The Arts in New York City

MHC Seminar 1, Professor Casey Henry

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Kara Walker’s exhibit

October 2, 2017 / / 0 Comments

Kara Walker aims to take back symbols and stereotypes of Antebellum South with appropriation in her art. The black people are portrayed with the common stereotypes of big noses, flat profiles and bigger lips. Specifically, she depicts black females on the ground, usually with a snake near the body, usually in distress as a white man is above her.   This use of symbols and stereotypes is not meant to be deconstructive, but rather constructive in portraying the cruel and harsh reality of slaves during this time. Rather than look at racism through soft scope, Walker takes her art straight to the hard truth in hopes to change the way American’s look at slavery.

 

The image above is an advertisement from the 1950s for the stereotypical housewife. Where it was sanctioned that a woman’s only purpose was to be enslaved to her family. In this ad, they call it “Specialist in Proper Family Nourishment,” giving the illusion that it is a real job when really all this woman is allowed to do all day is cook, clean, and provide for her children. This stereotype is trademarked by a perfect looking woman, with kempt hair and perfect makeup. She even has a perfect manicure. She is also depicted carrying three large helpings of food. Obviously, this stereotype has been beyond damaging in woman’s strife for equal rights and while we have been moving away from images like this, woman continue to face disparities in the real world with equal wages and fair treatment.

Blog # 3: Florine Stettheimer

October 1, 2017 / / 0 Comments

Prior to watching John Berger’s “Ways of Seeing Episode 3,” I viewed works of art only after doing research. When I look at a work of art, it is important for me to have some background knowledge on the subject in order to feel comfortable in a discussion setting. The reason behind doing research stems from my experience working at a museum. As a museum intern, I was responsible for guiding museum visitors around the museum. I, as a result, had to learn about the museum exhibits and to have an idea of what each section focused on. Watching the video, however, helped me understand that looking at artwork does not require having prior knowledge on the idea being presented. Berger emphasizes the idea of making detailed observations when looking at pieces of artwork and this is the approach i took for viewing Florine Stettheimer’s work.

While observing the artwork by Stettheimer, something that stood out to me was the floral designs she included in many of her art pieces. One in particular that caught my attention was the piece titled Family Portrait II, 1933, in which Stettheimer centered three flowers with her family gathered around. When looked at more closely, the foreground of the painting also depicts a large floral figure on which the three flowers in the center seem to rest on. The flowers in this painting are most likely symbolic of a certain aspect in the family of Stettheimer, for they are set to be the focal point of the artwork rather than her family members themselves. From the way the people were dressed in this particular painting, I was able to infer that Stettheimer came from a wealthy family. The women in the painting wear elaborate dresses and as Berger pointed out in his video, an attention to detail in a painting most often shows the social status or wealth of the people being depicted. The painting dates back to 1933, a period in which the country was still under the effects of the Great Depression. Despite the economic burdens of the time period, nevertheless, Stettheimer portrayed her family surrounded by fancy curtains and wearing clothing most closely associated with those of the upper class at the time. Something else I noticed as I looked at Stettheimer’s art is that her work is abstract. One example is the piece titled Family Portrait I, 1915 in which Stettheimer once again makes extensive use of floral design around the members of her family. Stettheimer takes on a modernist approach to her work by making use of symbols. In Portrait of Myself, 1923, Stettheimer appears to be blooming from a flower.

One final observation I made from the paintings by Stettheimer is that she was an artist who focused on family throughout her artwork. She has several portraits of herself in the collection showcased by the museum and she also included friends of hers in her work. Her sister must have been a strong figure in her life, given that she dedicates a portrait to her in the piece titled Portrait of My Sister, Ettie Stettheimer.

A Doll’s House Pt. 2 Discussion

September 20, 2017 / / 0 Comments

Review: A Doll’s House Part 2 met my expectations for what I was looking forward to see from a continuation of the original three act play A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen. I was surprised, in a good way, to see the extensive use of comedy in this play. It was definitely a surprise to be able to connect with the cast of the play through continuous laughter but I think the whole purpose of the use of comedy in A Doll’s House Part 2 was exactly this, to help the audience of the twenty first century relates with the message being showcased. In A Doll’s House, which dates back to over one hundred years ago, Henrik Ibsen brings about an idea that for the time period was considered radical and out of the normal for a woman to do. Likewise, the playwrights of A Doll’s House Part 2 made sure to center the message of the new play on something that today’s audience would consider perhaps unusual about marriage and its meaning.

The play A Doll’s House Part 2 raises the question of whether or not marriage is the right step to take when two people fall in love. According to Nora, one of the main characters of the play, marriage is unnecessary. Over the 15 year she was away on her own, without the company of her husband and her children, she formulated the idea that marriage was another way of saying incarceration. In series of arguments with Anne Mare, Nora brings about the idea that people are better off without marriage, which not only forces people to be together despite apparent changes in the way they feel over time, but that also promotes the idea that the sole purpose of people in life is to find happiness next to another person. Nora defends her argument by proposing a new idea that she hopes will catch on with the world soon: finding happiness with yourself. What is intriguing about this play in particular is that it is carried out in a serious of back and forth arguments. Most of the play is presented with Nora arguing why she took the decision to leave and what she thinks the world should learn from now on about the idea of marriage. There is an alternative reason as to why she returns to her old home than to just explain why she left in the first place, but after the play is over, the audience is left with the task of formulating their own idea on marriage and where they stand on the spectrum based on what Nora and Torvald bring to the table.

 

 

 

Doll House Pt 2

September 17, 2017 / / 0 Comments

The play did a really good job of making it difficult to fully agree with or be on the side of any one character. While watching the play I felt that I could see both sides to any argument. The main character at times came off as extremely strong and resourceful and at other times irrational and selfish.

While watching the play I could feel myself being easily convinced of different character’s opinions and views on marriage and at times my allegiances would change so quickly that at one point I felt confused and frustrated at the whole discourse. This I believe is a success because that allowed me to feel the same confusion and frustration that the characters in the play felt, for example when the wife was on the floor with the ripped contract and the husband was on the chair with a bashed in the head.

The play to me didn’t serve to answer any questions but really raised many and sort of went on to say is there an answer? Then they sort of made some jokes about it shrugged it off and said “well if there is one it sure is hard!” Then laughed it off and said “Life goes on”.

That kind of frustrates me but at the same time I think that works in this case because the play is almost I would say about frustration.

The part that stuck with me the most was when she said “Just being with people is so hard.” I liked how she made it so general as to refer to relationships with other conscious beings and not just marriage. It kind of highlights that the problem isn’t as much a matter of gender or society or all sorts of other potential sources of blame, but rather just a part of being human.

We enjoy company but to be in company with someone is to compromise with each other to varying degrees. Difficult even without a binding contract!

Prompt for October 4

September 5, 2017 / / 6 Comments

***CHANGE–THIS POST IS NO LONGER ABOUT IAN CHENG’S “EMISSARIES,” BUT ABOUT THE KARA WALKER GALLERY SHOW AT SIKKEMA JENKINS & CO***

 

As I wrote in my email to you, here is the new prompt for the Kara Walker show, which has been substituted for the Ian Cheng PS1 show. (The Walker show, for those of you who didn’t receive my email, is located at Sikkema Jenkins & Co Gallery, at 530 WEST 22ND STREET NEW YORK NY 10011.)

Here is the prompt:

Instead of strictly obeying the Ian Cheng prompt that’s listed on your syllabus, I’d like you to think instead about the reappropriated use of symbols and stereotypes in Walker’s work (her use of nineteenth-century cowboys, slaves, and Confederate icons, for instance). Then, in a visual post (meaning you will copy and paste in an image, or include a link to an image), I want you to provide and write about an “icon” or “symbol” or “stereotypic depiction” of our modern day that you think is damaging, or in need of modification, or that can be employed in a new way. Describe why you feel this way, or, feel free to make an original (but simple) work of art that reappropriates or tampers with this icon. If you make a small visual piece, just include a short, few-sentence-long explanation, as well. This is meant to be open-ended, and creative, so feel free to write about, or comment artistically on, a subject, image, or concept that means something to you.

Also:

On a technical note, as it’s easier to embed images and media into a “post” rather than a “comment,” please feel free to respond via a “post” to the blog (as some students did before for the Doll’s House response). Just identify in the subject line that you’re responding to Walker.

 

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The Arts in New York City

Macaulay Honors College

Seminar 1, Fall 2017

City College

M/W 3:30-4:45

NAC 6/110

Professor Casey Henry

caseymhenry@gmail.com

ITF: Becky Fullan

rebecca.fullan@gmail.com

Office Hours by appointment- email to schedule.

Office: Honors Lounge, NAC 4/150

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