Hands Exploring Line

1.) I found it to be very interesting when using my hands as the subject for this drawing.  I have never done a drawing of my hands so it was a good experience.

2.)  I selected pencil as my media to use.  I chose this media because I find it difficult to work with charcoal, and the pencil was really best for me. It was easy to use and it gave me the ability to be flexible.

3.)  When creating a drawing with my non-dominant hand which was my left, I found it to be easier than I thought it would be. It certainly felt different from my right hand, but tracing it was not that difficult. I did however not feel as confident of what the final product would turn out like, opposed to my dominant hand.

4.) Both hands look similar. The right hand which I drew with my left (non-dominant) looks slightly different from my left hand.  Meaning that the fingers of the right hand that accurate to my left hand.  All together I feel that both of the drawings represent what my hands look like. 

5.) In the future, I would probably not consider using my non-dominant hand.  Just because it did feel different, and I was not that confident of what the final outcome would be.  I would stick with my right hand for future artworks!

Video Review Week Nine

1.) The video, The Drawings of Michelangelo was chosen because I was familiar with Michelangelo's work.  I love his painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and I was interested in knowing more about the artist.  I also chose the video, Leonardo da Vinci: The Mind of the Renaissance because I was aware of Da Vinci's work as well and wanted to learn more of his work and himself as an artist.  El Greco: Rediscovery of a Master stood out to me because I did not recognize the name and was curious to who El Greco was.  The Night Watch (Rembrandt) sounded familiar and I new of the artist, Rembrandt, and I also previously learned about the piece of art, The Night Watch , so I like the other videos was curious and wanted to learn more.

2.)  The Drawings of Michelangelo:  In the British Museum of art there is many drawings that were drawn by the artist, Michelangelo. The artists' drawings can be seen by students today in the museum but were never shown in Michelangelo's time.  Drawings like the Body of Adam are just one of many, and these drawings were individual drafts of some of the figures painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Leonardo da Vinci, The Mind of the Renaissance: Described the early life of the artist.  From a young age da Vinci displayed his amazing gifts.  He has a mind that holds several disciplines in art.  His early life showed his passion for drawing and strong curiosity as well as comprehension.
El Greco, Rediscovery of a Master:  The video introduces and discusses the discovery of a "master painter."  El Greco was a Byzantine style trained painter, but was self-taught to paint in the Renaissance period.  He influences Picasso, with his many works.
The Night Watch:  This video, discusses the major large scale, monumental piece of art entitled, "The Night Watch" by the famous painter, Rembrandt.  The Night Watch is a controversial infamous piece of art that is complex to viewers and is an object to the Dutch pilgrimage.  It depicts symbolism and makes the viewer feel as if they are a part of a group.

3.)  These videos all relate to the readings in the text by describing the artists of The Renaissance period. Famous painters the Rembrandt, Michelangelo, and da Vinci are discussed in the text as well as the videos and they both give detail and understanding to each famous artist.

4.)  I feel that the films were interesting.  I really enjoyed the film of the drawings of Michelangelo. I found it amazing how there are actual preliminary drawings that are displayed to the public, and theses drawings show drafts of figures in the Sistine chapel ceiling.  I also gained more of an understanding to the renaissance period and its famous artists, which allowed me to connect more to the readings in the text.  Visually seeing and hearing about the information on the artists and the period let me grasp the full concepts.

Week 8:Video Review

1.)  I chose Late Gothic Art and Architecture, The Measure of all Things: Greek Art and the Human Figure, and Th Birth of the Middle Ages. I chose each of these films because I new a little something about the topic discussed, but I wanted to know more.

2.)  More Human then Human: The concepts that I learned from this film was that some of the greatest artist have used the human body as a foundation for their artworks.  The human body depicted in the artworks are not entirely resembling the actual human body.  In 1908, researchers found a statue of the female figure in the Danube River Valley.  Today, is not so much different from then.  People are still obsessed with the human body and about physical perfection.  You can see it the runways or in magazines.
       Late Gothic Art:  The 1400's were seen by some as a tragedy, but this period was called, The Great Age of Gothic.  Merchants, nobles, and patrons all lived better as they invested in art.  Art was seen as powerful and a symbol of hierarchy in a society. 
        The Measure of all Things: Greek Art and the Human Figure:  This film discussed The Acropolis, which is in Athens, and it showed the Greek culture philosophy, art, architecture, and politics.  The 6th century was known as the Boom of architecture and sculpture.  The sculptures adapted a 3D effect which lead to realism.  Pottery was important because there were not images and the pottery would have pictures drawn onto them which showed everyday life.  The Olympics were also seen in the Greek society as a way to display the human body.
         The Birth of the Middle Ages:  This film discussed how even though the middle ages were centuries ago, you can still see a sense of them in societies today.  A small town in Cameroon displays medieval feudalism, and there is the same system seen in Japan.  The middle ages are also still seen in some societies in Islam.

3.) The videos relate to the reading in text by discussing some of the same material.   For example, the Late Gothic Art and Architecture discussed the passion that society had for art and the text also discusses how society viewed art and specifically Gothic art. The films also discussed the obsession that some had about the human figure.  The text as well goes into depth on that subject as well.

4.)  I thought the films were interesting and allowed me to fully understand the art and architecture of past centuries. I was able to see more examples of art in the films, and which helped me to apply more understanding to the reading.

Video Review (4 Films)

1.) Important Facts:
         - Prairie Style:  Frank Lloyd Wright was the one who came up with the style.  This style   
Incorporated wide open horizontal planes, that then blend with natural surroundings.  Wright first came up with the idea when he built single family homes.  He would design the homes using a horizontal band of rock or cement.  His concept was about "layering."
         - Architecture: the Science of Design:  This film brought up technology and science in the design of architecture.  Skyscrapers were designed using concrete and steel.  Wind tunnel testing was used to plan out or test for threats against skyscrapers.  Smart apartments are the up and coming new design.  The smart apartments use computers to link to the central nervous system of the house, to then fulfill the users needs. 
         - Classical Architecture:  Discusses the use of classical design in England.  It also recognizes the design of the terrace, and the Greek and Roman influences like the arch.
         - Last Call for Planet Earth:  This film discusses the up and coming energy smart homes.  It introduces the sustainability revolution and how architects are developing homes that use 20-30% less energy.  They are using old buildings to create new ones.  They are finding to techniques to save energy and money, like developing underfloor heating and cooling systems.

2.)  These videos relate to the readings in the text by describing the design techniques of architecture. The third film, Classical Architecture, really went in depth and related to the text by describing the influence that the Greeks and Romans had on the architectural world.  They also describe materials used like the text does, especially the use of concrete.

3.) I feel that the films were very interesting.  I got a sense of what classical architecture is like, and how it has influenced the modern world.  Also I have seen what is new to the architectural world, like the new advance technology used.  I see more understanding in how long it takes for the design to emerge before building.

4.)  I chose Last Call for Planet Earth because, I know that sustainable energy is our future.  I am really into using less energy and being more resourceful and this film really showed what is in store for architectural design.  It was great see ways that architects are using to be more resourceful, like using materials from old buildings.  It is just great to get a glimpse of what might be coming in the future for buildings and homes.

Installation Art

REFLECT
1.) Installation art is art that is installed.  According to the video, it "defines and takes over space."  It is art the "is all around you," it is also "art of the moment." Installation art can also be defined as artwork that is 3D, it is art that enables the viewer to interact with what is around them.

2.)  The materials that installation art uses is ANYTHING!  From TVs to flowers, installation art uses all materials.  It is up to the artist to use whatever they want, and whatever will get their artwork across to the public.

3.) The point to making installation art is to allow objects to come together and interact to form a piece of art.  Artists use installation art because they want to use several mediums together, and installation art allows for the artist to take all kinds of materials and put them together. It allows the public to interact and engage with the artists artwork, and that allows viewers to understand the meaning behind the piece.

4.) In the video, I found, "Mother and Daughter Divided," to be the most interesting installation.  When looking at it I understood the meaning, which was to describe that people are separated and feel divided.  The point was to say that it is hard to hold your self together, while you are feeling so apart and separated from others.

PLAN
1.) I felt a connection with one of the installations in the reading.  The Red Room, by Louise Bourgeois is amazing and real. The first installation with the door shut made me react because I always feel as if there are secrets going on between closed doors.  When the second installations reveals the interior of the room with the spool of threads and all the contents were red, I felt the essence of the room and how all the spools of thread were connected.

2.)  The theme I want to use in my installation art piece is the theme of nature, and how nature brings changes to you world!

3.) The materials I have chosen to use include two mirrors, and leaves from the trees in my backyard.

4.) I put my installation art piece outside on my porch.  I chose this area because my theme is nature, and what better place to put nature is to put it in its home.

FINAL WORK

Describe: I entitle my work as "Changes."  I have chosen leaves as the focal point for my piece.  The way leaves change during each season is beautiful.  I believe that leaves are a metaphor for all changes.  Change is a cycle that takes place in everyday life, we all change just like leaves to and we all might fall off the way leaves fall off trees, but we resurface as do leaves.  I decided to put the leaves on the mirror to show the importance of reflection and how each and every person can see changes and the reflection just bounces off one another.

Analyze: The elements and principles used in my installation include color, because the leaves have some much brightness and color. Light, the sunlight reflects of the mirror bringing and light tone to the art.  The mirror also provides a sense of form, and how it kind of gives a 3D feel to the leaves.  The various leaves give rhythm, as they all contain the same shape.

When creating the site specific installation I felt  the purpose was for me to really think and look inside myself and come up with a piece that described how I see the world.  When I came up with looking at leaves, which lead to changes, I felt that I had something going and I just went with it.  I felt the process was very refreshing and fun to do!

Reviewing Peer Responses to Artwork

http://emsartsy.blogspot.com/
1.) When looking at project #1, I felt that all the pictures in the slideshow were perfect, and really showed that elements and principles. Each picture had the perfect label and example for the various principles and elements.  When going through the images I saw that the example for color, which was a red-orange leaf could also be considered emphasis, because it drew by eye right into that leaf.

2.) When looking at project #2, I saw two pictures that I chose as well. The first was the "Dynamism of a Dog on a Leash."  The blogger wanted to know more about the piece and she also explained that she had two dachshunds at home just like the one in the piece.  I picked the image because I felt connected with it because I saw it in the book, and because I also have a dachshund at home.  The second same artwork was "Convergence," the blogger felt a connection with the piece because the meaning that the artist felt of painting. I also picked the piece because I felt a connection, but mine was because I knew about it form the text.

3.) Notre Dame in the Late Afternoon, by Henri Matisse, was a piece that I felt interested in when I saw it on the blog.  This painting caught my eye because I could feel the motion and peace that I believe the artists felt.  It would be amazing to know how to paint that way.  The colors used were so relaxing and peaceful.

http://emilysartisticblog.blogspot.com/
1.)  In project #1, the blogger captured every element and principle in all of the images.  Some of the images actually did have more than one element of principles. For example the value example could have also been for movement because of the fire in the background.  Also the harmony example of the tulip could have also been for color or emphasis.

2.)  For project #2, the painting of Niagara Falls was one I chose too.  She picked it for the same reason, which was the connection to the falls becausee it is both of our hometowns.

3.) When looking at the rest of her images from the gallery, I saw the photo of Erie Lakawanna Railroad.  This black and white photograph amazed me. There is something classic to a black and white photo and this picture had such power to it.  I also felt a connection because it reminds me of when i used to take the train to visit friends.  I could feel those moments when I saw this photograph.

I feel that the process of my peers reflection to be fun.  It is interesting to see what others have come up with over the course, and I get to compare to my work as well.  I think it is valuable to my learning because it allows others and myself to discover the different ways in which we all are defining art.  The several perspectives leads to you to find your own beliefs about art.

I acutally do findit healpful when reading the other comments left by people, it allows me to see were I stand in the art class.

Video Discussion

1.) In the first film, Through the Eyes of a Sculptor, I learned the sculptors process when restoring monuments.  I learned that limestone is an essential tool used in sculpting.  I also saw that the sculptor's really put their feelings into what they are designing.  The second film, Glass and Ceramics, showed how glass is made.  Glass comes from sand, which is mixed with components, then heated up, from there the glass is gathered on a rod then the glass designers blows into the rod to form a shape.  The heated glass is then cooled and permanently formed into a beautiful piece of art.  In the film, Installation Art, I learned that installation art is becoming the "new" thing for the art world.  Installation art is defined by many in the film but I learned that it is 3D artwork that is all around you, the viewer gets to interact in the environment where the artwork is shown.

2.)  The videos relate to the readings in the text by discussing the points of which and how material is used in art.  Through the Eyes of a Sculptor discusses the stone is used, as so does the text.  Also Glass and Ceramics discusses the process of glass and glass stained windows.  Installation Art relates to the text by both describing what installation art is and how it is used in the art world.

3.)  I really enjoyed the films.  I mainly enjoyed the Glass and Ceramics film because I found it interesting to see how glass is made.  I learned that glass comes from sand, which I never knew.  The videos put depth and understanding into sculpture, installation, and crafts by allowing me to see the materials at work. Like in the film, Through the Eyes of a Sculptor, I got to see how carving and limestone is used in sculpture.