While I was participating in Maintenance Art at school I obviously felt a bit embarrassed from strangers giving looks as to what we were doing. Besides that emotion, I felt good that this sculpture, that took great effort to make, was finally getting some sort of TLC that it needed. Even just a simple swipe with a rag had made a difference in the presentation of this piece.
Mierle Laderman Ukeles’ and Richard Serra both showed representations of art even though both have completely different concepts. Ukeles’, in my opinion, is trying to convey a message that even in the simplest tasks we do everyday we can create something beautiful that was once worn down. Serra, on the other hand, is not conveying a clear message, but instead is showing abstraction to where we get to interpret and experience what he is doing with no definitive conclusion. Hence, “Abstraction is Freedom”.
In Ukeles’ case, because it was done at a museum I do feel that, that has a part in saying it is art. She was performing with the intention of showcasing this for the public to see, interpret, and experience her point of view. If a janitor had done this I do not feel that it would be considered art because it is a duty that must be done and it comes at a price. With Ukeles’, she put time, care, and thought into an act that was not asked of her to do, but solely because of her passion to perfect her craft and convey a message.
Art can be conveyed through anything as Ukeles’ shows. It does not always have to be done on a canvas and it does not always have to be a painting. For example, when someone paints a house it’s mostly because they want to add a nice touch that is pleasing to them and not others that don’t live there. BUT if someone were to paint something on a house with the intention of conveying a message or spark a thought in people’s minds then I do feel that it could be considered art. Again, it is the experience that you get that makes something art. Not because of the type of medium you use.
I don’t feel that “Women’s Work” is an art. Performing simple duties like housework, is exactly what it is. Just housework. They are not duties done, in my case, because of a fiery passion where I feel like I need to prove something. They’re done because they need to get done to have a clean and organized environment.
I would never get down on my hands an knees to clean a Hollywood star. For one, It’s just a man-made star that is cemented in the ground as a decoration. It doesn’t give me any benefit of cleaning it or even stopping by it for a picture. Second, celebrities are just regular people like myself. I’m not one that gushes over celebrities when they don’t even know I exist. Lastly, that sidewalk in Hollywood is very dirty with tourists walking through every single day. I could never imagine myself bare hands and all on that floor. Yuck!
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