Artist Conversation #2

Melvin Kem

Art 110

Glenn Zucman

March 1st, 2020

Unnamed 

Art’s true meaning is so vague and subjective, it really allows one  to think outside the box for what it could be . For this week’s assignment, I went over to the art gallery to check it out and see what was new this week. As I was walking around and observing, I noticed this piece of art that was able to catch my attention. I did notice that the piece was yet to be named, and appeared to look like a typical Jansport backpack in 3-D clay form . With that being said, the artist of the piece was nowhere to be found and wasn’t placed on the art installation created, leaving no way to start or stir conversation in order to learn more of what the unnamed backpack represented or what the artist themselves are like. 

As seen in the 3-D piece, there is the backpack in a grey clay color. The clay is entirely stiff, no signs of being hollow from the inside. Regardless of that, the artist was able to provide very intricate details on what they wanted their piece to exemplify. On the backpack you can clearly see the texture of what any normal backpack would have as well as the zipper portion of the bag. There is no nametag where your typical Jansport backpack would have one, but rather a blank spot for perhaps something else to be written in as a replacement. 

When taking a deeper look at the piece this unknown artist has created, one might take a look at it and have a harder time understanding the context and meaning of the art. Since the artist has chosen to remain annonymous, it is hard to have a true grasp or understanding of what the backpack is supposed to represent. Rather than giving up and leaving the piece and its meaning as is, a few of my friends and I decided to press the question: What does the backpack say to you? One of my friends mentioned that they thought the backpack was clay in order to symbolize the burden first generation students have to carry on their back since they are expected to be able to get through college and bring honor to their families. Another person mentioned how sometimes students procrastinate so much to the point where the backpack has remained untouched for what seems like an eternity. I myself thought the backpack represented how heavy our studies are and how much information students are required to obtain within the span of 4 years. Although we can speculate, only the unknown artist would be able to confirm our thoughts and subjective beliefs.

This exhibit was really able to resonate in me because it made me realize how much knowledge and truth I have to value. I personally am a first generation student so I do feel and see that backpack representing the burden of worrying to be the best for my family, but also knowing that I am privileged enough to even be attending a 4 year university. The perception of the artist is unknown as mentioned several times, but I believe my fellow classmates and I were most likely not too far from what the artist hoped to convey in their art. My life experiences also tied into the piece and the representation of the piece because I personally understood that at times, it is very hard to push through our majors and our studies in order to succeed in life for ourselves and those who surround us. The burdens we carry may perhaps be internal and mental, but are clearly represented in a physical form through this ceramic backpack.