I have now spoken in length with Paul Tebbs regarding this essay. For what is relatively a small piece of writing, i seem to be daunted by this piece, as never before. I have pursued my essay idea with Paul and we have found a level to agree on, that allows me to produce the piece without the contention of my original idea. Where I was trying to place boxing in an art context, and thus elevating boxing to a level way above the one where it should remain, I am now able to research the parallels with the revelation of boxing, and the revelation of art. What I am drawn to is the performative similarities that exist within both disciplines. This has initially led me to look at Pollock and the era of the action painters who moved away from the art-piece as a representation of an idea to the process being the art. Within this arena alone, there is a plethora of evidence, from the gestural sweeping of the brush or the pouring and spattering of the paint. The rhythms, patterns and physicality of their process. Also the tensions and trepidations during the approach to starting a piece, from Franz Klein, De Kooning, Pollock, phillip Guston, as painters, then moving on to the parallels with the commercialism of the 60’s Pop art and similarly that of the promotions of Don King at the same time. I will also be researching the likes of Chris Berden, Franko B and Stuart Brisley. In short, it is these artists and pieces that i think best illustrate my point. From this research i hope to find a similarity with the language used by the artists about their processes with that of my extensive research into boxing.
Quote:
JEFFREY BROWN: The painting is violent, like a boxing match.
