Exploring Line (hand drawing) week 7

I liked using my own hand as subject matter for drawing; it is easier for me to see if it looks like my own hand, because I am so used to seeing my hand everyday, so I can pick up on whether it is realistic or not.

My hand as the subject matter was interesting for me because I could control exactly the position I wanted it and held it for the exact amount of time I needed to, being able to go back to the same position I had it at before if I took a break. I felt in control using a part of my own body, especially since it was in clear view.

I chose to use pencil because I start out light, and slowly darken it where it is needed, whereas charcoal is a lot richer in value, and I would probably have to erase a lot more if I did made a mark I didn't like. I feel like I have more control using a pencil, for I make lighter, more sketchy marks.

I did not at all enjoy drawing with my non-dominant hand because it was uncomfortable since I wasn't used to using it at all. I enjoy making my drawings/paintings look as realistic as possible and I felt like using my non-dominant hand held me back from doing so. It took a lot more concentration and effort, and I got impatient frequently, almost giving up because of how ridiculous it looked. 

I much preferred working with my dominant hand because I feel like I have control over making my work look very realistic, when that control is gone, and I use something I am fairly foreign to, it frustrates me! It felt strange using my non-dominant hand, and I often had to erase my marks, and everything seemed out of proportion.

To me I think the drawing done my my dominant hand of my non-dominant hand is successful. I believe this because I am confident in it, it looks realistic, and I felt comfortable doing it. Because of the level of uncomfortableness and odd proportions and imperfections of the opposing drawing, I felt it was unsuccessful. This may be close-minded of me, but then again the reason why they feel successful or unsuccessful is because they are very personal to me. If I were looking at another artists work, I might have more tolerance and be more open-minded to whether or not I feel their work is successful.

Unless I was disabled in some way and couldn't use my dominant hand again, I will gladly stick to it for any art work I do. Using my dominant hand makes me feel like I have more control, and therefore will lead to successful works of art. It might be interesting to use this activity in the future for students, but for me as an artist, I don't think I'd like to complete a piece with my non-dominant hand. It would take much more time than a piece done by my dominant hand, I would get more impatient, and it definitely wouldn't look as "perfect".

Drawing of non-dominant hand (left) by dominant hand (right)

Drawing of dominant hand by non-dominant hand

week 7 video blog review

I chose each of the four videos (The Drawings of Michelangelo, Albrecht Durer, The Night Watch, and Velasquez) because I wanted to know more about the drawing style of Michelangelo, I knew that Durer was well known for doing woodcuts, but I wanted to know more about his paintings and prints, I was curious about the reasoning behind The Night Watch and Rembrandt is one of my favorite artists, and lastly because I wanted to know more about the Spanish artist Velasquez.
The Drawings of Michelangelo video showed that they bring viewers closer to Michelangelo himself, by being able to see a more intricate, detailed, and private side of him through his drawings. The drawings showed his original ideas that he continually sued over and over, bring them almost everywhere with him to use as influences in his finished masterpieces. Michelangelo used the self-taught skill of sculpture to make masterpieces such as David. The way he worked and thought was shown through his detailed drawings and sketches. Glimpses of his sketches were shown that are rarely available to the public, and most related to the future finished pieces, such as the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo's preparatory drawings compared to his final masterpieces, and they showed more of his sexuality, love for the human body, master of anatomy, and his techniques and perfectionism.
The Albrecht Durer video clip showed the hint of narcissism in his work, as he was named one of the greatest artists of the Northern Renaissance. He was the first true landscape artist in Europe as well, and was able to capture the moods of landscapes accurately. Venetian art also had an impact on his artwork. Durer had a wonderful gift of portraiture, and was a dedicated craftsman. He focused on the art of perspective, and how it might be attained. Woodcuts were one source of media that he used to offer as an influence to Gothic tradition, by using Italian Renaissance forms.
The Night Watch was a painting completed by Rembrandt, and is the object of pilgrimage to the Dutch. The actual painting has gone through many trials, including being slashed by a knife, being doused with acid, and water. It is a monumental work that suggests movement, uses dramatic light, and much perspective. Rembrandt interpreted the commission for the piece in his own way, and approached it in a Revolutionary way. There is a mysterious young girl in the background of the painting that no one has been able to explain. The Night Watch was disassembled by modern artists who are trying to show that it can be perceived in different ways.
The Velasquez clip was influenced by Italian painters such as Rubens. Velasquez was a court painter for King Phillip IV of Spain, and spent much time documenting him. He was one of the most famous painters of Spain and many of his works took a lifetime to complete, ad he continually started, stopped, and preceded with them. He was also a very educated artist, and an idealist, who used his artwork to capture personalities full of movement and emotion. He had very little interest in color, and used it simply in some paintings. He was known for capturing the truth in his works with a technical expertise.
The videos relate to the readings in that each one focuses on a specific part of the two chapters, and describes it in detail, with historical facts, footage of live artwork, and depth in explanation of artists such as Michelangelo, Durer, Rembrandt, and Velasquez.
The videos also relate because they discuss artists from important art periods like the Italian Renaissance, The Gothic and Middle Ages. By showing the famous works of these artists, it explains the histories behind the artist styles, and the stories and meanings behind the works. The videos helped deepen my understanding by having more knowledge and visual knowledge of the artwork. Hearing and seeing information about the different art styles, techniques, and movements such as the Renaissance period helps me more than just reading about it.

video response

I selected the three videos out of the selection because I was interested in learning more about Greek culture and the arts, because I wanted to know more about the production of books and writing in monasteries, and because they were shorter compared to 50 or so minute videos. I videos I chose to watch besides More Human Than Human were, A World Inscribed, A Measure of All Things, and The Greek Awakening. Some key concepts I learned from the first video (More Human Than Human) were, no other image besides the human body dominates our lives so completely. All these images of the body, for whatever use and where ever they appear all share a sense of unrealism. In media and in art the images of the body seem to be unrealistic. Venus figurines in the early ages, were made to represent what mattered most on the body. Certain features were exaggerated more than others. There was a theory that the brain favors exaggeration of certain features more than others. The Egyptian society didn't want their style to change because they wanted to keep a consistency and order in their art. Grid systems were used to keep the order and precision. Images can reflect different aspects of our society, culture, and values.
A World Inscribed described Charlemagne, and how he wanted to learn to read and write. Not many people could read, so monasteries produced the most books. Monks carried handmade books constantly, and each book was copied by hand, and the spread of knowledge was very slow. Monks had the duty to preserve and deliver knowledge because they were literate, unlike others. Books were even thought of to be a pay-off for sin. Within 50 years of its invention, printing presses replaced scribes.
The Measure of All Things talked about and showed Greeks conveying emotion and powerful feelings through stone and sculpture. It discussed how Greeks were obsesses with the human body. Sculptors started a revolution by using realism, with the human body in 3-D. They depicted the soul and inner beauty through sculpture. In reality, all Greek stone and sculpture was painted in bright, vivid colors. Pottery was used to advertise everyday art. Because of the Greeks' obsession with the body, it has come to settle and influence our modern culture today.
The Greek Awakening talked about Greek literature living in our art, philosophy, and politics today. Greeks gave us our sense of history through these ways. They created a sense of thinking and doing. Figures were portrayed as realistic, rather than stylistic. The Greek vision that is told of as the awakening allowed influential sculptures and architecture of Western culture to emerge. The architecture in the video clip explains the relationship between the monuments in Greek times, to classical Greek identity.
The videos each relate to the text because they further emphasize the ideas and themes discussed in the reading. Most of the videos took off from details like the topic of Charlemagne, and went even further with them, describing more parts of history. They relate because they quickly went over the main topics learned in the text, while providing further examples, and imagery to support. I gained a further understanding of the topics because the videos went into further, more interesting detail, along with a lot more images. Not only was the topic of the Greeks' love and constant use of the human body discussed in the book, but many of the videos went over the exact same details as well. I didn't particularly like the videos, I found them very boring, and pretty much repeating the same things.

My response to blogger's responses

project 1 Lauren
http://mcgowalm01.blogspot.com/2011/06/post-1.html
project 2
http://mcgowalm01.blogspot.com/2011/06/art-gallery-1.html?showComment=1310138176228#c8010018506962988014

Project 1 Mike
http://farrelmr01.blogspot.com/2011/06/elements-and-principles-of-design.html?showComment=1310137516173#c469540074054880292
Mike 2
http://farrelmr01.blogspot.com/2011/06/gallery-visit.html?showComment=1310137903901#c5803344675055758205

For each artist's slideshow in project #1, they did a very good job of representing and showing the appropriate element and/or principle in their images. Each image for each artist was creative, and I saw a couple different elements/principles in the images. For example, one image represented line, but it also possessed color. For project #2, there were several of the same images that I chose, as did they. The marvelous sauce was chosen by both of my peers, and I shared images with one peer: Jakob/Big Psycho, Red Yarn, and Nancy Rubins' sculpture. The latter peer chose a couple of the images for the same reason I did, because she wanted to know more about them, and because they made an impression on her. One of my peers chose a bridge to depict line, and cups full of a hot drink to depict space. I thought they were beautiful images and the cups interested me because I love hot drinks, and they reminded me of the restaurant where I work. We swirl an image made of cream in the top of some of our drinks, and the peer had two cups with similar images on top. The bridge that she chose to depict line made me curious as to where it was. It reminded me of a harbor in Maine, and brought back memories as a child. Another peer had an image of a bird's nest in his grill. I love the image not only because it represented line well, but because I love birds, and I thought it was quite precious that a bird had made a home there, because he hadn't grilled in so long!
Reading, and viewing the imagery on my peer's blogs helped me to familiarize with them on a more personal level. I didn't just see a name, and some words by them, I also had a chance to see their artwork, and read their personal responses to them. I don't think this is always possible in a classroom, so having a blog helps to view other's work. This is valuable for learning experiences to any person, child or adult. I really enjoyed seeing what my classmates write about, what they like or dislike, and having the ability to comment on their work. It helps open the doors for constructive criticism, and even inspires me in my own artwork.
After checking the peer comments on my own blog, a responder said they thought my elements and principles were successfully portrayed in my slideshow. I was happy with that, but am still looking for more constructive feedback. I want someone to be honest with me, and criticize me if they'd like!

Installation Artwork

        Installation art is art in which the space is presented as a piece that may be entered, explored, experienced, and reflected upon. We are prompted by curiosity to enter these spaces, which is the artist's intention. Installation art can show the importance of exposing things and ideas that many times people overlook or take for granted. Artists make installations because they are an opportunity to allow others to explore and focus on what they normally may pass by, and take a second look at it and reflect. An installation shot gathers a space and everything in it into a single image. The specific, chosen place and everything in it is the artwork itself. The list is unlimited for materials used in installation art. Any media counts whether it is in a room, a car, and office, or includes food, paper, bones, pots and pans, rope, garbage, inflatables...literally anything that the artist feels is important to the success and reflection of their piece is applicable.
         I found Yayoi Kusama's Fireflies on the Water installation piece to be the most interesting because the artist used the element of light, and magnified it. Light was used to reflect itself by the mirrors surrounding it, like a never ending room. I like the repetition of the lights and how they seem t continue forever because of the effect of the mirrored room. I feel a connection with that specific piece because it invites you to be enclosed in solitary, and reflect on your own imaginations. The viewer is meant to enjoy, or make of the experience by themselves. I like to be alone when I am really thinking deeply about something. Even the closest person to me cannot be near me or else I can not reflect thoroughly on what I need. The artist made this installation so that the experiencer could do it alone, uninterrupted by outsiders. I'd like to explore the theme of Self, and look into human experience. There are so many experiences we have and feel all the time, but I want to seclude one, and explore it: Comfort.
        We are the only ones who allow ourselves to be comfortable, no one else can force that upon us. We can fake the fact that we are comfortable, but we are the only ones that know whether we are comfortable or not. Now what makes us comfortable? that's a whole different area to get in to, but it branches off of human experience. Comfort is something different for everyone, but when someone sees a pillow, generally "comfort" is a describing word. I decided to arrange all different colors, and sizes of pillows in the place I find most comfortable to me. This place happens to be MY bed, which is located in my room, but it could differ according to anyone. The idea behind it is something personal, and comforting. It is my idea of an area of escape and study. My idea is that once people see the pillows, they will think of comfort, and what is comfortable to them. I am creating an installation in this specific site because it is a place that most people have the experience of being in everyday, therefore it it overlooked. Because of this I want to show the importance of the place and items in the place that we normally take for granted. I think creating this will help me reflect on something I take for granted, and help others to as well.
       My installation contains different sizes of pillows, different colors, and different patterns. It contains pillows from all areas of the house, and used for different things. Some are for couches, some for heads, some as a seat cover. Each pillow has a different texture, and all are balanced on top of each other, supporting each other. There is not much negative space in between the pillows, but a little but around the entire mass. All the squares and rectangles make up a organic looking mass in their entirety. There is a rhythm created with the different patterns used in contrast with the solid colors. I like the one solid black pillow in the middle, amidst all the other vividly bright colors. This piece just draws me in, and I hope that's the case for others.

Architecture

       After viewing "Architecture: The Science of Design", I learned special that data and information on architecture through tests tells architects whether they should plants trees around the base of a skyscraper or tall building, or make the foundation wider. This testing can be used to predict other possible occurrences such as snow accumulation on roof tops, or even the quality of air at higher elevations. Testing can verify the safest predictions for buildings so that they are in appropriate locations according to weather or environment. "Smart apartments", though expensive are used to save energy and cut back costs of living. They are also efficient for people with disabilities and the elderly. Concrete was used as early as Greek and Roman times, and is found in all forms of architecture.
       "I.M. Pei and the Mathematics of Architecture" explained that architecture and structure are one discipline, not separate. If architects are not aware of the forces of structure, then designs may not be successful. Geometry is one of the driving forces of design, as well as light, space, and many more elements. What makes a tall building unique is its function, and whether it is able to resist earthquakes, wind, and any kind of weather; they are challenges that require successful solutions. Form can follow structure, and this was Pei's way of geometry. Architecture and sculpture are indeed related, but function stands in the way to prevent architecture from becoming sculpture.
       The videos relate to the text in the fact that they go over most of the same ideas the text explained about architecture, and how it relies on the environment whether it's successful or not, and more energy efficient architecture should be encouraged for the sake of cost effectiveness and the safety of our environment. They discussed the same themes relaying to building styles, and popular, yet strong building materials. The one thing the videos and text shared, but the videos were more successful at was making the material more interesting by showing it visually. I am a visual learner, more so than by literature, so seeing every thing in the videos that was discussed in the book was more enticing to me. I liked hearing the stories, histories and details behind the straight facts. I understood architecture more though the way the information was shown. I was able to see (digitally) what a foundation looked like, or what happens to the entire structure of a building when weather wears away at it.
       The video I chose out of the four was the one featuring I.M. Pei, and I chose it because I had heard about the architect before, and was interested in his background. I thoroughly ended up enjoying the video, and even found myself laughing at Pei, for I found him delightful. With a constant smile, and those black round eyeglass frames, he made the entire video irresistible. I found it amazing that a man who created such wonders around the world was as humble as he was. He didn't seem too proud or arrogant, but more surprised at himself that he could create such buildings. I can HONESTLY say I truly enjoyed viewing his background, and designs. I especially liked hearing about the building in Boston and the windows blowing out close to when it was finished. Pei seemed to laugh it off as he was telling the story.

Sculpture, Ceramics, Installation

 From watching "Through the Eyes of the Sculptor" I was able to learn some things. Every stone has its own smell. Restoration artists are rarely asked to sculpt an entire figure, they mostly just work on smaller, separate parts like hands, feet or faces. Sculptors use a plaster mold as a reference, and there are many steps to sculpting and it is very time consuming. Marble is the product of limestone, and every marble sculpture starts out as a block of limestone/marble, and is carved and chipped away so that the final form emerges. The mountains of Carrara have been a main source of marble for over 2,000 years.
       The Glass and Ceramics video introduced me to the realization that glass is not a true solid, rather is is a viscus liquid that stiffens when cooled. Oyster shells can help glass from becoming too liquid at high temperatures! To make a glass form, someone gathers a small glob of liquid glass at the end of a solid tube/pole and blows into it so that it balloons up, and is formed and shaped. Glass is continually reheated in the furnace so it can be continually modeled, it also receives a final firing so that it can withstand future high temperatures. Some types of ceramics are known to be even stronger than steel and can withstand very high temperatures. Glass is becoming more prominent in architecture today.
       Installation art defines and takes over space, and is achieved according to the effort of individual artists. They are three-dimensional works whose design forces viewers to interact with the environment. Site-specific art is art that cannot work unless it is in its particular place that was meant for it. Video imagery is becoming more popular in the art world with the help of new technologies. It now dominates the art world and the video camera is a tool that makes way for video installations. Installations are known to be successful by attaining a relationship between the images, space, and the viewer, which makes the meaning.
       The videos relate to the text because they described in detail some of the crafts explained in the actual text itself. They discussed the nature of installations and gave different perspectives from different artists on what they thought installation art was, and what it meant to them. The text mentioned some crafts such as glass blowing, but the video visually explained it more deeply. It was interesting to see the hard work of craft-makers and artists as they practiced sculpting and glass-making. It was one thing to read it in the book, but to actually see it in action was so much more engaging. It was neat to hear the stories behind the artists and where materials like marble actually came from, and the hardships and sacrifices that went along with everything. Seeing it all take place on camera gave me more of an appreciation for the art, and gave me a better understanding of the science behind it all, the trials, and the successes. I gained more of an understanding just by seeing it all on video. After watching the video (on glass blowing) it made me want to try it myself. Besides the awful quality of the videos and the outdatedness, I'll have to admit I enjoyed them a little. I was partial to the video about installation art, mostly because I'm still having trouble grasping what exactly it is, and how I will make my own installation piece for this class. As I watched the video, I tried to take notes and was brainstorming the entire time, in hope that I'd come up with an understanding and idea for my assignment. Not yet...