"'With the function of shelter denied, the house becomes sculpture.' However, it is not only the utilitarian function of the house that is denied, but the function of the modern house as the built representation of an idea."
β "Concrete Blond: A Probe into Negative Space where Mysteries are Created" by Joanna Merwood, from Chora 2 (1996)
Rachel Whiteread's House (1993) is the concrete cast of a nineteenth-century London house interior, the last of a row of terrace houses demolished for the development of a park. Though it physically presents the space of the domestic structure as an object, it is impossible for a person to pass through the structure itself. As such, Merwood argues, the house becomes a "re-presentation" of the original, a form of representation that transforms familiarity into something completely unfamiliar. However, does the house cease to become a house just because it can no longer be used?
In thinking about artists such as Oscar Tuazon who create structures that simply "are", I am skeptical to say Whiteread's House stops being a house because it became a sculpture. To me, both notions can be true at the same time. While it does lose its functionality (and therefore its built representation of the idea of the house), I would still consider it a house due to it physically representing the interior of the space. Merwood mentions Paul Ricoeur's distinction of image and fiction, arguing that House is fictional in that it "show[s] something about [the interior space] that was previously unknown or undiscovered." I guess it is, to a degree, since space itself has no physical image that can be visibly seen and referenced. However, I would argue Whiteread's sculpture better sits somewhere between image and fiction as opposed to being fully fictional. It takes the known concept of space and gives it form, which simultaneously exists in the real world but also does not exist as a solid body.
I also wanted to mention that the sense of disturbance from turning something familiar into something unfamiliar reminded me of Paolo Virno's concept of "familiar horror", which describes when the familiar returns in disguise. The article "Familiar Horror: Towards A Critique Domestic Space" by PV Aureli discusses this in more detail, relating this sense of horror specifically to the domestic space. It serves as a nice read to accompany Merwood's critique of architectural sculpture as it relates to houses as a whole.
///
QUESTION
Does an object lose its non-artistic identity once it becomes a sculpture?
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
β Live Streamingβ Interactive Chatβ Private Showsβ HD Qualityβ Free Actions
Free to watch β’ No registration required β’ HD streaming
Damn.....this is making me sad, really really sad ahhh.. Gojo reached the peak of his power, in hopes that it would "reach" Sukuna...and feeling sad how Sukuna was unable to go all out..and....Nanami, Haibara, Getou, all of them are back in their highschool forms...are they consoling Gojo at the time of his death? I'M SAD, LIKE, HOLY SHIT, I WASN'T EXPECTING THIS TO HAPPEN SO..SO FAST...
β¦Matta- Clark received a grant for a project that would teach construction skills to youth from impoverished neighborhoods. The proposal specified the creation of an urban scrap yard and recycling depot for reusing salvaged materials from demolished buildings in these areas. Matta- Clarkβs death in 1978 prevented the realization of this innovative project. Nevertheless, his final writings and interviews reflect his plans for participatory architecture projects that would be βresponsive to the express will of occupants.β
Comment:
Before starting the MFA last fall, I worked with youth at local churches, teaching them life skills based on biblical principles. On occasion, I created artistic projects for the creatively inclined teens in the program. These projects included t-shirt printing, drama skits, short films, musical explorations, murals and sculpture / installations for events and holiday celebrations. Those involved enjoyed freedom of expression and an escape from the mundane. The audience and observers were often surprised by the creativity. I enjoyed providing the resources, ideas, encouragement, and safe environment for which youth could unveil their hidden voice. In my 15 years of youth ministry, these were some of my most treasured moments. I consider encouraging young people to find and embrace the inner creator within them as a major accomplishment. Learning that Matta-Clark sought to impart his skills with young people brought back great memories and challenges me to revisit my role as an artist who has valuable skills to share.
Question:Β
Do artists have a responsibility to contribute to their communities?
βEvery corner in a house, every angle in a room, every inch of secluded space in which we like to hide, or withdraw into ourselves, is a symbol of solitude for the imagination;β
Comment:
I interpret this statement as a viewpoint of how we process our creative ideas, subconscious or not. That idea we form is formed in the walls of our mind. They are formed from the experiences and trauma of our lives. Personally, I am reserved with my own ideas. Partly due to being unable to properly explain them most of the time, but also, I enjoy letting my imagination flow like a river in my mind. Feeling the emotion of it like water running through your fingers. Itβs being in an isolation chamber, relaxed, focused.
Question:
What is your process in focusing the mind to visually imagine thoughts and ideas?
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
β Live Streamingβ Interactive Chatβ Private Showsβ HD Qualityβ Free Actions
Free to watch β’ No registration required β’ HD streaming
You're giving Ravus so much well-deserved personality with your gif edits I'm screaming. He's adorable. Thank you and have a nice day!
*screaming inside and out loud*Aaaaah! Thank you so much for your kind message! Iβm glad to be able to do alot of silly Ravus gifs, because that man deserved so much better! D: Overly introverted man like him must have had so much to say still!
But Iβm super happy to receive such a message from you! I adore your artwork, and youβre so talented and amazing! You too have a nice day, and keep on being so awesome! C:
