Museum Essay #3

      

 

       Aleksandra Domanovic is a Yugoslavian artist. Her work focuses on technology, the internet and its history. SOHO (Substances of Human Origin) is a multimedia installation. 3-D printed sculptures are coated with metal and polyurethane, each taking on its own pose (I only photographed one). Domanovic was inspired by a Yugoslavian scientist who pioneered the use of prosthetic limbs that could sense touch for soldiers that were maimed during World War 2. The purpose of Domanovic’s sculpture is to make the viewer consider “the possibilities of transcending the body as a biological given”.

   Avery K. Singer uses the program Google SketchUp as a means to create her paintings. After creating her figures with the program she projects them onto large canvases. Once she spray paints them she layers shadows on top, giving her work a 3 dimensional quality. The figures in Singer’s paintings are looking out at the person viewing the painting. Although they are rudimentary they appear to have an awareness of the viewer. Her work is meant to be a commentary on the performative aspect of our everyday lives.

  I chose these two works of art because they were both created by and inspired by technology. Domanovic utilized 3D printing to create her sculptures. I think that 3D printing is a very important technology and in the future will be utilized more frequently once it gains popularity with the masses. It will be a means of inexpensive production for individuals as well as major companies. Another reason I chose Domanovic’s sculpture was that I found her inspiration intriguing. The idea of technology “transcending the body” is an interesting concept. It conjures up images from science fiction stories- humans with mechanical body parts. It is possible that in our lifetime, technology, invented by humans could possibly be responsible for the evolution of the human race. It is also interesting to ponder how 3D printing could affect the lives of amputees, especially in other countries where there may not be adequate health care. If we could easily and inexpensively produce prosthetics by 3D printing them we could change the lives of individuals affected by wars or natural disasters.

  I found Singers work to be an interesting commentary on social media. The rise of social media has changed the way society behaves.f We have all become performers in our daily lives. We perform for our own specific, chosen audiences. Our laptops, tablets and phones have become our stages. Our selfies are our self-portraits. Our tweets and facebook statuses could be seen as our autobiographies and personal manifestos. We are creating these things not for ourselves but for others to see.

    These works of art are not only looking towards the future they are utilizing technology to not only display the changes society has undergone in the past 30 years or so but to imagine where technology will take us.  

    I think I liked these two works the most because both artists use traditional means of creating art. One utilizes sculpture, the other uses painting, however, in choosing less than traditional mediums they created art that speaks to a society grappling with the unexpected effects of technology on our culture.