Today I was perusing my Instagram, looking for inspiration in the digital world. I was trying to see the world through the eyes of different people from different walks of life. I was not looking for anything in particular or controversial.
As one photo led me to another, I discovered an account belonging to an aspiring makeup artist. As I scrolled down through an endless catalog of perfectly sculpted eyebrows and expertly outline lips, I came across this image:
The makeup work was credited to Instagram user thealexbox.
There were a number of comments (149 of them). Many stated that the makeup is impeccable and flawless; a fine example of wonderful artistic work. Some noted that it was controversial but did not go into the details. Then of course there were comments about black face. Some observed that although it looked like black face, it was clearly not meant to be racist. It was "artistic". Of course others still, pointed out that this was a clear cut case of black face and that clearly historical knowledge about the significance of black face was lost to the general audience of this particular photo blog.
One user wrote, "This is art and art is controversial! It's not about the artist or artwork, cuz its fking gorgeous. Its all in what lies beneath the perceptions and deceptions of the audience."
To me, ART IS ABOUT THE ARTIST!
The craftsmanship involved in this work is incredible; clearly a sign that the maker is a skilled crafter. However, on the basis of skill alone, this work would only be considered a craft. To categorize this as art, you must consider that the marker/artist has/had an intention. Whether that intention was to be controversial (the artist knowingly used racially charged subject matter to make people think) or not to be controversial (the artist was ignorant or overlooked the historical significance), I cannot say. I don't know enough about the maker to make up my mind. I am leaning toward the latter.
Although I can appreciate the immense skill of this work, I am still offended about the subject matter. Artists have a responsibility to become informed. Art is a powerful tool and to merely claim ignorance is to do a disservice to the field. Ignorance is not an excuse.
I did a little more digging and found thealexbox. As I wandered through her photographs, I could immediately see great talent.
I came across the image above. Most comments were in support of the craft. Out of the 63 comments left, only a handful suggested that this was offensive. Remarks claiming a racist connotation to the image, were followed by fanatics that dismissed the work as anything offensive and instead offered that any ties to racism were purely the overactive imagination of trouble starters.
I also found an additional image: (Same girl in white makeup)
I don't think that my understanding of the work was any more or less enhanced by the diptych. I don't think that the artist was at all aware or concerned about what her makeup work could mean or what ties it had to historical events. It was just a cool idea that she had for a makeup job.
Earlier today, I read an article about Pop Culture and bad taste. Perhaps thats relevant to this work too.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2013/07/02/198097817/the-record-when-pop-stars-flirt-with-danger
I welcome any comments or insights into this subject matter.
