M11 - Art Gallery Visit #2 - Blog

Step 1: The Exhibition

Questions about the exhibit:
1. What is the title of the exhibit?

Charles E. Burchfield's Gardenville Studio

2. What is the theme of the exhibition?

The theme of the art was to display the workshop of a painter in 1983-1967.  Charles E Burchfield spent many days within this shop, creating new and exciting pieces of art in all types of forms.

Step 2: The Gallery

Questions about the physical space:
1. What type of lighting is used?

The lighting was set up to purposefully shine down on specific pieces within the collection that held significant value. For example, a big bright light shined down on the easel, but there were other lights shining down on the other smaller pieces of art throughout the room. This added value to those items as well.
2. What colors are used on the walls?

What appeared to be an off-white backdrop. This was done to purposefully make the deep wood color of the furniture and rocking chair stand out that much more in my opinion.

3. What materials are used in the interior architecture of the space?

Many different types of wood were used throughout the exhibition. Even a giant bird that sat up within the rafters was made out of a different colored, darker wood than the rest of the exhibition.

4. How is the movement of the viewer through the gallery space?

When you first step up to the exhibition, the first things your eyes catch is the easel, stool, and rocking chair in the center of the layout. the light shines bright on these three things

Step 3: The Artwork

Questions about the artwork:

1. How are the artworks organized?

There is a big piece of art on the easel that immediately catches the eyes of the viewer since it is practically front row center. Second is after your eyes shift around you notice the chair, stool, and pieces of art that are scattered throughout the site. Images of what appears to be a landscape portrait and record label. after viewing the art as you turn to leave, there is a portrait on the right hand side of the exhibition portraying Charles painting on the stool that can be seen, using the easel also seen inside.

2. How are the artrworks similar?

They all have to do with collective works that Charles Burchfield had created, and they are similar in the sense that everything about the exhibition is to show what his shop used to look like. There are shelves with more art stacked up, with other random samples of other collections of art scattered around.

3. How are the artworks different?

Some pieces of art have to do with music, some of landscape. One is even a piece of art showing Charles painting a picture at his easel, the very one that is on display in front of the audience.

4. How are the artworks framed?

The main art is the portrait on the easel, which is framed in a nicely finished dark wood frame. It appears to be a portrait of an older man leading against a table. Another piece of art is the portrait of a record label titled "Handel"

5. How are the artworks identified and labeled?

Since the artwork is all placed precisely within the exhibition where you are unable to get too close, the portraits you see are listed on a plaque next to the display (also pictured) This prevents viewers from coming too close, and keep the displays intact and undisturbed.

6. What is the proximity of the artwork to each other?

 The major artwork was placed rather evenly spaced throughout the center of the exhibition. other portraits of art were placed on the far right side, and there were shelves in the background layered with art.

Module Ten- Art Making/Material Exploration Blog: Mask Making

Share your opinion of your finished mask and what you thought about creating the mask.
I found creating the mask to be incredibly challenging. Attempting to find a material that I could mold to make the 3D sculpture was rather difficult. I used an incredible amount of glue on the inside of the mask to have it solidified. I kept the design of the mask incredibly simple. This was due to the fact that simplicity is sometimes more stylish than having a mask flooded with color, shapes, and symbols that it often makes the masks look crowded. This mask makes the viewer focus more on the dynamic and shape of the mask, and makes them appreciate it more than if they were to just focus on the colors.

Module Nine - Art Making/Material Exploration Drawings - Exploring Line

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

I found using my hand, something that was right there in front of me was a great matter to draw. I was able to position it how I wanted to, and view the angle I wanted to all by a simple shift of my wrist. Sometimes in art, you are not so fortunate, so this made this particular assignment rather easy  

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

I chose to use pencil for the media for this assignment. This decision was made because I find that its easier for me to use a pencil with my non-dominant hand since I have such a lack of experience with it. This made this half of the assignment easier, since I am familiar with the feeling of pencil and not so much charcoal.

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

At first I found it rather challenging to trace my left hand using my right. I am naturally dominant with my left hand, so drawing my right hand I found to be rather easy to do. However in terms of performance, I found myself impressed with the overall shape and detail of the thicker lines on my hand with my non-dominant hand.

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

I feel looking at the two drawings you honestly cant get a good feel as to which hand I truly feel dominant with. This particular study did not work for me, simply because both drawings came out rather exactly the same. If someone was attempting to prove which hand was clearly my dominant, I think at first it could be a struggle.

 

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

I would in a situation such as this one again. I was impressed with how my non-dominant drawing came out, and would be inclined to use my non-dominant hand again sometime to see what other details I find myself good at drawing with my non-dominant hand.

Module Ten - Blog: Video Review

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

The two videos I selected were the Buddhism and Hinduism videos. I chose these videos because I had very little knowledge with both of these types of religious and cultural background of the people who believed in these concepts. I especially didn’t know what they believed to be considered art and was curious to learn a bit more.

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

Hindus believe in reincarnation, and can worship literally anywhere. Also that there are a great number of gods and goddesses they worship. They believe it is these gods that give them great deals of art, such as architecture. I also found it interesting that a Hindu literally cannot touch a dead body, as this ruins their belief.

For the Buddhism video, I found the art that was inscribed into pillars and cathedrals were a means of spiritual release. They depicted these symbols of art as what the gods believed should be expected of them. Buddhism split into two or the little and big boats which hurt this particular religion however.  This particular video even points out these extensive carvings on all of their ancient pillars, signifying its importance.

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

Both videos showed a significant connection to the text because of the architecture of Vananessi as well as the architecture shown in the pillars carved hundreds of years ago within the Buddhist pillars. Back in ancient times, architecture was considered to be a type of art, and explained through symbols and designs the importance of their religion. Certain architecture that still stands such as the Buddhist archway still holds a significant value to their religion today.

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

I found the Buddhist film to be of more interest to me, simply due to the incredible amount of effort that apparently went into creating their holy pillars. These pillars still hold so much significance to their religion for so long, it’s amazing to see this type of artwork still so highly regarded.

Module Nine - Blog: Video Reviews - DROP BOX

VIDEOS SELECTED: 

 The Drawings of Michelangelo 

Albrecht Dürer: Image of a Master

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

I chose “the Drawings of Michelangelo” and “Albrecht Durer: Image of a Master”. I selected these films because I have always enjoyed the paintings and creations of Michelangelo. I believe his accomplishments supersede so many that I have always enjoyed his work. As for the story about Albrecht, I chose this one completed at random.

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

I found the story of Michelangelo to be the more interesting one. First, I found it interesting how many of Michelangelo’s drawings he created to act as practice drawings were actually mostly destroyed by him. This was because these particular sketches usually showed his errors, and he was embarrassed by them. People only ever usually saw his final productions of his art. Also, the story about his design process for the Sistine chapel I found to also be interesting.

In “Albrecht Durer: “Image of a Master”, I found it interesting that his mother gave birth to 18 children and buried 15 of them. The charcoal drawing of his mother showed his immaculate talent to show age in the people he drew. I also liked his fortress painting that he drew through his trips through the alps. The drawings of the landscape once again showed such detail in the one type of art I have always enjoyed.

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

 The “story of Michelangelo” video I found to be more of interest to me primarily because of my interest in the artist in general. I have always wanted to visit the Sistine Chapel someday, and seeing what people believe his thought process was for something like that was great to listen to. In “Albrecht Durer: “Image of a Master” I found his particular work fascinating with how good he was at his ability to show age in people. While I found his landscape drawings nicely done, I felt his passion in art was with people, and it reflected well in the detail of his work when it came to showing people.