seventeenth post

1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned. The Lowdown on Lowbrow: West Coast Pop Art: Artist Anthony Aussang says that 'Lowbrow Art' is essentially reactionary to highbrow culture. The dictionary definition is, "a person regarded as uncultivated and lacking in taste."
Displaying Modern Art: The Tate Approach: Modern art in the Museum of Modern Art from 1929 onwards was displayed primarily in chronological order, representing each art movement. Art is displayed on white walls with flexible lighting. Critics argue that Tate Modern's thematic presentation of art requires that viewers have no knowledge of art. They believe art should be more than entertainment. The Tate are provided with striking and often abrupt transitions between the individual display rooms.
Bones of Contention: Native American Archaeology: Native Americans' bones were collected as a scientific curiosity during the U.S. genocide against Indians. Anthropologists differ on whether or not the remain should be returned to their ancestors. Native Americans have ceremonies to discover whether the bones are their ancestors or not. Their past is conveyed through an oral tradition. Native Americans do not want the scientists' history.
George Eastman House: Picture Perfect: 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.
 2. Do the videos relate to the creation of your Art Exhibition project? If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.
Yes, the videos relate to the creation of my Art Exhibition project because the videos discuss different exhibitions (such as the George Eastman House) and the way those exhibitons are arranged. There are different ways of arranging artwork. Chronology is one of them, or there could simply be no pattern at all, as shown by Tate Modern.

3. What is your opinion of the films? Do they add depth to understanding of the art concepts you practiced while creating your curation project?

I thought the films were very interesting and definitely helped me understand the concepts I need to know for creating my curation project. Before watching the films I had no idea how I was going to start my project, and now I have some sort of idea on how to display and choose the pictures I plan on using.

sixteenth post

1. Explain why you selected each of the FOUR videos you choose from the selection listed above.
 This week, I picked Isamu Noguchi: The Sculpture of Spaces, Abstract Expressionism and Pop: Art of the '50s and '60s, Hockney on Photography, and Andy Warhol: Images of an Image. I picked the Andy Warhol video because from what I've seen of his work, I really like him. I picked the Hockney video because I like photography. I picked Abstract Expressionism and Pop because I don't think I've ever really seen art from those two time periods, besides from the graphic design aspect. Lastly, I picked the Isamu Noguchi video because the title caught my eye.

2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

Isamu Noguchi: Sculptor Isamu Noguchi creates sculpture gardens to "humanize space and sculpture." Noguchi's childhood holds many clues to his interest in sculpture gardens and to his feelings of isolation.
Abstract Expressionism and Pop: Abstract Expressionism was born from a joining of attitudes in American art and European avant-garde art, but was later rejected for its nonfigurative and seemingly egocentric character in favor of the ultra-objective phenomenon known as Pop Art. 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.
Hockney on Photography: David Hockney discusses the void between the person behind the camera and the subject. He aims to take away the void. Hockney uses photographic images to create something pertaining more to the condition of painting. Hockney experiments with photography over a five-year period in the 1980s. He claims to have made a lot of discoveries, including discoveries about himself.
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. One process he used for his artwork was Silk Screening. Silk Screening is when photographs are blown up and developed onto silk screens; they are transferred to paper and canvas, using ink and paint. 


3. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?

These videos relate to the readings in the text because this week, we read about the photography and its artists, such as Andy Warhol. The videos also relate to the readings in the text because it refers back to things we've learned about in previous chapters, such as the invention/discovery of certain medias and also different processes.


4. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?

I thought the films were interesting and definitely helped me understand the material covered in the book better. They add depth to the understanding of the readings because they give great examples and amazing detail. 

fifteenth post

Questions about the exhibit:
1. What is the title of the exhibit? Forty: the Sabres in the NHL
2. What is the theme of the exhibition? The theme of this exhibition is to show the history of the Sabres in the National Hockey League.

Questions about the physical space:
1. What type of lighting is used? Low lighting with accented spotlight lighting on the photos
2. What colors are used on the walls? beige, white, and dark blue.
3. What materials are used in the interior artchitecture of the space? marble
4. How is the movement of the viewer through the gallery space? linear with rooms branching off

 Questions about the artwork:
1. How are the artworks organized? Stacked, placed next to & above each other. 3 in a row
2. How are the artrworks similar? All about the Sabres.
3. How are the artworks different? Different time periods, different media, black & white photography vs. colored.
4. How are the artworks framed? Simple medium-thick black frame
5. How are the artworks identified and labeled? Photographer credit in bottom left corner of the photograph.
6. What is the proximity of the artwork to each other? They are spaced closed together depending on how they are grouped.

What did you think of visiting the Gallery and purposefully looking at the exhibition from a different perspective - the physical space, the architecture, theme, etc.?

I enjoyed visiting the Gallery. With the assignment in mind, I looked at the exhibition trying to find a similar aspect of each photograph to see why they were placed the way they were.

PHOTO BY: BOB SHAVER

This photo is of a Sabres goalie. The year was not stated, but it isn't a recent photo. The goalie is wearing a mask but no helmet, has padding and a jersey on, and is also holding their hockey stick. The player's jersey is blue, white, and yellow. Their number is 30.

This photo uses line, color, and emphasis. The poles of the goal and also the goalie's hockey stick draws your eye to the goalie on top of the goal, which is the main subject of this photo. Color is used because of its media; it is a photograph taken in color. Emphasis is used because the background of the photo is blurry while the goalie and goal are crisp, making the background irrelevant.

PHOTO BY: BILL WIPPERT

This photo is of a player after either passing or shooting the puck. The year was not stated, but it isn't a recent photo. The player is wearing a white helmet, and their uniform which consist of blue, yellow, and white. Their number is 19.

This photo uses line, color, emphasis, and repetition. Color is used because of the use of color photography. Line is used because of the lines of the uniforms and also because of the way the Sabres player's body is. Emphasis is used because the player on his side in mid-air is the focus of the photo due to his different stance. Repetition is used because of the line of Sabres players on the bench in the background watching the game. They are all white in race and are wearing Sabres jerseys.

PHOTO BY: BILL WIPPERT

This is a photo of two players hugging after what I assume to be a goal scored during an important game. The two players are on the Sabres and both are wearing blue, yellow, and white uniforms. They are holding their hockey sticks and wearing helmets. This photo isn't a recent photo, but again the year was not cited.

This photo uses elements and principles of line, color, emphasis, unity, and repetition. Color, unity, and repetition are used because of the players' jerseys; they are both yellow, blue, and white in color and have strips on the sides of the shorts and on the socks. Unity is also used because they are physically unified in a hug. Line is used because the one leg of the skater and the hockey stick of the player draw your eye into the middle of the photograph, where the "action" is taking place.

fourteenth post

1. Explain why you selected each of the FOUR videos you choose from the selection listed above.
I selected the videos Expressionism, Dada and Surrealism, The Impact of Cubism, and Mattise and Picasso. I picked Expressionism, Dada and Surrealims, and The Impact of Cubism because they are movements we have been recently talking about and are also movements I learned at my old college. I chose the Mattise and Picasso video because they are two of my favorite artists, specifically Picasso.

2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
Expressionism: An outgrowth of Fauvism, Expressionism emphasized color's emotional properties while demonstrating far less concern than the Fauves had with the formal and structural composition of color. Contemporary Neo-Expressionism has further developed this artistic approach.
Dada and Surrealism: The Dada movement, born as a reaction to World War I, and its successor, Surrealism, opened new avenues for artistic creation by striving to bypass the reasoning process and tap directly into the unconscious mind.
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.
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. "Les Mademoiselles d'Avignon" (1907) and Matisse's " and Matisse's paintings of females are compared.



3. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
The videos relate to the readings in the text because these movements are what we read about in chapter twenty-one. In chapter twenty-one, we read about De Stijl, Expressionism, Dada, Cubism, Surrealism, and many other movements in the 19th and 20th centuries.


4. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?

I thought the films were interesting. They add depth to the understanding of the readings because the videos were about the art movements we have been studying the whole week.

thirteenth post

1. Upload the three (3) inspiration images to your Blog (or link to your Photobucket account).

The above mask is the goli kplekple mask from Africa. I picked this mask as one of my inspiration images because of its simplicity. It is made out of wood and pigment. From this mask, I took the idea of the antler-looking piece from the top of the mask.

This mask is a Beijing Opera Mask. I picked this mask as one of my inspiration images because of it's simple shape and style but bold colors. From this mask, I am picking the general shape of the mask.

This is a Bolivian devil mask from Oruro. I picked this mask as one of my inspiration images because i liked the fun, bright colors and the style that the eyes are. From this mask, I am picking it's colors, decoration around the eyes, and spikes down the center from the top to the nose.





2. Include the analysis and description (art criticism steps) of the three (3) inspiration pieces.

 Goli kplekple mask:
description: This mask is made in a simple disk-shaped design and lacks a complex form and ornamentation. It has a basic engraving around the edge of the mask, using basic triangles. The eyes are a simple upside-down teardrop shape. The mouth is simply two small, raised rectangles with repeating raised triangles facing each other as if they were teeth.
analysis: This mask uses the principles and elements of design such as shape, repetition, pattern, and texture. The shapes used for this mask are a circle, teardrop, triangle, and rectangle. The repetition used for this mask is along the outer edge, using the triangles against each other with a curved hypotenuse to create the 'inner circle'. The same is also applicable with pattern. Texture that is used is the raised eyes and mouth, which are above the main, flat surface.
Beijing opera mask:
description: This mask is a fat oval shape with a somewhat flattened top and a rounded chin. It has distinct and bold colors, and also a somewhat intricate way of how it was painted. The mask is black, white, red, and yellow, with small circles cut out where the eyes are. The shape of the eyes are realistic, being painted white. The cut out circles are just big enough where the pupils will fit. The design painted on this is mostly very fluid with no sudden edges painted.
analysis: This mask uses the principles and elements of design such as color, line, value, and balance. The colors used are red, black, white, and yellow. Line is used to draw your eyes from the outside of the mask to the nose, or from the nose to the outside. Value is used because of the different shades of color, specifically black and white. Balance is demonstrated because the mask is vertically symmetrical.
Bolivian devil mask:
description: This mask is has a basic shape of a face with exaggerated cheek bones. From the top of the mask straight to the nose, there is raised spikeds, like a mohawk. On the nose there is a snake. There are two teeth in the mouth, one on each side of the bottom jaw. There are very vivid colors used; yellow, red, blue, and green, all in varying shades and hues. The mouth is cut out, and also two 'nose' holes, along with a small cut out above the eyes.
analysis: This mask uses the principles and elements of design such as color, line, emphasis, and shape. Color is used because, obviously, the mask is painted using incredible color. Line is portrayed through the decoration around the eyes, as well as the implied line created by the spikes. Emphasis is used by the use of the snake, which is on the nose and the focal point of the mask. Your eye is drawn to it immediately. Shape is used for the shape of the eyes, the actual mask, and the snake.


3. Upload images of your sketches and finished piece.

this is my first mask, along with sketches of ideas for each aspect of it.

this is my final piece.

4. Explain how you used the Elements and Principles in your finished mask.
I used the elements of shape, line, and value. I portrayed shape with the shape of the eyes, nostrils, and mouth, as well as the shape of the actual mask. I portrayed line with the decorative, curvy lines but also with straight lines too. Lastly, value is portrayed in my mask because of the shading on the spikes on the front of the mask. I used the principles of balance, repetition, dominance, unity, and variety. I used balance because the mask is symmetrical except for the antler-looking piece. I used repetition because the pattern around the eyes and the mouth is repeated, and also the spikes on the front are also repeated. The eyes are the dominating factor in this mask because of how big they are. Unity and variety are portrayed because there are different lines, shapes, etc. but they are all unified.


5. Share your opinion of your finished mask and what you thought about creating the mask.
I really liked my finished mask. While creating it, I tried to keep in mind the elements and principles I really enjoyed from my inspiration images and wanted to apply those to my mask. I had fun making this mask because I could create practically anything I wanted, as long as it was a mask.

twelfth post

1. Explain why you selected each of the FOUR videos you choose from the selection listed above.

I selected the videos African Art, Buddhism, The Great Wave, and Islamic Art: Africa and Central Asia. I chose African Art and Islamic Art: Africa and Central Asia purely because I am very interested in the different styles, mediums, etc. that are used in Africa. For the Buddhism video, I picked it because I love the concept of Buddhism and want to know that besides religious influence, how Buddhism is related to art. Lastly, I picked <i>The Great Wave<i> because ever since middle school, I've loved anime and everything Japanese, so it was an obvious pick when it came down to it.
 
2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

African Art:  In the villages of sub-Saharan Africa where traditions are still strong, art is an integral part of daily life. Indigenous African religious beliefs are explored through rituals—a spiritual form of performance art—and funerary statuary. 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.
Buddhism: The key to Buddhist teaching is "tanha," the extinguishing of all desires and all things that feed the ego the ego and obstruct enlightenment. Within one hundred years of Buddha's death, Buddhism split into two groups: "hinayana" and "mahanyana." During and after the Golden Age of Buddha, Buddhist art and architecture flowered across India.
The Great Wave: Hokusai’s The Great Wave is arguably the best-known image of Japanese art in the Western world today. 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.
Islamic Art: Africa and Central Asia: Art scholar Waldemar Januszczak explores Islamic art and architecture across Central Asia and Africa. The prolific accomplishments of Ottoman Empire architect Minar Sinan are described; 30 of more than 100 mosques he built still stand in Istanbul.


3. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?

The videos relate to the readings in the text because for chapters 18, 19, and 20, art from the regions in the videos are discussed. The videos show many kinds of examples of the art in specific areas and in different ways, such as sculptures or architecture.

4. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
I thought the films were interesting and definitely helped me understand the material covered in the book better. They add depth to the understanding of the readings because they give great examples and amazing detail.