Module 12 Video Blog

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

I selected Andy Warhol: Images of an Image because I wanted to learn more about his work and what he thought about when he made his masterpieces. I also choose Abstract Expressionism and Pop: Art of the 50’s and 60’s because I’ve seen several pieces of this work and wanted to learn more about how it came to be.

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

In Andy Warhol: Images of an Image, I learned how he cut out advertisements in newspapers and magazines and enlarged them with a projector. With this he reproduced them with stencils and acrylic paints. He also got the photograph of Marilyn Monroe this way, by cutting her picture out of a newspaper after her death. He tried to make pictures by hand but found it much easier doing it with a silk screen.  In Abstract Expressionism and Pop: Art of the 50’s and 60’s, this video talked about how various paintings and art work related to pop art. De Koonigs’s “Morning: The Springs” was discussed and how it ecpressed an echo of sensations and was about plant forms, falling water and light. It also gave off a calligraphic quality. It also talked about Andy Warhol and his pop art. Also, Lichtenstein’s “Girl With Hair Ribbon” shows abstraction and representation. The closer someone looks the less apparent the image is and the details morph into a life of their own.

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

The readings relate to the text because both pop art and Andy Warhol are discussed vividly in the text in chapter 23.

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

I think the films did a very good job explaining pop art and the value it had to the artists at that time. I didn’t realize what Warhol did to make his art work, I actually thought he just painted and was that skilled. 

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. 

Mask Making

Author Unknown

Peruvian Rabbit mask

12’’, painted tin with marble eyes

http://www.masksoftheworld.com/SoAmerica/Peru%20Mask%20Rabbit.htm

This mask looks as though it is a man in a rabbit costume. He has a triangle 3D nose, which shows form and an abstract mouth. Line is used within the mouth, horizontally framing it. Texture is also used with different materials such as the marble eyes used for the different features of the face.

Native American Masks

Made from wood or leather

Animal-head masks made by Northwest tribes gave the person wearing them the powers associated with that animal.

This mask shows the element of texture, the grass on its head and color, various color throughout the mask that      make it stand out 
http://www.billiesilvey.com/Masks-around-world.html

African art and masks of the Baluba.

This wooden mask of the Baluba (Luba) people, with beadwork and hammered bronze,

measures 11.5 inches in diameter.

http://www.genuineafrica.com/baluba_mask_3.htm#African-Masks-F

http://www.billiesilvey.com/Masks-around-world.html

This mask shows elements of shape, several circles can be seen within this mask and texture, the surface appears to have a pattern that would be able o be felt by the viewer. The principles this art shows is pattern, the triangles at the top of the mask support this.

My sketches include:

and my final mask turned out like this...

I used several elements and principles on this mask including line, there are several lines throughout the mask, thicker lines along the top and bottom. Color is also used to make the mask pop. Texture is added with the 3D nose and flowers along the top of the 

Video Blog

I choose the video Matisse and Picasso and The Impact on Cubism because they both seemed interesting and I wanted to learn more about Cubism. Matisse and Picasso explains the relationship and differences between these two artists who were long time friends but also artistic rivals. Matisse is very rational and possessed a French way of thinking. Picasso is impulsive and puts himself within his work.  They studied eachother’s paintings to learn from them or to learn what not to do.  In The Impact of Cubism, it discusses paintings that were influential during the 20^th century.  Robert  Delaunlay’s Champ de Mars gives several different points of views. This painting uses different perspectives and time and memory as the elements shown.  Sonia Delaunlay created “Electric Prisms” there are spirals that show direction and it symbolizes Paris’s electric lights. The videos relate to the readings in the text because chapter 21 discusses Picasso and Matisse and how they were good friends but yet rivals in the art world as well.  Both videos relate to the text because both were discussed in the text. Chapter 21 discusses the shattering form of Cubism and how space and form became so highly considered in paintings during that time and not so much the color aspect of it. Therelationships between the artists Picasso and Matisse is also talked about including how they lived their own separate lives as well. I think the films are very informative on how and what has been created during the 1900s and how Cubism came to be so important and still used in paintings today.

Module 10 Blog Posting

I chose Buddhism because that religion has always been of interest to me and I also chose to watch Chinese Art: Treasures of the National Palace Museum because it sounded like an informative video on Chinese Art.  In Buddhism, it talks about how Buddhism came to be from developing from questions, rituals, prayer and the thought of a more personal God. This religion embraced all of these. The monuments they create they are truly a heaven on earth. Also it explains how around the Great Stupa there is a walkway surrounded by Buddhist art and every step can lead to new discoveries. There is many evidence of how Buddhism spread to different areas. The Chuang Yen Monastery in New York State and the Borobudur Temple in Indonesia are just a couple examples. This video relates to the book because the book talks about how Buddhism developed and some of it’s structures such as the Nanchan Temple. I think this video did well demonstrating important fact from Buddhist culture and how the architecture and art still remains important today. In Chinese Art: Treasures of the National Palace this video took it’s audience through several pieces of art work over 5,000 years old. This film also talked about the tea bowls they created from the Zhou dynasty, which was used often during this time period. This related to the book because they explained tea bowls created in the late 16^th century. Calligraphy, also mentioned several times in the book was mentioned in this video explaining an artist’s depiction of calligraphy and it’s effect on their idealized world. This video was also very informative of the rare works of art that are rarely viewable by the public such as “Under Glaze Blue” fine porcelain and ancient Ink Stones that resemble the shape of a tongue.

Hand Sketch Drawing

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

It was interesting using my hand as a subject matter to draw, I am not used to not being able to hold the paper while I drew. 

2. What media did you select - pencil or charcoal? Why? 

I selected pencil because I work better with a pencil and the fine point. 

3. How did it feel to create a drawing with your non-dominant hand?

It was odd drawing with my non-dominant hand, I felt almost helpless not being able to use my dominant hand.

4. Compare and contrast your final drawings. Do you think they are successful studies?

I think my hand created with my right hand was the better hand. The other hand was very light and less control was present as I struggled to create it. 

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

I think the hand drawn with my left hand almost looks creepy with the pointy fingers, there is an interesting aspect to it. Creating things with your left hand makes things turn out more interesting and different. I would probably create artwork in the future with my non-dominant hand depending on the work.

Blog Posting

 I Choose The Drawings of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci: The Mind of the Renaissance because both are amazing artists in our history. In Leonardo da Vinci: The Mind of the Renaissance, I learned that Leonardo da Vinci had many skills such as a painter, engineer, architect, botany, sculptor and hydrodynamics etc. Also, the amount of time he put into thinking about his paintings and what he was going to create before he actually picked up a paintbrush. He also developed urban projects for Milan that had been ruined by the plague. This video relates to the book because it talks about Renaissance and the movement of art at that time. In The Drawings of Michelangelo, It is explained how his works of art can be used as learning material for students. Michelangelo's drawings revealed an emphasis his drawings had on human figures. The Sistine Chapel was one of his greatest works but also one of the most difficult. He was a christian and also had an admiral approach to the male form. This video relates to the text because Michelangelo also had an impact on the Renaissance and he was around when there were vast changes. I think the films do a good job explaining the different facts of each artist and the importance of their work during the time period they created it.