Reflections of AED 200

1. What were you expectations for this course and where they met?

My expectations for this course were that I would learn more about making art and about interpreting art. My expectations were me.

2. Now that you've been through this course, What is art? How would you define it now compared to your intial posting?

I would keep my definition from my original posting. I believe art is an expression of human imagination and creativity.

3. Who was your favorite artist in your original posting and who is your favorite visual artist now? If there is a difference, why do you think so? If you have the same favorite artist, why do you think so?

My favorite artist in my original posting was Salvador Dali and he is still my favorite. I have always enjoyed his surrealist style.

4. Now that you've completed this course, how do you feel about taking an online course? Is your answer the same as it was in your first posting? How is it the same or different?

I don't usually enjoy online courses, but I have enjoyed this online course. It was easy to find out what was due and when it was due, also the instructions for the assignments were clear.

Week Fifteen: Self Portrait /Art Gallery Visit

1. Why did you select the inspiration pieces?

I selected my Inspiration pieces from several different virtual galleries: Director's Gallery: Auckland Art Galley; Director's Gallery: Skagens Museum; and Director's Gallery: Museum of Latin American Art. I selected my pieces because they are all somewhat unusual self-portraits: one is a couple, one is a picture of the artists torso only, and in one the artist's expression is unusual. 

2. Why did you select the media to create your self-portrait?

I prefer to work in colored pencil because it is less messy, and it is easier to draw detail.

3. What challenges did you face in creating your self-portrait and how did you overcome them?

The challenge I mostly had was finding appropriate colors for my skin, eyes, etc. I'm still not really happy with the final colors.

4. How does this piece represent you?

I tried to stick to my picture as much as possible so it is as close as I can get to how I actually look.

5. What elements and principles of art did you apply in this work?

I used color, shape, emphasis, and line.

6. Did you enjoy working on this project?

Yes, it was fun to draw myself.

7. What do you think of your final artwork?

Like I said, I'm not completely happy with it, but I think it turned out ok.

Picture of me

Self Portrait

Links to self portraits:

https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/asset-viewer/torso-%E2%80%93-self-portrait/5AHmBTYPDj-jZg?exhibitId=ugKCzmY7cdU-LQ&userGallery&projectId=art-project

https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/asset-viewer/double-portrait-of-marie-and-p-s-kr%C3%B8yer-the-couple-have-portrayed-one-another/bQGsSVyDeRb13g?exhibitId=aAKynwcIbgZZIA&userGallery&projectId=art-project

https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/asset-viewer/self-portrait/pgEJgLzcBmRv2g?exhibitId=zQISEINHlyDgLw&userGallery&projectId=art-project

Video Reviews: Week 13&14

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

In the "An Acquiring Mind: Philippe de Montebello and The Metropolitan Museum of Art" video I learned about Philippe Motebello, the director for the Metropolitan Museum of Art for over 30 years and his job as an art curator, collecting pieces for the museum. In the "BBC Culture show: Tate Modern is 10!" I learned about the British modern art museum Tate Modern and why it has become so successful. In the "The Lowdown on Lowbrow: West Coast Pop Art" I learned about the idea of "lowbrow" art and why it appeals to the masses.

2. Do the videos relate to the creation of your Art Exhibition project? If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.

They don't directly relate to my art exhibition project, but they did give me insight into aspects of art curation and what makes museums successful.

3. What is your opinion of the films? Do they add depth to understanding of the art concepts you practiced while creating your curation project?

 I enjoyed all 3 films. They gave me good insight into how museums choose their pieces. 

Project 4: Art Exhibit "In the Garden"

The theme I chose for my exhibit was Victorian garden scenes done in the impressionist style. It was called “In the Garden.” I selected that theme because I love to garden myself and because it is becoming winter time now, the gardening season is well over and I wanted to remind myself of spring. I selected the title because it seemed to fit the theme well. I also love the impressionist style and find the old-fashioned aesthetic of the Victorians to be romantic.

When making the exhibit, I chose use a sort of leaf/spring green palette for the power point because it went better with the garden theme. I also chose a sort of fancier, cursive script because it fits with the old-fashioned, Victorian aesthetic. 

The only challenges I had while making the exhibit was in writing the descriptions/interpretations for the pieces. I honestly couldn’t find much to say about some of them.

Video Reviews: “Isamu Noguchi: The Sculpture of Spaces” and “Andy Warhol: Images of an Image”

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

The two videos I chose were “Isamu Noguchi: The Sculpture of Spaces” and “Andy Warhol: Images of an Image.” I chose these two videos because I have always enjoyed Warhol’s work and, although I’d never heard of Noguchi, the idea of sculpture gardens sound cool.

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

In the “Isamu Noguchi: The Sculpture of Spaces” video I learned about the Japanese artist Isamu Noguchi and the various sculpture gardens he has built in Japan and all over the world. In the “Andy Warhol: Images of an Image” video I learned about the Pop Art movement and looked Warhol’s painting Ten Lizes and how it explored Warhol’s fascination with celebrities as objects.

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

These two videos relate to the textbook reading because they both further explore the modern/postmodern art movements and major figures in those movements.

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

I enjoyed both films. It was especially interesting to learn more about Andy Warhol.  

Art Gallery Visit 2

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

The title of the exhibit I saw was "Mystic North."

2. What is the theme of the exhibition?

It focuses on the work of Charles Burchfield and his impressions of winter's power and beauty.

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

The lighting used most often is overhead track lighting.

2. What colors are used on the walls?

The walls were mostly white, but there were a few accent walls in a dark blue-gray.

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

The floor was of polished wood. The walls were mostly plain white walls and it had high ceilings.

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

The movement through the gallery is mostly linear, but the viewer is drawn to the dark accent walls featuring stenciled words and branches.

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

There seemed to be no particular way the pieces were ordered.

2. How are the artworks similar?

Most of them depict scenes of winter landscapes, although some are more abstract than others.

3. How are the artworks different?

Some of the artwork is more abstract. Some of them were sketches, some paintings, and one a sculpture. 

4. How are the artworks framed?

Most of the pieces had simple black frames.

5. How are the artworks identified and labeled?

They are mostly on plaques near the pieces.

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

They are not very far from each other on the walls.

It was very interesting to consider a gallery exhibit in terms of the actual physical space and how it's arranged, rather than just focusing on the pieces in the exhibit.

Charles E Burchfield, December Light, Watercolor on paper mounted on board

Description: The view appears to be from the inside of a log lodge. On the wall are several hunting trophies. Outside the large windows in a winter scene around a pond, with swans on the water. The painting is in all black and white. 

Formal analysis: Value is emphasized in this painting. The contrast between the dark walls of the lodge and the light colors nature scene draws attention to what's outside the windows.

Bracketing: The hunting trophies on the wall could represent man's attempt to control and tame nature.

Interpretation: I think the artist was trying to showcase how nature can never really be tamed or controlled by people. 

Charles E Burchfield, Spring Sunset in the Woods, 1917, Watercolor and graphite on paper 

Description: Trees in a forest with budded branches. Some of the trees seem to be overlaid     with the brilliant colors of the sunset.

      Formal Analysis: Color is emphasized in this painting. The vibrant colors of the sunset contrast with the whiteness on the remaining snow.

      Bracketing: The colors of the sunset contrasted with the whiteness of the snow could represent the rebirth and vibrancy that spring brings.

      Interpretation: I think the artist was trying to show the beauty and liveliness of spring.

    

      

Charles E Burchfield, The Horn Call from the Sibelius Fifth, before 1963, Conte crayon on paper

Description: There are several triangular shapes in the background that could be abstract trees. In the center, framed by two tree trunks, are several triangular shapes that look almost like a tower. The piece is in black and white.

      Formal Analysis: Shape is emphasized in this piece. The shapes of the tower structure and the abstract trees and clean, geometric triangles.

      Bracketing: Burchfield drew this piece after being inspired by a piece of music. The triangular, spear-like structures could represent particularly strong notes.

      Interpretation: I think the artist was trying to give shape and form to the music that inspired him.  

Video Review:“The Mystical North: Spanish Art from the 19th Century to the Present” and “Matisse and Picasso”

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

      The two videos I chose were “The Mystical North: Spanish Art from the 19th Century to the Present” and “Matisse and Picasso.” I chose these videos because I had watched the other films about the Spanish artists Goya and Picasso, and I wanted to know more about them and Spanish art/artists in general.

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

      In the “The Mystical North: Spanish Art from the 19th Century to the Present” video I learned about how northern Spain has produced some of the greatest artists of all time, including Goya and Picasso. I also learned about other Spanish artists like Antoni Gaudi and Salvador Dali. In the “Matisse and Picasso” I learned more about Spanish painter Pablo Picasso and his complicated and sometimes strained relationship with the equally famous French artist Henri Matisse.

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

      The videos relate to the textbook readings because they also talk about the modern art movement, including early modern artists such as Goya.

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

      I enjoyed both films. It was interesting to learn more about the artists I’d previously watched films about, as well as the origins of modern art.