The part that seemed most interesting to me from today’s trip was the PeaRoeFoam, by Jason Rhoades. When I first walked in, I have to admit feeling a little confusion as to how such inexpensive material was, and how it was just nonchalantly mixed together and then called “art.” However, as I tried to understand the deeper meaning of the art and what type of work was put into it, it helped me understand it a bit more.
The art featured peas, fish eggs, and foam, all combined with glue. At first glance you might think just how different this art is. The purpose of the art was never specified. I think the reason for this is that it gives us the liberty to develop our own opinions and inferences from the art. As I tried to understand and find meaning in the art, I noticed that all the materials in the art are only of use to us when we use it, but once it’s used it up, it’s worthless. I think the message may have been for us to realize the amount of non-biodegradable things we throw out, and how it’s detrimental to the environment. I especially got this message from the boots filled with old bottles. I think it also helps us understand and recognize how much we take for granted such as a pea; in spite of the food shortages in others parts of the world, we waste so much.
Another interesting part about the art was the fact the artist makes everything look all sealed, manufactured, and official by using the “Not for retail sale” cardboard boxes, shrink wrap, and pallets. This is all in spite of the fact, that the objects used in the art are all valueless in there own right. This was where I began to wonder how this could be sold for such expensive prices! It wasn’t until I saw the video about the art, that I began to understand the value of the art. So many laborers were getting paid to make the installation. This is what a buyer is also paying for when purchasing a piece.
Lastly, I found it extremely clever by the artist to be able to create such valuable art that sells for exorbitant prices all from cheap, useless materials. What I also found different about the art was the fact that when I think of art, I usually think of one artist, but here, their were so many people who worked together to create the art!
Yesterday afternoon I was walking down 59th street when I stumbled upon beautiful, simple, spontaneous art. Outside of what seemed to be an apartment building were two pillars decorated with spray paint. The images were presented so effortlessly, it seemed like a random passerby impulsively decided to spray paint.
However, the two pillars had two different auras. The first to catch my eye was the bright and colorful geometric patterns. The solid colored rectangles contrasted the black graffiti backdrop. The second pillar had a gloomier persona. A red cloud appeared to be swallowing a twisted black figure. Again, a gold geometric pattern contrasted this dark scene.
The images are free to interpretation; in this way, they leave onlookers wondering. I liked how the art seemed so spur-of-the-moment, yet each piece could be analyzed for hours. The art in the streets of New York is easy to miss, but rewarding when noticed and appreciated.
One afternoon, I was wandering around Washington Square Park enjoying a beautiful weather, only to discover a statue of Miguel de Cervantes, one of the most influential and well known writers of all times. The fact is that this statue is located in a garden called Willy’s Garden on the campus of NYU, which seems to be dedicated strictly for this statue. Being a fan of Cervantes’s Don Quixote, I took a closer look.
The statue was relatively big, and its metallic structure made a strong impact, as if to represent the influence of Cervantes’s work all over the world. As seen in the picture, his left hand is holding a sword, and his right hand is holding a roll of paper. These elements definitely created a perfect representation of the man- who has a reputation of an excellent writer and a great fighter as well.
This statue, though being a form of stationary art, enables to bring Cervantes’s personality to life. It allows us to almost experience his presence by being able to approach it closely and observe it from different directions.
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