Art Gallery Visit (Burchfield Penney)

Step 1 Questions:

1. What is the title of the exhibit?

The title of the exhibit is "Burchfield Botanicals"

2. What is the theme of the exhibition?

This exhibition is based on the growth of flowers and botanicals.

Step 2 Questions:

1. What type of lighting is used?

The lighting for this exhibit is soft to give the peaceful and calm feeling that comes from viewing the various works of flowers. The lights are spread out throughout so as to give the exhibit enough lighting, but also not overpowering the works being showcased. The remainder of the art gallery has brighter lighting than that of the exhibit I chose to look at.
2. What colors are used on the walls?
The walls of this exhibit are all a soft, muted gray color.
3. What materials are used in the interior architecture of the space?
Within this exhibit, there are light wood floors to go along with the gray colored walls. Also in this exhibition are several showcases that are encased in glass. There are also walls that have been built to section it off.
4. How is the movement of the viewer through the gallery space?
The movement of the viewer through the space is a great sense of movement. The works keep the viewer moving from the beginning of the exhibition towards another room that is also included in it, where it ends.

Step 3 Questions:
1. How are the artworks organized?
Most of the works in this exhibition are on the walls, framed together with the works that are similar.
2. How are the artworks similar?
All of the works have drawings/paintings/sketches of botanicals and flowers.
3. How are the artworks different?
The works of art are different from one another because they are all drawings/sketches/paintings of different flowers, and there are various paintings that are of different groupings and types of flowers.
4. How are the artworks framed?
The artworks throughout the exhibition are framed in similar looking frames to keep a sense of continuity. The frames on all of them are very simple so that they do not take away from that of the works of art.
5. How are the artworks  identified and labeled? 
Next to each work of art is a plaque that tells the viewer the artist, name of the work, medium and year the work was completed. Also on the plaque identifying the works of art tells the purpose of the work if there was a specific one for it.
6. What is the proximity of the artwork to each other? 
Some of the artwork is closer to other works, while all of the framed artworks are at least approx 1 foot away. Works that are similar/related to one another are grouped with one another.

Photos:

'Sunflowers' by Charles E. Burchfield (2010)

'Untitled (sunflowers)' by Charles E. Burchfield (1960)

'The White Wings of September' by Charles E. Burchfield (1960)

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.?

Going into a new art gallery and really looking at the exhibitions and works, especially from a different perspective. Looking at the exhibition was very interesting also because it felt calming in a sense due to the various works based on flowers. From a more vague viewpoint, this exhibition gives viewers its own lens to look at nature through. 

Additional Photos

Beginning/Entrance of Exhibit

Panoramic Photo of part of Exhibition

Video Review

Videos:

Andy Warhol: Images of an Image

Uncertainty: Modernity and Art

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

My reason for choosing to watch Andy Warhol: Images of an Image is because I have seen several works of this artist, but I do not have very much knowledge regarding him as an artist and his works. 

I chose to watch Uncertainty: Modernity and Art because of the title of the video to be honest. The idea of an uncertainty behind something makes it an intriguing topic for me, and I felt that I wanted to learn more about what the topic in the world of art. 

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

The use of screen printing  to create several prints of one picture/photograph, as well as using that technique with a photo of Marilyn Monroe after she had passed away is what had mad Andy Warhol famous. While I have seen this work prior to watching this video, I was unaware that that was how Warhol started to become as famous as he is today. 

The “uncertainty” that is discussed in this video, which I also find interesting is the unknown that lies within a work of art. While we all interpret various works of art differently depending on our experiences and what we like and dislike, there is the sense of the unknown. We can interpret something and talk about what we as viewers THINK a work means, but we do not know for certain what its actual meaning/background is. 

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

The Andy Warhol video discusses the works of Andy Warhol and his rise to fame as an artist is the topic of the video, and it is also discussed in the text. We have also read about screen printing in the text, which relates to the video because that is one of Warhol’s forms of artwork which is so popular. 

This video discusses the Greeks and ancient artwork, which has been discussed thoroughly throughout the course, as well as included in the text readings. Not only does this video discuss Greek and ancient art, it also goes into modern day artwork, which is also what we have read about in the text. 

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

I think that the Andy Warhol video does a good job showcasing the many famous works of the artist, as well as expanding my knowledge of the artist and his work. I have a better understanding after watching this video.

The video Uncertainty: Modernity and Art video gave me the understanding that art is unpredictable and at times it can be unknown and uncertain. I enjoyed learning about a topic that is so unique compared to the previous videos that I have watched for the course. 

Video Review

Videos:
Matisse and Picasso
Dada and Surrealism

1. Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed.
I chose to watch the Matisse and Picasso video simply because I wanted to learn more about the two artists, especially Matisse who I am not as familiar with as I am more familiar with Picasso.  

I decided to watch the video based on Dada and Surrealism because I am not very familiar with the Dada movement and I felt that I wanted to learn more about it through video. I am more familiar with Surrealism, although I do not know very much about it, so I felt that the video would be a great way to learn more about it.

2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
From watching this video, I learned that the two artists are very different from one another in the ways that they created works of art, and also in their thoughts and thought processes. I also learned in this video that Picasso eventually became a part of the Cubism movement by creating the first collage work of art.

In this video, I have learned that Kurt Schwitters had began using various different materials to create works of art, using pieces of almost anything that he had found that had been discarded. The Dada movement came about as a reaction to World War I, and I feel that it explains the styles of the works of art that came from the artists who chose to create according to the movement. 

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

This video did a good job increasing my knowledge of the two artists and how they are related to each other in terms of their works of art. 

I feel that this video really added depth to my understanding of the Dada movement and how it eventually turned into Surrealism. I had previously learned about Surrealism, although I have not previously learned about the Dada movement.

Making A Mask

 Questions 

1. Upload the three inspiration images to your Blog (or link to your Photobucket). Explain why you selected the inspiration pieces. 

Inspiration Image 1

Inspiration Image 2

Inspiration Image 3

 I chose these three images as my inspiration pieces for the creation of my mask mostly because of the colors in each of them. I went with my personal taste and decided to use the three masks I liked most as my inspiration. 

2. Include the analysis and description (art criticism steps) of the three inspiration pieces.

The element of color was used in all of the masks that I am using for my inspiration, as well as line and the principle of balance. The first two images include the appearance of hair on them, which was an interesting aspect of the mask that I decided to include on my mask creation. Each mask exhibits the principle of symmetrical balance, because if you look closely at each one, the designs on them mirror one another on each side of the mask. There is also the element of shape present in each inspiration mask, as they have all been made into a different shape. My first image is a mask that is triangular in shape. The second inspiration image is long and ovular in shape, while the third image I chose to use is also oval in shape, but it is more close to the shape of a human face than the rest. 

3. Upload images of your sketches and finished piece.

Thumbnail sketches

Final Mask

                                

4. Explain how you used the Elements and Principles in your finished work.
In creating my finished mask, I decided to purchase an inexpensive mask already made from the craft store as my starting point. I painted the designs and colors onto the mask and added the additional pieces to it. I used the element of color with the blue, yellow and black in my mask, as those were some of the colors I saw throughout my searching of masks. I also used the element of shape with the shape of the actual mask itself to the shapes of triangles that I painted onto the mask as well. There is also line present in my finished work through the lines of the 'hair' and the lines next to the triangles. 

5. Share your opinion of your finished mask and what you thought about creating the mask.
I think that my mask has some characteristics of the original masks that I have seen throughout my searching. In creating my mask, I combined designs and characteristics from various masks to create my own version of an African style mask. I did not think it was difficult to find how I wanted to create the mask, but it did require a lot of thought in how to put it all together. 

Video Review

Videos:

African Art: Legacy of Oppression

Islamic Art: Africa and Central Asia

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

I chose African Art: Legacy of Oppression because I have not learned very much about African Art, and I thought it would be an interesting topic to discuss and learn more about. The culture from which the art work has come from is intriguing to consider.

I chose to watch Islamic Art: Africa and Central Asia because I have found that the Islamic art is so beautiful that I want to learn more about it and see what other aspects of the culture have been incorporated into the art of the Islamic culture. 

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

Much of the African Art that we now see in museums is abstract, and they are not necessarily realistic portrayals of people, like many people are looking for in works of people. The masks that were created had a purpose and creatively told a person’s story.

 The mosaic style used to decorate architecture is most definitely an Islamic work of art, along with Arabic script incorporated into the mosaic art. The colors are very bright and vivid on these mosaic tiles that are used in this decoration and form of art. 

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

The video African Art: Legacy of Oppression discusses the masks created by African artists, much like that of the text readings. Much of what I have learned about in terms of the African art is that a lot of the works we see today were created in relation to celebrating and/or mourning the dead. 

The text mostly shows off the mosaic decorative style used on the architecture by talking about how the designs came to be what they are today, and this is what is discussed 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 video about African art was an interesting topic for me because I do not know as much about African art as I know about other art work from around the world. This video increased my understanding along with my readings of the text as well. One of the most interesting facts to me was that the statues created by African artists were created to be abstract representations of people, while many other cultures around the world look to strive for a very realistic representation of people.

 I personally enjoyed seeing more of a thorough view of the mosaic style of Islamic art work. The finished product of the tile work has given me a whole new appreciation for the work that I did not previously know very much about. This video gave me that new understanding and appreciation.

Exploring Line

My drawing of each hand

Reflection:

1. What was it like using your hand as subject matter for a drawing?
I liked being able to use my hands as subject matter for my own drawing, because it really got me to look at my hands and the details in them while drawing to help make my drawings depict my hands realistically.

2. What media did you select - pencil or charcoal? Why?
For my drawings of my hands, I selected to use pencil, mostly for the reason that it was so easily available to me for this assignment. I am also accustomed to using pencils for many of my drawings, so I felt comfortable using pencil as my media. I also tend to be a bit of a perfectionist, so having pencil being erasable, I like that I can erase my mistakes if necessary.

3. How did it feel to create a drawing with your non-dominant hand?
Creating a drawing with my non-dominant hand felt very foreign and strange to me. My right hand is very dominant when it comes to anything involving writing or drawing, which made drawing with my left hand an interesting, yet fun challenge for me. Even when I was holding the pencil, it felt strange, as if I was holding the pencil incorrectly. Once I got drawing, I felt a little bit better about creating something with my left hand, but it turned out nothing like the drawing I completed with my dominant hand.

4. Compare and contrast your final drawings. Do you think they are successful studies?
My final drawings of each hand are very different fro one another. The drawing of my left hand that I completed with my dominant hand has smoother lines and values to it, while the drawing of my right hand done with my left hand has smaller, more choppy looking lines to it. I think that these drawings are successful studies, because while they are both very different, both show the use of line and the variations of it as well.

5. Would you consider using your non-dominant hand to create artwork in the future?
I would consider using my non-dominant hand to create artwork in the future, but I also think that it would depend on what I am creating. If I were doing experimental sketches to try out new techniques, I would consider using my left hand. However, in a final piece I would most likely use my right hand, as I would want my work to turn out as perfect as possible.

Video Review

Questions and Topics for Your Blog Posting:

The Drawings of Michelangelo
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 to watch and review The Drawings of Michelangelo because it provided me an opportunity to learn more about his works in depth, and I have not learned very much about the famous artist in previous courses. 

I selected this video to watch as one of my choices because I have always found an interest in the art and works of the Renaissance and I felt it would be interesting to see more about the works from the Renaissance. 

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

While watching The Drawings of Michelangelo, I learned that many of Michelangelo’s drawings were done prior to a painting or sculpture that was eventually completed. These drawings are of the human body, which is a complex and detailed figure to draw realistically. 

One of the key concepts from this video is that Leonardo da Vinci became a master of perspective and later he inquired the knowledge of the proportions of humans and animals. This knowledge also showed in da Vinci’s architecture as well. The use of a landscape as the main focus of a painting was first done by Leonardo da Vinci, as well as the use of the landscape in the background of a portrait. 

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

The discussion of the drawings by Michelangelo adds greatly to my understanding and knowledge of his works, because I have not studied into Michelangelo in depth very much. The cross hatching that Michelangelo used throughout much of this drawings is a technique that is very difficult to replicate in the beautiful way that Michelangelo has managed to use it in his drawings of the body. 

The video titled Leonardo da Vinci: The mind of the Renaissance gave me a more in depth understanding of the works of da Vinci. I did not know that Leonardo da Vinci was the first artist who painted a work of art that contained a landscape as the main focus, so I found that to be a very interesting fact. 

Video Review

More Human Than Human

Questions and Topics for Your Blog Posting:

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

This video (More Human Than Human) was a requirement to watch for this assignment. Before watching, I will say that the title has me intrigued.

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

·         The human form is the world’s most popular forms to create in works of art. This is an interesting fact that also makes plenty of sense, because much of the artwork that we see throughout the world is based on the human body, from sculptures to paintings.

·         The ways in which the human body has been portrayed throughout history is also very interesting. For example, “The Venus of Willendorf” is portrayed with exaggerated parts of her body, while other parts of her body are ignored. This is clearly not a realistic portrayal of the human female form. 

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

This video’s discussion of “The Venus of Willendorf” relates to the readings in the text because in chapter 14, we read about the various sculptures in  Mesopotamia, ancient Greek and ancient Roman cultures. The sculpture from Mesopotamia is just one of those many statues that have been created during those time periods.

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

I think that this video helped increase my understanding of the art concepts from ancient times throughout the world.  The sculptures and various other works that have been created, and are now in museums throughout the world are simply amazing, as they can never be recreated. I was able to see a more detailed view of these works that were being discussed in the video.

Cairo Museum

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

I selected this video because of my interest in the art and works of ancient Egypt. I find the mummies, art and jewelry to be so different from other works that I have seen, which makes this topic so interesting to me. I also have never seen what is inside the Cairo Museum.

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

·         Learning the history of King Tut and various other mummies is not something that can be seen and learned anywhere else in the world, other than at the Cairo Museum.

·         The museum opened in 1902.

·         Ancient Egyptians preserved their dead through mummification, and burial masks that were painted and created to look like the person being mummified.

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

The paintings that have been found inside the tombs where people were buried in Egypt relate to the cave drawings that we read about in chapter 14. The artifacts that we see in this video of the museum also relate to some of the objects that are shown in chapter 14 of the reading in the text.

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

I was very intrigued by the topic of this video, because of the unique works that have been so amazingly preserved for thousands of years. The beauty of the work from paintings to jewelry to sculptures created by the ancient Egyptians goes into so much depth that there is a museum dedicated to it in Cairo.

Video Review

Questions and Topics for Your Blog Posting:

Imperial Rome, Ostia, and Portus: Ancient Architecture and Technology

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

• The Pantheon
• Architecture is a temple covered with stucco and marble.
• Oculus on top (rounded ceiling with an opening).
• Strong concrete due to the chambers in the walls of the building.

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

This video relates to the readings of the text because of the discussion of the ancient Greek and Roman architecture in detail, very much like what is read in the text. 

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

I felt that this video added more depth to my understanding of these ancient forms of architecture because of the detail that is discussed, as well as the visuals provided through the format of a video. 

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

I chose to watch this video because I wanted to learn more about the ancient architecture of the buildings that have inspired the modern day architecture of many of the buildings that we see throughout the world today. It is very fascinating.

Architecture: The Science of Design

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

• The use of concrete in buildings

• Cold/heat resistant material

• Mixture of sand, broken stone with cement and water

• Factors that go into building sky scrapers

• Testing of the effect of wind on buildings (skyscrapers)

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

This video relates to the readings in the text by discussing the use of concrete in buildings, as well as skyscrapers. Skyscrapers are a type of architecture, which is the topic being discussed in this chapter. The details that go into building skyscrapers include the materials used as well as the number of stories that will be built up on the building. All of these factors relate to the readings.

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

As far as the building of skyscrapers and use of concrete goes, this video adds depth to my understanding of both topics. While it is logical, I did not know that skyscrapers had the ability to sway in heavy winds, resulting in testing that needs to be done prior to the building of a skyscraper. These tall buildings defy gravity, as stated in the text, which is a reason so much detail is important in measuring and meticulously building these skyscrapers. 

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

 As far as the building of skyscrapers and use of concrete goes, this video adds depth to my understanding of both topics. While it is logical, I did not know that skyscrapers had the ability to sway in heavy winds, resulting in testing that needs to be done prior to the building of a skyscraper. These tall buildings defy gravity, as stated in the text, which is a reason so much detail is important in measuring and meticulously building these skyscrapers.