Ernst Haas vs Jim Hodges. Peeling Paint on Iron Bench vs Every Touch.

Ernst Haas. Peeling Paint on Iron Bench, Kyoto, 1981. 1981. Kodachrome print.

Jim Hodges. Every Touch. 1997. Silk flowers, thread, 18 X 16' Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Artists are said to do five things; "create places for some human purpose," "create extra-ordinary versions of ordinary objects," "give tangible form to the unknown," "give tangible form to feelings and ideas," and "refresh our vision and help us see the world in new ways." The main purpose of both of these works of art above is definitely to "refresh our vision and help us see the world in new ways." Both artist took everyday objects in put them in new light.
Haas took a photograph of the paint peeling off an iron bench just after it had rained and leaves had fallen.This work shows a sharp contrast between the colors of black and red as well as textures of the hard iron bench and the supple, fallen maple leaves. There is a certain calming effect of the glimmering water as well as the idea of destruction from the aged paint wearing away.
Hodges took silk flowers and deconstructed them into individual pieces, then sewed them together to create a veil or curtain of sorts. The piece seems to evoke a sense of beauty and youth and the fragile and fleeting nature of them both. Every Touch is also an extra-ordinary example of an ordinary object and would make some very interesting window treatments.