Hands Exploration

1. What was it like using your hand as subject matter for a drawing? Using my hand as subject matter was fairly easy for the most part because I look at my hands every day and study them without even acknowledging it. It was obviously accessible because I have two hands.

2. What media did you select - pencil or charcoal? Why? I chose to use a pencil because I felt I may have more control when I was drawing with my left hand if I used pencil.

3. How did it feel to create a drawing with your non-dominant hand? It was very difficult for me to create a drawing with my left hand because I am not coordinated with my left hand. I had no control with holding the pencil or shading. I was unable to put tension on the pencil to make spots darker either.

4. Compare and contrast your final drawings. Do you think they are successful studies? I think truly almost anything can be considered successful studies. It all depends on who is viewing it and what they interpret. However, I like the drawing where I used my right hand because it is more realistic looking than the drawing I did with my left hand. Having them side by side is interesting to look at. If it was to be in the same portrait it could create curiosity among the viewers. Both drawings are shaped as hands and you can tell exactly what they are. However, the drawing I did with my right hand is more technical and is fully shaded, compared to the left hand drawing which I had trouble shading and could not fully control the results.

5. Would you consider using your non-dominant hand to create artwork in the future? I would not consider using my non dominant hand in the future only because it was frustrating and it took a lot longer to draw.

Video Review

1. Explain why you selected each of the FOUR videos you choose from the selection listed above.
2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned
The Drawings of Michelangelo
I chose this video because it was the first one on the list and caught my eye because I just read about him in the text readings from this week.
-  Michelangelo destroyed some of his drawings because he did not want anyone to see them, however, many of them survived both finished and unfinished.
- He was born in Florence and became an apprentice at age 12 for Ghirlandaio.
- His sketches were used to get a rough placement of the figures and the space around them. He would draw from the core of the body and work out to the contour.
- He was passionate about the beauty of the male form.
- He created the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
- His crucifixion drawings explore his conflicting feelings of hope and dread as he approaches death.

Albrecht Durer: Image of a Master
I chose this video because I was interested in the image this artist created and what different types of art he made.
- He was the greatest artist of the Northern Renassaince. He introduced Renaissance art to Germany.
- He created a self portrait at 13 and became an apprentice of his father.
- He drew images of portraits of people aging.
-Considered the first true landscape artist.
- Durer was influenced by Venetian artists.
- Set up a workshop for prints for a source of income, and eventually moved into engraving copper.

The Night Watch
I chose this video because it sounded scary in a way that could be eye catching. It also could involve any artist so I was curious to see what artists would be announced.
-  In the small town of Holland imitates The Night Watch which is an object of pilgrimage. The Night Watch was painted by Rembrandt. There are bits missing from the painting because it was slashed with a knife, acid was thrown at it and it was soaked in water.
- “The Night Watch” was an icon of Dutch Art
- Rembrandt created the painting so it would be full of movement and is ordering them to go marching into the night, everyone is starting to move so it feels like your capturing the action of the Dutch men

Velazquez
I chose this video because I was unfamiliar with this artist and wanted to know more about him.
- He sees colorless and gray portraits.
- He was born in 1599 and died in 1660.
- Know nothing about his daily life.
- He served as a court painted to his friend King Phillip IV of Spain, which was his only friend.
- He painted portraits of deformed people and had great sympathy for their physical flaws.
-Miraculous at painting the truth with his technical expertise while looking very natural.

3. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text? These videos relate to the readings in the text because they describe the same artists, what they are known for, there past, and their creations.

4. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts? I feel that the films give me a more visual understanding of how the artists create their work and why it was created. The films emphasize each technique or the artists and why it was significant in their work. I am more of a visual learner and find the videos to help me remember material.

Video Reviews

1) I chose these three videos because the titles attracted me as if they were interesting videos and I wanted to know more about them, especially the Cario Museum because I have always been interesting in the history and artifacts of Egypt.

2) Key concepts of the videos I reviewed
The Illuminated Manuscript
Monasteries were centers of knowledge. Monks created written works to spread the word of the Bible. However, most citizens were illiterate. Each book was copied by hand and most monasteries only had about 20 books and the monks wanted to preserve knowledge, writers write so the future may learn.
The process of creating a book was very long and labor intensive and had several steps. They worked from dawn to dusk and had barely any brakes. However after a book was finished there was a celebration. Scribes believed there was demon that made them make mistakes and these mistakes would be used against at their final judgment. The most used textbook was the glossed bible.
Sign of wealth was to have books copied and illuminated until the printing press replaced scribes.
Cairo Museum
Egypt in the land of unsolved mysteries. There are 160,000 artifacts in museum but only half are on display. It is also traditional to only show half the artifacts at one time. The others are beneath the sands and hidden. Valley of the Kings (40 mummies of kings) was discovered by a goat herder who sold many of its treasures at market and was brought over 3,000 years ago. Conservation is important part of the discovery process and being able to put them on display and make recreations. There is still so much to be displayed and found within the temples. The museum is mysterious and full of life.
The Greek Awakening
Greeks wanted humans to be represented more realistically then stylistically. Greece and Athens is the birthplace of western civilization. The Greek awakening is the revolution of art, architecture, philosophy, and theatre. About 3 million people visit the acropolis every year. "Perfect symmetry"-looks perfect because made corrections to compensate for viewer's vision (a straight line will look bowed, therefore building it bowed makes it look straight). Sections of the frieze and pediment at the Parthenon are on display at the British museum. Greeks shaped the way we think about ourselves and our sense of history, philosophy and thinking. Greeks built huge theatres for dramatic presentations, comedies, and tragedies.

3) How do these videos relate to the reading in the text?
The videos gave me more of a visual sense to the artwork discussed in the book. I read the text and look at pictures however, I understand the art more when the narrator describes the past to me with visuals and describes the steps it takes to create the piece with visual aids. I saw the same examples in the reading and the videos.

4) What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts? The illuminated manuscript was very repetitive to me. I felt as if they were breaching the same concept over and over but I received many facts from the video which was helpful. The Cario Museum was my favorite because I am not huge with history, however I have always loved hearing about Egypt. The concepts and art was more thoroughly described within the videos and I really enjoyed seeing the artifiacts on display. The Greek Awakening was kind of boring yet it taught me a variety of facts about the Greeks and what they have contributed to this world.

Installation Project

Step 3: Reflect
A. What is installation art? Installation art is a three dimensional artwork that is usually is site specific and transforms the perception of the space it occupies.
B. What materials are used installation art? Almost any material or media can be incorporated into an installation piece. It may be permanent or short term, however, any materials that occupy space can be part of this artwork.
C. Why make installation art? Installation art can be used for architectural purposes or simply aesthetically pleasing. Artists create this type of art to inform, persuade, or to entertain. Some artists like to send a message to the viewer through the art. 

D. Which artist/installation did I find most interesting? I honestly love the work of Sol Lewitt in the Albright Knox. I was fascinated by the scribbling installation art he created. I feel touched by his artwork just by looking at it. The concept and the way the installation fills the room is very interesting. However, in the book Yayoi Kusama’s work was very interesting to look at.

Step 4: Plan

A. From the material reviewed, is there a inspiration piece that I feel a connection with? There was not a specific piece I felt a connection with, however, they were all unique and creative.

 D. Where will this installation be located and why?
This installation will be located in my bedroom showing some of my electronics to show the need for technology in society today.

 

My installation: http://s1111.photobucket.com/albums/h475/bolibral01/project%203/

At first I was very confused on how to create an installation. After watching videos, looking at examples, and reading the text, I was capable of figuring out how to occupy space with the materials I have around me. I kept thinking of something that everyone does every day no matter who is it. I then realized that every person checks to see what time it is. They use multiple devices to check the time and try to occupy my space using the concept of time and technology dependence. I made the installation in a bedroom setting on a nightstand because it is common to a variety of people. People are able to relate to my installation which sometimes captures more attention.

Peer Reviews

1) www.nicoleannalora.blogspot.com:   Nicole Annalora

http://nicoleannalora.blogspot.com/2011/09/art-gallery-visit-1.html?showComment=1318122273648#c8034853192933045504

http://nicoleannalora.blogspot.com/2011/09/slideshow-blog.html

http://mallola01.blogspot.com : Lauren Mallo

http://mallola01.blogspot.com/2011/09/elements-and-principles-slide-show.html?showComment=1318122898930#c2594705384813623180

http://mallola01.blogspot.com/2011/09/art-gallery-visit.html?showComment=1318123266982#c5846208169652480596

2. While looking at both the blogs, I felt as if both peers did an exceptional job with getting the images to represent the elements and principles of design. Lauren did editing to her pictures that gave a better effect on the elements she wanted to reach. Such as she emphasized colors to or outlined a bird so it could stand out more in the open space. They both took time and creativity to make their images their own.   
3. Lauren went to the same art gallery as me, the Albright Knox. Therefore, we had two of the same images, “Junk” and “Extruded Video Engine”. We almost had the same reason for choosing these unique pieces. They were fun and entertaining to look at. Junk almost scared me while Extruded Video Engine looked like it was floating in space in the pitch black room.
4. Jakob/Big Psycho VIII by Erwin Wurm was a image of a sculpture that Lauren had in her blog. I feel a connection with it because I always lose myself while putting on sweaters or difficult shirts. I did not see this displayed in the gallery and I am interested in finding out what the intentions of the artists were and why he chose such a figure.
5. I honestly feel as if it is so interesting to see what others have to say about the same exact thing I did. Without having too many guidelines to follow, there are a variety of comments and images that could be so different, yet have the same meaning. I find this valuable in my learning because I can be more open minded and accept what others are doing in their projects and what they have to say about mine.
6. I have not received any comments on my blog as of today so I have yet to tell if they are helpful.

Video Review

1)      Through the Eyes of a Sculptor: The key concepts I learned were: Every stone has a different smell, such as limestone which is a sedimentary rock formed at the bottom of the ocean. Restoration requires the artist that has geometric shaped rocks but has to use feeling to give the work life again. Marble is another common stone used for carving. Mountains have been a superior source of marble for years and made by colliding tectonic plates. Steps of a sculpture include drawing, make model out of clay, make silicone mold of clay sculpture, and then make the plaster cast of silicone impression. This plaster model will be used as reference to make the final statue.

Glass and Ceramics: The key concepts I learned were: Glass is made from sand except the properties of glass are not a solid, and the miracle of glass is happened when it was fired. Glass blowing occurs when the materials are heated at 1500 degrees Celsius and takes a rod is which they stick in the burner and gather the molten glass. To shape it you can blow into the rod and spin it, or use wet newspapers or other materials to mold it. Ceramic materials are continuing to grow and are more efficient. Ceramics can tolerate very high temperatures and ceramic materials may be stronger than steel. Ceramics is made from clay and fire.

Installation Art: An installation is a physical three dimensional artwork that uses space all around you in the environment. The art manipulates space and focuses the viewer on the three dimensional space. This space does not have a size requirement and may contain anything an artist pleases. This way, the viewer is forced to interact with the art. Installations are site specific, which are installations that are made to be there and have a specific purpose of why they are there.

2)I learned the same concepts in the text that I learned in the videos. However, I had a better understanding of glass blowing, stained glass, ceramics, sculptures, and installations because the videos provided visual step by step processes to explain exactly how the process works. I am more of a visual learner and I can now picture in my head all the details associated with the concept.

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the topics: Sculpture, Installation, and Craft? I thought all the films were helpful with understanding the process of each concept. However some were long and drawn out, and I almost wish it would have been more straight to the point. However, the examples of several of the concepts showed me a variety of art that can be made from sculpture, installation, and crafts. Sculptures are so technical and a lot of talent is needed to carve a huge marble stone into a beautiful statue. I also now understand that installations are not only in galleries, but in nature and very site specific places.