The works that will be compared and contrasted in this essay are Gavin Turk's Habitat, a nylon sleeping bag cast in bronze, and Martin Parr's photograph Cigarette Box, from his collection Dakar.

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HA1504

Modern Art                                                21.4.2011

Emmi Mäkiharju

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Comparing and contrasting Gavin Turk's Habitat and Martin Parr's Cigarette Box.

                                Martin Parr – Cigarette Box

                                Gavin Turk - Habitat

The works that will be compared and contrasted in this essay are Gavin Turk's Habitat, a nylon sleeping bag cast in bronze, and Martin Parr's photograph Cigarette Box, from his collection Dakar. Both artists are infamous for their controversial works that picture modern society from angles unusual to many. Gavin Turk, a Young British Artist, uses everyday, ugly objects and glorifies them with the use of bronze. Martin Parr photographs mainly Britain at its low points. He is known for his pictures of obese people and chain smokers, for example. He also has projects outside of the UK, such as Dakar. Even though Habitat and Cigarette Box are completely different forms of art, one a photograph and the other a sculpture, but they both share a criticism of society and modern life. Consumerism is a topic that both artists are keen on presenting in their works. On top of the moral aspect, there is a certain beauty and glamour that the works possess, Cigarette Box's bright colors create a sense fashionability, while the use of bronze makes an ordinary, worn sleeping bag an object that requires our respect as the viewer.

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        One of the more obvious differences between Habitat and Cigarette Box are the forms they are presented in. Habitat is at first glance an ordinary, nylon sleeping bag. From previous experience with sleeping bags, you would suspect it provides the usual softness and security a sleeping bag is made for. It is also presented very naturally with the zipper and the inner lining showing. To the surprise of the viewer, Habitat is actually a solid object. Cast in bronze, it seizes to maintain its normal characteristics, and is now made into a hostile, rough object. Cigarette box, however, is a ...

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