Week7 -video Review

Questions and Topics for Your Blog Posting:

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

Some of the key concepts I learned about were prairie, and the creation of this style of house. I also learned about classical architecture and how classical styles influenced other cultures, and the science of design.

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

The first video relates to the text because Frank Lloyd Wright's designs of the Prairie House reflect one of the most influential changes in architecture. The second video relates to the text as well because the text describes how different architectural styles used different building materials. Materials such as concrete and Portland cement. The third video because it described the bringing of classical architectural styles to England and other parts of Europe. This is discussed in good depth in the text.

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

I think the films for this section were excellent. I think SEEING the construction processes and actually “walking” through architecture gave me a much needed understanding of what I was reading. 

The films were pretty good in my opinion. It was informative and have a visual depiction of the construction of these architectural creations and I also enjoy the fact that the video had a walk-through of these creations as well. They helped create the depth to understanding it because the pictures and the text helped me imagine it, but the videos helped me see it in a three-dimensional form, giving me a better understanding.

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

 I chose these films simply because they were the first two options. I honestly did not have any specific reason as to why I chose these films.

Module Six - Blog: Reviewing Peer Responses to Artwork

http://joerweb.blogspot.com/2016/10/art-gallery-photos.html

http://darrenyoung21.blogspot.com/2016/09/project-1-elements-and-principles.html

1. 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?

I agree with all the elements and principles in the images that Darren Young posted. I believe that every image has a variety of element and principles so yes I did see other elements and principles in almost every image. For instance, when I would see images that represented Unity, I would also see Colors, Lines, and Space. 

2. 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?

While observing Joe Webber's blog on his visit to the Art Gallery, I noticed that we did not have the same images at all and I don't believe that that was for any particular or specific reason, other than the fact that we had different artistic taste.

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?

A picture that Joe Webber had on his blog, from his art gallery photos, that intrigued me the post was Philip Lorca Dicorcia's Heads or at least a photo from that series. This picture intrigued me because I personally feel as though it symbolizes the oppressive and the systematic racism that black people have endured for the past 400 years and counting and this photo resonates with me because I feel as though it is a well depicted visual of that.

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

Yes, because this could expand my knowledge and comprehension of some of the concepts I learned in this course. It also gives me different perspective on these concepts as well and teaches me something new.

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

Yes, because sometimes they tell me what they agree with or disagree with when it comes to my answers to the questions on my blog. Sometimes there are critical of what I post and I accept that criticism and try to improve my answers or comprehension of some of the concepts we learn in this course. 

Module Six: Video Review

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

         One concept I learned from this video is that installation art is three-dimensional artwork that uses the space around it and within it.  It forces the viewer to interact with the whole environment around them. Another concept I learned was that a carver must use feelings to put life back in the shape and sculptors first draw out their ideas on paper and then use clay to sculpt out the figures. Models who pose feel like their soul is being dissected and that they aren't able to hide their inner most feelings. The last concept I learned was the fact that the organization of the crystalline structure determines the quality of the product.  Fine China and bricks and floor tiles are made from different types of clay using different temperatures to obtain their quality.  

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

          These videos relate with the readings from  Chapters 11 and 12 in the text because they are about about sculptural and craft art. They both explore three-dimensional art techniques and how they are made. The first video on stone sculpture relates to Chapter 11,  the artist in the video uses the casting and , carving and modeling techniques discussed in the reading. As in the video we see site specific installation art discussed in Ch. 11 as well, with Thomas Hirchehorn and Louis Bourgeois used as examples of artists who make this kind of work. Glass and ceramics are discussed in chapter 12 which describe them as art of daily life or craft art.

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

             In my opinion, the felt the videos helped me understand the concepts easier than the text did because I am more of a visual learner. The videos broke the information down and made it easier for me to comprehend the information.

Logo Design

1. Discuss what you thought about creating your logo.

I was trying to think about what symbol meant the most to me or what logo can I make that is a representation of ideals that I believe in. I was not trying to use my own name or anything that had to do with myself. But rather something, that many people could relate to.

2. Describe the process: creative thinking skills and ideas you used in the logo creation.

I instantly knew what I was going to use to create my logo and I first drew a black woman. I drew her with a huge nappy afro and dark brown skin. I also wrote the word Eve on her neck. This logo means a lot to me because it is a symbol of the black woman's beauty that I believe, a majority of the world rejects. From the brown dark skin that covers her entire body to the course, thick, nappy hair that covers her scalp, she is beautiful. However, many people don't believe so. For centuries, it was orthodox to make people, especially black women, feel inferior for having these natural features. Over time, it made a majority of black women feel insecure and self conscious about their appearance, to the extent where they will reject their skin tone and bleach it and reject their hair texture and perm it or wear weaves to look less like herself. After years and years of scrutiny, the black woman would look in the mirror and look at the reflection in disgust. This logo represents the women who have gained a sense of self love and confidence in their appearance. Women who are proud of their natural features. Once a person gains a sense of self-love , any negative opinions about their appearance or character will be impermeable to their confidence. I wrote Eve on her neck , because the first human on this Earth was African. The black woman was Eve, the motherhood of humanity. Her descendants, share her features and resemblance with their "nappy" hair and the melanin in their skin. That is something to be proud of , and that is something to be grateful for. This logo is a representation of that and that is why it means the world to me. 

3. What was the most important discovery you made in the creation of your logo?

The most important discovery I made in the creation of my logo was the fact that it could empower and instill some form of courage and pride in black women who feel insecure about their natural appearance. I discovered that by just looking at it, perhaps some people would instantly understand he message behind it and it would  instill them some sense of self-love that they should have had in the first place.

4. What is the most important information you learned from watching the videos, powerpoint, and reading material  for this project? What is your opinion of the videos?

The most important thing that I have learned from reading the material was the fact that logo's actually have standards. That is something I didn't know. I thought a logo could just be created in any way. I believe all the videos were very informative and helpful.

Art Gallery Visit #1

All photos are of artwork at the Albright Knox Art Gallery

               

Self Portrait with Monkey, Frida Kahlo (1938)

Bust of a Young Woman Turned to the Left, Pietro da Corona (1637)

Janet, Chuck Close (1992)

Justine Kurland, Alice O'Malley (2005)

Portrait of the Landscape Painter, Frederik Sødring-Christen Købke (1832)

Bird, James Vullo (1940)

1) The artwork that made an impact on me was Self Portrait with Monkey. It is one of my favorite pieces because it captured the natural beauty of the woman in the portrait. It showed a sense of self-love and confidence in her appearance and I felt that is symbolizes confidence and courage in self-conscious women. The other piece that impacted me was Janet but Chuck Close. The texture of the piece is what captivated me the most and the uncertainty of exactly what expression the woman in the piece is making is what impacted me as well. I can't tell whether the woman was happy or not but I like that.

2) The piece that I connected with was definitely Justine Kurland and that is because I remember how self-conscious my aunt was about her body when she was pregnant with my baby cousin. I like how the piece is of a naked pregnant woman, who is apparently proud of her naked body, despite the fact that her belly is round from pregnancy. Just like the Self Portrait with Monkey, I feel as though it is another piece that symbolizes confidence and courage. Another piece I connected with was the Portrait of the Landscape Painter. I like how a painter, painted, a painter. I feel as though is symbolizes perspective or the point of view of a painter from the eyes of another.

3)The artwork that I would like to understand more is the one The Bird. I honestly do not understand what is going in the image, the background, or what the bird represents. It is sort of an enigma to me actually. Another piece I'd like to understand more as well is The Bust of the Young Woman Turned to the Left. I appreciate the meticulousness and beauty of the bust itself but I don't understand it. I don't understand why it is turned to the left and I wish I did.