Reflections

1.    What were you expectations for this course and where they met?

I hoped to learn from other and how they view the art world.  I believe this expectation was met.  It was nice to read and see what other students chose to talk about in their blogs and discussions.  

2.   Now that you've been through this course, What is art? How would you define it now compared to your initial posting?

Art is showing meaning through creativity.  I believe that we all are capable of creating art and there are several art forms.  Art isn’t just something that’s always beautiful but its something powerful and how meaning in it and was created for a reason. 

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?

I did not choose a favorite artist in my first post.  There are too many artists out there for me to choose a favorite.  I did discover a lot of artist while doing assignments for this class and one I really enjoyed was Lorraine Loots.  The fact she was able to create one artwork a day for a year is quite remarkable.  She has become one of my favorites because of her passion and precision in her artwork. I aspire to do an artwork a day for a year, someday. 

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 surprised by how easy it was to navigate through the online course.  In the beginning I was afraid things would get lost, but I think as long as you are organized and stay on top of your assignments, then taking an online class is pretty straight forward.  I did miss the face to face interaction but I also enjoyed that I could do the assignments at my leisure.  It was nice to be able to do things when I had the time, instead of going to a scheduled class.  

Guernica

1. Use the vocabulary you have learned in class to describe this artwork or performance in detail.

This artwork of Picasso’s uses geometric shapes and lines to create recognizable images. At first you may not notice everything that is within this artwork, but the more you look at it the more you begin to notice.  There is a lot of symbolism in this artwork.  The choice of color pallet creates great contrast in the artwork.  

2. What processes were used to create this work? What social influences might the artist be responding to and why?

This piece was created in response to the Bombing of Guernica.  Politics played a huge role in the symbolism in this artwork.  

3. What is the relationship of this work to the time and society in which it was created? Describe the symbols used to express this relationship. 

Over the years there have been several interpretations of this artwork and the symbols, and they often contradict one another.  During this time the Spnish Civil war was taking place and the artwork was created after the Bombing of Guernica, which was a small town in Spain.  

4. Identify elements in the work that evoke a persuasive or emotional response. Be specific about what those responses are and why.

You can feel emotion in this artwork just by what is going on it in. The poses and facial expression evoke a dark time.  Also the fact he uses a gray color pallet evokes a depressing theme.  He did not want this to be depicted as fun or playful. 

5. Evaluate what you perceive to be the strengths and weaknesses of the work.  Apply discipline specific vocabulary and concepts when describing your point of view.

I think a strength of this artwork was that at the time is was very modern.  Some people didn’t like it because it was so different. I think that’s one of the things that made this piece so memorable.  Another strength would be the fact that it was so political and in response to something that was going on then.  He created an artwork of his emotion and how he felt about the situation which is risky especially when talking about a societal issue.  

Gallery Visit #3

Jack Edson (1950 -), Self Portrait, 2017; cotton patchwork quilt, hand and machine pieced, hand quilted, 72 x 52 inches

Jonathan Rogers (1937-), Group Self Portrait #3, 2005, oil on canvas. 48 x 60 inches

Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), Self Portrait, January 1916; watercolor and conte on paper, 19 13/16 x 16 5/8 inches

This was my original photo.

This is my final self portrait. 

1.   Why did you select the inspiration pieces?

I chose these pieces because they were all very different.  Each used a different medium and they are each a different depiction of a self portrait. 

2. Why did you select the media to create your self-portrait?

I chose to create my self portrait on the computer because I was able to use tools to distort the image the way I wanted to, to create the artwork. 

3. What challenges did you face in creating your self-portrait and how did you overcome them?

I wouldn’t say I had any challenges.  I enjoyed created this self portrait.  

4. How does this piece represent you?

We all have features that we like and dislike about ourselves. And I thought exaggerating different features of my face that I’ve heard people say about me or that I like or dislike about myself would kind of be a fun way to represent myself.  

5. What elements and principles of art did you apply in this 

work?

I wasn’t sure what to put in the background of my artwork so I incorporated color and line to make it eye catching.  Also having a dark background, contrasts with the light coloring of my face and makes it stand out.

6. Did you enjoy working on this project?

Yes I enjoyed this project and found it very fun to create this artwork.  

7. What do you think of your final artwork?

I think it’s fun and the concept about pointing out our imperfections and beauties is very strong.  

Project 4

Creating an Art Exhibition

For this project I wanted to be unique and find a topic that isn't usually seen too much in art galleries. When I think about what I'll see in an art gallery, I think of huge paintings and sculptures.  I think it also focuses solely on the theme of the artworks and not about the artists.  For this project I wanted to showcase a specific artist and show the artwork she created over the course of a year.

Lorraine Loots is an artist from South Africa who create mini artworks.  All her artworks are around 30 mm x 30 mm.  They are very small, but so magnificent.  For a year of her life, Lorraine Loots, created 1 artwork a day and each was about her home home country of South Africa.  In my mind it was her way of showing what she believed to be important in her home country, and the places she wanted to show off.  In these pieces she illustrated animals, scenic views, home and all kinds of things that to her symbolized South African culture.  I think it's important  to showcase this collection of artworks to show that even the tiniest art can have so much meaning.

For this exhibition I only showcased 12 of her artworks, one from each month of the year she created them.  In total there are 365 artworks.  If I were to create this exhibition in real life, I would like to use all of them, and showcase them in a very large room.  But in lieu of time and space on powerpoint, I showed 12.  In the beginning of the exhibition I put a short explanation of the show, just so people understood what it was all about then proceeded to show the artworks.

Module 13/14 Blog Post

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

The Lowdown on Lowbrow: West Coast Pop Art– One of the key concepts I gathered from this video was that art has no boundaries and art does not need to fit in with the labels that have already been created.  You can put your own label on your art, or have no label at all. You are not required to fit your art into guidelines that already exist.

BBC Culture Show: Tate Modern is 10!-  The idea and concept behind this video was talking about how the curators can be very creative when creating a curated show.  They can take artworks that are contrasting one another. I think it opens people eyes to the differences in art.

An Acquiring Mind: Philippe de Montebello and the Metropolitan Museum of Art– You don’t want to give a label to an exhibition that depicts a specific culture or time period unless you have a strong piece that symbolizes that. Be very open when naming the show. 

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

-      All the videos are pretty different, and all have a lot of great information when it comes to creating an art exhibition.  I think these will help me to create my exhibition because I enjoy being creative and pairing artworks that are similar and would be great in a show.  

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 all the videos, they all had great information to assist in creating an exhibition.  The definitely add depth and give you inspiration to create an effective exhibition.  

Module 12 video review

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

Abstract Expressionism and Pop–  I chose this video because I love learning more about different types of artwork.  I find my artwork has a lot of characteristics to abstract expressionism work, so I wanted to watch this video to see and learn more.  

Uncertainty: Modernity And Art– I chose this video because the title intrigued me and I wanted to learn more about what the video had to share.  

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

Abstract Expressionism and Pop– A key concept from this video was that this type of art inspired a group of artists called “Color field painters.”  Abstract Expressionism focused more on color and motion, rather than realism.  

Uncertainty: Modernity and Art – One of my favorite facts from this video was that Hitler did not succeed as an artist.  His art wasn’t seen as good enough.  So when he makes the Degenerative Art Show, he makes the art that he thinks is ugly, more popular.  

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

Both videos talk about what is being talked about in the book, but I always think the videos go into more detail and give more broad examples than the text does.

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

I always enjoy watching videos about art because you often get other perspectives and opinions about different types of artwork.  I think all these videos give great information and examples of different types of art and time periods.  

Module 11 Museum Visit

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For this assignment I visited the Burchfield Penney.  

Questions about the exhibit:
1. What is the title of the exhibit?  

Enough Killing!

2. What is the theme of the exhibition?

The theme of this exhibition is Gun Violence.

Questions about the physical space:
1. What type of lighting is used?

The room this exhibition was in was very dark. Minimal lighting was used, mainly just spotlights on the artworks.  

2. What colors are used on the walls?

The walls were light in color, but I don’t think the curator had much choice.

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

The room was a big open room, with both sculptures on the floor and other artwork on the walls.  They kept enough space between the sculptures so that you could walk around them and feel you were in the space.  

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

I loved being able to walk in and around all the sculptures. You were able to get close enough to see all the details. 

Questions about the artwork

1. How are the artworks organized?
The sculptures on the floor were all spaced very well but you knew the way they were staged was for a specific reason.  

2. How are the artworks similar?

The artworks were similar in theme.  All were about some aspect of guns or gun violence and all the issues surrounding gun violence.  

3. How are the artworks different?
They are different because each artist has a different way of expressing gun violence.  Everyone has their own way of expressing how they feel. 

4. How are the artworks framed?
Most of the artworks on the walls were all in frames. Very simply.  The message was in the artwork mostly, not the area around it.  

5. How are the artworks identified and labeled?
All artworks had small identification plate next to them with the title, artist and medium listed.

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

The artworks on the walls has at least two feet between them.  The exhibit was spaced out very well, giving each artwork its own space and its own level of importance.  

These 3 images are pictures of artworks that really caught my attention in this exhibit.  Each represent something different within the same collection of artworks.  

These 3 images show 3 other things I came across when visiting the Burchfield Penney.  The top image is a panoramic image of the exhibition that was my favorite.  The second photo is of an artwork that stopped me in my tracks while I was walking around.  To me it looked like a photograph, I had to walk up so close to see that it was indeed a painting.  And the 3rd image is a brief synopsis about the exhibition "Enough Killing!", which I walked through multiple times because it has such a powerful message.  

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.?

I think going into it with those questions, it definitely makes you more aware.  When artists put together an exhibition they pay attention to every detail.  All the small details including lighting, spacing, etc. - they all matter when trying to convey a specific message.  I think we often forget how much planning and thought goes into creating a successful exhibition.  

Module 11 Video Reviews

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

Matisse and Picasso– I chose this video because I wanted to learn more about the connections between these two artists. 

Expressionism– I chose this video because I love learning more about this type of art.  Expressionism movement was one of my favorites to learn about, and I’m always looking to know more about it.  

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

Matisse and Picasso– They were very different types of people, but similar in the way they created their artwork.  

Expressionism – It began to break the norm of what we were seeing in artwork.  

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

The chapter talks about the art movements of the 19^thcentury and the artists that lived through them just as the videos do. I think the videos go into more of the little details about things where the book talks about the major things we should know.  

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

I enjoyed watching these videos because you learn a lot more about these artists and the art movements.  How the time periods were significant to the creation of art and just about all the little things going on in the artists lives that helped sculpt who they became.