Next
to Art is a 14 year photo compilation and
investigation into the activation and definition of “what is art”. Composed of over 1,200 images that I took or found on the internet of people interacting or being in the presence of what is deemed art. This installation exposes and poses a series of questions and problems that can be traced to the development of modern and post-modernization institutionalization of art. How is art
activated? When does something become art? Who and what gives art it’s
credibility and authenticity? Is it art if it is
not shared with another? Does simply viewing lend
authentication, confirm and reinforce the concept that an object, space or
event is art? Relevancy? Intention? Does it have cultural and social validity because
it is displayed, collected, and preserved? Who is making these decisions and
why do we most often accept it without question? Is it a form of
self-preservation, a celebration of our own existence? What does the
preservation, displaying and authentication of art say about a culture and it’s
society? Does collecting, displaying, preserving, educating, and labeling
(products of biennials, fairs, galleries, museums, patrons,
and education programs) universally homogenize artifacts, most often stripping them of their
original context, history and heritage? Is there an ongoing colonization of art? Is art openly and democratically shared?
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