Object Lesson: Can

In today lesson we talk about object and ideas what we can do with it. I choose Jean Paul Gaultier perfume box looking like simple can.

CAN by Damian Sibielak

The first association with a can was, of course, Andy Warhol's painting 'Campbell's Soup Cans'. Unfortunately, I don't have much painting talent, so I quickly gave up on the idea of painting my can like Warhol.

'Campbell's Soup Cans' by Andy Warhol

My next idea connected with can was shooting. As a child, I often shot cans and bottles with an air gun. The skills I gained then were useful during my service in the army. 

One of the artists who used weapons to create art was Niki de Sainte Phalle, a French-American sculptor, painter, and filmmaker. She gained fame by creating a series of works called 'Tirs' (1961–1963), in which she shot at bags of paint placed on a white canvas. 

Portrait of Niki de Saint Phalle, creating a Shooting Picture, 1961.

Inspired by the work of Niki de Saint Phalle, I decided to use my object as a shooting target, record my performance and create a short film. Below you can see the effect of my work.

References:

The Andy Warhol Museum (2024). Andy Warhol’s Life - The Andy Warhol Museum. [online] The Andy Warhol Museum. Available at: https://www.warhol.org/andy-warhols-life/ [Accessed 9 Jan. 2024].

Deng, C. (2023). Niki de Saint Phalle | Biography, Art, Sculptures, Nanas, & Facts | Britannica. [online] www.britannica.com. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Niki-de-Saint-Phalle [Accessed 9 Jan. 2024].