Within Part 1 of the course, the analysis of George Orwell’s 1984 and related works reveal the relationship between author and audience through language variation and structure and how language fluctuates to mirror culture. To magnify language as an art and to capture the subjectiveness of interpretation driven by titles, I have chosen an art exhibition advertisement mailed to exclusive art gallery subscriptions. The art of language lies in its ability to contain multiple meanings based off the audience alone. From the same advertisement, the individual will draw and input personal experiences within the pieces of the gallery. Various definitions and interpretations will be inputted by the targeted audience. Usually, a shared source will draw similar ideas. Yet within this task, the crux of the art gallery is to deconstruct this principle entirely. In fact, the gallery itself is titled “ERSATZ”, meaning, “artificial”. Posing as “big name artists” and prioritizing my opinion over the audience as “enlightened”, I am contradicting and deliberately distorting the meaning of my own work. The art gallery reveals the evolving language driven by title and interpretation. The canvases only serve as a blank for the reader to fill their own thoughts and lessons with. Those in the art community who prioritize financial gain hold themselves higher over the public typically consider their works as revolutionary contributions to the world- artists and audience fall victim to this mindset. People enter art galleries with certain expectations- searching for the absolute “true meaning” behind the artist. The audience may even interpret a meaning the artists had no intent on expressing. The art and the gallery itself will reveal how expectation may bend reality until we experience what we want to experience and see what we want to see- perfectly pertaining to the pseudo intelligence of the art community.
Museum of Contemporary and Modern Art: E R S A T Z
76-20 34th Ave., New York City, Manhattan, NY, 11372
Who We Are
From colliding atoms, gas particles, light and cosmic makeup, the universe created life. Cells turned to organs and organs combined to make up the human body. Thousands of years of evolution and human interaction revolutionized language. The streets of New York City exposes man in its most raw form. The city that never sleeps oozes creativity from its- streets saturated with culture, creativity,sweat, and desperation. But what is language in the first place? What are its origins?
Humanity in its Most Raw Form
All beings communicate. All walks of life are spiritually and physically intertwined with language. Ranging from the basic relationships between a bee and a flower, to the infinite complexities between each individual neuron of the brain. All gestures and communications start with raw language. Looking past the infinite dialects across the globe, simple human interaction hold the power of connection through simple notions such as eye contact or touch. Language as a whole represents a shared foundation of communication. Language serves as the ultimate leveler. Language in fact holds the key to the realm of intricacy that makes up the universe, and will perhaps always remain a mystery. However, the beauty lies in the entanglement of these confabulations.
Idea of Identity
New York City’s very own ERSATZ gallery caters both to the masses and the individual. The ERSATZ experience provides a brilliantly executed, thought provoking exhibition on the subject of human interaction and its relationship with language new and old. The art showcased at ERSATZ represents the physical embodiment of the collision of mind and body- all while simultaneously illustrating the humanity’s innermost ego. Artists of ERSATZ are selected from an underground art program specializing in training proteges of the next generation. The cultivating design of the artwork isolates and amplifies the interaction between viewer and artist. This allows a completely individualized intercommunication. Above all, those who are truly capable of grasping the quintessence of the artist’s purpose, prove to operate on a higher level of consciousness. The ERSATZ experience stimulates all senses of the human psyche, leaving the audience with a renewed sense of mindfulness. ERSATZ leads innovation.
Meet the Artists
F E R N
Alumni of Rhode Island School of Design, 26 year-old Christian Dunn (F E R N), is an upcoming contemporary artist specializing in recycled goods. Dunn repurposes city trash, water bottles, soda cans, pieces of old sofa, and forgotten car parts and incorporates them within his art pieces. Dunn practises a labor intensive creative process hoping to render a new value to the “damaged goods”. The Philadelphia raised artist aims to “give life to new forms” and submits his artwork to non-profit organizations for auctions- further pushing the “recycled” aspect of his work. This theme is even evident in his nature related title, F E R N. Dunn aims to raise awareness for environmental preservation by donating his proceeds to green planet foundations. Dunn is estimated to showcase countless pieces in galleries across the world- making him one of the most desired contemporary artists of his age. However, Dunn chooses to keep to local galleries to maintain a commutative bond with his fans.
Most recently, DUnn debuted his piece, “Public Restrooms” , this past January. Inspired by the glorified rat-infested public restrooms of New York,Dunn spent 3 years collecting discards of old toilets, tiles, and bathroom appliances to create a towering porcelain throne paired with a crown made up of recycled toilet paper rolls. “Public Restroom” addresses toilets as the ultimate, unifying leveler. No matter what race, gender, or political identity, all walks of life end their day with a visit to the porcelain throne. This art piece currently is on auction for over five million.
Dunn will be part of a group exhibit located in G wing Floor 2 along with other contemporary artists: Joël Bauste Laugiere and Daniel Liske
Fiona Wamphrey
Fiona Wamphrey, a 32 year-old Manhattan born and raised is also part of the popular ERSATZ contemporary art exhibit. Similar to Dunn, Wamphrey also incorporates her items related to her lifestyle into her works. Wamphrey focuses on the nostalgia. Specifically, childhood memories. Umphrey’s works are composed of popular childhood figures – mostly catering towards babies born in the 80’s. Creations of clustered, collage-like art pieces measuring up to 20 feet high are some of Wamphrey’s most eye-catching work. Classic characters such as chip n’ dale and titles like Schoolhouse Rock occupy every inch of canvas. Embodying an 80’s toy store, Wamphrey intends to transport the viewer back into their personal childhood – triggering nostalgic memories of the freeing spirit of adolescence.
Wamphrey’s work will be showcasing in ERSATZ in her first solo exhibition located in the G wing, Floor 3.
Acknowledgments
The revolutionary concepts and gifts to the art industry would not be made possible without the donation of the Miller-Wright Foundation. Thank you for sponsoring and endorsing the arts.