Nov 06, 2006 08:00
barrett skrypeck,
art,
frank stella,
ain't,
barbara kruger,
erik maldre,
chuck close,
anselm kiefer,
gustav klimt,
painting,
jasper johns,
conceptual,
francis bacon,
julian schnabel,
postmodern,
gerhard richter,
lee krasner
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The "AIN'T" series is a study on the dynamics found in education.
The materials used in the "AIN'T" series refer to elements of education. The rounded and aged, scratched black matboard is strongly reminiscent of black chalk boards used in schools. The white acrylic paint is applied in such a way to imply chalk lines that form basic letters. The hanging hole (punched in the top center of the painting) takes inspiration from signs hung in classrooms. The size, 5 by 7 inches, refers to the size of flashcards used for learning mathematics.
These basic elements (white paint representing chalk, black mat board representing chalkboard, etc.) are the means by which the message is displayed much as chalkboards are the means by which teachers educate their students.
The message found on the "AIN'T" series can be interpreted as teacher teaching or as student questioning or more exactly: a combination of both.
A good teacher often will not simply state the clear and concise answer immediately. They encourage their students to learn the answers. Acting as the teacher, I encourage the viewer to explore why I say "AIN'T FLAVIN" and "AIN'T POLLOCK", etc. Is it a self-portrait? Am I talking about someone else? Am I implying the name on the painting is not something or has not done something?
A good student is always inquisitive. They ask questions and make bold statements forcing the teacher to sometimes explore regions they perhaps never encountered before; which is also the role the teacher plays by initially challenging the student. It is this dynamic exchange that is the core of this series.
The challenge I bring to the viewer (as student or as teacher) is further emphasized by the lack of punctuation and capitalization. It leaves intrepretation for whether this is a sentence, part of a sentence, question or part of a question.
And perhaps I am not even referencing the famous artist that one may easily assume is involved! There are no first names mentioned.
The simplicity of the presentation of the message is merely white block letters on a black background. Yet the message is not as clear as black and white. Each viewer will experience the painting in a different way which hopefully will be shared with others.
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