V For Vendetta

"By the power of truth, I, while living
                                                       have conquered the universe."
         - V

Ai Weiwei

Hong Kong (Top)   Mona Lisa (Bottom)  -   Study of Perspective 1995-2003

Photographers interjecting their presence in front of the viewfinder. The photographer wants the viewer to see how they are in a way 'claiming' the landscape, in relation to how the freedom of  people is being claimed unfairly around the world. The Mona Lisa image is even more stirring, the aura that is held by this piece is unquestionable as it is recognized world wide, however what I think Weiwei wants to get at are the constraints now faced by artists such as himself  for speaking the truth.  People must understand that the very art they consume is at risk, Weiwei is rejecting the establishment. His own studio was demolished without warning by the Chinese government as it was said to be 'illegal'.  He could be going as far as saying that people should concentrate on a matter which is so vital, at our doors, understand that today works of art are creating a much different kind of aura. His finger represents the anger and freedom he seeks to find. The very freedom we seek to explore is being crushed. Where peoples own freedom of self expression is being silenced for creating work which questions the norm, the familiar, alas how free are we really?
Weiwei whereabouts is unknown

"you constantly ask yourself if physically
                            or mentally you are strong enough for jail"

Felix Gonzalez-Torres - LETTER - PERFECT LOVERS

Perfect Lovers, 1987-1990

This made me cry! This minimalistic piece of work is accompanied with the letter above which represents the artists love for his late partner that passed away from AIDS. The cold conceptualism is complimented by Torres putting the heart back into his work. The two clocks started at the same time and run at he same time, however fate will have it that one will stop before the other. Representing the loss of his lover. He finds a way to make the personal engaging to "his public". The artist himself later passed away of AIDS.

The way in which Torres exhibited is so inspiring and eye opening. I want to challenge the way I exhibit my final pieces to challenge conventional methods. It is sad to also think about how one can feel free when in love, but when it is lost this feeling can change and free may be not the world to describe the latter.

Challenges to Freedom/Freewill from a Scientific Perspective

1.24 Onwards

                                                  We must solve to problem of freedom, finding room for choice and
responsibility, and trying to understand individuality.

Laws govern our behaviour in the world.

"Worried about how we can be free, if God already knows in advance everything that were going to do"

"Basic physical laws governing everything"

Not alot of room left for freedom. Its a question without an answer? 

Individuality. FREE CHOICE, FREE WILL.

Process is govern by chemical physical law?

Circle of question comes back on itself.

Modes of control.

Blank Slate

Sage Sohier, Man with Woman's Shoes, 2003

At birth, are we given a blank slate?
How does the past shape your future?

Emancipating achieves Equality in ones mind, achieving freedom?

If you haven't been given a choice and are literally brain washed into a mode of thinking, how can you ever be free?

Pioneers of the Downtown Scene New York 1970s - Barbican Art Gallery

Trisha Browns Performance Art is both stunning and mind blowing. Trained as a dancer at the avant-garde Judson Dance Theater in 1962. This influence is clear, she uses public spaces as a stage for  a piece of work. This interaction takes somewhere familiar and changes how we see and perceive it. Roof Piece took place on 12 different rooftops over a ten-block area in New York City, each dancer transmitting the movements to a dancer on the nearest roof. Browns work makes me think of the mental and physical concept of place. Her juxtaposition of place and simple movement styles offer a  tongue-in-cheek humor which brings an intellectual sensibility that challenges the mainstream "modern dance" mindset of this period.It could be said that Trisha Brown is freeing these banal places, renewing them in targeting our thoughts to do so.