This semester, I am taking a studio class about installation
art. We are currently dong a collaborative piece; I have three group members to
help me address a very strange and dirty basement space. We have created a
narrow passageway that we plan to fill with a variety materials to create a
space of bodily awareness. The floor will be made up of bound together soft
materials to create an unstable surface upon which to walk, while the ceiling
will be lowered by draped material through which the participant will have to
navigate. One of my main inspirations for this project is Judith Scott, and
artist who works by binding together materials. When I was explaining this to
my group and showing them images, I felt a small personal dilemma. Judith Scott
has Down Syndrome, but despite her disability makes beautiful work that I find
compelling. For some reason, when I was showing my group images of her work, I
was unsure whether I should mention the fact that the artist is disabled. I
felt a little embarrassed, or perhaps ashamed, that I was struggling with this.
It should not matter, should it? When I first was shown her work, I did not
know about her disability and I loved it. I went to the library and checked out
a book about her, and it was only after flipping though that book that I
discovered that the artist had Down Syndrome. For some reason, I felt like that
changed her work. This is a concept that I am still struggling with. On the one
hand, perhaps art should be appreciated without any importance put on the identity
of the artist. But another part of me feels that where the artist is coming
from in important, that it adds content to the work. But I feel a little
uncomfortable that my first reaction to the work was that disability meant lack
of intention; that is a very closed minded assumption for me to have made. Scott’s
experience are no less legitimate than mine, and neither is her work. There is
no prerequisite for being an artist. And I think that it is limiting if the
discussion surrounding her work is focused on her disability rather than her
ability. Her work is beautiful, with no conditions, and I hope that my group’s
basement installation can come close to embodying what I love about Scott’s
work. 
After reading some of your blog posts, I realize that maybe I should have majored in Art. I am curious to see how your team will treat your basement space. I would love to see pictures of your projects. As far as Judith Scott, you must remind yourself that you are only human. And, as a human being, it is only nature to entertain these conflicts. It is how our minds are wired. Like you said, "There are no prerequisite for becoming an artist." So, embrace are for what it is worth.
ReplyDeleteReally interesting post Mary Cate. I like how you were honest about how you reacted to the artist's disability. I am currently taking a class about special education and issues of the treatment of those with disabilities is discussed often. The fact that you appreciate her as an artist and her artwork is all that matters. Good work!
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