Project 4 Reflection

          The theme of my art exhibit is called Nature: the Medium of Art. I showed that in many different pieces, artists use nature in order to fill in around a main subject, and to help create an effect of beauty.

          Overall, I learned a ton by completing this project. I learned how to group pieces together, and I learned about many different types of art. I tried to incorporate many different styles, not just oil on canvas or landscapes. My favorite pieces to learn about were the installations, and architecture because of how they incorporated nature into them.

          The hardest part for me to complete was the description. It was hard to break down each piece and try to figure out what the artist was trying to say by using the principles and techniques of art. I really enjoyed learning and doing this project. It kept my interest, and was fun to complete my own art exhibition.   

Project 4 Video Blog

1. The Lowdown on Lowbrow: West Coasts Pop Art talks about the culture of Pop Surrealism. They mention the places that artists pull from such as comic books and rock 'n' roll. It also talks about why it is similar to Abstract Expressionism. Displaying Modern Art: The Tate Approach talks about how the presentation of art has changed over time. Bones of Contention: Native American Archaeology talks about the many different pieces that have been found in Native American digs throughout the United States. It also talks about the arguments that the people involved in the digs had to go through. Great Museums: An Acquiring Mind: Philippe de Montebello and The Metropolitan talks about the director of the Metropolitan Museum and his career there. He extended the amount of artwork at the museum and created a cultural institution.

2. The pictures that were mentioned in The Lowdown on Lowbrow: West Coasts Pop Art about the Cold War relate to my theme about nature. There was nature portrayed in most of the pictures and it helped the artist bring out what they were trying to say. Displaying Modern Art: The Tate Approach helped with my exhibit because it showed the best ways to display the artworks that I choose. It also showed how to choose an artwork so that they are blend together. Bones of Contention: Native American Archaeology didn't really help me with the topic of my exhibit. Great Museums: An Acquiring Mind: Philippe de Montebello and the Metropolitan helped me a little bit with my exhibit. It showed me more ideas on how to present my artwork.

3. I enjoyed most of the films that we had to watch. They were interesting and defiantly gave me some ideas for my fourth project. They helped me with analyzing the portraits I chose because of where they came from. For example, I chose one piece that is from the Pop Art time period and it helped to figure out what the artist was trying to say. 

Module 12 Video Blog

   1. I chose Abstract Expressionism and Pop: Art of the 50’s and 60’s, and Andy Warhol: Images of an Image because they both consisted of things I wanted to learn more about.  The Expressionism movie was chosen because I find art from the 50’s and 60’s to be interesting and cool to look at.  I chose to watch the movie about Andy Warhol because I love the artwork that he creates.  He takes everyday objects and makes them into a masterpiece.

   2.  Abstract Expressionism and Pop: Art of the 50’s and 60’s talks about where it was born and how it was born.  It talks about a few artists that are a part of Abstract Expressionism such as Helen Frankenthaler.  It continues to talk about why people rejected it because of what it represented.  Finally, they talk about why it was replaced with Pop Art.  Andy Warhol: Images of an Image talks about his work of art called the Ten Lizes.  He explains that his artwork demonstrates how indifferent he feels towards famous people and compares them to a can of soup.  He also talks about Pop Art as a whole and what the role of Pop Art signifies inside society.

   3. The videos relate to the readings in the textbook because they cover Pop Art and Abstract Expressionism.  These are talked about in the textbook in a brief discussion and summary of the time period.  The videos elaborate on what the textbook has talked about and add in different details that the textbook didn't mention

   4. I found the videos to be informative and informational.  They add depth into the readings and art concepts because each video talks about a different time period within art culture.  Andy Warhol talks about what Pop Art signifies inside society and what materials are used in the artworks.  The Abstract Expressionism video talks about why it was rejected and replace with Pop Art.  

Gallery Visit #2

For this project, I went to the Burchfield Penny Art Center.

Step 1: The Exhibition

1. The title of the exhibit was Art in Craft Media 2013.

2. The theme of the exhibit was continuous evolution of contemporary art in craft media.

Step 2: The Gallery

1. The Art Center used mainly skylights. Each piece of art had a specific skylight directed on it. It made the work look like it had a spotlight on it.

2. The color of the walls was white.

3. The interior of the exhibit was done in many different materials. The walls were made of a mix of plaster, cement, and metal. The floor was made of wood.

4. It was more of a viewer's choice for movement throughout the exhibit. When you walked through the doors, you had the option of going left, right, or straight to the back.

Step 3: The Artwork

1. Each section of the exhibit was a different type of art. For example, one section was strictly art made with glass, another was sculpture, while another was jewelry.

2. There were some similarities to the artwork. Each room was done up in artwork that is made with the same materials.

3. The artworks had differences as well. The main one was the many different materials used to create the pieces of art.

4. Each piece of art was on a podium. If it was smaller, it was framed inside a glass case.

5. Each artwork had a plaque next to the piece. It talked about the artist, the title, and the meaning.

6. The pieces were very spaced out. There was plenty of room to walk around the entire piece without disturbing anything else.

Step 4: Art Criticism Exercise

1. The first picture is called Arah by Lynn Northrop. It was created in 2012 with a mixed media. The color of the bottom draws attention to the bones within it. The lines also draw attention to the bird up top. It also uses many different types of shape. The texture of the piece changes with every new part of it. There is rough, smooth, thick and thin areas. The interpretation of this piece was a little harder. When I look at the bird, it seems like it is trying to protect the bones it is perched over almost like they are it's young. Because they are locked in a box with clock objects around it, it seems to me like the artist is trying to show that death is inevitable to all.

2. The second picture is called Heaven's Gate by Christine Knoblauch. It was created in 2012 with steel, stainless steel, bronze, and painted steel. Line is the main element within this piece of art. The lines make it look like a gate. At the very top of the piece, there are trees that spread out and make you wonder what is beyond them. The colors also draw your eye towards the birds in the middle. When I looked at this piece, I felt like the artist was trying to show me how wonderful of a place Heaven should be. From the piece, it looks peaceful, and decorative.

  3. The third picture is called Red Being by Leonard Urso. It was created in 2011 with copper and oil paint. The color in this piece is what drew me to it. The amount of blending that went into it had to have taken forever. The texture is very smooth, and makes the hand look almost worn out. I feel like the artist was trying to portray hard work. The fingers look like they have callouses on them.

I think I would like to go to the exhibit again to look at it from a different viewpoint. Focusing on the lights, and what is around the art to make it stand out is something I have never done before. I give the gallery a lot of credit for the decorations because they really help the artwork pop out.

  

Module 11 Video Blog

   1.  I chose to watch Matisse and Picasso and The Impact of Cubism because they relate to each other.  Picasso was a Cubism artist.  Matisse was the complete opposite so it gives me a chance to see the difference between the two artists.   I also found Cubism interesting while I was reading about it in the text so I wanted to learn more.

   2. Matisse and Picasso talks about each artist’s style.  It shows multiple pieces from both artists and how different they are.  It also talks about why they created art the way that they did.  The Impact on Cubism talks about where it originated.  It started off because artists wanted to portray form and space in different ways.  It talks about six different pieces of art and how they are considered Cubism.

   3. These videos talk about artists and forms of art that are mentioned in the book.  It elaborates on what was read in the book.  For example, one piece of Picasso’s work is mentioned in the book, and the video takes that information further by explaining why he paints with the Cubism style.  The textbook also talks about Matisse and allows the video to take his work one step further.

   4. I found the videos educational.  They took each artist to a whole new level and I really understand why they painted the way that they did.  The videos also broke down the similarities and differences between the two artists. 

Making a Mask

I chose this piece because it reminded me of a high class woman during the 1800's. The hair really stuck out to me and I liked it. Line is used to add volume to the masks hair and to create an outline around the eyes. The white of the face sticks out more because of the black hair, and lines surrounding the eyes. The hair is made up of texture and pattern. The spacing of the eyes, nose, and mouth are proportionate to the mask. The colors used create a sense of unity because none of them clash with each other. Balance is used because everything is proportionate. Emphasis is used on the skin color of the mask. The white stands out because of the black surrounding it.

I chose this piece because I liked how dark it looked. With the white eyes, it almost looked demonic. Line is used around the head in order to help it look more 3-D. The mask is all one color with shading in some places like inside the ears. The hair surrounding the face is made up of texture and color. The spacing of the eyes and nose are proportionate. By making everything slender and long, the artist created a sense of unity and variety. Balance is used because everything is proportionate on the face. Emphasis is used on the eye holes because of the color.

I chose this piece because it reminded me of a pirate. Line is used throughout the knobs on top of the mask's head. The knobs are in horizontal and vertical straight lines. White is used on top of red on the ears and head to make them stand out more. There is black used on the inside of the eyes around the eyeball to bring out the white in the eye. Red is used as well. It makes it look vibrant. The knobs and spikes create texture and pattern within the piece. Balance is used because everything is proportionate on the face. Emphasis is used because it is red.

I used line in the hair, and to make the spikes on the side of it's head.  I used blue to make the face really stick out and then pink so that the eyes would look interesting.  It has balance and unity because it is proportionate on both sides.  The hair consists of a pattern of lines and dots.  I enjoyed this project.  I've learned so much about masks from my research and creating.  It was extremely fun. 

Module 10 Video Review

1. African Art: Legacy of Oppression and Chinese Art: Treasures of the National Palace Museum were the movies that I picked because they seemed interesting to me. The two countries have such different views on art that I thought it would be fun to see what the movies had to show in terms of artwork.

2. African Art: Legacy of Oppression talks about the many different masterpieces that are included in this African Art collection. Each piece is different because there are so many cultures mixed into one region. The people in the film also talk about how detailed each artwork is. They use the example of a comb. The comb had every single bristle engraved into the sculpture. Chinese Art: Treasures of the National Palace Museum talks about a collection of art that is from 5,000 years ago. It shows multiple different bowls with paintings on them. Each animal on the bowl represents a different symbol in Chinese culture. They also used black tea bowls in order to bring out the tea within the bowl. They brought out pieces from oldest to newest.

3. The videos take what we read in the text and bring more meaning to it. They list more examples of what was talked about in the text and show more artwork from each culture.

4. I enjoyed the films. Each piece has most of the art concepts interwoven within the piece.