Exploring Line

LEFT HAND

I think that the hand is an interesting subject matter because you can pose it in many different ways, it has lots of different parts and details that are fun to capture. It can be difficult to draw your own hand because you have to be very careful not to move one finger during the pose, or else you will change positions and get confused.

I chose pencil because I thought it would be easier to control than charcoal, which would be necessary when drawing with my non-dominant hand.

RIGHT HAND

I felt very strange drawing with my non-dominant hand because I have hardly practiced using this hand to draw ever. I felt like I did not have control over my pencil like I do with my right hand. It was somewhat frustrating to use this hand to draw.

I used the same pose to draw both hands. I think the final drawing of my left hand was successful, it has good proportions and is shaded with good value. I do not think that the drawing of my right hand was successful because I did not get the proportions right. I tried to use "scumbling" to do the shading which I usually do not use. I thought since I could not control my pencil correctly, I would use scribbles to create the shading.

This exercise made me see that I need more practice drawing with my left hand so I can become ambidextrous. It made me anxious to think if something happened to my right hand, I wouldn't be able to draw as I like to. I think I would like to draw with my non-dominant hand some more for practice in the future. There is also something to be said for the scumbling technique and the spontaneous effect that suggests movement.

Video Review: Renaissance and Baroque Periods

          I chose the video  The Drawings of Michelangelo, because I was aware of his sculptural work, such as the David, but wanted to know more about  his other bodies of work and his story as an important Renaissance painter. I chose the video about Caravaggio, because he is my favorite Italian artist, but I did not know enough about his personal history.
 
         For The Drawings of Michelangelo, I learned about the history of Michelangelo's life. He was born near Florence, Italy around  1500. He began his training as an artist with an apprenticeship under Ghirlandaio. His drawing style was clearly influenced by Ghirlandaio as  one can see in the technique of hatching and crosshatching. His most famous commissions were the Sistine Chapel in Rome and the Chapel de Medici in Florence. Another key concept that I learned about was Michelangelo's artistic style. He was a perfectionist and he celebrated the human form. He was trained as a painter but also excelled at marble sculpture and architectural design. I learned that his celebration of the male form created a personal conflict because on one hand he had a sexual attraction to men, but he was devoutly Catholic.
      In the video The Power of Art: Caravaggio, the  key concepts I learned included the Roman time period and Caravaggio's colorful career and life. During this time in the 1600's, the Roman Catholic church was creating an aggressive propaganda campaign to fight the influence of the Protestant church. Caravaggio was commissioned by the church to create religious paintings that the public could connect with easily. Caravaggio's was of common background, he associated with other starving artists in the seedy district of Rome. He was noticed for his style of dramatic contrasts of value and his realistic, enigmatic figures. These figures were used to break down comfort barriers and make the viewer feel like they were right there with the painted subjects. He used common people as his models . Although he painted religious scenes, Caravaggio was known as a sinner, jailed for liable and then wanted for murder.  He escaped to Malta and was knighted in exchange for a large commission of The Beheading of John the Baptist.
    
     The video on Michelangelo relates to the text in Chapter 16 on the High Renaissance, and there is also a full page summary of this artist. Caravaggio relates to the text of Chapter 17, which focuses on the Baroque era in which this artist lived. We see a lot of influences of the time period described in the chapters on these artists' work.

       I really liked these videos because not only did they give an in depth look into the artist's work and style, they gave us a personal look into their lives.  I especially liked the video on Caravaggio because the dramatic reenactments put you right there in the time period of this artist and gave a visual embodiment of the artist.  These videos also added depth to my knowledge of the artists' works and showed a wide range of their most important pieces.

Video Review: Ancient Art

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

I chose to watch “The birth of the Middle Ages” because I wanted to refresh my knowledge of the Middle Ages since the last time I deeply studied the era was in middle school.  I selected the movie “Cairo Museum” because I have always found ancient Egypt so mysterious and intriguing.

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

The key concepts that I learned from the More Human than Human video included the scientific theory on why people are obsessed with images of the human body, especially exaggerated and idealized versions of it.  I learned that the early nomadic people of pre-civilization times created exaggerated “Venus” figures perhaps because of a primeval instinct in their brains and their value of fertility and fatness. The ancient Egyptians were next group that created idealized versions of the human figure. For thousands of years, they used the same mathematical grid system to represent the human figure. This was driven by a cultural value of consistency and order. The ancient Greeks also were obsessed with the human body and achieving perfection of their own bodies. Through sculpture they created idealized figures that showed perfect balance and athleticism. The cultural influence and the biological instincts to favor exaggeration are seen still in our own cultures’ constant reproduction of human images.

 In the video, The Birth of the Middle Ages, I learned about the history of the of the middle Ages, up through the Renaissance. The key concepts of the video included the system of feudalism, the plague of the Dark Ages, the Byzantine empire and how the barbarians invaded and conquered the Holy Roman Empire. I learned that the Roman cities became fortified during this time of invasion, giving them the architectural look that characterized the Middle Ages. Fortified monasteries also were built, which became centers of life that offered hope in these chaotic times. I also learned about cultures in Cameroon and Japan that have recently still operated in feudal systems like that of the middle ages.

In the video, Cairo Museum, the key concept was about the vast collection of artifacts that this museum in Egypt houses, most of them never put on display. The museum’s centennial show in 2002 aimed to unearth these forgotten treasures and let the public see them. The concept of conservation and restoration of these artifacts was explored in the preparation for this exhibit.  One large discovery by archeologists Riesner was the tomb of King Khufu’s queen; this became a part of the exhibit. One of the best attractions of the show was a rediscovered chariot harness that belonged to King Tut.

  

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

                These videos relate directly to the readings from chapters 14 and 15. The video, More Human than Human, explored reasons that the cultures discussed in Chapter 14 made what kind art that they did. Cairo Museum also showed a modern take on ancient Egyptian art. The middle ages video dealt with the history of the cultures that created the art in Chapter 15.

  

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

I thought the More Human than Human video was very informative, it gave me new insight on the art styles of ancient cultures, as well as a scientific insight on art making.  Although the information was very intriguing, the video was dragged out and repetitive. There were too many parts where the narrator simply repeated himself and too many pauses in narration for dramatic effect. The video could have said all the same things in half the time. I liked the video on the Cairo Museum; it added new depth to what I read about ancient Egypt in the text. It gave more of an archeologists’’ view on the subject. The video on the Middle Ages seemed like it was medieval, it was so old. I did, however, like that it made connections to modern times with cultures that still function similarly to middle ages cultures.

Video Review: Architecture

1.   1.   One of  key concept of the film, “Last Call for Planet Earth: Sustainable Development and Architecture” is how architects are developing solutions to make buildings that use less energy, and are made with better resources that are renewable. The video asserts the need for sustainability to do what we can to stop global warming. The use of natural light, natural inertia of a building, new insolation technology and roof gardens help to reduce the energy buildings consume. Keeping buildings thin allows for ventilation and cooling taking much less energy. Keeping building smaller, using wood and restoring old buildings are ways architects reduce the materials needed to build. Innovations in city planning make architecture less dominant to nature and simpler to human use.

       .The second video I watched was “Frank Gehry: Architecture as Art”. The main concepts of this included the life of Frank Gehry and how he became one of the best architects living today. He was born in Toronto, Canada but now lives in California where he works. An important concept of this video is how Gerhy developed his style and where he gets his inspiration. He stated that his inspiration comes from art, especially that of Robert Rauschenberg, Richard Serra, Dada and Pop artists. Characteristics of Gerhy’s architecture are another main concept. He is not limited by structural concerns, but takes advantage of new technology and materials to make sweeping, organic shaped buildings. His concerns as an architect include attention to natural light, and the connections the building has with the environment it’s in and the people who occupy it. Some of his most famous buildings are the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum, the Disney Offices in FL, and the L.A Concert center.

2.      

       2. Last Call for Planet Earth, related to the last part of Chapter 13 on “Green Architecture”. Both deal with new techniques that architects are using innovative ideas and technologies to create less wasteful human habitats. The Frank Gerhry film relates to the reading because he is mentioned in the part of the text about the purpose of architecture for public use as museums. Gerhy’s innovative design for the Guggenheim of Bilbao is discussed in the book and thoroughly in the movie.

3.      
         3. I enjoyed both of these films and found them to be very informative. I liked that the video on sustainable architecture gave a global view on this topic from architects all over the world. This added an understanding on green architecture beyond the American viewpoint as well as a lot of detailed information on how to make buildings with the planet in mind. I also liked the Frank Gerhy video because I learned so much about him that I did not know before. It helped me to understand who he is, why he designs the way he does and how he uses technology to do so.

4.      4 I chose Last Call for Earth, because I have some friends who studied architecture at college who introduced me to the idea sustainable building and wanted to know more. I have always had a concern for the environment so I really wanted to know what is being done in this field to be more efficient and eco-friendly. I think this is a true concern for our future and more policies for building green should be put in place. I have seen images of Frank Gerry’s architecture and am in complete awe of it, which is why I immediately picked his video. I saw the concert pavilion that Gerhy designed for Chicago’s Millennium Park last year and have been very intrigued by his designs ever since.

Installation Art

Here are the images of my Installation piece......
http://s1168.photobucket.com/albums/r484/NatalieDKorchowsky/Installation%20Art%20Project/?albumview=slideshow

A. Installation Art is a contemporary form of art that incorporates 3-D sculpture to occupy and often define a specific location.
B. Any kind of material can be used to make installation art, be it refuse, made made or nature. Even sound can be used to create this kind of art.
C. Installation art is made for many different reasons, it can be used to address ideas and issues of deep social consequence such as violence, war, mass media, or consumerism. It can also be made to explore form and space in a purely aesthetic way.
D. One installation artist that interests me the most is Robert Smithson. I really thought that his earth work, Spiral Jetty has been an important piece of contemporary art. I think it is interesting how he uses nature and explores it's fleeting and impermanent qualities. None of his piece are meant to be permanent, but to decompose with natural ebb and flow of the elements.

My installation piece was created with different refuse materials, such as old shoes, bottles, a tennis racquet and silk flowers. I spray painted these objects red and black and arranged them on a small end table in my dining room. I used the principle of unity, shape and color to create a dynamic composition. I wanted to  address the issue of consumerism with my piece, showing how all these objects that we buy eventually become refuse. However, we can give them new life by creating art out of refuse. I put it here in my dining room because this is where a lot of our clutter tends to accumulate, so I wanted the other members of my household to see it and think about their objects of consumerism.

I enjoyed the process of making a site specific piece of art, because it
really got me thinking creatively and experimentally. I thought immediately about what what kinds of materials I had available and where I would put them. I had fun doing this project, because in all my years of art school, I had never really made a piece of installation art.

Reviewing Peer Responses to Artwork

http://metroscr3.blogspot.com/

http://lisaking0123.blogspot.com/

Here are the blogs that I reviewed this week.
1.For both students, I agreed with some, but not all principles and elements that they labeled their images. I think it is a complicated concept to get for beginners. One that someone saw as proportion I thought would be better suited for form. However, I think that artworks can include many principles and elements at the same time and we all see different things.

 2. Cheryl had picked one of the artworks from the gallery that I also picked, Jennifer Stienkamps untitled video piece. I said it had a big impact as me and she said she would like to know more about it. Then I agreed I would also like to know more about the artists intentions and process. I picked all different works from everyone else, I think that is because everyone has different tastes when it comes to art.

3. One piece that really  piqued my interest that Cheryl posted was Sandra Cinto's Tempest in Red. I didnt get a chance to see this work when I visited, but I loved the sense of movement it had. I would like to see it for myself and learn more about it.

4. I think that it is really valuable to see other students opinions and works of art. Art is a social experience and I think that we can learn so much from each other.

Video Discussion on Sculpture and Craft

1.For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.:
          In the video "Through the Eyes of a Sculptor", the key concept is to show how a stone sculptor creates a work from the quarry to the final piece. Stone sculptors usually gain training and experience by doing restoration work. The artist begins with a drawing, then makes a clay version of the piece. Silicone is used to create a good plaster cast of the clay sculpture. The video also showed the laborious and often treacherous job of extracting marble from the Italian mountains. It also shows about the many craftsmen that involved in the process.
The main ideas of the "Glass and Ceramics" video include the chemical compositions of glass, and the process of making glass. Glass windows are made by coloring paint with a silver sulfide pigment that cements to the glass. Stained glass windows are usually made by the "lead" techniques, meaning different colored pieces are put together with lead lines like a puzzle. The video also addresses how ceramics are made, white clay for china and red clay which is used for tile or brick. The formation of the object is followed by the firing, then glazing and a final firing. Modern ceramics are used for all sorts of things, including medical prosthesis, plumbing and kitchen wear. The use of glass in modern architecture is widespread thanks to new glass technologies.
The last video, "Installation Art" focuses on the new contemporary genre of installation art, which is a sculpture in the round that defines the space its in. Often installation art not only occupies, but completely transforms the art space. Some also bring art outside of the gallery.  Any kind of material can used to make this kind of art. They are site specific and often fleeting. The large names of contemporary installation artists are a focus of this video.

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
 These videos go hand in hand with the readings from  Chapters 11 and 12 in the text because they are about about sculptural and craft art. They both explore three-dimensional art techniques and how they are made. The first video on stone sculpture relates to Chapter 11,  the artist in the video uses the casting and , carving and modeling techniques discussed in the reading. As in the video we see site specific installation art discussed in Ch. 11 as well, with Thomas Hirchehorn and Louis Bourgeois used as examples of artists who make this kind of work. Glass and ceramics are discussed in chapter 12 which describe them as art of daily life or craft art.
       
3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the topics: Sculpture, Installation, and Craft?

I think that  these videos were very informative and I learned a lot of new things that I did not know about sculpture, Installation or Craft. I did not know the specific processes of making glass or commercial ceramics. I didn't realized there were so many steps and people involved in the process of making stone sculpture. While it is clear that these videos are all probably about a decade old, the Glass and Ceramics video was especially out-dated. I am sure that there have been new advancements in the technological use of glass and ceramics since the early 1990s.