Wang Guanyi and Zhou Weihua

"The Great Criticism - Pepsi" by Wang Guangyi

Untitled by Zhou Weihua

Wang Guangyi was born on 1957 Born in Harbin, China. He lives and works in Beijing, China. The paintings of Wang Guangyi belong to the category of Chinese contemporary art termed Political Pop: work that appropriates the visual tropes of the propaganda of the Cultural Revolution, reworking them in the flat, colorful style of American Pop.

Zhou Weihua was born in 1970 in Lai Yang, Shandong Province, China. Zhou graduated from Shandong Academy of Fine Arts in 1992 and has a major in oil painting. In 1999, Zhou Weihua obtained a post-graduate degree from arguably the top art academy in China, the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) in Beijing. The artist's compelling and fresh paintings have since been exhibited throughout China at museums and art expositions, in Taiwan, Singapore and Korea. And since 2006, Zhou Weihua's work has been regularly exhibited in Europe and the USA, earning him much positive international praise. With many of China's most famous living contemporary artists now in their early to mid 40s, Zhou (now in his late 30s) is considered to be one of the more established contemporary artists in China. His positive and bright portrayal of both celebrities and ordinary people is a refreshing contribution to the Chinese art scene.

The 2 works share a similarity is holding Pop-Art elements in the visuals. For Wang's work, the colours are bold and bright. Moreover, it is painted flat with bold outlines on the 3 men that appear on the foreground. On the other hand, for Zhou's work, it does adhere to less stylization with the rendering of thee figures. The portrayal of the subject matter that is the girl in the swim suit still have much definition with the use of value in shadowing and contrast. It seems to be more alike to graphic pop art.

Both works also have certain awkward juxtapositions. With the imagery of Chinese during the Cultural Revolution set on the foreground, strange enough, at the background is something we would not expect; a Pepsi signage. How do we relate an icon of contemporary and modern culture to images of the Cultural Revoultion that existed for about 3 decades ago? On the other hand, Zhou's work shows a girl clad in swimsuit with the bright blue sky behind here. I would an expansion of a scene of a beach behind her. However, instead on her right is a group soldiers of much smaller scale to show perspective, walking towards or watching what seems to be an explosion. On her left is a group of anonymous inviduals. These 2 groups of people after looking away from us, with their backs facing us viewers. What is even stranger is the people falling from the sky. They could even be jumping. I'm not sure.. but what is for sure is that they are hanging in the air. Amongst the 4 in the sky, is a dog. the other 3 are people whose backs are still facing us. this series of juxtapositions do suggests a deeper meaning to works and trigger the thoughts of the viewers. But... back to the point, the both share a similar in their use of queer juxtapositions.

Wang's work highlights the conflict between China's political past and commercialised present. Perhaps.... Zhou has these similar ideas? Wang displays the tension that China now has after transforming from a communist state to a capitalist state. it is record his though about the effect the influx of large quantities of western commondities has on chinese culture. the influx is interpretated as an invasion of western culture. as shown in Wang's own work. These ideas also seem to exist in Zhou's work. With the girl dressed in a revealing bikini and with her navel pierced, it shows how the Western culture has indeed taken it's toll in China. Who wore bikinis or had their navels pierced those few decades ago in China? It is something the chinese have grown to practise; the western culture. Zhou may even be seen to reject this influx, showing the people at the background turning their backs to the girl, as if ashamed or rejectful of her actions and "westernized ways".

The differences the works have against each other is the mood that either gives off. Wang's work seems to effuse a more affectionate nostalgic attitude to toward Mao's propagandist projects, as if they were amusing artifacts of folk history. Zhou's work, though seemingly subtle and light-hearted, seems to carry a serious connotation with his rejections for the influx of western culture.

Arts and Society

Arts and Entertainment

The Arts BRINGS enterntaiment (entertain: absorb, beguile, captivate, charm, cheer, comfort, crack up, delight, distract, divert, ecstasize, elate, engross, enliven, enthrall, gladden, grab, gratify, humor, indulge, inspire, inspirit, interest, knock dead, make merry, occupy, pique, please, recreate, regale, relax, satisfy, slay, solace, stimulate, tickle). Basically, it is about Art bringing us something to do.

It's an escapade from the tiring work days. Whether it is a trip to an art gallery down town (fine art), dancing or listening to music (performence art), it is a form of entertainment for us, it is also Art. It is fun, exciting, relaxing, interesting, pleasing, it is entertaining! It keeps us going as it brings colour to our lives. It can also be a form of recreation (dance). Moreover, it helps us keep in touch with our "human" self. Becuase we can't be like robots constantly working and working. It also allows us to strengthen social bonds (generate interest amogst friends).

Business and Science and Technology

When I link Art and Business, I think of advertising. Posters, TV commercials etc. Advertising is a form of communication intended to persuade its viewers, readers or listeners to take some action, in most cases, to purchase certain products/services. I guess this is the section where Art comes most handy in today's society (I mean... when everything is about making money and surviving, what can an artist do other than design things that are "practical"). Businesses make use of Art in terms of the aesthetics and communication to attract customers. Or maybe the fashion industry? I guess this is the only where Art is truly appreciated and used.

Art and Science&Tech. I immeadiatly think of illustrations in my old science textbook. I guess one use of Art in S&T is to protray ideas much more clearly. Makes it more interesting too. I mean... Imagine if your entire science textbook just consists of words I don't think I'll ever be interested to ever study it. Or if they want to show you how a cell looks like, it may be hard picturing it with merely description. The pictures become self-explainatory.

Communication and Media

Closely linked to the advertising, advertisements communicate with the public, attracting them to purchase certain products or services. Moreover, as mentioned in the previous post, "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". It is a form of communication, very visually and aesthetically. It tells stories, it transmits messages and opinions. Unless it is decorative Art, it's purpose is to transmit messages from the artists. This includes books, television shows, movies, music, fine art etc.

Art also broadens the perspectives of the society and we can understand the world better too. Especially for social artists like Dede Eri Supria who talks about the predicament of the rural class in Indonesia, his homeland.

Disadvantaged and Marginalised

Many artist's (social artists) concepts and ideas revolve around the "disadvantage and marginalised". This refers to certain groups of people. For example, the elderly (ageism), the black (racism), the handicapped. Mostly, the outcasts. These artists bring up these occuring problems in the society. They may be signalling to the people to stop the discrimination.

For instance, Duane Hanson. His hyperrealistic scupltures bring all these various themes. Some of the works include "Man on a Bench" and " Queenie II". These artists may also want these people to recognized and not be outcasted. It allows people to emphatize with them and understand their predicament, hopefully, they will cast away their discriminating ways. The power of Art! =D

Education and School

1. Art class: So Art in Singapore schools... It is a compulsory subject from P1 right up to Secondary 2. From Secondary 3 to 4 and Junior College Year 1 and 2(hey thats me :D) it becomes a choice, mostly based on apitude. For JC H2 Art, we have Study of Visual Art (or as we Pioneers like to call it SuperSOVA!) and Art course work.

Personal opinion: I think Art has really broaden my mind. Like, really. It makes you think a lot. Not just in terms of the essay question in SOVA, but I reckon... the psyche of the artists really makes you think. We don't just swim on the surface, we dive deep. I think especially when we think about our coursework. Geddit? =D

It also allows students to express and exercise creativity!

2. Art in TEXTBOOKS: As I have said, illustration. No matter what subject (maybe excluding Math), Science, Geography, History, your Mother Tongue, there is definately illustrations in them. It explains ideas so much clearer and it also makes them seem more appealing than mundane. Gives us students motivation to study. Hahaha.

3. Art Teachers as an influence to Artists.

Family and Home

I guess here, we can base it on interests wise? For example, my brother, my dad and I LOVE music. My family also loves watching movies together. Music and movies are considered a form of Art. So Art ties bonds between people closer, generating interests. Art can be experienced with people you love, like your family.

Artists are also known to be high influenced by their families. One example is Willem de Kooning. He had bad experiences with his mother as a child, which created so much inner conflict with de Kooning. He became a very upset when he grew up to be an adult. This was expressed very agressively in his "Women" series which featured very distorted paintings of women. The strokes very obviously harsh (action painting). It was as if he was venting his anger on the canvases. Thus, Families can be huge influences for the artists.

Government and Leadership

Artists do have political messages in their work too. This reminds me of all those comic artists who often enjoy making fun of the previous USA president, Mr Bush. Inconspicuous political messages from the artists are being portrayed in their works. Art becomes an outlet for them to express.

I guess all in all, this proves that Art really is important. It's not just beautiful to look at, it is a means of expression, keeping us more "human". People may think Art is useless, especially in this modern day. However, I reckon, it has become so much more important that it ever has. Besides being a huge marketing weapon for businesses, it keeps us alive and makes life colourful. It makes life more interesting and less mundane. Social artists make use of their talent to confront social issue. It tells stories. It lets people know that "you are not alone (eg, the artists talk about his problems which a viewer may experience) and lastly, it broadens the way we think.

Newspaper Article: SingPost aplogises for publicity stunt

A publicity stunt by SingPost took a turn for the worse when speculations started running as the public mistook these as acts of vandalism, some even described it as "gangsterish". The mere intention for the SingPost to do was to introduce themselves as sponsors for the upcoming Youth Olympics Games (YOG). Working hand in hand with SingPost was A Group Of People, a local events agency, who created this idea. The use of grafitti goes according to the theme YOG, Express Yourself. Steve Ng is the Vice President of Marketing at SingPost says, "As part of the YOG is also talking about self expressing, it's really about sports and arts, and sports and arts is really about expressing yourself and that's the core spirit of it. " They also intended to engage the youths. There are a total of 6 scattered all over the island.


However, is this still considered to be a form of Art?

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. The form of street art or grafitti does bring about communication to the audience. The theme, "Express Yourself" is expressed directly and very publicly through the use of grafitti. For this particulary mailbox, it states, "To be young is to be bold". It encourages the youths not to be afraid of expression. Art is also used very commonly for advertising and commercialism. In this case, it basically advertises the YOG. However, I would find this quite unsuccessful. The idea is very indirect and inconspicuous. For a person to decipher the meaning, he/she must first know the theme of the YOG itself. However, even so, it is still hard to understand and many mistake it as an act of vandalism.

Still, Art is a from of expression. The use of word and the use of medium itself seems just right. It is upfrontal and does make people stop for awhile and think. It is impactful. Instead of the mundane and common use of digitally designed posters, why not use grafitti? It is modern, engaging and appealing, especially to the youth. Grafitti has also been recognized as "Public Art" and high art.

The fact that we are still be shocked and alarmed by the use of grafitti as public art shows that the society has not accepted grafitti as a form of art yet. Many still regard it as a form of rebellion or vandalism. This is may be especially so because Grafitti is not a common sight around Singapore. Singaporeans may still see art as oil paintings on canvases or scupltures, which is the more traditional method of making art. However, this is not the case as art's boundaries has been broken in so many ways through time. For instance, putting aside grafitti, there are still more radical way in which artists make art. The Sensation exhibition during 1997 featured Chris Ofili, who uses elephant dung in his works. There was also Damien Hirst who preseved dead animals in large tanks, calling it Art.

Some Singaporeans are perhaps still rigid in their perceptions of Art due to the insufficient exposure or lack of interest. I guess, they cannot be blamed? However, with more knowledge and studies, I'm sure they'll understand this evolution that is taking place Art. The use of these materials may be different and radical, however, it is the modest intentions of the artist.

The issue of distrust also comes into play. Singaporeans are afraid that this will spark off more vandalism around the country. It may give Youths the idea that grafitti is "okay". However, I believe that it will not happen (Especially after these newspaper reports). Youths still understand that grafitti is illegal and punishable by law (canning I think). Especially when the police is highly unamuse and not pleased by this concept, Youth will still refrain from involving themselves in such activities.

"Bed-ins for Peace" by Yoko Ono and John Lennon

1. Write on what this work is about.

John and Yoko two met in London in November 1966. Their first album collaboration, "Two Virgins," showed nude photos of the lovers front and back, and was banned. On March 20, 1969, the couple wed. The following week, the two master media manipulators used their celebrity for good, hosting a honeymoon "bed-in" for peace in room 902, the presidential suite of the Amsterdam Hilton. The press avidly pursued them, assuming that the famous nudists would make love for their cameras. Instead, the pajama-clad newlyweds spoke out about world peace. It was the honeymoon as performance art, interlaced with a protest against the Vietnam War. Lennon's "The Ballad of John and Yoko" chronicles the week in song: "Drove from Paris to the Amsterdam Hilton / Talking in our bed for a week / The news people said / 'Hey, what you doin' in bed?'/ I said, 'We're only tryin' to get us some peace!'"

(Yoko Ono is a Fluxus artist)

2. Do you consider this as art? Why or why not?

Yes I do consider this art. However, it is not just any typical painting or sculpture. It is performence art.

Performence art: Performance art is art in which the actions of an individual or a group at a particular place and in a particular time constitute the work. It can happen anywhere, at any time, or for any length of time. Performance art can be any situation that involves four basic elements: time, space, the performer's body and a relationship between performer and audience.

The performers' bodies (Yoko Ono and John Lennon) were used in the space of the room to transmit an important message to the world with the help of the media. Their message in this work would be world peace. It was also a protest again the Vietnam war.

What is judge to be valuable Art?

I believe valuable art must come from a valuable artist. He must have two factors: hard work and reflections.

Valuable Art must have the element of hard work whereby the artist makes use of his talent to paint/scuplt/etc. He must have had a deep thinking process for this work on how it is going to be like. For instance, Ron Mueck. He goes through the tedious process of scuplting all those hyper-realistic scupltures, like the Pregnant Woman. He has gone through multiple prototypes, sketches and research before he starts on his work. Also, Mueck has an amazing talent. All this is worth paying for, or even more. Or like Chuck Close. Before his accident, his works were exactly like photos or even better. So realistic. It captures even minute detail of the photo and places it on canvas all by hand, all by himself. Even up till to day, despite his accident, he still paints amazingly. That is valuable art. It must be worth it. All on the artist. The artist should have gone through hardwork, mentally and physically to achieve that piece of masterwork. From there, he will earn the respect of the audience and critics and thus becoming a valuable artist.

Moreover, the meaning is very crucial. Aesthetically, it may not be beautiful. However, when one talks about it, it becomes beautiful. It becomes a beautiful piece of work. Because the meaning within it hold so much. The working transform into a mere commodity into Art. Artwork, I believe, must always hold a meaning. Behind the canvas, is a secret world where it's meaning is revealed. It becomes more than a painting or scuplture, it becomes Art. It becomes valuable Art.

Stadium and punctum, a twin concept developed in the book Camera Lucida by Roland Barthes, a French literacy critic Roland Barthes.

Studium:
denoting the cultural, linguistic, and political interpretation of a photograph
meanings that are nameable
given cultural meanings that we understand at once


Punctum:
denoting the wounding, personally touching detail which establishes a direct relationship with the object or person within it.
a personal memory based not on the public archive but a private repertoire
stings the viewer...some detail (some accident in the photograph)
occurs when there is a match between a signifier in the scene (in the photograph), and a scene in the memory

What is the studium of this work?

It is how this shot is taken, the angle of the work. It is not "properly" taken as how people would normally have a shot of it: a full view and straight up. And the paper against the wall is appearing to be grow larger and larger as it approaches the bottom of the photo. Maybe an emphasis of being different, on being an individual, on being their own. It is what many strive to do is today's world. Instead on being conventional, be unorthodox.

What is the punctum of this work?

I would think... the punctum of this work is how the floral wall-paper does not cover the wall entirely. It is only a long, slim strip of wall-paper plastered to only a small section of the wall while the rest of the wall is left blank and white. The punctum can also be floral motifs printed on the fabric. It's very reminiscent of the old days where florals were all the rage is fashion clothing. Such wallpapers also appears to be something you can find in a elderly westerner's house. Also, the fold at the top right hand corner that appear to pop out of the image.

My take on this 'mystery work':

The work shown above is made of a kind of metal or alloy thus the sleek, polished and reflective surface. It is also of a graphite colour. It looks like bubbles or an enlarged version of microscopic molecules going through an aggressive chemical reaction that is still on-going and growing. There also seems to a spill on the floor at the bottom-left hand corner of the work. The spill is of a graphite colour too. This work is presented at a stairway, which is interesting and different, unlike usual works which are usually placed on flat ground. There also seems to be another of a similar work at the background.

The title of this work is "The Takeover".

In my opinion, the work represents something hostile. The way the artist constructed in to look like an aggressive, dangerous chemical reaction that will keep growing and growing and will not stop, killing anything in it's path. It may appear rather harmless now. However, that is only temporary because it will grow into something massive and dangerous.


One example:

Maybe it's like how China is developing at such a rapid rate, it being the world's factory (eg. almost everything we own is 'made in china'). It came as shock to many because China was regarded as a less developed country before. Now, despite the global recession, China is still growing. Though many see this as a 'good' thing for China, it's banes outweigh it's boons. Massive pollution, homeless (eg. Homes were taken down to make way for the Olympics). It will kill the country if this continues. Just like this chemical reaction. It is a sign of technology and development. However, if it is not stopped and controlled, it can kill.

From there, I feel sorry for the Chinese who were so neglected (majority) as the rest of China develops (minority). I also feel upset because the Chinese government is like a locomotive running ahead, leaving the large amount of it's people in dust. China should slow down and wait for it's people to catch up. Then, they can move together smoothly. However, this may be inevitable since almost the entire world is relying on China to produce products etc.

As mentioned above, it is presented at a stairway, on public display. This for convenient viewing. It is also easier for the artist to convey his message with a wider audience, for people to reflect.