Assignment 1: 4 Roles of the Artist, Aesthetic Beauty, and Kitsch

This piece of art is by Yayoi Kusama. It is titled "High Heel" and was done in 2002. This is the perfect example of the first role of the artist: To help us see the world in new and innovative ways. What Kusama intended to be the context of this piece is that even something man-made and something we hold in a materialistic light is still just a part of the world of dots. It is, itself, simply composed of dots. Though we might see the dots in different colors or on different backgrounds, the shoe itself is still just a form of dots.

This piece of art is by Claude Monet. It is titled "The Houses of Parliament, Sunset" and was done in 1903. This is an example of the second role of the artist: To make a visual record of the people, places, and events of their time and place. He does this in a truly unique way however since he is documenting the building structures of the area and also the landscape (water) around it, but he leaves everything blurred which makes the buildings look less harsh and more romantic. Also the boat and person rowing depict a pastime of the people in this era. The colors he uses show a sunset also making this look more beautiful than a general idea of a bustling city.

This piece of art (and architecture) is The New York Times Building in New York City, NY. It was designed by Renzo Piano and completed in 2007. It is an example of the third role of the artist: To make functional objects and structures more pleasurable and elevate them or imbue them with meaning. This has so many levels of that idea in it. The material is a ceramic with sunscreen that reflects light of all different colors from the sun throughout the day creating a changing and amazing vision. The inside of the building boasts things like gigantic gardens and auditoriums using nature for appeal. And the overall dimensions and shape topped with a crown-like finish of white makes this an imposing and impressive sight to see.

This piece of art is a portion of the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo. It was completed in 1512. This is an example of the fourth role of the artist: Giving form to the immaterial--hidden or universal truths, spiritual forces, personal feelings. This painting was not a recording of what the artist saw. This is an interpretation of what they see in their mind as having happened as taught by the Bible. Here both Adam and God are represented but for the purpose of this role, God is the focus. Michelangelo has given a form to the spiritual figure. He has a body and a face. He also has angels surrounding him, another spiritual figure. They have faces and forms. This was Michelangelo's job and he did it well. "Putting a face to the name" so to speak.

This piece of art is by Christo and Jean-Claude. This is called "Surrounded Islands" and was installed in 1983 around these islands in the Biscayne Bay. I think these truly represent aesthetic beauty. They show what was naturally a tranquil and beautiful place in these islands and the water around them, but then elevate that level of beauty for the eye by adding a bright and pleasing color so different from the colors present already. This is a non-traditional type of aesthetics, but aesthetics nonetheless.

This piece of art did not have a name but I found it on a website called "World of Kitsch" and they specialize in Kitsch toilets and toilet products. This is the perfect type of kitsch because it is, in fact, a piece of art. This could be a small ornamental piece on someone's mantle as art. However it takes the western world's "throne toilet" and makes it quite literal being gold and bearing a crown. It doesn't fit the typical idea of aesthetics.