Friday, March 25, 2011

Video Review

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

I selected the drawings of Michelangelo because I have heard about Michelangelo a lot and even read about him in the text but can't really think of any of his work.

I chose Leonardo da Vinci: The Mind of Renaissance for a similar reason. I knew of him to be a great artist but  I was unsure why.

I chose Velasquez because it is something I have never heard of and I thought it would be interesting to learn about.

I chose La Primavera (Botticelli) because the artist's name looked so familiar but I couldn't figure out why.



2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
Drawings of Michelangelo: Michelangelo created many Christianity pieces and works of art involving the human figure. His sculpture work was self-taught and he had vast knowledge of human anatomy and used volume and mass in his works. He would discard works that he was not happy with because he was a perfectionist. Many artists try to replicate his cross hatching techniques.
 
Leonardo da Vinci: Da Vinci was an artist of proportion and perspective. He was the definition of being a "Renaissance Man". The video talked about his entire life and how he was always considered extremely smart. It was very interesting to learn that he was one of the first people to perform dissections.

La Primavera: Botticelli liked to use drapery in his artwork when working with females. The work discussed are very controversial. His work was interpreted as religious, symbolic and/or homosexual. His media (paint) was also discussed.

Velasquez: Velasquez was an artist who created works of art for King Philip the 4th. He was interested in the emotions of the royals as well as Greek mythology.

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

Drawings of Michelangelo: The text specifically mentions Michelangelo and it also talks a lot about the Renaissance time period which was also mentioned in the video.


Da Vinci: The text and the video both talk about the Renaissance and the fact that Da Vinci was a "Renaissance Man".


La Primivera: The video and text both talk about Botticelli, humanism and neo-platoism art.


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 but too long. It was hard for me to keep focused for that long even though I was very interested in learning new things. They gave further insight into what the text already told us about the Renaissance time period/style as well as specific artists.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Exploring Line


1. What was it like using your hand as subject matter for a drawing?
Using my hand as a subject matter was interesting. At first I thought it would be very easy because a hand is a hand, there's no need for further explanation or insight. It is what it is. I didn't realize until I was adding to my drawing how much detail my hand has. There are many tiny, specific lines that are all spaced and placed in a unique way.

2. What media did you select - pencil or charcoal? Why?
I chose to use pencil because I knew I would need to erase quite frequently. Also because I wanted to use something I am familiar with. 
3. How did it feel to create a drawing with your non-dominant hand?
It was very difficult to create a drawing with my non-dominant hand. It felt foreign and I became frustrated easily.
4. Compare and contrast your final drawings. Do you think they are successful studies?
The drawing of my left hand looks more realistic than my right. The lines in my right hand appear more jagged and awkwardly placed than the lines in my left hand.

5. Would you consider using your non-dominant hand to create artwork in the future?
 No, I would never use my non-dominant hand to create artwork in the future unless I would trying to recreate a child's work of art.


Friday, March 11, 2011

Video Review 2

Prairie Style was about how Frank Lloyd Wright changed architecture in America by reconnecting us with nature. The video showed us his prairie house designs and his idea of organic structure. The book talked about organic structure and more specifically Frank Lloyd Wright. I was surprised that he did not finish high school. I wasn't really expecting that because he seems so intelligent. I enjoyed this video because I liked looking at the houses they showed us.

The Science of Technology video showed the use of technology with architecture. It built on the ideas the book brought up about artists choosing different materials and structures depending on the environment and location. The book also talked about using concrete in Roman and Greek architecture which the video mentioned. Science is my least favorite subject so this video was not my favorite. It was interesting to learn about the science behind architecture because I have never really thought about it before.

The Classical Architecture video talked about how classical architecture is still used today, for example, "Renaissance Architecture". The video talked about solar panels which relates to what the book says about Green Architecture. Also relating to the book was the discussion of the Greek and Roman architecture. This video was pretty interesting and I learned a lot of new things about architecture then and now.

I chose to watch the video Last Call for Planet Earth. It was really intriguing when the first architect said going green in architecture is "a matter of survival". This video directly relates to the book when they talked about Green Architecture. I liked this film because it gave me even further insight into the concept of Green Architecture and how important it really is. I chose this film because I felt like I already knew enough about architecture in art from the book and other videos so I didn't need to watch Architecture in Art. I didn't choose Mathematics in architecture because I am terrible at math and it doesn't interest me at all. I chose Last Call for Planet Earth instead of Ancient Architecture because of the grabbing title and it seemed like a more recent video.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Installation Art



 Artist: Jamie Milligan
Title: Homecoming
Media: Installation
Date: 3/6/11
Description: I see a staircase, 2 combat boots, a military jacket and some dog tags.
Formal Analysis: Color is used with the green jacket. The color of the carpeting and the boots are all neutral colors so it makes the green army colors stand out. Form is also used by the use of the staircase.

What are your thoughts on the planning and creation of a site specific location?
I really like the way this turned out. It is simple but at the same time is says a lot. The location was my first thought so I just had to decide what I was going to put on the staircase that would tell a story. The military things make this picture what it is.

Reflect:
What is installation art: It is art in which a space is presented as work of art that can be entered, explored, experienced, and reflected upon.
What materials are used in installation art: Anything can be used in installation art as long as the artist finds it to be artistic in some way.
Why make installation art: Installation art is created to evoke feelings and emotions from the viewer by changing the space in a room.
Which artist/installation did I find most interesting: I like the installation titled Mantle. It is on pg. 47 and was created by Ann Hamilton. Looking at the picture is interesting but when you read about it, it says that there are speakers in the flowers the broadcast the confusion of voices and static while a woman sews sleeves seemingly unaware of the flowers and noise. This is intriguing to me and would be very interesting to see in person.

Plan
From the material reviewed, is there a inspiration piece that I feel a connection with: I was inspired by Ann Hamilton's Mantle. I like how when you saw this Mantle you felt like you were part of it in the present time. In a very, very unique way there is a story being told with this installation.
What theme do I want to explore in my installation: "The Here and Now" will be the theme I am going to use.
What materials will I use: I will use my husband's military uniform things.
Where will this installation be located and why? I am going to create my installation on the staircase. It will create a story with the uniform items laying on the stairs.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Video Review

1. In "Through the Eyes of a Sculpture" I learned that making a sculpture is a long, painstaking process. It requires time, patience and planning from beginning to the end. The sculpture usually starts with a sketch, then they make it with clay, and then a plaster cast. There is a lot of research that goes into these sculptures, it's not like the artist just threw something together or picked an idea out of a hat.

In "In Glass and Ceramics" I thought it was interesting to learn that ceramic materials can be stronger than steel. This kind of art correlates with the field of science. I never knew that glass is a type of liquid composed of silicon dioxide or sand. Essentially, the medium of glass is not restricted to the artist, but is a field of scientific development.

"Installation Art" taught me that it is any 3-d artwork that defines the space and forces the viewer to interact with it. Anything can be art depending on how the viewer is looking at it.

2. Like the videos, our readings discuss sculptures, ceramics or crafts, and installation art. However, the videos add a little more understanding of these topics because they go into more detail. The videos also show examples of things the book talks about.

3. My favorite video was the "Installation Art" video. It really gave me a lot more insight to what it really is. It also gave me inspiration and some ideas for the project. "Through the Eyes of the Sculptor" made me appreciate sculpture a lot more. I never realized how much more work goes into a sculpture. "In Glass and Ceramics" was my least favorite because it had to do with science. It broadened my horizons but was not very interesting to me.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Reviewing peer responses

1A. Hyperlink the Blogs you reviewed into your Blog
http://snoops-exploringart.blogspot.com/2011/02/gallery-visit.html
2A. When looking at Project #1: (Elements and Principles), did you agree with the element or principle the artist listed with the images? Did you see other elements and principles in the images? This person did not complete this project. However, they did complete project 2.

3A. When looking at Project #2: Where there any images in the Peer Blogs the same as your own? If yes, what were they? Where the reasons the image was selected the same or different as your own?
No, there were no images that were the same.


1B. Hyperlink the Blogs you reviewed into your Blog
http://shivencm01.blogspot.com/

2B. When looking at Project #1: (Elements and Principles), did you agree with the element or principle the artist listed with the images? Did you see other elements and principles in the images?
I agreed with the way she used the elements and principles in this project. I was specifically interested in her use of "variety" because that was one that I had trouble with. I think she did a perfect job! I think many elements/principles overlap. For example, the picture she used for variety could have also been used for color and/or texture.  The photo she used for proportion could have also worked for texture, movement or value as well.

3B. When looking at Project #2: Where there any images in the Peer Blogs the same as your own? If yes, what were they? Where the reasons the image was selected the same or different as your own?
None of the images in this peer blog were the same as mine. She seemed to gravitate towards more abstract works of art.


4. Where there any images that your Peers selected that pique your interest now? If yes, what are they and what is your connection with them? What would you want to know about them?
When I was at the art gallery I remember seeing the following work of art:
Artist: Robert Longo
Title: Hum (Making Ourselves)
Media: plastic, Formica, wood, audio, jacks, chrome-plated steel aluminum, plastic bonding, and lacquer
Scale: large, wall piece
Year: 1988
I even took a picture of it but I guess I decided against using it for some reason. It interested me because it looked to me like it was part of a computer and my husband specializes in computer technology. Therefore, it reminded me of my husband. Like my peer I would like to know what the artist's inspiration was when they created this.

I also like: Oretta Pecori  (Italian Born) 1909 “Maternity” ca 1950 Painted Plaster. 
I am sad that I didn't get to see this painting while I was at the museum. It must have been upstairs where I couldn't go because we had my son's stroller with us. This picture really hit home for me because it shows a mother and her child so deeply in love and that is exactly how I feel for my son.

5. What do you think about  the process of reading your peers reflection? Do you find this to be a valuable in your learning? I like reading my peers reflections. It is interesting to see if they have agreed or disagreed with your thoughts. Sometimes I can see things in a whole new perspective just but reading what another has written. I think this is very valuable in learning because if I missed something, maybe I can still learn it from a fellow class mate who had a better understanding.


6. Check your Blog and read comments posted by your Peers. Do you find their comments helpful?
The comments we helpful because they really boosted my confidence. It is nice to have others comment on something I spent so much time on.