Mod 12

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

a.            The two videos I chose were Uncertainty: Modernity and Art and Andy Worhol: Images of an Image. I chose Uncertainty because I wanted to know the direction that art is going into the future. I chose the Andy Warhol Video because I love his work. I have been obsessed with his work since tenth grad when I went on an Art Club trip to the museum in Pittsburg. To some his work may not seem like art but to me it grabs my attention and I’m looking for all the imperfections and differences in each different piece.

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

a.            Andy Warhol never wanted to be an artist; instead he wanted to be a tap dancer. Andy was obsessed with repetition. One of the ways we can see this is in a work he created after Marilyn Monroe's death, he created a piece with the repetition of Marilyn's face. Marilyn's face made Warhol famous. Andy used screen printing in many of his works. Screen was originally made of silk, but it is now a finer material of fine or coarse mesh, depending on the desired effect. In, 1963, he bought a movie camera and shot about 10 films and turned his friends into movie stars. Andy did not value celebrities as everyone else did. He saw them as everyday objects. Turning his friends into stars shows this.

b.           In the Modern art film, I learned that all art will be connected to the past in some way due to the styles of art. Modern freedoms and ideas allow people to have much more freedom with the art they create than in the past which can make the art much better for now and into the future.

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

a.            The book and video both discussed how Warhol and the work he did with Marilyn Monroe. They both discussed the advertisement aspect associated with art. The video just goes further in-depth.  The videos relate to the readings because they add visual imagery to what the books states when it discusses modern and post-modern art.

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

a.            I enjoyed watching this video because it takes a more in depth look into certain aspects of Pop Art, including the famous artist, Andy Warhol. These videos do provide me with much more knowledge of each subject than the readings. I’m a fan of videos rather than reading because it helps me understand the concepts.

exhibit visit

Questions about the exhibit:

1.       What is the title of the exhibit?

a.       Legion

2.       What is the theme of the exhibition?

a.       The way that we view nature now that we are so connected to media and Kelly Richardson’s idea that we cannot tell the difference between the two.

Step 2: The Gallery

Questions about the physical space:

1.       What type of lighting is used?

a.       The Exhibit is kept dark, making it easier to view the streaming videos.

2.       What colors are used on the walls?

a.       Black

3.       What materials are used in the interior architecture of the space?

a.       There wasn't much to the room, or that we could see in the dark. The only other objects are a few seats.

4.       How is the movement of the viewer through the gallery space?

a.       The gallery invites you to sit down and observe the video for a while.

Step 3: The Artwork

Questions about the artwork:

1.       How are the artworks organized?

a.       Each work is set in its own room with the video projected onto a screen.

2.       How are the artrworks similar?

a.       They all examine the real world but with changes, at a quick glance some of the images seem real, then things that should be constant will flicker and disappear. It puts together the real with common day media.

3.       How are the artworks different?

a.       They examine different environments.

4.       How are the artworks framed?

a.       Not Applicable

5.       How are the artworks identified and labeled?

a.       There is a sign posted outside of the gallery, they are not labeled in each room as there is not enough light to read in the rooms

6.       What is the proximity of the artwork to each other?

a.       They are in different rooms, so one does not interrupt the viewing of another.

Step 4: Art Criticism Exercise

Artist: Kelly Richardson

Title of work: Leviathan

Media: High-definition video with audio

Date: 2011

Size: 3 large screens

Source of picture (URL): http://www.albrightknox.org/image/?action=resize&m_w=800&m_h=600&path=/uploads/images/exhibitions/richardson/3_Leviathan_install1.jpg

               

1.       Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)? At first it appears to be a bog with trees, but it doesn't stay still. The water shimmers and moves. This may be peaceful to some as the audio is relaxing, yet the green lends an eerie aspect to the work

2.       Formal analysis – (form) What principles and elements were used and how are they used?

a.       Value

b.      Texture

c.       Rhythm

3.       Bracketing - Is there anything in or about this work that reminds you of anything else? Do you see any symbols, metaphors, or allegories?  (iconography)

4.       This is obviously meant to be a bog although it is computer animated.

5.       Interpretation - (content) What do you think the artist was trying to say?

a.       The same as with the rest in this exhibit, she is examining where the cross over from nature and media lies.

Artist: Kelly Richardson

Title of work: The Erudition

Media: High-definition video with audio

Date: 2010

Size: 3 large screens

Source of picture (URL): http://www.albrightknox.org/image/?action=resize&m_w=800&m_h=600&path=/uploads/images/exhibitions/richardson/4_Erudition_install1.jpg

               

1.       Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)?

a.       White trees on a landscape. The trees with flicker and disappear and then reappear after a while.

2.       Formal analysis – (form)  What principles and elements were used and how are they used?

a.       Color

b.      Texture

c.       Space perspective

3.       Bracketing - Is there anything in or about this work that reminds you of anything else? Do you see any symbols, metaphors, or allegories?  (iconography)

a.       It reminds me of trees, yet when they disappear it reminds me of something from a Science fiction work.

4.       Interpretation - (content)  What do you think the artist was trying to say?

a.       Would we miss a tree or two if they are removed, even if it’s done right in front of our eyes?

Artist: Kelly Richardson

Title of work: Twilight Avenger

Media: High-definition video with audio

Date: 2008

Size: one large screen

Source of picture (URL): http://www.albrightknox.org/image/?action=resize&m_w=800&m_h=600&path=/uploads/images/exhibitions/richardson/5_TwilightAvenger_still.jpg

               

1.                   Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)?

a.                   A green glowing deer in a forest.

2.                   Formal analysis – (form)  What principles and elements were used and how are they used?

a.                   Color

b.                  Texture

c.                   Space perspective

3.                   Bracketing - Is there anything in or about this work that reminds you of anything else? Do you see any symbols, metaphors, or allegories?  (iconography)

a.                   The green deer reminds me of cartoons when something smells bad and they have green gas coming off of them.

4.                   Interpretation - (content)  What do you think the artist was trying to say?

a.                   The deer is the only thing that moves in this video and it makes one ask if the deer is fake or are the trees.

Questions and Topics for Your Blog Posting:

1.       http://www.albrightknox.org/exhibitions/exhibition:02-15-2013-kelly-richardson-legion/

2.       Answer this question: 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.?

a.       It was a little different, yet with the gallery I chose they were forcing you to look at the art work. The other galleries and areas were more brightly lit and one could see more than one work in a place. 

11

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

a)      I chose to watch Dada and Surrealism and Expressionism because I liked reading about them in the text. I had considered looking more into each and decided this was a great way to do so.

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

a)      Dada and Surrealism: The video discusses the motives and reasoning behind both Dada and Surrealism. This was a period of time where artists began to experiment with their subconscious mind. The result was various art works that seemed to have very little direction or reasoning behind them. However, audiences then and now still enjoyed them. These works were different and caused the audience to see things in a different light. It also mentions that Dada flourished primarily in Switzerland, New York City and Berlin in the 20th century

b)      Expressionism: The video describes the emotion that is behind the artists' use of color. This is a subjective art form that distorts reality for an emotional effect. These pieces were created to make the audience think. They weren't pieces that were meant solely for quick glances or to be understood on the first look. There is meaning behind the bright colors, and I enjoyed seeing how the colors effect the audience's emotions. 

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

a)      The videos take a deeper look into each of the concepts. They can go more in-depth and show us more examples than the book can. It also can put visuals to the words that we are reading.

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

a)      Although long, the videos are very helpful to learning the material in the book. Being able to pick which ones we want to watch is helpful too, that way we don’t sit through ones we are not interested in. 

mask

a.  

      This mask is made of leather. The imprints and burns on it make the image stand out really well. I really liked the texture in the background of the mask.

b.     

This mask is made of metal of some sort. The depth of the mask with the different parts seemingly to be wielded together really grabbed my attention

c.      

This mask is made of wood. The shape of this mask was most like the shape of the first.

I started with a cone head then decided to add more of myself to it. I changed it to a chef hat and added texture to that with the use of a collage. I wish I had the time and materials to push the mask into the next level. Over all the mask is something that is a mix of the masks I found through my search with a touch of what I like to do

Mod 10

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

a.       African Art: Legacy of Oppression and African Art.

                                                               i.      I chose these videos because I wanted to learn more about African Art. It’s not exactly what we would see from a European art, which is what I think of when I think of an art gallery. I think the shapes that are used are very different and cool to look at. The sculpture is also very interesting to me.

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

a.       African Art: Legacy of Oppression:

                                                               i.      The Tervuren Museum houses the largest collection of African art. Many art is naturalistic in style. The Congo region is home to over 250 cultures. Has a lot of emotion. How to give a psychological approach to art. Allows to tell a great deal by taking the figure away from reality. The mask of two sides is very interesting. One is of healthy the other is of disease, of small pox and disfigurement. It is made to show that it could happen to you so don’t judge. It’s a great life lesson for everyone being shown in just a mask.

b.      African Art

                                                               i.      Art is in everyday life. One can see it in the decoration of the houses, the everyday objects like pots, hair styles, clothing styles and other ornaments. Art is especially important in religious rituals. Many of the objects in museums were once used in these rituals. Many of these were made of wood and straw. These are often less than 200 years old because of the material that is used.

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

a.       The videos relate to the reading in a way that both talks about the origin of African art and the meaning to their art. Also, both show how African arts are not natural but primitive.

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

a.       I liked both video and how they all explain African art and its symbolic meaning. The video adds depth in understanding the reading by showing how most of African arts are made and the reason behind each art.

hand study

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

It was rather hard as my hand can move and is not stable like a still life. 

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

Charcoal. I like the way I can manipulate it batter than pencil

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

This was very hard and it is not as good as my other hand and the proportions are all off.

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

I would have liked to spend more time on them. Yet I can definitely see the one hand taking shape while the other looks like a kid drew it. 

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

No, MY non-dominant hand can be useful to add little details but is not good for precise works. 

Mod 9

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

I chose these movies because I went to Italy during spring break and they were both big influences in the culture there. I wanted to continue learning about them.

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

The Drawings of Michelangelo:  One of the key concepts I learned was of the British Museum, which is the home of many collections of fine prints and drawings. The museum holds more than 90 drawings by Michelangelo. His work can be viewed by students today; however back in Michelangelo’s time, his work was kept away from everyone. The video further talks about how his surviving drawings ranged from rough preparatory sketches to fully accomplished works of art.

Leonardo da Vinci: The Mind of the Renaissance: This video is informative on the great life of Leonardo da Vinci and his beautiful pieces of works. At the age of 20, Leonardo was accepted into the painter’s guild. He directed his first painting in the studio. Furthermore, the video talks about how Leonardo spent many hours, sometimes days, thinking about his painting without picking up a brush

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

The videos relate well to the text in regards to proving information that are full and rich in content. Reading the texts helps you understand the content through words and strong vocabulary, while the videos take the words of the information on the text and takes it to the next level by providing visual understanding.

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

I believe the learning experience becomes more fun by reading the text and following that up with the videos afterwards. This allows us to better comprehend all the information. I often get lost because there are many paragraphs to read and there is bound to be a few vocabulary words that I am not familiar with. However with the videos, I can hear people talking and explaining the content.