Maintenance Art

I found it very satisfying to perform Maintenance Art while on my campus. It was an action that was long overdue and I was proud of my class and I for taking the initiative to do this.

Mierle Laderman Ukeles cleaning the steps of an art museum and Richard Serra flinging molten lead against the walls of an art museum are different in their approach towards the art museum. Mierle Laderman is technically taking away some of the dirt and debris that have fallen on the steps of the art museum while Richard Serra was adding the lead onto the art museum walls. I believe that they are the same in that they expressed their own feelings towards art museum through their actions. I would consider both to be a form of art as they are using their skills of cleaning and flinging molten lead, respectively, to add or take away things from the art museum.

I believe that Mierle Laderman Ukeles’ Maintenance Art performance at the Wadsworth Atheneum was “art.” I believe that the fact that she labeled her performance as “Maintenance Art” is what made it art; she had an intention in mind when performing the act. If she had simply been a janitor in a factory for 6 months, I would not consider that art but more of an occupation. The only way that I would consider the janitor job as “art” is if she came in with a positive attitude to work everyday and labeled herself as performing Maintenance Art. Although the definition of art is subjective, my belief of what makes an act “art” or “not art” is the intent of the person performing the act.

I believe that the medium art is displayed on does not make an object or action Art or Not Art but rather more towards the intention of the person performing it. Paintings on canvas are typically related to being art because of its popularity in art museums, but I believe the intent of the painting is what qualifies it as art. For example, if companies that sell canvases decide to put an art example to help sell their canvas, I would not consider that particular painting art. It is simply a marketing strategy to help with the company’s sales. The same goes for house painting. If the painter is simply following instructions and not applying any real intent towards painting the house, then I would not consider that to be art. But, if the painter is inputing his or her emotions and feelings towards painting the house, then I would consider that to be art.

Mierle Laderman Ukeles and Jennifer Lopez have both solidified my feelings towards believing “Women’s Work” is art. Even though many people may dread doing women’s work, there is still a level of care and skill that is needed to perform those actions, which makes it art.

I would be willing to clean Emma Watson’s Hollywood Star because I admire the movies that she has been in and the acting that she does.