1. What were you expectations for this course and where they met? My expectations for this course were, that this would a sort of basic art class. My expectations were met, and i enjoyed this class as it was a nice break from writing papers.
2. Now that you've been through this course, What is art? How would you define it now compared to your intial posting? Art is a way for one to express themselves or to bring joy to others through many different mediums, which i believe is what makes art unique, as no two are exactly the same.
3. Who was your favorite artist in your original posting and who is your favorite visual artist now? If there is a difference, why do you think so? If you have the same favorite artist, why do you think so? In my original posting my favorite artists were van Gogh and Monet, which still are among my most admired artists. However i do feel that this class has introduced me to some different mediums and many other different artists that i also find appealing such as Thomas Cole, who has drawn me in with his fascinating paintings that are so very realistic.


4. Now that you've completed this course, how do you feel about taking an online course? Is your answer the same as it was in your first posting? How is it the same or different? I have taking many online courses throughout college, therefore my opinion remains the same, i appreciate the flexibility it gives me to be able to get my courses, while still working a full time job, which makes it difficult to attend physical classes.

Self Portrait Blog

1. Why did you select the inspiration pieces? I selected these pieces because they caught my attention the most with the idea that i was thinking of for my piece.
2. Why did you select the media to create your self-portrait? I selected this media because i felt i could express myself more through a collage by using specific items or things that make up who i am.
3. What challenges did you face in creating your self-portrait and how did you overcome them? It was very time consuming to go through magazines and find things that make up who i am. So i made sure i had plenty of magazines to go through.
4. How does this piece represent you? This piece represents me because i used specific things that i think make up who i am. Such as cooking, singing, music, taking photos, and my use of eyes throughout my piece is my representation of how i learn in this world, by the things i see.
5. What elements and principles of art did you apply in this work? I made sure to use a lot of color in this piece, variety by including many different things that make up who i am. I used balance by placing the items to create symetry.
6. Did you enjoy working on this project? I did enjoy this project, it was interesting to go through a magazine and find things that make up myself, at first it was difficult but i actually was able to gather quite a few items.
7. What do you think of your final artwork? I think the final artwork turned out rather well, as i am a big fan of collages. Overall i feel that i have captured the majority of things that i think make up who i am.

Art Critique

1. Which projects did you review?  I reviewed three projects, "The Impact of color on Art", "Flowers in Bloom", and " A Worlds War"                                
2. Why did you select the Exhibit you critiqued? I seleceted the exhibit i critique because i thought it was very well put together, organized, and the variety of works used caught my attention.
3. What challenges did you face in writing the critique article and how did you overcome them? I always foung it hard to critique something of someone else's because i feel like they have put a lot of time and effort into it. I overcame this by focusing on the strong points of the project, and what i felt made it interesting.
4. How do you feel about critiquing your peers work? I personally do not like it, i find it difficult to pick apart someone else's work.
5. Would you like to read the critique your peers wrote about your Art Curation Project? Yes i would, just to see what people gained or didnt gain from my work.
6. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate your finished article and why? I would give it a 7, only because as i stated above i find it difficult to create the work of others.
7. Did you enjoy working on this project? I enjoyed reviewing the different projects, but i did not enjoy the critque article.

The Beauty of Nature

While doing this project i wanted to choose a theme that interested me which is why i chose nature. I have always been fascinated by the simple beauty that nature has to offer in so many ways. When i was choosing my works to include, i chose those that caught my attention in some way. Whether is was the colors used, the way the artist had made the apinting look so real, or the lighting that just gave it that special touch. It was a little difficult to chose which ones i wanted to include because there were so many, insome many different medias. However, i noticed oil on canvas painting are the ones that happened to catch my attention the most from the works that i chose. Overall i enjoyed this project and exploring the different works done by different artists.

Video Reflections

Artists and gallery curators explain how the term Lowbrow originated. Artist Robert Williams says he invented the term but doesn't care for its meaning. Some believe Lowbrow Surrealism is a more fitting term while others embrace Lowbrow. Pop culture, car culture, and folk art have both had major influences in the genre. Lisa Petrruci says the art is more relatable than esoteric art. The time after World War II known as the "Atomic Age" is another important part of the genre. Art covers so many different things ranging from concept art to paintings. Artist Anthony Ausgang says it is the job of critics to categorize the art. Robert Williams is  he original Lowbrow artist. A Robert Crumb inspired rock poster artists to start doing underground comics. At a time when galleries were not willing to display Lowbrow, the Laguna Art Museum put on a show featuring Ed Roth, Von Dutch, and Robert Williams. The tiki theme was prevalent in the 1950s and 1960s across the U.S. Lowbrow artists drew upon this imagery and incorporated it into their art. While conceptualism brought thought to art it excluded audience members who were not trained in art history. Artist Anthony Ausgang says, "Lowbrow blitzkriegs the idea that high culture requires a certain level of intelligence." Robert Williams thinks the established art world is set up to promote only certain types of art like minimalism and abstract. There is an unwillingness of the mainstream world to accept Lowbrow. These unaccepted artists created their own art scene after being shut out from museums and galleries.
The punk rock generation propelled Lowbrow art culture and artists were able to get their work to the masses in the form of album covers and fliers. The Pop Tarts opened the well received Tart Gallery in Vancouver . They gained more recognition and acceptance after being featured in a book about female Lowbrow artists. Curator Billy Shire is credited with promoting the Lowbrow art movement by opening the Shooting Gallery in San Francisco . Juxtapose magazine has made it possible for people worldwide to stay in tune with the Lowbrow art scene. Twenty years ago Robert Williams couldn't get anyone to show his art work and now he is in demand all over the world. Over the last ten years Lowbrow has gained more recognition and acceptance. Its influences include comic books, B-movies, rock ’n’ roll, surfing, hot rods, and Cold War imagery. Art historians call it Pop Surrealism; practitioners call it Lowbrow. With dozens of artist and gallery curator interviews, along with hundreds of examples, this program chronicles Lowbrow’s evolution, its iconoclasm and often antagonistic relation to abstract expressionism, as well as the rise of female artists to its forefront.


Modern art in the MOMA from 1929 onwards was displayed primarily in chronological order, representing each art movement. Art is displayed on white walls with flexible lighting.
By the 1970s, traditional ways of displaying modern art are questioned. And art came off the walls to become busy and noisy. The Tate Modern displays its modern art if four sections. In each section an overarching principle provides a theme for the selection and exhibition of the selections of modern art. The Tate's thematic approach to displaying art prompts controversy when three works by Richard Long are juxtaposed with Monet's "Water Lilies." Yet, the connections among the pieces are justified. Unlike MOMA's original concept of displaying art in chronological order, visitors to the Tate are provided with striking and often abrupt transitions between the individual display rooms. Critics argue that Tate Modern's thematic presentation of art requires that viewers have no knowledge of art. And they believe art should be more than entertainment. Many abstract artists tried to make paintings that were not dependent on figuration; they wanted to convey emotions, aesthetic effects, or social vision. The Joseph Beuys room in the Tate Modern creates a church-like atmosphere. Visitors do not materially understand what they see. They transition to the next room where art consists of waste and junk.

Native Americans' bones were collected as a scientific curiosity during the U.S. genocide against Indians. Anthropologists differ on whether or not the remains should be returned to their ancestors.
David Van Horn, a field archaeologist, is charged with criminal possession of Native human bone fragments. He avoids jail but loses his livelihood as a result of his prosecution. Europeans encounter, seemingly strange, Native Americans and remove them from their own land. Burial mounds are thought to be too civilized to have been built by Native American. In the 19th Century Samuel Morton M.D. studies brain size and concludes that the size of one's cranium is related to intelligence.  Sun Harjo, a Cheyenne and Muscogee, leads the fight for Native people's objects of worship to be returned.. Dr. Barnes, a physical anthropologist, is prevented from doing her research of Native American migration because of the new law. Bronco Lebeau, a Lakota Sioux, rejects theories of evolution and migration held by the dominate U.S. Repatriation requires that scientists first determine the bones tribal affiliation. Skull measurement helps to identify where the bones should be returned. Native Americans have ceremonies to discover whether the bones are their ancestors or not and their past is conveyed through an oral tradition. Native Americans do not want the scientists' history. Scientists learn a lot about today's health problems by studying the remains of human beings from the past and can benefit future knowledge by studying the past. Bruce Rothschild, an arthritis researcher, theorizes that arthritis is a new disease whose trigger may come from the Tennessee River region. Change in diet and lifestyle is related to high rates of diabetes. Omaha women, die earlier due to small pox and a change in their daily life. Their bones reveal that hard work by manufacturing furs worn them down and led to a lower birthrate and life expectancy.  British researchers run DNA tests on bones infected with T.B. They claim research benefits understanding how men change from the ancient to the modern but Native Americans are still skeptical.  Maria Pearson continues to represent the right to an undisturbed Indian burial ground. The holy areas are avoided by construction crews and archeologists do not excavate graves. Native Americans, in the early 20th century, are stripped of their tribal identity at U.S. boarding schools. Dr Reinhardt restores pride by sharing his research with today's Native Americans. Native Americans now design the exhibits in New York 's Native American Museum.

By creating the first affordable, user-friendly camera George Eastman became the father of popular photography. The museum established at his home celebrates the contributions he and the company he founded have made to advance the art, science, and phenomenon of photography. The photography collection at George Eastman House is a visual history of photography that represents the work of 14,000 amateur and professional photographers. The collection includes all types of photographs, famous and obscure, from documentary to fine art. The technology collection at George Eastman House contains about 16,000 objects, including about 5,000 cameras. The Eastman House holds the largest Daguerreotype collection outside of France . George Eastman worked to make photography accessible to everyone; he created the first affordable, user-friendly camera and founded the Eastman Kodak Company. Eastman's "Brownie" camera revolutionized photography and the motion picture film stock he invented with Thomas Edison became the industry standard. The 50 room colonial revival estate George Eastman began building in 1902 serves as the centerpiece for the museum that bears his name. In addition to photography-related artifacts the museum houses many of Eastman's personal possessions. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made George Eastman a lifetime member to honor his contributions to the film industry's development. Today the George Eastman House is one of the world's premiere motion pictures archives. In 1996 the George Eastman House established the first school in North America to teach the restoration, preservation, and archiving of motion pictures. George Eastman's world revolved around his work and around philanthropy. The George Eastman House offers a variety of means to access collections, including 140,000 online images that celebrate the art, technology, and impact of photography and motion pictures. Located on the estate of the man who made Kodak a household word, the George Eastman House celebrates the art, technology, and impact of photography and motion pictures. Eastman's colonial revival mansion in Rochester , New York is now the oldest photography museum in the world-to showcase its famous collections. The Eastman House is a vital stop on the journey to understanding visual literacy.

Video Reflections 2

The Impact of Cubism:

Influenced by the works of Cézanne, African tribal art, and the art of the Iberian peninsula, Cubism—the most influential style of the early 20th century—offered European artists unfamiliar, nonclassical ways to represent form and space. Gris reveals his independence using spiritual elements and the imagination. He starts with abstraction and ends with the real object in exciting contrasts and interesting juxtapositions. Gris expands his artistic ambition by using the techniques of musical composition to layer elements of sound. He also incorporates collage as a tribute to the austerity of the Spanish tradition. In Duchamp's best known theme, controlled motion is balanced in a fixed setting, which is compared to stop photography. Robert Delaunay combines several points of view, nontraditional laws of perspective, elements of time and memory to reveal the Eiffel Tower as a confused, exciting statement about life. Delaunay explores the inner laws of light and color in an abstract approach. In "circular forms" he uses color as the subject of the painting to guide the spectator's perception of the picture as a whole. Malevich searches for mystical experiences represented in religious icons to order to find the essence of abstraction. "White Cross" is the purest representation of forces, emotions and imagination. Boccioni is inspired by the cinema screen to paint a fractured vision of modern city life synthesized in many moods.

Matisse and Picasso:
By the time both had become renown, Picasso and Matisse had broken with tradition with the establishment. Gertrude Stein is the first to recognize the greatness of Matisse (1905) and Picasso. Matisse is deliberate, rational, and very French in the way he organized his thoughts. Picasso is a worker, impulsive, and immerses himself in his painting. In 1912, Picasso invents the first collage, and is at the forefront of cubism. Paris was the city of inspiration for Matisse. In 1917, he finds the light he wants to paint by in Nice, France. This was an act of cutting loose and leaving everything behind. In Paris in the early 1920s, Picasso's life is turned upside down.
Matisse arrives in New York in 1930. America welcomes him like a star and gives him the Carnegie Prize, the Nobel of the art world. He then crosses the Pacific, seeking the Golden Age of Gauguin. He stays in Tahiti for 3 months. Unlike Matisse, Picasso did not travel, but worked in solitude in his studio. He works at night when he is "as close as possible to the unconscious." He uses neither pallet nor easel and Matisse works by the clock on a regular schedule. Unlike Matisse, three-fourth of the content of Picasso's paintings do not exist outside the paintings. His inspiration comes from life--women are the engine that drives him. Matisse, too, is a painter of the women who model for him. In the 1920s, Picasso's dialog with Matisse becomes more intimate. Picasso seizes on Matisse's arabesque, and incorporates roundness and color as never before in his paintings. In the mid-1930s, a Nordic beauty arrives in Matisse's studio--another "sleeping woman" to awaken an artist's inspiration. One of Matisse's habits was to paint during the day and then, in the evening, and then rub out what he had done. Unlike Matisse, who rubbed out his work every day, Picasso painted over the day's work, until a final painting may have a dozen or more layers. Picasso uses lines borrowed from Matisse, and later, Matisse borrows subjects, color, or lines from Picasso. During the Occupation of Paris during WWII, both Matisse and Picasso stay in the city. Darkness and evil can be found in Picasso's paintings of this period. No such violence exists in Matisse, and Picasso buys one of his paintings. In 1948, both Matisse and Picasso move to the south of France. A living legend, Picasso is offered the Grimaldi Palace to live in and Matisse lives in a villa in Provence. Picasso fathers two children at age 70 with Françoise. Picasso explores a new medium--ceramics. He and his family visit the Matisse household in Nice where Matisse is unable to paint, but creates collages instead. Picasso and Matisse had long discussions about the mystery of opposites and choices. Matisse's high regard for Picasso's work was evident in his reaction to "Winter Landscape." He kept it at the foot of his bed, unwilling to let Picasso have it back. Matisse dies in 1954 and Picasso then moves to Cannes.

Video Reflections

Andy Warhol:
Andy Warhol worked as a commercial artist until 1960 when he began experimenting with advertising images. He worked until his untimely death in 1987. Andy Warhol's interest in the lives of these famous women inspired several repeated images. Photographs are blown up and developed onto silk screens; they are transferred to paper and canvas, using ink and paint. Andy Warhol saw the repeated silk screen images as a way to make money. Warhol begins to photograph his friends; soon he is filming them also, shooting about 100 films. He begins adding paint to his silk screened images. Warhol produced dozens of self-portraits. As an art journalist his work addresses race riots, the conquest of the moon, the Cultural Revolution in China, and the universal reign of the dollar.
Art Expressionism:

By using Franz Kline's painting "C&O," abstract art is compared to figurative art. The filled space of the canvas is distinctively different in these two styles. Kline initially injects his work with mood and expression but moves towards painting colors in undefined space thus sparking the imagination with a sensual impact. Klines uses shapes that evoke emotions. Kline's use of action painting reveals a process of constant discovery and leads us into a world of color and form. "Mountains and Sea" causes her to emerge on the artistic scene and influences a generation of artists. There is a fundamental change in the way we look at a picture from her strength of vision. Frankenthaler's work is both feminine and mystical and induces a contemplative mood. An observer experiences a warming and exhilarating sense of fruitfulness in her work. "Morning: The Springs" expresses movement as an echo of sensations and is evocative of plant forms, light, and falling water. It is a momentary gift of light with a calligraphic quality. In 1952 De Koonig makes his name with "Woman One." By embracing a passionate and instinctive approach to painting, he becomes an instant talisman of "action painting." John's paintings undermine our assumptions and make us think. He seeks to make his common subjects visually seductive and to deceive our senses as a coherent system of information. By using blobs, drips and layers, pattern dominates Johns' work. The observer takes in the layers and yet sees the whole and moves from an impersonal to personal experience of his paintings. In the 1960s Andy Warhol is pop art's most famous son. This is never a very clear movement but is the first 20th Century art movement since Futurism to embrace the rhythms of city life. Both Warhol and Rauschenber become art icons of the 60s by paving the way for pop artists in their use of everyday objects. "Girl With Hair Ribbon" juggles the notions of representation and abstraction. The closer one looks the less the image is apparent and the details take on a life of their own. Lichtenstein treats style as something to be chosen according to the job, but he also concentrates on themes that stir emotions and passions

Art Making/Material Exploration Blog: Mask Making

I chose these images because these were the most appealing to me with the colors and the overall structure of the masks.  All of these masks use line throughout them with bold colors and distinct shapes. These masks all resemble some type of bird, most likely an eagle of sort.

Native American masks had many different purposes including its medicinal and spiritual uses and sometimes they were just used for entertainment purposes. Many Native American tribes believed that when certain animal masks were worn during specific tribal rituals that the person who wore the mask would take on certain characteristics of the animal depicted, they believed that the spirit of the animal would enter that person while they were in the mask.

There was not much info on the artists of these masks and the things that were used to create them although i am assuming many were made with wood and paint of some sort. 

 http://www.andrewcollins.com/page/articles/txsa_2_caddo.htm

Sea Eagle Stephen Bruce
Native Mask - Sea Eagle by Stephen Bruce C2011

 http://www.southeastaviation.com/sections/Tours/metlakatla.html

http://www.justart.ca/

I used water colors and pencil on plain white paper. 


4. Explain how you used the Elements and Principles in your finished mask.
I used lines throughout the mask to create the wings and the markings of the face of the bird. I used bold colors to try and represent the intensity of this bird and to make it seem realistic.  I used pattern in the designs on the face and used my favorite colors purple and turquoise.

5. Share your opinion of your finished mask and what you thought about creating the mask. I thought the finished mask turned out well and i think it resembles the eagle. I chose the eagle to represent myself as being being free, bold, and one of a kind. Overall i enjoyed the project and using my creativity to make the mask.

Buddhism:
I chose this video because I found the history of Buddha to be quite interesting, therefore I was intrigued by this video choice. Buddhism fact and legend intertwine in Bodh Gaya , India . The key concept to the teachings of Buddhism is “tanha” which is the extinguishing of all desires and all things that feed the ego and obstruct enlightenment. Within one hundred years of Buddha's death, Buddhism split into two groups: the monks or the "hinayana" and the rest, "mahanyana." Buddha’s death can be seen as the end of the Golden age. During and after the Golden Age of Buddha, Buddhist art and architecture flowered across India . Sanchi is a center of Buddhist art and architecture. Within the ornate carvings of the Great Stupa, Buddha disappears into symbolism and is represented only by a few symbols such as a Bodhi Tree, and  he is not seen is a human form. Around the Great Stupa is a walkway where every step is a discovery of Buddhist art and architecture. The pilgrim must walk clockwise around the Stupa, he lets go of material things for the attainment of virtue. In the central highlands of Java , Indonesia , lotus-shaped Borobudur stands as the largest Buddhist shrine in the world made of lava rock. At the top of the monument stand 432 carved Buddha’s. Buried by volcanic debris and vegetation, Borobudur is uncovered in 1815.
Hinduism:
I chose this video because these arts of Hinduism sort of reminded me of Egypt which is one of my most favorite places.
In Varanasi, the holiest city in India, the River Ganges is the symbol of life, death, and rebirth. On the Ganges, a priest performs "aarti," a ceremony to honor Brahma/God. induism's gods and goddesses function in a way similar to Christian saints by providing access to Brahma/God. Hindu architecture is lush with decorative sculptures of many gods. Cremation in Varanasi on the Ganges is assurance of direct access to heaven. In Mamallapuram, India, Mother Ganges turns to stone, a holy and highly decorated place. Carved within boulders, the caves are highly decorated with the epic and the ordinary, the fantastic and the familiar. Carved from single boulders, shrines in Mamallapuram are lavishly decorated. A barrel-vaulted shrine rests on slender pillars for over 1500 years. Excavated from the Bay of Bengal, the Shore Temple is a treasure house of Hindu art and architecture. The Kandariya Mahadev Temple, built in the ninth century by the Chandella rules, stands in Khajuraho, India. Lavishly carved panels are covered in erotic images. Pilgrims pay homage to the lingam/phallus for it life-giving, creative forces. The source of all life for Hindus is Brahma—the Great breath. Hinduism teaches that there are many ways to Brahma/God and these ways are symbolized by many gods. Hinduism carries within it a deep sense of spiritual in the ordinary and the everyday.

The Great Wave:
I chose this video because I have always wanted to visit both Japan and China after I began taking martial arts.Full of mystery and contradiction, Hokusai's "The Great Wave" epitomizes Japan's art and culture. Its image appears on everything from coffee mugs to high fashion while political cartoonists and tattoo artists also subvert its image. As a teen, Hokusai is apprenticed to a well-known artist and becomes a professional print designer. Impoverished, he later takes refuge in a temple. When he begins to work again, “The Great Wave” plays a starring role in his life.Many Westerners see the painting as a symbol of implacable Nature. To the Japanese, the image is one of courage and perseverance. Critics agree that the wave is not a tsunami. Hokusai spent most of his time working with a distinct tradition of Japanese art called the "floating world" style. He is influenced by the sensual indulgences and eroticism of Shiba Kokan's works, which are, in turn, influenced by Western art. Waves come and go throughout Hokusai’s art, even when the mountain is the primary subject. With "The Great Wave," Hokusai introduces Prussian blue, a pigment that won't fade. Hokusai's “The Great Wave” is based on his structural theories of geometry. It consists of circles and triangles in a back-to-front arrangement influenced by Western art. Once it is finished, "The Great Wave" is a bestseller. Only a few of the highest quality historical prints exist. Hokusai's wave painting is a perfect example of fractals, as the images repeat themselves at ever-decreasing scales. Four years  after Hokusai's famous painting was published, a major earthquake strikes Mt. Fuji. Hokusai’s wave design is adapted in illustrations of the mountain. Hokusai seems to be seeking the definitive expression of the wave.

African Art:
I chose this video because I was intrigued by what I had about this art in our book.
In sub-Saharan Africa, aesthetic sense is shown in dress, hair styles, forms of ornamentation, rituals and performance art. The oldest existing African art is found in drier regions. Ancient bush paintings represent animals and humans; these stylized pictures may be a wish for luck in the hunt. Egyptian and Saharan art and architecture show influences of agriculture. Bronze castings of Nigeria date from the 15th century. A royal residence in South Eastern Africa shows symbolic art and architectural style of the 14th century. Primitive Art influenced Picasso and modernist painters. European art is perceptual. Most African art is conceptual, flowing from the artist's mental images. There exists great diversity in African art, but all cultures combine crafts with art. The artists repeat traditional designs, adding their own refinements. Supernatural powers are controlled through art objects. Carvings or sculptures are the actual home of the ancestor. Masks are often highly stylized and embellished. Costumes are designed to be used by fire light. Modern African art is created for the mass market.

Art Gallery Visit

Questions about the exhibit:
1. What is the title of the exhibit? Videosphere
2. What is the theme of the exhibition? This is a collection of installation art works

Questions about the physical space:1. What type of lighting is used? All of the rooms were dark, depending on how large or small the screen was depended on how light it was in the room.
2. What colors are used on the walls? Either black or white walls.
3. What materials are used in the interior artchitecture of the space? The only materials besides the screens were chairs or benches to sit on.
4. How is the movement of the viewer through the gallery space? It was a little confusing walking throught the different rooms, almost like a maze. Plus, it was dark so sometimes it was hard to figure out which was to go to get to the next room.

Questions about the artwork:1. How are the artworks organized? I didnt really notice a pattern of organization of the different rooms, as stated before, it was a little confusing and almost reminded me of a maze.
2. How are the artrworks similar? They were all installation art works with the use of video.
3. How are the artworks different? They all portrayed a different message, all very unique.
4. How are the artworks framed? No frames, either screens or televisions.
5. How are the artworks identified and labeled? Each work had a typed up summary of the artist and a little about the work posted on the wall within the room.
6. What is the proximity of the artwork to each other? Again i didn't find much relation to each work in any specic order, or spacing. They were all clustered together sort of randomly throughout the upstairs of the gallery and few downstairs.

 

Artwork #1
Artist: James Drake
Title of wotk: Tongue-cut Sparrows 1996
Video Installation Size: n/a Source of picture: Digital camera
Description: When first walking into this room i sensed a lot of emotion as you see three young girls. One is crying, one is using a type of sign laguage, and the other just starring off. After reading the information on this work, i was moved. It is three young woman standing outside of a prison communicating with their loved ones through a sort of sign laguage. Just seeing the amount of emotion in their faces, and the power of communication was moving.
Elements and principles used: I feel that the use of black and white added to the emotion on the video. Unity was used between the three women going through similar experiences.

 Artwork #2
Artist: Michael Snow
Title: Solar Breath 2002
DVD projection Size: n/a Source of picture: digital camera
Description: This installation reminded me of a breezy summer day. I always loved watching the wind blow the curtains through the window. I found it interesting that the artist who lived in this cottage noticed that just before sundown, this weird wind would come through and such the curtain to the window as shown in his installation. It reminds me of the beauty of nature and all the things it is capable us, even as simple as this wind.
Elements and principles used: Rhythm was about the only thing i could pick up in this work, just watching the curatin blow back and forth.

 Artwork #3
Artist: Jennifer Steinkamp
Title: Dervish I, 2004
Digital projection Source of picture: digital camera
Description: Trees are one of my favorite things about nature, they can be large, small, beautiful, scary, colorful, or dull. This work shows the different stages and changed of a tree, from spring to summer, autum to winter. It reminded me of life and the different stages one must go through to grow and move forward.
Elements and principles: Movement, was used as the tree swayed back and forth. Color, as you can see the many colors of the different seasons. Texture, althought this is a projection, the texture looks almost like a real tree.

Step 3: The Artwork

Step 2: The Gallery
Step 1: The Exhibition

1. What was it like using your hand as subject matter for a drawing?

I found it interesting to use my hands for a drawing, each crevase comes together to make the shape and contour of the hand.

2. What media did you select - pencil or charcoal? Why? I chose charcoal because it is my most favorite medium. Its smooth, bold, shades easily, and in my opinion adds more depth.

3. How did it feel to create a drawing with your non-dominant hand? I struggled using my left hand to draw, i felt like i was a kid again just learning how to hold a pencil. I really couldnt keep a controlled line going with this hand, and i feel it took me twice as long.

4. Compare and contrast your final drawings. Do you think they are successful studies? I think my left hand looks a lot more realistic that the right. Again drawing with my left hand was a little difficult.

5. Would you consider using your non-dominant hand to create artwork in the future?

 Probably not only because i felt like i cant keep my hand steady and it takes me a lot more time to draw something with my non-dominant hand. I think i would stick with my dominant hand in the future.

Video Responses

The Drawings of Michelangelo-

Michelangelo is an artist that fascinates me by his lifelike works. His drawings can be viewed in the British museum by serious students. I found it interesting that there are so many factors to consider when drawing, such as the weight, making it look like an actual human being. Also the use of cross hatching to make the figures is fascinating that these simple lines can make up such a complex picture. Michelangelo was very well rounded, as he also taught himself how to sculpt, in which his knowledge anatomy really helped him to make such beautiful pieces. His signature work is the “Pieta” a sculpture of Christ which was a great accomplishment. In 1505 he was invited to Rome, and in 1508 he decorated the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, which was the greatest commission of his life. When god gives the spark of life to Adam, is the most important part of the ceiling.  

Leonardo da Vinci: The Mind of the Renaissance

Leonardo da Vinci is another of my favorite artists mostly because of his diversity. He was the quintessential “Renaissance man”. Throughout his childhood his artistic sensitivities increased and developed and he eventually apprentices with Andrea del Verrocchio in Florence. He learned to master perspective and proportion of humans and animals and learns to draw from life. When he was twenty two he was accepted into the painter’s guild. He also became experienced with architecture, machinery and mechanical inventions.

Albrecht Durer: Image of a Master

I chose this video because I don’t really know much about this artist other than what I have read in our book. Durer is said to be the greatest artist of the northern Renaissance, and was the primary conduit which Italian Renaissance forms and ideas were introduced in Germany, under which was still dominated by Gothic tradition. His father whom was a goldsmith was a great influence to him along with his godfather and one of Germany’s finest printers, publishers, painter and illustrator; Anthony Koberger. He became fascinated with portraits and the process of aging. He is considered to be the first landscape artists which was influenced by Venetian artist.

Valazquez

I chose this one as well because I do not know much about this artist, although the name is familiar. He was an extraordinary painter, who was a court painter of King Philip the Fourth of Spain, whom was a good friend of his. He was influenced by those of Italy and many of his works are based on an earlier age.  His paintings really capture the moment which can be seen in many of his works included the painting of Prince Don Carlos. His wife remained by his side throughout their life, and they had two daughters together. Velazquez is an idealist from a vantage point above reality. He uses his mind's eye to capture the essence of a king personality characterized by stasis, but full of inner movement and emotion. Velazquez paints based on what he see’s such as pictures of deformed individuals with great sympathy and insight that reveal an artistic and psychological breakthrough. Regardless of flaws, he paints was he sees.

Video Responses

Cairo Museum :

I chose this video because of my fascination with Egypt , which I hope to visit someday.

This museum contain 150,000 artifacts, 80,000 of them are hidden in the basement which came from excavations in Egypt . Some have come from hundreds of years ago, unopened. There is a royal mummy room with some of the most famous rulers of Egypt , each telling a story. In 1875 Adel Rosseu, looking for his missing goat, stumbled upon a cache of royal treasures, he decided to use these items to get rich. He was eventually arrested and was tortured until he gave up the location of the cache which contained 40 mummies, and many royal artifacts. I found it interesting to know how these artifacts were discovered.

A World Inscribed

I chose this video because I thought it would be about the history of manuscript. I found it fascinating that each book was written by hand which was in fact a very slow process, many of which were in poor condition. Scribes were important to pass on the knowledge of our history. The books that were made included a very long process including making the book itself. Book production became a major business during this time. How to books, prayer books, entertainment books, romance novels, etc. became more popular. Illuminators were used to draw illustrations within the books, they used notes left by the scribes to know what we to be created.

The Measure of all things: Greek art and the Human figure

I chose this video because Greece is another country which fascinates me. The sculptures that can be seen here are breathe taking. Almost all of them look so realistic, showing every detail on the human, it is amazing. The Greeks inspired many 20^th century artists. The style of realism became increasingly more popular by showing details of a more “individual” person, the discovery of an inner life of the sculpture. Another useful discovery was the use of movement within sculptures which gave the impression that the sculpture was moving, which was revolutionary during this time.

Installation

A. What is installation art?
Installation art is work in which depends on site in which it is created, making another world almost. It could be a room, or items placed on a wall, music playing at a certain location, or a video slideshow.

B. What materials are used in installation art?
Any materials can be used for installation art. Anything that will create the work, it could be paint, photos, lights, mirrors, objects, absolutely anything.

C. Why make installation art?
Installation art is made to engage the viewer into the world that the artist has created and give the viewer an experience.

D. Which installation artist did i find most interesting?
My favorite work was Fireflies on the Water. This work is breathetaking, and it actually looks like you are on the water watching the fireflies. The fact that the artist could create this kind of "world" is amazing.

Step 4.
A. From the materials reviewed, is there an inspiration piece that i feel a connection with?
The Fireflies on the Water is the piece that i most felt a connection with mostly because i love the outdoors and nature. When i go camping, something we always do is watch the fireflies at night, and when its pitch black in the woods, you are humbled by the lights from the fireflies.

B. What theme do i want to explore in my installation?
I am going to do a "Self Theme"

C. What materials will i use?
I plan to use a lot of material things that i feel cover up who i really am when i am out or with friends. Almost like society today makes us into something were not with all the makeup, jewelry, clothing, designer items etc.

D. Where will this installtion be located and why?
My installation will be located at my house. This is because this is the one place where i know i am always comfortable, and I am the real me without all the added materialistic items. As if all those things "fall off" once i walk through the door.

Step 7.
4. Describe you installation.
The significance of me doing my installation at home, as i stated earlier its as if all those material items dont matter anymore, they sort of fall off and fade away. Therefore i chose to place my items right at my front door, to represent that these are not the things that make me who i am.

5. I specifically chose very basic black and white items, because i feel as though such material items make you sort of blend in with everyone else. Everyone looks the same, leaving few people that are different. I used the light from the outside to make this a little darker, i wanted to leave the impression of leaving these items behind.

6. My thought behind this, are that i feel that the media really portrays a negative image for woman. We are suppose to be skinny, and where all the clothing thats in stlye, we have disigner items, and makeup, shoes, all these things just to make us feel like we look pretty. I feel that the inner beauty and confident self-steem has been somewhat lost to many young girls, and they are competing with the images they seen on television and in magazines.

Architecture Blog

1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned. Again I believe questions 1 -3 can be combined. I chose Architecture as Art and The Science of design. Again, I feel as though the book gives a basic understanding of the art itself, but to hear it from the artists point of view gives you another world of understanding. The creation of skyscrapers in The Science of design video was interesting to learn how the effects of weather can have a bearing on the design of the structure. It’s kind of scary to think that these massive buildings actually sway when the wind blows. From the readings it again gave a basic understanding of how reinforced concrete was used in skyscrapers and also used a shell for other structures. I also found it interesting to know how they create the tunnels which go under the large bodies of water with reinforced concrete. When I was traveling to Virginia I went through one f those and I was fascinated knowing the whole ocean was above me. Knowing this is made possible through concrete seems almost unbelievable. From the other video, Ghery Architecture as Art I found it interesting the types of structures that this man had created, some whacky, some traditional, but most impressive was the fact that he really tried to get intune with the human emotion through his buildings. By doing this I really felt that this was the ingredient that made his work so appealing, which made him to be a preferred architect. It is interesting how different materials can be used on building to create such odd shapes, and the effect that natural light can have on the appearance of these buildings. However I learned that the use of recent technologies such as computer design and digital models have assisted in the creation of these glorious buildings,

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text? See question 1
3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of Architecture? See question 1
4. From the group of four that you had a choice: Why did you choose that film? I chose this video because I like to learn about peoples experiences which made this film jump out at me. Seeing an artists feelings, background, blood and sweat that is put into their work is what gives it its purpose(in my opinion), therefore even if through a film, makes me appreciate the art that much more by watching and learning about the artist.

Sculpture, Ceramics, and Installation Blog

1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
For each video, I believe there were more in depth details about each of the different artists and how the do their work.
Through the eyes of the sculptor you really get to see the whole process of how a sculpture is created. Starting first with a drawing to plan out the sculpture, then created the sculpture with clay, then silicon impression, then plaster, and finally to the marble. It is really a fascinating process as we go to witness from Emmanuel Fillion. It was different to actually see it rather than just to read about it. Glass and Ceramics was interesting, and it caught my attention in our book as well, that it was created merely by accident with a mixture of sand and nitron, just to think that such a beautiful piece such as glass can be created from sand is extraordinary. From the video it was fascinating to see the glass blowing done, and they make it look fairly easy. The fact that it can take on many designs, shapes, and colors, is what is appealing in my opinion. Ceramics on the other hand seems tedious, I do however like the way it looks such as china and vases. I also did not know that things such as hip replacements and false teeth were made of ceramic. Installation art seems difficult in my opinion, which I think takes a very talented and creative person to create such a work of art, as it relies on the site in which it is created. The video was interesting to see the reasons why the artists chose to do their pieces the way they did such as Richard Wilsons 2050. I also found it interesting that the use of video and music could also be considered an installation art. Overall the purpose of these works is to engage the viewer into a world in which the artist have created.
2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text? I feel like questions 2 and 3 are asking of similar things. So I will combine the two. The readings helped to understand the basic process of these techniques which gave me a basic idea of how it was done. However I believe that the videos allowed for me to witness and actually understand these process, how they evolve the work or art, and then to see the finish product.
3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the topics: Sculpture, Installation, and Craft?

See question #2.

Project #2

1. Discuss what you thought about creating the Value Scale and Color Wheel.
I thought this was a fun project that allowed me to play around with the different colors and values.

2. Which media did you enjoy working with the best and why?
I like working with pencils and or charcoal. I have always been a fan of black and white, especially with photos so when i work with these medias i feel it gives it a vintage look.

3. What was the most important discovery in the creation of these studies?
I think it is facsinating that we can create so many different colors from just 3 primary colors

4. What is the most important information you learned from watching the videos for this project? What is your opinion of the videos?

I couldnt get this videa to work, it kept giving me the hour glass. However, I'm assuming it has something to do with the creation of colors from just the three primary colors. There are so many shades and so many possibilities for creation with this which i think really brings out a persons creativity.

New Post!

. How was the process of creating the GMail account and setting up the Blog?
I thought this process was very simple and only took me a few minutes.

2. What do you expect to learn in this course?
I expect to learn many things from this course including history of art and about artists that i have not yet become familiar with.

3. How do you feel about taking an online course?
I like the online courses because i also work a full time job. The online courses give me the flexibility i need to still be able to take the classes.