I went to an exhibit a few weeks ago that has then been lurking in my brain ever since. I will say upfront that I tend to shy away from contemporary art, but still, there I was in the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, wandering through the galleries. I had not taken my camera, it was a conscious choice; to go and visit with the art, but not bring along my full kit of art supplies. I did however bring what I consider sometimes to be my sketch pencil, that is my phone. I’ll take snapshots of things that interest me so that I can come back to them later.
When I saw the theme for this week’s photo challenge, this display floated back to the front of my brain. The exhibit was called “Not Human” by artist Arcangelo Sassolino. This particular piece was not working the day I was there so I found this video on Youtube of what it is supposed to look like.
Figurante, 2010
Steel, bone, and hydraulic system
I will tell you that what this photo doesn’t show is blood that was dripping down the jaws and onto the floor. Overall, the exhibit was noisy and messy for an art exhibit. All but one of the pieces moved in someway. A certain amount of housekeeping is required daily for this exhibit.
Speaking of housekeeping, I’d just like to let my readers know that I am in the process of a pretty big move and so will not be posting as regularly over the next few months. I’m hoping to still post and visit other blogs, but overall my “blogging time” will be less than usual in the short term.
So what do you think of the work of art? I found the display different and the most thought provoking exhibit I saw that day. Feel free to leave a comment below, let me know too, if you watched the video of the art in action.
Cheers!
Photography Journal Blog 
Excellent image! I wouldn’t want to put my hand in that maw!!
LikeLike
Yes, a dangerous piece of art 🙂
LikeLike
Looks fun to watch! even with the mentioned mess heh
LikeLike
Yes, not quite what the folks at the museum were thinking they would have to deal with when they were hired I’m thinking. I guess that would fall under “miscellaneous tasks as assigned” in their job description.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Every time the display turns on at that whew
LikeLike
Interesting, I hope the gallery was appropriately chilled!
LikeLike
Not really, but the bone is replaced daily as I understand it.
LikeLike
Different and thought-provoking – yes. A little disturbing also? Yes, in my opinion! Good art is meant to provoke and disturb, so I think it succeeds; I’m just the squeamish type.
LikeLike
I agree with you. To me, this was the most though provoking piece on display even though I didn’t particularly care for it in some ways.
LikeLiked by 1 person
the video was disgusting – imho – ha! and even with the time lapse speed up and moved the video forward. yuk – and yuk.
but the other side is the cool artsy idea for this modern artist – and PERFECT for dinner time theme. so thanks for sharing. (but ulk)
and I was going to ask you how you were doing on getting ready to move. I also need to show you the teacups I hung up. The frame I used is only so-so – but it was nice getting it up on the wall and not having it ont he to do list. I will write more later.
oh and I like how you called the phone your sketch pad.
LikeLike
Yeah, I agree about the video, even though I was glad I watched it after seeing the piece in person. I just found it interesting I guess, having seen it while it wasn’t working I was just curious to see it in action.
The move is coming along fine, just a lot to do. I would like to see the teacups. I am planning to visit your blog soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well even if it was yuk to me – I feel all cultured learning and seeing stuff like this – so I love when you share from the art shows you visit – and you really showed me that St Louis has some great events.
I will post about the teacups a bit later – want to finish my nephew’s piece and had some stuff to finish first – we had such a busy (but awesome) last two months – with the exception of losing Cody (woof) – but I also shared about the teacups with my psych class and told them how you took more than 600 photos for it – and they were in awe.
LikeLike
I agree, before I had no idea that St. Louis had so much art to offer.
That teacup photo was quite the undertaking for me, but also is one of my personal favorites.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And one of my my favs as you know – but I must tell you I want an even bigger print – to feel that steam!
LikeLike
I agree that it does hold up well as a larger print, but I also ordered a card of it and was pleased with the result as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
well I am sure this photo does look good on a card – maybe even a mug? T-shirt – just kidding.
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
have a nice week Amy
LikeLike
You too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kind of cool and disgusting all at once!
LikeLike
Yes, I thought so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yikes! I watched the video and I admit I don’t like it at all. Definitely different but not my cup of tea or piece of meat in this case.
Best of luck with your move. I hope it goes as smoothly as possible.
LikeLike
Agreed, this not my kind of thing, but it was the piece that I thought about most after that particular visit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can believe that Amy! I’ve been thinking about it too.
LikeLike
That is an interesting exhibit. As you said, can’t really see the blood dripping but already, it looks feral. Generally I don’t like taking a camera to take photos of artwork at exhibitions, so I use my phone. Good luck with moving and hope it all goes well. Take care 🙂
LikeLike
Feral is a good word to describe it I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An interesting piece, Amy. To me, art is like wine – each of us have preferences, either we like it or we don’t. There is a lot of modern art I enjoy, as much as I enjoy the masters. Sorry, Arcangelo, yours just doesn’t appeal to me as “art”. However, with the help of the video, I was hugely impressed by the engineering.
LikeLike
Yes, he had several pieces that were very interesting in terms of the engineering, and interesting mix of science and art.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gross…..not my idea of art!!
LikeLike
I would not be hanging it on my wall either.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀😀
LikeLike
I’m not sure I understand the message of this work. I usually read the artist’s notes and description to understand these things better. 🙂
LikeLike
Ok, fair criticism of the post, so here is a link to an archive of the display:http://camstl.org/exhibitions/main-gallery/arcangelo-sassolino/ I’m sending it along because it includes the description that was on the wall in the gallery. It does help to pull the exhibit together. I will also say that the day I was there, my friend and I got caught up in a conversation with one of the security guards who had had plenty of time to take in the exhibit and various ways people had responded to it. That helped me process and understand the whole thing better as well.
LikeLike
“His work calls into question the qualities one must possess to be human, while raising doubt about agency and empathy in our contemporary consciousness.” Thank you! That was very helpful.
LikeLike
I agree, it was helpful information, I should have included it in the original post, but I didn’t think of it to be honest.
LikeLike
Very interesting. Thanks for the link to the exhibitions.
LikeLike
Thanks for your visit and comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s quite a shocking piece of art, especially with your description of the blood dripping down from it. It would certainly stick in the mind. 😕 Good luck with the move, Amy. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks so much!
LikeLike
Ha ha ha…good one! 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This piece’s impression on me made me giggle at first such a creative idea, bet the janitor has a hard time! good luck with you move 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLike
Whew — not my idea of art. Apparently I don’t have my morbid curiosity under control because I watched the whole video! It definitely conveys the power of animals’ jaws. Good luck with your move. Never an easy task!
LikeLike
Thanks, the preparation for the move is going well, so that’s about all I can ask for. It is kind of hard not to watch the whole video.
LikeLike
Incredible!
I started blogging this month, and it is a pleasure that I came across your blog.
It has inspired me to start my next article.
Thank you:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
For whatever reason, I had to rescue your comment from spam. Thank you for your thoughtful comment, I am glad you stopped by for a visit. It looks like your blog is well underway.
LikeLike
I wanted to stop by and tell you good luck with the move! It is such a huge undertaking…I know.
LikeLike
Thank you so much, I know you have been through it as well 🙂
LikeLike
Good doggy! Nice doggy! Stay!
LikeLike
He’s not still, but he will stay on the wall, just mind your hands.
LikeLike