The Renaissance master, Albrecht Durer has given himself the appearance of a transfigured, charismatic living god. There's no doubting the conscious quotation of the conventional image of Jesus. If the painting were to be seen from afar, then he would be mistaken for Jesus due to his long hair and beard. His fur coat on the other hand identifies him as a wealthy man. It was only natural for a man who combined populism and spirituality to paint himself as a living god. Durer has painted himself in many different views before even as a woman, but never really in this Christ-like manner.
From an early moment in his life, he was aware of himself as a genius, as an inspired creator. The 16th-century Florentine art chronicler Giorgio Vasari, though sniping at his style, had to praise his "extravagant imagination", and acknowledged that designers and painters all over Europe "have since availed themselves of the vast abundance of his beautiful fantasies and inventions". The distorted, psychoneurotic figuring’s of mannerist artists, the fantastic heroic visions of the baroque and, beyond that, 20th-century surrealism, delved happily into Durer's imagination. Due to Durer’s fame amongst Europe’s top artists he found himself climbing the social ladder quicker then he’d hoped.
Gavin Turk’s screen-print ‘Knob’ is closely related to egotism and his status as an artist. Having an art work that is simply displaying his name says that he is so far up the social ladder that all he needs to do is print his name and viewers will straight away be intrigued by his piece due to the importance of his name. It is also related to individualism because through his print he is trying to emphasise his moral worth as an individual.
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individualism
By creating a garment that has Damien Hirst’s print on it was a clever move in terms of self-promotion on his side. It advertises his design to the world with the help of his fashion designer/band manager girlfriend Maia Norman who is well known to the media. What Maia Norman wears is news ready to be told for the media and Hirst uses this advantage to promote his work to the world.
-http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG7733481/Maia-Norman-Damien-Hirsts-Californian-girl.html
Damien Hirst X Supreme Skateboard Decks
30 March 2009
Hirst again has used his design and printed them on products that help promote his work and design’s to the world. This is also a great way to appeal to a different crowd. He usually exhibits to people who are constantly attending galleries whereas the decks are appealing to a younger edgier crowd found on the streets rather galleries. Due to this he is promoting himself to different crowds and creating a larger fan club.
-http://www.highsnobiety.com/news/2009/03/30/damien-hirst-for-supreme-skateboard-decks/
Albrecht Durer
Self Portrait at 26
1498
Individualism makes the individual its focus. In this painting Durer has himself as the main focus point. “His stylish and expensive costume indicates, like the dramatic mountain view through the window (implying wider horizons), that he considers himself no mere limited provincial. What Dürer insists on above all else is his dignity, and this was a quality that he allowed to others too.” This painting is simply all about him and the ideas conveyed – such as dignity and social status - around it all link to individualism.
-http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/d/durer/1/02/05self26.html
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individualism
Artists and designers today I believe are still viewed in the same way they were during the renaissance to some extent. Social status and hierarchy still plays a big role in the design industry as it is always about whom you know and who knows you. The world has seen plenty new designers and people want to know what makes the next new breed a unique one. Artists on the other hand seem to be viewed more realistically as we really analyse their works fairly when seen in a gallery. Also painters today aren’t always trying to portray their expensive possessions and passions through paintings so we aren’t always trying to find a place for them on the social hierarchy.
The image that you have shown by Damien Hirst with the more graphic art caught my attention as I did not know, that this artist also did graphic design. Its interesting to see another style created by this artist.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with you that social status and hierarchy are still a major thing today which affects the design industry as it is all about who you know and the connectins that an individual has.
It is also interesting to see how the theme of individualism is potrayed in a painting such as fine detail, clothing, colour range and setting. In what other ways can you think of potraying an idea through a potrait? Can we only send out the theme through clothing and colour? I think not, I believe that ideas can also be shown though expressionism or abstraction. In a potrait could it be an action or facial expression which helps send out a message or idea?
i truly agree on your statement that the design industry really does consist on who you know and who knows you it isnt to often a designer makes it big without contacts for instance Ron Mueck being recognised for dead dad if not discovered by Saatchi then he may not be the man he is today.
ReplyDeletei like the painting you have of durer i really think it is a prime example of indivualism in paintings. when i look at the painting i feel as if he is almost promoting himself as if he were to brag i see this because of the materialistic items like his clothing and lovely landscape he has painted outside.
I didn't know that Damien Hirst also did graphic art before I read your blog. It is very interesting and I gives me more attentions about the artise Damien Hirst.
ReplyDeleteI really agree what you are saying about the design industry. This is all about the personality and how they thinks. Also when you see the potratis by Albrecht Durer, we can see how he draw the details on face,hair,cloths, and even on the background.
I really like those artists, and would like to know more about them. So that I can use them as a artise models also I can use the styles of them's.
The aritst Damien Hirst did graphic arts like the picture above. It surprised me that he has done the graphic works.In my openion, Damien Hirst was a sculpture with a designer.
ReplyDeleteIt seems very fresh and new to me. I think
Damien Hirst's work is little bot small but it has an impact to get attentions form people. Personally, when I see his works, it has cinematic quality. However its more useful to commecial.
I really like to know more about this artist, and want to know more about his works. Soemday,when I do the sculpture making, he can be the one of my artise model.
I like Durers attitude he puts himself out there. He dosen't care what people thought or think today. Thats what made him one of the most unique artist of his era, he pushed the boundries. I absolutely agree it has always been about who you know not what you know. In an industry were it is about trying to stand out I guess you have to do what you have to do . That is evident in both Durers self portrait and Gavin Turk's work. How else are we suppost to define ourselves as being unique and to push the boundaries.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you when you say that Albrecht Durer paints himself so that he is portrayed as looking like a living god, he is trying to show himself as somewhat wealthy and powerful with the fur coat as you have stated. I do think he has shown his intentions well with his portraits because they are very powerful and i was surprised when you wrote that he has pianted himself as a women in one of his work which is very surprising because ihaven't seen it yet. For as Damien hirst's way of promoting himself by using not only his skills but also his partner's skills is a very great way, because he is showing some examples of teamwork and how working together can take you a long way.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Albrecht Durer’s painting are more focusing of him which shown the life of his, from the age between 22 to 29, the reason might be to show the difference between the ages, because of the portrait it make it more interesting, because in each year Albrecht Durer have done a portrait of him self, showing different feelings, to me these painting that Albrecht Durer have done between the age of 22 to 29 is a time line for him, showing what happened each year, why not start at 15 ?...this could be a story of his life.
ReplyDeleteI really like the fact that Albrecht Durer has challenged society and religion by painting himself as a christ-like figure, It is actions like this that let our culture grow. We dont all confide to the same social mould and believe in the same things, and I think Albrecht is one of the most unique artists of that era for that reason. Renaissance paintings were all full of images of christ and holy figures, so why not place your own face in there? If I was a renound painter in that time, I think I would do the same thing, why not show off a little bit?
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you say about the individualism and trying to get them selves as an artist out there. Also about status with Albrecht Durer works, it truly shows his status or what he is trying to prtrey which is himself and self promotion of his wealthy, god likeness. But also it shows his different moods and different emotions. This is seen through what he is wearing i agree with the fur coat his posture, ans also the surroundings and cloths. this i think is a good example of individualism or prtreying your self .
ReplyDeleteI like how you have stated alot of facts and new begginnings of certain art. Bobby pointed out that Albrecht portrays himself through his work which is truely amazing, alot of artists tend to do that alot by bringing themself out through art, that is what true artists do. I like how you mentioned that it shows the emotions aswell, artwork shows the emotion or phase that artist has experienced or seen someone go through that. Indiviudualism is pretty much being independent and taking things upon yourself and turning it into a masterpiece like he has done
ReplyDeletei find it interesting how you described albrecht durer as "The Renaissance master" that he has "given himself the appearance of a transfigured, charismatic living god." this i find interesting because of how he shows this in his painting. it is almost jesus-like but his intentions was to portray his social status as someone wealthy and with power and being noticed. damien hirst is also similar to durer and wanting to be portrayed as an artist. by printing his designs on skateboards he is promoting himself to different people and trying to be known to the world as an artist.
ReplyDelete"Artists and designers today I believe are still viewed in the same way they were during the renaissance to some extent. Social status and hierarchy still plays a big role in the design industry as it is always about whom you know and who knows you." I totally agree on this point and do believe Social Status is a massive part of the design industry. I also believe that it is about who you know and who knows you. That is a big part of all Art Industries and when your name does get out it is a huge privilege and you know you are good enough to be noticed. I found Damien Hirsts image 'X Supreme Skateboard Decks
ReplyDelete30 March 2009' stand out to me because of the colours and how detailed it all was. Design is very popular in our generation and i think it would be even harder to get noticed now.