1. What and when was the Enlightenment?
The Enlightenment was a philosophical movement during the late 17th/ early 18th century, defined as the belief in the power of human reason and by advances in political, religious, and educational doctrine. The movement gave rise to Capitalism and Socialism. The enlightenment was about understanding the social world and how it derived from modern science which can therefore help improve the living conditions on earth.
2. Define the concept of the Sublime.
The concept “sublime” is defined as “impressing the mind with a sense of grandeur or power”. When this concept is related to art it means the work has an uplifting or awe- inspiring element to it.
3. How did the concept of the Sublime come out of the Enlightenment thought?
The art work before the Enlightenment era used religious influences for subject matter. During the enlightenment artists began exploring landscape and scenery creating a sublime setting where people and religion was not the main focus of the work.
4. Discuss the subject matter, and aesthetic (look) of Misrach's work to identify the Sublime in his work. Add some more images of his work.
Richard Misrach uses vast viewpoints from which he takes his images this supports and magnifies the sublime look of his work. The subject matter of 'Untitled #2" (2002) includes a sandy beach, clear blue sea water and a single person walking who looks like an ant in the work. This particular image creates a typical idea of the sublime as the single isolated person helps to portray a sense of freedom on this deserted beach. The clear water which is almost sparkling depicts perfect scenery. The second image 'Untitled # 394-03' (2003) is similar to the 1st in the way that it makes you feel very clear and refreshed.
Battleground Point #19 (1999)
Hazardous Waste Containment Site,Dow Chemical Corporation (1998)
5. Identify some other artists or designers that work with ideas around the Sublime, from the Enlightenment era as well as contemporary artists.
James Turrell, a Californian artist uses light as his key medium. Turrell’s focus since the 1960s has been on exploring the diversity of light and working towards a new form of light art. The light work Turrell uses causes surface, colour and space and allows the viewers to surround themselves in a mysterious, painterly world. As light is often associated with the sublime appearance, Turrell’s work creates a sublime and unreal atmosphere for the viewer.
Bernardo Bellotto was a late 17th century painter. His primary subject matter was urban landscapes. Bellotto's style was described as an ornate representation of architectural and natural scenes, and by the specific quality of each subjects lighting.
6. How does Misrach's photography make you feel? Does it appeal to your imagination?
Richard Misrachs work does appeal to me in the way that it makes me feel uplifted and clear headed his work has a simplicity which allows the viewer to create a more detailed image in their mind about what they would do in that space. His work acts as a canvas for the imagination which I quite like.
References:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/grandeur
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernardo_Bellotto
I am quite agree with your opinion.Richard Misrach is the most influential and internationally recognized photographers working today. Overthrow his work, I could realised that he expands notions of traditional landscape practice, and builds a complex and poignant document of American culture. Also his work is evolves and matures, classic images and never-before-seen pictures flesh out the photographer's logic and complicate it at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI agree with how Richard Misrach is able to capture the sublime in his photogrphy. In his on the beach series of work, he shows the relationship that exists between man and nature, and just how vast and powerful nature can be. He states this "the world is as terrible as it is beautiful, but when you look more closely, it is as beautiful as it is terrible." Using his birds-eye type viewpoints he able to show the limitless beauty of nature and which in turn how limitless our creativity and imagination can be. Too bad the artists before the Elightenment era weren't able to see this.
ReplyDeleteyou and i think alike. Richard Misrach captures the sublime in his photography amazingly. he shows how vast areas are and can be and the relationships that interact with each and every little thing on earth. i love his work and how he talks about it, almost political. I also love the photo graph by James Turrell, using light and colour lets the viewer be overcome by the wow factor and this photo graph relates to the sublime in very many ways..
ReplyDeletewell executed blog
Richard Misrachs work does appeal to me in the way that it makes me feel uplifted and clear headed his work has a simplicity which allows the viewer to create a more detailed image in their mind about what they would do in that space. His work acts as a canvas for the imagination which I quite like.
ReplyDeleteI like how you have your own opinion on how his work makes you feel. to me i agree with you on how his work is simple so then you can create a more detailed image in your mind however, once i read into the reasons behind his work in some depth it made me feel lost and very small to, see now when i look at his work some of the ocean images are about suicide and people jumping from the twin towers in the 9/11 bombings and the cold war, it makes me see the people as vulnerable in this massive world and any second the ocean can seem peaceful but completely change which is so terrifying and creates a sense of the unknown about it. I like how you have said his works acts like a canvas for the imagination and it does, so many people have different views about his work initially and it is exciting how people interperate it. nice work
James Turrell is awesome, love his work! His instillation The Light Inside is a great example of how he creates a sublime and unreal atmosphere for the viewer. Viewers had said that once you start to really look at the light, you start to lose yourself and that’s when it becomes disorienting. According to Art21 Turrells work is influenced by his Quaker faith, which he characterizes as having a “straightforward, strict presentation of the sublime,” Turrell’s art prompts greater self-awareness through a similar discipline of silent contemplation, patience, and meditation. His installations enlist the common properties of light to communicate feelings of transcendence and the Divine.
ReplyDeleteHi~ there~
ReplyDeleteI like you add one pretty images at the middle of the page. it is really eye-catching and I think he's work creates a sublime and unreal atmosphere for the viewer. From the Enlightenment era as well as contemporary artists he did outstanding work.