Gregor Schneider's Art

Sometimes it is difficult to talk about controversial topics. One of these topics includes an artist named Gregor Schneider. He has various types of artwork including paintings, sculptures, and room set-ups. Two different authors wrote articles on Schneider and how they believed Schneider wanted his work portrayed. Jennie Yabroff writes that Schneider’s artwork is aimed to shock its audience. In contrast, James Welling writes that Schneider’s artwork was intended to bring cultural peace.

Jennie Yabroff supports his claim by describing various controversial exhibits of Gregor Schneider’s work. For example, he starts the article telling about a time that Schneider’s artwork was turned down because it was too controversial. Schneider wished to display his artwork of dying patients. Gallery owners quickly rejected his idea. They did not allow this disgusting piece of artwork to be seen at their exhibits. Although many were very opposed to showing Schneider’s work, many of the art community wanted his artwork to be shown. This created great controversy within the art world. Many artists believe that artwork falls into the category of free speech. The artists said that Schneider could paint anything he wanted. But Yabroff believed that in reality, Schneider just wanted to disturb those who viewed his work.

James Welling opposes Jennie Yabroff’s perspective on Gregor Schneider’s work. He focuses on one piece of Schneider’s artwork, the black cube. The black cube is a large structure that is simply a large black cube. He states that Schneider’s inspiration for the black cube is very simple, “he just feel in love with the black cube.” People come to the cube to find peace. Even Schneider has attended Friday prayers with Muslims and then brought them the cube afterwards to find harmony. His artwork is very simple. He allows everybody to create their own meaning in his artwork.

Jennie Yabroff and James Wellings’ articles were very different. Yabroff focused on the controversy that Schneider’s artwork brings to the community, while Welling focused on the positive aspects Schneider’s artwork brings to the community. Overall Welling’s article is more convincing then Yabroff’s writing. Although Wellings only focuses on this one piece of artwork, his article is very clear. It is at times difficult to understand Yabroff’s position on this “controversial artist” because she uses a lot of outside opinions in her article. She also compares Schneider to other controversial artists such as Shvart. Yabroff gives examples of this artist’s controversial art, which sways readers to think even more negatively towards Schneider. Welling focuses on the specific contributions his black cube has made to specific places. He even states how the city that it was located in, Cue Hamburg, was named after this sculpture.

Although it is believed that one argument is more convincing than the other, both Jennie Yabroff and James Welling tell about the large impact Schneider’s art has had. While there is controversy, his artwork can only be evaluated by his artworks viewers. It is left to the imagination of those that look at it. Take a look at his artwork and decide how you stand on the message that it brings.

Anna Perez

Fun Links:

Art Aimed to Shock, by Jennie Yabroff http://ehis.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=4&hid=4&sid=8b0fb102-2d0f-4676-ae77-070e721ce2e8@sessionmgr4&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=aph&AN=31845171

The Black Cube, by James Welling http://ehis.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=7&hid=4&sid=e5dcb8c9-dabc-4fee-a0ad-46c93d9185bb%40sessionmgr13