Field Trip #2

       There are art and designs that are considered to have "high functionality and low functionality". Some art can be functional for people and some are just great to look at.
        The two designs I chose to represent high functionality are "Andrea Air Purifier" by Mathieu Lehanneur and the "Bellflower Lamp" by Wieki Somers. The first work of art "Andrea Air Purifier" by Mathieu Lehanneur is a miniature mobile greenhouse for domestic use that continuously cleanses air by circulating it through three natural filters, which are plant leaves, plant roots, and a humid bath. What makes it ergonomic is that the humidifier is used by many people to filter the air that we breathe. It absorbs toxic gases in various environments. Also it is very easy to maintain  because any household plant can be used. The second selection the "Bellflower Lamp" by Weiki Somers is also a high functional work of art. It is a lamp made from high-tech fibers through a braiding technique. The shade, base, connecting arch, and electricity cables are all woven in one production line. What makes it ergonomic is that it is a functional lamp. humans use lamps in every day life. Even though this particular lamp is extremely big in size it still can be used in your every day life to light a room. These two works of art have a lot of things in common, one being that they enable the user in everyday life routines. The both are not the first of its kind, but are made uniquely.
      The two designs I chose to represent low functionality are the "Honey-Pop Armchair" by Tokujin Yoshioka and "Project for a public ball" by Anatole De Baudot". The "Honey-Pop Armchair: by Tokujin Yoshioka is chair made up of paper of the type of paper honeycomb that is used in Chinese lanterns. When it is peeled open, accordion-style, it accepts the impression of the body of whoever first sits on it. It is low functional because even tho it is a chair it is made up of paper, you cannot put all your weight on it and sit comfortably. It cannot be apart of your people friendly, functional living room. The "Project for a public ball" by Anatole De Baudot has low functionality also because it is a model figure of an actual place. You can not actually use it to throw an event. Also the size of things used to put in it isn't the real size of usable objects. Yes, it is very useful to give you idea how to put the event together, but you cannot actually place decor and furniture that a person can use. I would alter the honey-pop chair made of paper to make it more ergonomic by making the paper armchair with something more sustainable.
       Some art has high functionality and low functionality. If a design or work of art is categorized in both high and low functionality doesn't mean one is good design over the other. Art and design go hand in hand. You can't make art without a design, and things you design are a sense of art.

 "Andrea Air Purifier" by Mathieu Lehanneur

 "Bellflower Lamp" by Wieki Somers

 "Honey-Pop Armchair" by Tokujin Yoshioka

"Project for a public ball" by Anatole De Baudot

ART & IDENTITY- THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART

        Art has been used to express our  most profound sense of identity. Whether the extent of the artistry is fictional or fact, exaggerated or simplicity , fantasy or Truth, etc, you can still get a sense of the art identity. Through out time art has had a series of change and evolution. With that being said art through time still is used to express many different types of identity, such as, personal identity, cultural identity, and historical identity. 
        The first art work I chose that gave me a sense of the artist personal identity was a photograph by Wolfgang Tillmans called "Chemistry Square", Smoker. It was created in 1992. The medium used was chromogenic color print. It was a very personal picture of a man smoking but not looking at the camera. It captures a personal setting being that its zoomed closed up and the subject isn't looking towards the camera.
        The second art work I chose that gave me a sense of cultural identity was a painting by Henri Matisse named "Dance I". It was created in 1909 and the medium used was oil on canvas. The painting gave a sense of movement. Dance is automatically connected to culture. Dance is an activity that mostly every culture has regardless of their background. It is a tradition. The artist gave a visual of dance by the positioning of the females body parts.
        The third art work I chose that gave me a sense of historic identity was a painting by R. B. Kitaj called "The Ohio Gang'. The medium was oil and graphite on canvas and it was made in 1964. This picture has a very strong historic feel because of the way the subjects was portrayed, their clothing,  and the scenery. The painted has a slight abstract feel also.
        In conclusion art can be viewed with different identities. A painting that can be viewed as a personal work of art can also be viewed as a cultural or historic identity as well.