Chuck Close Video Questions

1. Describe Close's work. How has it changed over time? Do you favor his early or late work? Explain.
- Chuck Close is famous for how he depicted portraits of himself and others on a massive scale. Close would grid out the face and then create the portrait with air brushing techniques. Earlier in his career, Close’s portraits were mostly depicted with realistic colors and were more literal. In contrast, his later work was more abstract, with vibrant colors, and often had to be viewed from further away in order for there to be a unified image. I prefer Chuck Close’s later work because it grabs my attention more with its use of color, and it is more interesting to view.

2. Does photo realism have artistic merit, or are photo realists merely "one-trick ponies"? What would Leo Tolstoy say about Close's work?
- I believe that photo realism has artistic merit because it takes a unique skill to make the paintings look as if they are real and taken by a camera. Although photo realists choose to express themselves through this artistic style they are not merely “one-trick ponies”. If an artist can create a piece of work that doesn’t look as though it’s been created with paint but by a camera, then the artist can most likely do the opposite of photo realism as well. However, Leo Tolstoy would have said that Close's work does not express any type of feeling or individuality from Close and therefore is not considered art.

3. As you have learned, Chuck Close suffered a collapse of a spinal artery which left him partially paralyzed. Explain the modifications he makes to continue his artwork and what these adjustments reveal about his character.
- After Chuck Close suffered a collapse of a spinal artery he made modifications in order to continue his artwork. Close began to paint his portraits with a brush strapped to his wrist and then later, when he regained some muscle movement, with one strapped to his hand. He had an assistant create the grid squares for his portraits and the paintings had to be viewed from further away in order for the viewer to see a unified image. These adjustments showed that Close was extremely dedicated to his work. Even after becoming paralyzed, Close chose to continue working because he loved to create portraits and express different faces through his unique style.

4. In the Jackson Pollock BBC film, we learned that Pollock's personal and artistic downfall was fueled by his decision to reveal his process in a documentary. Having viewed Chuck Close's process, do you gain more respect and understanding for his work? Or, do you think his images lose their mystique now that you have seen his process?
- I have more respect and understanding for Chuck Close's work after having seen the video. The film showed the time and effort that it took for Close to develop each and every artwork. Although the mystique of Close’s process is no longer there, I can still appreciate the talent it took for him to create portraits by airbrushing the massive canvas with only a grid to go off of. Also, I can appreciate the dedication he had to his work when Close chose to continue painting even after becoming paralyzed. Therefore, the film did not ruin Chuck Close’s artwork for me; I now have a better understanding of his work and have more respect for it.