Thoughts on Course

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

What I expect to learn from this course is the next step to art. In other words if the average person looks at a painting or other visual creation and has no thoughts about it I expect to have an Idea or at least direction on what the artist is trying to express

I beleive that you could say that my objective was completed, I do now know how to look at a painting and analyse it.

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 many things, art is one thing, it is what you make it, but above all else it is how you express it that makes it Art.

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?

Well I didn't really have a favorite artist when i started, but now that i have been able to see all kinds of different ones I like Samual Silva. His ball point pen drawings just blow my mind. 

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?

The same, I am not a huge fan of them but with my full time job, side business and family it is necessary to do some classes online. 

Self Portrait

I Chose this self portrait of Van Gogh because it symbolizes who he was, he thought himself a true artist, and thats what he drew himself as.

I chose this of Picasso because it made me wonder if this is what he felt people saw him as, or if this is who he wanted to look like.

I chose this one because of the irony of it, Norman Rockwell drawing a self portrait of a Norman Rockwell being drawn by Normal Rockwell. not only that but there is other famous portraits as inspiration in the painting. I think it is incredible. 

This is the original picture I chose of myself, I chose it because it captures me when I was on vacation in Catilina Island, California. I was getting ready to go out spear fishing and scuba diving so it encompasses me in a very happy place. 

This is the altered picture, I chose this because I think it represents me. If you seen my curation project you understand a little bit better. I tend to be a bottomline guy, however I am very analytical at the same time. I find myself to be very balanced between logical and creative. This is why I chose to simply make this a sketch version of the original picture. It represents me as a whole but is broken down into a simple form and simple technique. I felt a little bit like I concentrated a little too much on the theme theme stated above but its all I could think of. I think it best represents me as a person. 

Art Criticism Project

1. Which projects did you review?

I reviewed a project by Kaitlin LaBarge and One by Samantha Yarko. I intended to review a third project but I really liked the one by Samatha Yarko so I chose to do that one.

2. Why did you select the Exhibit you critiqued?

When I was looking at it really connected with me and I really felt it was the one that I wanted to use. 

3. What challenges did you face in writing the critique article and how did you overcome them?

It was hard to look at the projects and really try to not hurt anyones feelings if you say something bad. I overcame the easily I really didn't have to say any thing bad about the project I chose because I really liked everything about it. 

4. How do you feel about critiquing your peers work?

I felt a little uncomfortable at first but once I started to go I became more relaxed. 

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

I would, I am good at taking constructive criticism, I felt good about my project and would like to know others feelings about it as well as if they felt the way I did about things. 

6. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate your finished article and why?

I think a 7, I fulfilled most of the criteria but left some things out for the sake of formatting. 

7. Did you enjoy working on this project?

I did It is something that I would have never done normally, it was a nice change of pace. 

Week 15 Videos

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

-          Greenberg on Pollock: An Interview by T. J. Clark – this video demonstrated to me that some of the artist really do pay attention to what is being said about them, as well as them taking it very personally.

-           The Colonial Encounter: Views of Non-Western Art and Culture – this video showed just how closed minded people can be when they allow prejudice to take over their mind

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

They do but they do not in my opinion. They do because they make you think about the art in a very personal way but they don’t because they attach the art to a person and to me it makes it more subjective rather than its intention of being objective.

3.       What is your opinion of the films? Do they add depth to understanding of art criticism?

The interview was a little dry but that is to be expected with you are interviewing most people where you know little of what they are speaking about. The other video is eye opening to me making me realize that we as a society can be so oppressive and take advantage when it suits us to other cultures. We victimize other people at the expense of our own pleasure. There seems to be a common thread of arrogance in our cultures (western) that subjugates the less technologically developed cultures. 

Project 4

Creating this PowerPoint project was quite the process. It was more difficult than I anticipated it being. This mainly was due to trying to find the works that supported my common theme, which I found that I had to loosen up to make sure that it was going to work for them all. Once I did that I found it much easier to get the project started. My theme was logically creative. It was the intention of me to find works of art that that kept one thing simple and one thing complex. This proved to be a little bit difficult but I do think that it made for a very unique and progressive exhibit. Most of the art was more of a simple medium used such as only a pencil, or only a pen. I thought it was pretty neat to discover some of the artist that are out there that are truly talented that become more relatable with everyday people. So I tried to find art that was done with things that people use every day such as pens, pencils, crayons, Legos. 

Video Blog 13/14

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

The lowdown on lowbrow – this shows the underground movement in art in the 1970s. This video shows that art does not need to follow the “norms” that society sets, in fact it shows that many things can thrive when norms are not followed.

Displaying modern art – shows a similar thread that the first video shows which is that nontraditional things can thrive just as well, and things do not have to conform to the social norms.

Bones of Contention – this video was a polarizing topic that relates to things that we read about earlier in the book. This is another controversial thing about ownership of property similar to the British museum and the Greek artifacts.

An acquiring mind - this video shows the behind the scenes of someone who accepts art into a museum, it is not as easy as it would seem

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

I think they do, it shows different ways to group things together, it shows not have to have all of the same technique, but can be born from the same movement happening across the art world.

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 found the videos comforting, it opened my mind to different ways to create my project, not so much in techniques but more ideas and threads that run through different art works that can tie them together.

Mod 12 Videos

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

Abstract Expressionism and pop: Art of the 50s and 60s- I chose this video because I really seem to have a hard time connecting with abstract art.

Andy Warhol: Images of an Image – I chose this video because of things in an earlier piqued my interest in Andy, mainly because his art is things that I recognize.

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

Warhol was a lot more complicated the he lead on. For example in his work the Ten Lizes. It is based on the same image, but each of the image is different in each instance, additionally it is such a large painting that you are forced to move around, because of the type of paint that is used it changes depending on the light that reflects off of it.

For the abstract painting to me I learned that you just paint what you feel, and because it is a completely objective thing you could have 50 paintings of the same thing look different because the emotions are attached to a particular artist.

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

It shows a technique that is commonly used and described in the book but is shows that it is not limited to just these techniques. Andy Warhol used the unpredictability of silk screening to his advantage whereas others may think of things as mistakes he did not.  

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

          I thought the information given in the films was very informative but in the end it did not get me to                   understand abstract painting any more than I did before which may be exactly what it is which is                   whatever you make it. 

Art Gallery Visit 2

Step 1: The Exhibition

Questions about the exhibit:

1. What is the title of the exhibit?

The Title of the exhibit was called Craft: In Black and White.

2. What is the theme of the exhibition?

Just as the name suggests it is crafts such as sculptures, vases and other non-paintings that are designed with black and with as the common theme.

Step 2: The Gallery

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

The lighting used was halogen and it was direct, or spot lighting. Very little ambient lighting with large focus on directly lighting the works themselves.

2. What colors are used on the walls?

All of the colors of the walls were white.

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

The gallery was designed with simple clean lines in mind, simple wood pedestals that were white, and black are all that holds the works up.

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

 There was a somewhat circular setup with a very large piece in the middle.

Step 3: The Artwork

Questions about the artwork:

1. How are the artworks organized?

      The artwork was organized in what seemed like no particular order or fashion. There was a mixture of different pieces such as furniture, vases, statues and wall art, but there is no grouping of them.

2. How are the artrworks similar?

They all have only two colors, black and white.

3. How are the artworks different?

Some of them are statues, some are wall art, some are abstracts, some are vases.

4. How are the artworks framed?

Some were encased in glass, some of them had nothing surrounding them.

5. How are the artworks identified and labeled?

There was a little plaque on the wall beside them that had the specifics of the art piece.

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

There is quite a lot of space between the works.

Art Criticism: Describing, Analyzing, and Interpreting Artwork

Artist: _Rina Peleg

Title of work: Untitled

Media: _Porcelain

Date: _1983

Size: __39x20x12 Inches

Source of picture (URL): Digital Camera

1.   Be receptive - Keep an open mind.  Look for what is good.  No put-downs allowed.

2.   Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)?

I see intricate work done to create what looks like wicker that has been unfinished. It is tall and slim but broad. It has many bends and shapes throughout to really give the piece character.

3.   Formal analysis – (form) what principles and elements were used and how are they used?

They used form, line, texture, and pattern.

4.  Bracketing - Is there anything in or about this work that reminds you of anything else? Do you see any symbols, metaphors, or allegories?  (iconography)

When I look at this piece of art it reminds me of two different things, one a woven beach bag or something similar, or two a wicker chair that has been ruined.

4.   Interpretation - (content) what do you think the artist was trying to say?

It looks like it is trying to say that you can make beautiful things out of things that are not beautiful. Or you can make old new again.

Art Criticism: Describing, Analyzing, and Interpreting Artwork

Artist: _Bill Stewart

Title of work: Shaman

Media: _glazed terracotta

Date: _1989

Size: __approx 60x12x14

Source of picture (URL): Digital Camera

1.   Be receptive - Keep an open mind.  Look for what is good.  No put-downs allowed.

2.   Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)?

A tower made of different things that are molded together. Looks like a bird on the bottom and it looks like bird legs sticking out of the side. The top looks to have 3 disc like forms on it.

3.   Formal analysis – (form) what principles and elements were used and how are they used?

They used form, lines, space, and proportion.

4.  Bracketing - Is there anything in or about this work that reminds you of anything else? Do you see any symbols, metaphors, or allegories?  (iconography)

It makes me think of a totem pole for American Indian culture but with a twist.

4.   Interpretation - (content) what do you think the artist was trying to say?

It looks to me like it is trying to say that nature integrates with everything.

Art Criticism: Describing, Analyzing, and Interpreting Artwork

Artist: _Julie York

Title of work: Untilted

Media: _porcelain

Date: _2000

Size: __approx 40x30x14

Source of picture (URL): Digital Camera

1.   Be receptive - Keep an open mind.  Look for what is good.  No put-downs allowed.

2.   Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)?

It is a bunch of figurines that are neatly aligned in rows with what looks like a single one in the front of them looking at them.

3.   Formal analysis – (form) what principles and elements were used and how are they used?

They gouping, pattern, texture, form, and shape.

4.  Bracketing - Is there anything in or about this work that reminds you of anything else? Do you see any symbols, metaphors, or allegories?  (iconography)

it makes me think of the terracotta army found in china.

4.   Interpretation - (content) what do you think the artist was trying to say?

it shows me that leadership can be displayed in figurines.  

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 personally liked this this gallery it was interesting and it was modern and progressive. They did a great job setting it up. It went very well with the name of the exhibit. It was all clean lines, and modern looks. The lighting did a good job emphasizing the works of out. It felt very open. 

Mod 11 Videos

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

I chose Cubism and Expressionism because to me they both seemed to me like a form of expressionism and I wanted to find out what was different about them.

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

The main concepts that I learned about cubism is that it does seem like a form a expressionism in that the artist expressed themselves in non-traditional ways. In this case by using geometric shapes, and stark contrasts. Whereas expressionism uses the emotional connections with colors to drive their paintings.

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

They take to book a step further and add the cultural impact of the forms of painting.

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

          The films both were very educational but very dry. To be honest it was trying to keep my interest. 

Mod Ten Video Review

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

The Suspended Threat – I chose the suspend threat because for a previous project I chose the great wave as one of the pictures. Because of this I wanted to learn more about this artist.

Chinese art I had always had an interest in eastern culture so I figured I would gather more information about it by watching this video.

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

For the Hokusai video I learned just how important Mt. Fuji is in Japanese culture. Also I learned exactly how the wood engraving paintings work.

In Chinese pottery resembles a lot of stuff that we use today. They collect a lot of functional art in their museums.

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

The wood engraving process is explained in detail which backed up earlier chapters. It shows that there is a lot of religion in their culture. The video backs it up by displaying the many figures of Buddha.

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

The Great Wave video was a very informative video on the life of the Japanese painter known as Hokusai. It shows his progression from a young man to an old one. Also it show the importance of the Volcano Mt. Fuji in Japanese culture as well as the sea. The Chinese art video was a little bit drier and strictly informative. It showed pieces from the National Palace Museum and gave a brief description of them. 

Art Making/Material Exploration: Exploring Line

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

It was weird because I was drawing something that I use all the time but never really look at.

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

I chose a pencil mainly because I didn’t have any charcoal and had one readily available.

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

It felt really weird because I am not good with my non dominant hand. It was frustrating at times because I was telling my hand to do one thing but it was doing another thing.

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

Yes in fact I believe the non-dominate drawing is better for some reason. It just looks more realistic it also took about 2 times as long so that could have been the reason

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

Yes judging how this came out I would because it seems to be a minor drop off overall. 

Mod 9

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

The two videos that I chose to watch were the drawings of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. The reason for choosing these was to further my knowledge of these two painters. I knew of them and wanted to know more especially Leonardo da Vinci.

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

The thing that I learned about both of them was that they were both perfectionists and never considered their work done. Leonardo da Vinci was a genius that had a serious case of OCD. He brought paintings that he was commissioned to do around with him and generally never finished them. Michelangelo referred back to sketches that he made as a young man even when he as older.

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

The videos do a good job relating to the text especially because the two that I chose happen to be the two most featured in the book. It was nice to see a more broken down approach to the works completed by these two gentleman.

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

I really enjoyed the da Vinci film because it was more of a general documentary of him and not about one or two particular things that he did. The Michelangelo video was nice as well but It was definitely harder to pay attention to because of the depth of detail went into subjects. 

Mod 8 Video Reviews

1.     Explain why you selected the video you choose from the selection listed above.

I chose the Cairo Museum because I am a big history buff. It is a place that I would really like to visit.

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

For the Cairo Museum video I really learned how cool of a place it is. I really didn’t know they had the amount of things that they do. I figured that they would have a lot being in Egypt in all but it is pretty astounding the amount of things they have.

For the More Human than Human video I learned that no matter where people were they always tend to make unrealistic figures of humans.

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

These video really relate very well with the text especially chapter 14. It shows the tendency of the ancient peoples of the Mediterranean but relates to other cultures from different parts of the world as well.

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

They really prove a point. That point being that people are wired similar. As we seen from earlier videos of the cave paintings happening the same way from people who had no contact with each other the same can be said about these sculptures and relics. They all make things similar but not congruent. The underlying things are the same but the finishing touches are different.

Mod 7 Video Review

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

Architecture: The Science of Design.

-Substructure- I didn't realize that buildings sat on these great substructures

-Building Swaying- It’s amazing how much a building sways during wind.

Prairie Style

-Open Spaces and Numerous windows

-Making the building part of terrain

-Chicago influenced prairie style because of the flat land   

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

The videos really bring to light some of the intricate details of the text but do talk about a lot of things that the text does not mention. It did have an article about Frank Lloyd Wright which related to the video.

3.     What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of Architecture?

The videos did bring some depth to my understanding of architecture and made me realize that there is a lot of engineering that goes into it. I really like that something with so much science can be twisted into things that are so beautiful. It reminds me of the discussion we had about craft and art. This is one of those examples.

4.     Why did you choose the films that you watched?

I chose the frank Lloyd wright video because of the connection with Buffalo. I chose the Architecture: The Science of Design because it sounded up my alley. 

Mod 6 Videos

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

These videos blow my mind. I couldn't think of creating anything like the things seen in the video. I never knew the painstaking detail that goes into it. The sculptor in the video really makes it seem like it is easy to him. I didn't realize that they went to the quarry and picked the perfect stone for their project. The glass one makes me want to go to the Corning Museum of glass.

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

The readings of the text give all the detail of the techniques but it is quite different when you are seeing them come to life by watching someone build one from scratch.

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

The film were a little dry but give you a great perspective on building a sculpture or working with glass and ceramics. It does add depth to my understanding but it makes me realize that is something that I probably will never be able to do. It takes a significant amount of passion for the craft that of which I do not have. 

Peer Review

1. Hyperlink the Blogs you reviewed into your Blog

Comment 1

Comment 2

Comment 3

Comment 4

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?

In project 1 as I was looking through the different pictures I noticed that most of the pictures show more than one element or principle. What I found interesting is the one element or principle that they chose the picture to represent.

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?

The painting Divisibilité indéfinie showed up in someone else’s blog and the reasoning was much different however the boldness of the colors ended up being the same reason for looking at it in the first place. This is one of the cool things about art, the same painting draws someone in the same way and then means something completely different to them.

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 there were a few. Some of the abstract ones that do nothing for me personally were neat to see have a connection with other people. Seeing there reasoning behind them is neat because I couldn’t think of a reason.

5. What do you think about the process of reading your peers reflection? Do you find this to be a valuable in your learning?

Because art is subjective it to me makes you think a little more about a different subject such as phycology. It blows my mind that so many people get so many different things out of the same thing. I do think it is helpful for my learning because you really see the diversity and creativity of people.

6. Check your Blog and read comments posted by your Peers. Do you find their comments helpful?

I find the encouraging and somewhat helpful. It is rewarding when other people let you know you opened up something to them that they may have missed.