2.10- Alternative Media and Processes

Conceptual Art

- Ideas behind an artwork are the most important - Often requires the viewer to complete the piece The idea is more important than any material product • Promotes ideas as artworks in and of themselves - Downplays artworks as products

Alternative media

Breaks down traditional boundaries between art and life • Actions and ideas rather than a physical product • Can be interactive • Often incorporates more than one type of medium; categorization of artworks becomes complicated Alternative"media and processes - Describes artworks made outside traditional methods - What are "traditional"methods, processes, outcomes?

Installation

Choreographs an entire space, not just a single artwork • An artist designs or re-creates an entire exhibition space as an artwork • Often "site-specific": designed to fit the dimensions or environment of a particular location • Immerses viewers in the artwork

Readymade

Marcel Duchamp's Readymade - Opened up possibilities for art making • Includes everyday objects, popular imagery, or simply ideas

performance art history

Name for a new form of creative activity • In the 1960s-1970s, artists explored theatrical actions or performances • Unlike traditional theater, there is rarely an identifiable story • Actions of the artist become the focus • Occurs in a gallery, on a stage, or in public and is rarely repeated Influenced by John Cage (composer) - Chance operations - Experimental techniques - Zen Buddhism - Cage was one of the first to conduct "Happenings" • Impromptu art actions - Wanted his artwork to draw people's attention to the life around them

Yoko Ono- Wish Tree for Liverpool (2.10.3)

Ono has been making conceptual works since the 1960s • The piece relies on the interaction and participation of the viewer • Instructs the viewer to make a wish and tie it to the tree • Installed Wish Trees all over the world

Performance art

Performance art - Performed in front of a live audience - Includes all kinds of actions, not just singing, dancing, etc. - Usually in an art-related venue