Contemporary Art

The worlds getting smaller. Now more then ever do we have the opportunity to become well versed in virtually all cultures. Many people around the world see themselves as multi-cultural. The art world is running parallel with this globalization. Artwork is making statements about this multicultural identification. 

:o) - this can explain more.

"Reference to a "Grand tour," a country outing of noblemen in the 18th century. The costumes are tailored from printed African cloth."

 Cool! I adore the idea of meshing different aspects of who you are. I honestly think that there is a huge importance in recognizing heritage. History is important, and taking a step back to see where you are now in comparison to where your great great grandmother had been is humbling. Acknowledge your past, embrace your history. It makes you remember how unique you are to the person sitting next to you.

Contemporary art has the power in this day and age to make statements about important issues happening all over the world. Shirin Fakhim utilizes this ability to bring attention to the issues surrounding the Persian working-girl circuit. 

"Fakhim farcically combines westernized hooker fashion with the codes of Islamic demur, torsos and heads made from cooking implements, adorned with make-shift veils and chastity belts."

"In 2002 it was estimated that there were 100,000 prostitutes working in Tehran, despite Iran’s international reputation as a moralistic country with especially high standards placed on women. Many of these women are driven to prostitution because of abusive domestic situations and the poverty incurred from the massive loss of men during the war; in response to Iran’s strict religious laws, some even consider the profession as an act of civil protest."

;^D Git at dat hurr.

closer!-->

I was lucky enough to see this in person. It's an interesting of juxtaposition of east meets west. The world of propaganda and in your face media comes together to form a mandala. Pop culture meets Buddhist iconography. But that's the world we live in. These aspects of life are existing together. Ironically.

"In the magazine shop in Grand Central Terminal, the cover of issue 63 of ArtAsiaPacific caught my attention with its visual overload of branding logos, typography, and recognizable cartoon characters. The artwork on the cover is a detail of The Shambala of the Modern Times by Gonkar Gyatso. I like Gyatso's clever integration of pop culture icons and references within the shapes of Buddhist iconography. It wasn't until I delved deeper into the magazine that I realized this juxtaposition. The feature article on the artist entitled Contours of Identity, provides fascinating insight into the cultural, political, and spiritual influences which helped shape the artist's view today.  Born in Lhasa in 1961, he studied traditional Chinese ink-and-brush painting in Bejing. He is the founder of Sweet Tea House, a contemporary Tibetan art gallery. Currently, Gonkar Gyatso lives in London."

8O) Love it.