June Topic: Art and Artists

1 comment:

ChaoticBlackSheep said...

The topic of shock art had come up at the On Tap discussion and was never fully addressed, so I wanted to add some of my personal input here.

In regards to the "starving dog" piece, I am unwilling to pass judgment on it because I had not been able to determine whether or not is was misrepresented. http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/vargas.asp However, you also have to look at the work within the context of the culture that it was made. Simply put, animals are not treated as well and there are not as many animal rights groups advocating for their welfare in many countries worldwide. (Many such groups here, like the Humane Society and the APA, have an international presence for this reason). I do not and will never condone starving an animal in the gallery setting (or anywhere else for that manner) because that animal is not provided a choice in the manner, but I do hope that this piece (as it is perceived) has raised awareness of animal rights and the atrocities and cruelties that befall animals both here and abroad.

While on the topic of animal welfare, there is a traveling exhibit, recently shown at Framations in St. Charles, called "Puppies Are Biodegradable" which served to educate the public about the treatment of dogs in puppy mills, many of which provide the puppies sold in pet stores. http://www.puppiesarebiodegradable.com/ Although there were not many in-your-face shocking pieces included, it got to its point and likely would be perceived as "shock art" in some circles. This art is meant to raise awareness and to incite people to action on behalf of those animals who cannot speak out for themselves.

Admittedly, not all "shock art" is meant to champion a cause. Some artists create such pieces for other reasons: to speak about cultural desensitization, to promote themselves, to elicit some kind emotional response as opposed to detachment... Unfortunately, to group all of this together and question whether or not any of it should exist would undermine the efforts of a lot of artists trying to raise awareness of societal ills (as is seen in "Puppies Are Biodegradable"). I have myself created some rather controversial artworks that shouldn't necessarily be perceived as controversial but are because they address taboos. Sometimes it's best to get something out in the open where it will be discussed and addressed, where people will not sugar coat it or turn the other cheek, and "shock art" can provide a means of doing so.

Like all art, "shock art" is not for everyone. It does not match one's sofa. It does not sit idly by as a means of conveying beauty. But it can be used as a tool to raise awareness of larger issues and to incite change. So, please, when confronted by art that you perceive as shocking, try to assess the context in which it was made, the message that it was trying to convey, and whether or not it seems successful or appropriate in this endeavor before just writing it off.

Jennifer Weigel
mixed media artist
http://jenniferweigelart.com/