Post-Modernism, Ai Weiwei and Banksy

1. Define Post-Modernism using 8-10 bullet points that include short quotes.

- Post modernism does not deny modernism, however it is in a whole different sense that is trying to revive more traditional ideas.

- It is the philosophical movement that was trying to get away from modernism

- It says that all of our realities are nothing more than ideas created by social movements and groups and so forth

- It is "having rejected the past many years ago and now the future is no longer the goal of artistic effort.." Witcombe (2000)

- Post modernism is a hugely important theory behind all sorts of creations such as the theatre, books, cinema, journalism etc..

- Post modernism is merely a different perspective on modernism

- The progress of these two movements grew from the Enlightenment

- Post modernism rejects the ideas of 'subjectivity' and 'objectivity'

- The social constructs that are of the time and our ideas can be changed at any time depending on what the people who concern it see fit

2. Use a quote by Witcombe (2000) to define the Post-Modern artist.

"The name given to this new period is Post modernism. The Term post modernism is used in a confusing variety of ways. For some it means anti-modern; for others the revision of modernist premises" Witcombe (2000) pg. 18

3. Use the grid on pages 42 and 43 to summarize the list of the features of Post-
Modernity.

- Social and cultural

- Play of surfaces, no concern for depth

- Hyper-reality

- High culture in regards to popular culture and then combining the two

- Art not only how it is but also the process, performance and production.

- It's work is hugely ironic

5. Research Chinese artist Ai Weiwei's 'Han Dynasty Urn with Coca-Cola logo'(1994)
in order to say what features of the work are Post-Modern.

The reason for why Ai Weiwei's work is considered post-modern is because of how it combines two different ideas in a very ironic manner. In the images below we see a monumental urn, obviously priceless, and the artist has proceeded to print on to it the 'coca cola' symbol. Here we can judge that Ai Weiwei is an artist of the post-modern era for combing these two very different ideas. The next image is of him dropping the priceless urn, all for the sake of art. Post-modernism makes us believe that for the sake of any kind of art, nothing material really matters that much, because it is constantly interchangeable and mailable.

Han Dynasty With Coca Cola Label (1994) Ai Wei Wei

Ai Wei Wei Dropping Han Dynasty Urn


6. Research British artist Banksy's street art, and analyze the following two works by the artist
to discuss how each work can be defined at Post-Modern.(Use your list from point 6.)

Street artist Bansky is primarily know for two reason. One of the reasons is that he stealthily does works of graffiti around major cities and in doing so has made himself infamous all over the world. The second reason is because no-one actually knows who Banksy is. There is a huge amount of speculation in to this and many thoughts as to who or what he is, some say that Banksy is not one person, but actually a collective of people and while others say he is actually one person parading around behind a monkey mask whilst he has a personal assistant handling the other side of things, the way Banksy operates in a post-modern act in itself, for it is rejecting the modern ways. His works too, are clearly that of post-modern workings, because they reject the tradtional mediums of art, and all of his work belongs to the people who see it, because it is on public buildings in public and such.

Flower Riot Banksy

Los Angeles (2008) Banksy

References

Banksy., (2007) Wall and Piece: Random House, UK

Weiwei, A., (2006-2009) Ai Wei Wei's Blog: The MIT Press

Butler, C., (2003) Post Modernism : A Very Short Introduction: Oxford University Press, USA

Nathalie Djurberg's 'Claymations'.

It's The Mother (2008) Nathalie Djurberg

Nesessity of Loss (2006) Nathalie Djurberg


1. What do you understand by the word 'claymation'?

Claymation is a form of art in which the artist builds minature (or otherwise) models of clay figurines, and whilst filming this moves the figurines into position so that they create a motion picture of 'claymation.' However, claymation does not have to be it for motion purposes, it can also just be the figures by themselves.

2. What is meant by the term 'surrealistic Garden of Eden'? and 'all that is natural goes awry'?

The term 'surrealistic Garden of Eden' in my opinion from the research I have found, means a perfect sanctum, perhaps that is so perfect, it seems surreal, meaning that it is not real in any sense of the word, and makes us feel uneasy because this place can just not be so. The term 'all that is natural goes awry' meaning that the nautral order of something has become so entirely disjointed so it is no longer what it is meant to be and instead mayhem exsists in it's place.

3. What are the 'complexity of emotions' that Djurberg confronts us with?

Djurberg confronts us with the knowledge that the human emotion is a difficult thing in bring together or pin down. They are so complex that they hold many secrets aswell as many different layers of being, in Djuberg's work we see images of great destress aswell as that of great joy. She combines all these different emotions in to one emotion and this is where we can see the ''complexity of emotions."

4. How does Djurberg play with the ideas of children's stories, and innocence in some of her work?

As claymation is often a medium used to create work for children, we can therefore note the child-like ideas she has brought in to it. The characters (some of them) hold a child-like simplicity and also the ideas that they have are that of those children would sometimes have. Although for the main part I would think that while, yes, there is the childish thought there, it is very minor compared to the vulgar and tainted ideas of the real world.

5. There is a current fascination by some designers with turning the innocent and sweet into something disturbing. Why do you think this has come about?

I think the reason for this is because, for the very simple reason that they can. Artists are forever pushing the boundaires of what is politically correct and what is not. The idea that we can turn something that is meant for children into something pornographic is just further proof that the world is becoming twisted and our minds are completely desensitized where as a few decades ago something like this would be completely frowned upon. This type of work is just physical proof that the world is changing and growing, fast.

6. In your opinion, why do you think Djurberg's work is so interesting that it was chosen for the Venice Biennale?

Because in its own right it is very beautiful and moving. Djuberg clearing has talent and flair for the kind of work she does, and it is very different and controversial to many other things that are being produced. People, as a whole, love to see things that disgust them and push their imaginations further. This is why I believe she won the Silver Lion, because her work showed much promise to push the ideas of the surreal onwards.

7. Add some of your own personal comments on her work.

Although I think she is very talented and I have enjoyed looking at her work aswell as researching her, I do not care very much for what she is doing. It is not the kind of thing I enjoy. Not so much the ideas she is portraying because I think it is very courageous for a young girl to be creating such things, I just don't care much for claymation.


References;
Nathalie Djurberg, Kaput Art Magazine (2006) http://www.meatspaceart.org/meatspacesite/kaput02/02/sansone.htm

Nathalie Djurberg, RFC Muesum (2008)http://www.rfc.museum/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=350&Itemid=552

Venice Biennale: Nathalie Djurberg (2009) http://we-make-money-not-art.com/archives/2009/10/nathalie-djurberg-who-won-the.php

Modernism and Post-Modernism

Self Portrait (1998) Chuck Close

Maggie (1996) Chuck Close

Water Lillies (1920) Claude Monet

Water Lillies (1920) Claude Monet

1. Outline the intentions of each artist.
The intentions of both of the artists were to take a normal subject matter, as they have shown, such as people or flowers, are represented that common subject matter in an entirely different way. Designed to question the viewer and make the viewer think, quite clearly, out of the box, and to extend the viewers mind outside of a normal comfort zone in order to express themselves as artists better and also more creatively.

2. Describe the techniques of each artist
Chuck Close uses a straight line of a brush stroke and then used these to create many box-like shapes that close in on themselves. He has used these in various colours and shades to then create the final picture. The materials in which he used to do these paintings include; a razor blade, an airbrush, rags and an eraser in which was attached to a power drill. He became well known before this as he decided to throw away all his regular tools such as paintbrushes and started to only use tools of a bizarre nature when it came to creating paint art works.

Claude Monet has an similar idea of creating his work, but at the same time is also entirely different to what Close has done. Monet has painted the as he probably sees the subject matter as an artist. The flowers have been painted with a slight blur to them, which again, challenges the viewer to think outside the square. Another reason for why Monet may have painted these works with a slight blur is because whilst he was doing this work he suffered from eye cataracts. Monet did 20 paintings in this series of the water lillies, so then became one of his most famous pieces.

3. Find 2 quotes about each artists work, and reference them correctly.
"the illusion of an endless whole, of water without horizon or bank....."the refuge of a peaceful meditation in the center of a flowering aquarium." Claude Monet, The Museum of Modern Art, (1926) http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=5100003&CID=5447010003801a

"en plein air" (outdoor) techniques for painting" Eugène Boudin (1857) http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/monet/

"Chuck Close is an American artist noted for his highly inventive techniques used to paint the human face. He is best known for his large-scale, Photo-Realist portraits." Anon (unknown) http://bigthink.com/chuckclose

"I threw away my tools,I chose to do things I had no facility with. The choice not to do something is in a funny way more positive than the choice to do something. If you impose a limit to not do something you've done before, it will push you to where you've never gone before." Chuck Close (2009) http://www.chuckclose.coe.uh.edu/

4. Note 3 similarities of the work of both artists.

- Both use a different kind of brush stroke
- Both approach the work with photo-realism and hyper realism
- Both are trying to push the boundaries of art for their time

5. What are some differences between the artist's work. (at least 3)

- The subject matter each artist uses is entirely different
- The inspirations that each of the artists paint from are obvious, and because of the time are in ways trying to achieve something different
- To the viewer, the works are completely different.

6. Describe your response to the work of both artists.

As an individual, I think that I respond better to the works of Monet out of the two artists mentioned in this blog. Because I personally just prefer the more classical type of art work from this era. I like both the subject matter and the way Monet has painted.

Also, I personally am not a fan of Close's works. Though I fully can appreciate the work that he has done and I do like how he has not used a conventional way of painting, this makes him different and more talented then most artists of his time for pushing the boundaries as he has done.

Claude Monet, Biography, (2003) http://www.chuckclose.coe.uh.edu/

Tucker, P.H, (1998) Claude Monet: Life and Art. Yale University Press.

Finch, C., (2010) Chuck Close: Work Prestel, USA.

Finch, C., (2010 Chuck Close: Life Prestek, USA.

Industrialisation and Cao Fei's RMB City

Umberto Boccioni (1910) The City Rises

Dynamism of Dog on a Leash (1912) Giacomo Balla

1. What and when was the Industrial Revolution?

The Industrial Revolution began in the 18th century and continued into the 19th. It was an era inwhich began in the United Kingdom and from there on spread to Europe and so on. What the Industrial Revolution is itself is the huge changes the began in the fields of agriculture, business, technology, manufacturing, and transportation. These changes had huge inpact on all aspects of the economy.

2. Research both Modernist paintings in order to comment on the subject matter, form and style used to celebrate the machine and motion in each painting. Answer the question in 2 parts for each painting.

In Boccioni's work 'The City Rises' we see a city in quite clear uproar. The subject matter consists of what looks like some sort of fox-like beast taking over a city. The fact that our attention is drawn to the subject matter of the background, in which is an array of buildings, we can tell that Boccioni's work is intended to be in a Modernist style and we can therefore relate this work to industrialisation.

The reason for this fact we can refer this work to industrialisation is because the subject matter is harsh and dirty. The fact the work refers to the destruction of the city through motion, we as viewers get a sense of the work being some what machine-like, because it is often that machine is seen as something dirty and destructive. Boccioni as indeed intended for this in his work as we see here.


The subject matter of Balla's work features a dog quite clearly in motion. The way he has painted it leads us to believe that this is true, he has painted the dog itself and then continued to turn it on an angle and keep painting it this way. He has used a classical form of painting and then added an industrial twist to the work.

This work portrays the movement of the city and the harsh reality which is that of the city. We can relate this work to industrialism because it shows the nature of the new industrialised city in which Balla was clearly influenced by.

3. Research Cao Fei's RMB City (2007-9) in order to comment on this work in more depth.

RMB City was a work created by Fei as something the viewer could actually go and interact with themselves. It is said to be known as a type of 'online city' which one can go and push the boundairies between the physical exsistance of ones self as well as pushing that of the virtual self. This work took Fei almost 2 years to complete and holds a lot of meaning in regards to the Industrial movement itself. RMB city was used for the creation of several films and also as a live theatre.

I personally very much like this work and think it has been very well done.

4. RMB City is described as a utopia/dystopia. Comment on what these terms mean, and how they can be applied to the work.

RMB City has been described as utopia/dystopia because of the subject matter involved in the piece. It is an array of different things and different pieces of scenery. One, we can call this utopia because utopia is a word used to describe a picture perfect place inwhich displays the perfect kind of world. However dystopia is used to describe a mismatched type of scenery or world. These two terms can be applied to the work RMB City because it is something which makes the viewer think of a place which is an unrealistic euphoria of a world and then the mismatched mixed up feeling we get from the work.

5. Although the Modernist paintings and the contemporary digital work have emerged from
different contexts, there are also many similarities. Comment on the similarities that you can see in the work. Look at the moving digital image at vimeo.com/4272260, if you have not
already researched it.

Although RMB City is different in many ways to the previously discussed Modernist work from many years ago, it still holds true that there are a lot of similarites. These simlarites can be seen in the fact that both of the works are based on motion and machine, where as when Balla and Boccioni were creating their works they had to be far clever with the means that they expressed themselves when showing motion and movement, where as thanks to modern day technology, Fei is able to express himself much, much more fluidly. Both of RMB City and the Modernist works has usewd machine to further the kind of destruction they viewed as being placed during each of their times.


The Industrial Revolution – Innovations. (2011) Industrialrevolution.sea.ca.

People's Monthly 01 Issue", ed. RMB City, (2008)

Fei,C. (2009) Cao Fei: PRD Anti-Heroes Museum Het Domein.

Dubovsky. F,.(1996) Industrialism and the American Worker, 1865-1920 (American History Series) Harlan Davidson

Landscape and the Sublime

On The Beach (2003) Richard Misrach

Untitled 2 (2002) Richard Misrach

Wanderer In The Mists (1818) Caspar David Friedrich

1. What and when was the Enlightenment?

The Enlightenment happened during the midst of the 18th century and is commonly reffered to as the age of reason, and it was called that because this was the time "when man began to use his reason to discover the world, casting off the superstition and fear of the medieval world." Aude Sapere (1999.) The Enlightenment was thought of as not ideas but actual values and beliefs, this was because the ideas within The Enlightenment were often quite contradicting with each other, and so bought about the phenomenon inwhich people began to lead lives based on The Enlightenment. The Enlightenment was not only big in europe, but also in America and Australia, and other places as such.

2. Define the concept of the Sublime.

The Sublime in some ways, is much like The Enlightenment. The Sublime was the notion that us as humans were able to transend above and beyond normal human emotion. To be able to fully appreciate and become apart of The Sublime, one had to have the the belief that there was more to ourselves then what we could see. This includes the belief in paranormal activity, life after death, our souls not exclusively belonging to our bodies, and so forth.

3. How did the concept of the Sublime come out of the Enlightenment thought?

The Sublime was one of the many ideas that the The Enlightenment gave birth to. In this new age of Enlightenment people had become accoustmed to taking in new beliefs that prior to the beginning of The Enlightenment they would of not had the mind brod enough to do so. We can see The Sublime coming through in many aspects of The Enlightenment, such as people opening their minds to the fact that although God was not the be all and end all, science still could not explain everything. Thus ideas began to form that suggested that there was life beyond death and perhaps it wasn't heaven or hell. The Sublime became a great concept to work with through art as it depicted great, vast landscapes completely secular, showing only the beauty and serenity of man in nature.

4. Discuss the subject matter, and aesthetic (look) of Misrach's work to identify the Sublime in his work. Add some more images of his work.

Misrach was greatly known for his minimalistic approach to painting. Depicted in his works we see a stretch of land that quite clearly goes on for miles without anything except one or two people, clearly doing nothing but relaxing. Misrach opens our eyes up to the great nothing which is the beauty of nature, this is what The Sublime teaches. The amazing thing which is that no matter what we build and where, nature will always take its course and act of its own accord, and nothing we do is ever for sure or forever. Misrach draws us in to the beauty of nature and of The Sublime.

Man With Rifle (2001) Richard Misrach

5. Identify some other artists or designers that work with ideas around the Sublime, from the Enlightenment era as well as contemporary artists.

Another artist that worked largely around the idea of The Sublime was Salvador Dalí. He used bizarre out of place objects and painted them with the idea of the Sublime in context. As I have put here you see the melted clocks in the foreground of a vast background. He is obviously not as such a contemporary artist but did become a forerunner for this kind of work.

Persistence of Memory (1931) Salvador Ali

Barnett Newman was quoted as saying his work focused around some ideas of the Sublime and the Enlightenment. His work basically solely consisted of large paintings of one or two colours and could either leave plenty or not much at all to the imagination.

Untitled (1970) Barnett Newman

A famous photographer by the name of would take photographs of beautiful scenery from helicopters and paragliders and through what he photographs we can see is influenced largely by the Sublime.

Untitled (2002) Benutzer Flyout

Also another photographer who was famous for this kind if Sublime photography was David Wilman

Snowdonia (2010) David Wilman

6. How does Misrach's photography make you feel? Does it appeal to your imagination?

Misrach's photography does to me exactly what he probably intended it to. He makes me feel at peace and serene and most defiently gives me a much greater appreciation for the Sublime. Because of the emptiness of space and landscape seen in his work it leaves plenty for the imagination. We begin to wonder what exactly Misrach saw we he took that particular photograph and if it is that same as we feel.

7. Add a Sublime image of your choice to your blog, which can be Art or just a Sublime photograph.

Japan Tsunami (2011) Unknown

Science and reason- Video art by Pipilotti Rist

Still from 'Ever Is All Over (1997)'

1. Define the 17th century 'Scientific Revolution', and say how it changed European thought and world view.

The Scientific Revolution of the 17th century was where science became a huge part of the way an indiviual percieved the world. The world for the individual was primarly percieved as the church wanted it to be, and there was no room for other opinion. With the rise of the Scientific Revolution finally other views and beliefs were able to be publically shared. This revolutionised the religious system, in the churches view this was obviously for the worse, people could now openly question what the church had lead them to believe and with this the social status of the church fell greatly.

2. Give examples of how we can we still see evidence of the 'Scientific Revolution' in the world today.

We can still see evidence of the Scientific Revolution today in the fact that religion, though a very dominant part of society around the world, is not as promininent as it once was. Because of the Scientific Revolution the religious society was changed for better in some cases, and for always. By teaching science in public schools as a way of explaining how we came to be has become the most common rite of teaching children. Children are not publicly taught to believe in God as they were during the renaissance, obviously this is not the same for private religious schools but for the government funded and led schools it is the case.

Research Pipilotti Rist's video installations to answer the following;

3. From your research, do you think that the contemporary art world values art work
that uses new media/technology over traditional media?

The contemporary art world, in my opinion, does not value video media art works as much as traditional works as video media is seen as far less tangible then something we can physically hold, and something that is of great meaning to art collecters, have and hold and collect. As soon as we move into the video media side of art, it becomes freely accessable. Anyone can go on to a site such as You Tube and get as much as they like out of it, free of charge. This is, of course, art for the ever changing world. As technology gets more and more advanced we all feel far less need to actually own paintings and sculptures, even DVD movies and CD albums. Because it's all right infront of us on a little screen.

4. How has Pipilotti Rist used new media/technology to enhance the audience's experience of her work.

In one of Rist's works that I watched, she used a fairly wellknown song and changed the tone of it to make it sound ridiculous. Featured in the video itself, we see a perhaps middle aged lady (though because it is blurly and out of focus it is hard to tell) quite obviously topless dancing around. Rist has used self ridicule through video media to attract a crowd and connect with them on a higher level. If a photograph is one picture and a 2 minute video 1000 pictures, then there is bound to be far more work to appreciate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJgiSyCr6BY
I'm Not A Girl Who Misses Much (1986) Pipilotti Rist

5. Comment on how the installation, sound and scale of 'Ever is Over All' (1997) could impact on the audience's experience of the work.

By playing something as expressive as this on such a large scene is a great indication as to how the audience would view the work. The sound and scale give note as to how exactly, we as viewers, are supposed to view the work. We can almost take the sense of boldness in a work as instuction to how the work was orginally, in the artists mind, meant to be seen. The factors of the work seen that Rist has used, I think were intended to heighten the audiences view of the work.

6. Comment on the notion of 'reason' within the content of the video. Is the woman's behaviour reasonable or unreasonable?

The 'reason' behind said womans actions are entirely how each individual wishes to interpret. If we are to look at her actions as being for the sake of 'art' then as 'artists' ourselves we are able to appreciate the beauty in the act of her smashing up car windows. However from a different perspective if one were to see this lady in real time walking down the street in real time, if would be grounds for arrest. I think that the point of the work is that because it is film we are torn between knowing if this is actually real/not real, acceptable/unacceptable.

7. Comment on your 'reading' (understanding) of the work by discussion the aesthetic (look), experience and the ideologies (ideas, theories) of the work.

The work for me, has proved to me that contemporary art is not something we are able to pin down and class as anything. It is one of the most contervesial and speculated over things in the world within this day and age. The work Rist has created is indeed beautiful and moving but as all art, when is enough enough? Or is that the point of contemprary art? It seems so.

The History Guide - Scientific Revolution, Main Page (2002) Steven Kreis http://www.historyguide.org/earlymod/lecture10c.html

Ferris, T. (2010) The Science of Liberty: Democracy, Reason, and the Laws of Nature Harper, UK.

Rist, P. (2006) Pipilotti Rist Dumont.

The Social Status of The Artist

Self Portrait In Fur Coat (1500) Albrecht Durer

Knob (1997) Gavin Turk

Damien Hirst and Maria Norman (1995) Anon

1. Identify aspects of Durer's self portrait that show a changing view of the artist's view of himself as
an individual.
During the renaissance period a front on view was reserved for God's only. For mere mortals they were painted on a three point angle and Durer was very daring and narcissistic to paint himself in this way. Another point that makes us as viewers think Durer thought very highly of himself was because he painted fur with himself which was an expensive commodity. Self portraits Durer has done of himself previously were painted in a much less impressive manner which leaves us to believe that as Durer grew as an artist he had an higher and higher view of himself as an individual.

2. Explain how the artist's social status increased during the Renaissance period. Briefly explain why this happened.
During the renaissance period the gradual social increase throughout Italy and Europe was due to the fact that Europe gained a vast amount of wealth during this time because of the trade centres erected and due to the growing social status of the countries the artists benefited also because people were able to afford art work and galleries. This made art a lot more prominent and sort after and therefore the artists were held in higher regard then previously in the renaissance.

3. Comment on Gavin Turk's work in relation to individualism, status of the artist and egotism.

Individualism, according to a website (1986) by Lexicon Ayn Rand , is the idea and movement that each and everyman has the right to be whomever he wants to be and do whatever he wants to do with his life. Gavin Turk has used this idea to turn his work into something we can note as being conceited as the majority of his work solely consists of his name, used in different styles and mediums. This is taking the social status of the artist further because on what Durer used to make himself look better through art Turk is doing in a modern way, by making his artwork just about himself.

Love Turk (2009) Gavin Turk

Untitled (2009) Gavin Turk

By looking at an artists work such as Turk we can relate individualism, social status and egotisim all in one. Egotism is clearly an artist thinking greatly of himself and thinking that the viewers of art would of course want to see works that revolve solely around himself. By purposely putting the subject of his work in a form of self portrait we can gather a large amount of Egotism from the artist.

4. Comment on Damien Hirst's use of his work and the media for self promotion.

Damien Hirst has become known for his use of self portrait for self promotion, aswell as photos taken of him at public places almost becoming self portraits of himself also. He uses public stunts through the media for the promotion of his work, selling himself through the media to create sales and quite importantly, hype for himself. Hirst has become wellknown for doing obscure self portraits of himself to gain attention.

5. Find 2 images of work by artists or designers that reflects some of the ideas of individualism,
self promotion or egotism that have been discussed on this blog. Upload images to your blog, title and date the work, identify the artist/designer and comment on the work in relation to the question.

My Bed (1998) Tracey Emin

Tracey Emin reflects individualism in the sense that this is a personal work reflecting the artist herself to a high degree. Emin has taken her own bed inclusive of the surroundings which include delicate and intimate objects such as women's unmentionables, condoms, empty wine bottles, tissues and placed them exactly how they would be in her own room. Tha artist of the work has been known for her works that refer to the most intimate aspects of her life, and she uses herself as the main subject for most of her work. We can relate Tracey's work to not only individualism but also to egotism and self promotion as she is using her own self to sell herself, individualism comes into it by the artists own right to create works of what she chooses, as it is her freewill, regardless of what her viewers think or how she is judged for it.

I've Got It All (2000) Tracey Emin

Another work in which Emin uses individualism, egotism, and self promotion for the promotion of her work in a manner that works very well for the type of art she produces. The Emin work I have featured here is a self portrait in the form of a photograph. Emin has taken this photo most likely using a tripod and it features her sitting surrounded by money implying the success, fame and riches she has gained from being an artist. We can see from this work that Whiteread is showing off what she has made of herself therefore we can very much relate this to egotisim as she thinks very highly of herself, and with good right too, I suppose.

6. How do you think artists and designers are viewed in Western society today?

Artists and designers are viewed in this day and age by the Western society as people who can transform any idea or thought that could possibly cross their mind in to anything they wanted, anything that is expressed using a creative medium we can call as art. Artists and designers can even just use the simple idea of a work and call it 'conceptual.' I personally think that artists and designers have become absoultely anyone with a creative thought that crosses their mind. Todays Western society has made it so that you don't even need to be talented in the area of art and design as long as you have the money to hire the people needed to create that work for you.

Gavin Turk, Gavin Turk Biography (2007)
http://www.skny.com/artists/gavin-turk/

Individualism, Definition of Indiviualism (2007)
http://aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/individualism.html

Social and Economic Changes During the Renaissance, Title page (2006)
http://www.all-about-renaissance-faires.com/renaissance_info/economic_social_and_religious_change_in_the_renaissance.htm