Anri Sala
I loved how the skull and drums portion of the exhibit portrayed how so many people live life “marching to the drums of the masses” until they eventually die. What made it most creative was the use of bones as drumsticks (no pun intended) which created a beat with only thin strings from the ceiling. The strings also added a puppeteer-feeling to the exhibit. The drums and skulls were neatly displayed in a square on one side of the floor so when you walk away you leave thinking that piece is over. However, anyone who has a watchful eye will notice that it continues, as the artist display several more drum sets, complete with moving bone drumsticks, on the ceiling. All in all, this feeling relayed that we all march to the beating drum and even after we’re gone the cycle continues.
Cheryl Donegan
I wasn’t sure if Cheryl Donegan’s Kiss My Royal Irish Ass was comedic or bashing of art. Either way, I initially felt the piece really degraded art by dumbing it down to green paint on butt cheeks. When I took some time to reflect on it I began to feel different. For me, art always meant having an emotional connection with the audience. As an artist, if you can’t create that your art has failed. It’s not that it isn’t art, it’s just that it isn’t good art. Because her piece was able to make me feel an emotion I do believe she did succeed. I mean, her piece is called Kiss My Royal Irish Ass which relays an “I don’t give a crap” tone to it and perfectly aligns with her piece. She creates art from her butt and she really doesn’t care what you think. The shamrocks are lovely, even if they are made from butt cheeks. We should appreciate that.