Analysis of Franz West's "Chameleon" Analytical Essay by Nicky

Analysis of Franz West's "Chameleon"
A look at artist Franz West's installation, "Chameleon."
# 148900 | 1,154 words | 4 sources | MLA | 2011 | US
Published on Nov 12, 2011 in Art (Artists) , Art (Other Mediums) , Art (General)


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Description:

This paper presents and insightful and detailed analysis of Franz West's installation called "Chameleon." First, it describes the installation, which simply looks like the interior of a 1970's kitchen. Then, the paper goes into greater depth, revealing that these everyday object have multi-layered meaning, from the actual furniture in the composition to the colors. Additionally, the paper quotes West about what he intends to achieve with his art, further exploring his own philosophy. The paper concludes by noting that "Chameleon" challenges the viewer to question what happens when things do function, yet also to look below the surface. The paper includes a photo of the discussed work of art.

From the Paper:

"West's art, although it is crafted is a kind of 'found' art, and his desire to demystify the process of artistic creation is yet another reason he brings the gallery owner into the process of artistic manufacturing, such as by asking the museum's director what color the Chameleon color of the walls and chairs will become, as the work moves from place to place. West classifies his fundamental artistic philosophy as along the lines of the schools of what he calls that "adaptives," which holds that "if the form is useful, then it's beautiful."
"After all, in most ancient, primitive societies, art's form and function were one: a plate was not decorative, even though it might be highly crafted: the dining ware it had a purpose. West makes a similar claim about the art of today--that it be functional as well as artistic, and art is found in the functional works of our own society. West's adaptivist philosophy has deep, personal roots: "When I was fifteen I went to Rome, and because I was alone there I went to the Spanish Steps, where you could meet people. It's the same in many Italian towns and cities with the fountain in the middle of a central square and people sitting around having conversations. From that experience came this ideal of sitting in the art, like a goal of sitting in the clouds: sitting in the art consuming life. It's perhaps a bit hippy-ish: not to participate in society but to have this art as life.""

Sample of Sources Used:

  • "Exhibitions." Musee d'art contemporain de Montreal. Last update May 25, 2009. May 27, 2009. http://www.macm.org/en/expositions/63.html
  • "Franz West." Artseensoho. May 27, 2009. http://www.artseensoho.com/Art/ZWIRNER/west99/w1.html
  • "An Interview with Franz West." Art Exhibitions, LAMC (Lost Angeles County Museum of Art). May 27, 2009. http://www.lacma.org/art/fwestinterview.aspx
  • "Untitled (Internet bed)." Artseensoho. May 27, 2009. http://www.artseensoho.com/Art/ZWIRNER/west99/w2.html

Cite this Analytical Essay:

APA Format

Analysis of Franz West's "Chameleon" (2011, November 12) Retrieved December 09, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/analysis-of-franz-west-chameleon-148900/

MLA Format

"Analysis of Franz West's "Chameleon"" 12 November 2011. Web. 09 December. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/analysis-of-franz-west-chameleon-148900/>

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