Monday, September 7, 2009

Individual v.s. Participatory art

Both individual and participatory art have been in the course of human history for over hundreds of years now; though, the participatory art back then were not as generally accessible as of today. I think that all of us are familiar with "individual" arts that date back for hundreds of years, just look at all the great art works created during the Renaissance era. As for the "participatory" arts, it probably have an even longer history than "individual" arts. I am of course, talking about architecture. Think of all of the famous building, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Great Wall, etc. All these great architectural masterpiece that stands before us today took the contribution/participation of thousands of people. I think this is very similar to the modern, more general participatory art i.e. MadV's youtube collage video "One World". Those famous landmarks were once just a design in one,or a small group of people's mind. It was once just a design, a fictial image created by one's imagination. It was not until all others (on-site superviser, accountant,workers,etc.) participate on building the design, that can become a reality. Almost like how MadV had the idea for his video One World, and he ask the world to join him and participate in this event/art. If it weren't for all those people that respond, he could never have made "One World". If it weren't for hardwork of thousands of people, the Leaning Tower of Pisa would not be here, the Eiffel Tower would not be here, and there sure ain't going to be a Great Wall. When you think about this, it seems everything in life is a form of participatory art, because everything that we've got in our life are the contribution of billions of people before us. Sure someone might argue that: that is not art. But then again, what is art? Like music, art is so judgmental and replies entirely on one's perspective of things. There is no right or wrong in art, there are only like, or dislike.

......i don't really know how to end so i guess thats it

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