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.