Art Gallery Visit

A.) Which artworks make an impact or impression on me? Why?

This piece of art was the first one I saw that really made an impact on me. I have always wondered why artists sometimes include the most unattractive people in their paintings. As we were looking at this, so was another family. The mother was explaining to the daughter that the artist was trying to make a connection between humans and monkeys. Furthermore stating that the reason why the woman is so ugly is because that is how a human looked while evolving from apes. Whether the woman was right or not, it really got me thinking. 

This sculpture really impacted me because I immediately recognized it as Fred Sanback's work. In high school I had to write a paper on a sculptor and I picked him. During the time I was working on the paper, he had committed suicide. I read so much about him and his unique way of focusing the viewer's awareness on the present time that it really saddened me to think that maybe something terrible was going on inside his mind while creating his masterpieces. I had never seen one of his works in real life so it was exciting for me.

Numbers in Color really intrigued me from the moment I saw it. Although the numbers were mostly in order they were all different. I am somewhat of a type A personality so the fact that none of the numbers repeated and there was somewhat a sense of balance and proportion in the midst of the multi-color usage really pleased me.



B.) Which artworks do I feel a connection with? Why?

I felt a connection to this piece of art because the main picture was of a dog. I am a HUGE dog lover and I think if I were given a choice to draw/paint anything it would probably be my dog. I love my son, but drawing/painting humans can be really complicated and detailed. The way this artist included the dog with the connection to the human (the leash) really hit home with me.

I also felt a connection to this piece of art. Although the title tells you that this is a father watching his daughter when I first saw it I thought it was a grand-father and grand-daughter. I am very close with my grandfather and he has been there for me my whole life while my father has not. This picture made me smile and think about my grandfather and it also made me sad because I miss him. My grandfather used to drop everything he was doing just to spend time with me, like in this painting. 

This piece of art really hit home with me. This is the wall, light switch and night light in a little boy's room. It made me think of my son and his room. I spent 9 months preparing his room for him before his arrival and it was my creation. Now his room is where he sleeps and grows day after day, night after night.


C.) Which artworks would I like to know more about? Why?

The first thought that came to my mind when I saw this was "creepy".  I am sure that I would understand this picture more if I knew more about it. But without any background or knowledge of the artist I am really at a loss when looking at this.

The Marvelous Sauce was a picture that I overlooked at first. But on our way out I took a moment to REALLY look at this picture and I really enjoyed it. I love looking at the two very different expressions on the men's faces. The picture almost reminds me of a Disney movie. I think it has an interesting story behind it, perhaps this is father and son-in-law and the son-in-law has to pretend to like the man's sauce. Whatever the story may be it looks like a good one to me.

Bedroom Painting #40 caught my eye because of the intense colors. I would like to know if it is #40 in a series of paintings or if it is just an interesting title. Either way this picture is brilliant and I would love to know if there are more like it.

Logo Design

1. Discuss what you thought about creating your logo.
I thought creating my own logo was a fun project. I was able to use what I learned from the materials given to me but add my own flare into the design. This logo really represents me because it symbolizes the things that make up "me". I am Irish, I have a dog, I am an A student, I am a teacher, I love my Jeep and most importantly, my son is the center of my world. Also, my favorite color is pink, that is why my name is shaded in pink.

2. Describe the process: creative thinking skills and ideas you used in the logo creation.
Some of the articles mentioned that in some logos the words and font design are the most important part. So I started off playing around with some different letter designs (picture #4). Then I read that the logo really has to represent "me" and the things that represent "me", so I started brainstorming. You can see in picture for that I came up with a list of things that represent me and also a way to symbolize it. Next in picture 6, I tried a letter design that didn't quite work. I also tried sketching some of my symbols. Next in picture 5 I did the same thing but with a different layout. At this point I was a little frustrated at my inability to make my letters look the way I wanted them to so I re-read some of the materials and realized that the wording did not have to be the main point of my logo. I decided to make my logo a different shape and have my symbols incorporated into that. That's where picture 3 comes in. I wrote the names of my new colored pencils in the corner of the paper so I knew what each color really looked like. Then I began ROUGHLY sketching a clover with my symbols. I really liked the direction this was going in but it was obvious my symbols needed some help so I practiced drawing them as well. I wanted to incorporate some shading to add effect so I tried that out at this point too. Feeling pretty confident, I decided to attempt my final rough draft. It came out surprisingly well but I needed to be more careful with the lettering and the shape of the clover. When I found a good eraser I knew it was time to attempt my final logo drawing. It happened very easily and I was VERY pleased with the outcome.

3. What was the most important discovery you made in the creation of your logo?
The most important discovery was that my logo didn't have to be all about the lettering. I was able to put the focus more on the symbols that represent me rather than making my sad attempt and drawing letters the main idea.

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

Videos - I learned that the job is not done after the logo is created. Someone has to print the logo out to make sure it looks the way they want it to when it is printed as well as on screen.

Power point - I learned that when it comes to Creative Thinking Skill Methods, brainstorming is a great way to generate ideas for my logo. I used this during the process of creating my logo.

Reading material - In the book, the author made the point that because symbols serve as focal points for associations of ideas and emotions, one of the most effective ways for a company to change its image is to redo its logo. I have always noticed when companies did this but never thought about why.

The videos were interesting but we very specific to the companies being featured. I did not find them too helpful in my own creation of a logo but I did learn some new, interesting things about logos.

Art Making/Material Exploration #1

1. Discuss what you thought about creating the Value Scale and Color Wheel.
I started with the value scale first and then did the color wheel. When reading the directions I was a little intimidated because I am not artistically inclined whatsoever. However, when I referenced the page in the book with the example it made much more sense to me. I was worried about my lines not being crooked but my ruler was very accurate. I loved making the color wheel. I was excited to see what colors would come from the mixtures I was making.

2. Which media did you enjoy working with the best and why?
I enjoyed working with the acrylic paint the best. The pencil was rough, raw and rigid while the paint had motion, flow and rhythm.

3. What was the most important discovery in the creation of these studies?
The most important discovery is the color theory. This color theory originated from Sir Isaac Newton and his observations of rays of sunlight through a prism.

4. What is the most important information you learned from watching the videos for this project? What is your opinion of the videos?
I liked the color wheel video because I followed it step-by-step. However, I wish it had sound. I learned that the colors that I learned were primary (red, yellow, blue) are actually secondary colors. The real primary colors are cyan, yellow and magenta. 
I didn't find the Value Steps Scaled video to be as helpful. I could tell from the picture in the book what I was going to create. The video called for materials I did not have (i.e. paper with vellum, utility knife, etc.)  One thing I learned what that I can sharpen my graphite pencil with a file. I am glad the video showed this because I was worried that I didn't have a sharpener.

Elements and Principles of Art

http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b370/jamiekm820/AED200/?albumview=slideshow

Principles of Art:

Form   is an element of art that is three-dimensional and encloses volume. Cubes ,spheres,and cylinders are examples of various forms.
        - As soon as I read the description for the definition of form I knew right away that I wanted to take a picture of my staircase. After looking at the student example and seeing the picture he took, I knew I was on the right track. The staircase is three-dimensional and shows elongated cubes.
Line   is an element of art which refers to the continuos mark made on some surface by a moving point. It may be two dimensional, like a pencil mark on a paper or it may be three dimensional(wire) or implied( the edge of a shape or form) often it is a outline,contour or silhouette.
        - I had some trouble with line. I was trying to stay indoors while taking these pictures because it is so cold outside. All week I kept an eye out for something to represent line properly. I finally settled on the idea of a single, solitary door frame because it represents an outline as per the definition.
Shape   is an enclosed space defined by other elements of art. shapes may take on the appearance of two-d or three- objects.  
         - This one was easy for me. When doing the discussions earlier in the week, I often referred to my sphere decoration when thinking about shape. This is a 3-d object that is defined by lines.
Color   Is an element of art with three properties1) Hue, the name of the color, e.g. red, yellow, etc. 2) Intensity or  the purity and strength of the color such as bright ness or dullness. And 3) value, or the lightness or darkness of the color. 
       - Surprisingly, this was the hardest one for me. I tend to gravitate to more neutral colors so I had to come out of my shell to find something to represent color. I finally decided to lay out one of my son's books along with some of his toys. The toys match the colors found in the book.
Texture refers to the surface quality or "feel" of an object, such as roughness, smoothness, or softness. Actual texture can be felt while simulated textures are implied by the way the artist renders areas of the picture.
        -Texture was easy for me. I took a picture of my dogs fur to represent the soft feel.
Space refers to the distance or area between, around, above or within things. It can be a description for both 2 and 3 dimensional portrayals. 
         -Space was another easy one for me. I have this unique "cubby-like" area in my living room. I have always thought the 3-d spacing gives that space a very artistic look, more so than a regular shelf. I picked a 3-d snow globe to be shown in this space to represent the little angel (my son) that lives here.
Value describes the lightness or darkness of a color. Value is needed to express Volume.
      -My favorite picture in this project. This is a picture of my son that was taken in August. After learning the description of value and seeing the student example I knew this picture would be perfect. The black/white contrast shows the darker/deeper areas (i.e. his open mouth).
Unity    is seen in a painting or drawing when all the parts equal a whole. Your work should not appear disjointed or confusing.
      -This picture collage came to mind when looking at a picture of unity in the text. All of the pictures make a larger picture surrounding the plaque in the middle.
Proportion    or scale refers to the relationships of the size of objects in a body of work. Proportions gives a sense of size seen as a relationship of objects. such as smallness or largeness. 
      -I was really getting into this project and feeling very artistic when I came up with this idea. The flame puts the size of the pan into proportion.
Rhythm is a type of movement in drawing and painting. It is seen in repeating of shapes and colors. Alternating light and dark also give a sense of rhythm. 
       -This one was quite simple. It is my carpeting, repeating shapes and colors and almost showing some movement as well.
Movement       adds excitement to your work by showing action and directing the viewers eye throughout the picture plane.
      - I was also very proud of this picture. I was having trouble catching a good picture of movement with my camera. I tried a car driving down the street, my dog wagging his tail and my son clapping his hands. None of them worked out. When I took my proportions picture I realized that the boiling water shows movement!
Variety    refers to the differences in the work, You can achieve variety by using difference shapes, textures, colors and values in your work.  
      - My picture shows a lot of variety. There are many shapes, values and textures in this picture.
Harmony  is achieved in a body of work by using similar elements throughout the work, harmony gives an uncomplicated look to your work.
        - This picture of my son and my dog was the first picture that came to my mind when I thought of harmony. This is the quintessential vision of uncomplicated-ness and beauty.  
Balance is a sense of stability in the body of work. Balance can be created by repeating same shapes and by creating a feeling of equal weight.

Emphasis     in a composition refers to developing points of interest to pull the viewer's eye to important parts of the body of the work.
            - I took this picture of my god son and edited it to emphasize his face, but mostly his eyes. When looking at this black and white photo, the viewers eyes go directly to his baby-blues.   

Week 3

1. Describe Color and it's effects on emotions. Use the appropriate vocabulary of color in your posting.

Color is very psychological. It has many ideas, feelings and symbols behind it. Certain colors can evoke certain feelings or emotions. The film mentioned how one artist used reds in paintings to hang in a restaurant so that the customers would feel like they were caged in and want to leave. Another artist used contrasting colors (red and green) to show distaste.





2. What is a theoretical aspect of color that most intrigues/fascinates you? Why?

When watching to the video about "The Assumption" it was interesting to hear that colors affect each other. This seems obvious but I have never heard it put into words like that. Colors affecting each other are different than colors reflecting off of each other. For example, the color red painted on the woman's cloak affects the color of her hand.




3. In the Color video, what made the biggest impact on you in regards to color and it's effects on emotions?

It was most interesting to me that back when The Assumption was being created, artists had to go far and wide to get certain colors. One color may be more costly than another. Therefore, the more costly colors were used less. Essentially, when the more costly colors were used it was often found in the focus of the picture; The part of that picture that is most likely to evoke some sort of emotion.

Perhaps the reasoning for certain emotional reactions to certain colors have something to do with where they came from.




4. In the Feelings video, what made the biggest impact on you in regards to color and it's effects on emotions?

In the video, they showed a painting from David which characterizes three men, a man holding swords and weeping women. This painting is telling a story with colors. The dark, bland colors in the background create geometric shapes that groups this painting into three parts. The colors represent the doom that is about to come.

Week 2

1.
Philosophy of Art-
Aesthetics is the philosophical study of beauty and art. Art and beauty are very different things. They systematic study of art has its roots in 5th century Athens. Plato said the true nature of things we see in the world was their idea. Ideas are beyond the senses. The idea of beauty presents itself to reason through the senses. Plato says something beautiful attracts the person who sees it. His ideas didn't include the role of art/aesthetics.
Plato Versus Aristotle-
In the republic, Plato explained his understanding of art as an act of treason against the idea. He essentially believes the artist copies a copy. Plato mistrusted poets because they spoke of things they really couldn't know about. Plato denied that poetry is an art. His student Aristotles composed a book on art theory - The Poetics. Many see it as a rebuttal of Plato's critique on the arts.
Specifying the rules-
Aristotle didn't discuss the idea of beauty but analyzed tragedy. He inferred specific rules of composition. The most famous of these rules were the 3 unities: action, time and place. Action-a tragedy should represent an action with no sub-plot and each phase is a consequence of what went before. Time - the time frame of a plot shouldn't exceed 24hours. Action - the action should take place in the same location. In the middle ages, there were no aesthetics. Instead, beauty was a dedication to God. Beauty is harmony and perfection.
Foundations for aesthetics -
The foundations layed in 18th century England during a period of remarkable intellectual activity. This is where we find the first system of the arts that held that the individual arts are united through imitation of nature. There is a disengagement of practical concerns that is essential in appreciating art. On The Pleasures of Imagination marks the beginning of modern aesthetic theory. Beauty and foos is the same and is divine from God. The inner sense of beauty is innate and spontaneous. At the height of the enlightenment, Bumgarten said that art and beauty belong to a middle ground between sensitivity and reason.
Beyond Reason -
Kant believes that the easthetic experience brings sensibility and reason together. Also, the only ugliness that can't be beautiful is the disgusting because it causes pain. It's in our nature to want to expel pain. Kant introduces the judgment of the beautiful is not rule bound, its based on a feeling. All judgments are subjective; they can be shared among many people. There can be no principles or science of the beautiful because it is subjective.
From Kant to Hegel-
Schiller composed an aesthetic education. He helped students appreciate and understand the arts. Arts make us more human according to Schiller. Hegel distinguished 3 ages in the history of art: 1. Eastern or symbolic, 2. Classical, 3. Romantic. Hegel believed that through art the individual expresses what she is and what she will become.
Nietzche's Contribution-
Schopenhauer was inspired by Hinduism. He said the world is a fabric of appearances woven by our intellect. Reality is nothing more than the will to live. The impulse to live only reveals itself through artistic contemplation. Schopenhauer thought music was the art of his century. His theory of music was his most important contribution to aesthetics. He influences Nietzche. In the Birth of Tragedy he wrote that art is a resounding yes to life. He believes that there are 2 principles to art: Appollonian and Dionysian
Twentieth Century Aesthetics-
The biggest problem of this time was the notion of art itself. In the first half the dominant view was "the expression theory of art". This theory states that art is the expression of emotion with expression and emotion each defined ways particular to the theory. In the second half philosophers grew impatient with the definitions of art. Some turned to a book called Philosophical Investigations, published in 1953.
Challenges to Conventionalism-
20th century art was characterized by innovation and challenges to convention. New things such as pop art, cubism and surrealism came about. The idea of beauty was nearly forgotten in the process. It disappeared in philosophy and in art. Int he 60's the consensus was a work of art could look like anything. Unconventional experiences were in contrast with the art of the past.
Rethinking the idea of art-
In the 60's things change dramatically. Andy Warhol's show changed the art world. The Avante Guard was sucked into main stream culture. Jazz, science fiction and other renegade cultures were then being acknowledged as art. This made certain people start to think philosophically.
Aesthetics of technology-
In 1934 John Dewey says that aesthetics is always linked to society as a whole. Art is a sociological phenomenon according to Dewey. Technology altered art because now art can be easily reproduced. Aesthetics must deal with this new reality, especially with the power of television.
Evolving aesthetics-
Observer is involved in contemporary aesthetics. "To appreciate it is to live it". Essentially, if you find a work of are that you like, you will go see it or listen to it or look at it. One must wonder what effect does that have in the long run? Dates back to philosophy itself in classic Greece. It is concerned with the artist, the artwork and the audience. At time it emphasizes one more than the other or balances all three. Art and philosophy of art has a history. As it grows, artists attempt to grow with it.
CARTA: Neurobiology Neurology and Art and Aesthetics-
Exploring the connection between art and science. They spoke about a neurological theory of artistic experience. He explains that those two cultures of art and science meet in the brain. A powerful work of art can make a change in the human brain. They can produce pleasing effects on the human brain. He brings up the 8 laws of art (He likes to call them the Law of Aesthetics)
1.Grouping, 2. Peak shift principle, 3. Contrast, 4. Isolating a single cue to optimally excite cortical visual areas, 5. Perceptual problem solving, 6. Symmetry, 7. Abhorrence of unique vantage points and suspicious coincidences, 8. Art as metaphor.

2.
As previously mentioned in Angel, I feel tha Joseph Adiison had the most important impact on the first system of art found in 18th century England. This is because his papers "On the Pleasures of The Imagination" marked the beginning of theory on aesthetics in general. In my opinion, he is a pioneer in this area and further steps may not have been taken if it were not for him.


3.
Although it was very difficult for me to understand (and therefore learn) anything Changeux said, I found his neurobiologist viewpoint to be interesting. I have never took the time to think about the discovery of symmetry or symbolism, which he brought up. He spoke about genetic envelope for the evolutionary origins of art, which was a new concept for me. My favorite part of his lecture was when he showed the slide "brain imaging of surprise". It was cool to see how a brain looked when you were looking at something you are used to seeing versus a surprise or novelty.
I enjoyed Ramachandran's lecture much more because I could understand him more clearly and he used humor to engage the audience. I thought it was an interesting point when he mentioned that "the science of art" seemed like an oxymoron. He explains that those two cultures meetin in the brain. I think it would be naive for anyone to think that art and science are always separate. I also found it interesting that he avoids the word art because he feels it is "a loaded word". Instead, he likes to say "visual aesthetics".

4.
The videos add a little more depth into what we can read in the text. They both spoke of the idea, definition and creation of art as well as different artists. However, the videos gave us visual insight of the ideas discussed in the text.

5.
The first set of films were a bit dry but were helpful. I am an auditory learner most of the time so hearing it in addition to reading it adds a lot to the course for me. I have mixed feelings about the CARTA video. The first speaker was terrible and I couldn't understand a word he was saying. If it wasn't for his slides I wouldn't have learned anything from him. On the other hand, the second speaker was wonderful and I really learned a lot from him that was not in the book.
 

First Blog

1. How was the process of creating the GMail account and setting up the Blog?
            The process of creating the Gmail account was easy for me because I have done it before. I have a different gmail address I use in my personal life. Setting up the blog was also easy but I had to do it twice. I followed the powerpoint the first time which says to make your first post and call it "New Post" but when reading through the instructions on angel it tells you to do this as the first post.
2. What do you expect to learn in this course?
          In this course I expect to expand my general knowledge of art. I expect to learn about colors and different artists.
3. How do you feel about taking an online course?
         I have taken many online courses before so I feel confident about the format of this course.