A Study of Analogous Authority Generated while Imitating the Process of Acquiring Authority

Abstract

This paper accompanies my thesis and some previous works from my undergraduate studies to examine how I came to the work I have done during my time at the graduate program. First, the introduction defines the meaning of authority and discusses the process of acquiring it. It explains the reasons for choosing the specific institutions as the medium for exploring the process of acquiring authority and discusses the authorities within the institutions. It also defines the term analogous authority. Second, the works section examines the different approaches in my works that recreate the process of acquiring authority. This section explains the chronological progress of my ideas about authority and how my interest in authority started. The first part of the works section describes how questioning the reasons for making art has led me to borrow the institutional authority on art, which developed into questioning the authority of art institutions. The second part concerns the works that have developed into questioning the validity of authority in general. By exchanging the elements of a ritual or a religious object, I sought to define the sacredness and theatricality in religions, defining them as the components used to reinforce authority. Throughout this thesis, the works made during my MFA are identified as <<Title>>, and the works done before my MFA are identified as <Title>.