Mid-Term Project: 

Reading response to Jerry Saltz and Alfredo Jaar articles: 

What amazes me about art is the infinite theories you could state. Personally, after reading Jerry Saltz’s I felt like he was enforcing my idea that art is a medium of thinking, a way of knowing. I remember reading about Aristotle who in contrary with his teacher Platon, thought that art had an extraordinary value, besides being very influential in people’s lives. I believe that artists through art can express their internal feelings or thoughts but also make a connection with the audience. Whenever we look at a painting we feel part of it, experiencing in our own point of view, considering our own life experiences.

This happens in every art form I think, literature, theater are also various forms of art in which the audience can become one with art and also in touch with the artist. Alfredo Jaar stated in his speech that we make art because we have to, which is something that stayed in my mind for a while. I feel like art is something you make because you want to, you feel like it and it’s a desire. But, considering everything, some or all of us want to change things in our life, in the world, but we do not have the force to do so. The best way is using art, as Alfredo said:

“Art is the place that offers us the last remaining space of freedom.”

While we can use art as a form of showing and expressing the life we want, as we want it, I think we should, we have to. Art is everywhere, we might as well grab the opportunity to cherish it, to give and take life from it.

Reading response to “Shape of a Walk” by Rebecca Solnit: 

Walking as described in “The shape of a walk” has been an act of resistance since the late eighteenth century. Walking is a way to be aware of yourself by feeling your muscles moving, your feet stepping, your breath and your heart beating. Is a way of recognizing, of discovering, of moving from one place to another. Walking as art is something every artist does even though not always intentionally. Everyone is walking towards something or somewhere. Whenever we step outside and take a road to reach a destination or either to just walk, we make something which is not necessarily described as art. But, we make something for ourselves, for our experience just by being able to be part of the walk, of the places we go, the new environments or mentalities. Everything we see, every situation we are present in is an experience. From an artist’s perspective walking may take different shapes,as it is not only an act of their life as humans, but it can be transformed into an art performance. One of the performances stated by the author is the Great Wall Walk from Marina Abramovic and Ulay in 1988.

Both artists have made an impression and have left an impact on me whenever I saw their performances and this is one of them. The act of walking in this performance takes many shapes, as it is a simple act and also an emotional walk, being alone, knowing what to expect and also expect the unexpected, too. What is amazing, I believe is the fact that the walk includes life itself. Places you go, people you see, feelings you get and thoughts you think. Difficulties and being clear and empty as you just continue your road. Walking can take you somewhere and nowhere; can keep you in place if your do not pay attention in what surrounds you, but if you observe, if you are aware, you will know you didn’t walk the Great Wall, but you had a great walk for sure.

Unstable Territory Reading Response:

While reading “Unstable Territory” I couldn’t help but notice that, we as human beings are constantly facing boundaries. In places, cities, countries we live in, but also self boundaries. It’s been over a month since I’ve been here in Siena, a different city from my hometown. Territorial “issues” can be sensed since the moment you pass the border. You feel more alone, more isolated starting from language difficulties. Everything is new which makes it look like as a start over in life but with some personal experiences.

I have to say that what is also very common to observe is self boundaries , regarding different spaces, environments. We have our own limits to prevent others interacting in our personal spaces. The interesting fact is that we choose to set our thoughts as limits as if they were entirely our own, but we are determined to have a sense of who we are in connection with the society we are living. This makes a chain of ideas and thoughts of who we want to be , who we choose to be and who we really are. Our self image, the external image is important as it is the route that leads to our identity. Boundaries are essential to help define someone, but also to one’s protection, to feel safe. I think this is approachable to the “boundaries” term in every aspect. An abstract concept ,yet still we can feel it, set it, live by it.

Intro Unit Project: “Tempo Zulu / Coordinated Universal Time”:

Walking through Siena and paying attention to every brick or stone while viewing the Tempo Zulu project created a whole new experience for me. It made me realize how much history the city itself hides, how many different ways there are to feel every part of it for citizens and tourists as well. The moment you stand and observe, you can find little details which make your individual experience different from anybody’s.

First time I came to Siena I came across “Orti dei Tolomei”. I didn’t know what I was expecting until I found myself facing the endless typical warm colored sienese roofs. A breathtaking view , you could also see bits of Torre del Mangia and the bell tower of Duomo di Siena. The interesting thing is that even though the view is breathtaking, for me it would be one of the few places you could easily breath , you could feel air and even see air, although it doesn’t make any sense. You see the distance between the garden and the chaotic city buildings. History speaks itself, near or far. The walls make a pretty good statement of what was and still remains even today and doesn’t need to force itself. But whenever it feels a bit too much, I always choose this specific garden, where I can be in touch with nature, myself and history, too.

This made me think of the alchemy symbol of air. A pretty simple triangle with a horizontal line through it. One of the basic elements of life lead me to this place. That’s the most beautiful part of Siena. One minute you are surrounded by many buildings which shadow your steps everywhere you go and the other you find yourself in a garden, full of light, of air, of life.

“Points of Entry” Intro Unit Project: 

The interstitial concept, I think might relate in many aspects of life, but since I have been here to Siena and did some exploring of the city as well as the history itself, I might say am now more attentive regarding the interstitial spaces. The  Points of Entry” project made me realize how these little spaces in between can make such a difference, especially in categorizing the two places which create the interstitial one.
This I can relate to my artwork , since the subjects of my drawings and designs can often be fiction but fit in ‘perfectly’ with the real nature, the world we live in. Yet is hard to define them by a certain category or in which cultural movement they might seem similar. I think it’s important the fact that these spaces can be adapted quite well in our environment or society. It is a place or a gap in between which needs to be filled but it doesn’t necessarily need to be labeled. It’s a place where you can feel safe to leave the comfort zone and create or act without following any rules, even though not everything can be easily fit inside the interstitial space. So, it is a space you need to explore, to define by your own terms as well as the nature of the space’s itself before you can complete and fill the gap.

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Ina Lajthia, Albania

Bio statement:

Born in Elbasan in 1995. Graduated in the Greek-Albanian College “Arsakeio e Tiranes”. In 2016 finished my Bachelor studies in graphics at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Arts. My artistic activity is mostly based in the city where I live, Tirana. I have participated in several artistic events , in collective  exhibitions organized from the university and not only. Here are some of the chosen activities :“GRAFIKA SHQIPTARE E DEKADËS SË FUNDIT”(2016) ‘‘No sleep in the city‘‘ – Balkan Project Initiative of AIESEC Albania(2016); ‘‘Image&Objects ‘‘ prof.Mark Grote &students(2015); Exhibition “Das ich in kunst” Duseldorf Academy in cooperation with Graphics atelier , Fine Arts faculty and GETE institute (2015); “Art Ekspo” Graphics Atelier , Fine Arts Faculty(2014); “Corpo e Corpi” Antonella Pagnotta – Workshop , University of Arts(2014)