Friday 23 July 2010
















Taxidermy art by Polly Morgan.
The metaphor/parallel may be obvious, but I really like this piece and I've been kind of fascinated by taxidermy since I went to the Natural History museum. I like how the animals are posed in such lifelike ways, especailly birds as they're so fine-boned and delicate, I thought it would be impossible to stuff them and open their mouths like that. Its amazing! I don't think the work is morbid, its more optimistic and quaint in the choice of materials, especially in the whole spectrum of comtemporary art where the theme of death is extremely common place. I saw her on a documantary recently called Art is Child's Play, talking about how closely linked our play as a child is to what we call 'creating art' as adults. I don't think what we do is as relevant to this theory, as our kind of art is less concerned with experimentation and self expression as it is with 'get good or fail'. Saying that, I have no desire to do a fine arts degree, and Game Art is infinitely more satisfying to my brain - making at it, not looking at it, however.

3 comments:

Aby Bagulay said...

Its kind of unnerving, buts its nice the way you put it! ^^
I' not a huge fan of a lot of contemporary stuff, particularly displays like these, but i wouldn't mind seeing the documentary!
Agree with you on the art form/method comparison! ^^ 'get better or fail' but i guess that's the life flow when you do commercial vocations...

Aby Bagulay said...

Its a really familiar topic/metaphor etc of the life/death representation. Its a lot more powerful than other displays I've seen in London! It makes you stare! lol. the chicks soften the shock of the coffin, like death is this horrible kick to your senses, but life is this sweet thing you want to look after, it seems more powerful than the coffin representation too. even though the coffin is bigger, the chicks are filling it and coming out of it, like they're really the more important thing... bold message... at least thats what i'm getting! lol. arty moment...

Blair said...

Yeah thats exactly the kind of feeling I had about it too heh. For every piece of comtemporary art that makes no sense to you there's always something that you make a connection with, I think. I tried searching for the documentary but its not available online anywhere...if its repeated try and catch it!