml

Now, when it comes to describing artworks, some are easier than others. 3-D installations are among the most difficult. Try filling in the table below and see if it is easier to describe The Gates. This table has been specially designed for installation pieces. Be sure to use the photos of the work for reference. Feel free to gather information that you are unsure of from Christo and Jeanne-Claude's website as well.

Follow the link below. You can create and post your own filled in version, or just answer the question prompts in your blog.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=0Ah4_OuhaRF4EdFMwNkhJSDhkODU1dTl3RkpDNEkySXc&hl=en&single=true&gid=0&output=html