SATURDAY. MARCH 10, 2012. 12:56 PM
CSS. ”Alala”. Cansei de Ser Sexy, 2006.
CSS “Alala” from Sub Pop Records on Vimeo.
WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 8, 2012. 4:37 PM
M.i.A:
M.I.A, Bad Girls from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.
TYGA:
TYGA - RACK CITY from ANTHONY SUPREME on Vimeo.
SATURDAY. NOVEMBER 5, 2011. 9:02 AM
Since we all know that Google has the answers to all of life’s inquires, I decided to finally make an attempt to satiate a lingering curiosity. For the past couple weeks, I have been wracking/racking my brain to place a name and identity with some sort of performance/video art/installation pieces that involve string and vomit as seen at the 4:02 mark of Rihanna’s ubiquitously awesome “We Found Love” (featuring Calvin Harris):
Rihanna - We Found Love (Official Video) by rnbpromotv
Ribbon vomit. I have seen it before. Do you know who the artist is that does ribbon representations of vomit and blood? Do you know that the bleached-blonde, alien adonis in this video is Dudley O’Shaughnessy, a London-born boxer turned model, who she hand picked and has supposedly, allegedly fallen in love with?? Do you know that when you Google “art, vomit yarn” a large number of loosely related results appear? Such as: Knitting websites, inquisitive ponderings like “Why does my cat swallow string and vomit?” Videos, like: Guy Uses Vomit to Make Works of Art and this gem: YarnVomit.com. I am equal parts offended, bemused, and thrilled by such Interweb offering as my future New Year’s Resolution was to get rid of all my clothes and replace them with only sweaters of that nature.
Guy uses vomit to make works of art? I’ve seen that before. Dean Cain is so cheesy and how 90’s is that video clip? Isn’t there a girl that gets all high-fashion and barfs all over the place to make art? Oh yeah, Millie Brown. I’ve seen that, too. What was particularly interesting to me was a viewer comment, ”If I barf watching this, will it be considered art, too?” Oh, the tiniest parade in the world exists for your clever wit. But, that’s a really good question. My answer is yes… and no… but, ultimately yes. I think.
Why? Well, if, in fact, the viewer does barf from watching the video, the barf- as a tangible, material result of a strong visceral reaction, indicates a genuine biological response. This accomplishes two things. One, it proves the original work is art because one of my qualifiers for “What Makes It Art?” is that it incites an answer. A verbal or a physical one. Love or hate, but none in between. And if aggressively losing your lunch isn’t apparent enough of a strong opinion, I don’t know what is. Two, the second generation barf becomes art as well because the attempt is sincere. Sincerity, being another qualifier on the “What Makes It Art?” List. Though you may say that the sincerity is debatable, the definition of “sincere” is straightforward, honest, and actual. I’m quite sure this viewer knew he/she was being a facetious brat, so regardless of being aware of my qualifiers, he/she would try all they could to not validate the work with a real response. On a basic level, any publicity is good publicity and any response is a good response when it comes to the Art World. Here are the facts: 1) Vomit is uncontrollable and honest. 2) The vomit in this theoretical situation would’ve actually happened. So, honest + actual = sincere. Math.
The “no” part of my answer stems from my reservations on subjectivity. You can’t consider art without examining aesthetics. What are references that stimulate emotional, cerebral, or subconscious feedback? Color, texture, consistency. Materiality. To really asses if a piece becomes art in an individual, illustrative sense, more questions must be asked. For instance, is something really working for you or is the whole thing just totally forgettable? What are these “somethings”? How are these things pleasing/disgusting to you? Are those same things that are pleasing/disgusting to you, universally pleasing/disgusting? Almost impossible to absolutely label it “art” in this way because perspectives vary so greatly from one person to another. What we can analyze are fundamental characteristics that make up the detectable details of the work itself and decide whether or not we like it as art.
In this case, let’s examine the vomit of both parties. The first party completely unaware and unaffected by the second parties’ existence. Pure. The second, having produced the material as a direct result of the first parties’ performance. Slightly influenced. As far as looks go, I’m sure this is obvious, but it depends on whether or not you approve of how the stuff looks. Do you favor the pigment or do any bubbles have a cool shape? Is the puddle and any corresponding spatters to your liking? So on and so forth. Materials used are a huge factor that can greatly sway our general impression of a work. For this purpose, however, the two works of vomit are equally as unpredictable and intrusive and the only things that can provide measurable variables are what each person had for lunch… but those possibilities are infinitely endless and the combination and outcome speculation can go on forever…so. Eh. But, I guess if all systems are go for you— and you’re really into what you see, then it is safe for me to reinforce that you can individually label it as art on your own “aesthetic” merit.
So, even though I’m not into the expelling liquids and solids from your mouth thing, I will say that it is art. Also, if anyone can call Rihanna and ask her where she got that idea, I’d really like to not take anymore Melatonin to cure my sleepless nights.
TUESDAY. JUNE 29, 2011. 2:51 AM
Eric Wareheim is the SH!t. So is Major Lazer. Focus your eyeballs on this sweet, cinematic Tour de Force for HEALTH and the “daggering” spectacular for MAJOR LAZER. Oh, and Eric’s Depeche Mode video that I may be in for a fraction of a second. A really improper fraction of a second.
HEALTH “We are Water” from Eric Wareheim on Vimeo.
Major Lazer “Pon De Floor” from Eric Wareheim on Vimeo.
