Tony Oursler - Uncanny Artwork

It was my intention to upload some images of work by Tony Oursler but Blogger won't let me, 'some errors have occurred' apparently. Anyhow, undetered;This American artist creates video sculptures using found objects, projection and audio. The work is classically uncanny in its frequent use of dismembered dolls and body parts such as projected images of disembodied heads and faces. The use of audio animates these inanimate objects creating a really uncanny and unsettling experience. Oursler has had several exhibitions of his drawings and is currently showing at several venues including the Metropolitan Museum and the Whitney biennial (neither of which I will be attending of course!)Sorry that I cannot post any images, there are loads on the net though. Google search on Tony Oursler and hit the images button if you are interested.

My (brief) Thoughts on Postmodernism, Art and Culture

Postmodernism. (It's my cultural context)

Postmodernism is a rather general term but a useful one for describing and referring to a broad range of cultural and critical movements and ideas that have, and are, influencing contemporary society and visual art since the '70's.
In stark contrast to modernism, Postmodernism is strongly associated with pluralism; the past, present and future are considered from a variety of viewpoints. Consequently, previously accepted ideas, existing knowledge, social and cultural structures are challenged and questioned. Many of the ideas currently associated with postmodernism have been developed by cultural theorists and particularly those associated with Marxism, feminism and psychoanalytic theory. (My work and research for this project will stem from Freud's psychoanalytic ideas on the uncanny as well as later contributors to this theory such as Jentsch and Lacan.)

Other postmodern tendencies have been fuelled by concerns about issues such as war, the environment, globalization, power, consumerism, sexism and racism. As a consequence there is often anxiety, uncertainty and a fear of the future. ( I believe that this is where the uncanny, disquieting or unsettling aesthetic in so much contemporary art (and drawing) stems from.)

Postmodern Art.

The pluralistic nature of postmodern art means that it takes many different forms and explores wide-ranging themes and ideas. Much of this art includes themes, ideas, materials, and forms which challenge accepted traditions in our western culture and society. As a result postmodern art has helped to break down and blur the boundaries between medias, styles, cultural origins and has encouraged positive attitudes to diversity; embracing many forms of artistic expression not previously valued in the west. Many contemporary artists influenced by postmodernism create work that draws attention to the constructed nature of visual imagery and the values and ideas they communicate. This frequently involves using strategies that actively encourage the viewer to find multiple,conflicting or alternative meanings in the work. This is often achieved by appropriation, re-working images or creating layered and fragmented images. ( I intend to consciously include and explore these postmodern facets in my own work for this project, all the while seeking to create 'the uncanny'; which is, of course, a highly subjective response. However, there are particular elements and occasions when uncanny responses are more likely to be elicited. More on this in my next posting.)

There is no work yet. I am researching and I have been reading;

Introducing Postmodernism.

Beginning Postmodernism.

Interpretive Frameworks for Contemporary Art.

Uncanny - no work yet!

This (uncanny) work is by the french artist Annette Messager. She is a bit 1980's (if you know what I mean)but an artist whose work I frequently admire. Contextually her work is predominantly autobiographical which is completely opposed from my own position but all the same I really like the radical juxtapositions and unusual objects she often employs. I have not created any work myself this week. I am still researching, coming to terms with 'the blog' and.................................................................................

The Cultural Context of Drawing - The Real and The Unreal

Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Welcome to The Real and The Unreal, an exploration of the cultural context of my arts practice. This area of enquiry relates to a longstanding interest in generating artworks with the potential to induce psychological and emotional responses in the viewer. Not in the crass shock-aesthetic of Brit Art but probably related to, and stemming from, the subtle and sublime elements of a Dadaist or even Surrealist sensibility.This developing element of my practice is inextricably linked to my frequently conscious and deliberate application of uncanny aesthetics and to an interest in the Freudian notion and theory of Das Unheimlich. I have long held the view that the prevalence of so many seemingly uncanny contemporary artworks (examples to follow) are directly related to postmodern cultural beliefs and fears. In particular the fear of the future (especially at the turn of the millennium), the death of religion, the western culture of self-worship (me, me, me!), 911, The Iraq War and so many other catastrophic disasters (natural and manmade) that are graphically depicted in our living rooms on a daily basis. This is my view and personal theory; that the uncanny aesthetic, disturbing and unsettling, is the natural artistic by-product of a cultural response to postmodern living and dying. My question is this,’Is there a correlation between the prevalence of uncanny aesthetics in contemporary drawing (and art generally) and the defining facets of post-modern western culture?’What do you think?