Learning report/Critical Evaluation

Critical and contextual studies 3

Learning report

Janet Harrison

Learning report/Critical evaluation

During the course of the module we have explored various topics within contemporary creative production alongside a variety of significant and influential artists in those fields. For myself, some of the most valuable information has been gained through in depth seminars and whilst further researching Anselm Kiefer, Laura Mulvi, the notion of the oscillating gaze, Bill Viola’s body of contemplative work and through independently conducted trips to galleries, libraries and exhibitions.

Considering individual pieces in a group setting where there is an encouraged and open dialogue between students and lecturer has allowed me to grasp how others may perceive a given piece somewhat differently to myself. Finding new meaning and unearthing symbolic signifying features within art can both educate the viewer in terms of the intentions of the work, but also shed light on how we as individuals, and as an audience, develop multiple and differentiating levels of perception. It is clear that the different experiences in a person’s life lead them to read differently into a common piece of art. Further illustrating the fact that art is incredibly subjective. This point was further validated to me when the group were prompted to discuss Damien Hirst’s “Skull’. Those who are educated and taught to look for metaphor and signified meaning understand the concepts within art such as the skull, where others may not. (When I discussed the skull briefly with some friends, they looked on at me in bewilderment and suggested it was just a “sparkly bone” with no deeper message) Just this alone showed me that in order for my own work to be successful it would have to be relatable. 

As seen in Violas work, among others, the human condition including the notions of transcendence, philosophy, theology and the sublime, are all themes, which are valid and inspirational in the contemporary production of art. The subject however is incredibly vast. One could easily find a million possibilities as to where to begin in terms of understanding their existence and purpose. My own curiosity has only been fuelled by the Ideas of fellow artists. Art works from Viola especially alongside that of Anselm Kiefer and Chiharu Shiota to name a few.

Viola’s body of work inspires and influences my practice through both theme and execution. It has been a valuable discovery in terms of contextualizing my work within contemporary production. Also, Knowing that my concepts are shared with other artists validates my Ideas. My curiosities are routed in fields that are fundamentally philosophical, theological and spiritual, areas which are of wide interest. I am drawn to how these themes affect the self, the conscious and the unconscious within time.

Writing the essay for this module has enabled me to engage more thoroughly with my own field of interest whilst honing down on how an artist like Bill Viola executes a concept that I have a mirrored curiosity in. My growing understanding of the subjects covered and their contextualisation within contemporary/cultural production has allowed me to more effectively develop and place my own work. The research I have conducted in order to complete the essay has also attributed to my knowledge of the pro’s and cons in terms of curation and placement of my specific choice of medium and the varied approaches to its conceptual fulfilment. For example, when visiting the Tate Modern, I viewed Viola’s work as part of the “Poetry and dream” exhibition. I was therefore able to gain a first hand and valuable experience of his work in situ both as a stand-alone piece, and together with a variety of other film/video/photographic pieces from other artists. I was able to take note of how the piece communicated, where the successes and failures lay, and how then I could apply this to the development of my own work.