Li Songsong, Beihai (II), 2016, oil on canvas, 240 cm × 480 cm × 12 cm (94-1/2″ × 15′ 9″ × 4-3/4″) © Li Songsong
What Is the Essence of Art
Artist Statement
In the process of art history, we have been through the time when painters depicted the delicate pictures regarding the myth and the legend. We also have painters who captured the actual scenes they would like to record before the invention of the camera like wars and portraits. What we have now in contemporary art history are artists who would explore and express their thoughts and feelings through the brushes and paints. We communicate with art. We stand in front of the piece, observe and analyze every color and brushstroke on a painting in order to build connections with the painter and get to know what he/she is trying to express in the work.
Every era has their characteristics which have made impacts to art. The biggest impact of these days is the COVID-19 pandemic for no doubt. Since we are all isolated at home, there is no other way for us to build connections with art and the others but using the internet. The network is just so universal now that we can look up thousands of photos of the artwork just by typing a few words. There are a few galleries that I initially planned to visit and now they have all turned into online format. As I visited these online galleries and looked at the painting that showed on my small screen, knowing the fact that the actual colour of this work should be more terrific than what I was looking at, there were questions in my head that I wanted to find out — would galleries be replaced by online galleries in this Information Age?
In this work, I combine painting with documentary media art — recording me putting paints on an apple as well as on the fabric and to photograph it. At that point, the photograph should look like a painting. After that, I will take a photo of this “pseudo apple painting” and see how the audience would react to the work. Would the audience still be able to connect with the art in a virtual format with the confusion of the medium? Would they be tricked? Or would they rather look at the real work?
Finally this work comes with a question for us.
“In the Information Age, can we still connect with the art without looking at the physical object?”
Link to the additional video: https://youtu.be/–7SyYS6rWA
I think the concept that you are doing is so extremely interesting. Adding the paint directly onto the apple definitely makes it appear to be morphing into those historic oil paintings you talked about. I think the video of the process will be super interesting to see once its done. I would like to see some of the other examples you described like cloth to see how this process appears differently on different items.
I think this is a super interesting idea, but I think you could go even further – why are you painting directly onto the apple rather than painting an apple on canvas? I think a video with a voiceover (this may already be what you are thinking) could help clarify this and other questions I have. This is a super interesting concept overall though and im excited to see the finished video and hear your ideas.
You choose a “philosophical” topic, and I am really interested in joining in the discussion. Also, I think you did a good job in focusing on one specific object—the apple. I think you did a perfect job, and the only suggestion I want to give is that you can change your angle when taking the photos—some unique angles, such as overview, will result in unique effect.
This is such a cool idea. I love all of the conceptual work that you put into your project so far. It’s clear that you definitely put a lot of time into the concept and as a conceptual thinker – I appreciate that. The subject of your work is really interesting – using a 2D medium like painting and applying it to the 3D object which you’re trying to represent opens up a conversation on the limitations of art. That could be a cool concept to think about considering your commentary on the effectiveness of art.
I also really appreciate you commenting on the art world’s response to the current pandemic. I agree the response to Covid-19 was made possible by the technology we have. As we progress further into the age of information the way we view traditional art will obviously be impacted. Is there a way to improve on the way we virtually experience art? Does that take away from traditional art? How does it effect our interaction with the art? The ideas you’re putting forth open up quite a substantial conversation regarding art and technology – great work! (:
I have really enjoyed your progress so far. The way you are presenting your idea on real-life objects is as creative as the fact that even itself can also become artistic. In my own definition, anything that embodies an idea or motive in a certain medium can be regarded as art, however, after going through your proposal and mid-way progress, I am starting to reconsider my criteria on how to appreciate someone’s artwork. By relating real-life objects to what’s in the paintings, you are drawing a bridge to help the viewers construct their own beliefs. I look forward to your finished projects and wish you the best of luck!
This concept of mixing different mediums of art in this specific way is absolutely original. I love the progress you’ve made based on your plan and I’m looking forward to seeing more. I am curious how you came up with this idea. I really like seeing the progress and in-progress shots of you painting the apple. This work is really neat!
I really like the concept with which you are working. It’s a tromp l’oeil twist, beautifully executed from what I was seeing. The simplicity of your lighting choice (desk lamp) works really well within the images. I am interested to see how what you have thus far translates into the video. The images which most stand out to me are the images which include your presence within them. It shows the direct influence we rarely get to see.
This is a fascinating take on our perception of personalized media, particularly in an age where the photograph is no longer considered absolutely objective. Your documentation of layering the various paints on the apple is successful, and it does call into the question the ‘why.’ The apple painting is straight-forward, yet it confronts me about how I perceive it and why. I think it can go further: I recommend taking a photo of the apple (or another subject you wish to paint), but use many lights to eliminate all shadows. Now, only the values and hues of your paint will determines what is light and dark. I would like to see something like that (imagine painting a person’s face like that…woah).
I appreciate your psychological acknowledgement with your points regarding the exploration of one’s self and the relationship with the world (and beyond). This is a quick side note, but I highly recommend watching a show that is quite relevant to this topic: Neon Genesis Evangelion. It has all to do with how the relationship we have with ourselves dictates and projects our attitudes onto others, shaping our interactions.
As for the effectiveness of digital media compared to the physical, I believe it does dull in comparison, but it will become the new norm. People can be drawn to art in a virtual environment due to the fact that it is currently our most efficient way in gaining exposure for pieces, and this will likely be further accelerated and improved.
Great work.