Hey, I loved it. He impressed me more than any teacher I’ve had at UM. He came at the perfect time. I’m increasingly lost and dissatisfied with my painting studies. I’ve been anxious for something to get excited about, an outlet for everything that’s longing to explode from within, but can’t function within the limits of what I’m learning. I remember, last year, feeling angry and confused about conceptual art. I’d busted my ass to develop my technical skills, painting and drawing painstakingly—having no fun—while the exhibits I saw at local galleries often boasted a child’s technical skills. What was I missing in my education? Going to galleries and hearing speakers like Bert has enabled my concept and experience of art to evolve. Finally, I believe that my work can be valid in a non-technical context. Like Bert said, “The hand doesn’t have to be involved;” the artist as a mentality. So, thank you for that.
I like the minimalist and utilitarian aspects of Bert’s art. “Art functioning as a daily experience… anything that expands your realization of life.” He also makes good use of the muse and seems to be in love with love (Please, it was hard not to notice most of the girls in class swooning in their seats). This neurotic, dog-loving artist travels with his father and lives in a dream world, but somehow makes it work. Listening to his explanations and looking at his work blew me away. Really. Exhibits based entirely on Feng Shui and failed relationships. The Simpsons as inspiration. I couldn’t stop thinking about it the next day. I tried to discuss my excitement with the ladies at work, but the response I got was, “Oh, yes, my friend’s daughter is starting the art program at UM, she’s soooo good at drawing things!”
He’s pleasantly insane. So ridiculous and over-the-top and impenetrable. He has a wild imagination and a providential life in which to manifest it. His work flirts with the viewer, but I wonder what it’d be like if he tackled larger and harsher issues. He mentioned marrying a random person for a year… might’ve been just another of his ploys, but what about the thousands of immigrants each year who marry to achieve their residency and a chance at a better life?
The best part of Bert’s cleverness is its subtlety. For instance, “Buy, Replace, and Return,” “Almost There,” and “One Man V.I.P.” defy expectations, satirical and fresh. He and Snitzer are well-matched. Bert perfectly fits Snitzer’s description of the artist as player, and many of his pieces are prime for marketing, i.e. “A Friendly Reminder” and “Where I Need The Most Cheering Up,” which would hang perfectly in any businessperson’s office. (Good time to consider the relevancy of a previous class discussion, the power of putting something in a gallery, and its consequential conversion into art).
He’s insightful. And an artist should be… someone who notices and elicits art from what non-artists never recognize. That’s why we need art; it’s the beauty amongst the mundane. And conceptual art goes beyond aesthetic appeal to tickle the viewer intellectually. Bert does this well when he taps into the subconscious, producing subtle manifestations of his choices, influences, and experiences. Like, “A Wall I Built With My Father,” beautiful. He’s also establishing a legacy with pieces like “New Addition” and “The End.”
I agree with Bert’s statement, “It’s not the object that’s imbued with magic, it’s the experience.” The object provides a lasting reminder of the experience, but it makes more sense to me, in today’s unstable world where everything is done faster and faster, to make art that’s short-lived; it increases the value of the work, at least, and if it “Makes your life slightly richer,” even better. The misadventures of Bert Rodriguez are pretty entertaining… and promising. Can I have his e-mail address?
His work is definitely different from every other artist out there. It was a nice change from the usual stuff. I like that every piece is so personal and meaningful. That's what attracted me.
No, he's not insane or neurotic; its the rest of them who are... I heard him last year, and i think there has been a subtle but significant change; he emphasizes his romantic sense of life just a bit more now....I hope he keeps on in that direction; its really refreshing. Its also the first time I've heard anybody talk about how important it is to enjoy the process, the journey as well as the destination. It can't be said enough--both for itself and the simple fact that mental habits are hard to break, and if one "arrives" with the spirit broken, it probably won't suddenly repair itself. As to the art itself, i saw two aspects of minimalism--the one where things look merely somewhat unfinished (the walls, some of the furniture) and one where the minimal aspect serves to concentrate and focus the meaning. In latter I would include the very simple neon pieces that were based on his personal geometry (the romantic is always very personal), and the photographs. I hope he DOESN"T tackle "larger and harsher issues" as Steph suggested!! Let him keep his sense of innocence. His interest in children's books reminded me of what inspired me-- several of Dr. Suess' books, and one of old Norse myths (they both had a sense of the surreal and magical transfomation).
Dom, what do you mean "the rest of them?" Other local artists? The art community in general? I thought Bert seemed neurotic, and he admitted to being OCD, but that's irrelevant to the quality of his work... regarding "larger and harsher" issues, why not? What's the value of his supposed "innocence?" Seems pretty safe and even trite to me. I'd be diappointed if in ten years Bert Rodriguez is still bending neon signs into hearts. His work is refreshing, but it's also safe and non-confrontational. No problem with that, just wondered how someone so clever and original would address the rest of the world.
5 comments:
Hey, I loved it. He impressed me more than any teacher I’ve had at UM. He came at the perfect time. I’m increasingly lost and dissatisfied with my painting studies. I’ve been anxious for something to get excited about, an outlet for everything that’s longing to explode from within, but can’t function within the limits of what I’m learning. I remember, last year, feeling angry and confused about conceptual art. I’d busted my ass to develop my technical skills, painting and drawing painstakingly—having no fun—while the exhibits I saw at local galleries often boasted a child’s technical skills. What was I missing in my education? Going to galleries and hearing speakers like Bert has enabled my concept and experience of art to evolve. Finally, I believe that my work can be valid in a non-technical context. Like Bert said, “The hand doesn’t have to be involved;” the artist as a mentality. So, thank you for that.
I like the minimalist and utilitarian aspects of Bert’s art. “Art functioning as a daily experience… anything that expands your realization of life.” He also makes good use of the muse and seems to be in love with love (Please, it was hard not to notice most of the girls in class swooning in their seats). This neurotic, dog-loving artist travels with his father and lives in a dream world, but somehow makes it work. Listening to his explanations and looking at his work blew me away. Really. Exhibits based entirely on Feng Shui and failed relationships. The Simpsons as inspiration. I couldn’t stop thinking about it the next day. I tried to discuss my excitement with the ladies at work, but the response I got was, “Oh, yes, my friend’s daughter is starting the art program at UM, she’s soooo good at drawing things!”
He’s pleasantly insane. So ridiculous and over-the-top and impenetrable. He has a wild imagination and a providential life in which to manifest it. His work flirts with the viewer, but I wonder what it’d be like if he tackled larger and harsher issues. He mentioned marrying a random person for a year… might’ve been just another of his ploys, but what about the thousands of immigrants each year who marry to achieve their residency and a chance at a better life?
The best part of Bert’s cleverness is its subtlety. For instance, “Buy, Replace, and Return,” “Almost There,” and “One Man V.I.P.” defy expectations, satirical and fresh. He and Snitzer are well-matched. Bert perfectly fits Snitzer’s description of the artist as player, and many of his pieces are prime for marketing, i.e. “A Friendly Reminder” and “Where I Need The Most Cheering Up,” which would hang perfectly in any businessperson’s office. (Good time to consider the relevancy of a previous class discussion, the power of putting something in a gallery, and its consequential conversion into art).
He’s insightful. And an artist should be… someone who notices and elicits art from what non-artists never recognize. That’s why we need art; it’s the beauty amongst the mundane. And conceptual art goes beyond aesthetic appeal to tickle the viewer intellectually. Bert does this well when he taps into the subconscious, producing subtle manifestations of his choices, influences, and experiences. Like, “A Wall I Built With My Father,” beautiful. He’s also establishing a legacy with pieces like “New Addition” and “The End.”
I agree with Bert’s statement, “It’s not the object that’s imbued with magic, it’s the experience.” The object provides a lasting reminder of the experience, but it makes more sense to me, in today’s unstable world where everything is done faster and faster, to make art that’s short-lived; it increases the value of the work, at least, and if it “Makes your life slightly richer,” even better. The misadventures of Bert Rodriguez are pretty entertaining… and promising. Can I have his e-mail address?
I loved it!
His work is definitely different from every other artist out there. It was a nice change from the usual stuff. I like that every piece is so personal and meaningful. That's what attracted me.
No, he's not insane or neurotic; its the rest of them who are...
I heard him last year, and i think there has been a subtle but significant change; he emphasizes his romantic sense of life just a bit more now....I hope he keeps on in that direction; its really refreshing. Its also the first time I've heard anybody talk about how important it is to enjoy the process, the journey as well as the destination. It can't be said enough--both for itself and the simple fact that mental habits are hard to break, and if one "arrives" with the spirit broken, it probably won't suddenly repair itself.
As to the art itself, i saw two aspects of minimalism--the one where things look merely somewhat unfinished (the walls, some of the furniture) and one where the minimal aspect serves to concentrate and focus the meaning. In latter I would include the very simple neon pieces that were based on his personal geometry (the romantic is always very personal), and the photographs. I hope he DOESN"T tackle "larger and harsher issues" as Steph suggested!! Let him keep his sense of innocence.
His interest in children's books reminded me of what inspired me-- several of Dr. Suess' books, and one of old Norse myths (they both had a sense of the surreal and magical transfomation).
Dom, what do you mean "the rest of them?" Other local artists? The art community in general? I thought Bert seemed neurotic, and he admitted to being OCD, but that's irrelevant to the quality of his work... regarding "larger and harsher" issues, why not? What's the value of his supposed "innocence?" Seems pretty safe and even trite to me. I'd be diappointed if in ten years Bert Rodriguez is still bending neon signs into hearts. His work is refreshing, but it's also safe and non-confrontational. No problem with that, just wondered how someone so clever and original would address the rest of the world.
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