video review

Displaying Modern Art: The Tate Approach

In 1929 the MOMA portrayed modern art in chronological order.  It represented each art movement in the 1920s questions arose on the traditional ways of portraying modern art.  The museum was explored by artists for ideological and political context.  In the Tate Modern there are four sections that display modern art.  In the four sections there is a theme provided in each section and exhibition of the modern art selections.  The visitors to the Tate saw abrupt changes between the display rooms unlike MOMA’s feature of chronological order.  Critics believe when visitors go to Tate Modern’s thematic presentation they should have no previous knowledge of art.  Many abstract artists attempt to portray social vision, aesthetic effects, and convey emotion.  They do not want their paintings to be based on figuration.  I found this video helpful because it made me think about how I would like my exhibit set up.  It made me think if I would like it in chronological order or more of a scattered look.  I thought this video was good and helpful when thinking of creating an exhibit.  It gave me some things to think about for my exhibit.

The lowdown on Lowbrow: West Coast Pop Art

Robert Williams the artist says that he invented the term Lowbrow but doesn’t like its meaning.  Car culture, pop culture, and folk art had major influences in Lowbrow art.  It is said by Lisa Petrruci that art is less esoteric and more relatable.  The time after WWII which is known as “atomic age” is also important to Lowbrow art.  Art entails many different areas that range from concept art to paintings.  During the 1960s the gallery and artists spoke of Ed “Big Daddy” Roth along with psychedelic Rock working on underground comics.  There was a time where galleries weren’t willing to portray Lowbrow art.  The Laguna Art Museum put together a show which featured Robert Williams, Von Dutch, and Ed Roth.  Robert Williams believes that the art world is set up to portray and promote certain types of generation artists got there work across through album covers and fliers.  After a book was featured about female Lowbrow artists the Tart gallery in Vancouver received more acceptance and recognition.  In an attempt to promote lowbrow art.  Billy Shire opened the shooting gallery in San Francisco.  Robert Williams is in high demand all over the world while 20 years ago no one would hardly show is work.  I think this video helps me with my art exhibition creation because I may want to do something that involves paintings of actors and actresses who have passed away.  This may fall into pop culture.  I found this video interesting because I didn’t even know what lowbrow art really was until watching this video.  I learned a lot on the particular topic.

Bones of Contention: Native American Archeology

During the genocide in America against the Indians Native American’s bones were collected to be studied.  Anthropologists disagree whether the bones should or shouldn’t be returned to their ancestors.  A road construction worker found a body.  The bones are taken to be studied while Maria Pearson fights for the bones.  David Von Horn was arrested for possession of human bone fragments.  In the 19^th century Samuel Morton M.D. believes that brain size has to do with intelligence.  Native American skulls were collected and kept in museums.  Susan Harjo leads a fight for Native people’s objects of worship.  Dr. Barnes was prevented from doing Native American migration research because of new laws.  Scientists have to first determine what tribes the bones came from.  By measuring the skull it is easier to determine where the bones need to be returned to.  The Native Americans hold ceremonies to find out whether or not the bones are their ancestors.  They do not want any of the scientist’s history.  Scientists can find out a lot about health problems of today by studying the bones of past people.  British researchers DNA test bones that are infected with T.B.  Maria Pearson represents rights to an undisturbed Indian burial ground.  The University of Nebraska was asked by the Great Plains Omaha to analyze bones for their health and cultural significance.  Omaha women die earlier due to small pox and an alteration in their daily life.  In the early 20^th century Native Americans were deprived of their tribal identity in American boarding schools.  Native Americans now design New York’s Native American museum.  The bones from Native Americans are still being brought home.  This video does relate to the creation of my art exhibit because I know I want to create an exhibit portraying things from the past.  Therefore this video gave me some ideas of what I would like to include in my art exhibit.  I found this video very interesting because I never knew that Native American bones were kept and studied during the genocide.  I found it very intriguing to learn about that particular part of history and how bones are still in the possession of scientists.

Great Museums: An acquiring Mind: Philippe de Montebello and The Metropolitan Museum of Art

A gallery is based on dedication and hard work.  Knowledge of art is what makes the museum flow.  The background of art is very important when it comes to understanding art work.  The best way to understand an art work is by seeing it first hand and up close.  By seeing a painting up close you can see the way the artist intended for the painting to be viewed.   You can see the texture in the sculpture or painting.  Through seeing a work of art live you can see the way the artist had work and see all the detail in the painting.  The hard work that goes into creating an exhibition is apparent when viewing and makes the exhibition popular amongst visitors.  The artist wants for people to come and enjoy the exhibition and the hard work that the artist had put into creating the exhibit.  The film helps me with my exhibition because it gives me ideas for creating my exhibition.  The film was interesting and it made me think about my exhibition and the importance of organizing and research to make sure my exhibition flows well together.

Video Review

The Power of Art: Rothko

The key concepts ideas of this video are Rothko was commissioned to in the Seagram Building, deliver paintings to the Four Seasons Restaurant.  He decided to accept it but he first thought of his role in American capitalistic society.  Rothko was a child in Russia during a violent time especially against Jews.  He believed that art could save the world.  He created the subway series while dabbling in Expressionism.  He wanted his paintings to take on the values of contemporary society.  He also did not want any psychological analysis of his art.  Many of his paintings that were observed displayed the feelings of human tragedy.  The murals he painted were never actually hung in the Seagram building.  In the time period of 1954-1957 Rothko’s paintings multiplied.  Many people described his paintings as restful pictures where Rothko on the other hand thought of them as tragic.  Rothko offered a German curator that he would paint for free if he would build a chapel of apology for the Holocaust.  He spent the rest of his life searching for a chapel.  Rothko was a heavy drinker and smoker.  He began to paint darker and darker paintings.  When he was allowed to paint whatever he wanted for a Texas Chapel, he painted only in black.

I chose this video because I wanted to learn more about Rothko.  I wanted to know his background story.  I am glad I picked this video because it provided me with just that.

Andy Warhol: Images of an Image

The key concepts/ideas of the video are Andy Warhol was a commercial artist.  In 1960 he decided to start experimenting with images for advertising.  He died in 1987.  He was very interested in the lives of Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe.  They had inspired many images.  Photographs are enlarged and displayed on screens of silk; they are then transferred to canvas and paper, using paint and ink.  In 1963 he created Ten Lizes, which was featuring Elizabeth Taylor.  He saw the silk images as a means to make some money.  He then began to film and photographs his friends.  He then added paint to the silk images.  His work addressed race riots, cultural revelation of China, the moon conquest, and the universal dollar.

I chose to watch this video because I have heard of Andy Warhol and thought this would be a good opportunity to learn a little bit more about him.  It is nice to put a face to a name.

 

The films relate to the readings because we addressed these names and topics in the reading.  The films elaborated on them which helped to better understand the readings.  The videos also added more than the readings by providing some background information that helped us to better understand the person behing the art.  It also gave a visual of who these artists are which makes them easier to relate to.

The films were interesting and added to my knowledge.  I learned the background and the life of Rothko.  I also learned about who Andy Warhol was and how he was fascinated by Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor.  The films were great and definatly gave me information that I wanted when visiting the video in first place.

Art Gallery Visit # 2

Albright Knox Art Gallery

Visited on 11/8/2012

Step 1: The Exhibition

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

1.      The title of the exhibition is Decade: Contemporary Collecting 2002-2012.

2.      The theme of the exhibition is characterized into ten themes which are Insidius Humor, Language is a Virus from Outer Space, Film/Photography/Fiction, L.A. Angels, Psychology of Space, Shape of Space, Sculpture in the Expanded Field, Social Space/Private Ritual, What happened to the paining?, and the Wayward line.

Step 2: The Gallery

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

The pictures at the gallery had recessed lighting at the top of them.  The lighting brought attention to the work of art being observed.  The gallery also had recessed lighting throughout the halls of the gallery that I noticed while walking around.

2. What colors are used on the walls?

The color used on the wall is a creamy white color.  The color of the wall really helps the painting to pop out.  There are no bright colors on the walls so your eyes don’t get distracted when looking at the work of art.

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

The floor of the gallery is kind of a marble type floor it is a very shiny hard surface.  It is a very light colored floor kind of like tope color.  It is very plain.  The walls at the bottom have black trim from the bottom of the wall to the floor.  The ceiling is white with many recessed lights along the ceiling.

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

There were many halls in the gallery.  The works were all very spaced out from each other.  The paintings being so spaced out made me feel if it was to help to clear your mind along the way.  The paintings being so spaced out also helped to not have any interference when concentrating on one work.  The halls were spacious and didn’t have any unnecessary objects in the way.  Everything appeared white except for the works.

Step 3: The Artwork

 Questions about the artwork:
1. How are the artworks organized?

The works are well organized.  They are perfectly spaced apart so your eyes don’t start wander away from the artwork you are looking at.  The artworks that related to one another tended to be around each other.  Such as the works with the nude paintings, there were other nude paintings in the same area.  The paintings were also the perfect height which was about eye level.  If they would have been lower it would have been difficult to keep looking down.  The lighting above each work also helped the work to pop out at you.

2. How are the artworks similar?

They are similar because they all neatly laid out.  The works that require a require a frame have a frame and they are about the same height.  They all have a white mount next to the artwork that describes the work.

3. How are the artworks different?

They are different because they are all created in different ways.  Artwork is different from work to work, that is what makes it so special.  No work of art is the same.

4. How are the artworks framed?

They artworks are framed with silver, bronze, gold, and white frames.  I even noticed some works were framed with wood frames.  The frames were heavy looking and classy. 

5. How are the artworks identified and labeled?

They are identified by the title, artist, media, and year.  There is a little white mounted card to the right of the work.  The card provides the details of the work.

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

The artworks are spaced out from one another.  There is enough space between the artworks so they don’t interfere when looking at a particular piece of art.  It is the perfect amount of space apart when looking at art.

Step 4: Art Criticism Exercise 

Artist: Giacomo Balla

Title: Dynamism of a Dog on a Leash

Year: 1912

Media: Oil on canvas

The artwork portrays a small dog being walked.  It shows the leash swinging to let the viewer know someone is holding the leash that is attached to the small dog’s collar.  The use of line shown in this work as the ground the dog is walking upon has lines all over it.  The use of a gray scale is used in the picture.  The dog and the owner’s bottom of its body are black while the ground is a gray along with the leash being a light gray.  The emphasis of the work appears to be on the dog.  When looking at this particular piece of artwork it reminds me of walking my dog on cold dark day.  That is why I was so drawn to this particular piece because it reminded me of myself.   I believe the artist was trying to make people relate to this work.  Many people have animals or have seen a dog being walked.  It gives off a feeling of knowing the dog or had seen this dog before.  I believe the artist wanted the viewers to have an emotional connection with the dog and the dog walker. 

 

Title: Peasants in the Fields, Eragny

Artist: Camille Pissarro

Year: 1890

Media: Oil on canvas

The artwork depicts a man and woman working in a field or on a farm.  The man is shoveling the ground while the woman stands and watches while holding a basket.  There is a little girl sitting in the field.  There is green grass behind them and many clouds in the sky.  The artist used color in this painting such as brown, blue, tan, green, and white.  Texture was used to give the ground a rough look to it.  The emphasis of the painting is to the left side where the man and woman are.  While everything to the right and behind appears to be in the background.   The work reminds me of a hard working family on a farm.  It looks as if it is a man and his wife with their child in the background.  It makes me feel that they work hard every day in that field.  I think the artist wanted viewers feel the effect of a hard working family.  I think the artist wanted people to relate to the feeling of working hard day after day.  The artist titled the work Peasants in the Fields which means these people are peasants working to get by in life.  It is kind of just like people today.  We are all just working to get by in life.  We are all peasants working in the field of life.

Title: The Marina Piccola, Capri

Artist: Albert Bierstadt

Year: 1859

Media: Oil on Canvas

The painting portrays a marina.  There is a small boat on the sand with a mountain to the left.   There is water with the sun coming down on it.  There are clouds in the sky.  There are boats in the water and large waves.  There are also people on the shore.  The painting depicts texture on the mountains to give that rough look to them.  Color is also used for the mountain, water, sky, and boats.  There appears to be emphasis on the left side of the painting where the mountain is.  Shape is also portrayed through the boats, mountains, clouds in the sky, and people.  Movement is also used as your eyes move from the shore, to the water, over to the hills, and up to the sky.  The painting keeps your eyes constantly moving.  The painting reminds me of a boats arriving to an island whether they meant to or had to.  It makes me feel as if they had to stop there because of the waves being so high.  I think the artist wanted to viewers to use their imagination when looking at this painting.  I also feel though as if it gives a sort of hanging out by the water feel.  I believe viewers may be able to relate to it, such as spending a day with their family.  I believe he wanted to give an emotional feel to it but also shed light on the beauty of nature.  The hills, the water, they sky, the shore; it is all very beautiful and tranquil.

5.

 

I definitely thought it was different going to the art gallery and not completely focusing on the pictures but on the surrounding space.  I thought it was helpful because it made me think as to why the gallery looked the way it did.  It made me ponder what the purpose behind it.  It was fun to look around and think of and document the different aspects of the Albright Knox Art gallery.

Video Review

Dada and Surrealism

The key concepts/ideas of the video are Kurt Schwitters in 1918 understands that there are endless options in collage.  The German artists after WWI saw nonsense everywhere.  Schwitters was the founder of a magazine called “Merz.”  He represents many objects in his artwork.  Hana Hoch was a part of the Dadaist movement.  She uses art to attack certain parts of society that disgust her.  Hoch created a photomontage called “Cut with the Kitchen Knife” which goes after the Weimar regime’s political figures.  She portrays the confusion and energy in her photomontage of the modern city.  George Grosz’s art was burned by the Nazis.  He painted “Pillars of Society” which was an attack on those he had done him wrong.  He also expressed that the end of WWI did not end the evil of government.  Salvador Dali was a surrealist painter.  He probes the human subconscious darkest areas.  He created a world that made little sense.  He portrayed many landscapes.  He settled himself in 1930 in Port Legal.  In his work titled “Sleep” he remembers the area’s rock creations.  In Dali’s works one of his favorite fetishes was crutches.  He included crutches in his piece “Sleep.”  In Man Ray’s “La Fortune” some of the pictures mechanisms are true to life.  He creates an unfamiliar arrangement using familiar objects.  He dedicated a series of works to the writer Isidore Ducasse.

I chose this video because I read and answered the discussion questions from the books reading on these two subjects.  After answering the discussion questions I wanted to know more about the topics so when I saw the videos I decided I wanted to watch them to get a better understanding of the material.

 

Expressionism

Edward Munch created “Ashes” which was a piece that depicted the challenging relationship between man and woman along with unknown of sexuality.  Munch’s creative images did not go along with the norms of content and style; he broke many rules when creating imagery.  His painting “Ashes” was originally named “After the Fall.”  The imagery depicts Adam and Eve.  The forms used are greatly simplified.  It is a representation of a modern Adam and Eve.  Munch’s exhibition that was in Berlin in 1892 was closed due it causing much anger.  Many times Munch was turn his work into lithography.  Munch’s views on sexual relationship were pessimistic.  He shared these views with Friedrich Nietzsche, a German philosopher and August Strindberg, a Swedish dramatist.  In the work “Madonna” Munch portrayed once again his ambiguity towards women.  He referred to his works as the “Frieze of Life,” that depicted his cynical and constant view on life.  Franz Marc created “The Tiger” in 1912.  Animals were his big focus.  Marc was a part of a group called “The Blue Rider.”  The group was led by Kandinsky, a Russian painter whose paintings are now perceived as the creation of the movement of modern art.  During 1913-1915 Ernest Ludwig Kirchner painted many works that represented “tarts” in the streets of a busy city.  They look to be rushed and lead the viewer into a voyeur.  He was the founder of the “The Bridge” which was an artist’s association.  Max Bechmann whose style took a dramatic turn post WWI.  He began painting in a German impressionist’s style.  With the use of bright colors and gestures his figures are suggestive of puppets.  Anselm Kiefer was born at the end of WWII in 1945 Germany.  His works refer menacingly to the war.  He loves textures.  He mixes his paints with real pieces of wood.

I chose this video because I have an interest in expressionism and thought the video would be great to watch to get even more information on expressionism.

 

The videos relate to the reading because they give a visual to what the textbook is talking about.  It also gives many examples of works that portray the specific movement being talked about.  The videos also elaborate on the material which gives a better understanding.

 

I enjoyed watching the videos and learning even more about the surrealism, dada, and expressionism movements.  I love history and I feel that art greatly ties into history therefore I enjoyed the videos that aided to my interest in history.  They provided more information to take with me to the next chapters to understand the overall art concept.

mask making

 

This mask is symmetrical.  The mask has a sense of balance.  There is also line used throughout the mask.  There is a pattern with the shapes of the mask for example the circles at the top have a specific pattern and symmetry about them.  The designs on the mask seem to be equally spaced throughout the entire mask.  Every marking seems to be equally apart on both sides of the mask.  This mask does not have much color it is just a silver mask.  The mask is proportioned on both sides.  This mask looks very powerful to me.  I picture an important person to be wearing this kind of mask.  I chose it because it was hard to stop looking at and it made me wonder about what type of person would wear it.

 

masque-de-venise-luxe-cignetta-1567.jpg

It is said that this mask is made of clay.  The scoring technique of this mask gives it a three dimensional shape look to it.  There is color used on this mask.  It appears to have some green, yellow, blue, and maybe gold on it.  The left side of the mask seems to be the focal point of the mask.  The left side of the mask seems to be emphasized more than the right with the lavish design.  Line is portrayed throughout the mask, some of the lines swirl while others are a little straighter.  The left side of the mask looks like the texture would a little hard and rougher when touching.  The mask looks to me like it would be worn to a fun event like a masquerade ball of some sort.  I chose this mask because it just reminded me of a fun classy time and it really stuck out to me.

This mask is a hand decorated venetian mask.  It portrays line with the lines above and below the eye area.  It also has some sort of design all the way around the mask which appears to look like flowers.  The flower looking arrangement around the mask looks like it would have a bit of a rough feel to them when touched.  The masks colors are black and silver.  The mask appears to be symmetrical on both sides.  The bow seems to be emphasized on the front of the mask as it is in front and larger.  This mask is very elegant looking.  It looks like it could be worn for a black and white event or even a wedding.  I chose this mask because it reminded me of a fun themed wedding.  I finding to very pretty to look at also.

Sketches

Finished Piece

This is my finished product.  I wanted the mask to have a feel of symmetry throughout it.  I like when masks are symmetrical on both sides.  I also used element of color on the mask.  I chose to use pencil when creating the mask.  I then used color pencils to color in the mask.  The colors chosen were a lime green, black, light blue, purple, and red.  I used line when drawing the mask and in the line pattern on the sides of the mask.  I used a diamond shape at the top of the mask in red to give it a three dimensional look.  I also tried to create an equal amount of space between designes on the mask.  I used repetition on the sides of the mask with the lines.  They were repetitive down the whole side of the mask on both sides.  Overall I wanted the mask to have a feeling of unity and balance.

I like my first finished mask.  I thought it came out rather okay for my first time ever attempting to make a mask drawing.  I thought it was a fun experience just be able to make it look anyway I wanted.  It was also fun looking up some other masks.  They were very creative and different.  Overall I enjoyed the mask project.

Video Reviews

Buddhism

The key concepts/ideas of Buddhism began in India.  It then spread to other areas where it prospered.  The legends and facts of Buddhism are twisted together in Bodh Gaya, India.  One of the main teachings of Buddhism is “Tanha.”  “Tanha” preaches to get rid of all desires that may halt enlightenment.  When Budha died Buddhism split into two groups within the first hundred years of his death.  The two groups became Hinayana and Mahanayana.  The architecture of the Buddhism age spread around India.  The core of Buddhism art and architecture is Sanchi.  The Bodhi tree represents Buddha.  There is a walkway that surrounds the Great Stupa.  When walking through each step brings you to a new discovery of art and architecture of Buddhism.  The biggest Shrine to Buddhism is located in Java where a lotus-shaped Borabudur stands.  There are 432 curved Buddhas at the top of the shrine.  The Chuang Yen Monastery is located in Carmel, NY.  It is buildings.  There are statues within the building that reflect the style of the Tang Dynasty.

I chose to watch this video because I have always had a curiosity for Buddhism.  I was always interested in their beliefs and wanted to watch more on it.

 

African Art: Legacy of Oppression

 The key concepts/ideas of the video are the most African art is held at Belgium’s Tervuren museum in Central Africa.  The body positions and expressions in African art led to abstract art.  The masters of the 20^th century were influenced by African art.  African masks were made to frighten enemies, they were contorted features.  African art was then brought to Belgian by the people.  Leopold’s army brutalized the Africans and he then put them on display at his Tervuren museum.  He wiped out half of the Congo’s population while on his conquest for slave labor.  The western culture was influenced by Africa’s exotic curiosities.  African art explores the very nature of existence.

I chose this video because I have always liked African artwork and I thought it would be interesting to learn more about a topic I was interested in that’s why I picked this video.

 

The videos relate to the text because the text talked about these topics.  The videos provided a visual to the reading.  I always find seeing to be more beneficial than reading because I am a visual learner.

I actually really enjoyed the films because I found the topics to be interesting.  I like learning about different religions and their relation to art.  I also find African art to be interesting so it helped me to better understand the background of their art work.  The videos help me when I am having trouble picturing what is being talked about in the book.  Therefore I learned a lot from watching these videos.