Installation Art / Marcel Duchamp & Brian Prieto

 

 REVIEW

 

• dopamine
• convergent thinking
• divergent thinking 
• conceptual art
  

 

 

I

 

Unit: Conceptual Art

Theme: Installation Art

 

Introduction

 

Installation art could be considered a sub-set of conceptual art. As such, it is a genre that also allows teachers to expose children to a creative environment with little to no budget at all. The conceptual nature of installation art makes it also a great medium to expand an art lesson into an academic one. The term is used interchangeably with art installation. The former seems to be used to name the overall discipline whereas the latter seems to be use to name the actual piece.

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II

 

Learning Objectives

 

• Understand the importance of creativity in the learning process 
• Explain the concept of  installation art
  
• Gain an awareness of the versatility of installation art when used to teach other subjects
• Experience the creation of a n installation art piece
  

 

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III

 

Main Lesson 

 

1

The therapeutic Encounter / The Therapeutic Presence

Dr. Aditi Nerurkar is a Harvard physician nationally recognized stressed expert and modern day burnout.

 

 

 

1. (17:00 - 22:45)

2. (35:00 - 41:10)

3. (48:00 - 54:04)

4. (56:44 - 57:58)

5. (-1:40:00 -1:43:26)

6.(1:43:29 - 1:44:59)

7.(1:45:00 - 1.49:35)

8. (1:50-1:51:44)

9. ( 1:51:51-)

 

 

1. Professor's Reflection on true resilience vs. toxic resilience:

I think that the artistic process, specifically within the frame of modern education, can offer students the space and time necessary to recharge and become truly resilient as opposed to toxicly so.

 

2. Professor's Reflection on therapeutic encounter:

I think the therapeutic encounter is enhanced when using a holistic approach to teaching. It depends, of course, on the therapeutic presence of the teacher. Dr. Nerurkar mentions eye to eye level, mirroring and being authentic as key elements in the development of therapeutic presence and subsequently the therapeutic encounter. The circle provides an environment in which the therapeutic encounter can take place within the context of teaching and learning.

 

3. Professor's Reflection on acronym MOST (Motivating, Objective, Small and Timely):

"What matters most to me" as opposed to "what's the matter with me" is a way to re-frame one's internal dialogue to find out what is one's most goal and create a road-map to find out the best way to get there. This gives one something to look forward to, a measurable goal, that may surface, in regards to teaching and learning, during  class.

 

4. Professor's Reflection on moving:

Dr. Nerurkar says that movement can decrease your stress. When one feels stressed one wants to be still, yet sitting can increase one's sense of anxiety. Thus, sitting can have a great impact on one's mental health, whereas movement is the antidote to that. For instance, a simple walk can help. Thus, movement is key in decreasing our students' stress. Also, mindfulness and walking meditation can be introduced as part of the holistic approach to teaching.

5.Professor's reflection on Six areas that make a long and meaningful life. 

Dr. Nerukar's prescription is to bring those 6 areas into one day even if it is for a minute or two to have a sense of meaning and purpose. The six areas are a) childhood (spend a few mi. everyday in a sense of wonder and play), b) work (doing something whether is payed or not that provides you with a sense of accomplishment, c) solitude (spending some time alone), d) vacation (spend some time during the day doing something you love), e. family (spend time in community with people you love), f) retirement (spend some time during the day thinking about what worked and what did not. These are recommendations teachers can implement in the classroom to enhance learning in a meaningful way.

6. Professor's Reflection of What we have missed and Media Diet:

In reference to popcorn-brain and brain-drain, Nerukar advises to have a media diet. There are 3 ways to instill this media diet into one's life to help with scanning and scrolling. First, limit the time you spend on the phone engaging and consuming bad news, 20 min. a day, set a timer if you have to. Second, create geographical limits, keep you phone 10 feet away from your work station, if you can, 10 feet out of reach and at night, off your night stand. Third, create some logistical limits in terms of organization and planning of your day. Creating this digital boundaries in regards to one's use of one's iPhone will improve our stress and mental health. These are also recommendation teachers can give students as part of the holistic approach.

7. Professor's Reflection on the Cycle of Trauma:

Nerukar cites Roxane Cohen Silver, a psychologist in California, to say that one's risk of PTSD increases when you consume graphic images even if what one is consuming is happening elsewhere. Any conflict, any climate disaster consumed via graphic images and videos increases one's own risk of PTSD even if one has not have any direct trauma. It stimulates one's primal urge to scroll more, because one does not feel safe. This is a common response because of out own biology of stress, click bait and doom scrolling are powered by the same biology that governs the fight or flight response. Data shows that this increases your PTSD and mental conditions later in life. Thus, when your student shows up in classf, the teacher has to take into consideration that the cycle of trauma has other ramifications often ignored by teachers.

8. Professor's Reflection on hyperconnectivity and loneliness:

Feeling a sense of connection and community is different from being hyperconnected.  One can be hyperconnected via electronic devices and disconnected from others. Loneliness is an pandemic according to Nerukar. It decreases your life-span. It is essential to be connected to a community to in avoid stress.

9. Professor's Reflection on internal experience and external presentation:

Narukar talks about what she used to think was true; that internal experience and external presentation were supposed to match up. This however, based on her own experience, is not true since people look a certain way (happy, smiley) while struggling inside. Thus, she is kinder than necessary since everybody is fighting a battle one may not now about.

 

 Question 1

After watching the interview with Dr. Narukar, what doe you think is her overall message?

 2

Installation Art

 a)

 

b)

Installation Art: How it Transforms Our Perception

 

Question 2

After watching the video and reading Bob Lansroth's article:

a)  what are the main characteristics of installation art?

b) how it affects our perception?

 

3

Art Installation

 

 

 

                                   

Question 3

According to Stephen the Visual Artist, what three things one should keep in mind when creating an art installation?

 

 4

 

Concept: Installation Art

 

Installation art is a term generally used to describe artwork located in three-dimensional interior space as the word "install" means putting something inside of something else. The term is used to describe large-scale, mixed-media constructions, often designed for a specific place or for a temporary period of time. Installation art pieces are designed to transform the perception of a space.

In our class we adapt this  concept to arrange readymades and found-objects from outside the classroom in order to create an installation that has meaning.

 

 Question 4

Explain in your own words what is an installation art piece and does it stimulate creativity?

5

Concept: Readymades

 

The readymades of Marcel Duchamp are ordinary manufactured objects that the artist selected and modified, as an antidote to what he called "retinal art". By simply choosing the object and repositioning or joining, titling and signing it, the found object became art.

 

 

 Question 5

Based on Marcel Duchamp's ideas, what is the difference between retinal art and conceptual art ? Which one of the two enhances creativity?

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 IV

 

A Note to Remember

 

Creativity is an important aspect of learning any subject. The arts are a great medium to stimulate creativity in the classroom. A very affordable way of creating learning projects is using an installation art piece. There are three things to remember when creating an installation: a) Make the familiar strange, b) Interrupt the body, c) Consider all 5 senses. Installation art is a type of conceptual art that uses readymades and found-objects. Its conceptual nature allows teachers to design instruction that can include other subjects as well.

 

 

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V

 

Case Studies

 

1

How a Small-Town Art Installation Became an Unlikely TikTok Sensation

 

 

2

 

Brian Petro

 

Found object originates from the French objet trouvé, describing art created from undisguised, but often modified, objects or products that are not normally considered materials from which art is made, often because they already have a non-art function.

 

 

 Question 5

Based on Brain Petro's work, what is the importance of readymades and found-objects when making art?

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VI

Activity

 

Installation Art

 

• Gather found objects and readymades.
• Arrange them in a way that makes sense to you.
• Look at it and find the meaning of it.
• Write a short synopsis of what it means.
• Give it a title
• Take a picture or several pictures of your installation piece.
• Post your pictures, your title and your synopsis on Discussion Board. 

 

 

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VII

 

Glossary 

 

• ready-mades: a mass-produced article selected by an artist and displayed as a work of art
• installation art: a unique type of sculpture  that is site specific, transforms the space and is temporary.
  
• objet trouvé (found object): a natural or man-made object, or fragment of an object, that is found (or sometimes bought) by an artist and kept because of some intrinsic interest the artist sees in it.

 

 

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VIII

 

Students' Work 

 

1

 

Foundation

 

Jared Harrison - Hunte, Jaleel Skinner, Ajay Allen, Antonio Tripp

This piece expresses the following idea:

"As long as you have a good foundation you will not fail."

 

 

2

 

 

 

  Birds Nest

Meghan Warshauer, Lana Nesheiwat, Alex Trombley, Xinyi Nong 

In this piece, the small rock represents a student and the big rock represents a teacher. The nest is a nurturing and safe environment the teacher provides for the student to grow and learn. 

3

 

 

Humanity's Impact

 

Alessandra Diamond, Carlota Cardenal, Nia, Ella Li, Marina tischenkel

Our installation piece investigates the impact that humanity has had on our environment. Over time people have had an adverse impact on the environment. One can easily find litter when they look outside and this only exemplifies this point.

 

4

 

"The Simplicity of Beauty"

Garrett Francis, Abigail Gendell, Ellie Korofsky, Olivia Miller, Allie Rodman, Albion Shala, Ryan Steinberg, and Rudy Stonisch

This piece stays that beauty should be simple. It should not be complex, even when society encourages this notion. 

5

 

The Tree of Life

 

 Duke Wyler, Sebastian Chin, Jake Irgang, Benny Fuher, Alex Fishbone

This piece represents all life on earth and how life can be made out of anything

 

Make - Up 

 

Installation Art

 

Everything has its place

Joel Keller

Things can be perceived as chaotic or messy but in actuality another individual might feel everything is in its place

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 Luke Tegan

1. What are the main characteristics of installation art?

Installation art is a contemporary form that prioritizes spatial design, often tailored to specific locations. It immerses viewers in a multisensory experience, encouraging exploration and interaction. The temporary or permanent nature of installations adds an element of ephemerality. Conceptual ideas are central to this art form. Audience engagement is crucial, with viewers becoming active participants in the artwork. Non-traditional materials are commonly employed. Installation art breaks away from traditional artistic formats, fostering a dynamic and inclusive approach to creative expression.

2. According to Stephen the Visual Artist, what three things one should keep in mind when creating an art installation?

Stephen the Visual Artist emphasizes three key considerations when creating an art installation. He stresses the importance of understanding the space where the installation will reside, advocating for a site-specific approach that integrates seamlessly with the environment. Stephen underscores the significance of audience engagement, encouraging artists to create immersive experiences that captivate and involve viewers. He highlights the need for a strong conceptual foundation, urging artists to explore meaningful themes or ideas that resonate with the chosen space and engage the audience intellectually. For Stephen, these three elements—site specificity, audience engagement, and a strong conceptual basis—are essential for the successful creation of compelling art installations.

3. Explain in your own words what is an installation art piece and does it stimulate creativity?

Installation art is like crafting a unique, immersive world within a designated space, combining various materials, lights, and sounds to tell a story or convey an idea. It stimulates creativity by pushing artists to think beyond traditional boundaries.

4. Based on Marcel Duchamp's ideas, what is the difference between retinal art and conceptual art? Which one of the two enhances creativity?

Marcel Duchamp distinguished retinal art, which primarily engages the eye, and conceptual art, which involves the mind. Retinal art focuses on visual appeal, emphasizing aesthetic pleasure. In contrast, conceptual art prioritizes the underlying idea or concept, often challenging conventional notions of beauty. Duchamp believed that conceptual art, driven by intellectual engagement, stimulates deeper creativity as it encourages artists to explore novel ideas and philosophical concepts. 

5. Based on Brain Petro's work, what is the importance of readymades and found objects when making art?

Brian Petro's work emphasizes the importance of readymades and found objects in art, revealing beauty and meaning in the everyday. Petro challenges traditional notions of art-making and encourages a fresh perspective on the mundane. This approach not only adds an element of surprise and innovation to the creative process but also democratizes art, blurring the lines between the artistic and the ordinary. Petro's work suggests that by re-contextualizing everyday objects, artists can tap into a rich source of inspiration, fostering a more inclusive and diverse approach to artistic creation that celebrates the inherent value of the everyday.

 

 Brady Wisdom

1. Installation art is a form of contemporary art characterized by its immersive and site-specific nature, often involving the use of various materials and elements to create a unique environment or experience. 2. According to Stephen the Visual Artist, three things to keep in mind when creating an art installation are considering the physical space, engaging the viewer's senses, and conveying a concept or message through the installation. 3. An installation art piece is an artwork created within a specific space, encompassing various artistic elements to evoke emotions, provoke thoughts, or convey a message, and it can stimulate creativity by challenging traditional artistic boundaries and inviting viewers to interact with the space and ideas presented. 4. Marcel Duchamp's ideas distinguish retinal art as focused on visual aesthetics and conceptual art as prioritizing the idea or concept behind the artwork; both can enhance creativity, but conceptual art particularly emphasizes intellectual exploration and innovation.