10.2 Purpose and Audience in Global Contemporary Art

In this study guide, we will be examining several notable works of art that span across different cultures, mediums, and time periods.

From the hauntingly powerful Darkytown Rebellion by Kara Walker to the thought-provoking Shibboleth by Doris Salcedo, these works explore the human condition and its relationship to identity, history, and society. Mariko Mori's Pure Land offers a dreamlike meditation on spirituality and technology, while Cindy Sherman's Untitled #228 pushes the boundaries of representation and femininity. Song Su-Nam's Summer Trees provides a tranquil escape from the complexities of modern life, and Kui Hua Zi's (Sunflower Seeds) addresses the mass production and consumerism of contemporary China. Through these art pieces, we will delve into the depths of what it means to be human and the impact of the world on our individual and collective experiences.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Maya Lin, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, 1982, granite, 2 acres within Constitution Gardens, (National Mall, Washington, D.C.)

• Design by Maya Lin in 1982 and located in Washington D.C.
• A long, black granite wall that serves as a memorial for the fallen soldiers of the Vietnam War
• The names of all the soldiers are inscribed on the wall, creating a powerful and emotional impact
• The simple, yet striking design of the wall has made it one of the most visited memorials in the country
• Significance: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial represents the loss and sacrifice of the soldiers and serves as a symbol of the country's healing process. It also represents the shift in public perception towards the war, and serves as a powerful statement about the impact of conflict.

Summer Trees

Song Su-Nam, Summer Trees, 1979, ink on paper, 2 feet 1-5/8 inches high (British Museum) © Song Su-Nam

• Summer Trees by Song Su-Nam is an abstract painting from the mid-20th century.
• The painting features a blend of organic and geometric shapes, with an emphasis on flowing lines and bold brushstrokes.
• The bright and vivid colors used in the painting evoke feelings of energy, vitality, and summertime.
• This work is representative of Song Su-Nam's distinctive style and his contribution to the abstract expressionist movement in Korea.

A Book from the Sky

Xu Bing, Book from the Sky, c. 1987-91, hand-printed books and ceiling and wall scrolls printed from wood letterpress type; ink on paper, each book, open: 18 1/8 × 20 inches / 46 × 51 cm; each of three ceiling scrolls 38 inches × c. 114 feet 9-7/8 inches / 96.5 × 3500 cm; each wall scroll 9 feet 2-1/4 inches × 39-3/8 inches / 280 × 100 cm (installation at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2014), collection of the artist, © Xu Bing

• Created by Xu Bing in 1988
• A collection of Chinese characters that are completely invented by the artist
• The characters look like traditional Chinese characters, but are meaningless and meant to question the role of language in communication and cultural identity
• Significance: The work challenges the traditional notion of writing and questions the cultural and political power of language. It is a powerful commentary on the nature of communication and the role of language in shaping cultural identity.

Untitled #228

Cindy Sherman, Untitled #228, from the History portraits series, 1990, chromogenic color print, 6' 10 1/16" x 48" (208.4 x 122 cm) (The Museum of Modern Art)

• "Untitled #228" is a photograph by American artist Cindy Sherman
• It is part of Sherman's "Untitled Film Stills" series, which features the artist playing various characters in self-portraits
• The photograph depicts Sherman in character as a fashionable woman, with a neutral expression and a distant gaze
• The image explores themes of identity, gender, and representation in popular culture and media
• "Untitled #228" is considered a key piece in Sherman's body of work and is widely recognized for its contribution to postmodern and feminist art.

Earth’s Creation

Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Earth’s Creation, 1994, synthetic polymer paint on linen mounted on canvas, four panels, each 275 x 160 cm (Collection of Mbantua Gallery, Alice Springs; photo: National Museum of Australia) © Emily Kame Kngwarreye

• "Earth's Creation" is a painting by Emily Kame Kngwarreye, an Indigenous Australian artist from the Utopia community in the Northern Territory.
• The artwork depicts the creation story of the Anmatyerre people, an Indigenous group from Central Australia.
• The painting is made up of thousands of dots and lines, which represent the interconnectedness of all things in the natural world.
• The central motif of the painting is the "Ancestor Snake," which represents the creative and transformative power of nature.
• Through "Earth's Creation," Kame Kngwarreye presents a vision of the world as a dynamic and interconnected system, in which all things are constantly in flux and connected to one another.

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

Frank Gehry, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao (exterior detail), 1993-97, titanium, limestone, glass, steel (photo: josu.orbe, CC BY-NC 2.0)

Frank Gehry, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, 1993-97, (photo: Emilio I. Panizo, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

• Designed by Frank Gehry in 1997
• A modernist building located in Bilbao, Spain
• The building is characterized by its curved, metallic forms and fluid lines
• Significance: The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is a landmark of modern architecture and represents the importance of innovative design in creating cultural and educational institutions. It is also considered a key work in Gehry's oeuvre and showcases his unique approach to creating organic and dynamic forms.

Pure Land

Mariko Mori, Pure Land, 1996-98, glass with photo interlayer, 305 x 610 x 2.2 cm

• "Pure Land" is a large-scale installation by Japanese artist Mariko Mori.
• The work is designed to evoke a futuristic vision of a peaceful, utopian society.
• The installation features a large, oval-shaped chamber with a glowing, circular platform in the center.
• The platform is surrounded by a series of intricate, abstract forms that create a sense of organic growth and flow.
• "Pure Land" invites the viewer to contemplate the relationship between humans, nature, and technology, and to imagine a harmonious future for humanity.

Darkytown Rebellion by Kara Walker

Kara Walker, Darkytown Rebellion, 2001, cut paper and projection on wall, 4.3 x 11.3m, (Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean, Luxembourg) © Kara Walker

• Darkytown Rebellion is a mixed-media work created by American artist Kara Walker. It is an example of contemporary art that addresses the issues of race, gender, and power.
• The work features a large, black, cut-out silhouette of a figure that is partially obscured by an abstract and fragmented background. The silhouette is typical of Walker's signature style and represents the black female body as a symbol of slavery, oppression, and exploitation.
• The fragmented background serves to disrupt the central image, further emphasizing the idea of fragmentation and division in society.
• In Darkytown Rebellion, Walker explores the legacy of slavery in the United States and the ongoing struggle for racial equality. The work is a powerful commentary on the history of slavery and its ongoing impact on American society.

Shibboleth by Doris Salcedo

Doris Salcedo, Shibboleth, 2007-08, installation, Tate Modern © Doris Salcedo (photo: Nuno Nogueira/Nmnogueira, CC BY-SA 2.5-altered)

• Shibboleth is a large-scale installation created by Colombian artist Doris Salcedo. It is an example of contemporary art that explores themes of trauma, loss, and migration.
• The installation features a crack in the floor of the gallery, which runs the length of the space. The crack represents a physical divide that symbolizes the emotional and psychological divisions caused by conflict and displacement.
• The work is a powerful commentary on the impact of conflict and displacement on individuals and communities. It is a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for peace and security in many parts of the world.

MAXXI National Museum of XXI Century Arts in Rome, Italy

Zaha Hadid, MAXXI National Museum of XXI Century Arts, 1998 -- 2009 (opened 2010), Via Guido Reni, Rome.

• MAXXI National Museum of XXI Century Arts is a contemporary art museum located in Rome, Italy. It is one of the leading institutions of its kind in Europe and is dedicated to showcasing the best of contemporary art, architecture, and design.
• The museum is notable for its innovative architecture, which was designed by the renowned architect Zaha Hadid. The building is a dynamic and fluid form that blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces.
• MAXXI is a must-see destination for anyone interested in contemporary art, architecture, and design. Its exhibitions and collections are an important resource for students of art and design, and for anyone interested in understanding the developments and trends in these fields.

Kui Hua Zi (Sunflower Seeds) by Ai Weiwei

Ai Weiwei, Kui Hua Zi (Sunflower Seeds), 2010, Tate Modern, London, 2011 (photo: Waldopepper, CC BY-NC 2.0)

• Kui Hua Zi (Sunflower Seeds) is a large-scale installation created by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. It is an example of contemporary art that addresses the themes of politics, power, and individual freedom.
• The work consists of 100 million small, hand-made porcelain sunflower seeds that are spread across the floor of the gallery. The sunflower seeds represent the individual, while the sheer scale of the installation represents the power of the state.
• In Kui Hua Zi (Sunflower Seeds), Ai Weiwei explores the tension between the individual and the state in China, and the impact of this tension on individual freedom. The work is a powerful commentary on the role of the artist in society, and on the importance of freedom of expression.

In conclusion, these five works of art are important examples of contemporary art that explore a range of themes, including race, gender, migration, conflict, and power. They are powerful commentaries on the world we live in and the ongoing struggles that shape our lives. By studying these works, students can gain a deeper understanding of the role of art in our society and the impact of political, social, and cultural issues on artistic expression.