Art or No? You Decide.

Some of Brian Jungen's work.
He often creates pieces inspired by his Dane-zaa heritage.

Brian Jungen is a artist who was born, and is living, in Canada. I say he is an artist because that is exactly what he is. He is someone who creates art. Though, not everyone see's it this way.

Brian Jungen is a sculptor; he creates art through collecting, disassembling, and then recombining consumer goods. His sculptures have been described as "direct and disarming", he has been featured in countless galleries and he has won several awards. However not everyone agrees that what Jungen does being called "art". 

I disagree with these people. Sculpture has long since been considered an art form, and what Jungen does is no different. The only change is that he works with materials other than clay, or stone, or marble. I think it's Jungen's use of more unconventional materials that often make people ponder whether or not what he really does is art. But just because the materials are different doesn't make the finished project any less impactful or moving. Artists all over the world use hundreds upon thousands of different types of formats and supplies to create and it is considered valid.

Marina Abramovic, a performing artist, literally just sat and
stared at people, saying nothing for hours on end, and that's still considered art.
Why not Brian Jungen's sculptures?

People use all kinds of things to create art: the environment around them, their own bodies, random things around them. Jungen decided to use commercialized goods to spread a critique of labour practices, global capitalism, and cultural stereotypes; the work he does still makes an impact, it has a message. Which is part of what I believe art to really be about. Art isn't necessarily about the materials, or what is created, but the message of the work and its impact. Brian Jungen creates sculptures that move people, that make people think; and I believe that that, not materials or format or subject matter, is what really defines whether or not something is art.

#AskACurator Day

#AskACurator is a day on social media (mostly Twitter) where anyone can ask museums and those who curate them questions about art, their job, and anything in-between. I think this is a wonderful way to engage more people when it comes museums, and to art in general. And hosting it on social media gives off a more casual, welcoming vibe. I think a lot of people can be intimidated by art or by art galleries and museums (I know I certainly am), and that by hosting it on Twitter, it allows anyone the opportunity to interact with curators.

Some questions I have for #AskACurator Day are:

1. How exactly are some of the exhibits in your gallery/museum curated? What do you look for when planning an exhibit?

2. What are some of the oldest pieces you have in your collection?

3. Which piece in your collection is the most popular? Is the most popular piece also the most famous piece?

4. When you want to show a certain painting or exhibit, how do you go about doing that?

5. Does your collection host any work done by someone whose from North Western Ontario? If so, who?

6. What do you do when a piece in your collection is damaged?