When I first saw Hammer Museum on the list of recommended events, I was ecstatic because I currently intern for the administration portion of the museum in the finance department. Even though I work almost every day, I never had a reason to visit the exhibits and was always curious about the unique displays all throughout the museum. In fact, for the past couple of months, I dealt with the accounting aspect of a new exhibition currently ongoing at Hammer, titled Made in L.A., and constantly reviewed paperwork regarding artists and artwork, so it was an interesting experience to finally see all of this in action!
Made in L.A. 2014 is Hammer Museum’s biennial exhibition
that features Los Angeles’ artists with a particular emphasis on emerging and
under-recognized artists. The galleries debut recent work and new
artwork—paintings, sculptures, videos, installations, photography, and
performances—created specifically for Made in L.A. 2014.
On Sunday, July 13, I attended one of Made in L.A. 2014’s
talks and tours, titled “What is ART?” the first half of this event was
comprised of a discussion with the attendees and art specialists, and the
remainder was a walk-and-talk through the galleries.
The discussion piqued my interests and stimulated my
imagination when asked to answer: “What is Art?” Oftentimes, because of the way
we are taught since childhood, we have a tendency to associate art with more
visual elements such as drawings and paintings, but does art really have any
boundaries? By definition, art is the
“expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, producing
works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.
[Interesting definitions of Art]
Art can be virtually anything that conveys a message that is
of more than ordinary significance. Because art is any discovery, passionate
development, or mysterious manifestation, art is not solely limited to the
visual branch of creative activity, but rather extended to all realms of music,
dance, literature and everything else of the less conventionalist sort.
With this realization in mind, the discussion transitioned
into the gallery walk-and-talk where we observed various artistic abstractions
and attempted to apply our knowledge of what art is and signifies. The first
work of art that we analyzed was “42” by Channing Hansen. Hansen’s work
combines his interest in the history of science and technology with his
commitment to handcraft. As a physics enthusiast, Hansen delves into questions
of math and science in his paintings, which reflect the possibility of art as
being answers to the staggering wonders of our time.
["42" by Channing Hansen]
“42” was inspired by Hansen’s desire to manifest radical
scientific paradigms and give form to contemporary ideas that seem to exist
mainly as abstractions. Although this
“painting” (as he calls it) appears to be designed by random improvisations of
shapes and colors, the knitted surface that ranges from raw to refined, thick
to thin, loose to tight, chunky to fine is predetermined by a computer
mathematical algorithm.
The next work of art that we looked at was “ENDE: Like a New
Beginning” by Emily Mast. Interestingly, this work is presented in different
parts and installations that are scattered throughout the museum, rather than
being situated side-by-side as an attempt to create echoes or “déjà vu moments” as you wander
through the space. “ENDE”
encompasses different methods of delivery, with one part as a visual
installation, another as a song, and another as a performance. Mast upends the
styles of theatrical staging in an effort to “unsettle the expectations of the
viewer.” In her performing arts based works, Mast “muddles conventional ways of
delivering information through innovative methods of casting actors and reinterpreting
language to examine the varying paths of communication.”
[3 of a total of 5 parts to "ENDE: Like a New Beginning" by Emily Mast]
Would I recommend this event? I definitely do!
Unfortunately, this specific talk/tour is given only once throughout the 4
month ongoing exhibition. However, Made in L.A. 2014 is made up of a plethora
of talks, tours, viewings, and screenings that are equally fascinating and
worth the time.
[Just being silly and re-enacting one of the gallery performances]
Works Cited:
Popova, Marla. "What Is Art? Favorite Famous Definitions,
from Antiquity to Today." Brain Pickings RSS. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2012/06/22/what-is-art/>.
"Made In L.A. 2014." The Hammer Museum.
N.p., n.d. Web. <http://hammer.ucla.edu/made-in-la-2014/>.
"Made In L.A., 2014: Emily Mast, 24.35." Web log post. Los
Angeles I'm Yours. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.laimyours.com/67877/made-in-l-a-2014-emily-mast-24-35/>.
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