Overview
The lecture analyzes Marc Quinn's 1991 sculpture "Self," a cast of the artist's head made from his own frozen blood, exploring its process, historical references, and conceptual significance.
The Shock Element in Art
- "Self" is memorable due to its shock value, using real blood as sculpture material.
- Shock in art can be superficial or deeply meaningful, raising questions about its purpose.
- Blood as a medium evokes strong reactions and taboos even among experienced viewers.
Creation Process and Artistic Intent
- Quinn collected ten pints of his own blood over five sessions, matching the average human blood volume.
- He created a plaster cast of his head, filled it with blood, and froze it.
- The finished head is displayed in a Perspex box with refrigeration, emphasizing its dependence on technology.
- The process mimics medical cryopreservation, suggesting connections to life support and modern healthcare.
Historical and Art-Historical References
- The work references ancient tomb sculptures and art’s role in preserving legacy and defying death.
- Its display echoes Roman portrait busts and death masks, using a traditional art format with nontraditional material.
- The sculpture is compared to Rembrandt’s repeated self-portraits and classical death masks.
Material, Value, and Meaning
- Unlike marble or bronze, blood is not durable or valuable in a monetary sense, but is essential to life.
- The sculpture is both a literal and metaphorical self-portrait, containing Quinn’s DNA and physical being.
- The refrigeration unit highlights the artwork’s vulnerability and dependence, paralleling Quinn’s past alcoholism.
Symbolism of Blood and Sacrifice
- Blood has ancient associations with sacrifice, ritual, life force, and truth across cultures and religions.
- The work is placed at the crossroads of these meanings, symbolizing self-sacrifice and authenticity.
Shock and Artistic Legacy
- The trope of the shocking, outsider artist is long-standing in art history.
- While shock can be attention-grabbing, Quinn's "Self" is defended as conceptually rich with multiple layers of meaning.
- The artwork unites medium, technique, and message, offering more than superficial provocation.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Cryopreservation — the process of preserving cells or tissues by freezing them at very low temperatures.
- Casting — a sculptural technique where a material is poured into a mold to create a form.
- Death Mask — a cast made of a person’s face after death, used to preserve their likeness.
- Self-Portrait — an artwork representing the artist created by themselves.
- Perspex — a brand of acrylic plastic used for clear display cases in art.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review images of "Self" and other referenced works (Rembrandt, Roman patrician bust).
- Reflect on the different symbolic meanings of blood in art and religion.
- Consider writing a short response on whether shock in art can be meaningful or is always superficial.