Reflection on AED 200 Blog

onestly I did not know what to expect from this class. I did know anyone who had taken it so I did not have any peer feedback. I was a little nervous as to how an art course online was going to work but it works. My one expectation was to earn the art credits I needed and that was accomplished. But something else also happened as a result of taking this class. I look at things differently with more of an “eye.” I look for the elements and principles in things around me and that are presented to me. The knowledge of them was very helpful in creating a brochure for an assignment in another class. Also I actually enjoyed my last visit to the Albright Knox Art Gallery. I hadn’t been there in years but it was fascinating to see works by artists in our textbook on display. “What is art?” Art is all around us. Art can come from anywhere as long as it works. Art is a communication from the artist to the viewer. The message may not always be clear and sometimes interpretation is left entirely up to the viewer. Before taking this class to me art was drawing, painting, and sculpture. I never viewed art below the surface, looked for meaning or appreciated different media or techniques. I did not have a favorite artist before and honestly I cannot say I have an absolute favorite now. I like the art from the Renaissance a lot. I also like works that are created using different techniques such as pointillism and the quick strokes by the impressionists. I am open to different works. I do know that I am not really a fan of abstract art. I have taken online classes before so this was not a new experience for me. I was unsure of an art class on online but it worked out much better than I expected.

self portrait project

Self Portrait Blog The inspiration pieces I chose were self portraits of Edgar Degas, Kathe Kollwitz, and Vincent Van Gogh. I found them on my virtual visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art in New York City. I picked them because they seemed fairly simple and not over done. The portrait of Van Gogh is the only one in color. I decided to use pencil to create my self-portrait. I think it is easier to work with than acrylic paints. Also it can be shaded, which I like, and pencils can be erased to make changes. This was a challenging project for me. I decided to try to capture a realistic likeness of myself. It was a lot more difficult than I thought. To try to overcome this I kept looking in the mirror as well as looking at the photo I took of myself for this project. I also kept asking family members what they thought and what changes they thought would help. This piece represents me because it is an indication of effort and determination. Creating art is not my strength but I really tried on all the projects for this class. To create my self portrait I used shading (which reminded me of creating the value scale), symmetry in balancing the face, straight lines to create the hair, beard and eyebrows, contour lines to make the eyes, nose, ears, outline of the face and neckline, proportion (I attempted to make the features as proportional as they are on my face), and texture (eyebrows). Even though I found this project challenging and frustrating I did enjoy working on it. I think my final artwork is a nice portrait but it does not look like me. I sketched and shaded and erased and looked in the mirror but I do not think I was able to capture a resemblance. It definitely gives me respect for those who are able to create successful self portraits.

week 15 reflection blog

Week 15 Reflection Blog Before I decided on an exhibit to critique I reviewed the following exhibits: “Emotions” by Nicole Annalora, “Faces of Art” by Katherine L Mooar, and “Art in the New Age” by Kathy Rondinelli. I ultimately chose the exhibit “Art of Ice Hockey” by Ryan Malinowski. I chose this exhibit because I used to play ice hockey, my brother still plays hockey and I am a fan of ice hockey in any way shape and form. I felt this would fulfill the requirement of having knowledge of a subject before you start a critique. The biggest challenge in completing this project was staying focused on being objective and analyzing the work. When I had concerns I referred to the notes I took while watching the video, The Critics Stories from Inside Pages. I really did not like judging my peers. I feel that they are in the same boat as I am. We are all learning and we are not experts. I would like to know what my peers said about my exhibit. I put lot of thought into it and would like to know how it was received. The next question is on a scale of 1-10 how would I rate my article and why? I would give myself a 9.5. Why? Number one is no one is perfect. Also I spent a lot of time viewing other exhibits finding one I could connect with. When I found the exhibit I did not just glance through it. I went through it numerous times over several days taking notes and studying the exhibit. I did not want to be unfamiliar or uninformed. I cannot say that this was my favorite project. I did like being able to view other exhibits and seeing the different topics my peers decided to focus on and how they were executed. That was the enjoyable part of this project. Writing the critique was the unfavorable part.

week 15 blog

Week 15 Video Review Blog\ Greenberg on Art Criticism: An Interview by T.J. Clark, 1981 In this video Clement Greenberg admits that “writing about visual arts is harder than writing about music. This is because you can write about music formally. He also stated that he has to remind himself to be relevant and that several times he let preferences cloud his articles. He discussed Modern and Abstract art. He also discussed that fact that “good art can come from anywhere.” Through his writings he counts on a cultivated public and hopes the public will respect what they cannot understand. Greenberg referred to Ruskin and Sylvester on the topic of intuition. He stated that they knew the value of judgment, that judgment is intuitive and judgment comes with experience. Greenberg on Pollock: An Interview by T.J. Clark This interview was based on the life and works of the artist Jackson Pollock. Green recalls Pollock’s fiancé telling him in the 1940s that Pollock would be a great pointer. He tells of his own discussions and influence with Pollock move to non-easel painting. He admits that he was wrong and that his works was “high fluting journalism.” Being discontent with cabinet painting Pollock moved to working on unstretched canvas and in doing so moved away orderliness. Greenberg acknowledges that there are all kinds or orderliness and that good art is always orderly. He also stated the only demands on an artist is that there works need to be good. Pollock moved to “drip” painting and in doing so was not accepted by his peer. Greenberg felt that his paintings failed not because of the technique but because they failed to the eye. He shared that artists seek fame and money and that Pollock achieved notoriety. Fame refers to exposure in newspapers and magazines which is related to art critics. An Introduction to the Italian Renaissance (Giorgio Vasari) Giorgio Vasari wrote the “Lives of the Artistis” which is the basis of art criticism. It allowed future generations to learn about the old masters. This video demonstrated that art continually changes. It gave an insight to the works of: Giotto, Ghiberti, Donatello, Paolo Uccello and Masaccio, Pierro della Francesca, Botticelli, da Vinci, Raffaello, and Michelangelo. This video showed how art emerged and changed after the Byzantine era. Most importantly it gave insight into how artists built on the works of their predecessors. The art continually changed and developed. The Critics Stories from Inside Pages Initially I was disappointed that this did not include art critics but when I was done viewing this video I realized that this was probably a good thing because it gave an overview of the role of a critic. Critics get the public to think and off fresh ideas. The critics in this video art passionate about the fields they critic and love their jobs because it changes everyday. The difference between informed a review and criticism was revealed. It was stated that superior professional criticism is when the critic brings experience to the table and makes a persuasive argument. Effective criticism requires logic, emotional support and creativity. Critical thinking, based on the components outlined by Bloom and Krathwohl’s components consists of: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Good critics write with their audience in mind and their works are well written and well constructed. The process of good writing is results from the taking of numerous notes. Elements of superior critics include: the six elements of critical thinking, good writing, the placement of works in historical and social contexts, and the ability to make connections. There is always a danger of mixing reviewing with criticism. The Internet has opened an expansive audience that can be reached by critics. To become a critic one needs: to write, find out if you like it, see if people want to hear what you want to say, know your subject, and have knowledge of the classics. Criticism is not necessarily negative it is based on analyzing, classifying, and looking at the big picture. Colonial Encounter: Views of Non-Western Art and Culture This video demonstrated by reviewing the 1900 World Fair in Paris how Western prejudice, ethnography, and art consumption have counteracted real intercultural dialog. Provided were examples of works created by the colonies in Africa. It did not matter how intricate or worthy the works were not considered art but rather crafts. The difference in the treatment of colonies and the exploitation of its peoples was brought to light. This was reflected in the architecture in the colonies as well as how they were presented at the Fair. Also highlighted was the fact that material culture is tied to the appreciation of descendants. Material culture recognizes formal quality and skill but is devoid of meaning. The Western world views the works through the eyes of Western art but give the works no history or cultural meaning. Jackson Pollock: Michael Fried, T.J. Clark in Conversation The conversation between modernist critic Michael Fried and social historian T.J. Clark took place in from of the work “Lavender Mist” by Jackson Pollock. It was enlightening to see different points of view. They discussed their conflicting reasons as to why Pollock has a place in the history of modern art. There was a discussion of Opticalism, that emerged from Greenberg, was discussed. They discussed their disagreement on the character of “Lavender Mist” and how the historical significance cannot be separated from the pictorial significance.

Reflection Journal to Project 4

Reflection on Art Curation Project Blog The theme of my project was based on two factors. The first is my love for my two dogs and the second the work Dynamism of a Dog on a Leash by Giacomo Balla, that I viewed on my last visit to the Albright Knox Art Gallery. The dog in the painting reminded me of one of my dog and I was also impressed with the sense of movement the painting portrayed. I really did not know what I was going to title the exhibit so for the blog I called it “A Dog’s View.” After reading Professor Tabone’s response to my theme I changed it to “Man’s Best Friend.” Initially I really wasn’t sure how successful I was going to be in finding works that matched my theme because I did not want to use pet portraits. I do not know what the problem was but I was unable to connect to ArtStor. Also when I tried to open other resources that came up as not available. I think if I had my research would have been easier. I started searching the internet. I did not want to use works that were just a result of a Google search that had no background or the information I needed to accompany the works in my exhibit. As a result I visited many galleries, some I was able to gather works and information from, and others not. I also visited the British Royal Collection. It was an experience but it was very time consuming. I was very pleased and surprised at the number of works I found. Once I gathered the works I set out to set up the exhibit. I reviewed the samples provided of past projects several times. Then I thought about my visit to the Albright Knox Art Gallery that preceded this project. The exhibits were shown on white walls, and even though the works were framed, there were no distractions of other colors or designs to take away from the works. I decided to keep my power point design simple to use a white background and to try to vary the exhibit by changing the layouts. I opened with the work by Balla that inspired the exhibit. Then I divided the works I found into categories: the oldest works I found, dogs within family/owner portraits, paintings of dogs that were not necessarily portraits, dogs within still life paintings, and dogs as a part of landscapes. I ended the exhibit with a work by Ethel Mars, “Untitled (Woman and Dog from Back,” that reminded me of the work that inspired the exhibit. The way I organized myself was I put each work on an index card with the necessary information on the front. I reviewed each work several times and added comments on the back. From this information I formed by descriptions. Once I decided on a format using the index cards made it easier to create the power point. I was pleased with the end result. I was happy that I found more than just pet portraits, in fact in some areas I had to edit and exclude works that I did not feel fit my exhibit or I felt were overly repetitive. I was also pleased that I was able to explore the works of artists some that I had heard of and others I had not. I was also able to explore different types of paintings, methods, and styles. I hope others will enjoy viewing my exhibit.

week 13 and 14

Video Blog – Week 13 and 14 The Lowdown on Lowbrow: West Coast Pop Art This video was very interesting and really provided new information that was not covered in the text book. Art historians termed this art influenced by comic books, B-movies, and rock and roll, Pop Art Surrealism. The pioneer of lowbrow was Robert Williams, in 1979. Isabel Samaras gave this media a meaning of its own when she began using television characters as her theme. In the early 1980s Big Daddy Roth brought concept art to painting and he was refused shows in museums in the United States. The Laguna Art Museum was the first to put on a show featuring Lowbrow art. The development of this movement was primarily on the west coast, “free thinkers,” and had a Polynesian influence that was brought to the states by servicemen. Lowbrow has been described as real. It is an movement that is more open to women and was brought to the attention to the world via the Internet. The galleries that feature Lowbrow art are the Tart Gallery in Vancouver, and the Shooting Gallery in San Francisco. Displaying Modern Art: The Tate Approach This video gave exposure to the Tate Approach used to display exhibits at the Museum of Modern Art. The exhibits are displayed in rooms that each have a theme, such as landscape, still life, history, action, matter/environment, memory, society, within the rooms there are works from different media and eras that display the theme. This allows the visitors to see and compare the works. Each room is self contained and carefully positioned. Bones of Contention: Native American Archaeology It was amazing to learn the number of Native Americans and artifacts that have been unearthed at archeological sites across the United States, and to view the amount of files and boxes. There is tension between scientists, historians, museum curators and Native American groups as to how these should be handles. Scientists have used the skeletons to examine health problems among tribes such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. Historians want them to study the development and extinction of different tribes. Museums want them to display stating that they are a part of culture. The Native Americans want them returned so they can remain a part of their heritage and receive proper burial. George Eastman House: Picture Picture Perfect This video outlined the work of George Eastman a visionary in the field of photography. It also gave a vision of the George Eastman House which displays a visual history of photography and his works under one roof. He was the first to develop a user friendly camera. The Brownie camera used by Ansel Adams to photograph the Grand Canyon was developed by Eastman. The Kodak company founded by Eastman was actually named after his mother’s maiden name. Art Curator This video gave a description of the job of an art curator. The job of a curator is to be a bridge between and artist and a viewer and to help prospective buyers understand an artist’s work. Interview: Josh Yiu This was an interview with Josh Yiu who holds the position of Assistant Curator of Chinese Art at the Seattle Art Museum. He described his job as enriching the collection of art through exhibitions. He also shares his knowledge with viewers. He himself is not an artist but would like to be. He is a student of pottery and shared one of his works. Interview with Wayne Baerwaldt Wayne Baerwaldt is the curator at Montreal Biennale. He described how applying themes enhances exhibitions. He stated that it is beneficial to acknowledge other curators and share experiences. Felicity Fenner Felicity Fenner was the curator at the Venice Biennale 2009. She gave a description of the decisions that needed to be made to include works in an exhibit and the marketing needed to have a successful exhibition. Peter Alter Peter Alter is the curator at the Chicago History Museum. He described how he makes decisions on what to bring into the museums and how he labels the works. He stated that he enjoys working with people, getting to know them and learning about their cultures. One of these groups was the lowriders where he actually brought a car in to display in the museum.

week 12 videos

Week 12 Video Blogs Andy Warhol:Images of an Image I have been fascinated with Andy Warhol’s soup cans for as long as I can remember so I decided to watch this video to gain further insight into his work. It added to the knowledge about Warhol and Pop Art that was presented in the text. Several of the things I learned about the artist included: that he really wanted to be a tap dancer, he first worked as a commercial artist when he began experimenting with advertising images that he had a dark side that reflected on plane/car crashes, suicides and electric chairs, and he began mass producing his work to make money. This video explored the production of the work Ten Lizes, a study of Elizabeth Taylor. Warhol was fascinated by celebrities and treated them as commodities. It was interesting to watch the process of silk screening and how prints can be reproduced using varied colors with the same image. It was also interesting to learn that Warhol published a magazine and was an art journalist who covered race riots, the moon landing, and the cultural revolution in China. Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art of the 50s and 60s This video explored six different works of art representative of Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art. This added depth and understanding to the text in that I gained more insight into Abstract art and I also find it helpful when painting are explained in detail. The first work was Franz Kline’s C+O. It was interesting to note that Kline started as a figurative artist and then became an abstract painter. He strove to evoke emotion in viewers by creating action painting. He considered the process a part of the work and the question of “Where to stop?” lies in when the experiment is complete. Frankenthaler’s Mountain and Sea was unique in that it was painted on cotton cloth and the texture can be seen and becomes a part of the work. Morning:The Springs by Wilhem de Kooig used color to suggest meaning. It was very interesting to view the change in his style from his earlier work, Women One, and to his paintings in which nothing is recognizable. Jasper John’s Flag as well as some his later works were described as defying the logic of art history. I learned that Rauschenberg was actually the father of the Pop Art movement that began in the 20th century and Andy Warhol was actually the son. This is the description of the work The Texan, presented in this video. The notion of combining representation and abstraction was presented in Girl with Hair Ribbon by Lictenstein. The artist’s approach to painting was mechanical and when the viewer looked closely the image was actually lost. Uncertainty: Modernity and Art I chose this video to gain more knowledge in the area of Modern art. It added to the information presented in the text. The basic key concepts presented was that modern art is contemporary society’s version of the Delphi Oracle the wanting to know ourselves, that it communicates chaos, anxiety and uncertainty, art changes as everything changes and reflects what we are. I learned that Hitler actually staged art shows. I also learned that Abstract Expressionists were outcasts because they had attitudes, they were fighting for meaning in a consumer driven society. Pop Art emerged as people looking at their own disillusion and striving to be opposite. It was interesting to see how art is being created in China. It was also revealing to see Watteau’s work and what it had to say: life is sordid, society is corrupt, and art reflects the present. Hockney on Photography I chose this video to learn more about photography as art and because I didn’t remember the name Hockney being mentioned in the text or any of the other videos I watched. I felt this greatly added to the text in the area of photography and gave a great insight to this artist who possessed very diverse talents and interests. He gravitated from drawing, to photography, to using modern technology (fax machine) to theater art. In all his works he endeavored to challenge perspective and encouraged viewers to take a step back, a technique he employed in his work. It was fascinating to see how he created a work using a collage of pictures. He also used this technique, collage, to create cubist pictures. He explained how technology at first hindered his work, because it was costly to developing pictures, to enabling his work as technology reduced the cost of the process. I thought it was genius when some of his photos were destroyed in processing that he used the note from the fotomat explaining their error in the spot where the pictures were to go. It was very interesting to watch his career go back and forth between mediums and especially in photography as he adjusted to the use of different types of cameras.

art gallery 2

I went to the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. The title of thee exhibition I chose was The Long Curve: 150 Years of Collecting at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. There were various rooms to this collection, some housing paintings and some sculpture, the overall theme was contemporary art. The lighting used was either recessed or track lighting. The walls painted white throughout. I felt the gallery had an open space that was easy to navigate and the stair cases were modern. The upstairs atrium had ionic Greek columns.

The art works were organized by exhibits such as Virocode a disappearance of the source, artists in depth; Arp Miro, Calder or by eras such as the modernist. Some had there own rooms such as the room of contemporary art. The art works were similar in that they reflected the same time period, yet they were different in styles, techniques and media used. Some of the art works were framed with simple black frames other had very fancy ornate heavy gold frames. Some were framed shielded with plexiglass and some of the larger prints were unframed. Each of the art works have a plaque next to it giving the artists name, country, date of birth/death, the media used and in many cases how the piece was acquired by the museum.

Jim Dine American, born 1935 Ten Formal Fingers, 1961 World Relief with oil In looking at this piece of art I see ten long pieces of rounded wood, with curve tops. The tip of each piece of wood is painted red. The artist used straight lines and rounded edges. At first I thought this could be a box of matches, but then I thought it could also be a set of fingers nails or a picket fence.

Giacomo Bella Italian, 1871 or 1874-1958 Dinamismo di un Carve al Guinzaglio (dynamism of a dog on a leash), 1912 Oil on Canvas This piece of a difficult to clearly view because of the sun coming through the skylights and the fact that it was behind plexi glass. The artist used a very limited palette and a variety of brush strokes. Movement was created in that viewing this painting you could almost feel the dog and women moving. I think the artist was trying to convey that maybe time moves on.

Henri de Tourlouse-Lautrec French 1864-1901 Femme retroussant sa chemise (women lighting her chemise), 1901 Oil on wood panel This was framed in a heavy gold frame. The color pallet was very subdued and muted. Different color values were used to create the background. The women stands alone and shows the rounded curves of her body. Some of these curves are reminiscence of the curves seen by Michael Angelo. I think this conveys a women who is confident and there is a since of solitude.

week 11 video blog

Week 11 Video Reviews BLOG 1. Dada and Surrealism I chose this video because the name Dada, meaning no-no, as well as the concept behind Dadaism: bypassing the reasoning process and tapping directly into the unconscious mind, I thought would be interesting. This video explored the work of Kurt Schwitters, who claimed he was not a Dadaist, Hannah Hoch, George Grozsz, Joan Miro, Salvador Dali and ManRay. This video enhanced, built upon and gave visual support to the reading in the text. I feel I now have a better understanding of these art movements and I can say I’m not a fan. I appreciate that they are art but I prefer other styles. One of the first things I learned was that Dada in Russian means yes-yes and in French means hobby horse. The way Kurt Schwitters used objects of all types, and gave them new roles, was interesting. It was fascinating that Hannah Hoch’s piece, Cut with a Kitchen Knife, was so chaotic and it was actually very carefully planned. It was interesting to see her sketches, with people names, that were incorporated into her photomontage. I also found it interesting that George Grosz at times used lavatory graffiti as inspiration. Surrealism removes all elements of storytelling. This definitely added depth to the text in being able to see surrealistic compared to the works on which they were based. This was presented in demonstrating how Miro based his works on postcard images. In the works of Salvador Dali I think it clearly demonstrates that it is helpful to know the background of an artist when attempting to understand his work. Dali’s landscapes were reminiscent of where he grew up. I think what will be most helpful is that in viewing this video, and experiencing the process of analyzing a work, visually, will hopefully help with understanding and analyzing works at the art gallery this week. 2, Matisse and Picasso I decided to watch this video for two reasons, first to learn more about both artists and their works, and second because of the work posted on the lesson page for this week. It is by Picasso, Mother and Child, 1922. It is not a work I would associate with Picasso so I wanted to know more. I was not disappointed; I personally think this is one of the best videos offered so far in this class. It added to the readings and gave a wonderful work into the art and lives of both men. Gertrude Stein was the first to recognize genius in both artists. Matisse was serene, self-indulgent, and a father figure. Whereas Pablo Picasso was an eternal adolescent as well as a fiery primitive. They had a very unique relationship that I found very interesting. They were contemporaries, rivals, opposites and in their strange way friends. They used each other in their game of one up man ship to become better artists and the art world was the beneficiary. It was interesting that their awareness of their differences is what brought them together, and that they studied each other to do the opposite. I also did not know that at the age of 70, Picasso fathered two children. 3. Dance at the Moulin de la Galette I thought it would be interesting to see a video that focused on one work of art. I also felt watching this and viewing it being analyzed would help with this week’s art gallery visit. This video not gave insight into Renoir’s two paintings of, Dance at the Moulin de la Galette, but also gave more depth and understanding into Impressionism. In his work Renoir captured changing light, color and the immediacy of the moment. He used bright, separate colors and a variety of brushwork techniques. In this was it enhanced and added depth to the reading in the text. The first trivia fact I learned is that galette means pastry. It was very interesting to see how Renoir emerged himself and became a part of the subject he intended to paint. To see how everyday people, some important to him, others just villagers were incorporated into a lively scene. I was surprised to learn that some of the people were asked by Renoir to be actual models for the painting. Renoir in his work created an illusionary world of the dance hall. This representation was in contrast to the sinister, dark and somber versions created by Frederico Zandomemeghi, Toulouse-Latrec, Picasso and Van Gogh. One of the things I learned is what can happen when a work is sold and purchased by a collector. Sometimes it then becomes and investment, a commodity, that can be stashed away. I think this is tragic and hope that even though it is conjecture that Renoir’s smaller painting is being enjoyed in a private collection in Switzerland. I also learned that this painting, with himself put into the crowd, became one of Rod Stewart’s album covers. 4. The Impact of Cubism I chose this video to gain a better understanding of cubism. Cubism was influenced by the works of Cezanne and the art of the Iberian Peninsula. It was the most influential style of the early 20th century and offered European artists unfamiliar, non classical ways to represent form and space. The video presented and analyzed the works of Juan Gris, Marcel Duchamp, Robert and Sonia Delaunay, Kazimir Malevich and Umberto Boccioni. It demonstrated how these artists used cubism to create their works. Duchamp is presented as an artist who uses this technique but I will always remember him for his piece, the signed urinal, which was one of the beginnings of installation art. I found his work in this video, Sad Young Man on a Train, and Nude on a Staircase, difficult to understand even eith the interpretations provided. The same was true for Malevich’s, An Englishman in Moscow. I found it interesting how Sonia and Robert Delaunay went dancing as a way to present art to the people. I also noted that in the description/analysis of Sonia Delaunay’s work Electric Prisms that they referred to the primary colors: red, blue, and yellow. They obviously did not get the memo! This video enhanced the text and presented a deeper insight into the Cubism movement in art. It left me with a clearer understanding of the concepts behind the style but I do not feel confident that if presented with a work that I would be able to fully understand it without cues.

Art Exlporation masks

Art Exploration – Masks – Week 10

Artist: Nuna Peoples, Burkina Faso Title of Work: Hawk Mask Media: Wood, pigment Source: http://cti.itc.virginia.edu/~bcr/Bayly/Nunuma_hawk_mask_b.JPG Description: A sculpted bird, with a somewhat scary face. If I did not know it was a mask and was just looking at this picture I could assume that it was just an artistic piece. The title reveals that it is a Hawk mask. Analysis: Lines are used throughout to outline definitive spaces, as well as within the spaces to create repetitive and rhythmic patterns. A limited but contrasting color palette is effective. It is in the shape of a hawk. It is symmetrical and the focal point is the face.

Artist: Unknown, this mask is used by members of Kiduma, a secret society that takes charge of social celebrations in the Congo Republics and Gabon Title of Work: Teke Moon Shaped Mask Media: Colored clay with paint Source: http://www.artyfactory.com/africanmasks/masks/teke.htm Description: This is a circular, moon shaped mask. Analysis: It is a moon shaped with various colors and geometric shapes used to create harmony and balance but it is not symmetrical. The focal point is the middle where have circular lines and various colors and shapes are used to create a face.

Artist: Unknown, Title: this mask is used in ngil magic ceremonies of the Fang people of Gabon Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_traditional_masks Description: This is a mask that has an elongated face that resembles a horse. Analysis: This elongated mask if symmetrical. A darker, thicker, semi-circular line defines the top of the mask. It appears to have some texture in that the space under the eyebrows is hollowed out. There is only one color used.

Sketches

Finished Mask

week 10 video blog

Week 10 Video Blog Review African Art: Legacy of Oppression The reason I chose this video was because of the title I had not read anything about Africa being oppressed. After viewing the video it definitely enhanced the text and added another dimension in my mind about African art. The video focused on Belgium’s Tervuren Museum’s, 250,000 piece, collection of African art. It was interesting and notable to see the variety of masks and understand some of the meanings such as the use of colors on the masks: white means healthy and black means ill. Also the different functions of the masks, some are to scare and some to get over fear. It was interesting that some are meant to protect against enemies, and in some cases that refers to western cultures. It was difficult to view the horrors inflicted on the Congo culture by King Leopold and how many were left dying on the road, whipped, or put in concentration camps in pursuit of the cultivation of rubber. Heaven on Earth: Buddhism I chose this video to learn more about the Buddhist religion. It greatly added to the information provided in the text book. It was very interesting to see videos of the famous Buddhist temples and their architecture. The temples explored were the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, the Great Stupa at Sanchi, India, the largest temple Borobudur Temple in Indonesia and the most interesting fact to me the Chuang Yen Monastery in Carmel, New York. The key to Buddhism is the teaching of tanha the path to extinguish all desires and all things that feed the ego and obstruct enlightenment.. The temples are built on levels and one must walk clockwise on the path of enlightenment to reach Nirvana, heaven. It was fascinating to view the carvings and learn that each had a lesson to teach. The largest temple the Borobudur Temple is in the shape of a lotus flower, a sacred flower to Buddha. One top of this temple that took 100 years to build are 432 carved Buddhas. The temple in New York is built in the Tang dynasty style and is made of glue and compressed wood. This temple is the home to the largest Buddha statue in the western hemisphere. Another fact I found interesting is that Buddhism flourishes in all Asian countries except India were it was founded. African Art: Its Cultural Meaning I was hoping that this video would give views of a wider range of African art outside of the very popular African mask. I was not disappointed. This video offered a more visual and in depth of everyday art in Africa. In the sub-saharan area of Africa art is a large part of everyday life. It is created in the simplest everyday objects, such as utensils, clothes, ornaments, hairstyles and architecture, and every piece shown was intricate and truly beautiful. An interesting concept I learned is that most of the art from Africa that is on display in museums is less than 200 years old because it was made of mostly wood or straw which deteriorates. Also it gave insight to the bronze casting, use of gold, and chairs made by the Egyptian civilization. It was interesting to view the performance art prevalent in Africa which involves not only masks but also movement, and music. Another key concept was that most of African art is conceptual art which flows from the imagination rather than being based on realism. It was interesting to learn how urban centers are impacting African art and how now many pieces are being made for collectors and decorators. Heaven on Earth: Hinduism Again to add to my knowledge of world religions I chose to watch this video. And again it added to the knowledge provided in the text in terms of the religion and the ability to actually view the artwork that reflects the Hindu religion. The Hindu religion considers Brahma the source of all life and its followers seek to let go of all things. The Ganges river, one of the symbols of Hinduism, is the sight of one of their most sacred rituals, that being the burning of the dead on pyres and the ashes being distributed into the river. An interesting fact is that the devout followers of Hinduism art not allowed to touch dead bodies, a task that is left to outcasts. The basis of the architecture of Hindu temples is that they are small but elaborately decorated in honor of a great many gods and goddesses. The temples explored included: the Mamallapuram, Khajurho, Krishna Mandapam, Panch Rathas, the largest the Dharmaraja Ratha, the Shore Temple recovered from the Bay of Bengal, and the Kandariya Mahadev Temple created during the 9th century which was considered the golden age of Hindu architecture.

week 9 project

It was strange and awkward using my hands for a drawing. I cannot draw well to start with and it felt strange and uncomfortable. After outlining I kept looking back and forth and the shadows seemed to change with every glance. I chose to use pencil because after creating the value scale I felt more confident with shading. It felt weird using my non dominant hand but it wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be. I did re do it several times and once I started shading that helped. I think both hands turned out okay the position I needed to use to get both hands on one sheet of paper was awkward. I do think they turned out to be a fairly successful study. If I had a choice I do not think I would use my non dominant hand to create future art work.

week nine video blog

Week 9 BLOG Video Review Velazquez I chose this video, although mentioned, did not stand out in the readings. He was a painter who chronicled the lives and times of his friend King Philip the fourth. He had one love his wife and one friend the king and this gave him the freedom to paint what he wanted. He did take trips to Italy and was considered an educated painter. I learned several things about Velazquez. First, he typically painted with a limited palette that consisted of ocres, black, whites, and touches of carmine. He believed in capturing the moment in his paintings to fully capture reality and truth. What I found interesting was when he painted landscapes he used his own feelings. Everything he painted he saw within himself. Some of what are considered his best works and the ones I found most intriguing are of the court jesters. He found beauty concealed in the unnatural. It took sympathy to portray them so naturally. He did not leave out their flaws or attempt to beautify them to make them acceptable, he strove to paint the truth. Through his work Velazquez strove to guide the viewer into what he as the painter had discovered. This definitely added to my understanding of the artist but also how the arts were being developed in Spain. Albrecht Drurer: Image of a Master I chose this video because I knew from the readings that Drurer was a printmaker and I wanted to learn more about the process and gain insight visually. I learned several things that enhanced what I had read and others that I did not know at all. Drurer was actually the greatest artist of the Northern Renaissance. It was he who introduced Renaissance forms and ideas to Germany which was still in the Gothic era. He was a painter and a draftsman. When painting he was especially fascinated by painting hands. Following a trip to Italy he was so impressed by the Alps, it led him to be considered the first landscape artist in Europe. He learned many of his techniques: how to achieve form with light and shadow, and using layers to achieve an enameled look, from studying in Venice. He relied on printmaking for income but did not ever stop learning and refining his art skills. It was interesting to see prints being made in multiples so art could become more available. I thought this video was well done. The Drawings of Michelangelo I chose this video for several reasons, first I think his work is fascinating, second, I used his drawings and then actual paintings in my project, and lastly growing up in Western New York, David, is hard to miss when driving down the expressway. I found this video to be very informative, complement the reading in the text book, and greatly added to my background knowledge of Michelangelo. I thought his drawings were unbelievable. They exuded power, strength and emotion. I learned how buy the use of grids the small drawings were enlarged to create the figures on the ceiling of the Sistine chapel. I also found it very interesting that after repeatedly trying the artist in the video could not even come very close to copying his drawings. I did know that Michelangelo considered himself a sculptor, but I did not know that he was self-taught and that David was the first marble statue to be carved in Italy since antiquity. It was also enlightening to learn that he was fixated on the solar plexus and that he took human figures and added abstractions to achieve perfection. He did indeed set the bar high for future body builders. I liked this video and it saddens me to known Michelangelo himself destroyed many of his own drawings. Leonardo da Vinci: The Mind of the Renaissance When I read in the text book that Leonardo da Vinci was considered the “ultimate genius and Renaissance Man,” I decided to watch this video. I knew he did many other things besides the Mona Lisa, but I did not realize how many other things he was involved in. I have to say we look at Da Vinci and know that he was a genius but I did not get the impression from the video that he was appreciated at the time. He seemed to flit from place to place and left some unfinished works. He unfortunately did not learn the lesson that a student should never to better that his teacher when he out painted Andrea del Verrocchio. He felt that emotion was made up of the spiritual (power of thought) and the material (the body), He felt that proportion and balance must flow and that beauty and harmony are of the divine nature. He was a master at proportions and applied them to his many endeavors. The most important thing I learned was that Leonardo da Vinci was not just the painter responsible for creating the Mona Lisa, he was a painter, a sculptor, architect, engineer (he helped redesign Milan following the plague),musician, student of anatomy and physiology (he actually did dissections to better understand human form), physiology, botany, hydrodynamics, aeronautics, and other disciplines. Yet he did not perceive himself as an educated man. I think his life was overshadowed by sadness and his genius was not appreciated. Another point of interest he was left handed.

Week 8 Blog Video review

Week 8 – Video Blog Review Andrew Reed More Human Than Human This video pointed out something interesting that I never really thought about and that is that art history has revealed that humans prefer images that don’t look like us. The more I thought about this the more I realized that this really is true and that human body images dominate our lives. The part of this video that enhanced the text book reading was the section on the Venus of Willendorf. It explained the sculpture in depth and gave a better understanding of its meaning and its relationship as to how the body is viewed and why. Dr. Ramachandran, a neuroscientist, (I remember him from a previous video), was again fascinating as he explained his theory and how the brain is wired to perceive the most stimulating body parts and that this overrides culture. Another key concept I found interesting was Egyptian art and the human figure. The portrayal of the human figure did not change in this culture because it was always based on a proportional grid, they did not want the figures to change, a reflection of the Egyptian culture and the obsession for order. The Riace Bronzes discovered by a fisherman are an example of ancient Greek sculpture. The Greeks created human statures that were more human than human. The Kritos Boy was the most realistic stature discovered. The Greeks strove to perfect their bodies, as they strove to become more godlike. This is evident in today’s world as many people world wide work out and exercise; however, typically it is under the guise of good health. Polyclitus changed Greek sculpture as he divided the body into quarters and brought movement to sculptures that were created poised to action. It is interesting to think about how the exaggerated sculptures from centuries ago continue to influence our lives daily. This video enhanced the readings by giving further explanations, especially visually, into how the human body is depicted in art. Art and Life in the Middle Ages: The Luttrell Psalter I chose this video because I had no idea what The Luttrell Psalter was and to gain some knowledge into life in the Middle Ages. This video provided an answer to my questions and provided insight into daily life during the Middle Ages. It enhanced and added to the concepts presented in the textbook in that it gave in depth visual examples of the Psalter, how it was made and decorated, and the calligraphy and illustrations involved. In addition it provided interpretations of the illustrations and how they related to Bible stories and daily life. The Psalter in this video was the illuminated two hundred page psalm book in Latin, created by a the Luttrell Psalter, that depicted all one hundred and fifty psalms as well as stories of saints, Bible stories, commissioned by Sir Geoffrey Luttrell in answer to a calling from God. The illustrations gave a glimpse into fourteenth century values and the daily life at the time that included: fashion, trade, entertainment, farming, feasting, and warfare. Two very interesting facts: babewyns are nightmarish creatures created to be reminders of hell, and that Sir Luttrell’s son Andrew was married at the age of seven to Beatrice who appears several times in the Psalter. Cataclysm: The Black Death Visits Tuscany The thought of how the Bubonic plaque could impact art I found an interesting idea is why I chose this video. The video not only provided answers to this but also gave knowledge of the cities, art, and some rituals of the Tuscan cities Sienna and Florence, before and after the siege of the plague. Giotti was in the reading in the text book however this video explained in depth and gave a greater understanding into the impact he had as a painter on painting style as it emerged from the Middle Ages. Sienna and Florence were at peace and flourishing as cities in all areas from art to technology before the bubonic plague was brought to them via Chinese traders. One fact I did learn was that Florence, even without the onset of the plague, was headed for disaster as the King of England had reneged on a loan. The city was going bankrupt and it would not be long before there would be no food to feed the expanding population. The plague greatly effected the Christian population, many clergy men perished and a great disruption occurred in the occurrence of death as well as funeral procedures. A once kind and loving God returned to the vengeful God of the Old Testament. The cataclysm of the plague affected the arts in three ways. First, figures in paintings became flatter, there was no hint of emotions, and a celestial rather than physical world was portrayed. Second, gruesome paintings of the tortures waiting in hell emerged; diBartolo was one of the artists that portrayed this in his work. And third there was an escapist view. This is evident in the painting the Adoration of the Magi, where there is no symbolism or emotion. Some skeptics say that this may not be a result but rather perhaps artists were not as inspired that it was just a time of internal development. Regardless, one of the key concepts is that following the plague man changed in the way he viewed the world. There was a new way of thinking about man and his feelings and actions with nature and each other. This spirit of inquiry, fostered by St. Francis of Assisi, was the first light of what was to come the renaissance. The Treasures of Athens and Olympia: Beyond the Classical: Byzantine and Later Greek Art I did not have a special reason for choosing this video, honestly I really wanted to watch The Cairo Museum but after numerous attempts, at different times, and on different computers, the video does not play. It plays for about four minutes and cuts out, if you move ahead just a bit the same thing happens, and it goes on throughout. I suggest it be remedied or removed from the list. I did learn some things for the short bits I was able to watch but did not feel it would be considered a full blog posting. The Byzantine period was a highlight of this video and it definitely gave more insight into the art form of the painting of icons that was presented in the text book. The Greek Orthodox Church was a major influence on the painting of icons which depict, in addition to Biblical figures, but also heroes and stories that give insight into the culture of the time. It was interesting to learn that there are classes to learn how to paint icons and that some artists make a profession out of recreating these classic art forms. Damoskinos, Last Supper, is an example of the combination of the icon, a flat style, with concepts from Italian art. It was also interesting to learn how painting changed after the war with the Turks. The subject shifted as was not as religious based but rather a mixture of myth and reality. This Neoclassical movement, which looked back to Greece for inspiration, was introduced by King Otto, a Bavarian.

week 7 blogg

Week 7 Video Blog 1. Prairie Style¬ Frank Lloyd Wright challenged Americans to come out of their boxy houses and live wide open. One of the most important things to remember is that even though he did create some noteworthy large scale buildings Frank Lloyd Wright was a designer of houses for the ordinary man. His basic concepts of time, place and landscape evolved into the Prairie style of architecture, as it reflects the prairies of the Midwest, which continues to have influence in the world of architecture today. Wright’s designs incorporate a seamless integration of outdoor landscape with indoor living space. His houses were designed to follow the sun and with floor to ceiling windows to create unity between home and the natural landscape. His homes grew out of the surrounding landscape. Initially the homes may look unusual on the outside for his style was to not center the front door. Upon entering a guest may feel claustrophobic because his ceiling were low (6” 4”) but after ascending a few stairs one is greeted with a flowing open space design. Two things I found interesting were that his reasoning for the low ceilings was to force the occupants to look outside and he often built in furniture so that others could not change his design. One of the other significant ideas Wright built into his homes was that he put the fireplace in the middle of the house to signify that it was the hearth of the home. In creating his “organic” relationship to the natural environment it is no wonder that architectural historians have called him one of the greatest architects of all time. His style led to the design of houses called bungalows. This video added a greater depth of understanding of Frank Lloyd Wright beyond what I read in the textbook. Living in Buffalo I have never had the urge to visit the house he designed in the city and now I do. 2. Architecture: The Science of Design I never thought about it but it makes sense that architecture is not just an art but also a science. With the advent of the use of steel and concrete and the limited space, especially in large cities, came the skyscraper. These buildings must stand up to gravity, wind, precipitation and earthquakes and it was interesting to watch and learn more how architects meet this challenge. One fact that was very interesting was that skyscrapers do in fact sway in high winds. The trick is to design a building that sways but within the international guidelines that are established. It was also a point of interest that skyscrapers also create wind speeds at ground level because of their size. The use of concrete in building structures that can be poured, molded, prefabricated and now comes in colors directly influenced the building of these massive structures. A skyscraper actually has two structures, the superstructure that is above ground level and the substructure that is below ground level, which must support both the dead and living weight of the building. Two interesting facts I learned is that reinforced concrete never breaks abruptly and that the ideal condition for hardening concrete is underwater. The intelligent home was something else and I would like to see one that exists outside of the movies. The smart apartment, that is voice controlled, by a computer was also interesting. I think about all the items that are available for preprogramming that exist and it only makes sense to have it all centralized. I thought this video was interesting and added depth to the knowledge I read in the textbook. 3. Classical Architecture I have to start off saying that the quality of this video was very poor and that made it difficult to follow and focus on. If I hadn’t watched the two videos prior to this and tried it on different computers I would blame it on my computer. That said I like classical architecture and I felt that this video added to my knowledge and understanding of it beyond the textbook. I do have to note that I am glad I read the textbook first so that I had a basic understanding of the vocabulary and concepts that were discussed in the video. The characteristics of Greek and Roman architecture are harmony, proportion, balance and simplicity. The three Greek orders include the three different styles of columns the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian. All three are comprised of a pedestal, column and emblature. The simplest of the three is the Doric and the most decorative is the Corinthian which has leaves at the top. The Greek and Roman built great buildings to reflect importance and greatness and this is still true in today’s world. This video was geared to tracing classical architecture in England however many of the concepts hold true in America. Most roads lead back to the classics and architects using new technologies create buildings to reflect history in modern ways. 4. ¬Imperial Rome, Osita, and Portus: Ancient Architecture and Technology I chose this video for two reasons, first my interest and attraction to classical architecture, and second because my cousin just visited Italy and that is all he talks about. I have to say I was amazed at how many concepts that exist in our world were parts of the world in ancient times. The use of concrete construction, thermal windows, aqueducts, and heating systems (for baths) was very interesting. I was disappointed to learn, because of my heritage, that while the Romans were not technological inventors, they were great developers of technology, and possessed the imagination and the ability to organize ideas on a large scale. The world can thank the Greeks and the many other worlds the Romans conquered for many of the concepts were rely on in everyday life. One of the most interesting parts of this video was the mosaic work that allows to gain knowledge into how the people lived. The work outside the warehouses depicted the measurement and storage of grain where as the work in the port was of ships and how the grain was actually delivered. The mosaics further demonstrated how the Romans conquered other lands in that the stones used in the mosaics were from Sparta, Egypt and northern Africa. One very interesting thing I learned is that the Pantheon that exists today is actually the third to be built as the first two were destroyed by fire. The Pantheon is the most famous imperial temple. It is a temple to honor “all the gods.” I never before realized that the actual worship was to take place outside of the temple and that the building itself was intended as a home for the gods. One of the biggest blocks of marble that is known to exist in the portico of the Pantheon. One of the well known features of the Pantheon is the ocular or eye at the center of the top of the dome which gives an eye into heaven. I am glad I chose this video it was interesting and gave me insight into the ancient world and the impact it has on modern life today.

Installation art

Step 3: Reflect A. What is installation art? The term installation art began to be used in the 1970’s. The definition of installation art varies. The textbook states (p.49)”installation, in which a space is presented as a work of art that can be entered, explored, experienced, and reflected upon.” The video Installation Art describes installation art as “fashionable and controversial trend manipulates space and perception and forces the viewer to look at 3-dimensional spaces in new ways. It also states that it “is applied to a wide range of work from community art projects to world famous projects”. Judith Nesbitt, Head Curator, Whitechapel Gallery, states (installation) “art world takes over the space, it defines the space and how that achieved is entirely up to the individual artist”. She further states that as a curator she “let the artist go on with it and let them do what they need to do.” Art Critic, Matthew Collins, when asked responded, “some kind of sculpture in the round, an installation is generally something that is all around you. But there is another aspect to it apart from the physical definition and that’s a kind of attitude definition it’s now the most trendy thing to do it’s almost against the law not to do it.” To sum, installation art is a 3-dimentional art work that forces the viewer to interact with their environment. It can be created by an artist or even as a community project. Probably the most encompassing definition comes from Art Lex Art Dictionary and that is: “Installation or installation art-art that is or has been installed-arranged in a place-either by the artist or as specified by the artist. It might be either site specific or not and either indoors or out. The term became widely used in the 1970s and 1980s and continues to be employed by many people. Installation my be temporary or permanent, but most will be known posterity through documentation. As a consequence, one aspect of installations is often difficulty with which they can commodified.” B. What materials are used in installation art? In terms of materials from what I’ve read, watched and researched the sky is the limit. It can include the medias: architecture, sculpture, painting, video, music, performance, separated or in combinations. It can include ordinary objects or found objects-everything from a dead animal to a piece of macaroni. For environmental and site-specific installations the media used tends to lend itself to the location. Examples of this are Robert Smithson’s Spiral Jetty and Richard Wilson’s, She Came In Through the Bathroom Window. C. Why make installation art? Again to quote Art Critic, Matthew Collins, “it’s now the most trendy thing to do its almost against the law not to do it.” Beyond that installation art forces the viewer into a situation where an immediate response emerges. You can think about it but there is an initial response. With a painting or a sculpture something need to draw a viewers attention. Installation art is all about interaction and must be experimental. D. which artist/installation did I find most interesting? Overall the installations in the video were interesting each in their own way. Tracy Emin’s, My Bed, caught my interest because on some days my bedroom could look similar to her work. But beyond that her message, “she is as imperfect as the rest of the world” really hit home for me. The more I explore art the more I believe that the more you know about a piece or an artist the more interesting, understandable it becomes. The other artist that evoked my attention was Damien Hirst who strives to make “aspects of life and death visible. His work The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, is a shark in a vitrine filled with formaldehyde. Another work by Hirst in 1993, Mother and Child, Divided, consists of four separate rectangular blocks made of silicone and glass, filled with formaldehyde. A cow was cut in half, and put in two of them, a calf was cut in half and was put in the remaining tow containers. Hirst strives to be provocative and disturbing. For me he achieved his goal. The shark was commissioned to be caught and killed, I do not agree with this. I find his works disturbing, do they make me think? Absolutely, but not thoughts I want floating in my head. Step 4: Plan: A. I felt most connected with Tracy Emin’s My Bed. Despite the chaos and imperfection it reminds me of home. B. In my installation I will explore my home town. I chose to do because I will be graduating soon and will probably have to leave the area to get a job. C. I will use a variety of materials that I have the depict the things about Buffalo that mean the most to me. Some of the items will be enclosed in a glass block. Since my work will be site specific I will be able to takes this part with me where ever I go. The materials include: Glass Block: holding a hot dog (Ted’s) Picture of blue water tower (where I played baseball) Pillow foam snow Sabers emblem On top : a Bill Helmet Chicken wing Chicken wing basting brush Other materials: a bottle of chicken wing sauce, a T-Shirt, kit for beef on weck, can of snow, a buffalo pen and a variety of “signs.” D. The installation will be located in front of the fireplace in my family room at home. This is the place my family gather’s to be together and shares special times together. Description I see a room with lit fireplace. Surrounding the fireplace, in front of the closed doors, are various items that reflect Buffalo. These include things that make Buffalo famous nationally (snow, and chicken wings) and things that are special to me. Analysis Unity and harmony are demonstrated in that the composition is a reflection of one theme, my hometown Buffalo. Variety and also the local point is achieved with the lit fireplace. The fireplace also gives the piece of rhythm and movement. The colors and textures are varied, from hard to the foam mean to be soft snow.

week 6 video blogg

1. THROUGH THE EYES OF A SCULPTOR This video followed the sculptor Emmanuel Fillion. The key concepts I learned: • A sculpture comes alive in day, dies in plaster, and is reborn in marble • A sculptor is typically a carver first and must know himself and his culture before he creates • Where the quarries are and the process of excavation the stone from both the mountain and under it • The difference between a stone carver and a sculptor is that a carver uses plans a sculptor uses feelings • The sculptor visualizes his piece, draws it then makes it come alive in clay • The sculptor carefully picks out a piece of marble and oversees the carvers • The sculptor completes the piece using his feelings to finish it and add a sense of movement to the piece GLASS AND CERAMAICS The key concepts I learned: • Glass and ceramics are some of the oldest man-made materials • Glass is primarily made of sand with some fluxes added to create fusion when heated to a high temperature • Glass is not a true solid • Glass is replacing wood and stone in architecture • Two methods of working with glass are blowing and stained glass windows, with stained glass being the oldest technique • The base material of ceramics is clay and the quality of the raw materials and the temperature degree at which they are just fired determines the value and quality • Ceramics can be stronger than steel and are used for false teeth, hip replacement prosthetics, the mufflers of some cars and in radar components • Glass for windows can laminated to prevent injury if shattered, thermal and bulletproof INSTALLATION ART • Installation art is a term that was born in the 1970’s • Unites diverse media-architecture, sculpture, painting, video, music and or performance to create pieces that encourage the viewer to interact with the artwork/environment • Definitions vary • Some pieces of installation art are site-specific • It began with Marcel Duchamp when he installed part of a bicycle in a museum • Most installation art cannot be easily dismantled and moved, however, the idea/concept has been purchased and a piece is created in a different gallery • Installation are has resulted as an end result of a community project 2. the videos provide visual examples of just how the pieces are created in sculpture, glass, ceramics and installation art. They become more alive rather than just a photograph. The videos enhance the readings on all topics. 3. the videos allow you to better understand the processes involved in creating art in the different medias. The video on installation art gave me a clearer understanding of where the artists are coming from as well as the whole process.

Art Gallery Trip One

A. 1. Jim Hodges Look and See, 2005 Enamel on Stainless steel This was pointed out to me as a good place to start and it was true. It was a nice day and I enjoyed walking around this sculpture. With the mirrors reflecting the sun and people walking by it was always changing. Initially, when I looked out the door I thought it was going to be a cylinder and was surprised when it was more of a S curve. I liked the contrast of the black, white, mirrors and open spaces. I like the balance of this sculpture. 2. Joao Onofre Untitled (masked tap dancer), 2005 Video with color and sound, edition of 6 and 2AP Running time 11 minutes, 53 seconds I admit at first I was drawn by the flat screen TV hanging on the wall of the art gallery. But I stood there and couldn’t walk away. At first I was intent on following the tap dancer, watching his feet and listening to the different rhythms. I was watching his feet and the pavement, concrete pavement and intersections. There may be a pattern but I couldn’t figure it out. After a few minutes I started looking at the other people around the tap dancer walking towards him? Her? Some had no reaction, some stared, some smirked, some laughed, and then when a gruesome face turns around you understand the reason for the reactions. It was mesmerizing. 3. Daniel Ridgway Knight Springtime, ca, 1980 Oil on canvas After my brief experience with paint I was very interested in the details in this painting. The flowers, grasses and branches, the shading and values of colors were amazing. What impressed me most was that the girl’s face was painted so perfectly it could have been a photograph. B. 1. Jasper Johns Numbers in Color 1958-59 Encaustic and newspaper on canvas I felt a connection to this because it is in our textbook as an example of encaustic painting techniques. I think I actually used it in one of my responses. It was interesting to see it you could almost “feel” the texture just by looking at it. 2. Sol LeWitt Wall Drawing #1268: Scribbles: Staircase Conceived 2006, executed 2010 This was amazing and I was totally in awe of this art conceived by LeWitt. It was amazing. One of the videos or power points I watched to create the value scale said to use small circular strokes to create the different values. I felt the connection to this because that was what I had tried to do. The picture I took is a spot where three different values meet. Watching the light and shadows created by other viewers walking was amazing. 3. Tom Wesselman Still Life #20, 1962 Mixed media I was attracted to this because of the mixed media. I felt a connection to it because at home bread and bananas sit on the counter next to each other just like in this artwork. Also a few years ago I worked at a place that had a sink set up just like the one in the still life. This was a very different mix of media I thought the collage made of the colors throughout the art work served to provide balance. C. 1. Brice Marden Red, Yellow, Blue No.1, 1974 Oil and wax on canvas Of course the first thing that attracted me to this painting was because of the primary colors I grew up with. I went on to read that it was painted during the minimalist movement wherein less is more, and back to the basics but it is still three painted rectangles. It is similar in color, not shape or media, to Ellsworth Kelly’s work Blue, Yellow, and Red. 2. Georgia O’Keeffe Green Patio Door, 1955 Oil on canvas Even with a title I don’t get it. I would like more of an explanation or insight of how to get to see a green patio door. It was very different from her painting in out textbook (except that both were southwestern) Deer’s Skull with Pedernal, p. 117. 3. Adolph Gottlieb Pictograph, 1946 Oil on canvas I’d like to have more insight. I don’t see anything cohesive except the color palette. I ‘see a tent, an ear, a nose, breasts, a vase, arrows, I’m not sure. I see pieces but nothing as a whole.

Art Exploration 2 Logo

1. I thought creating the logo was harder to do than I initially thought it would be. When you look around and there are so many logos and symbols around I thought “okay not too bad” but it took me a lot longer than I thought. In the videos and in graphic design companies there is a group for brainstorming and coming up with ideas. I thought about it a lot and decided it was not possible to incorporate all of my interests so I kept in mind, keep it simple, and focused on representing me now. 2. I started by writing down characteristics of myself. Many people have described me as being “larger than life,” that is what gave me the idea of the lightening bolt. Then from the power point I went to motion. I didn’t want it straight up and down. So I went upward and a bit to the right. To me that was continuous upward and forward movement. The point down translates to tradition and family roots. Then I went to colors and their meanings. I choose: red, energy, power, determination, and courage; yellow, energy, intelligence, and happiness; and blue, sky (travel), steadfast and trust. I outlined it in black one of its meanings being mystery because life is a mystery. I tried to make it symmetrical and balanced. To make it my own I put y initials in the top angle. The implied movement is onward and upward. 3. I discovered it is difficult to keep things simple. Also, I know what the logo means but that doesn’t mean anyone else would unless it’s put out there and “packaged” to represent me. I did keep in mind that a logo should be able to be used across various media formats and I think my logo renders itself to that concept. 4. From the video ¬Graphic Design – What’s In a Logo? I learned the need to capture a spirit and idea for logo and to be sure it is able to work across various types of media from business cards to a website. The power point and reading reinforced this. The videos were interesting. The video Bottled Up: Repackaging the Brand, was good in that it demonstrated what a long and tedious process creating a new package and compatible logo can be. I wish they would have actually said what Marmite is. I learned it is a savory spread with tons of vitamin B I read people either love it or hate it! I would like to find a bottle of squeezable Marmite because I have not used a squeeze bottle that does not leak or that you can entirely empty.

Project 1

I was very excited about this project. I truly wish I was able to devote more time to it as I had many ideas I just couldn't make happen. I think I did a good job considering the numerous assignments in this class for the week as well as demands of my other classes. I tried my hardest to get the technical elements right.

Photo of stools for space- difficulty of getting a quality shot but I liked the stools to reflect this element.
For proportion the first thing that came to mind was my family's collection of marushka dolls.
Texture is a rock we added to our collection on a family vacaton to Miami Beach. We have a collection of rockes in our yard from various locations.
My variety picture came to mind because my mom's jewelry collection. I used a darker bacground to accent the pieces and make them stand out.
Radical balance is when the elements radiate from the center. The idea came to me when i was lying in my bed staring at the ceiling and thinking about this project.
I tried to convince a family member to attempt to float in our pool to reflect movement but because the water was freezing and the temperature dropped no one would do it for me.
The picture of the sunset I took reflects unity and harmony to me. I feel peaceful looking at it even though I had to wait a while for the right photo.

Blog week 4

1. For someone who has probably not really done anything artistic like on paper for a while I found these exercises interesting and enlightening as well as a bit difficult.  These exercises gave me a greater appreciation of artists and envious of those who have a natural ability to easily complete these tasks.  The value scale was challenging in that the book illustrated nine steps, the video eleven steps and the assignment ten steps. Looking back you could probably continue making steps until the pencil was gone.

2. I enjoyed working with the acrylic paint better because once I got into it and experimented I found it a bit easier than shading a pencil.  Working with the paint I was able to experiment more with mixing the colors on a palette and trying to get the colors right before actually completing the color wheel.

3. I discovered how values could be created with using a pencil as well as paint.  With the paints it was interesting to see how a dab more or less gave a different shade, tint or in some cases a color that I wasn’t expecting.

4.  From the videos the most important information I learned was that based on the balance theory the primary colors are cyan, magenta and yellow and not red, blue and green.  I thought the videos were helpful and to the point.  They were short enough so it was made easier to watch several times to get the steps down before completing the exercises.

reflective journal

I was very excited about this project.  I truly wish I was able to devote more time to it as I had many ideas I just couldn't make happen.  I think I did a good job considering the numerous assignments in this class for the week as well as demands of my other classes.  I tried my hardest to get the technical elements right.

   Photo of stools for space- difficulty of getting a quality shot but I liked the stools to reflect this element. 
For proportion the first thing that came to mind was my family's collection of marushka dolls.
Texture is a rock we added to our collection on a family vacaton to Miami Beach.  We have a collection of rockes in our yard from various locations.
My variety picture came to mind because my mom's jewelry collection.  I used a darker bacground to accent the pieces and make them stand out.
Radical balance is when the elements radiate from the center.  The idea came to me when i was lying in my bed staring at the ceiling and thinking about this project.
I tried to convince a family member to attempt to float in our pool to reflect movement but because the water was freezing and the temperature dropped no one would do it for me.
The picture of the sunset I took reflects unity and harmony to me.  I feel peaceful looking at it even though I had to wait a while for the right photo.

Week Three Videos

1. Of all the visual elements color is the most pleasurable.  Color can evoke a wide range of psychological and physiological responses.  Technically color is a function of light without light there is no color.  All colors have three properties hue, value, and intensity.  A viewer's color perception is dependent on the interaction of theses three properties.  The use of color schemes in a work of art also serve to effect the emotional response of a viewer.  Successful color schemes focus on a single color or a restricted palette of colors.  Contrasting colors are used for variety and colors are distributed throughout the piece in unequal proportions to create points of interest.  Color temperature can also be used to effect emotions as well as enhance spatial characteristics.  Warm colors (red, yellow, orange) for me are typically soothing and make me remember a warm sunny day.  Cool colors  ( blue, purple, green), for me blue and purple, are reminders for a snow storm.  Emotional responses can not be defined by a set of rules or formulas. Colors can have different individual or cultural associations.  The context of the composition also aids in giving color meaning and looking an emotional impact.

2.The theoretical aspect that most fascinates me is the optical affects of color.  I think it draws me because most optical illusions are created in the brain and not the eye.  The brain misperceives  shape, size, or distance because of the influence of other visual clues around it.  The workings of the eye also come into play.  This was illustrated in the composition of white lines with "black"  dots.  The appearance of black dots were actually created due to the fatigue in the rods and cones in the eye.  One of the optical effects of color that really impressed me was after image.  The staring at an image tired the eye receptors and the result was a ghostly after image of the complementary colors.  The concept of optical color mixture when small patches of different colors are placed close together and the eye blends them to create a new color is fascinating.  I find the whole theory interesting.

3.  In the video Color  Titian's painting Assumption of the Virgin, made the biggest impact of me in regard to color and its effect on emotion.  Titan used a limited palette of bold colors.  theses colors evoked a dramatic effect.  Colors are reflected everywhere in this work of art.  He mystically used colors to experiment with optical effects as in creating shimmering light and using colors as to show reflection as in reflection of red on Virgin's hand.  The balanced chromatic effects creates a soft and delicate feel.  Combinations of light and dark are used in contrast.

4. In the video Feelings: Emotions and Art  Goya's portrayal of the worst side of mankind as he depicts the world of human emotion had the most impact of me.  Goya is against the supernatural world of religion.  His paintings reflect his imagination, the unasked for, the uncomfortable and the unwanted.  He uses dark colors, a limited palette and black and white to depict horror and unease.  He even paints portraits of the royal family as ugly humans.  Through his use of color and composition he evokes feelings of horror, dread and depression.