Heather Hansen

Untitled 1 (2014)

Untitled 2 (2014)

Untitled 3 (2014)

Untitled 4 (2014)

Untitled 5 (2014)

Untitled 6 (2014)

Untitled 7 (2014)

               Heather Hansen is from New Orleans, Louisiana. She is a visual artist that has background in contemporary dance, sculpture and painting. Recently she has found a way to intertwine her dance moves and art by actually putting her dance moves on paper using charcoal. She uses her dance moves and charcoal as foundational tools for her focal point. Hansen's central focus in her art is the performance when creating these pieces, similar to the focal point of Janine Antoni's work. Movement is a major aspect that is taken into account during production as well. What draws me into Hansen's work is concept of her art being formed by her body and the symmetry she is able to create in each piece. I consider her work to be interesting because it is as though she is continuing to tell the story of her dance but from another perspective. My favorite piece among these is "Untitled 4" because it is curiously the only one done in blue chalk. This piece is also the only one that lacks as perfect symmetry as the others. However this lack can depict a perspective of her dance. I believe what makes Hansen's work stand out is that she holds her process and performance as equally important as her final outcome.

Josiah Mcelheny

Interactions of the Abstract Body (2012)

Adolf Loos' Ornament and Crime (2002)

 Charlotte Perriand (and Carlo Scarpa), Blue (2010)

Modernity Circa 1952, Mirrored and Reflected Infinitely (2004) 

The Constructivist Body (2012) 

Venini’s New Look (2000)

The Alpine Cathedral and the City-Crown (2007)

               Josiah Mcelheny was born in Boston, Massachusetts during 1966 and is currently residing and working in Brooklyn, New York. Mcelheny received his BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design. He is an artist and sculptor however; he is more commonly recognized for his glass blowing artwork and its particular placing. A common theme among his work is structure; everything seems to be placed as if almost to perfection. The piece "Charlotte Perriand (and Carlo Scarpa), Blue" models this well, each piece is carefully placed as almost to create a balance.  His artwork can also be recognized historically however; Mcelheny's main ideology in reference to his work is reflection. Ironically this is what I liked and perceived to be so interesting about his work, because when I first looked at observed the art I found myself questing myself. His pieces "Interactions of the Abstract Body" and "Modernity Circa 1952, Mirrored and Reflected Infinitely" are excellent examples of his concept of reflection. My favorite piece from this collection of photos would be "Venini's New Look" as he portrays reflection by using women's fashion changes through out history. I think it to be a very creative twist of women's fashion.

Fred Wilson

Drip Drop Plop (2001)

Grey Area (Brown Edition) (1993)

Mining The Museum (1992)

Untitled (2005)

Untitled (2005)

Life's Link (2012)

Life's Link (2012)

               Fred Wilson is from The Bronx in New York City and was born during the year 1954. The artist obtained his BFA at SUNY Purchase, where he was the only black person in his program. Wilson chooses not to use his hands to create art but, instead manipulates layout, contrast and spatial arrangements of objects and artifacts. He allows the items of his manipulation to weave and divulge his message to the observers. By doing this he creates a common theme among his work that examine and challenges traditional/historical ways of racism and slavery. Wilson's piece "Mining The Museum" is a solid example of his common theme. I find it interesting and fitting the way he chooses to use old fashioned shiny perfectly placed silverware and then place the dirty dark shackles carelessly; the contrast and historical reference is apparent. My favorite piece would be "Untitled" because of its message and demonstration of hierarchy regarding skin color. The piece I find most compelling would be "Drip Drop Plop" because I'm not sure what to draw from it. However, I acknowledge the color choice of the black drops and white walls. I appreciate the way Wilson chooses to share his perspective on a historical topic that continues to linger on.

Cai Guo Quiang

Heritage (2013)

Guggenheim Exhibit (2008)

Head On (2006)

Vortex (2006)

Corcovado and Fantasia (2013)

Head On (2006)

Desire For Zero Gravity (2012)

               Cai Guo Qiang is a contemporary artist who currently resides in New York City and was born December 8th of 1957. His signature work of art is explosion events, deriving from his exploration with gunpowder when he lived in Japan. He creates art pieces, which prove to be educated and intellectual by his use of materials, symbols, and representation. Qiang makes use of taxidermies and gunpowder in his art in order to portray his focus. His focal point regarding his work is the greater message of the universe in which we live. He acknowledges the bigger picture in terms of the destruction humans have brought upon the natural world around us. Personally I feel that each piece of Qaing’s work holds its own powerful message and statement. His piece from the "Guggenheim Exhibit" is a good demonstration of this; the piece portrays a clear statement concerning the impact and effect that society has on animal life and the environment. my favorite piece would be "Head On" because i believe it represents the rise and decline of animals.  It is the messages he attempts to depict in his artwork that makes the pieces interesting to me.

Janine Antoni

Loving Care (1993)

Loving Care (1993)

Moor (2001)

Saddle (2000)

Conduit (2009)

2038 (2000)

Moor (2001)

             Janine Antoni is a contemporary artist and was born on January 19th of 1964. Her art pieces are displayed nationally and internationally. She creates her art through performance art, sculpture and photography. Antoni's central focus regarding her artwork is the process, activity, and actions she goes through in order to create her piece. The art can be perceived through a series of events by using natural materials that have multiple uses. Antoni takes into account both form and movement when constructing her art. What I admire most about her art is the way she manipulates her body to develop her finished product. "Loving Care" and "Saddle" are great examples of her body manipulation. I also appreciate Antoni's "Moor" piece because of the way she created it. She asked family and friends to donate any pieces of material they could and wound up receiving interesting items, such as sentimental family pieces. However, my favorite piece in this collection of photos is "2038". What I like most about "2038" is the detail of the tags in the cows ears. As though sending a message about how we have objectified nature. I think some major concepts in Antoni's artwork are natural, regarding nature and the body, and resourceful, using objects she may come across.