In this unit, we have been discussing the high art-low art continuum. I begin addressing this in the Fluxus lecture (see in part
icular the slide with the table and the following slide) and continue to bring in the concept during subsequent units on Neo-Dada and Pop, but it applies to this entire section on Art of the Everyday, the mid-1950s-60s including Nouveau Realisme. Discuss each of the following works in terms of the concept of high art. Remember that high artists in the 1960s often deliberately made choices that were intended to collapse either the high art and low art divide, or the art and non-art divide. Each of these works is a work of high art. What about each of them makes them high art? Each of these works also has aspects that would not traditionally be considered high art or art at all. What are these low art or non-art elements? What choices have the artists made that have the potential to diminish or detract from the high art status or art status of the work? NOUVEAU REALISME: Arman, Le Plein (Filled Up), 1960. Installation at Iris Clert Gallery, Paris. FLUXUS: Alison Knowles, #5 Street Piece (1962). Event score for performance. POP (LA): Edward Ruscha, Standard Station, Amarillo, Texas, 1963. Oil on canvas.
• the farmer is bald, wearing glasses, with a stern look on his face and his eyes starring straight at the viewer.
the farmer is wearing a white shirt buttoned to the collar under worn blue jean coveralls with a dark wool dress jacket.
the farmer is holding a pitchfork with his strong right hand.
the pitchfork pattern is mimicked in this coverall and shirt.
the farmers wife is standing just to her right and behind the farmer
she has light colored hair that is parted in the middle and pulled back tightly
she seems to be looking just to the right of the viewer
she isn’t smiling or frowning but looks somewhat melancholy to me
In the middle ground I see:
a 2 story, white house with board & baton siding
the gothic style window on the 2nd story is positioned directly in the middle of the house and towards the middle of the painting with a sheer printed curtain hanging
below the porch roof is a double 2 over 2 country style window
the porch is held up with turned columns
In the background I see:
round tree tops in shade of green
the very tip of a church steeple peeking out above the tree tops
a light blue sky with a few soft clouds
Explanation:
Elements of Art used in the art work: Textures
the clothing is smooth
pitchfork is shiny, cold and pointed sharp
ric rack & broach are bumpy
man’s face looks leathery from the sun and lumpy with the wrinkles of age and hard work
