Project #4 - Reflection

Reflection - Walter Sidor

Going into work on this module I was set that I was going to do my project on classic art style, most likely abstract.  But watching the videos for this modules video blog I was really impressed with the Tate Modern museum.  The way they had created that museum with all modern art in that big huge space was really cool.   It was the look on the spectators at the museum that I liked the most.  In the videos we've seen this semester the spectators normally had serious looks on their face seemingly deep in thought.  The people at the Tate had smiles on their faces, had looks of wonder and amazement.  To me that is art that is interesting.

While I like the Tate's modern art I wanted to pick something that grew up during my lifetime but still had similarity to the modern era.  In the first video it covered what they called lowbrow art, the comic themes they covered, the bright colors and crazy shapes and formations were something I also really liked so I wanted to do something that worked for both.  I picked pop art because it has similarities with both.

I struggled a little finding artist who fit this them while looking through Artsor alone.  But the hunt was fulfilling in the fact that I got to peruse so many works to find what pleased me.  To be quite honest, I have a busy life and art is not really a part of it.  After this class I probably won't go out of my way to see do what I did for this project which makes the time spent even more fulfilling.

Mod 13/14 - Video Blog

The Lowdown on Lowbrow: West Coast Pop Art

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

Lowbrow is something I’ve never heard of prior to this class.  From the paintings in the video I definitely like it because it seems more modern and very much more brightly colorful.  They seem to use the term lowbrow as opposed to surreal or surrealism.  They also put rock posters into this classification, the types of posters with the big colors and the psychedelic images.  It’s very reminiscent of what I relate to as graffiti art.  Lack of Lowbrow art museums, most are highbrow. 

2.    Do the videos relate to the creation of your Art Exhibition project? If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.

          This video does not relate to my exhibit.  I’ve chosen an exhibit that would be                         highbrow.  An exhibit that is what is considered normal.  The art in this video is out of             the norm and wouldn’t be a normal exhibit.  What I did get from it was seeing how so             much different art from this lowbrow style can be put together and work together.

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?

What I like best about this video is learning more about something I’ve never heard of.  The images in the videos were familiar to me.  The Grateful Dead posters, the comic type of pictures, and all the lowbrow art seems to be things I’ve seen before and like.  For the curation project itself, I did not get any help from this video for that.

Tate Modern is 10!

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

Modern art galleries is the main focus.  Vastness in art display.  Tate Modern gets 5 million visitors a year.  Has a lot of hands on art, slides, balls, ropes, and other interactive items.  Popularism had now joined intellectualism.  They changed warehouses into art museums, giving a lot of space and big structures.  They took 7 years to create the space of Tate Modern before it opened.  Gallery had white walls hung with art in a non-pattern type of way and white podiums, with art on top encased in glass.  They explained opening the modern art museum as ground breaking and kind of risk taking.  Only 10 installations put in the huge turbine hall over the years, the hall was a huge beautiful space to show art.  They talked about the people who go to museums take away their personal experience from the museum.  The entire collection of Tate Gallery tells a story and it’s up to the viewer to make their own.

2.    Do the videos relate to the creation of your Art Exhibition project? If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.

         This one definitely related to the Exhibit project.  It tried the best it could to show the              view not only what the gallery looked like 10 years after the opening but what the                  curators went through to create the gallery.  It showed a lot of the different rooms that             hold art and showed the detail that was put in to make it a likable experience for the              viewer.

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?

This one does add depth.  This museum seemed to have taken a giant leap from the regular art museum to what they thought the people wanted, a modern museum.  A lot of art is risk taking and they did exactly that with this museum.

An Inquiring Mind: Phillipe de Montebello and the Metropolitan Museum of Art

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

Right from the beginning the lady explained curating as explaining the works and placing them in time and place.  A museum is never finished.  Do not fill gaps with representative examples.  Need to get only the truly outstanding works.  The Met has curators for each specialty of art so they are experts in that form.  The video covered how Montebello took the Met from a narrow focus of art to a wide focused world art collection.  The techniques covered for refurbishing the art they find were vast, they even used NYC tap water and x-ray machines to work on the art.  This museum went with yellow walls and seemed a little more crowded on the walls than the modern museums. 

2.    Do the videos relate to the creation of your Art Exhibition project? If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.

This video also related to the project.  This one not on how to create an exhibit but how to improve it and how to keep working at it.   It seems with this video that the museum is ever evolving and growing, and that they keep working very hard to improve it as much as they can.

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

          This film added depth.  It showed a museum that was the opposite of what the Tate               museum was.  This one was focused on great works of art from all over the world and            that were classic pieces.  Tate conversely focused on the modern art. 

Module 12 - Video Blog

Uncertainty: Modernity & Art

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

Unfortunately only two video links worked.  The others brought me to a log in page that I was unsure of the credentials; the ones I tried didn’t work.

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

The video covered the uncertainty of the future of art.  What will modern art look like and how will it be looked upon 30 years from now.  He calls abstract art an experiment and it is up to you to determine what it is saying to you.  For Abstract Expressionists it says that the artists expression is more morally challenging.  He points out that earlier eras had art and monuments of their war heroes, while modern art does not.  He called Jackson Pollack’s art a weightless, gravity defying, delicate dance.  Digital pictures bring artificial worlds of staged uncertainty.  A lot of pictures as art capturing the human form in many different ways.

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

The video showed how art has evolved from early times to current art.  Modern art as was covered in the book was shown in this video.

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

The film added depth to what was read in the book by showing actual art as if it was live. 

 Abstract Expressionism & Pop: Art of the 50’s & 60’s

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

Unfortunately only two video links worked.  The others brought me to a log in page that I was unsure of the credentials; the ones I tried didn’t work.

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

           The use of colors invokes responses and invokes imagination.  Unions of solid and                fluid shapes make it almost unrecognizable as to what it is to be.  Artist balances                  image and spontaneous gesture.  Action painting as form of abstract art.  Cartoon art             is abstract art.  As is things like Warhol’s soup cans. 

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

The video clearly defined and showed what abstract art is.

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

           The film added depth to what was read in the book by showing actual art as if it was               live.  

Module 11 - Gallery Visit #2 - Burchfield Penny Art Center

Step 1: The Exhibition

Questions about the exhibit:
1. What is the title of the exhibit? Jack Drummer: The Effects of Time.
2. What is the theme of the exhibition?  The effects of time was the named theme but rubber seemed to be more of the actual theme.

Step 2: The Gallery

Questions about the physical space:
1. What type of lighting is used?  The main lighting for the exhibit came from small ceiling lights pointed toward the object. 
2. What colors are used on the walls?  The walls were white which made the lighting show more.
3. What materials are used in the interior architecture of the space?  The space was large.  Hardwood floors, high ceilings and white walls.  The space between the pieces was expansive enough to allow each piece to be their own entity.
4. How is the movement of the viewer through the gallery space?  The movement was around the outside.  The exhibit was more than one room but wide enough to not encourage going wall to wall but instead to suggest the best way to be staying on one wall and walking around to see all of the exhibit. 

Step 3: The Artwork

Questions about the artwork:

1. How are the artworks organized?  The artwork was organized with by having the bigger pieces occupying the

larger wall space and the smaller pieces the smaller space.  Having said that, each piece of art was large in

itself and was afforded a large space to keep it singular. 

2. How are the artrworks similar?  They were similar in the fact that they were predominately dyed and stretched

rubber.

3. How are the artworks different?  They are different in the color of dye used, the texture of the finished product

of the rubber and the shape of the canvas.

4. How are the artworks framed?  The rubber was stretched over the edges of the canvas so there was no

frames.

5. How are the artworks identified and labeled?  Each artwork had the Name and birth and death date of the

artist, the tile and year of the art, the medium of the art and finally how the art was acquired.

6. What is the proximity of the artwork to each other?  The art exhibits flowed from one to another with ample

but not too much space between.

Artist: John E. (Jack) Drummer
Title of work: Untitled.
 Media: Stretched rubber with tar and rubber stitching.
Date:_2004-2006.
 Size:  96x84 inches.
 Source of picture Visit to Burchfield Penney Art Center.

            This piece stood out to me because it was black and white in color and the white parts of it stood out to the point that drew me in to take a closer look.  Looking close at it I was able to see how the white parts were pieces of rubber coming out and tied together like a bunch of little bows.  The surface of the entire piece was rough and rigid.  Without a title it’s hard for me to guess at what the artist was trying to make with this, if he was even trying for an overall shape.  But what I saw a tree leaning to the right with the white the top of the tree and the ridges in the black the trunk. 

Artist: John E. (Jack) Drummer
Title of work: Untitled.
Media:  Stretched and Dyed Rubber, 21 panels
Date: 1995-1997
Size:  102 x 300 inches
Source of picture Visit to Burchfield Penney Art Center.

            This piece was particularly likable because of the color.  Each panel of the collective piece are individual even though some colors seem to be repeated.  The hues of the color were calming in effect.  Closer look at the piece you could see the texture of the rubber and how each piece fit together.  The overall look of the piece is reminiscent of tile that you would see in a bathroom wall. 

Artist: John E. (Jack) Drummer
Title of work: Untitled.
Media:  Stretched and Dyed Rubber, two panel
Date: 1980s
Size:  60 x 90 inches overall
Source of picture Visit to Burchfield Penney Art Center.

            This piece stuck out to me mostly because it was the one nearest the title of the exhibit.  Because in this proximity I thought it may be the feature piece.  It is two panels put together.  Each panel has a blue frame-like boarder.  The right panel seems to be a dark green color roughly spread over a white canvas as the bumps of the canvas stayed white.  The left panel seems the exact opposite, white over green.  The opposite color scheme provides a little symmetry to the final product.  

Module 11 - Video Blog

The Impact of Cubism

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

I selected this video because, even though I’ve read the textbook, I could not remember exactly what cubism was.  So I assumed watching the video would reinforce my memory.

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

One of the artists said that he starts with the abstraction and end with the real objects.  This style seems to make objects we are familiar with look much different and artistic but when they come together we know what they are supposed to be.  They combine a variety of points of view.  Some paintings are object orientated. 

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

After watching the video I did go back to the book and review the readings that were specific to cubism.

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

The film did add depth to the readings as it showed actual artwork that was done in this theme of art and it talked about the artists who made it famous.

Expressionism

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

I picked this video because I wanted to learn more about expressionism.

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

Color and contour is used to show emotion and sense of feeling.  Color has a role independent of nature, each color has a role.  A lot of the art in the video was on the human form but not always in the natural form but in a form that is similar but exaggerated compared to the real form.  The Last Supper was from this genre, this is not something I would have guessed. 

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

The video covers expressionism as does the book but allows us to see what the book covers as a “real” examples.

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

The video enhances what the textbook covers.  Not just further explaining what was in the book but also showing many pieces of art and explaining each one.

Module 10 - Video Blog

Buddhism:

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

I selected Buddhism because it’s a religion that has always captured my fascination.  But more than the religion, their art and reliance on history in their art is also a factor.

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

They use their religion in a lot of their art, an example would be them carving the teachings of the Buddha in granite pillars.  The pieces of art have a meaning as associated with Buddhist concepts.  They used bronze, stone, granite, and many other forms.  A lot of buildings and sculptures.  The architectural style of a lot of their smaller buildings stands out among others with their tiered shapes. 

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

This video enchances the section in the book about Buddhist art.

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

The video explains both the history of the religion and the history of the art associated with it.  It covers things that are not covered in the book and enforces what is covered in the book with real life imagery. 

Chinese Art: Treasures of the National Palace Museum

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

I chose this video because, much like Buddhism, I have always been attracted to Chinese art.  A lot of their art seems pretty abstract but it’s the color mixtures that attracts me the most. 

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

The detail on the curio cabinet the video showed was amazing.  With the cabinet shut, it was beautiful enough but when opened it opened to a great amount of artistic space.  As the video rolls through different pieces of art, there does not seem to be a common type of art medium.  There is wood, porcelain, metals and many other types.  A lot of sculptures were shown also, many of them in bronze and all with great detail, not just of the body but of the decorations surrounding the body. 

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

This video also enhances the part of the text that covered Chinese art.

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

Like all of these videos, they cover what we read in the text.  They do not specifically call out exactly as the text does, the artistic values but they do show you the art as it is and allows you to relate the text to the real life.

Module 10 - Mask Making

Three Inspirational Masks

Native American Mask:

http://www.hickerphoto.com/photos/native-american-masks.htm

This is a mask of an owl made by Wally Bernard on Northern Vancouver Island.  This mask is to represent a wise one and is a messenger.  It’s base is made of red cedar.  Looking at this mask I see a loose representation of an owl.  The hair on top is more reminiscent of human hair.  The eyes are larger than would be expected on an owl also.  The colors all seem to blend well with the dark green and red offset by the tan.  The bright yellow of the nose really makes the nose prominent with the white of the eyes right behind it leading the viewer to look at the eyes next.  Other than the hair on top of the head the left and right of the mask is symmetrical. 

African Mask:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/436567757601235838/ 

This is a mask created by the Dan tribe from the Ivory Coast.  I picked this one because it is older.  There is no color to it, and overall looks pretty plain.  What is great about it is that it looks like a bird with the crazy eyes and the beak right down to the nostrils on the beak.  The placement of the eyes and beak are very close to scale of an actual bird also.  The lines of the mouth run from the back and arch down to the point of the beak.  The beak is also strapped in with leather which makes it seem like it’s beaked opened and closed further simulating the bird.

Hindu Mask:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/124974958379874672/

This Gurulu mask is from Sri Lanka.  This mask represents a bird eating a snake.  This mask, in Sri Lanka, is supposed to bring a home good luck and protection.  This mask is beautifully ornate and it’s use of colors makes a strong representation.  The great size of the mask gives the artist a large field to work with.  The red beak protrudes from the front at the bottom does not stand out like the other two masks.  The eyes do stand out, not because of color or size, but because they are so human like.  Much like the Mandala’s, this mask utilizes patterns that are symmetrical to each side of the mask in both shape, line and color.

My Mask Sketch

My Mask

Going through all of the webpages looking at masks I was most attracted to the ones depicting birds.  I have always liked birds, especially birds that have many colors on them, like a peacock.   Even birds like cardinals and blue jays whose color make them stand out are beautiful.  Parrots and small house pet types of birds are more examples.  Based on all of this I changed my focus to look at only bird masks.  After the research and analysis I decided to bake a bird mask.  My goal was aimed at color.  Since birds are never the same I did not want it to be symmetrical.  I wanted it to be multiple colors so I used strips of colored paper to simulate the colored feathers.  I also wanted the beak to stand out as a color not anywhere else on the mask and for it to be large enough to be pronounced with a straight line coming right towards the front.  Overall I think the mask came out well. I do wish I would have put a little more effort into the eyes, looking at it now the eyes are quite unremarkable.

Module 9: Videos

Velazquez

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

I chose this video because it was an artist that I had never heard of prior and was interested in learning something new.

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

The author described how the artist captured the moment in time in his paintings.  How his paintings looked real, as if you were there, including minor details.  His works for this King in Spain chronicled that era.  He used soft and strong colors together to give depth and detail.  It also stated that he had minimal interest in color.  This can be seen in his paintings as they are more on the side of greyscale and earthy tones to me. 

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

This video not only relates to the current reading but really the entire text we’ve read so far.  It talks about color, and style a lot.

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

I liked this film, mostly because it covered the life and styles of the artist.  How he started as an employee of a King and his art grew from there. 

Albrecht Dürer: Image of a Master

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

Much like the Velazquez video, I chose this video as a chance to learn of an artist that I had never heard of and to learn something new.

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

He started out in art using silverpoint.  He also enjoyed painting hands and is a common item in most of his paintings.  He was a student of great artists that formed his own style.  He would apply 4 to 6 layers of a color to get the finish he was looking for.  One thing I thought was surprising was that he even included a drawing of himself in his paintings, which shows how much admiration he had for himself.  He also used grids in attempting to draw the perfect form of a body. 

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

The video backed up the reading in the textbook by showing real applications of what the book covered. 

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

This video covered many topics from the textbook and brought those topics to a real life comparison therefore giving a better understanding of them.

Module 9 - Hands Drawing Hands

1.    What was it like using your hand as subject matter for a drawing? It was odd using one of my hands as a subject only because that I am used to being able to use both hands at the same time to do things such as this.

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

I just used a pencil.  I have a lot of art supplies but charcoal I do not have.

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

Using the left hand to write with was challenging but not as bad as I had assumed it would be.  It definitely did not feel natural.

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

I have always struggled drawing human body parts no matter how much time I take to do it.  Looking at my drawings I would say I was only mildly successful.

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

I probably would not use the left hand in the future only because my actual artwork is not frequent and when I do it I like to have the control that my right hand gives me.