From the moment we stepped in through the doors into IVT, we were already immersed into a whole new reality, a whole new atmosphere, an alternate universe where we would be equipped with thought-provoking questions to aid us in the deconstruction of time and space in art. On the first day of class, we were shown a music video in which the storyline was endless circle of duplication and repetition. Upon watching it the first time, we focused only on the main character as well as the song she was singing. We did take note that both her and her environment were replicating but we remained focused on her. Then we watched it a second and third time. Then, our focused shifted from the main character and the song to what in her surroundings were changing and replicating. There were some things that were dynamic and always changing and there were some things that stayed the same through out the video. In all what we were observing was the interaction of art, time, and space. There were several different stories taking place at different moments in time and in different spaces all the while the main character was progressing in her own story. In short, it was an organized yet chaotic collision of past, present, and future.
The following class we then discussed the concept and art and asked the age-old question of What is Art? Using the reading, The Whole Ball of Wax by Jerry Salz, to guide us, we came up with our own definitions. Of course, there were agreements and disagreements and thousands of varying definitions of art but we finally came down to consensus that art is an expression of a person that is viewed and interpreted by another person. Simple and straight to the point. Afterward we viewed another music video that further delved into the subject of art and time. We were challenged to view the video and come up with a sort of schematic as to how the video was made. The video featured two characters and members of the band called Sugar Water. They were seen in separate panels and slightly differing but ultimately similar and connected storylines. Yet there was a twist. One story was played in reverse while the other was played forwardly. And at one point the storylines switched and the opposite was played in reverse or forward. It was confusing and mind-boggling at first but we then watched the actual production of the video and found that the video was basically a palindrome. Both featured the same story played but in two different settings: forward and reversed. Indeed, it was clever tactic of the director and a great deal of thought went into it. In all, what I took away from both classes was a better insight into the concept of time in art and how the manipulation of space, replication of ideas or images, and the repetition of forms or concepts create time in 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D medias and mediums. It is a concept that I never had appreciated before but now, want to further explore.
For further insight, we were assigned to read The Whole Ball of Wax by Jerry Salz and What is Time? By G.J. Whitrow. The Whole Ball of Wax reading, in its discussion of the necessity of art, seemed to be more opinionated in some respects, though it was backed up with historical and philosophical content as well as quotes and facts. Yet the What is Time? reading took on a more factual approach and integrated historical facts and accounts into the discussion to define and reinforce the author’s concept of time. Overrall, both readings made sense in that they were clear as to the mission or purpose of their writings and that they had wealthy amount of facts or outside sources to better reinforce their ideas and concepts. Upon reading the What is Time? reading, I’ve gained more insight into the Christian, Ancient Egyptian, Mayan, and Roman and Greek concepts of time and I find it to be fascinating. I also enjoyed how Whitrow even included scientific information with Kant’s study and theory of the origins of the solar system and how the positions in correspondence with the sun, and their direction of orbit as well as differing gravitational forces affect the passage of time on each planet. What I took away from the The Whole Ball of Wax reading and I really liked was that “art is not optional; it is necessary” and “Art is an energy source that helps make change possible; it sees things in clusters and constellations rather than rigid systems.” I agree completely with Salz in what he says and in addition to being necessary and an energy source, I believe that art is an unavoidable force that drives the existence and progression of humanity. Without it, we would cease to know and acknowledge the past, stay static and unprogressive in the present, and make no moves toward the future. Art is indeed not an option—its life.
One thing that I’d like to know more about is how art plays a role in people’s live and the creation of society or even humanity for that matter. I believe that art surrounds us and aids us in everything that we do. It designs and dictates the way we interact with an environment, the way we travel, the way we learn, the way we communicate, and even the way we govern. It has fabricated history and connected past to present. Without documentation of cave paintings, I believe that we wouldn’t know or even want to know as much about those who lived before us thousands and even millions of years ago. I want to know more about why it seems that most of society fails to acknowledge art as a critical aspect in education and the construction and progression of a society. I feel that art is the very force that fabricates humanity. Everything begins in a design or at least a creative thought, does it not?
Love,
Anuli
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