Video Review

Sculpture Video
One of the key concepts from the video was you should plan and sketch exactly what you see in your head when making a sculpture.  Marble was also another topic.  The video talked about the amount of time that goes into making a marble sculpture.  It takes a long time to complete a marble sculpture.  Sculptures can also be made using different materials such as; wood, clay, stone, or marble.

Glass and Ceramics Video
The art of glassblowing was a topic in the video.  I found this topic interesting because I knew little about glassblowing.  The video explained how glassblowing is formed from sand.  The sand is turned into a liquid, followed by being put on a stick.  The process of blowing happens in the stick.  I found this cool to know.  I knew a little bit about ceramics prior to the video.  I knew one of the concepts from the video that plaster has to be molded and the clay is mixed.  However, I did not know that the clay is mixed with quartz.

Installation Art Video
In the video people were asked what installment art was.  Each person had their own definition.  Overall Installation art refers to space and sculptures.  Installation art is everywhere.  It seemed to be a controversial topic in the video.

These videos relate to the reading in the text because they touched on the key concepts that were in the book.  The videos elaborated on what was read in the text.  It also helped to give a visual on what we read in the book.  It basically helped bring the book to life and make the concepts easier to understand.  Glassblowing can be considered a craft.  Sculpting was also mentioned in the book.  Installation art is unique and interesting to learn about.

The videos were good.  They were still a little long but really elaborated on the topics.  They gave a good understanding on what sculpting is, glass and ceramics, and Installation art.  I found installation art to be interesting and I was interested in the controversy behind it.  It also made me realize how installation art is all around us.  I learned many more things about sculpting such as how heavy the marble sculptures are and how long they take to make.  I also enjoyed watching Emmanual sculpt, it was amazing to see how good it was.  I also learned how glassblowing occurs and ceramics are made.  I enjoyed watching the videos and relating them to my environment.

Assessment of Project #1 and #2

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?
http://mollyeustace.blogspot.com/2012/09/reflection-on-creating-slideshow.html
I did agree with Molly's portrayal of element and principle in her slide show.  I also thought for time it could be line from the lines in the stairs.  Also in her picture for pattern with the stones, I also thought it could be for color.  I think in most pictures there is one or more elements or principles.
http://shovel-the-surface.blogspot.com/2012/09/oh-my-color.html?showComment=1349481291908#c180305324366147051
I did agree with the elements and principles of the images.  Once again the photo of repetition could also be color since the circles were different colors.  Many of the pictures could be more than element and principle.

http://mollyeustace.blogspot.com/2012/09/my-visit-to-albright-knox.html?showComment=1349479796741#c6582429376979314705
2. Molly and I did not have any similar pictures.  Although i did find a couple of her photos to be very eye catching.  My favorite one was "The Quiet of Dissolution: FireStorm." I feel like it is a very powerful piece. I find the controversy behind the Mayan calendar ending interesting. I think that's why I also feel so impacted by the picture.  The fire spreading over Los Angeles was very powerful.  I would like to know the story behind the artist painting that particular picture. 
http://shovel-the-surface.blogspot.com/2012/09/gallery-visit-1.html?showComment=1349482096772#c6863799154445892567
Dixie and I did not have any similar pictures.  I did find her pictures to be very powerful to look at.  I felt many emotions while looking at her photos.  The photos of racism and prejudice were sad to look at and also angered me.  It angered me to think that these events had taken place in history.  I do think it is important to learn from these mistakes and not let history repeat itself.  I really enjoyed looking at her photos because they are pieces of history and should be known.

I find it very valuable to read people's blogs.  It is nice to read other people's thoughts and criticism on artwork.  I like having another perspective when looking at art because sometimes people catch and look at works differently or in way you never thought of.  That's why I enjoy reading what other people write.  I also liked reading my own comments.  I find them to be very helpful and I liked when people enjoyed my pictures.  I also enjoyed reading their criticism on my pictures.  I enjoyed doing this assignment it was very informative and interesting.

Project #2: Art Gallery Visit #1

A.      The scale of this picture is 222X360.  This digital color print by Janine Antoni, “Inhabit” 2009, made an impression on me because I felt like there was so much going on.  To me it represented a girl growing into a woman.  It represented her outgrowing her childhood room.  Which to me represents something we all go through which is the transition into becoming an adult.

B.      This painting is oil on canvas.  The scale is 575X620.  This artwork by Henry Matisse, “La Musique”1939, makes me feel connected to it.  I grew up with music all around me.  Many people in my family play instruments especially the guitar.  Therefore when I saw this piece I instantly felt connected to it.  It reminds me of my upbringing.

 

C. This work is a painting; the medium is oil on canvas. The scale is 500X437. This painting by Wassily Kandinsky, “Fragment 2 for Composition VII” 1913, makes me want to know more about it.  I really love the colors in this work and the craziness of it.  I feel as though I don’t fully understand it yet which left me wanted to know more about it and the background of it.  I found myself looking at this particular work for a long time.

A.      This work is a sculpture. The scale of this work is 225X300. This work by Lee Bontecou, “The Composition”1960, made an impression on me because I felt like I was sucked into it.  The lines and spirals made my eyes feel like the black hole was getting bigger and feel like it was pulling me in.  I actually continued to think about this work after leaving the gallery.

 

B.  This paintings medium is Oil on Canvas.  The scale is 35 ¼ X 51 1/4.  I felt a connection with this work by Oskar Kokoschka, “London”1926, immediately upon running into this painting.  This painting reminded me of the water front in buffalo along with the small boat harbor.  Growing up my grandparents always took me to the Marina and the Small boat harbor.  This painting connected me back to that point and time.  The colors are how I remember that point in time.  I felt very strongly connected to that time and the painting.

 



C. This paintings medium is Oil on Canvas.  The scale of this painting is 1120X727. 1120 × 727 This painting by Juan Gris, “Le Canigou”1921, was very intriguing while also making me want to know more about it.  I was unsure if the door was open to throw the music out or what exactly.  I was definitely intrigued but still would like to know more about it.

Art Making/Material Exploration #2: Logo Design

Sketches

 

 

 

Final Logo

1.  I thought creating the blog was fun.  I had fun messing around with my initials and finding colors I like to represent my logo.

2.  I spent a great deal of time trying to think of a logo that represents me.  I chose my initials because growing up that was always one of my nicknames.  A few people still call me G.G. therefore I thought it would be fun to make it my logo.

3.  The most important discovery through making the logo is that it is a distinctive mark that respresents a distinct characteristic.  A good logo sticks out in your mind and is easily related to a specific product.  Therefore I think it is important to make the logo memorable and easily related to something or a product.

4. The most important thing I learned from the powerpoint was to analyze and define what it is exactly you are trying to represent.  You should then proceed to think, write, and sketch.  I think it is important to know what it is exactly you are trying to represent.  Especially when there is a product involved, a good logo sticks out in your mind and is easily associated with a product.  I find the videos to be tedious at times but also interesting at others.  It was interesting to see what goes behind making a logo and seeing the process.



1. I thought it was very useful to create the value scale and color wheel.  It was very insightful creating the color wheel and mixing the paints.

2. I enjoyed creating the color wheel over the value scale.  Using charcoal to create the value scale was quite messy.

3. The most important discovery was how to blend the charcoal in to create lighter values.  I learned it is easier to start with the lighter shades and then proceed on to the darker shades.

4. The most important information I learned from watching the videos was which colors to mix to create certain colors.  At points I needed a little help on the color wheel so the videos were helpful.  I liked the videos they helped me with the projects so they were useful.

Elements and Principles Slideshow

http://s1171.photobucket.com/albums/r557/giardigm01/?albumview=slideshow

Creating the photobucket slideshow was a great experience.  It taught me more about photobucket.  It also helped me to better understand the elements and principles of art.  I also learned a lot about dropbox and uploading my digital photos.  I had a few problems with photobucket freezing on me which became a bit annoying.  Overall though the project taught me a lot.

Color Theory and Emotional Effects

1.  Color is powerful and unpredictable on our emotions.  Certain colors can bring joy and happiness.  While other colors can give you a chilling and uneasy feeling.  Color is an artistic element and it maybe the most powerful element.  Color may also be the hardest element to control.

2.  What fascinates me is the fact that three primary colors can make so many beautiful and meaningful colors just by being mixed with each other.  This fascinates me because at times it's hard to believe that the most beautiful colors come from mixing just red, yellow, and blue.

3.  The biggest impact from the color video was June Redfern's painting.  It was amazing to watch the painting come together.  I was intrigued by June's emotions throughout the painting such as at times she would become mad and throw things at her painting and other times she would like the painting.  Her love/hate relationship with the painting fascinated me.  The painting and the colors turned out to be beautiful in the end.

4.  What made the biggest impact was the way artists can bring so much emotion to a painting.  Goya really sticks out to me and the way he makes you feel the impact of a more evil side to man kind.  This was shown through his works of witches and serial killers.  You can feel the darkness of the works by Goya's use of darker colors.