Robert Smithson

Robert Smithson was a painter, writer, filmmaker and sculptor, although he was most known for his earthworks. The Spiral Jetty is perhaps Smithson's most popular piece of art, being entirely built of salt, crystals, water, earth, basalt rocks, and mus. This piece of art as built in Salt Lake City, Utah in the year 1970. During this time, water levels were low, but within a few years rose and the Spiral Jetty remained unseen for thirty years. It became revisible in 2004 and more recently in 2010. 

Sprial Jetty 1970

AI'm personally a big fan of earthwork. For some reason it represents purity, innocence, truth, evolution, life and beauty to me. Perhaps it is because there aren't many chemicals used and death isn't necessarily a popular theme, something I'm not a big fan of.. Anyway, I found the Spiral Getty to be a magnificent piece of earthwork because I have never seen anything like it. It looks so beautiful and I think what makes it more special is that it is not always visible and it only becomes visible during droughts; besides that, water is always covering it. I'd be thrilled to go examine this Spiral Jetty myself. 

Improv Everywhere!!!

Improv Everywhere is a prank group which causes comedic and mayhem in public places in New York . City. This group was initially created by Charlie Todd in 2001 and since then has had over one hundred pranks which involve thousands of undercover agents. Todd started this group in August 2001 after playing a prank in a bar in Manhattan along with some friends. Many of these "missions" are open to the public. The undercover agents are not allowed to break character or make it obvious they are acting. The point of these pranks is to give people a good laugh and experience. 

Had I known such a thing existed, I would have moved my ass to New York forever ago! Improv Everywhere is something I think we all need. People nowadays are far too serious and this is the perfect way to just forget about problems we may have going on and just have a good laugh. I watched a few "missions" and I was smirking the whole time! I find it funny how people (the ones who are being pranked) make weird faces and just don't know how to react. Also, it's so hilarious how these undercover agents keep a straight face, Lord knows I would be rolling on the ground laughing!

Stelarc

Stelarc is a performance artist whose work puts main focus on expanding the capabilities the human body has beyond what anyone could think of. Stelarc's  performances usually involve robotics or any new technology somehow amalgamated with his body. He has done various random performances, such as suspending himself in flesh hook suspension, or allowing his bofy to be controlled remotely by electronic muscle stimulators connected to the internet, a robotic third arm, etc.

In 2007, Stelarc had a cell cultivated ear attached to his arm.

Wow, this is by far the most interesting artist I've done research on, he's insane!! I feel like we all underestimate our capabilities as human, but Stelarc does the complete opposite. For example, I've noticed the majority of us are very delicate with our bodies, often panicking when something strange has happened, such as a cut. We get a cut and immediately start to get anxious and think about how "dangerous" this may turn out. Stelarc on the other hand, goes beyond taking "care" of himself and actually exposes himself to danger, perhaps with the intention of seeing how much his body can handle. Clearly, it can handle more than we thought.

Alexander McQueen

McQueen was a British fashion designer and courturier. He was born the youngest of six children and attended Carpenter Road Primary School soon followed by his attendance at Rokeby School.. He began making dresses for his sisters at a very young age, always knowing he wanted to pursue a fashion career and make a name for himself. McQueen's early runway collections developed his reputation for convtroversy and shock tactics, always bringing drama and extravagance to the catwalk. He always used new techonology in his shows with the intention of adding a twist to his shows.

McQueen had many accomplishments in his short life, earning the title  "British Designer of the Year." I was really impressed with McQueen's fashion sense and  also found a resemblance between his and Vivienna Westwood's styles. It is very unfortunate to have lost him so soon because I'm sure he would have left people with their jaws dropped with his new, fancy, elegant styles. Before knowing much about him, I knew Duchess Katherine Middleton's wedding dress was designed by the McQueen Team and it saddens me to know he was unable to live such an incredible moment in his life. I remember seeing Katy Perry and Lady Gaga wearing different outfits which caught my attention, but I never knew McQueen was behind these genius styles.

Donatella Versace

    Donatella Versace is an Italian fashion designer. She owns twenty percent of Versace, a company who was originally founded by Gianni Versace, Donatella's brother. Donatella followed brother Gio's involvement in fashion and planned to work for him as Public Relations. However, she was more valuable as his critic. After the murder of her brother, Donatella had her first couture show and since then has gained her reputation in the world of fashion. She now is in charge of the production of dozen collections each year. When Donatella took over Versace, the company moved beyond clothing and began including fashion, accessories, home furnishings, and hotels.

I've always been a fan of Donatella and the Versace clothing line. I absolutely love how this clothing line is always so sophisticated in its styles. I'm very amazed at how Donatella's empire is only getting bigger as the years progress. She seems to know her fashion very well and I'm curious to see her home furnishings and hotels. I wonder what Gio would say about his sister's success. ;)

Vivienne Westwood

Dame Vivienne Westwood is a fashion designer who is highly regarded for bringing punk and new wave fashions into mainstream. Vivienne attended the Harrow School of Art at age 17, taking fashion and silversmithing, but left after her first term, claiming to be unable to make a living out of art due to her middle class status. However, after becoming a teacher, Westwood continued making her own fashion creations which she would also sell. She had an immense interest for punk fashion, saying:
     "I was messianic about punk, seeing if one could put a spoke in the system in some way."
 Her punk fashion style included safety pins, bondage gear, razor blades, lavatory chains, spiked dog collars for jewelry, and crazy make up and hair. Her first catwalk show was in 1981, featuring the theme of pirates.

Vivienne Westwood's fashion lines are worn by many celebrities, specifically Gwen Stefani.

After looking at Vivienne Westwood's various fashion designs, I can see what Gwen Stefani loves about her. It seems like Westwood avoids being ordinary with her fashion sense, but somehow still manages to remain classy and come up with the edgiest designs. Also, I think the designs are very unique, especially the stripes and patterns she uses.

Yoko Ono

Yoko Ono is a Japanese artist, peace activist, and musician who is well known for pushing the boundaries of art, film, music and threatre media. When Yoko was 18, she attended the prestigious College of Sarah Lawrence and this was when she discovered the world of avant garde artists. Ono was deeply absorbed in the scene and began her lifelong association with art. She was a misunderstood artist and for years, her work was ignored or misjudged. However, after starting her relationship with film producer, Jazz musician Anthony Cox, people's perspective on Yoko Ono changed.

"cut piece" 1964

Ono's most famous piece where she invited audience to cut off pieces of her clothing until she was fully naked, which got rid of the theme of materialism for the theme of nature. Yoko's art usually demanded audience's participation in her art.

I'm very obsessed with Yoko Ono's involvment as a peace activist. I respect her more for her charity work over her art, although I do think her imagination is a one of a kind. She came up with very random ideas and I loved how she was very inviting with her audience, making them participate in her artwork and pushing them to think outside the box.