Connecting art to the 21st century public is a challenging task. Art 21, a documentary produced by PBS, tries to do just that. In one episode entitled “Play” audiences get a look into specific artists’ inspiration and techniques as they work on museum and private collections. Two artists, Jessica Stockholder and Arturo Herrera, both use different styles when creating their work. The episode delves into the process behind their creations and looks to connect them to today’s viewers. Art, as a whole, is a free flowing expression of passion that artists build upon with style and purpose to create an effect on both themselves and their viewers.
Jessica and Arturo were both influenced as people and artists by their culture and upbringing in a way that is exemplified in their work. Arturo’s medium of choice is to work with collages. Coming from a South American background and since living in a variety of places, Arturo describes people as “made up of so many fragments of different cultures…a mixture of things.” In this way he connects himself to his work, slices coming together to create a whole. Jessica, too, connects her past to her present life. She speaks of how, growing up, her parents were very verbal. In turn, Jessica’s work tends to reflect feelings, emotions, and thoughts that can be seen using sight, instead of relying on spoken or written language. Both these artists show how their style has grown over the years and been influenced by the things around them in a way that is personal, yet they choose to share it with the world.
Art is a product of the artist and is made to be shared, or can be kept private. This does not dampen the effects of the work; rather, it speaks to each person differently. Jessica creates art to share. Her installation pieces are exhibited in different galleries to be viewed by a number of audiences. Arturo, on the other hand, considers some of his work to be “deeply personal,” and chooses to keep it to himself. This selective showcasing allows artists to express themselves in a way that is familiar to them and allows them to create their deepest work. If they do choose to exhibit it, audiences feel this raw connection.
The style of each artist reflects a part of themselves in a way that has an impact on the final outcome. Jessica plans her work ahead of time. She considers her drawings to be “recipes,” formulas for what she plans to create. Herrera is the opposite. He works with uncertainty in his collages. His workplace is shown as a mess of paper cutouts strewn across a table. From this chaos he creates beautiful works that help to broadcast his message: that everyone is a sum total of parts.
Art has no rules to hold it back. It is an extension of the artist; it brings forth a piece of them in a way that can influence the way others think and feel. By incorporating bits of themselves into their work, both Jessica and Arturo have created something more than just art. They infuse the world with their influence in the best way they know how: beautiful and meaningful creations on display for everyone to see.
eleanormershon 
Hi! I really liked your blog about this episode. You described well how both artists are influenced by different things, from upbringing, to the way they create their art. This blog also showed how the artists can display their work to audiences, giving them a piece of themselves. On the third and fourth paragraphs(I think), maybe you could elaborate a little more for both artists based on what they said in the episode. All in all, though, I liked it!
That was really good! It was interesting and easy to read. I liked how you gave specific examples of each artist and how they have different ways of going about their work and how they present it. You might want to consider adding in a few more transition sentences at the beginning of each paragraph even though they’re annoying haha Other than that, awesome job!!
Eleanor,
I really liked your essay. I especially like how you compared the differences between the two artists to make your point. I also thought that your point on whether art is shared or kept private was very cool, and I kind of wished that you had gone into more depth on that subject. Other than that though, I really enjoyed your essay.
Section 26!
Matthew
This is really a great piece. I enjoyed reading it because it flows very well and it also keeps the reader very interested. You elaborate well on the techniques of each artists and this is really a strong aspect of your piece. The details that youy give better connects the reader to the subject you are trying to explain. One thing that I felt you could improve on was creating a more specific and clear thesis. I’m not really sure what exactly is your thesis and how your essay relates specifically to it. Overall, I really enjoyed your piece and keep up the good work.
Wazzup 2-6 Pittsburgh buddy!?
Loved the work. I would caution against using broad generalized statements. I notice it because I do it a lot. I try to think of a great schnazzy sentence to draw attention, and then I create a convoluted mess that turns off readers. You didn’t take it to that extreme, but be weary. The best part about this essay was definitely the structure paired with the language. I could tell where you were going in an organized way, while enjoying how it was being said. In the words of my good friend Tony, “It’s Grrrrrrrrrrrrreat!” Go Stillers! Go Irish! Go Pens! Go 2-6!
James Gerard Joseph John Heisler