Mid Term Break

STUDY...RELAX...TAKE A BREAK.

Blog Post #4

Up to this point we have looked at mediums, material usage, artists, Formalism, and a broad understanding of our current perception of art and how it is defined. The second half of this course will deal with more complex and specific frameworks that involve contemporary art. We will also be reading chapter 4 of your text to further help us understand how we, the viewer, come to derive meaning from works of art.

On Monday we will watch Janine Antoni on art21 and she wonders if the viewer would be able to pick up bits of the stories, that she felt were embedded in the materials she used. She talks about her work and the underlying ideas and symbolisms behind them. When we see objects like Ms. Antoni's "Eureka",which is actually a bathtub filled with lard that she made an impression of her body in, we often wonder...what is this?...why would anybody do this?...and is this really art?! But, hearing her explanation and how it is related to a story about Archimedes, we understand the piece more and also accept the piece as what constitutes art.

Currently in Kipp Gallery, just outside our doors, we have an exhibition by Clayton Merrell. In Mr. Merrell's own words, he says the work is "landscape painting" and "hopes that the viewer will be a little confused and begin to ask questions". During my installation of this exhibition with Mr. Merrell and from hearing his lectures, I came to understand how the formal qualities of his work are tied directly to the content. I would like all of us to explore this exhibition, think about all the elements that make this work up, and use it as a point of discussion on the blog and also for some carry over into our class. As we talked about, meaning changes by the way we encounter art work, and for many of us, we only see art as images on pages or computer screens, so lets take advantage of this exhibition...please take the time to visit the gallery and look at the installation yourself and then respond to one or more of the questions below.

When you visited the gallery did you understand what the artist was trying to communicate, or what the art work was about...the content?

Does the written word add to the public's experience of art? What helped you in this specific installation?

Is something written that accompanies the art work necessary?Do writings, like an artist statement or explanation on a wall, limit our experiences in an exhibition? How?

Once you understood the content of the installation were you more interested?
What aspects of this installation did you find interesting...formal qualities?...content?...material use?

Did the exhibit appeal to you in an aesthetic way?

Blog Post #3

In the past couple classes you have been introduced to the basic art elements and the principles in which they are composed, structured or organized into a work of art. We have seen that these concepts within the language of art are arranged into a composition so that they can make sense to the viewers. These elements and principles are the visual tools that an artist uses to lead the viewer's eye around an art work. Looking at art through this particular framework is called Formalism. In Formalism you are concerned with only the visual elements of a work of art.

Although contemporary art relies on frameworks that are attached to much more conceptual issues, it is still valid (and a great place to start) to recognize the strictly visual elements and principles that the artist has employed. There are many artists who believe that understanding the formal elements leads to understanding the content and other deeper conceptual ideas about a work of art.

In your text book, chapter 2, you will find a list of 6 questions(they are the same ones I had in my lecture) that I want you to use to help you respond to one of the pieces of art posted either above or below. Ask yourself one or more of these questions and respond to how the artist has used certain elements and principles. People are bound to see things differently so it is OK to respond differently to the same question that another has responded to. Sometimes, as I have seen from your many comments, it is easier to sit and think first, then answer the question in writing...this format allows that to happen...and in turn helps strengthen your ability to verbalize your ideas. Keep your list of elements and principles handy and visually observe the compositional structure of one of the pieces...comment by using one or more of the questions from the book or make your own observations. Be brave...help yourself as you help others through your comments. The images can be seen larger by clicking on them. ...Top image: Jeff Koons...in order of appearance: Frank Stella, Georgia O'Keeffe, Wendy Walgate, Barry mcGee..google these artists if more info is needed.

Artist Research Project

1) Find 5 works of art that interest you. These pieces can be any type of art work . 2-D, 3-D, Technology based, Nature based…the important part here is that these are 5 works of art that some how you identify with or react to in some way…This is a research based project.

2)Write a brief paragraph about each.

3) Also include a picture of each piece chosen.

The following information must be included within each paragraph:
a)Artist name
b)Medium
c)Material used in the work
d)Time period work was created in and or style
e)What makes the work interesting to you; explain why you chose that particular piece.

Due 2/9/09...all late papers will be graded down one letter grade...I will only accept papers one day late.