Progress

The 1960s and onward has been a period of great progress and development, socially and technologically. Achievements that had not been recognized gained noticed, rights that had not be granted were obtained, and the modern world has grown. There is no doubt that the Post Modern world of art focuses on the theme of progress.

The Dinner Party is a long-term installment created by Judy Chicago in 1974-1979 and is located in the Brooklyn Museum.  Judy is a scholar, feminist, artist and educator.  She was born in Chicago and has a Bachelors as well as Masters in art. She has even taught college courses focusing on feminist art and women’s history. This piece represents the achievements of women that have gone unrecognized in history. This displays the theme of progress well because it shows the contributions of women to societies all around the world. It is progress in itself just to learn that women are indeed an important part of society. I like this piece because of what it represents, and how symbolic it is. Every place mat is a tribute to an important woman in history.

 

 

 

 

The Great Wall of Los Angeles is a mural dreamed up by Judy Baca in 1976-2003 and painted by over 400 artists. It is located in the San Fernando Valley. Judy Baca was born in California of Mexican American parents. She was raised in a family of women and participated in the Chicano Movement. She strives to promote peace and equality. The Great Wall of Los Angeles deoicts the history of California. It is continually growing as a reminder that progress is constant. I love this mural because it has so much depth to it. It begins all the way back to prehistoric times and currently continues up through the 1950′s. I love that there is a visual representation of history that is so positive and always growing.

Another fantastic piece done by Judy Baca, Be Skeptical of the Spectacle, was made in 1985 in California as a public service message. In a time when the media controls our thoughts, it is of severe importance to remember to use our own minds. Progress cannot be accomplished by believing everything we hear. I find this piece to be clever and true to my personal beliefs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Civil Rights Monument was envisioned and created by Maya Lin in 1989. Maya Lin was born in Ohio where her father was the dean of the Ohio University College of Fine Arts. She is an avid environmentalist and often this is reflected in her artwork. She is most famous for her Vietnam Memorial.  This particular memorial is located in Montgomery, Alabama where much of the inspiration for the Civil Rights Movement took place. The memorial recognizes the deaths of many individuals that helped change America for the better and how their deaths connect to a reaction. Even an individual can make a difference and cause progress in this world. I love this piece because of how moving it is without being complex.

 

 

 

 

Another beautiful memorial done by Maya Lin is The Women’s Table. This memorial was made in 1993 at Yale University. It is a granite table inscribed with the number of women enrolled at Yale since the year they began to admit women. This is a clearly progressive moment in history to be memorialized. The numbers are written in a spiral to represent growth. I am glad that there is something out there to memorialize the rights of women that we so often take for granted now.

This pavement drawing done by Julian Beever is untitled and done at an unknown date (perhaps the 4th of July).  Julian Beever was born in England and has done work all over the world. There must have been something about America that he found celebratory. There is nothing more progressive than a revolution, and every 4th of July we celebrate it. I love Julian Beever because his artwork is illusory and imaginative. In this case it appears as though a girl is riding on an eagle.

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