Contemporary Art: Insight into Modern Creativity
ARTH 2010 - Modern Art
University of Cincinnati
May 7, 2024
Contemporary essay: Contemporary art can provide a valuable yet
unsettling critique of society. Contemporary art is the art that is
created today. Contemporary artists are working in a culturally diverse
and technologically evolving world. Their art consists of challenging
the boundaries of traditional art by using different approaches to their
artmaking, different materials and methods, and different concepts.
Masses of contemporary art is used to critique society. However, by
doing so, certain ideas within the criticism can often raise concerns for
the audience.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
Contemporary artists commonly choose to focus of the cultural frame,
exploring current affairs and social interests. Banksy and Ai Weiwei
mutually incorporate modern subjects into their work to express their
ideas regarding today’s society. Banksy is an anonymous street artist
based in England. He is well known for the controversial concepts
displayed in his artmaking. He focuses on subjects involving
capitalism, hypocrisy and social and political issues. Banksy began as
a freehand graffiti artist and used stencils to assist in speeding up his
artmaking process. Later in his career, Banksy combined his graffiti
art with installation and performance art. Banksy has created many
significant artworks within his career including; ‘Kissing Coppers’,
‘Napalm Girl’ and ‘One Nation Under CCTV’. Each of these artworks
express his ideas on current social matters.
Banksy’s artwork, ‘Kissing Coppers’, was created in 2004. This is a
spray-painted artwork depicting two male policemen in their typical
British uniforms, kissing in a lovingly manner. The artwork was
originally located on the side of a local pub near the city, Brighton.
This piece can be interpreted in numerous ways. From one point of
view, the artwork may be interpreted as a response to the acceptance
of homosexuality and the expression of sexual identity. A percentage
of individuals would find this artwork disturbing to view. Banksy
makes the audience question themselves and their reasoning to
disliking this piece. Is it because it is two people of the same sex or is
it due to the public display of affection? Although it seems clear that
this piece is representing gay rights, his use of policemen rather than
ordinary people creates encourages the audience to think about his
artwork in more depth. The title of the artwork also does not signify
sexual identity, indicating that there is an underlying message within
the artwork. This piece represents authority in a different perspective.
Policemen are usually portrayed as masculine and serious people. This
piece displays to the audience that people of authority too have lives
of their own. Banksy acts against his beliefs to convey authority in a
more realistic light. Ignoring the affection in the artwork, it could also
be perceived as expressing how much policemen rely on one another.
They faithfully put their trust into one another with their lives at stake.
Banksy incorporates controversy into this artwork to obtain a reaction
from the audience.
Banksy’s ‘Napalm Girl’, made in 2004/2005, is an appropriation of an
iconic photograph which was captured in Vietnam in 1972. The
photograph originally displayed the mayhem of the Vietnam War. It
focused on a young girl surrounded by other children and soldiers,
assumed to be fleeing their village.
Banksy has used only the portion of the image that concentrates on the
girl and placed her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald.
These two characters are typically considered to be smiling and child
friendly. Banksy has juxtaposed this with the photograph of the
Napalm girl. The fear being expressed on the girl’s face is also
contrasted with the bright and smiling faces on the two characters.
Both Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are familiar faces of
American capitalism. This is ironic as the Unites States in the same
country that released Napalm on Vietnam. Therefore, Banksy is
critiquing capitalism. As Banksy stated, 'The greatest crimes in the
world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people
following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages.' His artwork is a representation of both; the fun and
cheerfulness of the American culture, and the reality that America can
also be dark and devious. Banksy uses Napalm Girl to communicate
powerful meaning to his audience.
‘One Nation Under CCTV’, 2007, is another example of Banksy’s
street art. This work was painted on a building wall in London. On the
bottom right side of the painting, a person is dressed in a hooded
jumper, dark shorts and a backpack, being watched by a police officer
and dog on the opposite side, painting the words, ‘ONE NATION
UNDER CCTV’, onto the building wall. Banksy purposely created
this artwork on this wall as it has its own CCTV camera examining
the area. The artwork is aimed to criticise the extreme surveillance
that had become a large social issue in England and internationally.
The work was eventually painted over but this is not the only time that
Banksy has mocked CCTV.
He has also created a similar artwork titled ‘What are you looking at?
CCTV’. Correspondingly, this work displays the words - ‘what are
you looking at?’, on a blank wall that is under surveillance. Banksy
utilises his art to respond to current topics of interest. Ai Weiwei is a
Chinese contemporary artist and activist who, similarly, uses his art to
convey his ideas about political issues. Ai Weiwei is deemed as being
the most famous Chinese artist of today. He is known for being
outspoken and his art is not always appreciated by the public, due to
the provocative nature of his creations.
Initially, Weiwei used paint as his main medium. However, he soon
turned to sculptures and installation art. Within the artworks – ‘Soleil
Levant’, ‘Surveillance Camera’ and ‘Straight’, Weiwei purposely
explores subject matters that are controversial to the Chinese
government. Ai Weiwei’s installation artwork, ‘Soleil Levant’, was
created in 2017. The installation blockades the windows of Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, an art exhibition gallery, using over three thousand
and five hundred life jackets. These life jackets have been collected
from refugees arriving at Lesbos (a Greek Island). Weiwei’s purpose
of this artwork is to raise awareness for refugees and the existing
humanitarian crisis taking place across Europe. Ai Weiwei
significantly planned his artwork’s official opening on June 20th,
which is the United Nations World Refugee Day, another indication
that the artworks prime purpose is to bring attention to refugees. Ai
Weiwei’s marble sculpture, ‘Surveillance Camera’, was sculpted in
2010. Like Banksy, Weiwei created artworks ridiculing surveillance
cameras. On the contrary, this was not just any CCTV camera, this
one had been installed into Weiwei’s own home and studio by the
police. 'In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my
slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by
Chinese authorities”, these cameras track the artist everywhere he
goes, contrasted with this, Weiwei locates and tracks each camera
monitoring his property. A marble sculpture, literally and
symbolically set in stone, symbolises and reminds the audience of this
characteristic in the artist’s life. When observed, the sculpture can
resemble a head and shoulder-like figure. This reminds the audience
of the incongruity and absurdity of his situation. In addition, two years
later, Weiwei set up his own ‘Weiwei Cam’. This camera would
mimic the intrusion of the Chinese authority by broadcasting live and
inviting Weiwei’s viewers to examine him as he minds his own
business and continues with his life. Weiwei uses his artworks as
testimony that the Chinese government is responsible for the intrusion
of his personal life into the lives of citizens.
‘Straight’, 2008-2012, is a visual representation of an earthquake and
its effects. ‘Straight’ is a response to a specific occurrence of authorial
corruption. This artwork addresses the earthquake of 2008 which hit
the Sichuan area and left an immense number of casualties. Weiwei
was astonished to discover that these deaths could have been avoided.
‘Straight’ is another testimony held against the government to claim
them liable for this incidence and aim to prevent another disaster in
the future. It was created using bent and broken steel bars collected
from poorly built schools, he hired metal workers to mend the bars
until they looked the way they did before the earthquake. He used an
earthquake seismograph to arrange the bars in ways that resemble an
earthquake. Each of the thousands of bars symbolise a life lost in the
earthquake. The government responded in displease to this artwork as
they did not like the attention that was drawn to this national
humiliation. Weiwei was famous for criticising the Chinese authorities
through his artmaking.
To conclude what is contemporary art essay, Banksy and Ai Weiwei
have used contemporary art to criticise the relevant issues of today’s
society. Both artists convey their ideas throughout different ways but
are effective in doing so, whether it be through street art or installation
art. Their audience also plays a role in their art, responding positively
and negatively creating public controversy. Both artists have
successfully provided a valuable yet unsettling critique of society.
