I think if I had just simply looked at Glenn Ligon’s art without reading the articles on his work and his interview, I would probably just have grouped all of his work in with other artist such as Kruger, dismissing it as redundant. Fortunately that was not the case this time. Even if some of his pieces are similar to the work of other artists such as Kruger and her simplistic text as art concept his work brings something new to the table, and that is literature.
I think there are a lot of people out there that would not indeed consider literature as a form of art, but in my opinion, I think these people are simply misunderstood in what it means for something to be considered literature. I think literature can be art, and just as easily, art can be literature. Literature such as stories can paint an image or educational meaning in one’s head, and then at the same time, an artistic image can tell a great story or serve as educational just as literature can. It is made clear that this is how Ligon feels about the relationship between art and literature as well, as he finds that his interest in literature is what initially led him to become an artist. I think when you think about that statement, it only makes more and more sense. Words are art, or at least they are made into it. When one sings a song, those words are verbally made into something beautiful; when one gives a motivational speech, we absorb the inspiration and morale from the vibe in which the words provide. I think Ligon highlights this with great understanding.
The piece that I posted, by James McDemas, I chose because I thought it almost stood s the epitome of what it is meant by words as art. The piece is one word, and that word is art. Yes it is one word and it’s very basic, but it is still beautiful, not to mention meaningful.
I think there are a lot of people out there that would not indeed consider literature as a form of art, but in my opinion, I think these people are simply misunderstood in what it means for something to be considered literature. I think literature can be art, and just as easily, art can be literature. Literature such as stories can paint an image or educational meaning in one’s head, and then at the same time, an artistic image can tell a great story or serve as educational just as literature can. It is made clear that this is how Ligon feels about the relationship between art and literature as well, as he finds that his interest in literature is what initially led him to become an artist. I think when you think about that statement, it only makes more and more sense. Words are art, or at least they are made into it. When one sings a song, those words are verbally made into something beautiful; when one gives a motivational speech, we absorb the inspiration and morale from the vibe in which the words provide. I think Ligon highlights this with great understanding.
The piece that I posted, by James McDemas, I chose because I thought it almost stood s the epitome of what it is meant by words as art. The piece is one word, and that word is art. Yes it is one word and it’s very basic, but it is still beautiful, not to mention meaningful.
I agree that literature is another form of art. It is cool to see how he is able to tie two types of art together (literary and visual). The results are truly amazing and dynamic. I think this is why many people are so interested in film or video, as we discussed early on in the class, because it put visual work with words.
ReplyDeleteI also agree, literature is another form of art because like you mentioned it paints pictures in you head. Like you, I enjoyed how Ligon thought of literature as art and art as literature. With this mentality, I felt like he had no limits with his pieces. He could paint, write, form, or take a picture of the word "cat" and make it into an art piece.
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