Mask Making

 The first mask inspiration picture I chose was an ancient mask dating from the pre-neolithic stone-age. I chose it because this mask is considered the oldest in the world. It is made of stone and has a very simple design, with simple geometric circles for the eye holes and a crescent moon for the mouth. The element of shape is emphasized in this piece, in the simple geometric eye/mouth holes. 

The second mask I chose was an African Fang mask from the country of Gabon; I chose it because its purpose as a inquisition ceremony mask interested me. It is from the 19th century and is made of wood. The head is very elongated and the eyes are very small; the mouth is a simple geometric triangle. Form is emphasized in this piece with the elongated head. Shape is emphasized with the almond shaped eyes and triangle mouth.

The third mask I chose was an Aztec mask from the 16th century; I chose it because of its vibrancy. Unlike the other masks this mask utilizes the element of color. This mask seems to be made of some to sort of green tiled stone. It has detailed eyes and teeth. The shapes of this mask are less geometric than the other two.

This stone mask from the pre-ceramic neolithic period dates to 7000 BC and is probably the oldest mask in the world (Musée de la Bible et de la Terre Sainte)

Fang mask used for the ngil ceremony, an inquisitorial search for sorcerers. Wood, Gabon, 19th century.

Aztec mask of Xiuhtecuhtli, c. 1500, of Mixtec-Aztec provenance

   
The elements and principles I emphasized in my mask were color and texture. I was trying to go for a serpentine feel with my colors of green and black. I tried to create a scale pattern with both the green/black tiles and the yellow scales. I thought my mask turned out well, although I wish I could have actually used stone or wood to create it.

Video Review: “African Art: Legacy of Oppression” and “African Art”

1.      Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above.                                                                                                                                                                    The two videos I chose were “African Art: Legacy of Oppression” and “African Art.” I chose these two videos because, as an African American, I feel that learning more about African art and culture connects me more to my roots.

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

      In “African Art: Legacy of Oppression” I learned about how African art influenced the western modern art movement, and inspired famous European artists like Picasso. I also learned about how the Europeans looked down on African artistry, calling it primitive, and about the poor treatment of Africans during the European conquest of Africa. In “African Art” I learned about the rich diversity and history of African art across the continent. I learned that most African art is very conceptual and that much of it carries symbolic and religious meanings.

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

     The videos relate to the textbook readings because they also talk about African art from various places around the continent. They talk about symbolic/religious nature of much African art, as well as materials the book mentions such as ivory.

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

I enjoyed both videos. It was fascinating to study artwork that does not come out of the western tradition.  

Art Making/Material Exploration: Exploring Line

1. What was it like using your hand as subject matter for a drawing?

I enjoyed using my hands as the subject matter for this drawing. It was kind of hard because I had to really pay attention to the way my hands were shaped.

2.  What media did you select - pencil or charcoal? Why?

I chose to use pencil because it was easier to control, made cleaner lines, and was less messy.

3. How did it feel to create a drawing with your non-dominant hand?

It was considerably harder to draw with my left hand rather than my right. I had less control of line movements and my drawing was less steady.

4. Compare and contrast your final drawings. Do you think they are successful studies?

I think my drawing of my left hand by my right hand (non-dominant drawn by dominant) ended up pretty successful. My other drawing, drawn with my left hand, was not as successful, but it is still recognizable as a hand.

5. Would you consider using your non-dominant hand to create artwork in the future?

Probably not, it is too difficult to control my movements.

Drawn by dominant hand

Drawn by non-dominant hand

 

Video Review: "Albrecht Durer: Image of a Master" and "Velazquez"

1.     Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above.                                                                                          The two videos I chose were “Albrecht Durer: Image of a Master” and “Velazquez.” I chose these videos because they featured two lesser known renaissance artists they I did not know very much about. Also, I liked that the two artists these videos focused on were not Italian, in school they mostly focus on the Italian Renaissance masters; it was nice to get another perspective.

2.     For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.                        In the “Albrecht Durer: Image of a Master” video I learned about the German renaissance artist Albrecht Durer. He was responsible for bringing the art ideals of the Italian Renaissance to Germany; he is also famous for his landscape painting and his woodcut prints. In the “Velazquez” video I learned about the famous Spanish renaissance artist Velazquez. He chronicled events in the life of his friend, the king of Spain during that time, Phillip IV. He is considered one of the greatest artists Spain has ever produced.

3.     How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?                                  The videos tie into the textbook readings because they too talk about European Renaissance artists and the ways Western art profoundly changed during this time period.

4.     What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?                                          I enjoyed both videos. I liked that they focused on renaissance artists outside of Italy and that they introduced me to two more really amazing artists and their works.        

Video Review: “How Art Made The World - More Human Than Human” and “The Greek Awakening: Art from the 5th Century BC”

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

The film I chose was “The Greek Awakening: Art from the 5th Century BC.” I chose this film because I have always had an interest in Greek culture and art, plus I was already somewhat familiar with the subject matter. I had previously heard of the Greek revolution in art, when they stopped copying the Egyptian style and created their own, more realistic style.

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

In the “How Art Made The World - More Human Than Human” video I learned about the history of humans creating images of the human body. I learned that we tend to make unrealistic images of the human body, what this reveals about human nature and human societies, and about the neuroscience behind our preferences. In the “The Greek Awakening: Art from the 5th Century BC” I learned about the Greek revolution in art, how they switched from stylized portrayals of the human body to a more realistic style.

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

These videos tie into the textbook readings because they also explore the history of art from ancient civilization such as Egypt and Greece, and the earliest artistic endeavors by prehistoric peoples, an example of that being the famous Venus of Willendorf. They also both explore what these findings and history reveal about human nature as a whole.

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

I enjoyed both of these films. I found both of them fascinating as an exploration into why humans portray the human body as we do, and why our portrayals can vary so greatly from culture to culture.  

Video Review: “Architecture: The Science of Design” and “Prairie Style”

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

The key concepts I learned in the “Architecture: The Science of Design” video was the scientific basis behind architectural choices, such as the properties of concrete that make it the building material of choice. I also learned about early Smart-home technology. In the “Prairie Style” video I learned about American architect Frank Lloyd Wright and how he revolutionized the way Americans built homes by introducing the prairie style house, which featured innovations like open floor plans.


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

The videos relate to the readings in the text because they offer examples, visualizations, and practical applications of the people, concepts, and ideas discussed in the chapter, such as load-bearing construction and the Frank Lloyd Wright.


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

I enjoyed both videos. I found them informative and interesting. They added to my understanding of architecture because they showed and explained to me all the factors that go into architectural decisions, and how architecture can completely revolutionize the way we live.


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

I chose the films that I watched because they seemed the most interesting

Ceramics, Glass, and Stones: Video Review

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

The keys concepts I learned in the videos were the work and craftsmanship that goes into creating a sculpture or piece of glass (from the type of stone/sand used to the various tools used), as well as the scientific properties of glass making and its history.

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

The videos gives us the reality, the step by step process, of the ideas/concepts/etc. discussed in the textbook. They show us what these steps actually look like and how complex the process can be.

3.What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the topics: Sculpture, Installation, and Craft?

I think the videos are wonderful ways to actually show what the topics discussed in the text, sculpture, installation, and craft, look like in the real world, in the hands of actual artists and craftsman.