Summative Statement of Research

             Immediately as I look at Andrea Zittel’s work, I was and am struck by the clean and simple aesthetic it embodies. Her work made me curious about the simplicity and concepts behind it and made me want to know more about Zittel and her art.  

To begin the research, I needed to know more about Zittel herself and the art she creates. I, therefore, conducted vertical research on the artist by consulting multiple biographies on Andrea Zittel. They each gave me the foundation information that I, first, needed to know about Zittel and, second, needed to do lateral research.  The clearest way to explain my thought process is to go through each category of research in the order that it is found on this blog starting with the Bauhaus.

The Bauhaus, as I learned in class, was a movement that inspired much of modern art (especially graphic design, architecture, and interior design). Zittel’s work was no exception to this. Her sleek and modern furniture pieces and living units exemplified the movement that I heard so much about. I therefore researched the overview of the Bauhaus and complemented it with pictures representing the graphic design, artwork, and architecture of the movement.

Following the Bauhaus was my investigation into the Berlin Exhibit that Zittel did recently. This was a bit of vertical research into the exhibit that left me in awe after finding the featured pictures of her installation.  To supplement my visual attraction to her work, I looked into what the exhibit was about in an article. Apparently the exhibit was an opportunity for Zittel to create art in the space she was provided, but also to sell her handmade smocks (everyday uniforms) as well.

Another piece of information I took away from viewing Zittel’s biographies and work is the place she really started to do her art. Brookyln was the home of her first studio like space known as A-Z East in the 1990’s. It made me curious about the artistic environment Zittel had at that time period she lived there.  Upon research, I found two great videos depicting the type of scene and creative mecca that culminated there with emerging forms of art. As well, I found an article about how with the change of times, the sort of people that are currently in the area are just as creative as in the 90's, but not the same economically due to the increased financial difficulty that is imposed on Brooklyn’s residents.

            Continuing with Brooklyn, that is the place where Zittel first began to synthesize everyday processes through her compact living space. This underlying concept did lead to my interest in daily routines. I found a website that had the daily routines of different famous people including former presidents. As well, I came across an article about important things to be incorporated into a daily routine and a cartoon satire about a student’s everyday routine.

            Next, I referred back to Zittel’s biography and became curious about her place of birth, Escondido, California. I found where it was on the map and what a visual example of it was to gain a basic knowledge of the town. Then I found an informative article about how the town came to be. It originated with the Native Americans, and then went into the hands of missionaries who forced the Natives into labor. As the west became more populated, the land then swapped around between many different people.

            Also in California, I discovered is Zittel’s current residency. She now resides in Joshua Tree, California. Online were various pictures of her artistic abode with its simplistic exterior.  She went back to California, as an article discusses, for new art and her family. It appears, according to another article, that the town is in fact full of artistic people that have formed this artist haven in the middle of the desert.        

            Refering back to Zittel’s art, the last four areas of research on my blog were inspired by Zittel's varying art forms. One big theme prevalent in Zittel’s work is this idea of pieces that are multifunctional (especially furniture). I found more artists and designers that are into the field too. The videos I viewed of small apartments that fit into them so much through multifunctional design was especially fascinating and appealing. Another big work Zittel completed was a piece in Denmark where she transformed a small island into a real living space that she inhabited for a time. This sparked my interest to find more islands that feature just one living unit. I came across the typical tropical ones that I think of when I picture private islands, but also found ones up in the north as well. The article I found about how the real treasures of private islands are actually Nova Scotia was especially fascinating because my family roots trace back to there.

The last two lateral researches spawned from Zittel’s art included simplistic living and the uniform project. Before, I mentioned the striking aesthetic of Zittels’s work. Simply, I referred to the minimalism reflected in her work. I then looked into other architecture and interiors that embody this simple, clean design and a website selling individual furniture pieces with this evident Bauhaus derivative. Finally, another thing I brought up before were the smocks Zittel sold at the Berlin Exhibit. This was a part of her on going project (the uniform project) where Zittel would make and wear one homemade outfit for months at a time (as one wears a uniform everyday). I then looked up examples of her fashions proceeded by the work of other people who followed Zittel’s movement and just other takes on creating a “uniform”.

Overall, the research I have done directly on Andrea Zittel and what I have learned from the lateral research off of her has shed light on newfound interests of mine. Possibly I have touched upon new inspiration for my future artwork.

Works Cited

"Andrea Zittel | Art21 | PBS." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.pbs.org/art21/artists/andrea-zittel>.

Chaplin, Julia. "Contemporary Art in Joshua Tree, California - New York Times." New Work Times-Travel. New York Times, 21 Apr. 2006. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/04/21/travel/escapes/21joshua.html?pagewanted=all>.

Dixit, Deepak. "9 Must-Include Items In A Healthy Daily Routine." Ezine Articles. 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://ezinearticles.com/?9-Must-Include-Items-In-A-Healthy-Daily-Routine&id=3719668>.

Gladstone, Liam. "Nova Scotia: the World's Overlooked Island Paradise | Private Islands - Articles about Islands for Sale and the Industry." Private Islands for Sale - Articles | Private Islands - Articles about Islands for Sale and the Industry. 2008. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://articles.privateislandsonline.com/regional/nova-scotia-the-worlds-overlooked-island-paradise/>.

Grant, Catherine. "MoMA | The Collection | Andrea Zittel. (American, Born 1965)." MoMA | The Museum of Modern Art. Oxford Press University, 2009. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.moma.org/collection/artist.php?artist_id=7525>.

Jane, Eighty. "Paris Style Trends Reflect Fashion Globalization | The Fashion Cult." Fashion News, Art & Culture : The Fashion Cult. 11 June 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.thefashioncult.com/2011/06/the-paris-uniform/>.

Narizhnaya, Khristina. "From Starving Artist to "Starving Artist": DIY Arts in Williamsburg." Greenpoint Gazette. 2009. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.greenpointnews.com/entertainment/from-starving-artist-to-starving-artist-diy-arts-in-williamsburg>.

Rosenberg, Karen. "Andrea Zittel: Wagon Stations at The Whitney and Andrea Zittel: Critical Space at The New Museum -- New York Magazine Art Review." New York Magazine -- NYC Guide to Restaurants, Fashion, Nightlife, Shopping, Politics, Movies. New York, 14 Jan. 2006. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://nymag.com/nymetro/arts/art/15536/>.

Selewski, Jan. "Sprueth Magers :: Exhibitions :: Andrea Zittel." Monika Sprueth Philomene Magers. 2009. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://spruethmagers.net/exhibitions/226@@press_en>.

Smith, Trevor. "Andrea Zittel :: NewMuseum.org." New Museum :: NewMuseum.org. 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.newmuseum.org/exhibitions/397>.

"Victorian House on Watch Island Listed." Mortgage Refinance Blog - MortgageTicket.com. 17 June 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://mortgageticket.com/buying-and-selling/victorian-house-on-watch-island-listed.html>.

Whetstone, Margie L. "Escondido History." Escondido California Real Estate | Arts | Hotels. San Diego Historical Society Quarterly, Jan. 1963. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.escondido.com/history/>.

Winton, Alexandra G. "The Bauhaus, 1919-1933 | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art." The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Home. 2000. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/bauh/hd_bauh.htm>.

Wischhover, Cheryl. "Fashionable Nursing Uniforms? Pratt Fashion Design Students Took On the Challenge – Fashionista: Fashion Industry News, Designers, Runway Shows, Style Advice." Fashionista: Fashion Industry News, Designers, Runway Shows, Style Advice. 6 Nov. 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://fashionista.com/2011/11/fashionable-nursing-uniforms-pratt-fashion-design-students-took-on-the-challenge/>.