Assignment 2 - Juliette Reyes

Art21 Influences- Juliette Reyes

1-Who are the 5+ artists you chose?

Liu Xiaodong: https://youtu.be/Vsvu2oxu1HU?si=mcag0Hb0XwweRGgz

Salman Toor: https://youtu.be/fXrnwA1z0w0?si=5FANxRT2vLoxKgzR

Kara Walker: https://youtu.be/nrKIGL5ZWNk?si=3s3fbZMP79ljo8PE

Dan Herschlein: https://youtu.be/IaNmRI2kBGE?si=PfGjfopwyFLgLTeh

Louise Despont: https://youtu.be/rS5s3ZRfndY?si=WmVBh847IMJu8nOz

2.What were 5+ themes the artists addressed about making work?:

• In Liu Xiaodong’s body of work, he expressed that as artists, we love the world we paint. It shows that we care about what we're leaving behind after we die. When watching the video, it was clear that his motives were to connect with the people he painted around the world. He said you have to carry all of yourself when painting. His work shows a tenderness that I was deeply moved by.
• Salman Toor’s work explores the themes of identity. When painting, he recalls memories and connects with the vibrant shades of emerald green. He wants to focus on the idea of freedom that we all take for granted.
• Kara Walker’s work addresses themes of slavery, the antebellum South, and explores the ideas of our histories and turning the tables. Walker stated that she enjoyed getting inspiration from Gone with the Wind and found it titillating.
• Dan Herschlein’s body of work discusses fear and nightmares. He stated that one of the main themes was his friend’s passing in a fire.
• Louise Depont’s work focuses on memories and her experiences in the Bali temples.

3. What were 5+ challenges the artists faced in making their work?:

• For Liu Xiaodong, when doing a large-scale painting outside, his challenge was nature. He feels that he needs to rush and gets excited about painting outdoors because nature changes every minute.
• Salman Toor’s challenge was growing up as a gay kid in a conservative culture that was homophobic. With his paintings, he states that it’s freeing when comparing his background with the ultra-freedom of his work, sometimes feeling that his work is “annoyingly free.”
• Kara Walker’s struggles were more related to when she moved to the South and her fears of what might come from that.
• When Dan Herschlein works on one of his pieces, he finds that making the work is easier than facing the anxiety and emotions from his own thoughts.
• The artist Louise Depont discusses that during her time in Bali, she had a hard time adapting to the culture and recovering from an ended relationship. She said it took her time to make art again because she feels that she excels when she is in love. She also had a hard time with the humidity; she works with paper, so she had to put her work in a dehumidifier.

4. What were 5+ inspirations you drew from the artists?:

• When watching Liu Xiaodong’s video, it made me want to connect with the world around me and go out to draw everyday people just living their lives. He also made me feel that art should be selfless. Art should be something you handle with more thought and care.
• I love the fluidity of the figures he paints. His work feels very intentional like you’re a part of the memories he’s showing us. He’s also inspired by the time he spends with his friend and their conversations.
• In Kara Walker’s work, I enjoy the stories she tells through her silhouettes.
• Dan Herschlein’s work inspires me with its eerie and weird qualities, yet it is also very interesting.
• Louise Depont has an interesting color palette and shapes. Her work on display was delicate and vulnerable.

5. What were 5+ things you would like to incorporate into your own work after watching these videos?:

• After watching Liu Xiaodong’s video, I want to be more thoughtful when creating art.
• I want to incorporate the saturated colors that Salman Toor uses in his works. His palette is beautiful.
• From Kara Walker, I would like to incorporate the storytelling aspect of her work. It’s impressive how she can tell such an interesting story with just silhouettes.
• Dan Herschlein makes me want to think more about my work and what it says to people.
• Louise Depont makes me want to travel more and see different things around the world.