1. Week 4- The social status of the artist.

1. Week 4- The social status of the artist.            

Self Portrait in Fur Coat (1500) Albrecht Durer

           

           

Knob (1997) Gavin Turk

1. Identify aspects of Durer's self portrait that show a changing view of the artist's view of himself as an individual.

The self-portrait is all the more remarkable because it so closely resembles earlier representations of Christ.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-Portrait_(D%C3%BCrer,_Munic)

 Art historians view different similarities towards Dürer religious painting, including its symmetry, dark tones and the manner in which the artist is shown raising his hands to the middle of his chest,(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-Portrait_(D%C3%BCrer,_Munic) as if in the pose of blessing. Dürer chose to portray himself like this, maybe because of his desire and ambition to acknowledge his great talent given to him by God .

2. Explain how the artist's social status increased during the Renaissance period. Briefly explain why this happened.

The Renaissance period, there were people who were hired and paid to produce exactly what the patrons wanted unlike artist today who make their own work and then put it up for sale. Without the patrons artist would not be able to make a living (Renaissance Connection). The late renaissance, artists were no longer seen as skilled workers or craftsmen.

 3. Comment on Gavin Turk's work in relation to individualism, status of the artist and egotism.

Well individualism and egotism is shown through Gavins work of art “ Knob “ (1997) by the use of his own name as his piece of art work , it shows the viewers how individual he is and how he is important. I do not know , what kind of art work you would call this , but to Gavin Turk its an art work of himself , he doesn’t need a self portrait or a sculpture of himself to let the viewers know who he is , he assigns himself with his own signature . Telling people im Gavin Turk , im an individual , I am who I am .

4. Comment on Damien Hirst's use of his work and the media for self promotion.

Damien Hirst is an English artist, entrepreneur and art collector. He is the most prominent member of the group known as the Young British Artists (or YBAs), who dominated the art scene in Britain during the 1990s. He is internationally renowned, and is reportedly Britain's richest living artist, with his wealth valued at £215m in the 2010 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damien_Hirst)

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. Upload images to your blog, title and date the work, identify the artist/designer and comment on the   work in relation to the question.

6. How do you think artists and designers are viewed in Western society today? I would agree that many artists and designers are honored by many others more than they were before, without there help in giving out the message through there work , we as a society and a nation , should have the freedom to express themselves as an individual.

 Reference List

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-Portrait_(D%C3%BCrer,_Munic

http://www.boglewood.com/cornaro/xdurer.html

http://www.gagosian.com/artists/damien-hirst/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damien_Hirst

http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/renaissance-art.htm