Making with Caution a Master's Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of
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Making with Caution A Master’s Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Fine Arts in the Graduate School of the Ohio State University By Joshua David Cloud, B.F.A., B.S. Graduate Program in Fine Arts The Ohio State University 2011 Thesis Committee: Robert Derr, Advisor Alison Crocetta Tony Mendoza Copyright by Joshua David Cloud 2011 Abstract Making With Caution, my most recent art installation, will serve as an investigation into the meaning of death and dying. It will be on display at the Urban Art Space, in Columbus, Ohio, and will operate as a culmination of my formal education in contemporary fine art. Furthermore, it will operate as evidence of my very existence, and will abstractly illustrate the quiescence of death and dying through a video, perceived live performance, and sculpture. Each of these three components will be deconstructed in great detail in regards to their conversation in fine art and religion. In the following pages, I will examine how art may appease the overwhelming angst associated with death and dying, which consequently allows me to enjoy, savor, and appreciate the little time I have on earth. Through a thorough investigation of Making With Caution, I will describe how I use art as a supplement to pacify my anxiety related to my fear of death, and how it operates as a direct consequence of my current spiritual dissatisfactions. ii Dedication For my encouraging and supporting wife, who strives to illustrate the beauty of art in life and life in art. iii Acknowledgments My sincerest thanks goes to my graduate committee: Mr. Robert Derr, Mr. Tony Mendoza, and Ms. Alison Crocetta for your honest and thorough critique of my artwork. For Robert, thank you for your willingness to support all of my artistic ventures. You have provided an invaluable amount of insight into the theories of art- making, which I closely cherish. In addition, thank you for your guidance in writing this document. For Tony, thank you for your humor, willingness to understand, and willingness to listen. Your sincerity will not be forgotten. For Alison, thank you for your honest and challenging critique. You have helped provide me with the tools necessary for succeeding in the art arena. Together, you have all displayed the values and attributes that a good educator should have. Each of you serve as a role model which will help shape my future as an educator. I thank my studio mates, Ash Woolson and Ashley Moore. Your continuing support and encouragement has allowed me to treasure the past two years. I also thank my colleagues in the Department of Art at The Ohio State University for your helpful critique and conversation. Most of all, I thank my wife and family for your enduring support and love. Collectively, you have all shown that living is really about surrounding yourself with the people you care about and doing the things you enjoy. iv Vita 2009-2011.................................................................. Instructor of Record, The Ohio State University 2009-2011.................................................................. Graduate Teaching Assistant, The Ohio State University 2004-2009.................................................................. B.F.A. in Fine Art, The Pennsylvania State University 2004-2008.................................................................. B.S. in Art Education, The Pennsylvania State University 2008............................................................................ Pre-Service Art Educator, Philadelphia Public Schools Awards and Selected Exhibitions 2011............................................................................ Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition, Confluence(s), The Urban Art Space, The Ohio State University 2010............................................................................ Love, Cloudhaus, Via Vecchia, Columbus, Ohio 2010............................................................................ Annual Members’ Small Works Exhibition, ROY G BIV Gallery, Columbus, Ohio 2010............................................................................ Annual Thumb Box Exhibition, OAL Gallery & OSU Arts Initiative, Columbus,Ohio v 2010............................................................................ Ohio State University MFA Show, The Ohio State University, Hopkins Hall, Columbus, Ohio 2009............................................................................ The Human Canvas, The Center for Fine Art Photography, Fort Collins, Colorado 2008............................................................................ Pennsylvania State Photography Showcase, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania 2008............................................................................ BFA Student Exhibition, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania 2008............................................................................ Juried Exhibition, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania 2007............................................................................ Sparks Space Exhibition, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania Field of Study Major Field: Visual Arts vi Table of Contents Abstract.......................................................................................................................... ii Dedication.................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgments........................................................................................................ iv Vita................................................................................................................................. v Table of Contents......................................................................................................... vii List of Figures............................................................................................................ viii Preface............................................................................................................................ 1 Introduction.................................................................................................................... 3 Chapter 1: The Body as a Site for Art............................................................................ 8 Chapter 2: Recognition of Existence ............................................................................19 Chapter 3: Freudian Death Drive & The Implied Death ..............................................27 Chapter 4: The Wooden Box Live Performance .......................................................... 32 Chapter 5: Conclusion.................................................................................................. 40 References.................................................................................................................... 45 vii List of Figures Figure 1. Joshua Cloud, Making with Caution, 2011..................................................... 7 Figure 2. Otto Muehl, Oh Sensibility, 1970................................................................. 13 Figure 3. Joshua Cloud, The Staring Exercise, 2011................................................... 20 Figure 4. Vito Acconci, Centers, 1971......................................................................... 22 Figure 5: Joshua Cloud, The Powder Paint Exercise, 2010......................................... 30 Figure 6. The Wooden Box Performance, Boy by Box, 2011...................................... 36 Figure 7. Carpe Diem Business Card, 2011................................................................. 39 Figure 8. Caravaggio, The Incredulity of Saint Thomas, 1601.................................... 41 viii Preface I was thirteen when I had to make one of the hardest decisions of my life. I remember I was thirteen because my closest friend, Max, was thirteen too. In dog years, Max was 91 years old. At that time, I had never lived without him. Our relationship was not all that different than most young boys and their first dog—he was a faithful companion and a loyal friend. He was a consoler and could cure just about any bad day with just the warmth of his soft golden fur. He harbored me during the times I was afraid to go to bed. Stretched on the foot of the bed, his 80 pounds was very constricting on a single sized mattress. However, he would, without hesitation, save me from the creaks and noises heard throughout the night. He was more than an average friend—we were very close. When I reflect on my childhood, Max was almost always present in my fondest memories. After years of watching his body deteriorate, we held a family meeting to determine the next appropriate steps. My mother calmly explained that I would be the one who would ultimately determine his future. It was in late August, just four months before his 14th birthday, when I made the decision to put him down. When the scheduled day came, my mother asked if I wanted to stay home from school and go to the animal hospital with her. I reluctantly said, “No, it will be too hard. I just can’t do it.” I was totally convinced if I had, I would have broken down, 1 changed my mind, and forced my Mom to cancel the appointment before we even got to the car. She accepted my decision, and gave me my final minutes alone with Max. I cried while petting him over and over, telling him “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”