I thought it was pretty interesting how Glenn Ligon said, “If the government thinks I’m an artist, I must be one.” In his situation, Glenn became an artist, I guess you could say, on accident. He never intentionally pursued a career as an artist; he was just doing his job at the law firm while expressing his passions at home. I thought it was very fortunate of him to receive the grant form the National Endowment for the Arts. This grant pretty much opened the door for him as an artist. The opportunity to become an artist pretty much landed on his plate, and Ligon took full advantage of that.
"But when you look at Nauman, you realize this is some scary inside-your-head stuff, that art can also be a window to one’s unconscious"
I'd have to agree with Ligon on this point. Some say that when it comes down to it that is when you see people for who they truly are. The truth can be somewhat frightening at times because it is unexpected. I like the way Ligon states that art can be a window to the one's unconscious mind. From what I am understanding, art is a means to express oneself. Through continuous works of art, a person can actually surprise himself by creating something unbeknownst to him. A whole new creativity can sprout from the back of someone's mind if he continues to express himself.
I chose this picture of Ligon because I think it goes along with what I am trying to say. So much creativity resides within each individual person: you just have to find a way to express it for the creativity to show. In the picture, the colors on his shirt represent all the ideas and creativity inside him. The design illustrates that his ideas are flowing through him and are ready to burst out into material matter.
I think it's great how you chose to focus on the fact that Ligon stumbled upon his art career. Art is so subjective and it's always very interesting to see where the passion for art originates in each person. For Ligon, expression resided in ill feelings about the history of African Americans in the U.S. Not only does this issue take an incredibly personal turn for Ligon, but it also allows for him to draw his audience into his own emotional experiences. Good call.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Chloe, it was a nice choice to discuss how Ligon just stumbled upon his art rather than actually deciding to become an artist. His work is so controversial portraying his feelings about African American history, but what makes them resonate even more is the fact that the audience is experiencing Ligon's emotions. I also enjoyed the photograph you selected.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you in that it is very frightening when some truths are revealed and I think that is exactly what Ligon is attempting to evoke in people through his intriguing work. Ligon's work can certainly be seen as window into the unconscious mind and that is definitely the way I see it.
ReplyDelete