Art Gallery Visit #2

Title of exhibit: Beauty, Life and Spirit: A Celebration of Greek Culture

Theme: Greek

The lighting used for this exhibit highlighted the objects being presented in various cases for viewing. It was not very bright; the lights were rather dim surrounding the glass showcases. There were no colors on the wall, just white and plain but there was dark blue on the surrounding wall. I am guessing this is so the focus is brought to the artwork rather than the walls. The architecture in the room consisted of the glass showcase boxes and carpeting on the floor and windows located higher up towards the ceiling.  The viewer was moved through the space by the way the artifacts were displayed. There were different sections that were shaped in a staggered type of way allowing for the vision of all the pieces of work.

The artworks are organized by what the different artwork is about. Figures of animals and humans are put together. Ceramic vessels or tools are also grouped together. The artworks are similar because they are all created around the same time period. They are different because the works have a different purpose to the people they served. The artworks are framed in a glass case. The works are labeled by a white plaque, which explains basic information on the history of the art. The artwork was fairly close to each other, the cases were right next to each other and the work inside has about 2-5 inches between each piece depending on the case.

Artist: Ancient Greeks

Title of work: Funeral Rituals

Media: Ceramic and Pigments

Date: late fourth-early third century BC

Sources of Picture: Albright Knox Art Gallery

There were several what looked like vases to me but they were used as a funeral gift for a symbol of mourning or to hold scented oils.

These pieces remind me of urns we would use today to store ashes, although these are a lot smaller, they still resemble it. The elements these objects expressed are form, and texture it looks like there are ridges put into some of these objects. The principles are pattern because there are some repetitive shapes shown on the objects. This may be the origin of why we use urns how we do. They didn’t have the resources we do to turn someone’s body into ashes after they deceased. I think the artwork was showing the importance of rituals for the dead by the people of late fourth-third century BC. 

Artist: Ancient Greeks

Title of work: Clay Figures of Animals

Media: Ceramic and Pigment

Date: 900 - 700 BC

Sources of Picture: Collection Buffalo Museum of Science

I see clay figures that look like animals that were used for riding or work.

The elements used are form, and shape. It is a continuous object that is a natural shape. Unity is also present because it is as though the man and horse are as one.

The purpose of these clay figures is unknown they may have been used as children’s toys. The horse symbolizes a luxury in Greece and only the wealthy owned them. They were used in sports like hunting and racing.

I think that this artwork is showing animals that were present during that time and also the function of them and their importance to the people during that time period. This work reminds me of toys just much simpler than ones seen today.

Artist: Boston Orestes Painter

Title of work: Krater from Paestum (Italy)

Media: Ceramic and Pigment

Date: 335 - 320 BC

Sources of Picture: Collection Buffalo Museum of Science, C12849

I see a large bowl with people painted on it and handles on both sides, which makes me, believe it was used to carry something around or transport.

This bowl has elements and principles such as pattern, used around the top of the bowl and balance; the images are even on both sides including the picture next to the two figures.  Unity is also present as the artwork flows and looks complete. This bowl below is actually said to be related to wine, I could not see it relating to that, it looks to me like it would store something like flour in today’s world.