Justin Patons' "Ten Good Reasons"

Summary of  "Top Ten Good Reasons," by Justin Paton. Week Two - 09/03/2010


In the chapter "Top Ten Good Reasons", Justin Paton begins by addressing the question "What is art?" When mulling over this question, there are many answers and ideas to what art could be. Paton writes that the many ideas and questions surrounding this topic are good, but they seem disconnected from the simple experience of just looking at the art. He makes the suggestion that when this question arises, one should ask for a list of their personal top ten artworks, and the reasons for their choices. He suggests that we should worry less about what art is and talk more about the essence of the artwork, how it is made, why it catches our attention. Through this we each should grasp the answer to what art is to us. In this chapter, Justin Paton also goes on to talk about the top ten paintings that matter to him personally, and the reasons why.

I like Paton's writing style because his writing is light-hearted and easy to read. It is clear, when reading this chapter, that each work he talks about has some kind of meaning or memory associated with it that he personally relates to. I like the choices that he has made for his top ten because they cover a wide range of artists and styles, as well as covering a broad time period. I think that Paton's intention in writing this chapter is to portray the message that there is no strict code or canon for art. Art is to each person, what they read and see in it, and what it means to them personally. He also mentions that these lists that we create are simplistic and can instantly change as we see and experience more in life. He ends this piece of writing by saying that passion for a particular artwork doesn't always have to have a specific meaning or reason to it. Every once in a while it is fair to say "I like it just because".

Bonnie's Top Five Visual Favourites

1) Photographer, Rodney Smith

Rodney Smith takes some of the coolest photographs I have ever seen and he is one of my favourite photographers. I have always loved his work because his use of colour, light and his playful approach make some very memorable images. I find that the world that is depicted in Rodney Smith's photographs is full of quaint and funny surprises.

"In one image, an elegant woman stands before a window in a sun-shot Baroque sitting room, while her reflection in a nearby mirror creates a ghostly double. In another, men in bowler hats and impeccable suits stand chest-deep in a field with pruning shears raised, yet cut nothing. Each of these events is captured in Smith’s stunning black-and-white photographs (sometimes tinted with other delicate colours), which are characterized by their tightly arranged, evenly balanced compositions." (Reverie and Reality Article)

When I look at Smith’s clever images they inspire a sense of curiosity in me. I like the fact that, in the calm, ordered world of Smith’s images, everything seems composed and in its place, yet he is still able to create magic and bring humour. "His photographs impress upon their viewers the sense that the world is a magical place, full of untapped potential and happy accidents that can occur anywhere and at any time, if only we pay attention." (Reverie and Reality Article)  I love the arty and unique approach that Smith brings to his work, it is something out of the ordinary, that instantly creates and tells a story. Smith believes that, "A real rebellion in art would be to show people that there is real beauty and grace in the world." (Reverie and Reality Article)

2) The "LOVE" Sculpture, by Robert Indiana

Robert Indiana's work often consists of bold, simple, iconic images, especially numbers and short words like EAT, HUG, and, his best known example, LOVE. The idea for the sculptural piece originated from a visit to a Christian church in Indianapolis, where Robert was taken by a banner that read "GOD is LOVE." (Wikipedia) "Conceived in a time when the United States was consumed by the Vietnam War, LOVE became a symbol for Peace. This famous sculpture is one of the most celebrated works within the pop art movement as well the art world as a whole. LOVE is a 144" (h) x144" (w) x72" (d) sculpture made of poly-chromed red and blue aluminium, weighing 3,800 lbs."(scottsdalepublicart.org) The sculpture consists of the letters LO (with the O canted sideways) over the letters VE.

LOVE is a sophisticated yet abstract composition, and it is also, in essence, a one-word poem. The brilliant contrast of the colors and the bold contours of the letters give the sculpture  visual intensity. Indiana has arranged the word so that it fits in a square format, with the stacked letters touching one another in a manner that could suggest physical intimacy. His composition for LOVE is innovative in the way it dissolves the division between seeing and reading. Indiana has described the character of his work as “verbal-visual.” (magazine article, q and a with artist)

This is one of my favourite sculptures because it relates to what I believe is one of the most powerful elements of life. Love is such a huge and powerful thing. There are so many questions that arise concerning this one word. The way that Robert Indiana has made this sculpture instantly creates a statement with the bold colours used. This is one memorable sculpture that is not easily forgotten. 

3) Graphic Designer, David Carson

David Carson is best known for his use of photography in Graphic Design and for his innovations in the field of typography. He is often referred to as the “father of grunge.” I love his work because he became famous by breaking all the rules of Graphic Design and developed his own signature style. I like the fact that his works do more to communicate the emotion of the product, article, or whatever subject he is designing around then they do to literally display the subject.

I like his work because he is clearly unafraid to mix sizes, fonts, weights, styles, and orientations of letters, to make a statement. "The bizarre placement of type goes against any and all preset rules of design, breaking them all and not bothering to create new ones." (dcd.com) He places pictures in places most would not think for them to go. Yet somehow, this jumble of creative regurgitation still works and creates a fresh and entertaining vibe.

If you look at the Ray Gun cover, it demonstrates his disregard for traditional graphic design rules and shows a determination to be set apart. His use of all lower-case letters shows informality and invites the reader in as an equal. The unexpected orientation of the cover photo would catch the eye of a potential reader passing by, setting Ray Gun apart from other magazines as interesting and unique.

I have always enjoyed looking at typography and the use of words in art. I just love the look of words, patterns and letters in art. I find Carson's work very inspiring because I love to experiment with words in art and find myself doodling all the time, scribbling out quotes etc... I also love the fact that he didn't follow traditional guidelines, but tried something different and becuase of his passion, he became successful. 

4) Fashion Designer, Vera Wang

After her own unsuccessful search for the perfect wedding dress, American fashion designer Vera Wang created a business plan, started her own company, and filled a void in the bridal gown industry. Perhaps the best known name in bridal fashion, her contemporary yet often simple designs have adorned many brides. According to the official Vera Wang website, "The Vera Wang label quickly took off, earning praise from the fashion elite for its luxurious fabrics, exquisite detailing and modern interpretation of classic lines."

Vera Wang has revolutionized the way people look at bridal dresses.  She has transformed them in the last decade to stylish, couture-look gowns. "Before we brought sexuality to weddings," she said, most brides "looked like the bride on top of a cake, very decorated."(Vera Wang Website) I absolutely love her nonchalant approach to style and luxury. Her design has signature layering, intricate draping and she has exquisite attention to fabric and detail. In her work she captures the art of draping and showcases a classic symbol of romance: the bow.

In fashion, I love Vera's use of ribbons, buttons, bows and blossoms because they add romance and eccentricity to her work. These design elements also establish an optimistic tone, which is what one wants at their wedding, hopefully. :)

I have always love fashion and textiles. Every since I can remember I have been interested in colour and dress sense. As a little girl I would sit for hours and draw figures of girls in different styles of clothing. Nowadays, my favourite thing to do is shopping. :) To walk around the shopping malls and look at the latest styles and colours that people are wearing and that have come out in stores. I love especially love Vera Wang's work because of the simplistic but romantic style and design of her dresses.

5) Artist, Mark Shasha

Mark Shasha is an American artist. He is also an author, illustrator and educator. His subjects are often very familiar, realistic and figurative, and are usually inspired by the textures and light found along the New England coast where he has lived since childhood.

Shasha's work has received acclaim; "Captivating" (Smithsonian), "Alluring and dreamy" (The New York Times), "Beautiful and strongly atmospheric" (Publisher's Weekly), "Dazzling, beautiful" (Marblehead Reporter). (MarkShasha.com)

A lot of his work is oil painting, in which he uses shimmering blues and greens and vibrant reds and oranges. His work seems to be strongly atmospheric. His use of light, shadows, and darkness in the luminous full-colour paintings invite viewers into the scene as if we are experiencing it for ourselves .

The softness and tranquillity of Shasha's work draws me in because what he paints depicts a lot of what I relate to from my childhood. Playing in the water, being by the seaside etc... I feel a calmness and peace when I look at his work because it brings good memories. I also love the very sweet and quaint style that he has in painting, using vibrant colours to bring warmth and happiness.

Bibliography:

Rodney Smith

1. http://www.rodneysmith.com/

2. J Hartz, Anne Chesnut, Reverie and Reality; Photographs by Rodney Smith, Article, (16 May - 10 August 2003) University of Virginia/Art Museum, Online http://www.virginia.edu/artmuseum/downloads/reverie_and_reality-rodney%20smith.pdf.
Robert Indianna
1. Image off Google Images
2. http://www.scottsdalepublicart.org/collection/love.php
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LOVE_(sculpture)
4. Nancy Heiser, Eat, Hope, Love, Magazine Article, (June 21, 2009; Globe Newspaper Company) Online http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/articles/2009/06/21/qa_with_artist_robert_indiana/. 

David Carson
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Carson_(graphic_designer)
2. http://www.davidcarsondesign.com/

Vera Wang
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vera_Wang
 2. http://www.verawangonweddings.com/
3. http://www.answers.com/topic/vera-wang

Mark Shasha
1. http://www.markshasha.com/
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Shasha