Reflections of AED

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

I didn't have many specific expectations for this course because through life I have learned through experience that it is best to not expect anything, but rather to just take whatever comes with each situation as it is. I did hope to learn about art, its meaning, terminologies and where they came from, what is considered art or what is not, and the various types of art. I was impressed by how much can be learned through an online art course, as well as overwhelmed by the amount of content and work was required. I did learn the things I had hoped to learn and more.

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

I now believe that art is many things, it is imagination turned into creation. It is an emotion or feeling you have when you are the artist, and can be a completely different emotion or feeling when you are the viewer. Art is both simple and complex. It is both functional and for enjoyment. Much of art is a visual creation and experience.

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 was Pablo Picasso in the beginning of this course. At this time I would have to say that he is still my favorite because I just enjoy his work. I love how abstract he can make things appear, but how complex and well thought out the work is. He doesn't just throw something together and make a mess, he puts so much meaning and care into everything he created.


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 was comfortable with taking an online course when I began this one. This is not my first online course and it will not be my last. I enjoy the convenience because I work full time and I have a family and kids so I can fit this into the little bit of free time that I do have.

Week 15 Art Analysis

Viewing the painting Guernica, by Pablo Picasso, answer the following questions to the best of your ability. Be sure the use citations if you are using references in your answers.

Be sure to review the rubric that will be used to assess your work.

1. Use the vocabulary you have learned in class to describe this artwork or performance in detail.

2. What processes were used to create this work? What social influences might the artist be responding to and why?

3. What is the relationship of this work to the time and society in which it was created? Describe the symbols used to express this relationship.

4. Identify elements in the work that evoke a persuasive or emotional response. Be specific about what those responses are and why.

5. Evaluate what you perceive to be the strengths and weaknesses of the work.  Apply discipline specific vocabulary and concepts when describing your point of view.

In this painting, Guernica by Pablo Picasso, you can see an abstract view of both animals and people. They are all running, crying, dying, severed, and in clear destruction and pain. The painting is all black, white and blue oil on canvas, which allows you to feel the darkness of what these people were experiencing. His abstract use of geometric shapes throughout is part of the cubism movement. It is such a large piece, that it is the size of a mural. It illustrates the mass panic of the people of Spain at the time of their civil war. In this piece he wanted to show the tragedy and suffering that war inflicts on innocent people. This political statement was his immediate response to the Nazi's devastating casual bombing practice on the Basque town of Guernica during Spanish Civil War (https://www.pablopicasso.org/guernica.jsp). Pablo Picasso used this painting to criticize Francisco Franco, who at the time made a treaty with Germany, since he himself was a fascist. In the painting Picasso is illustrating the mass suffering of the bombing by aircraft, that Franco allowed his own people to suffer in order to gain control of the nation. It has been said that Guernica is one the most complex, yet understood paintings to this day.  The bull head is representative of Spain because it is a traditional animal of their culture that is used for bull fighting and other cultural traditions. The mother holding the dead baby baby, a soldier disfigured, the various heads of different animals, all of these represent the parents losing their children and the children losing their parents, soldiers dying in a lost cause, the devastation of the town. This all symbolizes the upcoming WWII. This is not tradition art, in other words it is not a realistic painting. It looks messy and doesn't give you an easily recognizable image. That would be this paintings weakness. Although, it does clearly illustrate the chaos that was happening at the time and therefor, it is a very celebrated and well known piece of art. It was well understood for what it represents, while catching your attention because of its abstract and unusual style. The strength of this painting is its ability to catch peoples attention, because of how different it is, which actually made the world aware of the Spanish Civil War. 

Week 15 Self Portrait Blog

Inspirational artworks from Google Arts & Culture

https://g.co/arts/fh7xxwfjnw8ykt8b8

Self Portrait
Manuel Gonzalez
ca. 1954
35.5 x 20.7
oil on canvas

I selected this piece because I really love how the artist used so much detail to create the texture of the skin. By showing its aging wrinkles and cracked effect that you notice more as you zoom in.


https://g.co/arts/fh7xxwfjnw8ykt8b8

Portrait of Guilherme de Almeida
Dimitri Ismaillovich
1954
46.4 x 35.9 cm
pencil on paper

I selected this piece because it feels so realistic to me. Also, because I plan on doing my self portrait with pencil on paper, as well, so I feel like my piece will be similar in style to this one.

https://g.co/arts/fh7xxwfjnw8ykt8b8

Self-Portrait
Rosa Rolanda
1939
40 x 30 cm
oil on canvas

I selected this piece because I appreciate the combination of the realistic yet abstract style that I see when I look at the women in the self portrait.


I selected pencil and paper to create my self portrait because I feel like this is the best way for me to be able to get it as detailed as possible. I prefer to do it with no color as well, therefor pencil is the best option to allow for shading details.

The challenges I faced when creating my self portrait were getting the shapes and proportions appropriate and realistic. I wanted it to be as realistic as possible and that was a struggle for me.

This piece is only a visual representation of me, leaving the viewer not knowing much besides my appearance.

I used line, value, contrast, shape and proportion to create a realistic self portrait.

I did enjoy working on this project because it is something I have never done before and I was able to take the time to focus on the simple details of myself to attempt to create a realistic self portrait that I feel represents who I am.

I think my final piece is appropriate for my skill level. I am happy with the outcome and impressed with my work.

Module 13 & 14 video blog

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

In the video, the Lowdown on Lowbrow: West Coast Pop Art, it gives a definition that lowbrow means a person regarded as uncultivated and lacking in taste. The term lowbrow was founded by artist Robert Williams. The movement was created as a manifesto, which is considered to be part of the surrealism movement as well. The video, An Acquiring Mind: Philippe De Montebello and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, it is a documentary about the 8^th and longest director in the history of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. His name is Philippe De Montebello and he took over as director in 1977. Due to his effort, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is known for their collection representing all of the continents. In the video, Tate Modern, it talks about the different processes and methods that an art curator has to use when they are putting together a gallery of paintings and other art work.

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

Yes, the videos related to the creation of my Art Exhibit project because the videos included art curators and the process of putting together an art exhibit, which is what I had to do for the project.

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?

All three films are informative however, the Lowdown on Lowbrow: West Coast Pop Art films it a lot different than the other because it concentrates itself in the surrealistic lowbrow movement. The other two films are more focused on the concept of putting together an art exhibition by the art curators and other staffs. They did add some depth to the creation of my own exhibit by giving me another point of view on how to go about the process myself as well as gave me different ideas on how to group things together for an exhibit.

Project 4 Art Curator Slideshow

I started out my brainstorming for my exhibit by thinking about what is going on around me at the current moment. By thinking of what I feel right now and what I see I got a clear view of what I wanted to focus on. Thanksgiving just passed, Christmas is coming just around the corner. People always say how easy it is to put on weight during the holidays because of all of the treats and meals and desserts being shared. It is quite ironic that even on a day where we are supposed to be giving thanks for what we have, people make it a point to over-consume. We get as stuffed as the turkey we cook and then move on to the next holiday wanting more. Gluttony/Greed is one of the 7 deadly sins, meaning it is a sin to take more than you need, to become gluttonous and greedy is not a good quality, yet it has taken over society now to the point where the more people have, the more they want to show that off and gloat at the idea. Being obese has become such a widespread problem because nobody seems to have control anymore. The title of my exhibit is going to be "HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO". The actual meaning of the original quote, "You cant have your cake and eat it too" is that you can not simultaneously have your cake and eat it as well, because once you eat it, it is gone. In this exhibit, my goal is to pull in the idea that people no longer understand that, they think "It's my cake, and I want it all!" and then some.
I began my search for works of art by exploring painting of cake, which Wayne Theibaud has many. I chose the one that I feel best describes my them to be the star of the show. This painting is an entire white frosted cake, topped with a strawberry, surrounded by 8 plates, which each have as slice of this same cake on them. This perfectly pulls my theme into the exhibit. There is your cake, and you can eat it too, without taking a single cut out of the cake itself.
I continued to search for paintings and other works of art that display an enormous amount of foods that can easily be seen as too much. I also included Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans, because when I look at this, I see too much. There is 32 cans of soup, in all the varieties available, taking up quite a bit of space of a wall to be displayed. It may seem as though this piece doesn't quite fit in my exhibit, but when you look at it how I am, it should make sense to you. It has to do with the idea that one can of soup should be enough, but here we have 32, much more than any one person needs.
I end my exhibit with paintings and panels of art showing people experiencing gluttony first hand, rather than looking at the food alone, it is helpful to see the act of overindulging and what it causes.
I would put all of these pieces together in room with dark grey walls, and dim spot lighting shining on each piece so that they stand out within a dark space. The darkness comes from the idea of sin and greed. Red would be an accent color, for the title of the exhibit and some other minor details. Red representing death and negativity, which is a direct result of gluttony in food.
My hopes with this exhibit is to help people understand that you only need so much. There is no need to over-do it and be a glutton. If you have more than you need, give to those in need and you will be returned with the gift of a healthier, happier life that is much more fulfilling rather than simply overfilling.

Module 12 Video Blog

The two videos I selected were Andy Warhol: Images of an Image and Uncertainty: Modernity and Art. The reason why I chose two videos was because they portray and speak about a mass culture and the separation from it.

In the video about Andy Warhol we see an artist who wants to portray life in the 1960’s which was a lot of consumerism by the masses. Through the Ten Lizes, an image of the actress Elizabeth Taylor, Andy Warhol uses an original photograph of Elizabeth Taylor and creates ten images of this photograph as if they were the negative of the original. He takes pictures of the picture. By doing this he created 10 unique images in a way because no image is the same as the one that came before. In the video, Uncertainty: Modernity and Art, the concept that modern art tells us that something broke 100 years ago cannot be put together again. This breakage has created a feeling of uncertainty. Art in the early 19^th century used to tell us the identity of a group or movement in society. The uncertainty started with us wanting to break away of mass culture, and in the process, we lost ourselves.

The textbook is different from the videos because it focuses on defining the different styles and movements that protested against consumerism. The videos speak more directly about human identity, where the book explains about the historical factors and other different movements.

The films were eye opener, specially the Uncertainty: Modern and Art. The reason why is because it really makes me think about why did we, as a society, and as individuals, break away from mass culture 100 years ago, as far as art goes. The reason why we lost that is because many artists refused to continue to master the basics of art, like how it was in the renaissance time. Everyone wanted to be their own person and create their own art that they forgot about where they came from and what used to inspire those before them.

Module 11 Video Blog

The two videos that I selected were Dada & Surrealism and The Mystical North: Spanish Art from the 19^th Century to the Present. The reason I selected both of these videos, is because some of the artists in them were alive around the same time period, however different movement/styles were being used.

In the video Dada & Surrealism, one of the movements that Kurt Schwitters and Hanna Hoch used among many other Dadaist was called Dada. Kurt Schwitter’s style consisted of collages. At first, he did not consider himself a Dadaist, however, around the 1950’s he revived the movement through his works of art. One of the reasons he used collages, was because with this he didn’t have any limitations as far as the kind of materials he used and how they could be used. Another Dadaist, Hanna Hoch, had an understanding that Dada was more of a state of mind and that it could be use as weapon to attack society. In the Mystical North: Spanish Art from the 19^th Century to the Present video, it mentioned various Spanish artists, like Antoni Gaudi, Francisco Goya, Pablo Picasso and others. The video speaks about the black paintings of Goya that he created after the invasion of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1808. These paintings are known for the dark content in them. Goya, during this invasion, saw mass murder, rape, and torture, among many other things that would cause a psychological change in a human being. Antoni Gaudi uses the Familia Sagrada cathedral to portray his religious beliefs.

One thing that the textbook describes and made very clear, is the difference between the Dada movement and Surrealism. Dada influenced the creation of Surrealism, since it came out the movement. Surrealism is not a movement but a way of life. Surrealist’s focus themselves in the understanding and logic of dreams, the mysteries of the unconscious, the complexity of what is bizarre, irrational, incongruous, marvelous as well as the understanding of it. Dada is a form of an artist protest movement.

One thing that I noticed about the films is that each video contains a form of criticism, either to society or to the religious attachment to the work of art. The movements mentioned in the films are what appears to have some sort of darkness in them due to the notion of how they came to be works of art.

Module 11 Art Gallery Visit #2

The Exhibition

Enough Killing

Theme of exhibit: Throughout history humans have killed each other. Gun safety and the realities of how many people are killed and the fact that we need to take responsibility for what is happening to not only people as a whole, but in particular to people of color.

The Artwork

Spot lighting is used throughout this space. The space itself is dim, with lights only shining on each piece of art along the neutral grey walls and the main piece in the middle of the room. The lighting on the main piece creates a shadow effect on the floor and helps to illuminate the brass and copper metal of the bullets that make up the piece. This really helps to showcase this artwork how it was intended to be seen. The walls appear to be basic drywall construction, the spotlights are mounted along a large metal frame across the ceiling. When you first approach the room where is exhibit is located, there is large wording saying Enough Killing! in black letters on a white door. In front of this is a work of art that is made to look like an all white video camera. When you enter the open door, there is a set of pieces that are all white. First, is supposed to be a ticket machine, like those in delis, where you would take a number and wait. Behind this is two more of the "video cameras" facing in at a "guillotine". Along the walls are numerous other framed prints and canvas artworks. In the center of the room is the main piece, by Robert Longo (b. 1953) titled Death Star, 1993. Made of 18,000 brass and copper bullets; steel armature, diameter of sphere: 36 inches; steel armature: 98 x 120 inches.as you walk through you are drawn to each area of the exhibit individually, focusing on one thing at a time.

The Gallery

The artworks in the Burchfield Penney Art Center are organized much differently than those in the Albright Knox Art Gallery. They are organized into divided areas of focus with very cool architecture throughout, such as, rounded walls and protruding walls that add definition and a fun way to display. each area has similarly themed piece of art, or art of a particular artist. The artworks differ by having many different materials used, artifacts, paintings, sculptures, fabrics and more. Each piece of artwork is displayed or framed in a way that helps to best showcase it, whether the room be brighter or darker, the frame simple or very fancy and detailed. All of the artworks are labeled with the artist, title, date and a description of the media used to create it and how the gallery received it. Some things are in display cases and they have numerous things listed and labeled all together. There are pieces throughout that are untitled as well. Each piece of art is displayed with enough space between each piece to allow you to appreciate them individually, but close enough that you understand which are displayed in conjunction with one another throughout a particular theme that is noted in the area. 

Art Criticism

Charles M. Kurtz 1855-1909

Here Lies The Past 1878

oil on canvas

Burchfield Penney Art Center, Charles M. Kurtz Trust 1991

This piece is fairly small, about 2" with the frame included

In this painting you will see a skull on the upper left, face to face with a large black rat. Below the skull is a large opened book with a deep red, cloth bookmark and intricately detailed large scrolled letter P and S. There is another, smaller book to the right and a box just below the face of the rat. The frame of this piece is intricate and gold, with many 3D layers that appear to make the painting look like it is in the distance.

Value was used in this painting, there is a black background, that the rat almost disappears or hides in. The book and the skull are light in color so they stand out more, which brings me to emphasis. Your eyes are drawn to the skull and the book first and then you notice the rat. Color is used, in the colors of the book and bookmark, causing that to pop out at you. Line and shape, making the shape and pages of the books detailed and noticeable.

I get a very strong pirate feeling overall feeling from this painting. Here lies the past, the title makes me think pirate as well as the skull and rat.

Overall, I believe the artist was trying to say that we all have a long past, like the books, with many stories and details, we all have skeletons in our closets as well as dark times and memories, which is where the rat comes in. Our lives, our stories, are full of so many details, and it should be seen as valuable no matter how much negative it may hold, which is where I feel the grand gold frame with its many layers of depth to it, is the same as our lives.

Edith Lunt Small 1931-2017

The Entry of Christ Into Manhattan, 1982

acrylic on board

Burchfield Penney Art Center, Gift of the Artist 2015

Medium sized

In this painting you see a street view of the absolute chaos that is Manhattan in New York City. There are people everywhere, both good and evil, all consumed by money and life. There are people performing, people protesting, a man running naked, people stealing from others, a bus packed full of animals, little small men dressed like Santa Claus all over and there is what appears to be the devil watching happily as all of this goes on. There is so much going on it is hard to take it all in, honestly, which is true of New York City, but in the distance you can see a bright white and yellow light coming down with angels and a white horse carrying Jesus on his back and landing right in the middle of all of this chaos.

The use of color is very clear here, there are so many different colors, all symbolic in their own ways. The use of line and shape to create the buildings, cars, people and more. Contrast, where the bright yellow and white lighting is coming down into this otherwise darker colored painting. Proportion, making the buildings appear to be so big in proportion to the people, allowing you to be easily aware that this is supposed to be New York City.

The woman in the front portion of the painting who is surrounded by a red color, has red around her eyes, a black outfit, and appears calm and seems to be enjoying the chaos, is supposed to represent evil, or the devil in this case. The white and yellow light coming down from the sky, is representative of angels and Jesus coming down from heaven to help save these people from the evil that is taking over. 

I think the artist was trying to say that Manhattan was filled with people, being overcome by greed and the evils of the world, and that Christ needed to be brought into their lives to bring hope and change to save them from themselves.

Jonathan Rogers

Maybe This Time It's The Angel Of Death from the Little Dancer series 1990-2006

oil on canvas

Courtesy of the artist

Medium sized

In this painting you can see mostly everything is the color red. There is a small portion of a red floral wall to the left, there a little boy blends in, in an effort to hide. There is a staircase in the center with a black railing extends to the right side against another small portion of red floral wall. Floating down the staircase, away from the boy, is a white lighted angel.

Color and contrast is used, emphasizing the red color of the space, and the bright white and yellow of the angel. Lines and shape making up the staircase and the walls.

I feel like the angel is a clear representative of just that. I also feel that the red and black that this little boy is hiding is a a representation that his life is dark and scary.

The title of the piece is Maybe This Time It's The Angel Of Death, tries to make you question whether or not this angel is a good angel or something different. I believe that this little boy is suffering in his life, whether he lives in fear or sadness, he does not appear to be happy. This angel coming into his house at night seems to be there to watch over him somehow, but because of the title and the way hes hiding, it is as if he hopes she is there this time to take his life to relieve his pain and suffering.

I really enjoyed my experience at the Burchfield Penney Art Center. Looking at the exhibitions through the perspective I did, by paying attention to the space as a whole, noticing how they use the lighting and colors of the walls to help create the exhibit what it is meant to be allowed me to have a whole new appreciation for it. 

Module 10 Video Blog

Module 10 Video Blog

Videos watched: 1. Buddhism and 2. Hinduism

1.      The historical facts explain that there is a relationship between Hinduism and Buddhism. Sri Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha or the enlightened one, was originally born from India as a prince. As a prince, he was not aware that outside of the palace there was suffering, pain, sadness, and more going on until one day that he went out to see what life was like outside of the palace and came across all of these things. Due to this he went out on a journey to find the meaning of life and everything that truly comes with it. When he was a prince, he was a believer of Hinduism and once he achieved enlightenment or nirvana, he went against it. This connection that exists between these two beliefs is worth exploring.

2.      In Buddhism the architecture like pillars, temples, and walking paths each contain the Buddhist teachings engraved in them as a reminder and a guide to those who chose to follow that path. Each structure has a story to tell. The Great Stupa is the most famous structure among the other architectural structures because it was built where the Buddha achieved enlightenment. In Hinduism, which is also from India, the city of Varanasi is the oldest city containing historical monuments going back in history more than 3000 years. The river, Ganges, surrounds these monuments and is a symbol of cleansing for the Hindu believer about reincarnation. Each Hindu temple has different gods and their structure and design are built around the concept of that god.

3.      The textbook explains in further detail about Buddhism and its founder, Buddha, that this structure is representation, of what those who want to be awakened most, follow to obtain it. The textbook also explains that Hinduism architectures are not just a symbol of worship, but they also used to be a place of sacrifices.

4.      Both films were very educative, however, I noticed that there is a major difference between both Hinduism art and Buddhism art structures. In Hinduism there is no sense of obtaining peace through the temple, it seems that it focuses on achieving a better afterlife. In Buddhism, there seems to be a gaining of peace while achieving enlightenment in this life.

Module 10 Mask Making

This animal mask of the Amazon Indians was used as an inspiration for the creation of my own mask because of the addition of "hair" coming off of the mask.

The use of contrast here really draws your eyes to the texture and color of the hair and to the shape of the face, appearing to have the animal ears sticking up above the eyes, through the use of line. There is very little color and a limited amount of detail which does not allow for much of a pattern, but the use of contrast, line, texture and also form are obvious. You can not see it in the front view of the mask, but the nose is formed and protrudes outward into a round shape with a hole through the middle. 

This parade mask from the Devils of Yare, made in Northern Venezuela was an inspiration to my own mask creation because it is similar to the masks we make in my home country of the Dominican Republic. I took from this, the use of multiple colors and the use of paint.

This mask has a very clear use of pattern, contrast and color throughout the entire design. Both sides are made to be almost perfectly symmetrical, although the shape differs slightly because it is hand made. There is also a clear use of line, repetition and form, in how the horns, ears, nose and mouth all have a 3 dimensional shape to them. and the small repetitive lines throughout.

This Mexican day of the dead mask was an inspiration to the creation of my own mask because of its use of circular patterns throughout.

This mask uses pattern, color, form, line, repetition, rhythm, shape, contrast all in one very clean and symmetrical design. the use of the different bright and dark colors through make each section stand out on its own, while flowing together perfectly. The details in the circular designs draw your eyes from one area to the next, noticing more and more detail the longer you look at this piece.

My sketches

My Mask

I focused on using color with the bright colored paints of the face, line with the black lines outlining and separating the colors from each other, pattern by creating a somewhat symmetrical design from one side to the other, texture by the use of the crinkled paper hair, contrast through the use of color as well as black and white, and lastly shape is used by creating different shapes within the design. There is a rhythm to the use of the various designs and details such as the gems.

My overall opinion of my mask is that it turned out well, it is bright and makes me feel happy when I look at it, whereas many of the masks I saw through research were kind of frightening or freaky. I enjoyed making the mask, but I will be buying new paint brushes as i have realized the ones i have are not very good.I accidentally hot glued on the one "ear" too high but wasn't able to remove it and change it so the symmetry I was aiming for was slightly thrown off.

Module 9 Video Review

Videos:               #1 Velazquez            #2 Albrecht Durer: Image of a Master

1. I wanted to learned about the life of Diego Velazquez, therefore I watched the documentary titled: Velazquez. In the documentary, Albrecht Durer was mentioned as someone that Diego Velazquez copied, so it peaked my interest in wanting to know why Diego Velazquez copied his style.

2. In the documentary, Velazquez, it mentioned that Diego Velazquez had a great friendship with King Philip IV and the royal family. Velazquez had one the biggest libraries of his time because he was not only a painter, he was also a scholar, engineer, and architect. Most of his portraits are based on reality. He trained in Italy for couple of years to learn from other famous painter’s lives work such as Raphael, Davinci, and Michelangelo. He also, mimics the style of Albrecht Durer in his portraits. His lives work was either portraits of the royal families, or the opposite of them. In the Documentary, Albrecht Durer: Image of a Master, it is mentioned that Durer has a particular interest in hands and the process of aging. Many of his works of art illustrate these two concepts. Durer had completed his first self-portrait at the age of 13 years old. He also composed many prints for artists to use the method of using grids and human anatomy, similar to the same process Leonardo Davinci used. Durer was involved in politics and he was around when Martin Luther had the reformation movement going against the catholic church.

3. The videos had similar information compared to that of the textbook because they all mentioned famous art work that both Diego Velazquez and Albrecht Durer created that are known worldwide. However, both documentaries go further in detail about these artists life.

4. Both videos have provided me with more understanding about both Diego Velazquez and Albrecht Durer. Also, the readings helped me to understand the artist movements that were taking place when these artists were alive.

Art Making/Material Exploration: Exploring Line

1.) It was very interesting using my own hands as a subject matter for drawing. I never really looked at all of the details that are involved in something as simple as my hands. Here you have your hands, that are usually what you are using to create other things and art with. In this case, you are using the hands you create art with, and show casing them as the focal point instead of anything else.
2.) I selected to use pencil because I do not have charcoal, and because I feel like it is less messy and creates a variety of values really effectively when used properly.
3.)It felt extremely awkward and uncoordinated, as I expected, to create a drawing with my non-dominant hand because I do not hand the same control with that hand as I do with my dominant hand.
4.)I think my sketches are surprisingly very accurate drawings. I did use my dominant hand to shade in and go over my drawing that I sketched with my non-dominant hand to complete it, which helped me to feel more satisfied in its overall outcome.
5.)I would not consider using my non-dominant hand to create art in the future. I felt like I struggled and my art began to look abstract rather than realistic because i struggled to create a straight line. It was frustrating, yet interesting, but overall it was not enjoyable for me.

Module 8 Video Review

Module 8

Video – More Human Than Human

1.)    This was the required video to be watched.

2.)    The key concepts of this video were about how we all see art and how we interpret it. Many images we see that are of the human body are extremely unrealistic, yet we still interpret them as the human body anyways. This goes back thousands of years even, to the Egyptian civilization, where they combined human bodies and animal heads. However, their art did also possess a regular side, or more realistic creation of the human body. Their style was unique, as was their architecture as well. The Greek civilization was another that was fixated on the human body, specifically of the athletic body. They believed that your shape should be that of perfection. The Greeks were actually the first to create a replica of the actual human body.

3.)    The video and text relate because they include much of the same information on how we view the human body and of how it is represented to us in the world and through art as well as how we interpret it. The video does go into a bit more detail about the different civilizations and their contribution to this topic.

4.)    I enjoyed the video because it really helped me to get a good visual and understanding of what was being taught in a more interesting way than simply through text.

Video – Late Gothic Art and Architecture: England 1400 – 1547

1.   1.)    The reason I chose this video was because I was interested in knowing more about the art and architecture that came from, and survived, the 15^th and 16^th centuries throughout England in such a hard and bloody time.
2.   2.)    The key concepts of this video explain that some of the greatest art was created in this time. Throughout the 15^th and early 16^th centuries, extravagant cathedrals and parishes were built, many of them being the result of kings creating their own permanent churches, often trying to out-do the last. These cathedrals were excellent opportunities for architects to be able to create amazing works of art that they otherwise couldn’t possibly showcase on such luxurious and grand scale.  Some of the incredible artwork included religious images on stained glass windows, tapestries, tombs, sculptures, pendants, jewels and charms. Into these parishes went a lot of money, competitiveness, and good works - the idea that these pieces were good for your soul. Saint Georges Cathedral was very chivalric. Saint Mary’s Church in Warwick was a memorial church containing tombs and more. In this time, the Catholic religion was very big and the belief that you should live a good life and die a good death gave great love for these grandeur cathedrals filled with lavish, religious works of comfort. Throughout this time, with battles going on, there was much destruction. Stained glass was smashed, gold plates and chalices were melted, and sculptures were attacked. Only a fraction remains that survived this cultural disaster.
3.   3.)    The videos relate to the text because they both discuss the art and architecture, such as stained glass, sculptures, tapestries and others that were created at this time. They both explain the devastation that England experienced throughout the 15^th and 16^th centuries and how the art and architecture was effected. Although, the video was able to get into more detail of the works of art, the kings and the time period surrounding the topic.
4.   4.)    I enjoyed the film because I was able to see actual footage of the insides of these lavish cathedrals. The intricate designs throughout, especially on the ceilings. It is truly incredible to see what beautiful things people can design, especially so many years ago.

Module 7 - video blog review

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

In the video, Architecture: The Science of Design, one fact I learned is how skyscrapers are usually built with the use of concrete, cement and steel beams. One thing that the video points out is that concrete has good compression qualities but since it is a brittle material it fails under tension. For this reason, steel beams are also used because they have good tension resistance. When combined with concrete, it ensures that a building is safe from both compression and tension. In the video, Frank Lloyd Wright, The Man Who Built America, one of the many facts I learned about the architecture designs of Frank Lloyd Wright is that his buildings were a part of nature. One thing that it is impressive is his last architecture design, which was the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, is a circular building in a society where rectangular buildings are most common.

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

The videos are related to the textbook in the sense that the textbook talks about the same concepts of architectural design. However, the textbook talks more in detail about the different types of structures that exist outside the United States, gives more of a clear view of the actual drawings and designs of the supporting columns, as well as the foundation.

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

In my opinion the films were both good to watch and learn from because they help you to further understand what you read in the textbook. They added depth to the understanding of architecture and how architecture itself is its own type of art. Also, in architecture one can see aesthetic and creativity.

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

I choose the two videos because one speaks about the science behind architecture design, as far as, how are the structures built and what makes them safe for the general public to use. The other video I chose to watch, about Frank Lloyd Wright, was because in the past when I visited the Guggenheim museum in New York City I was fascinated with his work and I was curious to learn about his thought process behind designing and building it.

Module 6 - video review

Module 6 Video Review

1.) Through the eyes of a sculptor

In this video the key concepts that played into the creation of a sculpture are the aesthetics, the modeling, and the shape of the sculpture being created. Everything has to interact with the technicalities of the sculpture. for example, what marble can handle, how far can it be extended, how fragile it can be, the resistance and where it will be located (indoors/outdoors). By applying these concepts, Emanuel Fillion has become very successful as a sculptor. From his point of view these are the most important step to take in order to be successful in creating sculptures.


1.) Glass and Ceramics

This video is more technical, explaining the creation of glass and ceramics, as well as their applications. for example, glass is made from sand and is not a true solid. It more viscous and fragile. the applications in which it can be use in architecture, in art, it can be used as a source of insulation. Ceramics, on the other hand, start with a clay base, and the temperature in which is is cured plays a major role. For example, ceramics cooked at a temperature of 1100 degrees Fahrenheit, will create bricks. the same type of ceramic at 1500 degrees Fahrenheit will create plates, foundations for homes, and art designs.

2.)  In the videos, you get a view into the sculptors point of view and process. In the book, you get the same information, but it gets into more details, separated into 4 different steps. The steps describes are modeling, carving, casting and assembly. The book says that "modeling and assembly are considered additive processes. The sculptor begins with a simple framework or core or nothing at all and add materials until the sculpture is finished.Carving is a subtractive process in which one starts with a mass of material larger than the planned sculpture and subtracts, or takes away, material until only the desired form remains. Casting involves a mold of some kind into which liquid or semiliquid material is poured and allowed to harden." This information is how the videos and the text relate.

3.) My opinion on the videos is that they helped me to understand the processes further of creating both sculptures as well as glass and ceramics. One of the things i realized is that a sculptor can actual use both glass and ceramics to add to the aesthetics of the sculpture. Also, I learned a lot about the different applications that exist for these materials, outside of being used for art alone, such as within architecture and for practical uses.

Module 6 - Reviewing Peer Responses to Artwork

1.)
https://fundamentallyart.blogspot.com/2018/09/module-5-pianting-picking.html


https://fundamentallyart.blogspot.com/2018/09/module-3.html?showComment=1538936112378#c3777229068564636495



https://artclasschamp.blogspot.com/2018/09/albright-knox-art-gallery.html?showComment=1538937146148#c446919882355257126


https://artclasschamp.blogspot.com/2018/09/art-project.html?showComment=1538937507144#c7906448116266631004


2.) With one of the artists, I didn't agree with some of their choices for the photos taken and the elements/principles chosen for them. I feel that many of them could have been categorized differently or could have at least fallen into more than one of the categories. With the second artists photos I agreed very much with their choices and really enjoyed looking through the photos. There were a few I was actually quite impressed by.

3.) Neither of my peers chose the same artworks as I did in my blog from the art gallery visit. There were paintings in my peers blog that I saw at the gallery, but not ones I choose to write about.

4.) Yes, there were some pieces of art that interest me. In particular, Maybe This Time It's The Angel Of Death from the Little Dancer series because of its deep reds and the very bright angel. I found this piece to be so beautiful and full of meaning. It mostly caught my eye because I love the colors, but there is a little boy cowering by the wall, staring at the angel. The title and the image give you a lot to think about, which left me very curious. I would love to know what gallery this was at, what the meaning of the piece is and I would also love to see more by the artist, Jonathan Rogers.

5.) I think it was interesting and helpful to read my peers blogs and to get a view of other students take on the projects. One of my peers went to a different art gallery than I, so it was interesting to see art that I did not view on my visit. The other student went to the same gallery and noticed some pieces that did not catch my attention. I found this process to be helpful and valuable.

6.) I enjoyed reading the comments on my blog, I may have missed the requirement to blog about my photos from the elements and principles, which someone pointed out. Its nice to get feedback on work you do, especially from other people who are doing the same.

Logo - Module 5

 Final Copy Logo

Logo Design – Module 5

1.)    I thought it was quite interesting to create a logo for myself in this project. You don’t typically think about creating a logo unless it is for a business. This made me have to think outside the box and try and “brand” myself, more or less.

2.)    I tried to think of all the things that I feel define who I am as a man. I am very proud of my Dominican culture, so I wanted to somehow incorporate the flag of my country somehow in my logo. I love music and dancing, especially to Latin music, so I thought having a music note in my logo would be appropriate. My last name, as well as my nickname, is Coco, so I thought if my design included that I would certainly feel that it was truly mine. I considered putting a shield in my design, to represent my career as a police officer, but through the sketching process, I realized that I don’t truly feel like my career defines me as a person. My favorite color is green so I knew that I would like to use that color in my design as well.

3.)    The most important thing I discovered is how I define myself. How I view the things that are most important to me and what best represents who I am and what I am all about. It was a different way to self-reflect for me than I have done in the past.

4.)    The most important information I learned from the material was how the process was broken down and how the different uses of words, symbols, positioning of things, etc. can be used in a logo in order for it to be done well. Simple, yet descriptive and meaningful is the way to go. I felt that the videos were helpful and I did like them, although I sometimes felt that certain parts of them were a bit dragged out.

Drafts    

Art Gallery Visit - Module 5

Module 5 – Art Gallery Visit

A.)   The first piece of artwork that made an impression on me was the very first piece that the Albright Knox gallery acquired as a gift from the artist himself, Albert Bierstadt. The piece called The Marina Piccola, Capri 1859 is done with oil on canvas by the American born artist who resided in Germany and lived from 1830-1902. It is a large piece, but not as large as some of the other pieces in the gallery. The reason this left an impression on me was because of both the story behind it, and the various aspects of the painting. It appeals to many viewers because it combines the sky and topography, as well as people. It is all very real and natural while keeping your interest as your eyes move throughout the piece.

Another piece that made an impression on me was The Marvelous Sauce, ca 1890. This piece was done with oil paints on wood panel by the artist Jehan Georges Vibert, a French artist who lived from 1840-1902. This left a very big impression on me, as it criticizes the wealthy for how much they have, yet how little they care to help the less fortunate. Wealthy people, surrounded in excess and lavish furnishes, rather than caring to share and help the poor. Having grown up in the Dominican Republic, I can relate to this painting. Here in the United States, people have so much more than they need, and rather than donating to, or helping others, they throw away and waste so much, without a care or second thought. This painting, which is fairly small in size, really gives you a clear view into that truth.

B.)    One of the artworks I felt a connection with was called Street Music, 1950, painted by Normal Wilfred Lewis, an American artist who lived from 1909-1997. This painting was oil on canvas, and is fairly small in size. It is an abstract, painting, yet he did is in such a poetic way, rather than being splattered or smeared, that’s purpose was used as the artists “strategy to distance himself from what he felt was a racially biased visual language that reinforced negative stereotypes.” This painting shows people playing musical instruments, music notes and movement. I relate to this in many ways. Music is a very big part of my Dominican culture, and growing up my father was always playing music outside of his barber shop in our community. This brought so many people together, dancing, signing, and sharing in joy and happiness. This painting brings me happiness and makes me think of my father, and the legacy of music he left behind in my life.

Another piece of art that I felt a connection with was called Grass, done in 1965 by Artist Len Lye. It is fairly large in size, made from stainless steel and wood and is motorizes and programmed and is paired with Gymnopedie No. 1, 1888 by composer Erik Satie.. This piece is not like any other I have seen. It moved causing it to make noise that is reminiscent of long grass swaying in the wind. It is so unique and mesmerizing that it creates a mediation like atmosphere, along with the calming music that begins to play, you are encapsulated in this serene moment between yourself and the art. I connected to this piece on a personal level because I try to practice meditation and taking in the time to appreciate the world around me every day. This is the kind of art I feel causes you to do that unconsciously.

C.)    One piece of art I would like to know more about would have to be Loud Tactile Painting, created in 1962 by Yaacov Agam out of wood and metal. This piece in interactive and can be touched, with gloves and assistance from museum staff. When you softly touch and move any of the 35 rattle-like drums made of metal and attached by long, slender springs, carious tones are heard and patterns and shadows are created by the multiple pieces moving. This piece leaves you curious and wanting to know more and understand how exactly it was created and how it works the way it does to create sound as well as being visually pleasing.

Another piece of art that left me wanting to know more was Vega-Nor, painted with oil on canvas in 1969 by artist Victor Vasarely. This piece really drew me in for quite a while. It calls your attention from across the room, pulling you in to look closer and closer. Even in the photo I took of this painting, I still cannot believe that it is not 3 dimensional. The use of colors and lines, so strategically and mathematically done, give this bold impression that it is protruding right out at you. I would like to know more about this piece because I am interested in knowing how to create this kind of art on my own, as it pulls your eyes in so very much.

Module 4 Art Making/Material Exploring

11.      I thought it was both fun an interesting to create the Value Scale and Color Wheel.

22.      I enjoyed working with the graphite pencils the most, surprisingly. It’s incredible to see how many values you can create with the same pencil depending on the amount of pressure you apply. As well as using the same media to outline the scale, and it all is noticeably different.

33.      The most important discovery in creating the color wheel was the difference between using red vs. magenta to create black rather than brown through mixing the three primary colors. Also, how in mixing the three primary colors, it is important to use just the right amount of each color.

44.      The most important thing I learned from the videos was how to properly sharpen and use a graphite pencil to create a value chart. I enjoyed the videos because they got straight to the point and demonstrated the creation of both the value chart and color wheel clearly.