1. Looking back at my first post, this was what I wrote my expectations of the course to be: In this course
"I expect to learn a lot about visual art, artistic techniques, artists and their works, and other things of this nature. I'm more of a musician (I've played the violin for 13 years now and am teaching myself to play piano), so this is definitely a different form of art than what I am used to, but I am still interested nonetheless in learning about the different ways people use art to express themselves."
I have to say that my expectations were met, I learned about everything I expected and more, including delving deep into the history of art and architecture and learning how and why different forms of art exist.
2. The first week when we posted in the discussion forum, I defined art like this: "Art can have many definitions. To me, art is anything a person does/creates that expresses themselves, their feelings/emotions, etc."
I have to say I still agree with my initial definition. I believe, and have been shown throughout this course, that there are many different types of art. Despite their differences, they all come back to representing an idea or thought or vision the artist had.
3. In my original posting I stated how I have a difficult time picking a "favorite" in anything but that I really admired Leonardo da Vinci. I have to say I was intrigued even further throughout my studies in this course. Learning about what a true Renaissance man he was and that not only was he an amazing artist, but an inventor, a scientist and many other things (and did spectacularly in all these fields) just made me want to look further into this artist.
4. I said that I had taken online courses before and that they could be very demanding. I have to say I agree even moreso taking not only this course but two other online courses this semester along with three classes on campus. I feel like this course had quite a few demands (watching several lengthy 40+ minute videos for a blog review on top of answering questions for chapters, responding to peers feedback and usually a project or quiz thrown in there too). I have to say I spent more time in this course and one of my other online courses more than I have ever spent on a course before (and that is including in-class time plus homework/studying). The load was very demanding and I felt overwhelmed at times. Nonetheless, I still like online courses because they are convenient and give me a more open schedule for work.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Art Gallery Visit #3/Self Portrait
TOP: Frida Kahlo, Self-Portrait with monkey 1938, Oil on Masonite
MIDDLE: Paul Cezanne, Self-Portrait, ca. 1898-1900, Lithograph
BOTTOM: Ivan Mestrovic, Sculptor at Work, 1925, Crayon on Paper
1. Two of the inspiration pieces were actual self-portraits from the Albright-Knox art gallery. I went through the entire gallery, both upstairs and down looking at all the artworks and only found these two that were described as being a self-portrait of the artist. The third piece I selected I don’t believe is a self-portrait of the artist themselves, but then again, in a way it is; the artist is depicting their thoughts and feelings and emotions onto the canvas. It might not be what they physically look like, but it is a glance into their mentality and how they perceive the world around them.
2. I selected pencil to create my self-portrait because I thought that a classy pencil realistic self portrait would be good. I’ve always wanted to do a more realistic self-portrait. I have done self portraits that actually look nothing like me but show who I am on the inside and thought that I would use this opportunity to show both inside and out.
3. The first challenge I overcame was deciding whether or not I wanted my self-portrait to be more realistic or more representational. I decided to do a more realistic approach.
4. This piece represents me because it is showing me the way I am now looking at the way I used to be. As I depicted in a previous assignment, I am extremely proud of who I have become. Not only on the outside by losing a lot of weight but on the inside as well: when I was heavy I was extremely self-conscious, and even had low self-esteem. I always thought people were judging me because I wasn’t as skinny or as pretty as I viewed other people. Now that I have lost a lot of weight and have been keeping it off not only have I gained some self-confidence and most definitely gained self-esteem, I also discovered that I am a very determined person and I proved to myself that if I truly set my mind on something, am persistent and don’t give up, I can accomplish anything.
5. I applied line, shape and mass, time, emphasis, and scale and proportion to my artwork
6. I did enjoy working on this project. It helped me realize how far I’ve come and made me see not only is my accomplishment seen from the outside, but from the inside as well.
7. I really like my final artwork. I wanted to show how I was and how my hard work and dedication paid off.
TOP: Me, summer 2010
MIDDLE: Me, summer 2011
BOTTOM: my self-portrait
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Art Criticism Reflection
1. Which projects did you review?
As suggested, I reviewed three art criticism projects that were in the drop box. The ones I reviewed were Man's Best Friend by Andrew Reed, Life and Death by Andrew Klin, and Emotions by Nicole Annalora.
2. Why did you select the Exhibit you critiqued?
I selected Emotions by Nicole Annalora because of the three I reviewed, it appeared to have the most information included in it (artist, title, medium, size and date). I didn't feel that the other artists in the other two projects were as consistent and thought this would be a more complete project to review.
3. What challenges did you face in writing the critique article and how did you overcome them?
The challenges that I faced were that I did not want to be too harsh and not only constructively criticize the project but look for the good aspects of it as well. I had to make sure that I balanced each negative with a positive so as not to sound so compeltely critical of the artwork because although there were some negative aspects of this project, there were also several positive aspects of it as well.
4. How do you feel about critiquing your peers work?
I think that constructive criticism is good and I take constructive criticism openly and like both giving and recieving criticism because I feel that it keeps you more open minded about things. Something that you are thinking might be percieved differently by someone else. Overall, I felt comfortable writing this critique.
5. Would you like to read the critique your peers wrote about your Art Curation Project?
I would love to read the critique my peers wrote about my Art Curation Project if there are any. I think that criticism can be very constructive and may help with a project in the future if they point out some things that I was not aware of or if they thought my work needed clarification. Sometimes seeing something in your head and putting that idea down for someone else to see can not come out the right way.
6. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate your finished article and why?
I would rate my finished article as a 7 because I think I was a little repetetive in it, but I felt I had to be because some of the different questions warranted similar responses. I think overall I did a good job because I did not only point out negative but positive aspects of the project as well.
7. Did you enjoy working on this project?
I did enjoy working on this project because I liked the process of creating my artwork and having the chance to look at my peers' artwork so that I could see how mine compared to theirs.
As suggested, I reviewed three art criticism projects that were in the drop box. The ones I reviewed were Man's Best Friend by Andrew Reed, Life and Death by Andrew Klin, and Emotions by Nicole Annalora.
2. Why did you select the Exhibit you critiqued?
I selected Emotions by Nicole Annalora because of the three I reviewed, it appeared to have the most information included in it (artist, title, medium, size and date). I didn't feel that the other artists in the other two projects were as consistent and thought this would be a more complete project to review.
3. What challenges did you face in writing the critique article and how did you overcome them?
The challenges that I faced were that I did not want to be too harsh and not only constructively criticize the project but look for the good aspects of it as well. I had to make sure that I balanced each negative with a positive so as not to sound so compeltely critical of the artwork because although there were some negative aspects of this project, there were also several positive aspects of it as well.
4. How do you feel about critiquing your peers work?
I think that constructive criticism is good and I take constructive criticism openly and like both giving and recieving criticism because I feel that it keeps you more open minded about things. Something that you are thinking might be percieved differently by someone else. Overall, I felt comfortable writing this critique.
5. Would you like to read the critique your peers wrote about your Art Curation Project?
I would love to read the critique my peers wrote about my Art Curation Project if there are any. I think that criticism can be very constructive and may help with a project in the future if they point out some things that I was not aware of or if they thought my work needed clarification. Sometimes seeing something in your head and putting that idea down for someone else to see can not come out the right way.
6. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate your finished article and why?
I would rate my finished article as a 7 because I think I was a little repetetive in it, but I felt I had to be because some of the different questions warranted similar responses. I think overall I did a good job because I did not only point out negative but positive aspects of the project as well.
7. Did you enjoy working on this project?
I did enjoy working on this project because I liked the process of creating my artwork and having the chance to look at my peers' artwork so that I could see how mine compared to theirs.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Week 15 Video Review
Greenberg on Art Criticism: An Interview by T.J. Clark1. Greenberg stated that "writing about visual art is much tougher than writing about literature or music". He said he believed in modern specialization and that criticism can be relevant, not merely scientific.
2.Yes, because my project contains many different pieces, from sculptures to realistic paintings to fantastical paintings, but they all have a common theme nonetheless.
Greenberg on Pollock: An Interview by T.J. Clark
1. In this video, Greenberg talked about Jackson Pollock. I liked how his ideas from the first video can be seen in this video (saying that although a little out of the norm even for the Avant Gard.
2. Just like I said about the first video, this pertains to my art criticism project because there are a few "unusual" pieces in there that, although not to the extreme as Pollock's, would probably not fit in quite so easily to contemporary ideals of a painting.
An Intorduction to the Italian Renaissance (Giorgio Vasari)
1.Talks about how the great works are all intertwined because each great artist built upon the ideas/woks of their predecessors.
2. Yes because my pieces range from over 20,000 BCE to only a few years ago and in all of the artworks that I chose, they depict horses. Although for many reasons, these reasons all in the end point to their importance. The earliest forms of art have the basic shape of the animal while later ones can be more precise due to technology and innovation.
The Critics: Stories from the Inside Pages
1.Talks about how critics serve the public because they get the public to think, and that art criticism is in and of itself a form of art.
2. I definitely agree with this video in saying that art criticism is a form of art. They have to eloquently word their criticism and are trying to perusade someone to think or to share their view of a piece. Everyone is going to have a different opinion, and I think my art criticism project holds into account the fact that others are going to be viewing it.
The Colonial Encounter: Views of Non-Western Art and Culture
1.This video talks about how western ideas have influenced the true authentic cultural interaction.
2.This could possibly pertain to my art criticism project: while the oldest pieces don't really have any western influence on them (because of their age), any one of the other pieces may have had influence from another culture (not only Western).
Jackson Pollock: Michael Fried and T.J. Clark in Conversation
1.Critic Michael Freid is a proponent of aesthetically based views of painting and sculpture. However, some works, such as Jackson Pollock's, might be more abstract and not particularly aesthetically pleasing. I agree with the point made in the video that the art critics during the time the art was made will have a different view than a critic in the future because the work might not be applicable anymore during that time period.
2.The cave painting might have been a great masterpiece back then, but today although it is very important, some critics might say it is not as detailed or refined as more current works depicting horses.
3. I think the films do add depth to understanding art criticism; I especially liked the idea that over time, critics' views of an art are going to change (like I stated in the last review, under question 2). I think history does play a role in art criticism, and that we might not take that into consideration as much as it should be. I also learned about how wester art is influencing the art of other cultures and that might not be a good thing because it detracts from their traditional/cultural artistic ways and value.
2.Yes, because my project contains many different pieces, from sculptures to realistic paintings to fantastical paintings, but they all have a common theme nonetheless.
Greenberg on Pollock: An Interview by T.J. Clark
1. In this video, Greenberg talked about Jackson Pollock. I liked how his ideas from the first video can be seen in this video (saying that although a little out of the norm even for the Avant Gard.
2. Just like I said about the first video, this pertains to my art criticism project because there are a few "unusual" pieces in there that, although not to the extreme as Pollock's, would probably not fit in quite so easily to contemporary ideals of a painting.
An Intorduction to the Italian Renaissance (Giorgio Vasari)
1.Talks about how the great works are all intertwined because each great artist built upon the ideas/woks of their predecessors.
2. Yes because my pieces range from over 20,000 BCE to only a few years ago and in all of the artworks that I chose, they depict horses. Although for many reasons, these reasons all in the end point to their importance. The earliest forms of art have the basic shape of the animal while later ones can be more precise due to technology and innovation.
The Critics: Stories from the Inside Pages
1.Talks about how critics serve the public because they get the public to think, and that art criticism is in and of itself a form of art.
2. I definitely agree with this video in saying that art criticism is a form of art. They have to eloquently word their criticism and are trying to perusade someone to think or to share their view of a piece. Everyone is going to have a different opinion, and I think my art criticism project holds into account the fact that others are going to be viewing it.
The Colonial Encounter: Views of Non-Western Art and Culture
1.This video talks about how western ideas have influenced the true authentic cultural interaction.
2.This could possibly pertain to my art criticism project: while the oldest pieces don't really have any western influence on them (because of their age), any one of the other pieces may have had influence from another culture (not only Western).
Jackson Pollock: Michael Fried and T.J. Clark in Conversation
1.Critic Michael Freid is a proponent of aesthetically based views of painting and sculpture. However, some works, such as Jackson Pollock's, might be more abstract and not particularly aesthetically pleasing. I agree with the point made in the video that the art critics during the time the art was made will have a different view than a critic in the future because the work might not be applicable anymore during that time period.
2.The cave painting might have been a great masterpiece back then, but today although it is very important, some critics might say it is not as detailed or refined as more current works depicting horses.
3. I think the films do add depth to understanding art criticism; I especially liked the idea that over time, critics' views of an art are going to change (like I stated in the last review, under question 2). I think history does play a role in art criticism, and that we might not take that into consideration as much as it should be. I also learned about how wester art is influencing the art of other cultures and that might not be a good thing because it detracts from their traditional/cultural artistic ways and value.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Project 4 Reflection Journal
For my art curation project, I chose Horses in Art as my theme. I love horses and think they are beautiful animals and think it is interesting how there are so many ways they are depicted in art. Sometimes they are depicted by themselves in a peaceful beautiful setting, are depicted as being wild and free, as being useful (i.e. as a means of transportation, pulling something), as entertainment (racing, rocking horse), and everything in between. I ordered my project so that similar works of art went next to each other. For example, the first three images are of two actual rocking horses and then an image of a child on a rocking horse. These three artworks go together and I would display them that way as well. I didn't want all of the artwork in my exhibit to be paintings, so I included several other ways horses were portrayed; as a decoration on a fan, on a ring of a Pharaoh, a statuette, and even as an ancient cave painting (I'm not quite sure if that painting has been removed and is on display or if it still sits in the cave, but I would probably get the image blown up and spread across a wall in a matte ink to try and keep it as true to the natural way it was painted on the wall. I found many artworks with the horse as the focus, and I found ways to show through all of these works of art in my exhibit just how important the horse has been to man throughout history.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Week 12 Blog Video Review
Andy Warhol: Images of an Image
1. I chose this video because I wanted to learn more about Andy Warhol, the guy behind the famous campbells soup painting.
2. Andy Warhol liked repetition in his artwork: This is seen in many of his works such as the Campbell soup and the Ten Lizes. He saw his silk screen images as a way to make money. He photographed and filmed hsi friends, and started adding paint to his silk screen images. Andy Warhol was also a narcisistic artist, producing dozens of self-portraits. His art journalism has been compared to Manet (cultural revolution in China, Race Riots, etc.).
3. Warhol's work is of modern art, which the book discusses. This video helps see the depth of a modern artist's work.
Abstract Expressionsim and Pop: Art of the '50s and '60s
1. I chose this video because I wanted to learn more about Abstract Expressionsim and Pop Art
2. Abstract Expressionism was born from bringing together the ideas of American art and European avant-garde art, but was later rejected for its nonfigurative and seemingly egocentric character in favor of the ultra-objective phenomenon known as Pop Art.. The film compares Abstract Art vs. Figurative Art,
3. I like how this video compared the different forms of art and made a little more clear distinctions between the different kinds of these modern arts than the book.
Uncertainty: Modernity and Art
1. I chose this video randomly because I didn't know much about the other titles of the remaining videos so I clicked on this one!
2. Talks about how modern art communicates chaos, anxiety, and, most importantly, uncertainty. The video describes modern art as documenting the metamorphis of mankind, and that something broke hundreds of years ago and there is no certain "code" we should live by that previous cultures thought, but rather uncertainty. I found this aspect very fascinating. Unlike many forms of previous art, modern art does not depict any god or higher intelligence, but rather it comes to no conclusions. Pop art describes civilization relaxing.
3. This video went more in depth than the book and gave me a greater understanding of modern art.
The Art of Henry Moore
1. I chose this video randomly because I didn't know much about the other titles of the remaining videos so I clicked on this one!
2. This video talks about Henry Moore, a mid-20th century modern artist. He thought people placed too much emphasis on his coalmining background. He believed that sculpture was a mix of visual and tctile experience, and that art is not an escape from life but rather an expression of the significance of life. He drew for his own enjoyment, and also used drawings to plan out his sculputres.
3. I think that this video goes in depth into the mind of a 20th century modern artist. It helps tie in the concepts that the book teaches about modern art.
4. For all of the vidoes, I think that it adds a little extra in depth understanding of each concept and goes further into the mind of a particular artist (like Henry Moore) so that I can better see the examples they give to reinforce what I read in the textbook.
1. I chose this video because I wanted to learn more about Andy Warhol, the guy behind the famous campbells soup painting.
2. Andy Warhol liked repetition in his artwork: This is seen in many of his works such as the Campbell soup and the Ten Lizes. He saw his silk screen images as a way to make money. He photographed and filmed hsi friends, and started adding paint to his silk screen images. Andy Warhol was also a narcisistic artist, producing dozens of self-portraits. His art journalism has been compared to Manet (cultural revolution in China, Race Riots, etc.).
3. Warhol's work is of modern art, which the book discusses. This video helps see the depth of a modern artist's work.
Abstract Expressionsim and Pop: Art of the '50s and '60s
1. I chose this video because I wanted to learn more about Abstract Expressionsim and Pop Art
2. Abstract Expressionism was born from bringing together the ideas of American art and European avant-garde art, but was later rejected for its nonfigurative and seemingly egocentric character in favor of the ultra-objective phenomenon known as Pop Art.. The film compares Abstract Art vs. Figurative Art,
3. I like how this video compared the different forms of art and made a little more clear distinctions between the different kinds of these modern arts than the book.
Uncertainty: Modernity and Art
1. I chose this video randomly because I didn't know much about the other titles of the remaining videos so I clicked on this one!
2. Talks about how modern art communicates chaos, anxiety, and, most importantly, uncertainty. The video describes modern art as documenting the metamorphis of mankind, and that something broke hundreds of years ago and there is no certain "code" we should live by that previous cultures thought, but rather uncertainty. I found this aspect very fascinating. Unlike many forms of previous art, modern art does not depict any god or higher intelligence, but rather it comes to no conclusions. Pop art describes civilization relaxing.
3. This video went more in depth than the book and gave me a greater understanding of modern art.
The Art of Henry Moore
1. I chose this video randomly because I didn't know much about the other titles of the remaining videos so I clicked on this one!
2. This video talks about Henry Moore, a mid-20th century modern artist. He thought people placed too much emphasis on his coalmining background. He believed that sculpture was a mix of visual and tctile experience, and that art is not an escape from life but rather an expression of the significance of life. He drew for his own enjoyment, and also used drawings to plan out his sculputres.
3. I think that this video goes in depth into the mind of a 20th century modern artist. It helps tie in the concepts that the book teaches about modern art.
4. For all of the vidoes, I think that it adds a little extra in depth understanding of each concept and goes further into the mind of a particular artist (like Henry Moore) so that I can better see the examples they give to reinforce what I read in the textbook.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Art Gallery Visit #2
Step 1: The Exhibition
Questions about the exhibit:
1. What is the title of the exhibit?
Full Color Depression: First Kodachromes from America's Heartland
2. What is the theme of the exhibition?
Depression, images of people /places during the depression. Team from FSA took over 175,000 black and white photos. Some of those were taken in kodachrome (we don't know exactly how many), but only 1,615 of the kodachrome photos taken survived.
Step 2: The Gallery
Questions about the physical space:
1. What type of lighting is used?
Spot lighting to illuminate all the artwork on the walls and banners hanging from the ceiling.
2. What colors are used on the walls?
White
3. What materials are used in the interior artchitecture of the space?
Invisible string to hang the banners with the artwork in the center of the room. Neutral grey/brown marbeled floor. Walls-crowning and baseboards all same shade of white. Security camera, spot light encasing and speakers all white as well.
4. How is the movement of the viewer through the gallery space?
First thing you notice is the banners hanging from the ceiling in the center of the room. Then the slideshow on the television mounted on the wall and around the room from there.
Step 3: The Artwork
Questions about the artwork:
1. How are the artworks organized?
Some single column, some doubled up. The TV with the slideshow playing on it was on its own wall with the description/information about the exhibit on its own wall.
2. How are the artrworks similar?
All were photos of older buildings/people in the early 40's.
3. How are the artworks different?
Some look bleak and dreary, others the colors in them just pop.
4. How are the artworks framed?
All have same matte black 1/4 inch frame (except banners-no frames). Even the TV is black, giving the impression of a thin black frame around the photos on the slideshow.
5. How are the artworks identified and labeled?
Small white cards next to the piece (the group of cards on the wall next to doorway identified the banners).
6. What is the proximity of the artwork to each other?
About 16 inches apart horizontally, or 6 inches apart for the ones that are stacked 2 in a vertical row.
Step 4: Art Criticism Exercise
Select three of the artworks from the show and use the Art Criticism worksheet to desribe, analyze, bracket and interpret the work using the 5-step Art Criticism Process described.
Description: Photo by Marian Post Wolcott. Shacks Condemned by Board of Health, formerly (?) occupied by migrant workers and pickers, 1941. Digital file from original slide.
Old rundown shacks that were used to house migrant workers. Probably lived in deplorable conditions (since they were condemned). This (living in sub-standard living conditions) was probably something you saw every day during the depression. This is very realistic because individuals actually lived in these shacks.
The photograph is very striking. I was drawn to it at first because the color of the sky was such a vibrant blue and it just popped and caught my eye. When I looked at the photograph and read the title of it, the contrast of the bright cheery blue sky against the rundown shacks is striking, casting eachother in shadow making them look gloomy and uninviting.
(Next two steps same for all 3 pieces) This actually was everyday life. The artist was documenting how people lived during the Depression. It reminds me of when my grandfather would tell me stories of "back in the day". You think some of the things they exaggerate (walking to school up hill barefoot in snow both ways), but seeing this made me think about how most of these "stories" were their everyday norm.
I think the artist intended for this piece of art to be a true account/documentation of the lives of people during the Depression. My reaction was probably exactly what they intended: a mixture of shock, horror, sorrow, sadness and incredulity that people were expected to live like this. No matter how long ago these photos were taken, I think anyone who would have looked at them whether it be from back then or fifty years from now would have some of those emotions, but they probably get stronger and stronger as time passes because most people (especially people going to art galleries to view this art work) don't know or will never know the hardships these people lived thru.
The top photograph is by Jack Delano. It is a photograph in the roundhouse at a chicago and Northwetern Railroad yard in Chicago, Ill., December 1942 (Digital file from original transparency).
The bottom photograph is two employees at the roundhouse at Proviso yard, C & NW RR, Chicago, Ill., December 1942 (Digital file from original transparency).
Both works are realistic. The artist's goal is to portray the realities of the Depression and both photographs do a great job doing so. The darkness of both photographs definitely makes them appear gloomy and, well, kind of depressing, which was probably the goal of the artist in the first place. The darkness and shadows casted in both photographs helps make the photos appear realistic like the artist intended.
Step 5: Document Your Visit
See photos above
Answer this question: What did you think of visiting the Gallery and purposefully looking at the exhibition from a different perspective - the physical space, the architecture, theme, etc.?
I never really paid any attention to the physical space, architecture, theme, etc. but looking at these aspects made me see that it appears that the objective of the gallery is to not distract the viewers by using any ornate decorations or anything that might distract the attention away from the artwork that is being displayed. They want all the attention of the viewer to be on the artwork and keeping everything the same color and using simple architecture within the room the exhibit was shown in helps do that very well. I have been to other galleries such as the MFA in Boston when I lived there and I recall some of the rooms were elaborately decorated as works of art themselves, and I feel like there was just so much to look at at once that it kind of distracted the viewer from focusing on one artwork at a time.
Questions about the exhibit:
1. What is the title of the exhibit?
Full Color Depression: First Kodachromes from America's Heartland
2. What is the theme of the exhibition?
Depression, images of people /places during the depression. Team from FSA took over 175,000 black and white photos. Some of those were taken in kodachrome (we don't know exactly how many), but only 1,615 of the kodachrome photos taken survived.
Step 2: The Gallery
Questions about the physical space:
1. What type of lighting is used?
Spot lighting to illuminate all the artwork on the walls and banners hanging from the ceiling.
2. What colors are used on the walls?
White
3. What materials are used in the interior artchitecture of the space?
Invisible string to hang the banners with the artwork in the center of the room. Neutral grey/brown marbeled floor. Walls-crowning and baseboards all same shade of white. Security camera, spot light encasing and speakers all white as well.
4. How is the movement of the viewer through the gallery space?
First thing you notice is the banners hanging from the ceiling in the center of the room. Then the slideshow on the television mounted on the wall and around the room from there.
Step 3: The Artwork
Questions about the artwork:
1. How are the artworks organized?
Some single column, some doubled up. The TV with the slideshow playing on it was on its own wall with the description/information about the exhibit on its own wall.
2. How are the artrworks similar?
All were photos of older buildings/people in the early 40's.
3. How are the artworks different?
Some look bleak and dreary, others the colors in them just pop.
4. How are the artworks framed?
All have same matte black 1/4 inch frame (except banners-no frames). Even the TV is black, giving the impression of a thin black frame around the photos on the slideshow.
5. How are the artworks identified and labeled?
Small white cards next to the piece (the group of cards on the wall next to doorway identified the banners).
6. What is the proximity of the artwork to each other?
About 16 inches apart horizontally, or 6 inches apart for the ones that are stacked 2 in a vertical row.
Step 4: Art Criticism Exercise
Select three of the artworks from the show and use the Art Criticism worksheet to desribe, analyze, bracket and interpret the work using the 5-step Art Criticism Process described.
Description: Photo by Marian Post Wolcott. Shacks Condemned by Board of Health, formerly (?) occupied by migrant workers and pickers, 1941. Digital file from original slide.
Old rundown shacks that were used to house migrant workers. Probably lived in deplorable conditions (since they were condemned). This (living in sub-standard living conditions) was probably something you saw every day during the depression. This is very realistic because individuals actually lived in these shacks.
The photograph is very striking. I was drawn to it at first because the color of the sky was such a vibrant blue and it just popped and caught my eye. When I looked at the photograph and read the title of it, the contrast of the bright cheery blue sky against the rundown shacks is striking, casting eachother in shadow making them look gloomy and uninviting.
(Next two steps same for all 3 pieces) This actually was everyday life. The artist was documenting how people lived during the Depression. It reminds me of when my grandfather would tell me stories of "back in the day". You think some of the things they exaggerate (walking to school up hill barefoot in snow both ways), but seeing this made me think about how most of these "stories" were their everyday norm.
I think the artist intended for this piece of art to be a true account/documentation of the lives of people during the Depression. My reaction was probably exactly what they intended: a mixture of shock, horror, sorrow, sadness and incredulity that people were expected to live like this. No matter how long ago these photos were taken, I think anyone who would have looked at them whether it be from back then or fifty years from now would have some of those emotions, but they probably get stronger and stronger as time passes because most people (especially people going to art galleries to view this art work) don't know or will never know the hardships these people lived thru.
The top photograph is by Jack Delano. It is a photograph in the roundhouse at a chicago and Northwetern Railroad yard in Chicago, Ill., December 1942 (Digital file from original transparency).
The bottom photograph is two employees at the roundhouse at Proviso yard, C & NW RR, Chicago, Ill., December 1942 (Digital file from original transparency).
Both works are realistic. The artist's goal is to portray the realities of the Depression and both photographs do a great job doing so. The darkness of both photographs definitely makes them appear gloomy and, well, kind of depressing, which was probably the goal of the artist in the first place. The darkness and shadows casted in both photographs helps make the photos appear realistic like the artist intended.
Step 5: Document Your Visit
See photos above
Answer this question: What did you think of visiting the Gallery and purposefully looking at the exhibition from a different perspective - the physical space, the architecture, theme, etc.?
I never really paid any attention to the physical space, architecture, theme, etc. but looking at these aspects made me see that it appears that the objective of the gallery is to not distract the viewers by using any ornate decorations or anything that might distract the attention away from the artwork that is being displayed. They want all the attention of the viewer to be on the artwork and keeping everything the same color and using simple architecture within the room the exhibit was shown in helps do that very well. I have been to other galleries such as the MFA in Boston when I lived there and I recall some of the rooms were elaborately decorated as works of art themselves, and I feel like there was just so much to look at at once that it kind of distracted the viewer from focusing on one artwork at a time.
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