Art and Identity: The Museum of Modern Art

Last week, our art 101 class went on the first field trip to the MoMa, which is located in Midtown New York City. The MOMA also known as the museum of modern art is an exhibit of existing modern artwork as well a rotation of new modern artwork. The floors we were assigned to see artwork were on the 2nd and 6th floors. The 2nd floor boasts colorful, interesting, and some confusing pieces of modern work. The 6th floor was primarily about an ever-changing artist named Cindy Sherman. Cindy’s work of art showcased almost the entire floor beside the art store being nearby. In this essay, I will talk about three works of art that I believed were very interesting and informing as well. The three works of art are going to explain the classification of identity such as personal, cultural, and historical notions.

The Louise Lawler, “Does Andy Warhol make you cry?” work of art was chosen to classify the cultural aspect of art. The piece was made from Cibachrome print and Plexiglas wall label in 1988. The Louise Lawler piece overlaps with Real art ways with the way history is involved. Both pieces are from the past and include a powerful message. The piece depicts a photo of Marilyn Monroe, whom is a historical icon in the show business. Marilyn was a very well known actress, model and businesswoman. Monroe inspired a lot of women and men among her time in the spotlight.

Real Art Ways, a group material in Hartford Connecticut sponsored and put together an historical bus poster on AIDS with photolithograph on paper in 1990. An image of president Bush with a quote refers to insurance coverage of people with AIDS conveyed positive norms of behavior at odds with the actions of the administration in Washington. (www.franklinfurnace.org) The poster sends a powerful message from previous president George W. Bush. George bush states briefly in the poster of how the disease affects not only his friends but also anyone that is affected. The person’s life is drastically changed but George states that support is immediately there for them and unconditional.

Cindy Sherman was chosen to describe the individual classification of identity because of super creative ways to change her appearance in almost every portrait of hers printed. The 1975 hand colored gelatin silver prints show 23 photos of Cindy. It was here that she began photographing herself, making works like Untitled #479, which showed a step-by-step transformation from adolescence to adulthood. (Blogger.com). Cindy Sherman’s passion is photography.
The works of art spoken about above overlap in history, culture, and identity. Each work of art sends a message of people, events, and arts of life.

Louise Lawler
"Does Andy Warhol make you cry?"
Silver dye bleach print (Cibachrome) and Plexiglas wall label with gilded lettering
1988

Group Material
"Bus Poster"
photolithograph on plastic
1990

Cindy Sherman
"Untitled #479"
Hand colored gelatin silver prints
1975