Event 1

April 6, 2016: Lunchtime Art Talks at the Hammer Museum
Featuring Tom Burr's Slumbering Object of My Sleepless Attention (2009)

Slumbering Object of My Sleepless Attention, 2009

The Lunchtime Art Talks at the Hammer Museum allow guests to learn about a specific art piece, as well as learn about others that they are interested in. It also contains an open discussion for anyone to give their thoughts or opinions on the artwork. Tom Burr's artwork is actually more of a sculpture or setting, where a white, 12 foot long hinged panel is reclined. On the wooden panel, there lies a pair of Dior pajama pants thumbtacked to it. The pajama pants are ironed flat, and they are positioned perfectly. They are almost staring at you, enticing someone to want to put them on. However, they are also very nice pajama pants, so they give off the vibe that they are too nice to be worn. The person whose pants those are supposed to be is probably someone of an elite class. Although they are pajama pants, they do not give off a comfy, or welcoming vibe. Instead, many people in the discussion believed the scene represented a tease.

The Problem Child, 1995

While exploring the rest of the Hammer Museum, I found a painting that I immediately thought of as relating to concepts we have been learning about in our class. The painting is by Amy Adler, and is called The Problem Child. To create these art pieces, Adler played with modes of representation and replication because the original photographs that these pictures are based on were destroyed. This goes back to our reading by Benjamin who stresses the implications of replicating art. However, in this case, Adler recreated her own work of art, giving the painting more authenticity. These drawings also show how a young boy is already experimenting with both art and science. The science is shown through his playfulness with the trains and the physics behind balancing cups on his nose, and the art is shown through his playing of the flute. The photos are illustrating the two cultures of science and art and how they are often times combined. 

King David, 1878

Another painting at the Hammer that I thought brought out so much emotion was Gustave Moreau's King David. It highlights King David looking pensively downward as an angel sits on his feet. When I look at this painting, I see dissatisfaction. Perhaps he does not know which way to go in life, and he is looking to the angel for guidance. This is similar to all the cultures we have learned about in class, and how often times, it does not need to be this or that, but instead, one can utilize all cultures at once. 

Proof of Attendance 

Overall, my experience at the Hammer was quite enjoyable. I was able to relate a lot of what I saw to concepts we were learning in class. I loved the open discussion event that the Hammer offers because it is so interested to hear other people's opinions on an art piece. I would recommend going to the lunchtime talks at the Hammer because it lets you truly appreciate and understand art.