ICA field trip

I really enjoyed Chiho Aoshima’s wall mural The Divine Gas, made from digital drawings and inkjet printing on adhesive vinyl strips. I am inspired by traditional Japanese artwork, and when I first saw the small brochure without knowing her name, I immediately saw traditional and contemporary Japanese art elements within it. Actually seeing it up close was much more satisfying, as there are such tiny details that can’t be seen in the small reproduction. I really liked how there were reflections of cities in the largest female’s eyes, with one during the day and one at night. It gave even more of a surrealness to it, since we're looking into or through her eyes into another world, almost.

The animals (deer, snakes, gecko) reminded me of sumi-e with most subject matter consisting of natural objects such as plants, flowers, and/or animals. Even though she says that she's not inspired directly by anime or manga, I thought A description of the piece mentioned the "superflat" theory by Murakami, at whose factory she works at. Manga and anime have some influence for the "superflat" theory, so indirectly I feel she has been influenced. The way the individual hair strands flowed in the center of her work and the way in which they were drawn are what I think is the main reason why I think of the anime/manga influence.

Her composition worked well with the diagonal slant of the ceiling; I don't feel like something is missing or secluded from view. The diagonal also helps with moving the eye around, as well as the sheer size, forcing the viewer to move around to see everything. I also found it really interesting that all of the people were female (at least I think they were all female, I couldn’t really tell if the figure in all black was female or male, or just androgynous). The people also were very child-like.

I really loved the color palette of mostly blues and greens. Even though there were plenty of rainbow elements scattered throughout the piece, they didn’t clash with or distract from the overall color scheme. I’m partial to greens, blues, and purples, so that may be why I was attracted to the piece.

Another piece I really enjoyed at the museum was Cornelia Parker’s Hanging Fire (Suspected Arson), created with wire mesh, charcoal, wire, pins, and nails. I thought the charcoal pieces were huge chunks of graphite at first, and definitely got a feeling of upwards motion with the larger pieces at all different angles hanging near the bottom. I didn’t see the nails until I read the description that they were charred remains of a woodworking shop. After reading it I got an explosive feeling. It’s contrast with the white walls behind it does resemble that of a charcoal drawing, but created with the actual elements it has more power in that it’s a recreation yet at the same time it isn’t.

P.S. The computer lab room is really awesome. I felt like I was going to fall into the sea. =D

Veneliza