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Art With A History | Rupert Nesbitt | TEDxNewport


I’m going to take a risk i’m going to

I’m going to take a risk i’m going to ask lots of questions give you no

ask lots of questions give you no

ask lots of questions give you no answers I’m gonna leave you uncertain

answers I’m gonna leave you uncertain

answers I’m gonna leave you uncertain looking in I want you yet lost but I

looking in I want you yet lost but I

looking in I want you yet lost but I don’t want to lose you so something

don’t want to lose you so something

don’t want to lose you so something familiar we’re stable this is not the

familiar we’re stable this is not the

familiar we’re stable this is not the Mona Lisa this is the Mona Lisa you

Mona Lisa this is the Mona Lisa you

Mona Lisa this is the Mona Lisa you can’t see paint on panel you see your

can’t see paint on panel you see your

can’t see paint on panel you see your own reflection behind a picket of rays

own reflection behind a picket of rays

own reflection behind a picket of rays cell cameras because we know the image

cell cameras because we know the image

cell cameras because we know the image from reproductions there’s a temptation

from reproductions there’s a temptation

from reproductions there’s a temptation to overlook that fame has changed what

to overlook that fame has changed what

to overlook that fame has changed what you actually see in the museum now

you actually see in the museum now

you actually see in the museum now changed into what an experience a

changed into what an experience a

changed into what an experience a pilgrimage permanent flash mob or go an

pilgrimage permanent flash mob or go an

pilgrimage permanent flash mob or go an answer my interest is that there are

answer my interest is that there are

answer my interest is that there are these new questions you set our thinking

these new questions you set our thinking

these new questions you set our thinking in motion a definition of art chosen for

in motion a definition of art chosen for

in motion a definition of art chosen for art with a history it’s two parts or is

art with a history it’s two parts or is

art with a history it’s two parts or is the subject matter of our history it’s

the subject matter of our history it’s

the subject matter of our history it’s all you need to know onward what is our

all you need to know onward what is our

all you need to know onward what is our history our history is relatively recent

history our history is relatively recent

history our history is relatively recent narrative written by people to order and

narrative written by people to order and

narrative written by people to order and contextualize a series of elements those

contextualize a series of elements those

contextualize a series of elements those are the artworks based on ever-changing

are the artworks based on ever-changing

are the artworks based on ever-changing criteria art is never just about itself

criteria art is never just about itself

criteria art is never just about itself it’s always auld up with narrative that

it’s always auld up with narrative that

it’s always auld up with narrative that is history and stories the meaning isn’t

is history and stories the meaning isn’t

is history and stories the meaning isn’t in the art like some truth or essence

in the art like some truth or essence

in the art like some truth or essence the meaning is generated in real time in

the meaning is generated in real time in

the meaning is generated in real time in our heads from what we know what we see

our heads from what we know what we see

our heads from what we know what we see and the stories around the art consider

and the stories around the art consider

and the stories around the art consider something as simple as

something as simple as

something as simple as change location this is a quadriga it’s

change location this is a quadriga it’s

change location this is a quadriga it’s a sculpture for horses that pulls a

a sculpture for horses that pulls a

a sculpture for horses that pulls a chariot we start with legend Alexander

chariot we start with legend Alexander

chariot we start with legend Alexander the Great Commission to quadriga he puts

the Great Commission to quadriga he puts

the Great Commission to quadriga he puts it in Delphi in Greece it’s taken by

it in Delphi in Greece it’s taken by

it in Delphi in Greece it’s taken by either Augustus or general sulla to Rome

either Augustus or general sulla to Rome

either Augustus or general sulla to Rome where’s put on either the tomb of

where’s put on either the tomb of

where’s put on either the tomb of Augustus are the arch of Nero is copied

Augustus are the arch of Nero is copied

Augustus are the arch of Nero is copied at some points the metals more Roman and

at some points the metals more Roman and

at some points the metals more Roman and Greek Theodosius takes it to

Greek Theodosius takes it to

Greek Theodosius takes it to Constantinople where he puts it in the

Constantinople where he puts it in the

Constantinople where he puts it in the Hippodrome which is the chariot race

Hippodrome which is the chariot race

Hippodrome which is the chariot race track Constantinople is sacked it’s

track Constantinople is sacked it’s

track Constantinople is sacked it’s brought the horses are brought to Venice

brought the horses are brought to Venice

brought the horses are brought to Venice they’re put on the porch of San Marco

they’re put on the porch of San Marco

they’re put on the porch of San Marco Napoleon invades Italy the horses are

Napoleon invades Italy the horses are

Napoleon invades Italy the horses are taken down there brought to Paris

taken down there brought to Paris

taken down there brought to Paris they’re put on top of an arch opposite

they’re put on top of an arch opposite

they’re put on top of an arch opposite the Louvre Napoleon is exiled the horses

the Louvre Napoleon is exiled the horses

the Louvre Napoleon is exiled the horses are brought back to Venice they’re

are brought back to Venice they’re

are brought back to Venice they’re lowered and stored in Rome in the First

lowered and stored in Rome in the First

lowered and stored in Rome in the First World War and replaced by copies outside

World War and replaced by copies outside

World War and replaced by copies outside and they finally end up in a museum

and they finally end up in a museum

and they finally end up in a museum clearly these things are not just

clearly these things are not just

clearly these things are not just sculptures to everybody what are they I

sculptures to everybody what are they I

sculptures to everybody what are they I perhaps best understood as the

perhaps best understood as the

perhaps best understood as the championship trophy of power in the

championship trophy of power in the

championship trophy of power in the Mediterranean world but there’s nothing

Mediterranean world but there’s nothing

Mediterranean world but there’s nothing in the horses to make them a trophy

in the horses to make them a trophy

in the horses to make them a trophy rather it’s the history of all those

rather it’s the history of all those

rather it’s the history of all those prior locations that made them desirable

prior locations that made them desirable

prior locations that made them desirable and consider this is the trophy for a

and consider this is the trophy for a

and consider this is the trophy for a contest that is defunct power in the

contest that is defunct power in the

contest that is defunct power in the ancient world are they back in motion

ancient world are they back in motion

ancient world are they back in motion turning back into just sculptures

turning back into just sculptures

turning back into just sculptures reassess what are they today now

reassess what are they today now

reassess what are they today now information and stories are transmitted

information and stories are transmitted

information and stories are transmitted across time and space and roots as

across time and space and roots as

across time and space and roots as tortures as this quadriga saga

generations of retelling

generations of retelling but what about images what are you

but what about images what are you

but what about images what are you looking at well if you see the talk

looking at well if you see the talk

looking at well if you see the talk online you’re looking at your screen

online you’re looking at your screen

online you’re looking at your screen image of a projection in the theater of

image of a projection in the theater of

image of a projection in the theater of a photo I took of a drawing I made from

a photo I took of a drawing I made from

a photo I took of a drawing I made from a paper printout from an altered

a paper printout from an altered

a paper printout from an altered screenshot from a photo online of a

screenshot from a photo online of a

screenshot from a photo online of a sculpture there are layers and

sculpture there are layers and

sculpture there are layers and generations in both objects and in the

generations in both objects and in the

generations in both objects and in the images we can’t be certain what any of

images we can’t be certain what any of

images we can’t be certain what any of it is another piece where we can’t be

it is another piece where we can’t be

it is another piece where we can’t be certain what we’re looking at MANET was

certain what we’re looking at MANET was

certain what we’re looking at MANET was trying to make a history painting of the

trying to make a history painting of the

trying to make a history painting of the execution of Emperor Maximilian of

execution of Emperor Maximilian of

execution of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico things get complex where actual

Mexico things get complex where actual

Mexico things get complex where actual photos of the event start arriving in

photos of the event start arriving in

photos of the event start arriving in Paris he makes additional versions one

Paris he makes additional versions one

Paris he makes additional versions one larger piece he cuts up it’s unclear why

larger piece he cuts up it’s unclear why

larger piece he cuts up it’s unclear why it’s unclear if it was even finished the

it’s unclear if it was even finished the

it’s unclear if it was even finished the parts are sold separately most are

parts are sold separately most are

parts are sold separately most are preserved by his friend day god they’re

preserved by his friend day god they’re

preserved by his friend day god they’re only reunited and attached to a new

only reunited and attached to a new

only reunited and attached to a new piece of linen in 1992 what is this this

piece of linen in 1992 what is this this

piece of linen in 1992 what is this this is actually my miniature reconstruction

is actually my miniature reconstruction

is actually my miniature reconstruction so we have something to look at and talk

so we have something to look at and talk

so we have something to look at and talk about but now what is the real one now

about but now what is the real one now

about but now what is the real one now on one hand it is a ruin the other hand

on one hand it is a ruin the other hand

on one hand it is a ruin the other hand it is a new object that didn’t exist in

it is a new object that didn’t exist in

it is a new object that didn’t exist in this state prior to the reassembly now

this state prior to the reassembly now

this state prior to the reassembly now there’s no problem with multiple

there’s no problem with multiple

there’s no problem with multiple interpretations but what intrigues me is

interpretations but what intrigues me is

interpretations but what intrigues me is that both seem to apply and they are

that both seem to apply and they are

that both seem to apply and they are nearly antonyms a ruin is nearly the

nearly antonyms a ruin is nearly the

nearly antonyms a ruin is nearly the opposite of a new object well that

opposite of a new object well that

opposite of a new object well that around in your head speaking of new

around in your head speaking of new

around in your head speaking of new objects this is my painting made last

objects this is my painting made last

objects this is my painting made last week of weight guidance

week of weight guidance

week of weight guidance inkjet print weight guidance piece was

inkjet print weight guidance piece was

inkjet print weight guidance piece was consigned to auction by a collector with

consigned to auction by a collector with

consigned to auction by a collector with an estimated cost that the artist

an estimated cost that the artist

an estimated cost that the artist thought was outrageously high he doesn’t

thought was outrageously high he doesn’t

thought was outrageously high he doesn’t get the money provocatively he makes ten

get the money provocatively he makes ten

get the money provocatively he makes ten more identical versions of his own piece

more identical versions of his own piece

more identical versions of his own piece to undermine its preciousness and

to undermine its preciousness and

to undermine its preciousness and presumably the auction its gets a lot of

presumably the auction its gets a lot of

presumably the auction its gets a lot of press the peace sells for twice a

press the peace sells for twice a

press the peace sells for twice a testament but the story doesn’t end

testament but the story doesn’t end

testament but the story doesn’t end there after the sale the curator of the

there after the sale the curator of the

there after the sale the curator of the auction digitally alters the piece to

auction digitally alters the piece to

auction digitally alters the piece to say thank you I think it’s in few for

say thank you I think it’s in few for

say thank you I think it’s in few for having the auction sideswiped by all the

having the auction sideswiped by all the

having the auction sideswiped by all the other copies the curator friends ten of

other copies the curator friends ten of

other copies the curator friends ten of these and offers them to people making a

these and offers them to people making a

these and offers them to people making a donation to a charity so the art has

donation to a charity so the art has

donation to a charity so the art has multiplied and propagated and spawned

multiplied and propagated and spawned

multiplied and propagated and spawned this altered love child now yes only one

this altered love child now yes only one

this altered love child now yes only one was actually in the auction but that’s

was actually in the auction but that’s

was actually in the auction but that’s not some essence inside it all of these

not some essence inside it all of these

not some essence inside it all of these things are materially identical

generations of creation including social

generations of creation including social media drawn by hand provoking new ways

media drawn by hand provoking new ways

media drawn by hand provoking new ways for you to think about things which is

for you to think about things which is

for you to think about things which is what the next piece is about by now you

what the next piece is about by now you

what the next piece is about by now you figured out that this is my reproduction

figured out that this is my reproduction

figured out that this is my reproduction of one of Francisco goya’s etchings from

of one of Francisco goya’s etchings from

of one of Francisco goya’s etchings from his famous series the disasters of war

his famous series the disasters of war

his famous series the disasters of war young British art stars the Chapman

young British art stars the Chapman

young British art stars the Chapman brothers by a complete set of original

brothers by a complete set of original

brothers by a complete set of original Goya etchings and paint clown heads on

Goya etchings and paint clown heads on

Goya etchings and paint clown heads on every victim in the 80 odd prints in the

every victim in the 80 odd prints in the

every victim in the 80 odd prints in the series what is this now beyond of course

series what is this now beyond of course

series what is this now beyond of course being made by me and not actually by the

being made by me and not actually by the

being made by me and not actually by the Chapmans but

there’s a zit just provocative

there’s a zit just provocative debasement there’s a violence and how

debasement there’s a violence and how

debasement there’s a violence and how this was made that somehow consistent

this was made that somehow consistent

this was made that somehow consistent with the subject matter and the meaning

Goa’s images are still relevant today

Goa’s images are still relevant today 200 years after they were made but today

200 years after they were made but today

200 years after they were made but today we live in an age where pictures are

we live in an age where pictures are

we live in an age where pictures are everywhere and they’re free is this what

everywhere and they’re free is this what

everywhere and they’re free is this what it takes to get us to go down and relook

it takes to get us to go down and relook

it takes to get us to go down and relook at an image I talked about seeing things

at an image I talked about seeing things

at an image I talked about seeing things with fresh eyes and possibly the Chapman

with fresh eyes and possibly the Chapman

with fresh eyes and possibly the Chapman brothers have done that for us by doing

brothers have done that for us by doing

brothers have done that for us by doing our work for us updating the image

our work for us updating the image

our work for us updating the image forcing us to see the image back in

forcing us to see the image back in

forcing us to see the image back in motion is something to be thought about

motion is something to be thought about

motion is something to be thought about today another piece in motion a wall

today another piece in motion a wall

today another piece in motion a wall painting and a Spanish church

painting and a Spanish church

painting and a Spanish church deteriorated an elderly woman goes in of

deteriorated an elderly woman goes in of

deteriorated an elderly woman goes in of her own accord to do a restoration this

her own accord to do a restoration this

her own accord to do a restoration this becomes an internet sensation due to the

becomes an internet sensation due to the

becomes an internet sensation due to the hilariously in apt execution the church

hilariously in apt execution the church

hilariously in apt execution the church initially considered efforts to undo the

initially considered efforts to undo the

initially considered efforts to undo the botched restoration but the viral fame

botched restoration but the viral fame

botched restoration but the viral fame of this thing has brought tens of

of this thing has brought tens of

of this thing has brought tens of thousands of people to this random

thousands of people to this random

thousands of people to this random church what is this now a mistake

church what is this now a mistake

church what is this now a mistake collaboration artists push boundaries by

collaboration artists push boundaries by

collaboration artists push boundaries by accident or design there’s always an

accident or design there’s always an

accident or design there’s always an edge to be worked around the territory

edge to be worked around the territory

edge to be worked around the territory of the uncool it leaves me hoping to

of the uncool it leaves me hoping to

of the uncool it leaves me hoping to included or excluded from the narrative

included or excluded from the narrative

included or excluded from the narrative of art history it is after all a layered

of art history it is after all a layered

of art history it is after all a layered piece like the prior

piece like the prior

piece like the prior Chapman brothers clown headed goya’s

Chapman brothers clown headed goya’s

Chapman brothers clown headed goya’s I’ll even invent redeeming

I’ll even invent redeeming

I’ll even invent redeeming interpretations of it it’s

interpretations of it it’s

interpretations of it it’s superficiality over substances aren’t by

superficiality over substances aren’t by

superficiality over substances aren’t by an outsider it’s modernist naivete

an outsider it’s modernist naivete

an outsider it’s modernist naivete versus pass a realism it is an

versus pass a realism it is an

versus pass a realism it is an embodiment of our obsession with the

embodiment of our obsession with the

embodiment of our obsession with the virtual between damage and repair

virtual between damage and repair

virtual between damage and repair between meme and serious interpretation

between meme and serious interpretation

between meme and serious interpretation this piece is in flux for now these

this piece is in flux for now these

this piece is in flux for now these works are provocative they plow through

works are provocative they plow through

works are provocative they plow through classifications assumptions and easy

classifications assumptions and easy

classifications assumptions and easy answers in the wake of their disturbance

answers in the wake of their disturbance

answers in the wake of their disturbance is space for uncertainty that’s fertile

is space for uncertainty that’s fertile

is space for uncertainty that’s fertile ground for you to make your own

ground for you to make your own

ground for you to make your own interpretations come up with fresh eyes

interpretations come up with fresh eyes

interpretations come up with fresh eyes to see the world and aren’t in new ways

to see the world and aren’t in new ways

to see the world and aren’t in new ways the stories are in motion they can

the stories are in motion they can

the stories are in motion they can resonate in your mind lead you far

resonate in your mind lead you far

resonate in your mind lead you far afield I hope you get lost

afield I hope you get lost

afield I hope you get lost [Applause]

”

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