Part of my research for my thesis in Creative Visual Studies entails looking at art that appropriates canonical works that have preceded it. Many artists often borrow the language of artists who have come before them to comment on the political undertones of where art has been and where it lies stagnant today. Here is an obvious example:
just wanted to make bootyful flesh
Above: Titian’s Venus of Urbino, 1538
Below: Manet’s Olympia, 1863
this is obvi about sex. i am a hooker btw
Finally, Morimura’s Portrait (twins) 1988
identity politics
Morimura was a photographer who made a photo kind of look like a painting. He put himself in the photo–it kind of changed the meaning of the original.
I’ve been looking at some other famous photogs lately (okay just Lastnitesparties) who also seem to be referencing art history.
Here is Elizabeth Peyton’s Piotr from the 90s:
peter?
LNPs take on this famous painting:
Peyton’s is probably about gender/identity politics. LNPs is about the politics of nakedness/why should we have to wear clothes?
Lorna Simpson’s, You’re fine
you r fine
LNP version
you r hired
Simpson is talking about racism today–mainly people’s intolerance and stuff. LNP is showing the fragmentation of young women today.
There’s video art too. Paul McCarthy and Mike Kelley’s Fresh Acconci (just need to watch first min)
McCarthy and Kelley are talking about like Hollywood and sex via Vito Acconci.
LNP is just like talking about life and how we have to make meaning from it.
Here is a pop culture reference you all might get. Sorry if you feel like I am “educating” you about art.
remember us butts?
there was 10 on the bed n the lil one said rollover rollover