Chelsea Banks:Paper2 Revision

Chelsea Banks 2
Paper 2 Revision

Attraction at First Sight

An old conception of art is that it was supposed to be beautiful. I recently viewed an art exhibit on the campus of The University of Alabama that represented not only beauty, but also much more. Such art could be seen at the student art gallery in Woods Hall. These intriguing works came from a group of students who assembled the Synaesthetic Arts Cotillion, a nonprofit organization that enjoys contemporary art. This exhibition, sited at the university for a limited time, consisted of innovative photography, remarkable paintings, and multi-dimensional pieces that question the interpreter. Of these works, certain pieces caught my attention.
What causes a person to be ‘attracted’ to a piece of art? Is it the color, the texture, or the shape? Attraction deals with someone, or rather something that draws, allures, or entices the viewer. Basically, this attraction takes place between men and women, as well as people and art. Some may say the problem is finding a piece that captivates them. The only issue with this idea is that art, in essence, finds them.
I attended this art exhibit not knowing what pieces of art would present themselves to me. As a class assignment, I was told to observe a variety of artwork, formulate interpretations of that artwork, and decide if the works were effective. While I viewed the gallery, two pieces attracted me upon first glance. These captivating pieces of art were “The War Horse” and “Walk Away.” Being art that allures the viewer, these two works are ultimately sublime. Even though I scanned the entire gallery, my mind, or feet, always brought me back to these two pieces. Much like an attraction between two people, I was attracted to these works. I considered them beautiful—full of attraction.
That is the connection between beauty and art. Attraction. Ironically, art can be beautiful although it may not be pretty. This brings into perspective the thought of sublimity. Beauty is only considered present if the viewer is intrigued. For example, “The War Horse,” hanging symmetrically between two other pieces in the gallery, was captivating. I was initially attracted to the gruesome and dark horse, not because I thought it to be a beautiful piece, but because of its essential sorrow. Why is the horse so run-down and beaten? Laura Shill, the creator of this murky story, photographed a horse in Costa Rica that she describes as “used up and world weary, yet kind.” She used four rectangle blocks of different depths to piece together this picture of a horse with gouged out eyes and ears. Scars, bruises, and scrapes, as well as lines of barb wire show the heavy turmoil this horse has seen and may have yet to come. Coated with a thin layer of melted beeswax and dimerism, “The War Horse” is considered encaustic—painted with wax. When asked the purpose of the clear-yellow wax overlay, Shill explained that it creates an aged look. Does this parallel to the look of the horse itself? Shill also distinguished that the photograph, after the extensive and time-consuming process of enlargement, suffered from multiple abnormalities and flaws. Rather than deeming the project as ruined, she allowed the imperfections to enhance the attraction of the horse, as well as the beauty of piece as a whole.
Beyond the physical aspect of this artwork, the story is hidden. What do I see in this horse? Some say, “It is just a horse.” When I first saw him, I was instantly engaged, and questioned the reason for the four individual sections raised at diverse heights from the gallery wall. Why four levels? Then, I noted which body part of the horse was at each elevation. As luck would have it, the temple (head) of the horse was on the highest level, while the mouth was on the lowest. A reason? Yes. I came to the conclusion that this war horse was a symbol of human nature. People tend to speak before they think. We have probably all heard the slogan, “You have one mouth and two ears for a reason!” This trodden horse shows what life can do to those who learn this concept the hard way. Paradoxically, the photograph does show the horse with ears erect and mouth closed. Has the horse realized what sense is best? Do we eventually learn our lesson? Does it have to be after pain and suffering?
Pain is a feeling of complete resentment. It hurts, makes you angry, or maybe turns you to a state of absolute hatred. In reference to art being beautiful, pain is a common theme for artists. Remembering that beauty in the art world is anything that engages or captivates the viewer, pain is accepted as beautiful.
Another piece in the student art gallery that occupied my thoughts was Jenny Fine’s “Walk Away”. This intriguing photograph was one in a group of five black and white scenes; it grabbed my attention immediately. The photograph was exhibited on a collodian wet plate. While making collodian wet plates, it is quite simple to create cyanide gas, which can be extremely dangerous. Shill referenced to Fine’s process of artistic photography as “complicated” and declared Fine as an expert. At first glance, “Walk Away” is a photo of a woman walking away. The ground seems messy as though difficult to walk on; the trees in the distance are frightening. This black and white glossy photograph depicts that something is wrong. Noticeably, her feet are blurred. Is this intentional by the artist, or a mistake in printing? Even though the physical qualities of this photo are necessary for interpretation, I cannot help but simply wonder, “From what is she walking away?” This woman is experiencing some sort of pain to be turning and leaving it behind. We, as a society, tell ourselves that facing the problem is the superlative; however, what if confronting the pain only worsens the issue?
Pain. Beauty. Are they linked?
They very well can be. If pain attracts the mind, body, or spirit with sheer magnetism, then it is linked to beauty.
Another splendor in “Walk Away” is the blurred feet of the woman. We, by human nature, often hesitate when faced with a decision in life. “Walk Away” displays the woman’s hesitation to resolve. Perhaps the underlying attractiveness in this photograph is the relation she has to each of us.
The world wants to connect, whether to other people, higher beings, or even objects. What does art do for us? Primarily, it is for us to enjoy. Can you enjoy an ugly horse or a gloomy woman? These two pieces, “The War Horse” and “Walk Away,” are dark and distressing. How can they be considered beautiful? It is easy. Artists do not necessarily plan on art being what it becomes. “It is what it is!” states one artist. A lot of art is inaccessible because it requires background knowledge, but I say that it should be immediately engaging. That is all the artist wants: for his/her piece to be ultimately engaging and require critical thinking. Shill states, “I title my work ambiguously because I want the interpreter to interpret.” In reference to “The War Horse” and Walk Away,” the artists created pieces of art they wished would attract the interpreter. Through the pain, turmoil, and suffering the artists achieved their goal. Sometimes, artists do not intend for the interpreter to interpret anything in particular. They simply want the person viewing their work to be intrigued, or attracted, and formulate their own interpretation. They just want us to interpret. Interpret our own beauty.