M11 - Art Gallery Visit #2

Step 1: The Exhibition
Questions about the exhibit:
1. What is the title of the exhibit?
There was no specific title of the exhibits outside.

2. What is the theme of the exhibition?
The outdoor exhibits exist in nature; real time light, shadow, etc which is why I chose to use them since, depending on the season, your perception and view of the sculpture may change.


Step 2: The Gallery
Questions about the physical space: (I answered these based upon the inside gallery space)
1. What type of lighting is used?
Soft light, lots of natural light and white light is used inside the gallery.  For certain exhibits specific lights are used in a dark, unlit room.

2. What colors are used on the walls?
Most of the walls in the gallery are a neutral tone and plain.  Some exhibits have black walls.

3. What materials are used in the interior artchitecture of the space?
The interior space has smooth walls with no added texture that may detract from the artwork surrounding. 

4. How is the movement of the viewer through the gallery space?
Movement flows easily and intuitively throughout the gallery space.  Nothing comes as a surprise for the most part things are laid out methodically in a meaningful fashion.
 

Step 3: The Artwork

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

The artwork is organized generally grouped with similar pieces.  Some are grouped by design style, time period or artist.

2. How are the artrworks similar?

All of the pieces I used for the project were outside in natural space.  The "gallery" was the surroundings.

3. How are the artworks different?

Each piece was constructed of different materials, with a different perspective as far as the gallery space.

4. How are the artworks framed?

Some works are not framed while others sit in a minimalist frame and still others have a bold outer frame.

5. How are the artworks identified and labeled?

Each artwork has a small tag nearby that details the artist and piece information.

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

The artwork hanging is spaced out so that they pieces are not on top of each other.  The installations are also given ample space so that one does not impede another. 

Artist: Nancy Rubins
Title: Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Monochrome I, Built to Live Anywhere
Media: Stainless steel, stainless steel wire, aluminum
Date: 2010-11
Size: NA

1. I was open to this piece.  I walked around it, underneath it, noticed its size.
2. There are many steel canoes or boats of some sort all wired together.  The entire piece is monochromatic and chrome colored.  The boats are pointing off in various directions.
3. Repetition is used in the multiple similar styled boats.  Color is used because the entire piece is the same color including the wires and base.  Color is also utilized because of the shadows cast from the boats throughout the day from the sun.
4. This reminds me of the outdoors.  It reminds me of the freedom you experience from canoeing and how that has the ability to remove you from the world around you.
5.  I think the artist was trying to speak of the fact that a boat connects us to the world, to adventure and to the earth around us.  She titled the piece Built to Live Anywhere and I think that symbolizes that fact that nothing can prevent her from existing with the earth be it a city setting or country setting.

Artist: Jason Middlebrook
Title: Underlife
Media: Steel, fiberglass and tile
Date: 2012
Size: NA


1. I walked around and underneath this piece, noticing its size and scale as well as materials.
2. The piece is an organic shape that come down to the ground from  multiple points from its trunk much like a tree.  It is covered in small glass pieces all over that reflect in the light.
3. Size is used with this piece, much as a blown up tree trunk the limbs or roots come down around you, sinking into the ground.  Texture is used as the surface of the metal is covered in glass.  Harmony is used in this piece as the elements are smooth and blend together, repetitive throughout.   There is unity between the smooth trunk elements and the glass pieces.
4. This reminds me of a fairy tale tree with the roots coming down into the earth.  Also it reminds me of the ents from Lord of the Rings possibly, as they can move and are large and magestic.
5.  I think the artist was trying to elude to a fairy tale and childhood.  Anyone can stand under this tree root and feel like a child again among the glitter and shimmer of the glass pieces.

Artist: Beverly Pepper
Title: Zig-Zag
Media: Stainless steel & bake enamel
Date: 1967
Size: NA

1. I walked around this piece.  It wasn't large enough to stand under or walk through.
2. The subject is 3 shiney squares angled against each other on a shiney base.
3. Repetition is used with the 3 square shapes. Harmony is utilized because the repetitive shapes and similar color.  Texture is also utilized because the piece is so smooth.
4. This work doesn't particularly remind me of anything.  It might elude to futuristic things because its shiny and reflective.

4. 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.?
It was very helpful to notice the small details and look at things from different perspectives.  It helped me personally to become more aware of a pieces setting and surrounds instead of just focusing on the piece and realize that moving a piece can completely alter its intended meaning.

Module Ten - Blog: Video Review

VIDEO #1 - African Art

1. Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above.
I love African pottery and art and I love how connected with the earth their pieces are.  I wanted to learn more about them.

2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
Many pieces of African art were used in ceremonies and combined with music.  Some pieces were made of wood and straw that deteriorate rapidly. Ceremonial art is recreated in sound, color and movement while others are created in more durable materials.  It is not useful to distinguish between african arts, and crafts.  All african art traditionally played a role in every day life.  African artists grew up and absorbed the beliefs and styles of their culture groups, including the belief of creating objects in a traditional way while adding refinements that do not detract from the piece. 

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
These video allows the African art to relate to the text as we have learned about the culture of the African people and now we can see how that bridges to their art. 

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
I enjoyed this film.  I liked learning that the African art was not only art but played a role in the spiritual beliefs as well as utilitarian objects of their every day lives.


VIDEO #2 - Buddhism

1. Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above.
I wanted to learn more about buddhism.  I've done quite a bit of my own research on it and anything new I can learn interests me.

2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
Gaya is a mecca for Buddhism.  Buddha spent time here contemplating enlightenment and nirvana.  The gateway to the temple is carved with the teachings of the Buddha and the key to his teachings is freedom from desire.  "Be in the world, but not of it" is the teaching of Buddhism.  Buddha proclaimed the idea of love.  Although he encouraged other to find their own way, he wanted to share his knowledge and created the idea of Buddhism.  He acted as a mentor for those needing guidance to find enlightenment.

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
This video added an extra layer to Buddha of more as a person than a figure of Buddhism.  It taught about why although he encouraged others to find their own path that he created his teachings as a way of support and to help others.  The video reinforced the text reading on Buddhism.

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

I liked this film for the way that it spoke of Buddha as a man and went into his message as opposed to speaking of him as a symbol.  It allowed for the idea of Buddhism to come across as more of a way of thinking and perception as opposed to an organized type of religion.  It is very flexible.

Module Nine - Art Making/Material Exploration Drawings - Exploring Line

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

It seemed easier for me because I had a point of reference.  It also made me notice things that I wouldn't normally notice, which interested me because my hand is attached to my body and I almost feel like I should be able to draw it without looking.

 

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

I chose pencil.  I am not a very good drawer and I felt it would allow me to focus on the major details without getting caught up in all of the small ones... and by not very good drawer I actually mean completely incompetent in all artistic abilities.

 

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

I was difficult at first but became easier after a while. I learned to work with the difficulty of using my non dominant hand instead of fighting it and trying to force it to work like my dominant hand does.  It still looked horrible but I felt like my hand flowed better and was less mechanical and stiff with my non dominant hand.

 

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

They look nothing like actual hands but they do resemble somewhat and you can tell which i did with my dominant and non dominant hand.

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

If I was doing some sort of abstract painting yes.  As far as technical drawings, probably not.

 

Name Module Nine - Blog: Video Reviews

Video #1

Leonardo da Vinci: The Mind of the Renaissance

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

I chose this video because while I was an intern at Fisher Price in East Aurora we went to see the Leonardo da Vinci exhibit at the Buffalo Museum of Science.  It was very interesting to me.  They had recreated many of his engineering designs using techniques that existed during the time in which he lived and the exhibit was interactive so you could walk up and use each piece.

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

Da Vinci was a true Renaissance man.  Even from a young age, he was incredibly smart and attracted to the changes occurring in nature as well as a passion for the arts.  His passions expand from painting to sculpting, architecture, engineering, design, botany, anatomy and many more, all of which he excelled.  He was able to seamlessly blend these different subjects as well by taking the head of one animal and attaching it to the body of another with his study of light, cross hatching shading method and resulting in a well thought out and designed artwork that attends to not only art but engineering and design as well.

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

Da Vinci used concepts of nature and real world experiences in his works.  The Renaissance was a time of liberal studies that led to a study of the natural world that influenced their work.  Da Vinci did this by studying not only the technicalities of art and the artistic realm but also engineering and architecture which needed a technical background with philisophical considerations.

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

I liked this film.  It helped to show how Da Vinci truly blended the liberal arts with artistry.  It showed how the artists were almost seen as divine and how intellectual artists such as Da Vinci truly were during this time.  He was accepted into the painters guild at the age of 20.  It really shows a real world aspect to what these artists were capable of.


Video #2

Velazquez 

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

I chose this video because I don;t know much about him.  I knew that he was a court painter and that is about it so I decided to learn a little more about him.

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

A court painter for the king of Spain, Velazquez was given the order of Santiago, which was a strong symbol of nobility.  He was known for capturing the moment; light, air and other timeless elements. The King was his only friend, had only one wife and painting was his essence of being.  The King guaranteed Velazquez well being and success as a painter with no creative with holdings.  If the King wanted something specific he asked of it out of friendship of this genuine relationship.

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

 Velazquez was somewhat protected by the King and given a chance to live his life as an artist with no worries, doing only what he loved.  It shows that during this time, artists were very respected and became of their own social class.  His work captures the essence of the moment, a truly natural element of the Renaissance movement.

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

I liked this film because Velazquez had a unique experience, befriending the King.  His creative freedoms allowed him to work freely without stress and his artwork is one of a kind.