Mod 9 Exploring Line (Hand Drawings)

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

I see my hands every day but I found I did not realize the detail of the shadows and lines.  This became apparent when I began to draw them.  I tried to break them down into shapes and lines.  This helped me make my proportions as accurate as possible. 

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

I selected pencil for this project.  Pencil was a good fit for me because I typically use pencil when I draw something.  It is something I am familiar with and I knew it would help when I had to use my non-dominant hand to draw. 

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

It was very hard.  I could not control the pencil well.  My mind knew what I wanted to draw but the dexterity and muscle control in my non-dominant hand made it difficult.  I could not draw a smooth straight line as well as my dominant hand could.

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

Yes, they are successful studies.  Both drawings are accurate examples of the respective hands.  The non-dominant drawing took more time because I had to concentrate on each and every line I made.  The lines had to be smaller as well.  I actually made it with strokes of the pencil rather than long lines.  The end result for both drawings is they are accurate drawings of my hands. 

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

No, I would not use my non-dominant hand.  I would not want to deal with the errors I make while using this hand.  The quality of the art would be compromised.  The end result would not be exactly what my vision was but a result of poor coordination and the inability to control my muscles well.  

Mod 9 Video Blog

Questions and Topics for Your Blog Posting:

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

Video #1, Albrecht Durer: Image of a Master:  I decided to view this video for several reasons.  First, I wanted to see how Albrecht Durer contributed to the Northern Europe renaissance movement.  Second, I wanted to learn more about a German Artist.  We have been somewhat focused on Rome and Greece so this was a change of pace.             

Video #2, Velazquez:  This video was chosen because I wanted to explore the life of Velazquez.  I have heard the artists name but knew little about him.  I felt this video was an opportunity to change that.  

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

Video #1, Albrecht Durer: Image of a Master:  This video highlighted several concepts.  The concept of aging and portraiture was a specialty of Albrecht Durer.  He started with a self portrait at the young age of thirteen.  He then made paintings of his father and mother.  He did not idealize but made the portraits real and showed the aging process of his subjects.  Another main theme of this video was landscape and how it is used as a background to portraits and as a stand alone subject.  Albrecht Durer was one of the first to paint landscapes during the renaissance period.  Albrecht Durer traveled quite a bit and was influenced by the Italian culture.  He brought some of this influence back to Germany and made prints for a living.  He used wood cuts to make these prints.  They were the main source of income for Albrecht Durer.       

Video #2, Velazquez:  This video was centered on the life of Velazquez and the works he created during his life time.  It was interesting that Velazquez had only two people in his life.  The king and his wife were the main figures in his life.  Other than spending time with these two people he spent his time painting.  The video explains that Velazquez spent a long time on each of his paintings.  Some of his works were done over a lifetime and even were left incomplete.  Velazquez did many portraits but also did landscapes.  Landscapes were becoming more and more popular during his time period.  The paintings of deformed people by Velazquez were also a main point of this video.  The video explains how Velazquez painted exactly what he saw and did not modify it to portray our idea of what beauty is.  The video also points out that Velazquez did not use vibrant colors but instead used very simple and low key color schemes in his portraits.   

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

Video #1, Albrecht Durer: Image of a Master:  The text deals with the renaissance in Northern Europe.  Albrecht Durer was from Germany and was considered a main component of the renaissance period in this geographic region.  This video also covers the movement of art out of the middle ages and into the renaissance.  The text also deals with this transition period.  The text covers the transition of artist’s status in the community.  The video shows how Albrecht Durer was held in high esteem in the village he was from due to his artistic skills.

Video #2, Velazquez:  This video related to the text by detailing the painting style of Velazquez and how he did his portraits.  His style of portraits is to utilize his technical abilities to portray the subject as real as possible.  The text describes this process as well and gives specific examples of it.  The video shows how Velazquez traveled to Italy and was influenced by his time here.  The text also covers the process of Italian art spreading throughout Europe and how different cultures were influenced through art.  

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

Video #1, Albrecht Durer: Image of a Master:  This film did a good job of giving the fine details of an artist’s life in Northern Europe during the renaissance period.  This complements the text by allowing the viewer to see how specifically Albrecht Durer was influenced and was influential in this time period.  

Video #2, Velazquez:  The entertainment factor of this film was poor at best.  The content however was detailed when describing the artistic work of Velazquez.  This video paralleled the text by describing the process and thought that goes into portrait paintings.  

Module 8 Video Blog

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

More Human than Human: This video was not a student choice.  It was required.

The Greek Awakening: Art from the 5th Century BC:  I choose this video because I like architecture.  This video covers Greek architecture and some of the main components they used in their buildings.  This video also ties the ancient Greek world into today’s world which is interesting and adds purpose to the video as well.

The Measure of All Things: Greek Art and the Human Figure:  I choose this video because I wanted to get a sense of the Greek art and not just the architectural side of things.  I also wanted to compare the human imagery topic between this video and the one titled “More Human than Human.”

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

More Human than Human:  This video deals with the image of the human body and how it has been depicted in art and in culture.  It discusses both the art world and the non-art world.  The video tries to analyze the image of the human body from the earliest art until modern times.  It starts off with the statue called the Venus of Willendorf.  This statue is 25,000 years old.  It exaggerates many features of the woman body that are associated with fertility.  The question this video attempts to answer is “Why do we enjoy looking at exaggerated images of the human body?”  The Egyptian’s have a different way of showing the human body.  They showed each part from its most visible view.  The basic understanding I got from this video is that each culture or civilization showed the human body in different ways.  They each had their own reasons for their artistic representations.        

The Greek Awakening: Art from the 5th Century BC:  The first part of this video covers the history of Greece.  The historical events that were described were the catalysts for the creation of many buildings.  The video then moves into the concepts behind the architecture of the Greeks.  The Greeks had very few straight lines in their architecture.  This was done to make the buildings pleasing to the human eye.  The video also talks about the modern restoration efforts on these buildings.  The Parthenon is one of these buildings.  There are many ideas about how far the restoration should go and how much of the original building should remain.  It also talks about the Greek theatres.  The video links the politics of the time with the entertainment and discusses how the two were deeply linked.        

The Measure of All Things: Greek Art and the Human Figure:  This video discussed the abstract sculpting that took place in the fifth century.  These sculptures did not have fine detail but relied on exaggeration of body parts to identify forms.  The sculptures then moved towards realism.  The artists tried to portray the human body as it is seen by the eye.  They wanted to make the statues look as close to the real thing as possible.  The video then discusses the ideal human body and the real human body.  The Greek art evolved from one to the other over time. 

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

More Human than Human:  This video covers many of the same items as chapter 14 in the text.  The depiction of the human body over time is described in the text in several areas.  The Venus statue, Egyptian art, and Greek depictions of the human body are covered in the text as well as the video.    

The Greek Awakening: Art from the 5th Century BC:  The Acropolis is heavily covered in the video.  The text also covers the Acropolis in chapter 14 on page 336.  The video discusses the reasons behind the construction of the Parthenon and the Acropolis while the text focuses more on describing the components of each of the buildings.  The text and the video together give an encompassing view of Greek architecture from an aesthetic point of view. 

The Measure of All Things: Greek Art and the Human Figure:  This video covers the Greek concepts of depicting the human body in sculptures.  This is similar to the topics covered in chapter 14.  The video and the text discuss the reasons that the Greeks sculpted the human body in certain manners. 

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

More Human than Human:  This video was a good choice by the instructor.  It closely followed many of the key concepts that the text covered.  I think the video gave more information on the reasons that different cultures depicted the human body in different ways.  It rounded out the ideas presented in the text regarding the artistic representation of the human body. 

The Greek Awakening: Art from the 5th Century BC:  This video was a good choice to parallel the text.  The audio associated with the video was a bit sharp and the imagery was under done.  The content however was informational and was worth the time.  I actually watched some parts twice to get a good grasp on the information presented. 

The Measure of All Things: Greek Art and the Human Figure:  This video ended up covering a lot of the same topics as the first video I watched.  The information was similar but the opinions of the film makers on the subjects were a bit different.  The contrast in interpretation of the Greek sculptures and the similarities were good to see.  The informational content was enough to get a good feel for this subject.

 

 

Mod 7 Video Blog

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

Video #1: Architecture: The Science of Design

The main concepts of this video are skyscraper design, smart homes, concrete properties, and steel properties.  The skyscraper is a popular choice for living due to the convenient and efficient qualities.  The skyscraper was the result of lack of space to build on a horizontal plane.  Concrete and steel make it possible to build skyscrapers.  They make up the substructure and super structure.  Concrete has been used for a long time but the qualities have been improved.  It is a mixture of sand, stone, silica and alumina.  Steel is used as to reinforce the concrete.  This prevents the concrete from falling apart under load.  The design makes the building able to withstand wind and weight.  The smart apartments can be located inside the skyscrapers or in smaller buildings.  The smart apartment utilizes technology to make the houses electric, security, and temperature respond to the user.  A computer is the main system that can be programmed to turn circuits on or off.  These can be programmed to parallel the user’s life to allow for increased efficiency and convenience.

Video #2: Prairie Style   

The main concept of this video is Frank Lloyd Wright’s style of architecture and his story.  He was mostly recognized for single family home designs.  This video highlights the horizontal prairie style architecture he designed.  This prairie style home was supposed to represent the landscape and blend with the surroundings.  He conceptualized the open floor plan.  This is where adjacent rooms flow into one another.  This was offset by the general low ceiling height in his houses.  He also used the natural sunlight and windows to enhance the interiors of his designs.  His ideas changed the traditional Victorian style of home.  

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

Video #1: Architecture: The Science of Design

Chapter 13 has sections dedicated to steel-frame construction and reinforced concrete.  These are also two of the main concepts covered in the video.  The section on steel buildings also discussed the beginning of skyscrapers in the middle of the 20^th century.  The video and the text identified concrete as an ancient building material that is still very popular today.  The video however extends the conversation to include information on the specifics of the contents in concrete.  The text describes ferroconcrete in detail and the video does as well.  Ferroconcrete is another name for reinforced concrete. 

Video #2: Prairie Style  

The text specifically addresses Frank Lloyd Wright on pages 308 and 309.  The text describes the horizontal cantilever architectural design that he was known for.  The cantilever design was first used by Wright and is also highlighted in the video.  The video offers additional information that the text does not.  More examples of his buildings are given in the video than in the text.  The text and the video both focus on the horizontal cantilever style that links the structure to the environment in which it was placed.  

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

Video #1: Architecture: The Science of Design

This film was a bit dated.  The effects and style of the film is not up to par with today’s documentary or informational type films.  The information however was detailed and encompassing.  I learned a great deal about skyscraper design, smart homes, concrete properties, and steel properties.  The information in the video paralleled the information in chapter 13 of the text well. 

Video #2: Prairie Style 

  

This film has many examples of Frank Lloyd Wright’s work.  The video also tells about the ideas and concepts that drove the designs.  I liked the background information that was given to support each example of architecture.  I think this video enhanced my understanding of Wright by complimenting the structural components with the artistic and functional components of his designs.

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

Video #1: Architecture: The Science of Design

I choose this film because of the attention given to the technical aspects of architecture.  There is a great deal of artistic components to a building but the fundamental structure is what allows it to exist.  I feel the engineering behind the scenes is an art as well as the aesthetic properties of the building. 

Video #2: Prairie Style  

I choose this film because of Frank Lloyd Wright’s connection to the Western New York Area.  His buildings can be seen in and around the Buffalo area.  An example of this is the Darwin Martin house.  I pass this house often on my journeys.  I find my self wondering if the flat roof style works well with our snow here in Buffalo.  I have to wonder what type of maintenance costs his buildings have.  They seem expensive to operate and maintain compared to the traditional Buffalo Style homes.  

Mod #6 Peer Review

Questions and Topics for Your Blog Posting:

1. Hyperlink the Blogs you reviewed into your Blog

First Blog Review:

http://aedartem.blogspot.com/

Second Blog Review:

http://afaed200.blogspot.com/

2. When looking at Project #1: (Elements and Principles), did you agree with the element or principle the artist listed with the images? Did you see other elements and principles in the images?

Yes, I agreed with the artists images as they pertained to the elements and principals.  I think the two blogs I reviewed for this project were well thought out and highlighted the appropriate details of each element and principal.  I did find that some of the images captured more than one element or principal.  This is almost unavoidable and I found this to be true in my own images as well.   

3. When looking at Project #2: Where there any images in the Peer Blogs the same as your own? If yes, what were they? Where the reasons the image was selected the same or different as your own?

No, none of the art gallery images from the two blogs I reviewed were the same as mine.  I went to the European Museum of Art while the reviewed students went to the Albright Knox Art Gallery.  The images were different but they contained some of the same artistic techniques as the one I viewed.  I may go to the Albright Knox for my second visit and I look forward to seeing their choices first hand. 

4. Where there any images that your Peers selected that pique your interest now? If yes, what are they and what is your connection with them? What would you want to know about them?

Yes, specifically the one I copied from their blog that is shown below.  This image is almost hard to look at.  I wonder what the artist was trying to capture at the time this work was done.  I almost brings to mind eating disorders or something similar.  I would like to know about the artist and why this work was created. 

Peregrine Honig

                  Fairy Puke, 2010



5. What do you think about the process of reading your peers reflection? Do you find this to be a valuable in your learning?

Sure, I find other peoples thought and opinions valuable.  While I was reading their blogs I found myself thinking of my own work.  I was comparing their interpretations of the projects to my own.  This is valuable because it allowed me to gain access to new and different ideas.

6. Check your Blog and read comments posted by your Peers. Do you find their comments helpful?

I found my peers comments encouraging.  They were constructive and positive.  I was able to use their comments to evaluate my own work.  It also helped my to develop responses on other blogs. 

Mod 6 Video Blog

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

Through the Eyes of a Sculptor:

The most important concepts of this video are the process of becoming a sculptor and the process of producing a sculpture from marble.  Emmanuel Fillion started sculpting as a child.  When he was 15 years old he was awarded a scholarship and became a stone carver.  His first work was done on restoration projects.  Today he is a master sculptor and lives in California.  It takes a long time to gain the skills than Emmanuel has.  The process of creating a sculpture was also a key concept of this video.  Emmanuel makes sculptures by selecting the perfect stone.  Bad stone will ruin the sculpture and pieces will break off especially marble with lots of veins.  He usually works from a model.  The model can be small or can be full size.  He makes it in clay and then creates a plaster model.  He uses the plaster model to work off of to create the final marble piece.   He must also take care not to carve the marble in a way that could weaken it.  He also used marble bridges to strengthen the sculpture during transportation.  The statue must also be smoothed and refined for the details.         

Glass and Ceramics:

The key concepts for this video are the creation and applications of glass and ceramic.  Glass is made from sand.  The sand or silicon dioxide and fluxes are heated to 1500 degrees Celsius.  The sand essentially melts and fuses.  The glass can then be shaped into just about anything.   Once the object is created it is reheated to harden it.  Variations of the glass making process can be used to create items for architecture such as stained glass windows.  Ceramics are made by using clay.  The clay is composed of aluminum silicates.  When these silicates are heated they harden.  The clay is molded into the desired shape.  It is then heated in a kiln.  The quality of the clay and the temperature it is heated to determine the product.  Quality clay heated to 1400 degrees makes fine china while conventional clay heated to 1100 degrees makes bricks.  Ceramics are widely used and can be stronger than steel.  They are used for medical implants, aircraft, blades, seals, and automobile parts.  

Installation Art:

The main concept of this video are the definition of installation art and examples of the style.  According to the video installation art works are three dimensional art works that occupy a space.  There are different types on installation art.  Some utilize objects.  Some utilize sounds.  Some utilize lights.  Installation art can really use almost any material in any space.  It is intended to get the viewer thinking about the space.  Entire buildings have been turned into installations such as Richard Wilson's work with the Ark Art Building.  This type of art makes the viewer contemplate the size and shape of the room they are in.  It also makes the viewer think about how they fit into the room as a person in the space.    

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

The video called Installation Art relates to chapter 11 in the text while the video called Glass and Ceramics relates to chapter 12 in the text.  The examples of installation art in the video are similar to the examples in the text.  Specifically the Louise Bourgeois installation piece titled Red Room is conceptually like the Yayoi Kusama work called The Driving Image.  They are both rooms with items, colors, shapes, and spaces arranged in particular ways.  The video on glass and ceramics touches on material presented in chapter 12.  Specifically the first two sections in chapter 12 of the text deal with clay and glass.  The text discusses the artistic and cultural identities of these materials while the video gives a lot of information on the process of creating with these media types.    

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

Through the Eyes of a Sculptor:

This was my favorite video.  The life story of Emmanuel Fillion and how he progressed into a master sculptor is presented.  I like to know the stories of the artists and not just the story of the art work.  I feel it is important to understand the artist to also gain perspective on their works.  This video added information on the process of sculpting that the text did not. 

Glass and Ceramics:

This video was dated but the information presented was valid.  I liked the information on the technical process for creating glass and ceramic product.  I did not know the specifics on the chemical make up of glass until I watched the video.  I did not know that the temperatures at which clay is fired can change the end product to such a degree.  This video added information on the process of creating clay and glass items that was not presented in the text.

Installation Art:

This video was informational and provided many examples on installation art that were also presented in the text.  The video also provided examples that were not cover in the text.  This video rounded out the concept of installation art by providing information on installation artists and the process they used. 

Art Gallery Visit

A.) Which artworks make an impact or impression on me? Why?

• "A New Beginning" By Uri Ely
 

• The element of color made an immediate impact on me.  The painting gave me the feeling of the early morning when the horizon is just beginning to show the signs of day but night is still present.  The blue and green colors were calming.  The light area could be the moon or could be the sun.  I felt it was the moon illuminating the night sky.  The artist's story is also very interesting.  Information on Uri Ely can be found at  www.meaus.com

• "Autumn's Peak" By Binyamin Shalumov

•  The element of color and texture drew me to this painting done with oil on canvas.  The paint was applied very heavy and worked well showing the colorful leaves of Autumn.  Fall is one of my favorite seasons along with spring which I think is another draw for me.  The artist seems to have captured the very moment when the leaves are at their color peak but before they begin to fall.   

B.) Which artworks do I feel a connection with? Why?

 

• "The Lovers With Roses" By Marc Chagal

• I buy my wife roses several times through out the year.  The work reminds me about my relationship with my wife and the moments we have.  The two lovers in the lower corner are about to share a kiss.  The flowers dominate the work but the two people are what makes the connection to me. 

• "Circus and The Sun" By Marc Chagal 

• This work reminds me of the circus when I was a kid.  The sun seems to be the ring leader for the event.  The sun is playing music while all the other performers are doing their part.  I think my connection to this work as it pertains to my childhood is why I enjoyed it so much. 

C.) Which artworks would I like to know more about? Why?

• "Velvet Sirens Under A Hot Sun" By Tana Christiansen

• This is a current artist.  I could not find any information about her on the internet.  She is not well known but her work evokes tons of emotion.  The intense reds and oranges show the heat of the sun.  The yellow highlights draw my eye to the sirens.  The larger siren seems to be turning away from the extreme heat of the sun.  I would like to know more about this artist and view some of her other works.  Maybe she was a BSC art student?  

 

• "Young Moses" By Ernst Fuchs

•  This work feels like classical meets new age.  The face of the man in the picture looks almost like a roman warrior while the hair reminds me of 80's punk rock.  The work makes you wonder if the wind is blowing his hair up or is it styled like that.  I would like to know more about the inspirations this artist has for his work. 

 

"A New Beginning", By Uri Ely from Israel, Original Oil Painting

"Velvet Sirens Under A Hot Sun", By Tana Christiansen