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HAGAKURE

葉隠Nothing you do will have effect if you do not use truth.

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SYDE261 - W2011

Culture and Art - Part 2

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Relevant Readings

http://www.edwardburtynsky.com/

http://www.hylozoicground.com/index.html

http://www.reeceterris.com/

Ed Burtynsky

Hylozoic Ground - Phil Beesley

Reece Terris

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Art has had a great number of different functions throughout its history, making its purpose difficult to abstract or quantify to any single concept. This does not imply that the purpose of Art is "vague", but that it has had many unique, different reasons for being created. Some of these functions of Art are provided in the following outline. The different purposes of art may be grouped according to those that are non-motivated, and those that are motivated (Levi-Strauss).Non-motivated functions of artThe non-motivated purposes of art are those that are integral to being human, transcend the individual, or do not fulfill a specific external purpose. Aristotle said, "Imitation, then, is one instinct of our nature." [13] In this sense, Art, as creativity, is something humans must do by their very nature (i.e., no other species creates art), and is therefore beyond utility.

1. Basic human instinct for harmony, balance, rhythm. Art at this level is not an action or an object, but an internal appreciation of balance and harmony (beauty), and therefore an aspect of being human beyond utility. "Imitation, then, is one instinct of our nature. Next, there is the instinct for 'harmony' and rhythm, meters being manifestly sections of rhythm. Persons, therefore, starting with this natural gift developed by degrees their special aptitudes, till their rude improvisations gave birth to Poetry." -Aristotle [14]

2. Experience of the mysterious. Art provides a way to experience one's self in relation to the universe. This experience may often come unmotivated, as one appreciates art, music or poetry. "The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science." -Albert Einstein [15]

3. Expression of the imagination. Art provide a means to express the imagination in non-grammatic ways that are not tied to the formality of spoken or written language. Unlike words, which come in sequences and each of which have a definite meaning, art provides a range of forms, symbols and ideas with meanings that are maleable. "Jupiter's eagle [as an example of art] is not, like logical (aesthetic) attributes of an object, the concept of the sublimity and majesty of creation, but rather something else - something that gives the imagination an incentive to spread its flight over a whole host of kindred representations that provoke more thought than admits of expression in a concept determined by words. They furnish an aesthetic idea, which serves the above rational idea as a substitute for logical presentation, but with the proper function, however, of animating the mind by opening out for it a prospect into a field of kindred representations stretching beyond its ken." -Immanuel Kant[16]

4. Universal communication. Art allows the individual to express things toward the world as a whole.[according to whom?] Earth artists often create art in remote locations that will never be experienced by another person. The practice of placing a cairn, or pile of stones at the top of a mountain, is an example. (Note: This need not suggest a particular view of God, or religion.) Art created in this way is a form of communication between the individual and the world as a whole.[citation needed]

5. Ritualistic and symbolic functions. In many cultures, art is used in rituals, performances and dances as a decoration or symbol. While these often have no specific utilitarian (motivated) purpose, anthropologists know that they often serve a purpose at the level of meaning within a particular culture. This meaning is not furnished by any one individual, but is often the result of many generations of change, and of a cosmological relationship within the culture. "Most scholars who deal with rock paintings or objects recovered from prehistoric contexts that cannot be explained in utilitarian terms and are thus categorized as decorative, ritual or symbolic, are aware of the trap posed by the term 'art'." -Silva Tomaskova[17]

What is the purpose of art?

[Wikipedia]

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Motivated functions of artMotivated purposes of art refer to intentional, conscious actions on the part of the artists or creator. These may be to bring about political change, to comment on an aspect of society, to convey a specific emotion or mood, to address personal psychology, to illustrate another discipline, to (with commercial arts) to sell a product, or simply as a form of communication.1. Communication. Art, at its simplest, is a form of communication. As most forms of communication have an intent or goal directed toward another

individual, this is a motivated purpose. Illustrative arts, such as scientific illustration, are a form of art as communication. Maps are another example. However, the content need not be scientific. Emotions, moods and feelings are also communicated through art. "[Art is a set of] artefacts or images with symbolic meanings as a means of communication." -Steve Mithen[18]

2. Art as entertainment. Art may seek to bring about a particular emotion or mood, for the purpose of relaxing or entertaining the viewer. This is often the function of the art industries of Motion Pictures and Video Games.

3. The Avante-Garde. Art for political change. One of the defining functions of early twentieth century art has been to use visual images to bring about political change. Art movements that had this goal—Dadaism, Surrealism, Russian Constructivism, and Abstract Expressionism, among others—are collectively referred to as the avante-garde arts. "By contrast, the realistic attitude, inspired by positivism, from Saint Thomas Aquinas to Anatole France, clearly seems to me to be hostile to any intellectual or moral advancement. I loathe it, for it is made up of mediocrity, hate, and dull conceit. It is this attitude which today gives birth to these ridiculous books, these insulting plays. It constantly feeds on and derives strength from the newspapers and stultifies both science and art by assiduously flattering the lowest of tastes; clarity bordering on stupidity, a dog's life." -André Breton (Surrealism)[19]

4. Art for psychological and healing purposes. Art is also used by art therapists, psychotherapists and clinical psychologists as art therapy. The Diagnostic Drawing Series, for example, is used to determine the personality and emotional functioning of a patient. The end product is not the principal goal in this case, but rather a process of healing, through creative acts, is sought. The resultant piece of artwork may also offer insight into the troubles experienced by the subject and may suggest suitable approaches to be used in more conventional forms of psychiatric therapy.

5. Art for social inquiry, subversion and/or anarchy. While similar to art for political change, subversive or deconstructivist art may seek to question aspects of society without any specific political goal. In this case, the function of art may be simply to criticize some aspect of society. Graffiti art and other types of street art are graphics and images that are spray-painted or stencilled on publicly viewable walls, buildings, buses, trains, and bridges, usually without permission. Certain art forms, such as graffiti, may also be illegal when they break laws (in this case vandalism).

6. Art for propaganda, or commercialism. Art is often utilized as a form of propaganda, and thus can be used to subtly influence popular conceptions or mood. In a similar way, art that tries to sell a product also influences mood and emotion. In both cases, the purpose of art here is to subtly manipulate the viewer into a particular emotional or psychological response toward a particular idea or object.[20]

The functions of art described above are not mutually exclusive, as many of them may overlap. For example, art for the purpose of entertainment may also seek to sell a product, i.e. the movie or video game. [Wikipedia]

6http://www.reeceterris.com/union-gospel-2002/

Union Gospel was an activist performance at the Union Gospel Mission in Vancouverʼs Downtown Eastside. The Mission provides free meals and shelter for many of the residents of Vancouverʼs homeless community. The work involved the demolition of the existing concrete sidewalks in front of the Mission, which had been embedded with large protruding stones set into the sidewalk in order to prevent loitering. Once removed, the sidewalk was replaced with a new textured non-slip concrete surface. A protective all-weather exterior awning was installed overhead.

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How did the city try to exert social control through design?

UNION GOSPEL - Reece Terris

What social values were they (the city) trying to support?

What do you think Terris’ intention for the piece is? What kinds of social values is Terris trying to promote?

http://www.reeceterris.com/union-gospel-2002/

While the active gesture of Union Gospel was able to change the façade of the Union Gospel Mission bringing the exterior form of the building to more closely reflect the community-based charitable acts of its interior, the work implies a kind of activism that seeks to reconcile public architectural spaces and the communal activities that inhabit them.

- by placing rocks they make sitting uncomfortable- homeless and needy won’t loiter in this block

- veiled ignorance of objects of shame (the poor and mentally ill)- cleanliness, public safety, public order (at the cost of the poor)

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http://tart.uwaterloo.ca/Art and TechnologyUW offers a unique course that connects engineers and artists to make collaborative, technology enabled sculptures

Shayan, what did you think?

- clash of social values and design methods (a good thing)!- the creative use of technology!

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Hylozoic Ground - Phil BeesleyHylozoism is the ancient belief that all matter has life.

Hylozoic Ground is an immersive, interactive environment that moves and breathes around its viewers. This environment can ‘feel’ and ‘care’. Next-generation artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, and interactive technology create an environment that is nearly alive.

Hylozoic Ground is part of the Hylozoic Soil series, which has already received unprecedented press and global awards.

Hylozoic Ground offers a rare glimpse of tomorrow’s architecture.

http://www.hylozoicground.com/intro/intro03.html

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Exploring the Residual LandscapeNature transformed through industry is a predominant theme in my work. I set course to intersect with a contemporary view of the great ages of man; from stone, to minerals, oil, transportation, silicon, and so on. To make these ideas visible I search for subjects that are rich in detail and scale yet open in their meaning. Recycling yards, mine tailings, quarries and refineries are all places that are outside of our normal experience, yet we partake of their output on a daily basis.

These images are meant as metaphors to the dilemma of our modern existence; they search for a dialogue between attraction and repulsion, seduction and fear. We are drawn by desire - a chance at good living, yet we are consciously or unconsciously aware that the world is suffering for our success. Our dependence on nature to provide the materials for our consumption and our concern for the health of our planet sets us into an uneasy contradiction. For me, these images function as reflecting pools of our times.

Edward Burtynskyhttp://www.edwardburtynsky.com/

GO WATCH MANUFACTURED LANDSCAPES!

11 http://www.edwardburtynsky.com/

Manufacturing #17,Deda Chicken Processing Plant, Dehui City, Jilin Province, 2005

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Manufacturing #4,Factory Worker Dormitory, Dongguan, Guangdong Province, 2005

http://www.edwardburtynsky.com/

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Manufacturing #11,Youngor Textiles, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, 2005

http://www.edwardburtynsky.com/

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Do the conditions in which your products are made a!ect the products you buy?

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China Recycling #12,Ewaste Sorting, Zeguo, Zhejiang Province, 2004

http://www.edwardburtynsky.com/

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How do you evaluate the retirement of the products you buy?

What does recycling actually mean?

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Where are these pictures from?

Elliot Lake, Ontario

Sudbury, Ontario

Uranium Tailings

Nickel Tailingshttp://www.edwardburtynsky.com/

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Mines #22Kennecott Copper Mine, Bingham Valley, Utah 1983

http://www.edwardburtynsky.com/

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Shipbreaking # 11,Chittagong, Bangladesh 2000

http://www.edwardburtynsky.com/

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What are the environmental and social costs of the entire process involved in making a product?

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Enough with this art stuff already...

Let’s talk about CULTURE!

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McGrew suggests that we view culture as a process. He lists six steps in the process:1.A new pattern of behavior is invented, or an existing one is

modified.2.The innovator transmits this pattern to another.3.The form of the pattern is consistent within and across

performers, perhaps even in terms of recognizable stylistic features.

4.The one who acquires the pattern retains the ability to perform it long after having acquired it.

5.The pattern spreads across social units in a population. These social units may be families, clans, troops, or bands.

6.The pattern endures across generations.[18]

[Wikipedia]

Culture as a Process

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Twitter - culture as process...

1. Twitter is invented by Odeo, a podcasting company.

2. Twitter used internally by Odeo employees.

3. Twitter goes public and creates the Tweet.

4. Internet aware people start tweeting, a lot.

5. Your mom and your grandma start tweeting.

6. Your kids tweet.

Twitter might not last, but the concept of status updating is a social phenomenon that seems to be here to stay!

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Culture industry is a term coined by critical theorists Theodor Adorno (1903–1969) and Max Horkheimer (1895–1973), who argued in the final chapter of their book Dialectic of Enlightenment, 'The Culture Industry: Enlightenment as Mass Deception' ; that popular culture is akin to a factory producing standardized cultural goods – through film, radio and magazines – to manipulate the masses into passivity; the easy pleasures available through consumption of popular culture make people docile and content, no matter how difficult their economic circumstances.Adorno and Horkheimer saw this mass-produced culture as a danger to the more difficult high arts. Culture industries may cultivate false needs; that is, needs created and satisfied by capitalism. True needs, in contrast, are freedom, creativity, or genuine happiness.

The Creation of Mass Culture

[Wikipedia]

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GROUP ACTIVITY

Can pop culture make you happy?

Groups of 10, with 5 minutes to discuss, 1 minute to present.

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GROUP ACTIVITY

Can pop culture make you happy?

- What is happiness?- Does the duration of happiness matter?- Does distaste for pop-cultur make you elitist?