Destabilizing cultural assumptions : language and images in the art of Jenny Holzer
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Date
1993
Authors
Jacobson-Leong, Davina R.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Since 1977, when Jenny Holzer first introduced her Truisms
signs to the public, the surreal quality of her art has increased with
her successively more dramatic installations and messages.
Juxtaposing light and dark, impersonal media with personal texts
and the future with the past, Holzer's ability to fill and command
large areas of space (both public and private) has won her
international acclaim and recognition.
The sites for her installations have included sections of the
Dia Foundation in Manhattan, as well as an immense 535-foot
electronic, spiraling sign along the walls of the Solomon R.
Guggenheim Museum (1989). Holzer's most ambitious project to date
is The Venice Installation ; in 1990, she was selected to represent
the United States at the Venice Biennale, a prestigious international
exhibition. There, Holzer's installation won the elite Golden Lion
Award for Best Pavilion. Jenny Holzer currently lives and works in
New York City.1
Whether in a public or private forum, Holzer's signs and
installations manipulate the "official voice" of public
announcements, which are accepted by the general public as
important and true. Through verbal dislocation--placing familiar words in alien contexts--she undermines the unwavering authority
of this official voice, thereby jolting viewers from complacent
acceptance of any information. In this thesis, I hope both to
illustrate the artistic and social contexts from which Holzer's
works developed, and to suggest the ramifications of Holzer's
provocative texts from a greater perspective.
As in any historical research and documentation, it is difficult
to gain a global perspective on any subject from a contemporary
point of view. Generally, it is only in retrospect that one can
recognize the impact an individual and/or movement has had on their
society. However, working with the assumption that much can be
learned about a society and culture through the art it produces, I
hope to demonstrate through my research how art is used not just as
a means of contemplation or "abstract personal expression", but that
it is also used to catalyze action, and if necessary, political action.
With this idea, the actual product of an artist's creation is
secondary to the revolutionary consciousness that it can awaken in
its viewers, the far-reaching, political result of artistic
provocation.
In addition, I shall examine--both in theory and practice--the
creative process behind a work of art. Rather than simply turning to
life, Holzer's art seems to be compelled by life, and it is this
element of immediacy and provocation in her works that I would like
to explore. Holzer's works demand a creative response from viewers,
and while this response will generally remain on a cerebral level-rethinking
cultural assumptions that are made daily--in this thesis
will take my own personal response one step further. Verbal analysis of art is ultimately an analysis "at arm's
length", therefore my final goal in the scope of this paper is to
produce a creative (i.e., artistic) response to Holzer's works. This
will consist of a series of drawings/collages and explanatory notes,
an artistic interpretation and response to the many questions raised
in the course of my research on this subject. Some of the issues or
topics I will address concern: the use of language itself as an
artistic medium; the creation of semantic meaning in words and
images; the conflicting and fragile relationship between cooperation
and corruption; and the struggle against power relationships in
society from an inside and outside perspective.
By responding to Holzer's artistic provocation with my own
artistic interpretation, I hope to demonstrate the chain-reaction
dialogue that art can catalyze. For, as one critic describes, art "can
do what has always been within its province to do: offer a unique
insight, vision or perspective which can heighten or resonate with
one's own consciousness. "2
Description
1 v. : ill. (some col.) A print copy of this title is available through the UO Libraries under the call number: SCA Archiv Jacobson-Leong 1993
Keywords
Holzer, Jenny, 1950- -- Criticism and interpretation