Critical Response: Ahis 333: Studies in Contemporary Praxis: Appetites

Critical Response

On January 21st, 2010, Randy Lee Cutler gave a lecture titled Open Wide: The Great Digestive System to the AHIS 333 Interdisciplinary Forums: Studies in Contemporary Praxis: Appetites class. In her talk, Cutler used the metaphor of digestion to describe how as a society today, we are constantly ingesting and digesting information, processes and data from our environments. These may be socially, culturally or community based and are important to recognize as a valuable part of our practice as art producers.

Through explanations and photographs of her own work, Cutler illustrated how she actively uses this within her practice. She states that by using the metaphor of digestion, and assimilating her experiences into performances, she can “re-imagine embodiment” within the world around her. This can be seen in her collaborative performance with Maya Suess “Guilt, Gelt and Gefilte Fish: A Jewish Lesbian handbook”. This installation brought together ideas of homosexuality, race, identity, culture and food, among others, that are all somehow a part of Cutler’s everyday life.

Cutler also emphasized the fluidity she embraces in her practice- how she doesn’t fix herself into one static category, but like the process of digestion, is open to varying elements that assimilate in various ways. I found Cutler’s use of digestion and its multitude of content most fascinating. I agree with the idea that the gut informs and guides our decisions and am interested in how, by paying more attention to it, we can use it in our artistic endeavours.

Cutler stated that she sees everything in her life as a part of her practice- from teaching to gardening; she is constantly digesting. “It informs how I interact with people, spaces and materials. It informs a variety of behaviours and actions including biking, composting and gardening. Real praxis doesn’t stop at the work of art.” For me, this is very true- everything a person does in life is affecting and influencing them in some way. I love to be outside, surrounded by nature, simply relaxing and taking in the intricate delicacy that is life. I am so fascinated with the detail and beauty found in our environment that I am always driven to do something to express my feelings. Being in nature makes me want to show others how I see that dainty fern- spiralling out of the damp earth, or the fragile snowdrop blossom- so pure and white. I am aware of how this everyday act of experiencing the environment directly affects my art.

Nature is usually first on my list of influences in art making, but to take in Cutler’s idea of looking at everything, I should put more emphasis on those often overlooked areas of my life. Cutler showed personal snapshots from a recent trip to the States where she couldn’t help but gawk at the enormous domestic garbage cans in the neighbourhoods. Here she was, just off on a little trip- not thinking about art making at all- when these great big cans just snap her attention and she can’t help but feel the need to express her feelings about them. This is a good example of being aware of your gut impulses. Cutler’s gut told her that she felt strongly about the garbage situation, and by listening to it, she was able to implement her everyday into her practice. Recognizing your gut instinct is something I need to work on. For instance, an important part of my life is physical activity. Going to the gym and working up a regular sweat is a need of mine. I recognize now that this must influence my practice in some way, I just don’t quite see how it does.

Cutler emphasized how everything in our lives is connected through the digestive system. She also spoke about this in her assigned reading, “The Great Digestive System”, an excerpt from her own unpublished manuscript. However, Cutler emphasizes that although we try to digest everything, we don’t always succeed. She states “… not everything can be absorbed, salvaged, recycled or even up cycled into something viable… some things remain foreign, other and radically alien to our own survival” (Cutler, p1). I find this somewhat confusing. Is Cutler first saying that we assimilate everything, and it all effects us, but then contradicts herself by admitting that it often isn’t actually usable? I guess in other words, we can interpret this as Cutler wanting us to pay attention to our environments and notice our gut reactions, but to not always over-think these reactions or expect to make art because of them.

All in all, I think Cutler’s concept is thought-provoking, relevant and useful. It’s an interesting way to discuss one’s praxis as well as illustrative and easy to explain to others. It was easy to digest, most palatable and left me satisfied, yet hungry for more.

Works Cited

Cutler, Randy Lee. “Open Wide: The Great Digestive System.” Lecture. Art History 333. Interdisciplinary Forums: Studies in Contemporary Praxis: Appetites. Emily Carr University of Art+Design, Jan 21 2010.

Cited: Cutler, Randy Lee. “Open Wide: The Great Digestive System.” Lecture. Art History 333. Interdisciplinary Forums: Studies in Contemporary Praxis: Appetites. Emily Carr University of Art+Design, Jan 21 2010.