Objects and Non-Traditional Media in Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Objects and Non-Traditional Media in Art - Essay Example This trend continued into the 19th century as Vincent Van Gogh experimented with impression, and well into the 20th century, as artists such as Pablo Picasso and later Jackson Pollock revolutionized the medium through increasing forays into abstract modes of expression (Gombrich, 1994). While the subject matter of these visual works greatly changed over time, their overriding medium remained largely constant. Through conceptual and minimalist movements, art in the second half of the 20th century began to step outside the canvas-painting trend (Osbourne 2011). Today artists regularly use or manipulate objects and non-traditional media in creating art. Through a consideration of intentions and methods, this essay examines artists’ implementations of such objects and non-traditional media. Perhaps the 20th century’s most prominent non-traditional medium is assemblage art. This specific art form establishes two or three-dimensional art forms by combining found objects (Lock hart 2010). In better understanding the structural nature of this art, one considers that its parallel in literature is stories or novels formed from already existing texts (Lockhart 2010). While assemblage art forms date to as early as Picasso’s early 20th century cubist constructions, the term was first articulated in the 1950s after Jean Dubuffet’s work ‘assemblages d'empreintes’ (Lockhart 2010). ... While assemblage art refers to a specific type of non-traditional production, one also considers the implications of transcending mainstream modes of artistic expression. In gaining interpretive insight into such an event, it is necessary to step outside traditional art criticism into perspectives that analyze the broader media. One of the most seminal such perspectives in this arena is that of Marshall McLuhan. McLuhan (1964) argued that the medium is the message. While such a statement makes a variety of complex arguments, one element is that the very nature of the medium necessitates shifts in meaning. When such a perspective is extended to artists working in non-traditional mediums, one comes to recognize that such expression not only functions as a means of the artist creating a unique work, but is necessary to capture the increasingly complex cultural signs operating within modern social contexts. It will be seen that the central thorough-put in assemblage and non-traditional a rt is an effort to codify and comment on this complexity. When considering the use of non-traditional forms of expression one of the seminal early assemblage artists is Joseph Cornell. Cornell’s work largely was created around the mid-20th century, paving the way for future forays into assemblage (Soloman 1996). While the Cornell’s exact motivation for venturing into non-traditional mediums is unknown, today his work carries with it a haunting, yet characteristic aesthetic (Soloman 1996). Cornell’s work mainly centered on small boxes that he would meticulously fill and arrange with objects. Fig. 1 below is an image of Cornell’s 1950 work ‘Planet Set.’ From observation one recognizes the highly uncharacteristic and unique assemblage of

Entrepreneur Interview and Personal Analysis Essay

Entrepreneur Interview and Personal Analysis - Essay Example He asserted that his job as a waiter was well paid, yet he took the bold step of fulfilling his desire to venture in to the business. Ardichvili et al. (2003) observes that if there were no self confident entrepreneurs to venture in to new businesses, then there would be no business at all. Pro-active and Self Motivated Being pro-active and self motivated was among the significant traits that contributed to the success of the entrepreneur in business. Being decisive than other people made it possible to make a choice regarding the suitability of the site for a business. Such entrepreneurs act quickly to take advantage of an emerging opportunity before anyone else (Burns, 2011). Laggards usually wait for others to establish businesses so that they can observe their success or failure to make a decision. The interviewee demonstrated determination to succeed in business despite the challenges it posed to personal life such as lack of time to think about marrying. Intrinsically motivated people usually derive satisfaction from what they do (Pink 2009). Intrinsic motivation was the significant driver to accomplish entrepreneurial goals making the entrepreneur happy and contented regardless of these challenges. He was determined to work more hours than he did at that particular time. Learning through Actions Learning in this investment has been as a result of actions whereby the outcome of the activities engaged in is the source of essential information for greater investments. For example, the interviewee asserts that he was not sure what to expect in the business. Nevertheless, the idea of operating in a unique manner was expected to augment efforts of attracting customers especially due to the fact that there were no similar shops offering a variety of services as the interviewee’s shop. According to Littunen (2000) creativity is significant in marketing since it helps in generating the right market mix to serve the desires of a wide range of customer deman ds. This business not only offers food and drinks but also a variety of other goods and services such as entertainment through music and live coverage of significant sporting events that attract customers. Visionary and Flair According to Burns (2011), â€Å"In order to succeed, entrepreneurs need to have a clear vision of what they want to achieve† (p 41). The interviewee demonstrated that he was visionary and flair through his efforts of promoting a shared objective among his employees and rallying them to support him in his efforts. They contributed ideas that influenced strategic decisions that enhanced the success of business. The employees were motivated to be part of the business and portrayed dedication to their work. His charismatic leadership was significant in encouraging people to work as a team. Charismatic leadership is significant in attracting followers. The leader has a characteristic allure and elegance, which are admired by subordinates. The Charismatic lea der possesses self-belief and gathers followers through dint of personality and charm, rather than any form of extrinsic motivation or use of authority (Sosik, 2000). As Greenleaf & Spears (2002) observe, charismatic leaders are encouraging to their subordinates and try to pay attention to all their needs as well as making each person to feel important through appreciation of his/her contribution. Timing in the establishment of the business is a significant factor that led to its success. It was