Exploring Line

The hand on the left was drawn by my dominant hand, and the hand on the right by my non dominant hand.

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

I liked using my hand as a subject matter  because i could easily manipulate the angle from which I was seeing it, which side of it I drew or how I chose to pose it.  I felt like I could draw my hand a million times and each drawing could be different, yet still be of my hand.

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

I chose pencil because the last time I chose charcoal it was messy and difficult to deal with.  I would like to try it again, but not for an assignment in which I have to use my non dominant hand--that would be a little much without practice.

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

Drawing with my non dominant hand felt extremely awkward.  I did not have the same control, and definitely did not feel as comfortable (which is even apparent in the pose I chose for my non dominant drawing.

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

I think that they are successful studies, but if we have another non dominant vs. dominant piece I should go to an extreme with my non dominant hand.  Since I know it's not going to look exactly like my dominant hand drawing I should be okay with that and not try to hide it but take it to another level.

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

I definitely would use my non dominant hand again, maybe next time it wouldn't feel as awkward.

Video Review

The Drawings of Michelangelo

1. Explain why you selected each of the FOUR videos you choose from the selection listed above.
I chose this video because Michelangelo is such an iconic person, and although I know enough about him to understand a reference to him or one of his more famous works I would like to know more about him.
2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
-Michelangelo was a perfectionest
-he drafted many, many sketches before creating final copies of his work to achieve exactly the image he wanted
-Michelangelo also researched and studied before starting on works
-Michelangelo prided himself with teaching himself his own techniques of art
2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
I think that this waa a good video to watch on top of the text because of the prepratory work and thumbnail sketches that it showed, because if the textbook included all of the sketches that came before the final images it shows it would easily be hundreds of pages longer.
3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
This video kind of helped me to see better why we need to have practice sketches handed in alongside our final projects for this class, not only so you can see that we spent time on it, but so you can see the evolution of our work.  It also taught me why you don't have us just work blindly and we research and watch videos and do readings so we can be well informed and our resulting projects wil reach their potential.

Velazquez

1. Explain why you selected each of the FOUR videos you choose from the selection listed above.
I chose this video because I did not recognize this artist, and I came into this class with relatively no knowlegdge of artists and works that I liked so I see this as a chance to explore a new artist's works and styles and see if I prefer them.
2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
-Velazquez painted things naturally, as there were and did not pose and stylize them
-emotions such as sympathy are evident in his paitings (esp. those of deformed people)
-he believed in simple religious paintings so their meanings could be simply understood
2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
I liked how Velazquez's techniques differed from a lot of artists we have learned about so far, especially regarding religious paintings.  Most that we have seen so far have been so elegant and intricate and almost overwhelming, but Velazquez kept them simple which to me seems much more spiritual.
3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
It is good to be reminded about artists that are and were truly individuals because sometimes for our projects I feel like I have to create something in the same guidelines that the artists featured in the text or the film followed, but Velazquez did things differently and is a renowned artist because of this.

The Night Watch

1. Explain why you selected each of the FOUR videos you choose from the selection listed above.
I chose this video based solely on the title, it really interested me because I wanted to know what it was about.  I wondered if it was actually about a night watch or a painting named The Night Watch or maybe a night watch who was also a painter.
2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
Rembrandt used many elements and principles in The Night Watch including:
-light
-perspective
-movement
-composition/balance
2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
This video related more to me with the chapter in which we explored the elements and principles of art, because looking at the painting The Night Watch it is very obvious how thought out Rembrandt's use of these tools was and how that planning and use led to the successfulness of this painting.
3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
I will take a lot from this video, by recognizing and searching for elements and principles when looking at others' works.

The Power of Art: Caravaggio

1. Explain why you selected each of the FOUR videos you choose from the selection listed above.
I liked the title of this art and chose it because I feel that art is a very powerful thing and like to see artists use their works to say or do something and I thought that this would have that.
2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
-Caravaggio painted dramatic scenes from everyday life whether or not they were what audiences wanted to see
-not only did he use models from the present day and off of the street, but he brought historical and biblical events into the present day
-the violence and chaos in Caravaggio's art came from his real life
2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
Again, I liked learning more about an artist that is not focused on in the text.  I think the more artists and works I am exposed to the more of a perspective I can develop and use when I am analyzing and evaluating pieces.
3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
I found myself thinking about writers in American history, such as E.A.Poe, when watching this video because his erratic life manifested in his stories, just as Caravaggio's did in his artworks.  It really made me think about where inspiration comes from.

Video Reviews

1. Explain why you selected each of the three videos you choose from the selection listed above.
 I chose the videos randomly from the list, only based on their titles.  The ones I selected were Cairo Museum, The Measure of All Things:  Greek Art and the Human Figure, and A World Inscribed:  The Illuminated Manuscript.

Cairo Museum
2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
-the Cairo Museum has over 160,000 artifacts
-only half are on display
-some of the artifacts stored have not even been opened, even though they have been there for years
-tombs are still being discovered and each discovery will lead to more artifacts for the Cairo Museum
-it takes a long time, years even, to excavate tombs and preserve the artifacts before they are brought to the museum
3. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
The video showed us the process of how the artifacts we saw images of in the book were discovered and excavated, also we were able to see many more artifacts from ancient Egypt.
4. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
I really liked this film and was glad that I picked it because it showed how much work goes into discovering, preserving, transporting and displaying artifacts so that others can observe them today.

The Measure of All Things: Greek Art and the Human Figure
2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
-the Greeks were obsessed with perfection
-the architecture of the Greeks serves as an example for architects still to this day for monuments and important political buildings
-the human body, movement, strength and beauty were very important to Greek sculptures
-the Greeks obsession with beauty is still seen in cultures that exist today
3. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
The videos were able to show us many more examples and much more detail to the Greek sculptures and architecture that have influenced almost all cultures since their existence.  
4. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
The video went into more detail about the Greeks obsession with beauty and strength and the human body, bringing in ties with the Olympic Games and how the athletes competed nude, and how that obsession still exists in societies today.


A World Inscribed:  The Illuminated Manuscript
2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
- the monks are greatly responsible for the survival of any written works from as far back as the fifth century
-many believed that transcribing the texts alleviated their sins 
-books were not as common because they were much more labor intensive to create
-the lack of books led to a lack of literacy with common people
- once the development of the printing press occurred books were available much more readily, and led to an increase of literacy
3. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
This video related to the text because in our readings this week we learned about the influence of the Catholic church in art and architecture.  Throughout the semester so far we have learned about how spirituality and religion are very important to art and how it has evolved; there is even a theme of art called the spiritual realm.
4. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
This video taught me that not only was religion important to how art has evolved into what it is today, but also education, and preservation.  Without the monks so many of the ancient transcripts we have today would be only guessed or wondered about, we would not have them to know what they are or what they said.

More Human Than Human
2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
-throughout history the human body has been portrayed in stylistic, idealized, and realistically
-although the way it has been portrayed has changed it has always been portrayed
-exaggeration of body parts by ancient artist may not have only been stylistic but they could also have been biological
-ancient artifacts are being studied by scientists in attempts to understand ancient cultures
3. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
This video took everything we learned in the text and brought it further.  It showed how there are studies going on today looking back at ancient art trying to understand trends in art and what was in the minds of the ancient cultures that created them.
4. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
This film explored the portrayal of the human body in much more detail than the text, showing just how it has changed over time (Greek) and how in some cultures it stayed consistent (Egypt) to how today it has changed yet again.

Video Review

Prairie Style
1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
-Frank Lloyd Wright created  a new type of architecture called prairie style
-Prairie style architecture is characterized by:
-horizontal planes
-natural transitions into the natural environment
-low ceilings
-lots of windows
-covered porches/patios
2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
This gave us a very deep perspective into a specific style of architecture created by Frank Lloyd Wright.  We were able to see examples of multiple homes he created and pretty much take virtual tours of the homes, also we heard the opinions of other experts and architects as well as those living in homes he's created.
3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of Architecture?
I like the films, I think I was able to learn a lot more about architecture than in the reading because of what I could see.  It wasn't just hearing people say that Wright used horizontal banding or built to emphasize the environment not separate from it, but I was able to see these examples.


Architecture: The Science of Design
1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
-skyscrapers are not only built up, but they also have extensive underground structure (foundations)
-skyscrapers actually move due to wind, their movement is limited and measured yes, but even the best built skyscrapers sway

-computers are being placed in homes to control electrical settings
2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
 In this case the video definitely added a shock factor, and alot more interest to what we learned in the text.  Showing the information via video is more interesting and easier to pay attention to than text and on top of that showing things like how skyscrapers sway gets viewers interested and I know it definitely stayed in my interest longer.

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of Architecture?
I liked seeing the actual wind tunnel testing on skyscraper models take place, that is something that even if you read about you would definitely not have the same understanding or appreciation for it without seeing it.


Classical Architecture
1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
characteristics of classical architecture:
-harmony
-balance
-proportion
-columns
-domes
2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
The video enables us to see what it is the text is telling us about.  It is (obviously) very visual and seeing examples of what we learn about gives us another perspective.

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of Architecture?
This film showed how classical architecture has been around throughout the ages, used by the Greeks and Romans thousands of years ago and still used for monuments and important buildings today.


Last Call for Plant Earth: Sustainable Development and Architecture
1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
The way we have been building in recent years has not been energy efficient and can be modified in many ways such as:
-ventilation
-underfloor heating and cooling

-using ambient light
-better insulation
-using passive sunlight

-living roofs

-reusing materials/old building instead of building entirely new ones

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
The video went into a lot more depth about this subject than the book did, I think this is because it is a relatively new discipline.
3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of Architecture?
This film was particularly interesting to me because it shows how dynamic architecture is and how it is changing as our world is changing.  People are seeing in the environment that there is a need for change and now changes are being researched, developed and implemented.

Installation Art

Step 3:
A.  Installation art is hard for me to define; so taking influence from the definitions in the book and in the video I believe what can be defined about installation art is that it takes up a place and a space, it is three dimensional.
B.  Installation art is not limited by materials, it can be made up of anything.
C. Installation art is chosen over other forms of art to get the viewers to interact with the art work.
D.  I found Marchel Duchamp's views on art and installations interesting because his use of everyday objects caused a great deal of controversy with other artists yet he continued to use them in way that made them art.

Step 4:

A. I feel a connection with a lot of the pieces in the, but one that stood out to me was

B. The theme that I would like to explore in my installation is self.

C.  To do so I plan on using objects that I use to get ready everyday, the things I use to give my self an appearance I am proud of and the image of myself that is most seen and that I use to define myself.

D. I plan on setting this installation in either my bedroom in front of my mirror where I get ready and because it is the most personal place to me in this house, or in the bathroom because that is another common place that I get my self ready in the morning.

4. The subject matter of my installation is cosmetics, and other items used to alter your appearance.  There is makeup, tanning lotion, hair spray, colored contact lenses, accessories, etc. These items are loosely arranged in the order they are used and what part of the body they are used with.
5.  I think the main principle that stands out in my picture is unity.  This is because as much as these items all look and are so different and might seem randomly arranged, when you look at them closer and see what they really are you know that they are unified together.
6. I think that so far out of all of the hands on projects that I have done for this class the process of planning and creating a site specific installation has been the most involved.  It took a lot more thought, time, planning and trial and error type trials and then changes than any of the other projects so far. 

Reviewing Peer Responses

The blogs I reviewed were:
Lauren's Blog
AED200 online
1.  I definitely saw and agreed with the elements and principles that the artists listed with pictures.  Without even explanation it is so easy to see the same thing that others saw and that makes me think that these elements and principles definitely run true as guidelines because different people can see things in the same way.
2.  Neither of the blogs I looked at had any of the same images I did, because I went to a different art gallery than I did.  I like the fact that there were different art works than I had because I was exposed to a lot more art than I would have been if I had gone to the same art gallery as the ones I selected.  On the other hand, I would've been interested to see if people had picked the same works as me if they went to the same gallery and for the same categories, like which you want to know more about, etc.
3.  Lauren selected an art piece Jakob/Big Psycho VIII by Erwin Wurm that really took my interest.  From her photo I can tell it is a color sculpture that is quite abstract.  I wonder what it is that the sculpture is supposed to represent and if Lauren got it right because her interpretation sits well with me.  Also, in the other blog I was really interested by the wall drawing by LeWitt.  The artist mentioned that the drawing is made up of all of little scribbles and drawings so I really would like to see it close up!
4.  I enjoyed reading my peers reflections because it shows you the perspective of other people and what they are getting from this course, which in turn helps you to reflect even more on what you are getting from the course.  Also, knowing other peoples perspectives helps you to be more understanding and more tolerant of others views and opinions and is a good skill to have in life.
5.  I like the comments on my blog because I like to know that my images not only mean something to me but other people can get something from my perspective and opinions, too, which makes me feel like a good contributer to this class.

Through the Eyes of  a Sculptor
1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
-perspective is important in restorative sculpture (to put the restorers in the mind set of the original artists who created the work being restored)
-to create a sculpture a lot of planning must be done; and these plans can include sketching, modeling and even creating molds
-picking the proper medium and perfect piece of quarry marble is important to the process of creating sculptures
-geometric shapes are heavily relied on for sculpting

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
 This video supplemented what was read about in the text adding the perspective of a particular sculpture who was able to share his passion through showing and explaining what it is he does  and how he does it when he creates his sculptures and restores those of others.

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the topics: Sculpture, Installation, and Craft?
This film adds a lot of depth to my understanding of sculpture because seeing something done gives you so much more perspective about the subject and those who make a living by sculpting.

Glass and Ceramics
1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
-there are many different kinds of glass that you can create by adding minerals, metals and other materials
-glass blowing and stained glass are very different techniques
-glass work is more than craft and fine art, it has also been used more frequently in structural and architectural work of recent
-ceramics are extremely strong and extremely heat resistant
-ceramics can be used for prosthesis
-ceramics are much lighter than metal

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
I liked how this video added to the modern day applications of these art and craft techniques.

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the topics: Sculpture, Installation, and Craft?
This video specifically adds depth to my understanding of craft; specifically glass and ceramic work.  Seeing these techniques of glass blowing and heating and cooling ceramics show just how precise these techniques are and the skill needed to be used to be successful with them.

Installation Art
1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
-installation art is hard to define; it incorporates as many forms of art as the artist is moved to incorporate and in whatever way he or she is moved to do so
2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
I feel like the text did not give me a clear enough definition of installation art, I wasn't sure I quite understood it even after doing the reading but after the video I feel like there was a reason for my uncertainty because installation art is hard to define. The video made me feel a little more comfortable with my understanding by showing me that installation art can be used to describe a plethora of art works.
3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the topics: Sculpture, Installation, and Craft?
I learned that there is not one set of guidelines for this type of art it can be many different things and it can include many different things, and it can be one of  the most unique forms of art in my opinion.