Module 16: AED 200 Reflection

My expectations for this course was that it was going to be easy but not a lot of work. Now that I have taken the course I realized that some weeks there is going to be more work than others but overall the course was not a hard course. Art is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power. My initial posting about art has changed because I feel like there is more to art now that I have taken this course. At first I never had a favorite artist and now I can say that I have a favorite artist. My favorite artist is Andy Warhol and I have grown a new appreciation for art. Now that I have taken this course I feel like I would take another course online. When taking an online course you have to have self discipline and stay organized. 

Module 13 and 14

This week our task was to watch three videos relating to our Art Exhibition Powerpoint Project. The three videos I watched this week are The Lowdown on Lowbrow: West Coast Pop Art, The BBC: Culture Show and An Acquiring Mind: Philippe de Montebello and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In the first video some key concepts I learned was that Lowbrow Art describes an underground visual art movement that arose in Los Angeles, California areas in the 1970s. Lowbrow Art describes an underground comic, punk music and hot rod cultures of the street. In the second video I learned that the Tate Modern Museum is in Berlin and holds contemporary art in abandoned train station and that there are more than five million visits a year. In the last video I learned that the director Philippe de Montebello was hired in 1977 and worked for 31 years and was the longest serving coordinator. The museum opened in 1870 with 174 European paintings mostly Flemish and Dutch. I think the video's relate to the creation of my Art Exhibition project because most of the art in my powerpoint is similar to the Lowbrow Art style. I really enjoyed the film on the Lowbrow Art and thought it was interesting but the other two videos I thought they were hard to focus but they all related to my understanding of the art concepts I practiced while creating my project.

Module 12

This week our task was to watch two video's and the videos I chose were "Abstract Expressionism and Pop: Art of the 50's and 60's" and "Andy Warhol: Images of an Image". I selected this video's because I really enjoy looking at abstract art because it makes me think and I chose the second video because I enjoy Andy Warhol's work. In the first video I learned that when observing abstract work the title isn't there for is to think about what the painting shows but instead to think and feel what the painting  is. I also learned that abstract paintings work in the real space between us and its surface physically and sensually as well as intellectually. In the second video "Andy Warhol: Images of an Image" I learned that he actually didn't start out having the idea of wanting to become a painter he wanted to become a tap dancer and he started out as a commercial artist for magazines and advertising. The videos relate to the readings because in the first video they both discuss how abstract paintings takes on the importance to external reality can be applied as in a portrait or still life. In the second video they discuss how when Marilyn Monroe died in August 1962, Warhol created a silkscreen with different colorful versions of Marilyn Motif. I enjoyed the Andy Warhol film because it was short and straight to the point the first video was very long and hard to focus but both were very informative.

Art Gallery Visit #2

This week our task was to visit an art museum and the art gallery I visited was the Burchfield Penney Art Center at Buffalo State College. The first exhibit that I visited was "Jack Drummer: The Effects of Time"(1980).  I wasn't sure about the theme of this piece because it was stretched and dyed rubber on two panels which were 60 x 90 inches. The lighting that was used was shining directly on the piece and the color of the walls were white. The colors that were used in the interior architecture of the piece were teal and turquoise. The movement of the piece was dull and confusing. The artwork was mounted on the wall and a lot of this artists work is similar because it makes you think.  The elements that are used in the piece are line, shape, value and texture. The principles of art are movement, unity and emphasis.
                                            
The second piece that I observed was Virginia Cuthbert's piece entitled "The Birthday Party". This was a self portrait of Virginia and her family and friends celebrating her birthday at her home in Buffalo. The theme of this piece was to portray her happiness as she celebrates her birthday with her loved ones. The lighting was shown on the portrait. The colors of the wall were a darker gray. The materials used are oil on canvas. The movement on this piece seems very involving since a party is portrayed. The elements used in that portrait are line, color and shape. The principles shown in this portrait movement, emphasis, unity and balance.
                                             
The third piece that I observed was from the Roycroft Copper Shop and it is called the "Ink Pot from Desk Set Cat". This piece is placed inside a glass box and the light is shown directly on the piece. This piece is copper brass wash and glass insert. The artworks are similar because they are all placed inside glass boxes and placed throughout the museum. The elements of art being used are line, shape, form, texture and value. The principles that are being used are unity and proportion
                                          

Module 11

This week the two videos I chose to watch are "The Impact of Cubism" and "The Mystical North: Spanish Art From The 19th Century To The Present". In the first video some of the key concepts that I learned was that the Centre Pompidou is located in Paris, France and has work from every phases of the 20th century. In the second video some key concepts that I learned is Francisco De Goya Y Lucientes was born in 1746 in Fuendetodos, Spain and that he reframed the world and questioned what it means to be a human. The videos relate to the reading because in the first video they discuss that the three featured artists in the museum are Georges Braque, Pablo Picasso and Juan Gris. In the second video they discuss that he is one of the Father's of Modern Art also that in 1808 when Napoleon invaded Spain, Goya had many etchings of the bloodshed and results of the war and called it "Disasters Of War". This week I felt that the videos weren't as interesting and engaging they helped understand the reading but they weren't as exciting.

Mask Making

The mask I designed is a representation of me. I am always happy and smiling and full of energy. I colored the mask with highlighters to represent my vibrant personality and drew huge smile. I drew a leaf headband on my head to represent the fact that I like being outside and playing sports and that I always have a headband on my head no matter the event. The elements that I used are shape, form, line and color. The principles that I used are pattern, rhythm, proportion, balance, unity and emphasis.
                             

Mask Making

The first mask that inspired me was a mask created by the Aztecs. It was created by the Aztec tribe of "Xictecuhtli" in the 1500's. This type of mask was used to be placed on the dead and originally made out of fabric but later on created out of copper, gold or clay. The Aztecs looked at the human skull as a prized trophy and seeing skulls used as masks wasn't uncommon during this era. These masks were used all part of court entertainments, possibly combining political with religious significance. The mask has different shades of green and blue. The elements the mask presents are line, shape, color and texture. The principles of art that are being shown are proportion and unity.

The second mask that I found my inspiration was a ceremonial mask from Papua New Guinea. This mask was created by the people who live there honoring all of the dead leaders whether they were both men or women. The characteristics of the mask have different  meanings whether it is how they died or a personality trait they had. For example on the mask a snake attacking a flying fish is symbolic of an important person. The principles that are recognized in the mask are rhythm, movement, unity and emphasis. The elements that are being shown in this mask are shape, color, value, and texture. 

                              

The last mask that inspired me was tribal mask from the people of Aotearoa, New Zealand. The tribe that created this mask is known as the Maori tribe. Majority of there masks are carved out of wood and represents many Gods. This particular mask is called "Parentless one or One God". I enjoyed this mask the most because majority of it is one color and the bright blue eyes draw me in. The elements that are portrayed are lines, shape and form and value. The principles that are represented in this mask pattern, proportion and emphasis and balance. 

                                                      

Module10: The Art of Africa, East Asia, the Pacific and the America's

This week in Module #10 I had to watch two videos and relate them to the readings. The two videos I chose are Hinduism and Buddhism. I chose these two video's because they seemed the most interesting according to the title. In the first video entitled "Buddhism" some key concepts I learned are that this practice began in India and that it is broken up into two sections called the Hinayana and Mahayana. The Hinayana or "little boat" believe that they cross to nirvana in a boat they would row themselves and Mahayana "big boat" and they seek companions wait for the ferry. In the second video entitled "Hinduism" it began in Varanasi, India which is the holiest place in India located near the Ganges River which is a powerful symbol. The video's relate to the reading because in the first video they also discuss "The Torana" which is a symbol for the door to understanding or the gateway to the temple. Its a granite archway carved with teachings of Buddha. In the second video they discuss how the Ganges river is symbolized as a great stream for death and reincarnation of life. They believe that life is for millions and billions of years which include life, death and rebirth. I think the films were very informative and helped understand the reading in the textbook.

Module 9: Art Making & Material Exploration Drawings

                                               
I enjoyed using my hand as the subject matter for this week. I am not the best artist but I enjoyed doing it myself. I got to explore all the lines and details in my hands. The media I selected  was a pencil and it was just because it was more convenient for me. It felt very awkward trying to draw my hand with my less dominant hand. I am not to sure if they were successful because I can't draw to well with my dominant hand to begin with and I think there are slight differences between the two. I wouldn't consider using my non dominant hand for future projects because it was very hard and more time consuming.

Module 9

This week the task was to watch two videos and the two videos I chose were Albrecht Dürer: The Image Of A Master and Veláquez. I chose the two videos because they seemed the most interesting and were fairly short videos. In the first video Albrecht Dürer: The Image Of A Master some key concepts I learned is that he was born in Germany in the year 1471 and died in 1528 and in 1506 the noblesmen gave him commission to create a glass portrait for the church. The other artists who were born and raised in Italy grew jealous and threatened to poison him. In the second video Veláquez some key concepts I learned was that he was born in 1599 in Serville and died in 1660 and in 1623 when he was 24 years old  he was a court painter to William the 4th. The video's relate to the reading because in the first video Dürer painted a portrait in the church and added himself in the background with a document with his name and date. Also Albrecht Dürer felt like he was a nobody in Germany but was considered a noblemen in Venice because of his work. In the second video Veláquez studied and analyzed Italian paintings in Italy and Rome for two years. Also he created a portrait from mythology and it was really rare that Spanish painters painted Greek mythology. I enjoyed the first video better than the second video because I felt like it was more interesting and wasn't as boring. I believe the video's were more helpful than the reading because the reading has alot of extra information.

Module 8: Ancient Mediterranean Worlds Through The Middle Ages

In Module 8 the two videos that I watched this week was a documentary on BBC entitled "More Human Than Human" and "The Greek Awakening: Art Form From The 5th Century B.C.".  I chose to watch this video because the title seemed interesting. In the first video some key concepts that I learned that common influential people resemble humans and that 5000 B.C. Egypt was the first settled civilization because the Nile flooded which helped stabilize agriculture. In the second video some key concepts that I learned are that the capital of Greece which is Athens is housed to 4 million people and it is the birthplace of Western Civilization. In Greece during that time period Gods and Goddesses were idolized there statues were created resembling humans.

The videos and assigned reading relate in many different ways. In the first video "More Human Than Human" they both discuss the Female Figure from Willendorf. This figure was discovered 25,000 years ago near Willendorf which is modern day Austria. Many different types of female figurines have been discovered in areas of Russia, France, Italy, Czech Republic etc.  and each statue has highlighted features that are most important such as childbirth and fertility. In the second video "The Greek Awakening: Art Form From the 5th Century" they both discuss how in the 5th/6th century B.C.  there was a revolution in art, theatre, architecture and philosophy. They both discuss how the Greek Gods statues resembled the men during this time period which were tall with a very strong and healthy athletic build. They also discuss how the cities were built around Acropolis.

In my opinion I enjoyed the video and feel like I learn more from watching the videos than trying to interpret the readings which are very long. The videos did add depth for helping me understand the readings and I find them helpful

Architecture

This week in Module 7 the main topic we discussed was Architecture. This week our objective was to read the chapter and then choose two out of five videos to watch and compare. The two videos I choose are "Prairie Style: Frank Lloyd Wright" and "Architecture: The Science of Design". In the first  video some key concepts that I learned are that skyscrapers are made up of two distinct parts which are the super structure which is all above ground and the underground substructure. I also learned that  one of the main problems when building a skyscraper is the wind and that it can cause the building to sway a whole meter. In the second video I learned that Frank Lloyd Wright developed the prairie style living. His dream was to have the buildings blend into surroundings. The videos and the text related because in the first video and the reading they both discuss the technique of driving steel,wood or concrete pillars deep into the ground until they reach a layer of solid rock which is more than 60 meters in the ground. In the second video and the reading they discuss how Frank Lloyd Wright designed a lot of houses in suburban Chicago. While he was designing these house he was determined to reflect the time, place and landscape. 

I think that the videos are more helpful than the readings because it is very straightforward on information that is helpful meanwhile the readings are very long. I guess watching the videos after reading the chapter helps clarify information but I wish we could do one or the other. I chose these films because they looked the most interesting.

Reviewing Peer Response Artwork

http://dana-art-yka.blogspot.com/ : Dana Aftyka

http://hollyspoor.blogspot.com/    : Holly Spoor 

These are the two classmates that I reviewed there artwork this week. I agreed with Dana's project on elements and principle project. I saw a lot of the elements and principles without looking at the captions. I wasn't able to find Holly's project to review. Most of Dana's photos were similar to mine creativity wise and thinking out of the box. A lot of Dana's photos were outside and nature filled and mine were mostly stuff inside. I really enjoyed the photos Holly posted when visiting the Albright Knox Art Museum. My favorite was the Andy Warhol's 100 Cans and The Kill Yourself oil canvas. I think the process of reading others reflections is different especially since we won't meet face to face and it is like getting to know someone. I don't really find this valuable to learning because I won't know for sure if what they are doing is correct. I always find criticism helpful because I get to better myself in the process. 

Module 6: Sculpture, Installation, and Arts of Ritual and Daily Life

This week our focus was on Sculptures, Installation and Arts of Ritual and Daily Life. In the first video "Through The Eyes of the Sculptor" some key concepts that I learned is that a carver must use feelings to put life back in the shape and sculptors first draw out their ideas on paper and then use clay to sculpt out the figures. Models who pose feel like their soul is being dissected and that they aren't able to hide their inner most feelings. These two concepts relate to the reading because in the section entitled "Carving" they discuss how limewood carves the easiest and it allows more details which helps the carver "put life back into the figure". In another section on the text entitled "The Human Figure in Sculpture" they discuss how when a statue is being carved that the goal is to make it as beautiful as possible to encourage the spirit to take up residence within it.

In the second video entitled "Glass and Ceramics"they discuss how glass is made and how stained glass windows are created and used. In the reading and video they discuss the main materials for glass which are sand and that when it is heated that it becomes molten and it is easy to shape and mold. They also discuss stained glass which is a technique used for windows, lampshades and other similar structures that permit light to pass through.

In my opinion I feel that the videos were able to help me understand the concepts easier because the text has a lot of information and sometimes it is hard to understand and the videos break it down for me and help me comprehend the information.

Logo Development

In the process of creating my logo I thought about my initial's to my name and I thought about stuff that I enjoy doing and that describe me and my personality. The idea's that I thought about making my logo are my interests and personality. The J is my name is colorful and vibrant like my personality. The S in my name represents softball because I grew up playing the sport and it has had a big impact on my life. The B in my name has bubbles to represent my bubbly. The most important discovery I made in the creation of my logo is that I actually enjoy coloring.
                                    

Art Gallery Visit #1: Albright Knox Art Gallery

The two pieces of artwork that made an impact on me is the "Inspired" and then "Color and Light". The first piece of art is a painting from a student at the Buffalo Academy for Visual Arts. It made an impact on me because the pieces of on this portrait are all modern day logo's that we use in our everyday life. The second piece of artwork made an impact on my life because it highlights the different colors according to where you are standing. The various colors represent different periods in my life

 

Art Gallery Visit #1: Albright Knox Art Gallery

I have visited the Albright-Knox Art Gallery on Elmwood Ave and the two pieces of artwork that I would like to learn more about are the Green Thumb In A Dark Eden by Frank Moore and Good Night Good Morning by Joan Jonas. The piece created by Frank Moore was created in 1994-95 and it is a painting of Niagara Falls in Buffalo. I have only been to Niagara Falls once on the Canadian side years ago and would be interested to go as an adult and have a different experience. The second piece of artwork created by Joan Jonas (1996) represents the process of aging and time and self identity. As I am coming to the completion go my freshman year of college I am trying to figure out who I am and  I am starting to realize that I am no longer a child.

              

The two piece's of art work that I have a connection with are The Colors Of Play: Art And Early Childhood Exhibition and The Just Do. The first piece of artwork that I connected with was a painting created by children between the ages of one to seven. I connected with this piece of artwork because I am an early childhood education major and I love kids! The second piece of artwork that I connected with was called just stop thinking. As I grew older I realized that when I try and focus and think about tasks in-depth I tend to not do so well. When I take a deep breath and "just do it" I do really well and end up doing amazing on the tasks.

      

Color Wheel and Value Chart

Color Theory: Paint/Pigment Primary Color and Value Scale

I thought that creating the Color Theory Pigment Wheel and the Value Scale was very fun and helpful. I enjoyed creating the different color's on the wheel and that by far was the best part of this project. One of the important discoveries in the creation of these studies was being able to use the charcoal to create the value scale. The most important information that I learned from watching the videos for this project in my opinion was how all of the colors are mixed with all the different primary and secondary colors

jsbutler15's Elements and Principles album on Photobucket

jsbutler15's Elements and Principles album on Photobucket

Elements and Principle Project

http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/jsbutler15/library/Elements%20and%20Principles

Color Theory and Emotional Effects

Color is the property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way the object reflects or emits light. Artist have always treated color with caution because it powerful and unpredictable to control our emotion. I think the different hues and intensities are part of the reason thats causes the different emotions. The theoretical aspect of color that most intrigues me is that color was used in a basic way. Fresco painters of the middle ages would use this color in a very strict way. They would first apply plaster to the wall then draw over it so the paint would hold and couldn't be changed. The artist couldn't improvise and every picture would have a contract on what he could and couldn't use. I find this very fascinating because today many artist draw free hand and do a lot of improvising and don't always have to stick to a certain plan. The biggest impact that regards to the color and its effects on emotion was how the artist would use so many colors that contrasted with each other to show his disgust for the place. In the feelings video the biggest impact on me in regards to color and its effect on emotion is that when I see bright colors I feel happy and excited and dark and more neutral colors I can be sad or calm depending on the situation. 

Aesthetics Video

This week in AED 200 we learned why art is important why art is created, aesthetics, the context of art and themes of art. Plato’s theory was very important. He originated from the 5th century Athens, Greece. Plato said “There is a beauty by which all things are beautiful” and by this I believe that he means that the things we see in the world was their idea. I feel like his contribution is important because he sees the beauty in the object of it’s own nature. I felt that the video on the evolutionary Origins of Art and Aesthetics was very hard to comprehend what was going on. Changeux views on this topic was that art is artifacts of artistic creation is the neurobiologist viewpoint. 

AED 200 Expectations

The process of creating my Gmail account was pretty straightforward and easy but setting up a blog for me was a little challenging. There was a lot of steps but Professor Tabone's instructions were also very helpful. I expect to learn a lot from the course because I will learn different techniques. I feel that taking an online course shouldn't be difficult but I am not to sure about this course. Art is very hands on and I think it might be a little challenging for me.