Instruction based art is where visitors obey instructions left from the artist. This can include stuff like writing a poem, inviting someone for breakfast or even using a bicycle seat to squeeze lemons. All the above examples come from the do it project, this is an ever growing compilation of commands and instructions presented in large shows.When taking part in these shows the artists hope it allows the person to have fun whilst making an absolute spectacle of yourself. The do it project is an ongoing exhibition which explores the creativeness of each individual. This is because each person is different so once completing the tasks given by the artist no result should be the same. Some bizarre examples of the do it project include reciting Michelangelo's sonnets dressed as a janitor mopping the stage and how to disable a cctv camera. i think this two examples in particular are very odd, especially since the first instruction went on for 4 hours so i am sure it got a little tedious. Furthermore how to disable a cctv camera doesn't sound legal however could be useful.
Evaluation of my photos When taking photos I believe that you can still take an interesting photography whilst following instructions because the task can be interpreted differently by each person.At first after being told to take specific photographs I found it quite difficult to think of what I would do or take pictures off however after taking a few and liking them it became a lot easier. I believe some of my pictures are interesting as I focused on random things around the school and just took pictures from a different perspective. I did enjoy the project after my initial struggle of thinking of ideas however after a wander around the school some of my photos did start to look similar so yes I did run out of ideas. Taking photographs from odd angles felt a little silly to do at first however after a while I got used to knowing what angles looked best etc.
My favourite photograph is the one below.I like this image as it has a nice texture to it and the bright colours of it contrast the grey background. Furthermore the contrasting colours show how it is not supposed to be there which it is not as it is a piece of littler.
Evaluation of instruction images
My instruction given to me was to take 15 images nature or the school building itself. This instruction seemed pretty simple so I decided to challenge myself and tried to incorporate both into the same photo. My favourite images are the bottom left and the top right. I like the image at the bottom left as it’s very colourful and bright and I like how in focus it is. Furthermore I like the top right image as I believe it’s taken from a very creative angle and it fits the instruction perfectly as it captures pure nature. However if I were to retake the images I would not focus too much on the greenery and more on other things such as the sky or more on the actual building by itself. Overall however I think my images were successful in completing the task as I did exactly as I had been instructed. I enjoyed having to do this task as it narrowed my mindset in what I should take pictures off however I can interpret the task and what images to take into my own way.
John Baldessari Research task
John Baldessari is a American conceptual artist who became popular in the 1960’s for reaching out to the younger generations. Starting In the late 1960s Baldessari neglected painting and started to use words as a compositional element as images. From 1966 to 1968 Baldessari produced a series of text-paintings consisting of statements about art and its concept. He displayed quotations from known art critics and used instructions or definitions and comments.
Johns work is characterized by a wide variety of mediums including photography, video, painting, texts, prints, film, drawing and books. As well as being a conceptual artist John Baldessari was also a painter. Baldessari uses the juxtapositions of text and image to create direct information for the audience, his artworks intend to arouse suspicion and doubt.
Prima Facie
Johns work Prima Facie was exhibited between 2005-2009. Throughout his work he states how he wants to me image and text equal. This can be seen as he splits the page in two with half image and half word. This is because he finds words and images have equal importance to him. He would find images with interesting facial expressions then try to seek out the words that match.
Baldessari’s juxtapositions of text and image and their representation. He stated that he makes an effort to give the audience a ‘bare amount of information, just enough to activate the mind. John Baldessari works with text and image as equal elements. Within the conceptual art movement during the sixties and seventies, text as a new media of representation began to play a decisive role. As the ‘unreliable narrator’, he uses words and images, to mislead, to confuse, to surprise and to amuse his audience in order to provoke participation. In conclusion the relationship of text and image in John Baldessari’s work is divers.
Erwin Wurm
I chose these images as they made me feel very uncomfortable which I think Erwin intended. As you can see from above each person is positioned in a very what looks to be out of the ordinary and uncomfortable position which I find odd yet interesting. Erwin Wurm is an Austria an artist who takes pictures yet also makes sculptures. He is well known for his one minute sculptures where he tasks his models to pose with everyday objects. I believe he does this to break out of the everyday ordinary. Other images he takes include his fast care series, narrow house and cultural differences. Wurm is a contemporary photographer who works across a range of media’s. Interested in the absurd and the humour within his images. He likes to link these images however to present day life and issues. His Inspiration is said to come from his love of everyday life and this belief that everything around us is useful. Giving instructions is a key part of his “one minute sculptures” project. It is believed that he likes to give instructions and he likes to link people to an everyday object in a temporary situation.
Evaluation I tried to take my photographs in the style of Erwin by asking Leon to either incorporate an everyday object in a strange way or position himself on an object in a peculiar way. My favourite image is the one on the top right. I like this image as it is clearly in the style of Wurm as he is laying face down on a bench which is a peculiar and uncomfortable position. However I also like the bottom left image because the jumper contrasts the floor yet the orange stickers tie them together as they match. However if I were to rate the images I would take more of them on a plainer background like Erwin so there would be more of a focus on what is actually is happening in the image. I think the bottom middle image for example would look a lot better with a simple white background. Overall however I am pleased with my images as each one is very different and creative and matches earwigs style.