Regen Projects II, featured a number of repeating gold panels that all read, “I was a nigger for twenty-three years. I gave that shit up. No room for No room for advancement.” This would probably seem a bit intimidating if one did not understand the origin of the work. The artist, Glenn Ligon was actually referencing a Richard Pryor joke. (Richard Prior: Stand-up comedian of 1970’s) There are subtle changes in how each surface is painted which makes each unique. There are also various other Richard Pryor jokes that are sort of dispersed throughout, but glancing at everything as a whole, one would never notice. I didn’t realize that these were jokes, so I wasn’t sure how to interpret the work at first. Another part of the show was a neon sign that read Negro Sunshine, which was apparently taken from Gertrude Stein’s novel, “Three Lives”. I’m assuming it was intended to be left unplugged and not lit up. Seeing the text displayed in this way, made it seem much harsher than it must have originally been intended when said during a stand-up comedy routine. I suppose this is what the artist must have wanted. Changing the context of something can easily change the meaning. After I had a better understanding as to the artist’s intent, I could appreciate the work much more.
We are a group of Art students from the University of California Riverside who are attending a series of Art Galleries in several parts of Southern California. We have decided to use Blogger.com to post the pictures we take, and record our thoughts and opinions about the work we visit. You can find our critiques and thoughts on the work in the "comments" field, which appears below the pictures of the art.
http://www.regenprojects.com/
1 comment:
Regen Projects II, featured a number of repeating gold panels that all read, “I was a nigger for twenty-three years. I gave that shit up. No room for No room for advancement.” This would probably seem a bit intimidating if one did not understand the origin of the work. The artist, Glenn Ligon was actually referencing a Richard Pryor joke. (Richard Prior: Stand-up comedian of 1970’s) There are subtle changes in how each surface is painted which makes each unique. There are also various other Richard Pryor jokes that are sort of dispersed throughout, but glancing at everything as a whole, one would never notice. I didn’t realize that these were jokes, so I wasn’t sure how to interpret the work at first. Another part of the show was a neon sign that read Negro Sunshine, which was apparently taken from Gertrude Stein’s novel, “Three Lives”. I’m assuming it was intended to be left unplugged and not lit up. Seeing the text displayed in this way, made it seem much harsher than it must have originally been intended when said during a stand-up comedy routine. I suppose this is what the artist must have wanted. Changing the context of something can easily change the meaning. After I had a better understanding as to the artist’s intent, I could appreciate the work much more.
-Drue-Ann
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