9.30.2008
Lauren & documentation
Example of traditional painting documentation:
Example of sculptural/3D documentation:
I also save progress steps of my work through screen shots or daily photographs. Here is an example of progress steps from a digital image, starting with the 30 minute sketch and progressing to the finished piece:
Example of sculptural/3D documentation:
I also save progress steps of my work through screen shots or daily photographs. Here is an example of progress steps from a digital image, starting with the 30 minute sketch and progressing to the finished piece:
Lauren loves Jung better
I was not unfamiliar with Freud before reading this book. Although it expanding on many of his theories, I come away with the same understanding of the man’s work and contributions to the psychological field. Again, as with the Marx book, I found myself unhappy with the format. Maybe I’m just channeling my dislike of graphic novels, but I thought the format was distracted and clumsy, skipping over some important points (his entire outlook changed during his later years with the development of the id-ego-superego theory, one of his most enduring contributions, and they devoted so little time to it!), and poorly explaining other points.
But despite all that, I thought the emphasis on the unconscious and Freud’s dedication to scientific reason was well portrayed. I also really enjoyed how they traced back his theories to classical myths and stories. Though they sexualized them a bit too much for my liking (and skimped on the details for people unfamiliar with the mythology) I share the view that humanity has expressed some of its most important desires and values through its myths. I’ve always preferred Jung over Freud for this reason… Jung desexualized much of Freud’s theories, which I believe is correct. Libido makes much more sense when seen as a generalized passion, rather than something inherently sexual, for example, and childhood anxieties don’t need to be linked to repressed sexuality. In this respect I think Jung was ahead of the curve a little more than Freud. So with that, I’m going to complain we’re not concentrating on Jung more in this class. If we are discussing the unconscious, psycho-analysis, etc, and how those play into the role of the artist and what the artist creates, Jung comes out as the more significant person in my opinion.
But despite all that, I thought the emphasis on the unconscious and Freud’s dedication to scientific reason was well portrayed. I also really enjoyed how they traced back his theories to classical myths and stories. Though they sexualized them a bit too much for my liking (and skimped on the details for people unfamiliar with the mythology) I share the view that humanity has expressed some of its most important desires and values through its myths. I’ve always preferred Jung over Freud for this reason… Jung desexualized much of Freud’s theories, which I believe is correct. Libido makes much more sense when seen as a generalized passion, rather than something inherently sexual, for example, and childhood anxieties don’t need to be linked to repressed sexuality. In this respect I think Jung was ahead of the curve a little more than Freud. So with that, I’m going to complain we’re not concentrating on Jung more in this class. If we are discussing the unconscious, psycho-analysis, etc, and how those play into the role of the artist and what the artist creates, Jung comes out as the more significant person in my opinion.
Michelle & Freud
view psychoanalysis youtube video here!
I have never taken a psychology course, but after reading Freud for beginners, I learned a little bit about this psychology pioneer’s life and his popular theories within the world of psychology. Just like Marx for Beginners, Richard Appingnanesi and Oscar Zarate’s Freud for Beginners follows a similar format and design. Through this layout, the reader is able to obtain an unbiased view of Freud and his beliefs.
Freud was known for his ideas of redefining sexual desires as the primary motivational energy of human life, as well as his therapeutic techniques, including the use of free association, transference in therapeutic relationships, and the interpretation of dreams as sources of insight into unconscious desires. Freud not only sought to understand the human psyche, but also created the clinical practice of psychoanalysis for curing psychopathology through dialogue between a patient and a psychoanalyst.
Freud for Beginners breaks down the multifaceted theories of Freud. His theories of the unconscious mind and the defense mechanism of repression, coincide with our class’ current discussions of external and internal sourcing. As artists, we may or may not realize our artwork may be tied to our unconscious mind. Also, one might find though external sourcing a connection to his or her own internal conflicts. Just as Freud believed repression and the unconscious mind were interconnected, I believe internal and external sourcing within art are as well.
Kate's Entry
Richard Appignanesi and Oscar Zarate present all of Freud's theories without a commentary, which is definitely the best choice. I much prefer it over the tone of Marx for Beginners, but I think it poses a delicate problem. The title proclaims that the book is intended for people who are unfamiliar with Freud's theories. Yes, the book does acquaint beginners with his work, but without a context, without the knowledge that some of his theories have been abandoned because they are sexist drivel. Instead of writing "Freud believed that girls discover that...", the authors write "The girl's discovery that neither she nor her mother possesses a penis is real. It is not like the boy's fantasy-fear of being castrated" (86). When I have studied Freud in various classes, my professors have been very clear that his theories, especially the ones about women, have been largely discredited or extensively altered.
The authors think that after spending six pages on Freud's female theory, they can tack on a disclaimer and pacify their readers, who by this time are probably infuriated. They quote Freud's closing sentence to a lecture on these theories. He said, "What I've had to say about femininity doesn't always sound friendly. It is incomplete. If you want to know more, look at your own experience of life...or wait until science can give you deeper information!" (91). That's pretty much the most sensible line in the entire book, and it's exactly what I intend to do.
Nadia and Sigi
This book served as a great refreshment to what I had already learned about Freud as well as an informative means of what I hadn’t known or what had been unclear. I think it does a much better job of communicating the ideas of Freud in a manageable way in comparison to the similar Marx book. "Freud for Beginners" was much more focused on Freud’s life and theories and not everyone else‘s.
As I was reading, I kept finding myself piecing together a puzzle which lead me to contemplate my thoughts on Freud even more. For example, Freud being the favorite child and “Golden Sigi” to his mother puts a lot into perspective on many of his theories. He was clearly infatuated with his own mother growing up.
His ideas certainly coincide with much of the art that is produced and how it can be produced in the future (as does psychology in general). Ironically enough I went to the Guggenheim this weekend to see the Louise Bourgeois exhibit. I couldn’t help but respond to the book with regard to the artist and vise versa. For example, there are many pieces which depict psychoanalytic feminism. Her series of phallic marble and latex over plaster sculptures exert a certain comedy or parody to the genitals and primal drives. I found it interesting there were several pieces which related to the reading directly. There was a piece called the Arc Of Hysteria, which was in reference to Charcot’s unorthodox theory that hysteria didn’t only occur in women. The sculpture depicts and exaggerates one of the many symptoms of hysteria in which the body has a muscle spasm making the spine curl backward. Not only is the arch aesthetically beautiful as a bronze ring, but its male genitals is an expression that hysteria was not linked to sexual organs.
As I was reading, I kept finding myself piecing together a puzzle which lead me to contemplate my thoughts on Freud even more. For example, Freud being the favorite child and “Golden Sigi” to his mother puts a lot into perspective on many of his theories. He was clearly infatuated with his own mother growing up.
His ideas certainly coincide with much of the art that is produced and how it can be produced in the future (as does psychology in general). Ironically enough I went to the Guggenheim this weekend to see the Louise Bourgeois exhibit. I couldn’t help but respond to the book with regard to the artist and vise versa. For example, there are many pieces which depict psychoanalytic feminism. Her series of phallic marble and latex over plaster sculptures exert a certain comedy or parody to the genitals and primal drives. I found it interesting there were several pieces which related to the reading directly. There was a piece called the Arc Of Hysteria, which was in reference to Charcot’s unorthodox theory that hysteria didn’t only occur in women. The sculpture depicts and exaggerates one of the many symptoms of hysteria in which the body has a muscle spasm making the spine curl backward. Not only is the arch aesthetically beautiful as a bronze ring, but its male genitals is an expression that hysteria was not linked to sexual organs.
anna's writeup on freud
I have to admit, I was reluctantly reading through this, because I was really, really getting into painting this week.
The format is easier to go through, but at times there was still alot of information to take in.
What struck me most about Freud was that his ideas were radical particularly for the time, yet so much of his terminology is used today as everyday sayings. Freud's time saw many new changes. It seems he and Marx run parallel, in the sense both endured hardships and poverty, but it never deterred them from their beliefs.
The emergence of psychoanalysis had a huge impact on society as a whole. It would also have a strong impact in art, because the artist was now able to draw on the subconscious for subject matter. You can look at Expressionism, using color, texture, to express emotion. Later the Surrealists' exploration of the dream world and subconscious mind, and Abstract Expressionism. Freud made it possible for artist to explore a vastly different type of subject matter from previous generations.
The format is easier to go through, but at times there was still alot of information to take in.
What struck me most about Freud was that his ideas were radical particularly for the time, yet so much of his terminology is used today as everyday sayings. Freud's time saw many new changes. It seems he and Marx run parallel, in the sense both endured hardships and poverty, but it never deterred them from their beliefs.
The emergence of psychoanalysis had a huge impact on society as a whole. It would also have a strong impact in art, because the artist was now able to draw on the subconscious for subject matter. You can look at Expressionism, using color, texture, to express emotion. Later the Surrealists' exploration of the dream world and subconscious mind, and Abstract Expressionism. Freud made it possible for artist to explore a vastly different type of subject matter from previous generations.
9.29.2008
James G: Freud for Beginners
Shifting in focus, the reading on Freud hints at a lot of opposites from what we’ve been reading thus far. While communism and Marx had a focus on the community and fellow people, Freud had an immense interest on the singular person. A strong believer in science and reason, Freud spent his life postulating on how the brain works, why people act as they do, and revolutionized psychology with his theories. His theories focus heavily on sexual maturity from childhood to puberty.
Reading through the book, and laughing at all the hidden erections, I was surprised at the depth of what Marx had studied. Free Association, the ego, repressed memories, and many more, all equally interesting. Although, I am skeptical to the extent holding in poop has to do with my sexual and mental maturity. A problem with psychology, especially those fields that deal with mental processes, as a science is that it is not easily tested and many different conclusions are drawn by similar test results. I am in a psychology class now, and there are about 3 or 4 different hypotheses for each issue, each of which seems entirely plausible. The study of psychology works mainly as a series of metaphors rather than hard facts, especially those having to do with cognitive processes and childhood development.
In terms of art, an intrinsic look into your self is always a way to get inspiration. An advantage of so many conflicting hypotheses of mental processing is that you can always look through a different spectrum in order to gain perspective into your thought process and personal history.
James G
Kerrin & Freud
Having studied abnormal psychology in the past, I found Freud for beginners to be a very interesting overview of Freud, his work, his influence and his reception in the world of psychology. It is no secret that plenty of stigma and dogma surround his ideas, and the sexual aspect of his approach has been vamped up to nearly epic proportions. This still holds true today.
When reading text-book excerpts about the Id, Ego and Super-ego, gratuitous mention of penis envy and the Oedipus complex shortly follow. It was interesting to read about the history of Freud's experience and his actual approach to treating his patients... it made me think a little better of him, as I previously had him painted in my mind as a rampant misogynist who was obsessed with oral and anal fixations.
(As an aside- I found it really funny that throughout the entire book- he really looked like Beavis with dark hair and a beard. If anyone else has seen Beavis and Butthead- can you make the same association?)
So... what does Freudian psychology have to do with art? Plenty! The interesting thing about psychology as a whole is that it can be both an internal and an external source of inspiration. One may delve into one's own cavernous psyche and emerge with a cornucopia of internally sourced images... things reflecting hazy images of nightmares, dreamscapes, repressed or overt desires, conflict or harmony.
Similarly, one may delve into the psyche of someone else... or address psychology as a subject/history... or use psychological tactics to entice the viewer. These are all ways in which one may use psychology as an external source.
On a different level, psychology plays an extremely important role in our art whether we mean it to or not. Every piece we create, every step of our process, every inch of the final product is a subtle (or not so subtle) biography. A visual topography of our thoughts, emotions or concerns... hopes, fears or grievances- it's all there for the world to view and interpret.
When reading text-book excerpts about the Id, Ego and Super-ego, gratuitous mention of penis envy and the Oedipus complex shortly follow. It was interesting to read about the history of Freud's experience and his actual approach to treating his patients... it made me think a little better of him, as I previously had him painted in my mind as a rampant misogynist who was obsessed with oral and anal fixations.
(As an aside- I found it really funny that throughout the entire book- he really looked like Beavis with dark hair and a beard. If anyone else has seen Beavis and Butthead- can you make the same association?)
So... what does Freudian psychology have to do with art? Plenty! The interesting thing about psychology as a whole is that it can be both an internal and an external source of inspiration. One may delve into one's own cavernous psyche and emerge with a cornucopia of internally sourced images... things reflecting hazy images of nightmares, dreamscapes, repressed or overt desires, conflict or harmony.
Similarly, one may delve into the psyche of someone else... or address psychology as a subject/history... or use psychological tactics to entice the viewer. These are all ways in which one may use psychology as an external source.
On a different level, psychology plays an extremely important role in our art whether we mean it to or not. Every piece we create, every step of our process, every inch of the final product is a subtle (or not so subtle) biography. A visual topography of our thoughts, emotions or concerns... hopes, fears or grievances- it's all there for the world to view and interpret.
cody and freud
Freud was an innovative pioneer into what we know today as the psychodynamic model of psychology. It seems so cliché to us now to see a Victorian-style fainting sofa and therapist saying “how do you feel about that?” During Freud’s time that technique was successful in curing the client’s needs. Free Association is a technique used by psychoanalytical based counselors to let the client for their own opinions and connections about their random thoughts. Freud believed that this would eventually lead to repressed events in the client’s life that had caused a state of neurosis.
Freud created the base of modern psychology through his examination into the role of the unconscious in metal stability. The men who studied psych at the time felt that hysterical disorders were physical, and Freud went beyond that theory. Though he does have some outlandish ideas, a lot of what Freud said makes sense and turns out to be quite accurate.
Now what if Freud was an artist? Would he be just as revolutionary or just another painter fascinated by the female body? As an artist it is important to examine your own interests and derive your own theories about art itself. It directly relates to psychology because it is impossible for one to create without that creation telling something about the artists persona. The psychoanalytical model of psych uses dream interpretation and free association to answer questions about the psyche. They also interpret artwork by the artist, which I believe is an incredibly accurate and intelligent way to get to know somebody.
Freud created the base of modern psychology through his examination into the role of the unconscious in metal stability. The men who studied psych at the time felt that hysterical disorders were physical, and Freud went beyond that theory. Though he does have some outlandish ideas, a lot of what Freud said makes sense and turns out to be quite accurate.
Now what if Freud was an artist? Would he be just as revolutionary or just another painter fascinated by the female body? As an artist it is important to examine your own interests and derive your own theories about art itself. It directly relates to psychology because it is impossible for one to create without that creation telling something about the artists persona. The psychoanalytical model of psych uses dream interpretation and free association to answer questions about the psyche. They also interpret artwork by the artist, which I believe is an incredibly accurate and intelligent way to get to know somebody.
9.28.2008
Fun With Freud and Ryan
“Freud for Beginners” by Richard Appingnanesi and Oscar Zarate followed in the footsteps of the previous text we have read, “Marx for Beginners”. Both of these texts took a fairly complex subject area and broke it down into easily understood ideas as well as educational and enjoyable illustrations. This particular book gave a description of early psychology as well as the ideas and life of Siegfried Freud. Speaking on the unconscious and the many different complexes that can affect the human mind, Appinganesi and Zarate give the reader a glimpse into the elaborate theories of Freud which are still common place in the field today. When reading through the book there were two ideas that stood out greatly above the rest of the context. Each of these topics seemed widely interesting and also had a strong and almost natural link to the world of arts and the artist.
Siegfried Freud’s idea of the unconscious was one that seemed to be met with hostility due to it diminishing the control that the human being holds. To society of the day, this took a great amount of control out of their own hands and suggested that the human animal could be affected mentally by events repressed from their past with little control of it in the present. Freud suggested many different complexes as well as stages in human development which also brought a great sense of discomfort to those confronted with the ideas. This theory, when coupled with the conscious, suggests the contrast between external and internal sourcing. These ideas can fall back to that of the mind’s perception of the world and the uncontrolled reaction to the things that a body experiences. These events are then stored in the unconscious mind and referenced even if unwillingly in the creative process.
The second idea that seemed fairly interesting was one suggested to during Freud’s search to the answer of if the human mind is centered so strongly on sexual urges then what represses them if it has to be one of a non-sexual nature. Through his many theories and ideas that attempted to answer this question the text alluded to that of survival. While speaking on the love instinct, the authors strike on the idea that it is only natural for all organism to strive toward survival whether this be to fight against death or in the idea of survival through the continuation of biological traits in offspring. This idea is a strong one even though it is only quickly mentioned. It is an idea that seems quite embedded in the terms of the creation of art. For although art is seen greatly as an expression of emotion or a message, is it not almost naturally the intent of each artist to create a piece that will outlast their lifespan, whether it be physically or through the works documentation and affects on the viewer? With pieces that survive on in either method the creator achieves a sense of survival that lingers beside the idea of immortality.
Siegfried Freud’s idea of the unconscious was one that seemed to be met with hostility due to it diminishing the control that the human being holds. To society of the day, this took a great amount of control out of their own hands and suggested that the human animal could be affected mentally by events repressed from their past with little control of it in the present. Freud suggested many different complexes as well as stages in human development which also brought a great sense of discomfort to those confronted with the ideas. This theory, when coupled with the conscious, suggests the contrast between external and internal sourcing. These ideas can fall back to that of the mind’s perception of the world and the uncontrolled reaction to the things that a body experiences. These events are then stored in the unconscious mind and referenced even if unwillingly in the creative process.
The second idea that seemed fairly interesting was one suggested to during Freud’s search to the answer of if the human mind is centered so strongly on sexual urges then what represses them if it has to be one of a non-sexual nature. Through his many theories and ideas that attempted to answer this question the text alluded to that of survival. While speaking on the love instinct, the authors strike on the idea that it is only natural for all organism to strive toward survival whether this be to fight against death or in the idea of survival through the continuation of biological traits in offspring. This idea is a strong one even though it is only quickly mentioned. It is an idea that seems quite embedded in the terms of the creation of art. For although art is seen greatly as an expression of emotion or a message, is it not almost naturally the intent of each artist to create a piece that will outlast their lifespan, whether it be physically or through the works documentation and affects on the viewer? With pieces that survive on in either method the creator achieves a sense of survival that lingers beside the idea of immortality.
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