When art gets creepy
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Courtesy photograph
Lodi Arts brings exhibit of 10 life-size sculptures by Seward Johnson Jr. to Downtown Lodi
Seward Johnson sculptures will be on display in Lodi, including "Holding Out."
Posted: Monday, April 11, 2011 10:34 am
|
Updated: 9:31 am, Wed Sep 5, 2012.
When art gets creepy
I know. I know! Art is subjective. Beauty is in the eye of the
beholder. Variety is the spice of life. And cliches are for
horrible writers. But, let's face it, some art is just plain
creepy.
Things like the human body exhibit, where real bodies are
stripped down and dissected, then preserved in a special goo and
put on display are great examples of creepy art, but that's not
what I'm talking about.
That exhibit, for example, is fascinating. It's a terrific way
for us to see ourselves in a new (if gory) light. It's a terrific
teaching tool, as well. It makes you think, which cuts down on the
creep factor.
What I'm talking about is the kind of art that makes a chill run
through your body and a shudder wash over your psyche. For example,
paintings of clowns.
I'm not the type to be freaked out by clowns. I know plenty of
people who are. Coulrophobia is an actual phobia (what isn't
nowadays, am I right?). But there's something exceptionally creepy
about paintings of clowns. I've never seen a jovial, lighthearted
oil or watercolor of a clown. They're all more ominous and dark
than Tim Curry as the scary clown in “Rocky Horror,” uh, I mean
“Stephen King's It.”
And this brings me to Lodi's latest artistic offering. This
Friday will be the unveiling of an exhibit throughout Downtown of
painted bronze statues by artist Seward Johnson. If you read Lodi
Living regularly, than you will have no doubt seen examples of the
statues adorning its cover this past Saturday.
The detail on Johnson's work is amazing. Crinkles in “paper”
bags, folds in clothing, hair and skin are all spot-on. He's an
amazing artist who deserves to be lauded. Unfortunately his work
also creeps me out. I don't know if it's the realism depicted in
the metal, the strange way Americana is frozen in each piece or if
it's the way the work reminds me somehow of those creepy big-eyed
kid paintings from the '70s. Whatever it is, I get the shudders
when I look at just the pictures.
Obviously Johnson's work isn't of clowns, but it evokes the same
creepy feelings in me. I would hate to see him create a statue of a
clown.
Am I going to check out the statues when they're in town? You
bet. Look for me. I'll be the guy trying to shake off a freshly
delivered case of the heebie jeebies.
Posted in
Abstract lodi
on
Monday, April 11, 2011 10:34 am.
Updated: 9:31 am.
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posted at 11:13 am on Tue, Apr 12, 2011.
Thanks you for putting a name to the fear I have of clown paintings. They are just marginally less creepy than actual clowns themselves. AND! Those big-eyed kids? My mom hung them in my room...even one of a little dog. I always assumed they were watching me and I don't think I slept for about 3 years.
Art needs to make you feel something...anything. If it does, the artist hit their mark. But I'll admit to wanting to put a bag over their painted metal faces.
James Rodems posted at 5:05 pm on Mon, Apr 11, 2011.
I want to thank Mr. Lutz for illistrating one of the primary functions of public art:
To illicit a response from the viewer.
I am reminded of being a college student at CSU, Fresno and visiting my sister who was attending UC Santa Cruz (yes...hard to cheer "Go Slugs!!!"). She took me through campus and pointed out all the public art while explaining the titles of each piece. Most of the time her descriptions were met by me with a, "Yeh...right....". The point was the simple act of looking and thinking about it during the course of a stroll across campus. Regardless of the thought it was still thought provoking.
You may look at something and think, "Well that sucks!", but you will still be an active participant in the purpose of the exhibit. You will have been pulled into reacting to what was previousely empty space and involuntarily engage in thinking about about something you may like or dislike.
Either way....we hope you enjoy the moment (even though Grandma above might be a little reminiscent of a Saturday afternoon black and white horror film).
James M. Rodems
Director - Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
City of Lodi
Hannah Kemalyan posted at 11:29 am on Mon, Apr 11, 2011.
I,for one, could not agree more.