Help! Abstract Minds wanted!

freshnesschronic · 11-14-2007, 01:24 AM

So here's my term paper objective in my elective art history class: compare two contemporary pieces of modern art into a nice six page essay.

Yue Minjun "Monument" (2001)

Zhang Huan "Family Tree" (2000)

I like art, I like to draw, blah blah but I am not an art history guy and definitely not an abstract mind! It's due this Friday the 16th, just wondering if you guys wanted to...not do my homework, but help pitch ideas for a thesis and content! Plus, it'd be reminiscent, weren't term papers SO. MUCH. FUN.

I'd be much obliged.

Bullitt · 11-14-2007, 01:33 AM

Do you have information on the background of the artists? You could start by comparing their intentions and meaning behind each work to each other, then compare and contrast that with your own interpretation how they relate, or don't, to each other. That hinges on how much of your own opinion the prof wants in this essay though.

I don't quite understand the "Family Tree" though to be honest. I'm gonna take a guess and say that he has the names of his ancestors written on his face until you can't see his skin. Stressing the importance that he is not his ancestors, he is his own unique individual and isn't defined by the past that he had no control over? Just wildly guessing haha. I'm going to bet that you have a much better understanding of Asian history/culture than I do, so you could also talk about the cultural significance of each work and compare that. Was one controversial and the other not, why, etc.

I had to do a paper like this a couple years ago for a writing class, choose a painting and explain what you get out of it in no less than 5 pages.. so I feel your pain.

Aliantha · 11-14-2007, 01:48 AM

6 pages is only about 3000 words. That shouldn't take you too long fresh.

I've got to say, I think both those pieces are incredibly ugly. A bit like some families I guess.

It's fairly easy to see the meaning in the two pieces though...don't you think?

Quote:

I don't quite understand the "Family Tree" though to be honest. I'm gonna take a guess and say that he has the names of his ancestors written on his face until you can't see his skin. Stressing the importance that he is not his ancestors, he is his own unique individual and isn't defined by the past that he had no control over?

I see the opposite. That he is a product of all his ancestors. The first face is at the begining and the last face is him...at the end with all the history and culture and traditions all mixed up in him. In effect, he is all of them and they are all him. I'm not sure if he means that now he's the 'complete' version of what his family has been working towards though. In a way that's what it says to me, which possibly suggests the artist is slightly egotistical (wow what a surprise..lol)

Bullitt · 11-14-2007, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aliantha

I see the opposite. That he is a product of all his ancestors. The first face is at the begining and the last face is him...at the end with all the history and culture and traditions all mixed up in him. In effect, he is all of them and they are all him. I'm not sure if he means that now he's the 'complete' version of what his family has been working towards though. In a way that's what it says to me, which possibly suggests the artist is slightly egotistical (wow what a surprise..lol)

Exactly the point I was trying to get across.

Everyone takes away their own interpretation of the artwork. Just go with your own gut instincts and support it.

Aliantha · 11-14-2007, 01:51 AM

Another thought.

You could suggest the similarities in the pieces by showing how perhaps the 'monument' is a testatment to the artists family or talking about how families form the basis for our lives as do our ancestors who're clearly displayed in 'family tree'.

Perry Winkle · 11-14-2007, 02:00 AM

Progression. Generation. Suppression of Individuality.

Aliantha · 11-14-2007, 06:00 AM

Well I guess fresh has a good start on his essay now. I hope he posts it for us to critic when he's done.

DanaC · 11-14-2007, 07:46 AM

Look up online resources (ejournals etc) for art critics and art historians analysis. Don't know if you have access to Jstor through your college, but if you do I can highly recommend it.

The big thing here is to read up on the artists and the impact of their art, as well as the influences they've drawn from. Can't see you being able to do this without the reading.

Sheldonrs · 11-14-2007, 09:58 AM

The first thing that came to my mind when looking at the 2 pictures was why is the emotional feeling different in each one? What was the artist trying to convey in the first one and what in the 2nd?

And is this where Blue Man Group got it's start? :-)

Urbane Guerrilla · 11-14-2007, 09:24 PM

The Dark Blue Man Group, perhaps.

Cloud · 11-14-2007, 09:31 PM

Additional things to compare would be: use of geometry and repetition and the difference in media.

I think you should decide if they are more different than alike and use that as your premise, comparing the two from that standpoint.

Elspode · 11-14-2007, 10:12 PM

I see individuality juxtaposed against ancestry in both works.

Flint · 11-14-2007, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freshnesschronic

...my elective art history class...I am not an art history guy...

So why did you take this class? The electives are there for subjects that you are interested in.

Aliantha · 11-14-2007, 10:20 PM

There are a lot of abstract minds in this place...

freshnesschronic · 11-14-2007, 10:36 PM

General education requirements to graduate. This is one of my two humanities courses required. The other is a western music class from medieval modes to the end of the Romantic era.

11-14-2007, 01:24 AM	#1
freshnesschronic Professor Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,555	Help! Abstract Minds wanted! So here's my term paper objective in my elective art history class: compare two contemporary pieces of modern art into a nice six page essay. Yue Minjun "Monument" (2001) Zhang Huan "Family Tree" (2000) I like art, I like to draw, blah blah but I am not an art history guy and definitely not an abstract mind! It's due this Friday the 16th, just wondering if you guys wanted to...not do my homework, but help pitch ideas for a thesis and content! Plus, it'd be reminiscent, weren't term papers SO. MUCH. FUN. I'd be much obliged.

11-14-2007, 01:33 AM	#2
Bullitt This is a fully functional babe lair Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,324	Do you have information on the background of the artists? You could start by comparing their intentions and meaning behind each work to each other, then compare and contrast that with your own interpretation how they relate, or don't, to each other. That hinges on how much of your own opinion the prof wants in this essay though. I don't quite understand the "Family Tree" though to be honest. I'm gonna take a guess and say that he has the names of his ancestors written on his face until you can't see his skin. Stressing the importance that he is not his ancestors, he is his own unique individual and isn't defined by the past that he had no control over? Just wildly guessing haha. I'm going to bet that you have a much better understanding of Asian history/culture than I do, so you could also talk about the cultural significance of each work and compare that. Was one controversial and the other not, why, etc. I had to do a paper like this a couple years ago for a writing class, choose a painting and explain what you get out of it in no less than 5 pages.. so I feel your pain. __________________ Kiss my white Irish ass. Last edited by Bullitt; 11-14-2007 at 01:45 AM.

11-14-2007, 01:51 AM	#5
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Another thought. You could suggest the similarities in the pieces by showing how perhaps the 'monument' is a testatment to the artists family or talking about how families form the basis for our lives as do our ancestors who're clearly displayed in 'family tree'. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

11-14-2007, 06:00 AM	#7
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Well I guess fresh has a good start on his essay now. I hope he posts it for us to critic when he's done. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

11-14-2007, 09:58 AM	#9
Sheldonrs Master Dwellar Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,412	The first thing that came to my mind when looking at the 2 pictures was why is the emotional feeling different in each one? What was the artist trying to convey in the first one and what in the 2nd? And is this where Blue Man Group got it's start? :-) __________________ Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and the world laughs AT you.

11-14-2007, 02:00 AM	#6
Perry Winkle Esnohplad Semaj Ton Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: A little south of sanity Posts: 2,259	Progression. Generation. Suppression of Individuality.

11-14-2007, 07:46 AM	#8
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	Look up online resources (ejournals etc) for art critics and art historians analysis. Don't know if you have access to Jstor through your college, but if you do I can highly recommend it. The big thing here is to read up on the artists and the impact of their art, as well as the influences they've drawn from. Can't see you being able to do this without the reading.

11-14-2007, 09:24 PM	#10
Urbane Guerrilla Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,674	The Dark Blue Man Group, perhaps.

11-14-2007, 09:31 PM	#11
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	Additional things to compare would be: use of geometry and repetition and the difference in media. I think you should decide if they are more different than alike and use that as your premise, comparing the two from that standpoint. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

11-14-2007, 10:12 PM	#12
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	I see individuality juxtaposed against ancestry in both works. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

11-14-2007, 10:20 PM	#14
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	There are a lot of abstract minds in this place... __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

11-14-2007, 10:36 PM	#15
freshnesschronic Professor Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,555	General education requirements to graduate. This is one of my two humanities courses required. The other is a western music class from medieval modes to the end of the Romantic era.

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