self-portrait

1. Why did you select the inspiration pieces?
I chose these because even though they are all posed, none of them are trying to make themselves into something more extravagent than they are.

2. Why did you select the media to create your self-portrait?
I chose a webcam because it is easy and I can see how it will turn out as I take it.

3. What challenges did you face in creating your self-portrait and how did you overcome them?
I did not see many challenges, I just didn't exactly know how I should look.

4. How does this piece represent you?
It represents me because it is me, just sitting, not trying to make myself look more important that I am.

5. What elements and principles of art did you apply in this work?
I used color.

6. Did you enjoy working on this project?
I did.
7. What do you think of your final artwork?
I think the picture turned out fairly well.

reflection

1. What were you expectations for this course and where they met?
I wanted to expand my knowledge of art and artists in general.

2. Now that you've been through this course, What is art? How would you define it now compared to your intial posting?
Art can't be defined by just one thing.  Now, after being through this course, I think art is more of a feeling that something gives you.  Art can be a physical painting, or the smile it puts on your face when you see it.

3. Who was your favorite artist in your original posting and who is your favorite visual artist now? If there is a difference, why do you think so? If you have the same favorite artist, why do you think so?

Lichtenstein was and still is my favorite artist, but I have a new respect for Dali and Warhol.

4. Now that you've completed this course, how do you feel about taking an online course? Is your answer the same as it was in your first posting? How is it the same or different?
I was very nervous about taking an online course, and it was bumpy along the road, and hard to keep up with at times because of work, but overall I enjoyed it's flexibility.

exhibit criticism

1. Which projects did you review?
I quickly looked through all of the projects until I stumbled upon "Time".

2. Why did you select the Exhibit you critiqued?
I chose "Time" because it really caught my attention. I thought it was a creative theme.

3. What challenges did you face in writing the critique article and how did you overcome them?
I sum things up in short papers, and I did my best to expand my ideas.

4. How do you feel about critiquing your peers work?
It made me feel like a real art reviewer.

5. Would you like to read the critique your peers wrote about your Art Curation Project?
I would.

6. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate your finished article and why?
I would say an 8 because it is on the short side.

7. Did you enjoy working on this project?
I did enjoy working on this project.

3 videos

1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
Pollock- he won an award for his splatter painting and then planned to make a large, more interactive piece. it's so strange to me how down to Earth famous painters about their work and their obvious talent.

Italian Renaissance- when artists re-found their love and passion for their work, and didn't just paint natural things like the ancient Italians did. 

Non-Western Art- I never knew that Paris had a world fair that ran for 8 months. Things like that are so great because you can go to one place that showcases so many places.

2. Do the videos relate to the creation of your Art Criticism project? If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.
Yes, because they deal with Italian art, that went from traditional to more whimsical.

3. What is your opinion of the films? Do they add depth to understanding of art criticism?
It helps with my understanding because I can hear the way that artists respond to questions, so I know what questions to ask myself and what answers I should find from art.

Slide show project

I enjoyed this project very much. I learned a lot more about Greek culture and I also saw a cohesivness that I  never noticed before about the colors that were used with all of the art work, especially the vases.  All of the work was so beautiful, and it always told a story.

last video blog

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

 

The Lowdown on Lowbrow- art that no one can categorize. basically art that does not want to be defined and did not want to put any type of label on their art.

 

Displaying Modern Art- art had stayed classic for so long, until about the 70's which is when loud, bright colors and busy patterns started being used.

 

Bones of Contention- bones of Native Americans that were taken to study from the genocide should be given back to the Native American tribes, and not been taken to be treated as "toy whistles".  They need a proper burial.

 

Picture Perfect- this is a movie about the man who created Kodak, which I find very interesting because I have been to the Kodak museum.

2. Do the videos relate to the creation of your Art Exhibition project? If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.
Yes because not all art can be defined by one category.  Greek Gods represented by art can be explained in many different ways, and do not have one solid meaning, kind of like lowbrow.

3. What is your opinion of the films? Do they add depth to understanding of the art concepts you practiced while creating your curation project?
I enjoyed the films. I enjoyed how each film talked about a completely different type of art to show different ways that we coulod go about thsi project.

modern and postmodernvideos.

1. Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above.
I chose the video about the 50's and 60's and Andy Warhol because I am interested in both of those subjects and would like to learn more.

2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
50's and 60's- the whole video was old fashioned themed, even in the beginning with the color, music and font. Photographs were becoming popular, and everyday items were now being used as art, and avant garde was also being used.

Andy Warhol- he was known for silk screening and repeating an already iconic image into many others to form one giant art piece, which itself became iconic.

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
The videos talk more indepth about these time periods and give many, many examples.


3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
I enjoyed these videos because they expanded my knowledge for this class and my personal knowledge which is also good because sometimes I think I should have been born in that time period; the art is so beautiful and simple!

1800-1945 videos

1. Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above.
I chose Dada and Surrealism and Expressionism because I wanted to learn more about them, and I wanted to see more examples.

2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
Dada and Surrealism- Surrealism was the successor of the Dada movement, which was born in response to World War 1. I enjoyed the work that was shown of Dali, his imagination is so inspiring to think outside the box. I also enjoyed the shapes and bright colors used in Schwitters' art.

Expressionism- this type of art uses color to emphasize emotions.  These emotions are not only just happiness, depression and love, but also the sexuality between man and woman, which is very deep.

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
They explain these two types of art in such detail, and give many more examples, as well as back stories behind each example.


3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
I really enjoyed these films.  The films always help me understand the chapters, but the videos seem to be getting better and better, or maybe I am just getting better at understanding them.

finished mask.

I used paper mache, green and white paint and green tissue paper.  I think it turned out very much like the drawing and if I had to use it as a mask in my life I would use it when I become a teacher for my students to  use while making other friends in class because it is very warm, and welcoming.  I also tried to make the eyes and rest of the face have balance, and I tried to use the right shades so the color was consistent but not boring. I even tried to make sure the hair was even on both sides. I loved this project.

mask project

1. Upload the three (3) inspiration images to your Blog (or link to your Photobucket account). Explain why you selected the inspiration pieces.

I chose this mask because I love the color green, and I plan to make my mask bright green, possibly the entire mask shades of green.

I chose this picture because all of the masks are so different and they each have their own unique personalities.  They are all amazing in their own ways.

I chose this mask because, although it is the devil, I like the colors used, and that it is out of the ordinary.

2. Include the analysis and description (art criticism steps) of the three (3) inspiration pieces.
In all three photos I liked the way that color and shape was used.  Shape especially in the picture of the devil mask.  Even though all three were 3D, the eyes pop out way out of the face, and it's hard to explain what I think of when I see it, but I like it.

3. Upload images of your sketchs and finished piece.
(in next blog entry)

4. Explain how you used the Elements and Principles in your finished mask.
I used color and shape in my entire mask.  I tried to also use balance to make sure that when someone looks at it it makes sense.  I didn't want it to look like a mess painted green, but I did want it to look creative.

5. Share your opinion of your finished mask and what you thought about creating the mask.
I started when this module opened so I would be able to make a very creative mask.  I was a TA in an art class in high school so I knew how to make paper mache masks (and had bought the supplies to do with the kids at camp) so I decided to try it out before I took it to work.  I am so pleased with the way it turned out.  Its not perfect, and I didn't want it to be. It's my favorite color and it has a welcoming look about it. I enjoyed this project.

4 videos

1. Explain why you selected each of the FOUR videos you choose from the selection listed above.
I chose all 4 off the videos because I wanted to learn more about those cultures and I thought watching the videos would  be the best way to do that.

2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
Buddhism- Buddha himself was a rebel, but also promoted love.  There is a large monestary in New York.

Hinduism- they do a ritual in the Ganges River right infront of a beautiful building for their rebirth circle.

Chinese- this video shows how diverse the art has gotten over the past centuries.

African- not only is the art beautiful, but the baskets and clothes are art and functional.

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
They videos go more in depth than the text and it shows more examples.

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
I enjoyed the films and when I watch movies it helps me learn the information faster.

hand drawing

1. What was it like using your hand as subject matter for a drawing? It was difficult because when I moved my hand it no longer matched what I was drawing.

2. What media did you select - pencil or charcoal? Why? I chose a thin charcoal because I thought it would show up better.

3. How did it feel to create a drawing with your non-dominant hand? It was difficult to even grip the pencil.

4. Compare and contrast your final drawings. Do you think they are successful studies? I think they show which is my dominant hand, although neither are very good.

5. Would you consider using your non-dominant hand to create artwork in the future? Most likely not.  This assignment did make me miss drawing; I used to all the time and then I just stopped.

Exhibition

Questions about the exhibit:

1. What is the title of the exhibit? Videosphere: A New Generation
2. What is the theme of the exhibition? New and recently popular forms of media.
Questions about the physical space:

Step 2: The Gallery
1. What type of lighting is used? Bright so you can see clearly.
2. What colors are used on the walls?
3. What materials are used in the interior artchitecture of the space? Putting the exhibits in different rooms let the viewer see the artwork alone and focus on it and only it.
4. How is the movement of the viewer through the gallery space? It seems to be specific.

Questions about the artwork:
1. How are the artworks organized?

2. How are the artrworks similar? They use the same type of new media.

3. How are the artworks different? They are about different things.

4. How are the artworks framed?

5. How are the artworks identified and labeled?

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

Kelly Richardson (Canadian, born 1972). Twilight Avenger, 2008. High-definition video, edition 3/5. Running time: 6 minutes, 20 seconds.



Peter Sarkisian (American, 1965). Extruded Video Engine #5, 2007. Vacuum-formed thermal plastic and video projection, 39 x 40 x 8 inches (99.1 x 101.6 x 20.3 cm).



Bruce Nauman (American, born 1941). Green Horses, 1988. Two color monitors, two DVD players, one video projector, two DVDs, and one chair. Running time: 59 minutes, 40 seconds

I was having personal problems and could not make it to the gallery without turning the assignment in late. I did the best I could by using the website.

Step 3: The Artwork

http://www.albrightknox.org/exhibitions/exhibition:07-01-2011-videosphere-a-new-generation/ 
Step 1: The Exhibition

4 videos

1. Explain why you selected each of the FOUR videos you choose from the selection listed above.
I chose the first 4 videos I saw.  I usually choose them randomly, but since we had to watch multiple videos this was the easiest way.

2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
The Drawings of Michelangelo- Michelangelo was a perfectionist which was made obvious in his amazingly detailed drawings.

Leonardo Da Vinci: The Mind of the Renaissance- Leonardo Da Vinci masters the art of just about anything imaginable to make art out of, which works with the Renaissance style and the phrase "Renaissance Man".

The Power of Art: Caravaggio- Much of this video has to do with the church, just like in the text.

La Primavera- This work can be interpreted many different ways, which is why I am very glad I got to watch this video.
2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
They explain in depth more examples of each type of art.

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
I enjoyed the films.  I especially enjoy works of art that have many different interpretations because every time you look at it you see something you didn't notice before.

Peer review

1. Hyperlink the Blogs you reviewed into your Blog
http://bosserna01.blogspot.com/, http://taraai.blogspot.com/.

2. 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?
Yes, I did.  I also found that some people used similar pictures I used to the same categories.

3. 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?
Yes, there were.  I find it interesting that people use the same pictures as me but for different reasons.

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?
Yes, it seems that some of me peers went to different galleries which shows me that I should start going to other galleries.

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 knowing people's opinions, it even makes me see what I chose in a different way.

6. Check your Blog and read comments posted by your Peers. Do you find their comments helpful?
Yes. I enjoy having people's feedback.

3 video reviews

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

I chose the first three videos and they seemed to go in order, which made sence for me to watch them.

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

Late Gothic Art and Architecture: England, 1400-1547- the castles and other buildings from this period represnt the richness of England. Beautiful jewelery was made in this period.

A World Inscribed: The Illuminated Manuscript- even important people had scribes because they could not write themselves.

The Birth of the Middle Ages- this video shows that the middle ages is still very much alive in other placed such as the middle east.

3. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
The videos use other examples that the book doesn't use.  It also uses specific examples that help me to understand better.

4. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
I enjoyed the films and they add depth because I learn better from seeing and hearing things at the same time instead of reading and seeing some pictures.

Installation photos

I chose to do a self inspired installation using objects I use on a daily basis.
I used embrodery floss, a table and nail polish.  It is slightly messy because things are not always clean when I am using them, but they always stay pretty close to where they are supposed to be.

Installation

A. What is installation art?
The art takes over and defines the space that is occupies. 
A sculpture that is all around you.

B. What materials are used installation art?
Anything the artist chooses to use.  It can be a represetation of yourself, or anything you want.

C. Why make installation art? 
It provokes the mind and makes the onlooker think why it would be there, and the answers are endless.

D. Which artist/installation did I find most interesting?

I liked "20/50" by Richard Wilson.  It was very interesting.

A. From the material reviewed, is there a inspiration piece that I feel a connection with?

I like Richard Wilson's "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window" because he actually used the museum and took out a window and used it for his installation.

B. What theme do I want to explore in my installation? Refer to your textbook if you need to review Themes of Art. (chapter 3 in text)

(Nature, Environment, Self, Mass Media, Consumerism, etc.)

I want my theme to be self and reflect some of the things that I do in my home because those items and mediums are what I have access to.

C. What materials will I use?

I will be using a table, nail polish and embrodery floss because when I am at home at have nothing to do those are the items I use the most.

D. Where will this installation be located and why?

This will be located in my living room because, other than my room, it is where I spend the most time in my house.

Second set of videos

1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
Architecture: The Science of Design- although it seems people would rather downsize, sky scrapers are still present in daily life.  Many machinery goes into making buildings, they are not just built like I thought before I watched this video.

Frank Gehry: Architecture as Art- He views architecture as art instead of just buildings.  He doesn't plan them out, he just lets them happen.  Sketches are involved, and planning, but almost as if it were a painting.

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
It explains that architecture is just as important as art and they can co-exist and have many things in common.

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of Architecture?
I think it added depth because I heard it straight from someone's mouth and in their own words.

4. From the group of four that you had a choice: Why did you choose that film?
I just randomly chose a video for each group.

Video Reviews

1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
Sculptor video- I learned that you have to make molds before you can make a sculpture, and the molds capture every little detail.  I kind of thought you just made it with one piece, I never knew it was such a process.

Ceramics video- Sand is burned and made into glass (when other things are added). Glass is blown (creating a "bubble" and shapes the hot glass while it is in a giant oven) into the shapes that it is sold in like bowls or cups.

Installation video- Installation art has many different pieces of art all together as one giant piece.  I had never heard of 20:50, and I didn't know that installations were interactive and you could walk through them.

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

The videos bring new light to the text and give other examples and show these examples.  The videos also define these categories in depth.


3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the topics: Sculpture, Installation, and Craft?

I enjoyed the films, especially the glass making film.  I have been to Corning and I find glass blowing very interesting, and have done it myself.

Logo

1. Discuss what you thought about creating your logo.
I was thinking about this assignment when I was at work today, and they have a swim team called The Titans.  Their name is plastered everywhere so I wanted to give them a logo that would express their team without the name.
2. Describe the process: creative thinking skills and ideas you used in the logo creation.
I thought about the water, and using a triton type object in my design.  I also wanted it to look easy and somewhat childlike, since 1. it is a child's team, and 2. i'm not too good with art anymore.
3. What was the most important discovery you made in the creation of your logo?
How much fun it is creating something.  You can have so much meaning behind such a small drawing.
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?
I enjoyed the videos but I thought the websites and the powerpoints were more helpful.  It was helpful to know that simple geometric shapes can make a big impact.

All various shots of my "rough draft" sheet in my sketchpad of different ideas I might want to incorporate.  After I got back from work I started working on my final piece and that last picture is what I came up with.

Art Gallery

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

Niki de Saint Phalle, Nana 1965, mixed media.
This piece of art made an impact on me because I had never seen anything like it before.  It has many different images on it, almost like a collage.  It was very interesting and everyone that walked by it had to take a closer look.

Marisol, Baby Doll, 1963, wood and mixed media.
I found this piece very interesting because the baby is so large and what appears to be the mother is so tiny in comparison.  That is showing, at least to me, that the child is much more important than the caregiver.

Wayne Thiebaud, Yo-Yos, 1963, oil on canvas.
This painting used to hang up in the art room of my elementary school.  Everytime I see it anywhere else I always go back to that art class.  It made a positive impression of childhood fun on me then, and I still think of it now.














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

 Joan Miro, The Sun Eater, 1955, lithograph edition 11/50.
I feel a connection with this because I am going to school to become a teacher, and I am a camp counselor and this reminds me of something some of the campers would paint.

 Byron Kim, Commission for Synecdoche, 2008, oil and wax on wood.
I enjoy this piece because it reminds me of foundation colors.  The little squares are all human skin tones, and it looks like you are matching yourself to your make-up.

Roy Lichtenstein, Head- Red and Yellow, 1962, oil on canvas.
This is a piece done by my favorite artist, and it is crazy to think that this is a painting.  Although it is cartoon-ish it is so clean and accurate.

 












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

Joan Miro, Women and Birds in the Night, 1945, oil on canvas.
I find this painting very interesting and would like to know more about it.  I find in interesting that there are bery thin lines along with filled in objects, which don't seem like they would be used in the same piece of work but they work together.

 Tom Wesselmann, Still Life #20, 1962, mixed media.
I find this very interesting, and I would like to see the other still life works of art in this collection.  It seems like they would be fun pieces.

John Storrs, Abstract Figure, 1932, bronze.
I would like to see some of Storrs' other pieces because this one is very interesting.  It looks like some type of animal eating another, but every time I look at it I think of something else.  That is very rare for a piece of art to do that.

Creating the color wheel

1. Discuss what you thought about creating the Value Scale and Color Wheel.
I thought creating the value scale and color wheel made it make sense a lot more and kind of took the stress away from the assignments and was fun.

2. Which media did you enjoy working with the best and why?
I like the paint the best because it spreads quicker and it almost moves on it's own.

3. What was the most important discovery in the creation of these studies?
I think that no matter what medium you use, you can always get your point of view across if you try hard enough and put enough thought and effort into it.

4. What is the most important information you learned from watching the videos for this project? What is your opinion of the videos?
I thought the videos were very helpful and I thought it was very interesting that you can make things on raised and depressed surfaces and you can still somewhat control the outcome.

Color wheel and Black to white fade

http://s1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd444/clarecast/?action=view&current=l.jpg

http://s1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd444/clarecast/?action=view&current=w.jpg

Slideshow

I found that if I looked at some pictures I had already taken, that they would match up with the categories that we were given.  I had some trouble with the slide show posting, so hopefully the link i post will work.  I really enjoyed this project.

http://s1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd444/clarecast/?action=view&current=1193de21.pbw

Color Theory

1. Describe Color and it's effects on emotions. Use the appropriate vocabulary of color in your posting.
Bright colors can be used to celebrate and to make you forget about whatever negative thing you may be going through.  An example would be the bright stain glass windows at one end of the hospice that dying people would live.  Monks would take care of them their last days when they were only able to lay in their beds.

2. What is a theoretical aspect of color that most intrigues/fascinates you? Why?
I am interested to know if certain colors really do have anything to do with mood or feelings.  I think that would be able to help a lot of people and possibly answer questions that could never have been answered before.

3. In the Color video, what made the biggest impact on you in regards to color and it's effects on emotions?
The artist that went to Venice was so inspired by the bright colors, that she had to visit to take pictures and paint.  The vibrance clearly spoke to her.  Her favorite paintings are also there, which also contain vibrant colors.

4. In the Feelings video, what made the biggest impact on you in regards to color and it's effects on emotions? 
Art can show both the best of us and the worst of us.  They can protray our feelings of what we wish we could be, or what we hope we never turn out to be.

The website was undercontruction and it said it wouldn't be back up until the 12th, so I just answered after watching the videos and using my own opinion.

Video Review

1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
The ket concept of the first film was different interpretations of beauty in art.
The key concepts and steps to creating art that is aesthetically pleasing from the second film are tools, symmetry, symbolism and artistic composition.

2. Which philosopher's theroy on aesthetics do you feel is most important? Be sure to mention the philosphers name, era (time in history), and contribtion to the aesthetic theory in your response.
I feel Plato's theory on aesthetics is the most important. The example given is he said when you draw a triangle in the sand it is an unperfect drawing of a perfect idea of a triangle the way you see it. The root of this is 5th Century Athens and Plato was the first philosopher on this subject and taught Aristotle.  He also wrote the very influential "The Republic".  I agree with this because everyone sees things differently and has different ideas of the way things should look. Although he held a low opinion of artists and poets, I agree that everyone has different ideas of perfect. I do disagree with Plato thinking that poets write about things that they do not know.  I don't believe that is always 100% true and shouldn't be placed on every poet.
3. What do you think about Changeux and Ramachandran scientific view of aesthetics and art? What was the most interesting fact you discovered from each speakers lecture?
From Changeux- I found interesting that he called art artificats, and he said that they are a form of non-verbal communication.  I also found it interesting that it takes 15 years for the human brain to develop and much of understanding art has to do directly with the brain.
From Ramachandran- Art and science meet in the brain; visual aesthetics. He is saying that the goal of art is to distort an everyday image that people see to make it aesthetically pleasing to the eye.  Things that may be realistic can be changed to be made into art and be pleasing to the brain.  Says "visual aesthetics" instead of "art".

4. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
The videos emphasize that art and aesthetics are always up for interpretation.  In the videos we get to hear background on other philosophers and hear experts talk about their opinions and theories on the matter.

5. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the topics in your reading?
Although the films were long, and Changeux was slightly difficult to understand, I found them very helpful.  They all flowed together and made the subjects in the readings easier to understand because you are hearing it in different words.

First entry.

1. How was the process of creating the GMail account and setting up the Blog? Everything has been pretty easy so far, and there were directions that helped if I had any questions.

2. What do you expect to learn in this course? I expect to have a new appriciation for art, and learned things that I never knew about artists and what goes in to art itself.

3. How do you feel about taking an online course? I'm glad I am taking this class. It's a lot of work but there is enough time to do it and it can be done when I have time in my schedule.