Art in the Age of 2nd-Order Observation ft. Walter Benjamin | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Italian artist Salvatore Garau auctioned off an invisible sculpture, highlighting the concept of exhibition value and second order observation in contemporary art.

Key Insights

• 🥰 Invisible art has a long history in conceptual art, challenging traditional notions of materiality and focusing on ideas and concepts.
• 🪈 Second order observation is crucial in recognizing and defining artworks in contemporary society, where communication and exhibition are central.
• 🌍 Garau's invisible sculptures illustrate the symbiotic relationship between value and exhibition in the art world.
• 🧑‍🎨 Profile creation has become an integral part of an artist's identity and success in contemporary art.
• 🥹 The concept of exhibition value, as described by Walter Benjamin, still holds relevance in the evaluation and perception of contemporary artworks.
• 👔 The concept of exhibition value is closely tied to the visibility and communication surrounding artworks, influencing their perceived worth.
• 🥰 Garau's invisible sculptures reference Buddhist and Taoist traditions, which have a long history of depicting emptiness and nothingness in art.

Transcript

this is a scripted special on the work of art in the age of second order observation the script will be posted on the website mediastudies.asia and we'll put a link to the script into the description thank you on june 3rd 2021 the online magazine artnet reported that the hitherto little-known italian artist salvatore gerald auctioned off an invisib... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the significance of exhibiting invisible art?

Exhibiting invisible art is crucial because, without its display, the art remains non-existent. Its invisibility challenges traditional notions of art and emphasizes the role of exhibition in defining the existence and value of the artwork.

Q: How do Garau's invisible sculptures relate to second order observation?

Garau's sculptures require second order observation to be recognized as art. It is through communication, such as articles, videos, exhibitions, and sales, that these sculptures are observed and understood as art.

Q: What does Garau's focus on profile creation indicate about contemporary art?

Garau's emphasis on profile creation suggests that artists today not only create artworks but also construct their own second order observation identities or profiles. The artist's value lies in the creation and cultivation of their profile within the art scene and beyond.

Q: How does the concept of exhibition value apply to Garau's invisible sculptures?

The concept of exhibition value, as coined by Walter Benjamin, is exemplified in Garau's sculptures. The higher the value of the exhibition venue or the artwork being exhibited, the higher the value attributed to the artwork. The auction price and the visibility of Garau's sculptures contribute to their perceived value.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Salvatore Garau auctioned an invisible sculpture made of nothing, receiving a certificate of authenticity and instructions for display.

• Invisible art has a long history in conceptual art, with artists like Marcel Duchamp and John Cage exploring the idea of presenting or exhibiting something or nothing.

• Garau's invisible sculptures, such as "Afrodita Cries" and "Buddha in Contemplation," reference Buddhist and Taoist traditions and highlight the symbiotic relationship between value and exhibition in the art world.