Dave Hickey

I agree with Kait, this piece does really remind me of Mona Lisa's Curse.  It discusses the issue of artists caring more about money than art.  Hckey says that there are people out there that really care about art, but there are a lot more than care about the money.  He believes that people are selling out.  In the past people did not get into the art world to make money, it was for a passion, but today people are too focused on the money.  He basically implies that money is not everything, its benefits are great but it just buys you objects.  He says that art dealers are not dealing art but are just selling, basing prices of art on the artists name. 

Custodians of Culture

Similar to "The Mona Lisa Curse," Hickey describes the issue of money and art in our current culture.  He describes that artists go into the art world for the sole purpose of making money, instead of enjoying the talents that they possess while making their art.  He describes that the "art bubble" suck money into the art world, and greedy artists and stupid collectors get stuck in this system.  Non-commercial art, which was created in the 70's, is very different from art that just does not sell.  This non-commercial art paid very well to the artists.  The invention of this allowed the separation between institutional world and the private world.  Non commercial art is economically beneficial for the institution.

Andrea Zittel

I found Andrea Zittel's art to be very different.  She seems conservative and does not need many materialistic items to be happy. She sometimes lives off just one outfit for a whole month, and is used to living in small spaces.  During her childhood, her family was always traveling across country in a small RV.  I found her one piece of art, the one where she lives in the middle of an area of water on a small island she built, to be very daring.  She lived on the island by herself with no contact to other people with the exception of once or twice.  She devotes her life to her work and makes many sacrifices to make her art known.

Andrea Zittel

Andrea Zittel is a very unique artist who has a very different look on life.  She seems to look at things with an eye of a minimalist, living life with a single outfit for every four weeks and in small spaces.  Zittel is most known for her "Living Units", an experimental piece in which you live and only have necessities.  What really caught my attention about Zittel, was the personal fantasy island she created in 1999.  The 44-ton island, located off the coast of Denmark was where Zittel lived for a month.  She stated that she was interested in living there to get away from everyone.  She wanted to be isolated and enjoy her space.  I think that it would be so weird if we all lived on our own islands.  Although it might be cool to move the island throughout the world, it would be very difficult and ridiculous.  I think that people need socialization to in order to survive and stay sane.  What I was wondering was, what if something happened to her on the island, what would she do?  Was there electricity and running water? 

Marcus Coates

Marcus Coates' "art" does not fall under a certain category.  While watching the video in class of what he does, I found it somewhat funny but very strange.  Coates' main goal is to answer people's questions through his art, which includes him contacting the 'lower world', meaning animals, and speaking to them.    While contacting the animals (mostly birds or other animals that live near him), he wears their fur, as seen in this photo.  And when Coates 'returns', he attempts to translate for his audience as best he can.  After watching this video, I did not consider this art.  I was unsure as to how Coates came up with this sort of performance or whatever you may call it.

Improv Everywhere

I found Improv Everywhere to be a very interesting site and something that I would enjoy participating in.  This website announces events for the public to participate in, and to create an interesting scene.  One that I found very interesting and funny was the No Pants Subway, where on a designated day in January in NYC, people that knew of this day would take the subway with no pants on.  I think that this type of art is one that all people can enjoy and certainly grasps people attention in places outside of museums.

Improv Every Where

I found most of improv everywhere to be so stupid but so funny.  The different events that the site puts on are so unique and attention getting.  I really enjoyed the different bits on the subway such as No Pants Subway Ride and Star wars Subway Car.  These little shows are shocking and surprising for unsuspecting observers, who are not prepared for their antics.  This type of installation art is very different from what we have seen in the class.  This sight and these events have really caught the attention of many.  The No Pants Subway Ride has grown from only seven to over 5,000 participants.  It is in its ninth year of running and is starting to catch on around the world.