From a 2010 iTunes University Podcast in the Metropolitan Museum. By and large, a history of Baldessari and his art. The narrators, including Baldessari himself, explains the point behind these his creations. Also how he created them and the choices he made for the final product. A chronological series, with each podcast tells of important moments in Baldessari’s life as an artist. It struck me at how he did not treat his work as something precious when listening to “Cremation”. When they reveal that he took inspiration from Dada, it made sense.
The overarching theme comes from Baldessari’s California life combined with visual and verbal tricks. His look at words reminds me of Magritte’s “The Treachery of Images” with the whole “How do the image and word relate to each other?” type of concept. He explores the use of words and the many connotations that come from them. It borderlines on the philosophical with him wondering which medium to practice with when making art. Thanks to Baldessar’s interviews, I now know and love that a color called “A Tube of Warm Brownie,” exists in interior decoration parlance. They cover his history as an art teacher. Not to mention that Baldessari’s art begins as a creation between him and the many often nameless students. Longest podcast goes over three minutes. No reproductions in the download section.
Art History Ramblings 