Blog Reflections of AED200 - Teller

1. What were you expectations for this course and where they met? My expectations were to learn about Art. I would say that I most definitely have don that. I am thrilled to think about whatI knew then, against what I know now about art.

2. Now that you've been through this course, What is art? How would you define it now compared to your intial posting? To me the definition hasn’t changed. Art can be a drawing,  a painting, a sculpture, a Liberal Art or anything else that expresses what your feel.

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 was Picasso. It still is. I think I have the same favorite artist now, that I did then, because I love his creativity.

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 am not as leery taking a course online now, as I was before we got started. It is a great deal of work in the class or online. Thank you for this experience.

Week 15 Self Portrait Project - Teller

    

Reflections

I selected the 3 photos for their simplicity. I had an extremely difficult time finding ANY self portraits in the AK Art Gallery as I learned that the Collection is often rotated and all pieces were not available.The Van Gogh and Bacon were from of the gift shop. The media I chose to create my self portrait was pencil on paper. I chose it because I feel that I have the most control with it. I didn't face any challenges creating my portrait. I tried to include Balance and Emphasis in my portrait. This project was fun to do, except for not being able to find any exhibits in the Gallery. I like my final artwork. It shows me the things in my face that I notice more than others.

Proof I was there....

Picture # 1  

Picture # 2

Francis Bacon, 1981 Oil on Canvas

Picture #3 

Painting, Oil on Canvas
Paris: Winter, 1887/88
Van Gogh Museum
Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Europe

Art Critique Reflection Journal -Teller

   I reviewed 3 projects for this assignment. "Art in the Life of Trees" - Gruppo, "Youthful innocence Caught in the Moment" - Abate and finally "Wild Life Encounters" by Willie Wimes.

   I selected to critique Willie Wimes "Wild Life Encounters". I chose this exhibit because it seemed to be very similar to the project that I created. I did mine on wildlife as did Wille.

   Some of the challenges that I encountered while doing the critique were that I was afraid to be highly critical and that it was difficult for me to step back and really interpret the works that someone else selected. Trying to analyze why someone else likes a particular work of art is a tough task. I was able to overcome these things because I knew that critiquing hard was the only way to accurately convey my point. Once I was able to step back and view works of art for what they were, I found it easier to see what others saw, the raw piece.

  I enjoyed critiquing someone's work. I was interesting to learn what I really saw as well.

  I would most definitely like to read by peers review.

  On a scale of 1-10, I would give my finished article a 10. I nailed that thing!

  I loved working on this project. :-) Good stuff !!!!


  -Steve

Week 15 Video Reviews

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

Greenberg/Criticism - In this video I learned that were a ton of issues surrounding the new or modernist style of painting.

Greenberg/Pollock – I learned that Pollock was a big drinker. I learned that Greenberg thought he was overrated and “full of shit”. Although he chastised Pollock, he respected him and thought that he could have really been something if he lived a little longer.

Italian Renaissance– I learned that Artists didn’t just know how to create art, but rather they learned from all the artists before them and how they perfected their art. They learned by studying their elders.

The Critics– This video was amazing. It showed how critics are actually like artists.   They have their own style, their own rituals, and their own specialties.

Colonial - I didn’t really know anything about the 1900 World’s Fair, so this piece was most definitely interesting. It was odd to me to learn how everything depicted in the fair, was to promote the strength of the French etc.

Pollock – I think what I learned here is that any 2 people can have completely different views of the exact same work of art or exhibit. It is interpretation more than understanding that drives a critic’s view point.

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

Greenberg/Criticism - This video relates to the book in that shows how Greenberg loved Matisse and his contributions to the Fauve Revolution.

Greenberg/Pollock - This video related to the readings as it re-emphasizes the fact that as times changed and modernizations were implemented in Art, people were chastised and cast aside because their styles didn’t jell well with the current styles. We just read about this last week.

Italian Renaissance – This video relates to the readings in that we read about the Renaissance and the rebirth of art in previous chapters.

The Critics – This relates to the readings because it shows how individuality related to critics is the same as the individuality of artists. They have their own ways of doing things to create their endpoint.

Colonial – I think this relates to the readings in the book because it reemphasizes how Western influence on Europe changed the way art and history were depicted.

Pollock - This relates to this week’s work because it shows us that  2 people can have completely different views of the exact same work of art or exhibit. It is interpretation more than understanding that drives a critic’s view point. Since we will be critiquing each other’s exhibits this week, it has merit.

I didn’t particularly care for any of the videos that much. They are all starting to get quite a bit lengthy. The Greenberg video was especially hard to follow. Greenberg sounded drunk during the interview and was extremely difficult to understand.

Reflection Journal -Teller

     This was an interesting assignment. For my exhibit, I wanted to do something that was very meaningful to me.  Since I am an avid outdoorsman, I decided to do my exhibit around a Naturalistic and Representational theme.
     My project was off to a slow start although I knew what the end result was that I wanted to unfold, I wasn't quite sure how to achieve it. I started digging for things that were impolrtant for me to show my audience.  I wanted to show how I feel, rather than tell someone.  I worked my title of Life and Death, into something important to me. Hunting and the great outdoors.  It was magical, I could show Life and Death as time, a day or an event. As I started to dig the project quickly began to unfold onto itself. I was able to find so many pictures that I wasnt sure where to place them all, in order to convery my thoughts and show movemnt through the exhibit. This is what I came up with.
     I decide to use Sunrise and Sunset imagery as the life and death of a day on earth.  I also was able to use children, and natuer scenes filled with deer as symbols of life.  I then tuned the project to show the death of a day, by using moon paintings and nightfall etc.  I was able through this, to sho the death of nature in my final few slides by capturig deer skulls and photo taken of myself.  Although the final slide is not of a painting, it was in fact a photo, which we learned about in a previous section so it does count.
     I was able to show my points rather wellI think.  For my exhibit, I would show the slides in the exact order in which they appear. For the entire hallway, which is where I picture this exhibit, I would have a soft light from above, and eggshell color painted walls, unless otherwise noted in the individual slides, to show a certain effect that I was trying to achieve. I hope you enjoyed it. I know that I did creating it.

-Stephen

Week 13 & 14 Video Review - Teller

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

 The Lowdown on Lowbrow: West Coast Pop Art

Lowbrow is a style of art. The name was fabricated by the artist Robert Williams. It relates to the group of artists that allegedly “does their own thing”, that lack culture and have no taste. It seems to me that it is more free expression. It is focused around cartoons it seems, and abstract art. Anthony Ausgang has an awesome blazer jacket.

Displaying Modern Art: The Tate Approach

I learned that Art Galleries actually have a direction in which exhibits art displayed. I figured they were all just placed where they fit. That is not the case. Things are arranged in chronological order as an example. Inside that idea related works are placed near each other even though different media may be used.

Bones of Contention: Native American Archaeology

I didn’t know that Native American bones were collected and all kept together in some sort of warehouse to be studied. That there was such a large discrimination issue. The Smithsonian had over 18,000 bodies worth of Native American bones. There were laws passed that the bones must be remained to their Native Tribes. Unfortunately the bones were not. Eventually because of these laws, bones did in fact start to be returned, so that the Indians could perform their own analysis.

George Eastman House: Picture Perfect

He invented the personal cameras. He also formed Eastman Kodak. There is no Mr. Kodak. It is an acronym of his mother’s maiden name “Kilborn ODA Kilborn “The first commercialized camera The Brownie, sold for $1. His 50 bedroom estate is magnificent. I didn’t even know he was from Rochester or that the house was there. This was an awesome video. Im going to go see that house.

2. Do the videos relate to the creation of your Art Exhibition project? If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not. I think the videos relate to the creation of our projects in that I will use pictures of animals (Kodak video). I will use thoughts and theories of life (Bones video) The construction of my project will follow a chronological aspect (Tate Video) and the fact that I have no idea what I am doing, but will love what I am doing relates to the Lowbrow video.

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 loved the films for this section. They added much depth.

Week 12 Video Review -Teller

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

The Power of Art: Rothko– I chose this video because it has an interesting title.

Uncertainty: Modernity and Art– I chose this video because I wanted to learn about Modernity and Art other than what was read in the text this week.

Hockney on Photography – I chose this video because I am interested in learning more about this topic

Andy Warhol: Images of an Image - I chose this video because I am interested in learning more about this topic as well.

2.    For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
The Power of Art: Rothko

In this video I learned that he had killed himself. I did not previously know that fact.

I also learned he went to Yale, and dropped out. He believed that art could change the world.  I saw color field mapping and how he created his abstract paintings. They had no borders on some pieces and were not sedatives. He didn’t want his art to be silent, but moving. He was a major painter for artworks in the Four Seasons restaurant.

Uncertainty: Modernity and Art– I learned that Uncertainty: Modernity and Art is a part of everyday life. Civilization changes over the years as things modernize and art is no different. It is a main focus of abstract art where surfaces and appearances are deliberately left behind in the creation of the piece.

Hockney on Photography – This was a fascinating video. I saw how he actually drew photos with pictures. It was marvelous.

Andy Warhol: Images of an Image – This video was amazing.

I learned a step by step processes of silk screening, including the enlargement process and rinsing.

The Power of Art: Rothko This video relates to the book text for this weeks’ reading, in that shows how Abstract  perspectives are really the basis for a ideology that abstract art had been born.

Uncertainty: Modernity and Art– This video related to the readings as it re-emphasizes the point that Abstract art is deliberately open ended. “Taking a line for a walk” rather than purposefully forcing it to an ending position.

Hockney on Photography – This video relates to the readings because the camera was invented around the time of the Revolution which we just read about. It was also a new idea to draw with the camera, just as Expressionism was born in this era.

Andy Warhol: Images of an Image – This video relates to class work simply because it tells how Andy Warhol utilizes movie stars as his platform. He used silkscreen printing to mass produce prints, just like modern conveniences that were developed in the Industrial Revolution.

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

I like all the 4 films I watched for this section. The Andy Warhol: Images of an Image video made a pretty substantial impact on me. I think he may have been a little odd, but you can’t simply ignore his new technique of destroying and recreating images. I liked this video section a lot this time.

Art Gallery visit # 2

Step 1: The Exhibition

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

100 Cans

Cinema

A Sphere lit from the top, four sides and all combinations

2. What is the theme of the exhibition?

100 Cans – Daily life, the here and now 

Cinema - Daily life, the here and now 

A Sphere lit from the top, four sides and all combinations – Art and Art

Step 2: The Gallery

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

100 Cans – Brilliant White (strand hanging)

Cinema – Brilliant White. Floor and ceiling lights.

A Sphere lit from the top, four sides and all combinations – this piece is surrounded by soft yellows. The piece itself is also created by manipulating lights and their positions relative to the sphere

2. What colors are used on the walls?

100 Cans - White

Cinema - White

A Sphere lit from the top, four sides and all combinations – White

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

100 cans – oil and canvas

Cinema – Plaster, Illuminated Plexi-Glass and Metal

A Sphere lit from the top, four sides and all combinations – pigment print

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

I didn’t find that there was any movement throughout the space for any of the 3 works that I selected.

Step 3: The Artwork

 Questions about the artwork:
1. How are the artworks organized? – The artworks were organized by size, moving left to right
2. How are the artworks similar? – They are similar in that they all applied to the same theme
3. How are the artworks different? – The only differences that I noticed were in subject matter
4. How are the artworks framed? -  100Cans – is a plastic frame with glass, Cinema is not framed and sphere is a wood frame with plexi-glass.

5. How are the artworks identified and labeled?- There are tags next to each piece
6. What is the proximity of the artwork to each other? They are arranged  in a linear fashion at eye level for the average human adult.

Step 4: Art Criticism Exercise

Select three of the artworks from the show and use the Art Criticism worksheet to desribe, analyze, bracket and interpret the work using the 5-step Art Criticism Process described.
Take pictures of the images you are interpreting. If this is not allowed, make quick sketches of the pieces.

 Art Criticism: Describing, Analyzing, and Interpreting Artwork

Artist: ____Andy Warhol_______________________________________________________________

Title of work: _____100  Cans_______________________________________________________

Media:___Oil on Canvas___________________________________________________

Date:_____1962__________________________________________________________________

Size:______N/A________________________________________________________________________

Source of picture (URL):______________________________________________________________

1.   Be receptive - Keep an open mind.  Look for what is good.  No put-downs allowed.

2.   Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)?

I see a repetitive painting of a can of Campbells soup. There are 100 cans of the entire exact same flavor

3.   Formal analysis – (form)  What principles and elements were used and how are they used? I see repetition and Symmetrical Balance

4.  Bracketing - Is there anything in or about this work that reminds you of anything else? Do you see any symbols, metaphors, or allegories?  (iconography)

I did not notice any symbols or metaphors in this work

4.   Interpretation - (content)  What do you think the artist was trying to say?

I’m not sure exactly. I think he just likes the soup. Perhaps he is saying all the lables look the same on all the different varieties of soup

Art Criticism: Describing, Analyzing, and Interpreting Artwork

Artist: ____George Segal_____________________________________________________________

Title of work: ______Cinema_____________________________________________________________

Media:_____ __Plaster, Illuminated Plexi-glass and Metal______________________

Date:______1963_____ __________________________

Size:_____N/A_ ___________________________________________

Source of picture (URL):______________________________________________________________

3.   Be receptive - Keep an open mind.  Look for what is good.  No put-downs allowed.

4.   Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)?

I see a Plaster person who represents the person responsible for changing the sign at the theatre.

5.   Formal analysis – (form)  What principles and elements were used and how are they used? Color,Line Contour

4.  Bracketing - Is there anything in or about this work that reminds you of anything else? Do you see any symbols, metaphors, or allegories?  (iconography)

No

6.   Interpretation - (content)  What do you think the artist was trying to say?

I don’t think anything, just a representation of the person doing that job, perhaps faceless as if no one knows who that person is, but we should not forget they exist?

Art Criticism: Describing, Analyzing, and Interpreting Artwork

Artist: ______Deborah Ronnen__________________________________________________

Title of work: __A Sphere Lit from the Top, Four sides and all other combinations______________

Media:_______Pigment Print______________________________________

Date:______2004_ ________________________________________________

Size:_____ ____________________________________________________

Source of picture (URL):______________________________________________________________

5.   Be receptive - Keep an open mind.  Look for what is good.  No put-downs allowed.

6.   Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)?

I see multiple photos of the exact same ball taken with different light patterns.

7.   Formal analysis – (form)  What principles and elements were used and how are they used? Repitition and Asymmetrical Balance

4.  Bracketing - Is there anything in or about this work that reminds you of anything else? Do you see any symbols, metaphors, or allegories?  (iconography)

This actually reminds me of the Andy Warhol 100 cans painting,.

5.  Interpretation - (content)  What do you think the artist was trying to say? \

That as simple as some things seem, they just maybe need to be viewed a different way.

.

4. Answer this question: What did you think of visiting the Gallery and purposefully looking at the exhibition from a different perspective - the physical space, the architecture, theme, etc.? I didn’t get too much out of this as there is not a huge difference in the arrangement of most pieces there.

Week 11 Video Reviews

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

Matisse and Picasso– I chose this video because it has an interesting title.

          The Mystical North: Spanish Art from the 19th Century to the Present– I chose this     video because it was the shortest running time of all the movies.

          Sunday on La Grande Jatte, 1884 (Seurat)– I chose this video because I am    interested in learning more about this topic

          Dada and Surrealism I chose this video because I am interested in learning more       about this topic as well.

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

          Matisse and Picasso - In this video I learned that Matisse was not a born         painter/artist. It seems he discovered his talents in his 20’s while Picasso was     painting at an early age. They also seemed to dislike each other a great deal. Who         would have thought? They also were highly critical of each other.

          The Mystical North: Spanish Art from the 19th Century to the Present– I learned that in Spain during the 19^th century was in turmoil. Freedom of expression was shunned          against. People/Artists really pushed the limits of expressionism in their work.

          Sunday on La Grande Jatte, 1884 (Seurat) – I learned that Buddhist split after Buddha’s death, into 2 groups. The 4 gateways do no show Buddha as a person, but     have disappeared into symbolism.
          Dada and Surrealism – This video was amazing, the Dada movement, born as a         reaction to WWI and Surrealism opened new avenues for artistic creation by striving      to bypass the reasoning process and tap directly into the unconscious mind.

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

Matisse and Picasso This video relates to the book text for this weeks’ reading, in that shows how Matisse was part of the Fauve Revolution.

The Mystical North: Spanish Art from the 19th Century to the Present– This video related to the readings as it re-emphasizes the fact of that that Picasso always took things as they were. An example of this is cubism.

Sunday on La Grande Jatte, 1884 (Seurat) – This video relates to the readings in much the same way that I discussed above in regards to African art. Symbolism became the forerunning aspect of art.

Dada and Surrealism – This video relates to class work simply because it tells us about Surrealism which we just learned about.

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

I didn’t particularly care for any of the videos that much. They are all starting to get quite a bit lengthy.

Project4 - Mask

Chosen for basic idea and style

 This piece has symmetrical balance. I enjoyed the mask and used it as my main focus piece.

 This piece screams empahsis. Giving me still more ideas for my piece. I used the shape of the head from this one.

Thids piece gave me some ideas about extras for my mask, because of the repitition of the spikes on the head.

This is my original drawings, to re-emphasize the features I wanted to capture from each mask

My first head shape.....

 

I unsuccessfully tried to rotate this for better veiwing but was unable to. 

The finished mask. I didnt want to use color for this, I guess that was part of my point. It has emphasis, rythym and is asymmetrically balanced.