Hennessy Youngman
Encyclopedia
Hennessy Youngman is a persona invented and performed by Jayson Musson
.
Youngman appears in direct-address to the Internet at large in online episodes of a series titled "Art Thoughtz." Most often, Youngman, takes on the role of art critic or cultural critic while speaking to topics concerning art, race, gender, and popular culture.
In his video monologues, Youngman becomes a tutor to an audience of hopeful artists in search of success. By explaining traditional art concepts and relating them to pop culture and real world examples, he is able to expose issues and conflicts within contemporary art society. A scheme is perpetuated, through Youngman and the "Art Thoughtz" videos, of following an often sympathetic character, one who is apparently outside the art world
, attempting to understand and permeate a seemingly exclusive cultural society. This sort of 'underdog in the art world' characterization can be seen in the work of video artist of Alex Bag
or motion pictures such as the biopic Basquiat or the art world satire (Untitled).
, a comedian famous for "one-liners," and Hennessy cognac, a popular drink in the hip-hop community.
Youngman is often seen in his videos wearing a wide variety of elaborately decorated baseball caps and gold chain necklaces.
The "Art Thoughtz" project began in early 2010.
" by comparing the work of artist Joseph Beuys
and Jay-Z
. By paralleling Beuys's story of being shot down in the Crimea when he was a fighter pilot with Jay-Z's tale surviving several shots fired at him at point-blank, among other examples, Youngman is able to establish a commonality between two otherwise disparate artists.
, more specifically beauty
. Youngman looks at the contemporary works of Vanessa Beecroft
, Leslie Tonkonow, Laurel Nakadate
and Will Cotton
through the analytical lens of 'beauty.' He directly contrasts the artists' works to photojournalism
while disregarding possible contextual analysis through feminism or political interpretation. By applying a superficial analysis of the contemporary works through attribution
, Youngman questions the current value of beauty and its role in art.
Hennessy Youngman on Vimeo
Hennessy Youngman Twitter
Jayson Musson
Jayson Musson is an artist, currently based in Philadelphia, PA. He was born in Bronx, NY.- Education :Musson earned a BFA in Photography from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...
.
Youngman appears in direct-address to the Internet at large in online episodes of a series titled "Art Thoughtz." Most often, Youngman, takes on the role of art critic or cultural critic while speaking to topics concerning art, race, gender, and popular culture.
In his video monologues, Youngman becomes a tutor to an audience of hopeful artists in search of success. By explaining traditional art concepts and relating them to pop culture and real world examples, he is able to expose issues and conflicts within contemporary art society. A scheme is perpetuated, through Youngman and the "Art Thoughtz" videos, of following an often sympathetic character, one who is apparently outside the art world
Art world
The art world is composed of all the people involved in the production, commission, preservation, promotion, criticism, and sale of art. Howard S. Becker describes it as "the network of people whose cooperative activity, organized via their joint knowledge of conventional means of doing things,...
, attempting to understand and permeate a seemingly exclusive cultural society. This sort of 'underdog in the art world' characterization can be seen in the work of video artist of Alex Bag
Alex Bag
Alex Bag in New York City is an artist working primarily in video. She currently resides in Glen Ridge.- Life and work :Bag received her BFA from Cooper Union and had her first solo exhibition at 303 Gallery only three years after graduating. Her work has been shown at the Gagosian Gallery, P.S...
or motion pictures such as the biopic Basquiat or the art world satire (Untitled).
Development of the character
The assumed name, Hennessy Youngman, combines references to Henny YoungmanHenny Youngman
Henry "Henny" Youngman was a British-born American comedian and violinist famous for "one-liners", short, simple jokes usually delivered rapid-fire...
, a comedian famous for "one-liners," and Hennessy cognac, a popular drink in the hip-hop community.
Youngman is often seen in his videos wearing a wide variety of elaborately decorated baseball caps and gold chain necklaces.
The "Art Thoughtz" project began in early 2010.
ART THOUGHTZ: How To Be A Successful Artist
In the format of an instructional video, Youngman exposes the art world as a culturally white dominated environment, impenetrable to minorities.ART THOUGHTZ: Beuys-Z
Youngman introduces his Internet audience to the concept of "Personal MythologyPersonal mythology
- Origin of The Phrase :In 1926, Carl Einstein used the term "private mythology" to describe the worldview of the painter Paul Klee, especially as Klee formulated it in his world...
" by comparing the work of artist Joseph Beuys
Joseph Beuys
Joseph Beuys was a German performance artist, sculptor, installation artist, graphic artist, art theorist and pedagogue of art.His extensive work is grounded in concepts of humanism, social philosophy and anthroposophy; it culminates in his "extended definition of art" and the idea of social...
and Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
. By paralleling Beuys's story of being shot down in the Crimea when he was a fighter pilot with Jay-Z's tale surviving several shots fired at him at point-blank, among other examples, Youngman is able to establish a commonality between two otherwise disparate artists.
ART THOUGHTZ: On Beauty
Under the premise of answering a fan's email, Youngman addresses the art and philosophy topic of aestheticsAesthetics
Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste, and with the creation and appreciation of beauty. It is more scientifically defined as the study of sensory or sensori-emotional values, sometimes called judgments of sentiment and taste...
, more specifically beauty
Beauty
Beauty is a characteristic of a person, animal, place, object, or idea that provides a perceptual experience of pleasure, meaning, or satisfaction. Beauty is studied as part of aesthetics, sociology, social psychology, and culture...
. Youngman looks at the contemporary works of Vanessa Beecroft
Vanessa Beecroft
Vanessa Beecroft is an Italian contemporary artist living in Los Angeles.-Artistic practice:Beecroft's work is a fusion of conceptual issues and aesthetic concerns, focusing on large-scale performance art, usually involving live female models...
, Leslie Tonkonow, Laurel Nakadate
Laurel Nakadate
Laurel Nakadate is an American video artist and photographer living in New York City.Laurel Nakadate was born in Austin, Texas and raised in Ames, Iowa....
and Will Cotton
Will Cotton
Will Cotton is an American painter. His work primarily features landscapes composed of sweets, often inhabited by human subjects...
through the analytical lens of 'beauty.' He directly contrasts the artists' works to photojournalism
Photojournalism
Photojournalism is a particular form of journalism that creates images in order to tell a news story. It is now usually understood to refer only to still images, but in some cases the term also refers to video used in broadcast journalism...
while disregarding possible contextual analysis through feminism or political interpretation. By applying a superficial analysis of the contemporary works through attribution
Attribution
Attribution may refer to:Something, such as a quality or characteristic, that is related to a particular possessor; an attribute.*Attribution , concept in copyright law requiring an author to be credited...
, Youngman questions the current value of beauty and its role in art.
External links
Hennesy Youngman - YouTubeHennessy Youngman on Vimeo
Hennessy Youngman Twitter