Module 13/14 Videos Review

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

“The Lowdown on Lowbrow: West Coast Pop Art”

•  Lowbrow was used originally by an artist Robert Williams and it used to mean lacking taste. It now has developed to have a meaning of its own
•  The dominating art from in the 1950s and 1960s was abstract expressionism. In the 1960s rock posters used several visual psychedelic colorful images combined with lowbrow images. They were shown in Europe during this time, but the U.S. refused to include them in any museums. It was perceived as art by “hippies on drugs”.  
•   Lowbrow always contains a narrative pun, where there is dynamics and always something happening in the art
• These types of artists had complete freedom to create art that doesn’t necessarily provoke thoughts from the viewers.
• The internet brought an awareness of new styles of art such as lowbrow.
•   In the late 70s, punk rock musicians became widely popular, and all these musicians had a fine arts background. Lowbrow art was expressed in record covers, rock band flyers, etc. Several times the musicians would be the ones designing the record covers, which allowed for millions of people to be exposed to their art when they purchased the records
• The Lowbrow movement blew up when a curator in 1986 began showing these types of art that are selling for much more money than art used to. 
• Over the past few years, lowbrow’s genre has changed and several art galleries are now open to showcase them

“An Acquiring Mind: Philippe de Montebello and The Metropolitan”

• The Met opened in 1870 with several European and Dutch paintings, but eventually the collection grew to represent all cultures and works of art 
•   Any work of art being considered to put on play in a museum must be approved by the director. Montebello has turned down several artworks he is unimpressed with.  A private employee meeting is held for the curators to present their findings in 5 minutes.
• It is difficult to eliminate personal taste completely as an art curator, but it is important to remain objective
• Curators are a part of portraying history, especially in the Met. There are nearly 100 curators and curator assistants who enhance and add to the Met’s collection.   
• When a museum acquires a work of art, it is the beginning of the discovery process.  Many works have been purchased for display without knowing anything about the artworks, like the country they were created in, who created it or who (if it’s a person) the art is portraying
•  Art conservation is crucial to the preservation of art history for the world. Sign of age is desired, and the art is not intended to look new or in perfect condition.
• The Met has one of the largest collections 17^th century Italian baroque paintings, and over half of them were acquired under the curatorship of Montebello
• Exhibitions planned in the Met all have themes. The can be large or small, broad, centered on an artist, movement, or time period

2.       Do the videos relate to the creation of your Art Exhibition project? If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.

 

The videos relate to the Art Exhibition project because they feature interviews from art curators as well as assistants that help explain the job of an art curator. The interviews explain certain artworks and how they fit a theme or represent a time period. The videos show different artworks in exhibitions that center around a theme, and the curator explains how the piece was acquired and why it was needed for that exhibition.

3.       What is your opinion of the films? Do they add depth to understanding of the art concepts you practiced while creating your curation project?

I thought the videos were helpful in explaining what an art curator or an art curator assistant does when creating or adding to an exhibit. I thought the video about the Metropolitan Museum explained art curation in better detail and I was able to gather more information and ideas for themes for my art curation project.

Module 12: Video Reviews

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

I selected the videos “Andy Warhol: Images of an Image” and “Uncertainty: Modernity and Art” because they seemed to be the most interesting out of the selection. I have heard of Andy Warhol and know he is very famous as a pop art artist, but I do not know much about his work. 

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

Video 1: “Andy Warhol: Images of an Image”

·         Andy Warhol never wanted to be an artist growing up, and worked as a commercial artist up until the 1960s for advertising companies.

·         In 1962, Marilyn Monroe died, and Warhol created a whole series of Marilyn silk images, and these works made him famous. Eventually he was interested in another famous actress Elizabeth Taylor, and produced another silk image of her, and news stories revolving around her life.

·         Warhol constantly created works that repeated a cropped image over and over, eventually overlapping the images at the end of the work.

·         Warhol used silk screen printing to mass produce paintings to bring in more money, as he was very focused on becoming rich. Silk screen printing allowed his assistants or anyone else to help reproduce the images, and he didn’t have to work on the image every single time. He took Polaroid pictures of people, including his friends, and turned them into silk screen imagery.

·         Warhol bought a movie camera in 1963 and filmed hundreds of his friends in movies. He was obsessed by the idea of celebrities.

·         He also published his own magazine.

·         He became an international superstar by the 1970s. Rich clients would come to Warhol to pay for their portrait images.

 “Uncertainty: Modernity and Art”

·         The Industrial Revolution began to change man and machines, and modern life emerged. At this time, modern art was created.

·         The future civilizations will look back on our art and see a complete change in society and a break in art from the past. Most modern art is questioning and full of uncertainty.

·         Modern art began in the 19^th century and shows reality trembling, and reality completely transformed in the 20^th century.

·         Distortion appears to give new life old forms in modern art

·         Abstract Art is hard to understand and determine the meaning of a work of art. It is usually bigger and bolder.

·         Our museums are filled with uncertain modern images, rather than war heroes like museums in the past.

·         Consumerism has influenced Modern Art, and was first expressed in Pop Art. Pop Art expressed how we should live our lives in regards to our values constantly changing. As the world becomes more interconnected, people are becoming disconnected with themselves and how they should live their lives. Rather than turning to Greek Gods or art for the answers as we have in the past, we turn to advertisements. Shopping is how we attempt to find what we need to live our lives.

·         Religion is expressed differently in Modern Art, as it is known that every person does not believe in the same higher power, if any nowadays.

·         Any style or subject is acceptable in modern art and art now is a mass fascination. 

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

In Chapter 22, there is an artist section on page 508 that pertains to Andy Warhol. This section details his past and the video correlates this information in greater detail. The second video discusses how modern art is completely different from art in the past, and it reflects the changes that civilization has gone through industrially, and religiously. The text discusses modern art, pop art, and abstract art but the videos reiterate information while enhancing the material.

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

I enjoyed these videos because they were more informational than the text in regards to modern art now. It was interesting to see the reasoning for the huge change in art from the past to art now. It was a concept I had always wondered about but never knew why. I also liked that the video on Andy Warhol detailed the reading in the text by emphasizing his famous works, and discussing them and how they were made. Both of the videos were helpful in highlighting the themes of the chapters in this module in more detail with specific examples.

Module 11: Video Reviews

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

I selected the videos ‘The Mystical North: Spanish Art from the 19^th Century to Present’ and ‘Dada and Surrealism’, because they seemed the most interesting. I also wanted to know more about Spanish Art, and was curious about Surrealism concepts.

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

Video 1: ‘The Mystical North: Spanish Art from the 19^th Century to Present

·         Goya is known as one of the fathers of modern art. He developed a dark, grotesque style after he was contracted a very serious illness that left him deaf

·         Goya painted a collection of paintings known as the black paintings. They were black in color and full of despair, death and dark themes. After these paintings were created, he lost his sight, and died.

·         In the start of the 20^th century, Antoni Gaudi, an architect, was the first great artist to emerge in Spain since Goya. Gaudi was the opposite of Goya. He created bright, beautiful mosaics that were inspired by God and Catholic past, and inspired future art.  

·         Picasso was inspired by time he spent in Spain, and his sexual experiences there.

·         Cubism was the coldest part of Picasso’s work, and was also largely inspired by the Catholic past. The faces he painted often resembled African Masks.

·         Spanish artists typically looked elsewhere for spiritual nourishment. Surrealism explored the mythic world, the mind, and dreams.

·         Dali visions were sharp, absurd and morbid. He claimed his museum was the world’s largest surrealist object, when really it is like a giant museum arcade. Dali gave us the language of dreams, and self-exploration. Dali made a painting of a civil war in 1936 that ended up being a prediction of a Civil War in Spain.

·         Picasso created Guernica, once again being drawn back to the religious past of Spain.

·         After the Civil War ended and the leader Franca died, art changed. Architecture was believed to hold the future for Spanish art in the beginning of the 21^st century.

Video 2: ‘Dada and Surrealism’

·         Schwitters began including elements of collage into his works in 1918. At the end of the World War, Dada was seen everywhere, but Schwitter did not believe that the technique was for him. He attempted to oppose the Dadaists with his works, although he is seen as one now. He founded a magazine Merz, as a way to display his works, eventually leading to all kinds of different elements being shown.

·         Hannah Hoch created art that was colorful, chaotic and scandalous, and was one of the last Dada artists. She created art with a focus on politics.

·         Grosz gained several enemies by creating his art, as he focused on subject matter like the dehumanization of the modern city or the methods of entrepreneurs or the schemes of politicians.

·         Joan Miro recreated a 17^th century painting as a parody. He played an important part of 20^th century surrealism painting with an emphasis on sheer visual poetry in his paintings.

·         Dali was a master of psychological suspense and studied the dream interpretations of Freud and patient records. He saw his pictures as allegories of psychoanalyses.

·         Man Ray was one of the Dadaists, but joined the Surrealists in Paris. He never wanted to paint anything realistic or descriptive. He was more interested in the idea of the painting than the actual painting itself.

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

The videos relate to the readings in the text by highlighting similar concepts and themes. The section in Chapter 21 regarding Dada and Surrealism focuses on a few artists and their famous works of art that are also mentioned in the video. The video discussed other artists not mentioned in this section, and broke down a work of art into complete detail. Chapter 21 focuses on the modern world of art from 1800-1945, and the first video showed how art had changed over this time period. For example, many artists were influenced artistically by Spain during this time, even if they were from a different country.

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

I enjoyed that the videos discussed topics presented in the text in more detail. For example, the second video about Dada and Surrealism had separate segments that spent time talking about one specific painting in great detail. The narrator discussed the work of art and certain principles and elements the artist used to indicate an idea. I found this break down of concepts helpful, as it is easier than reading about it, and I think it will help me interpret art in the future.

Art Gallery Visit #2

Step 1: The Exhibition

Questions about the exhibit:

1. What is the title of the exhibit?

The title of the exhibition I visited at Albright-Knox Art Gallery is "Picturing Niagara". 
   

2. What is the theme of the exhibition?

The theme of this exhibition is the awe inspiring beauty of Niagara Falls, that has been captured over the years. In the 18th and 19th century, Niagara Falls was recognized as a symbol of the country's distinct natural heritage, and artists traveled to capture the  natural wonder.

Step 2: The Gallery

Questions about the physical space:

1. What type of lighting is used?
The lighting used in the exhibition was recessed lighting that was angled at each particular artwork.


2. What colors are used on the walls?
 The walls were painted completely white, and free from any other items and elements besides the artworks in the exhibition.

3. What materials are used in the interior architecture of the space?
The interior architecture in the space of the exhibition was lacking architecture, and was very plain. The stark white walls and recessed lighting were pretty much the extent of the architecture. On other floors of the art gallery, there were architectural beams and elements to enhance a historical feel, however the location of this particular exhibition was the opposite. The artworks were simply hanging on the walls with no other elements.

4. How is the movement of the viewer through the gallery space?
The gallery space where the exhibition was located allowed the viewers to move down both sides of a long hall to examine each artwork. The viewer is able to move in a line down the hall, focusing only on the artworks hanging as there are no other architecture to experience. 

Step 3: The Artwork

Questions about the artwork:

  

1. How are the artworks organized?

The artworks in this exhibition are organized in chronological order of the date they were

created.  

2. How are the artworks similar?

The artworks are similar in regards to theme, and what is shown in each. For example, every

piece of art in the exhibition displays Niagara Falls, just slightly different. Most of the

artworks are framed, besides a few.

3. How are the artworks different?

The artworks are different as each artist had a different style and interpretation of the Falls.

There are several different mediums the artists used to create the artworks. The exhibition

included artworks created using oil on canvas, oil on panel, watercolor on paper,

polished mixed media on canvas, and chromogenic color print. The frames used on each

artwork also differ, as some are metal, wooden, copper piping, or frame less.

4. How are the artworks framed? 

Most of the artworks are framed with large wooden frames or metal frames. One artwork is
framed with copper piping and faucets

5. How are the artworks identified and labeled?

The artworks are identified by artist if known, title, medium used, date created, how they

were acquired by the Gallery, and sometimes with a brief description/history. This
information can be found on a plaque directly next to the artwork. Some of the frames on
certain artworks contain a nameplate with the Title, Year and Artist name.

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

The artworks are equally spaced from one another on the wall, lining down the hall in the
gallery. There is a few feet in between each artwork, allowing several viewers to browse the
exhibition at one time.

Step 4: Art Criticism Exercise

Art Criticism: Describing, Analyzing, and Interpreting Artwork (3 Artworks)

Artwork #1

Artist: Frank C. Moore

Title of work: Niagara

Media: Oil on Canvas

Date: 1994-1995 

Size: Framed: 60 x 96 1/4 inches  

Source of picture (URL): https://www.albrightknox.org/artworks/19952-niagara 

Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)? 

The subject matter of this artwork is a realistic version of Niagara Falls, shown from an outside viewer's perspective, with environmental and healthcare concern depicted. There is the shoulder and arm of a person with a Panasonic video camera that appears to be capturing the scenery. There is also a large whirlpool boat located at the bottom of the Falls. Upon looking closer to the piece, there are scientific icons of bacterial, fungal, and chemical molecules painted in the water and the mist. The frame of the canvas is copper piping with faucets.

Formal analysis – (form)  What principles and elements were used and how are they used?

Moore used several different elements and principles in this painting. Color is used in the

painting, to distinguish different colors in the water and sky. Different values of intense
color are used to add depth to certain areas of the water, as well as show the viewer the areas
of mist from the waterfall and boat jets. Texture is also visible in this painting as Moore
painted the mist in a way that appears to be light and steamy, as it would look in real life.
 Lines are used very vividly, creating sharp images and shapes, that enhance movement
through the piece. Movement is the most obvious principle depicted, as the water appears as
if it is moving throughout the entire piece. The water current appears to be creating waves at
the top of the Falls, flowing down, and rippling/circling around the whirlpool jet boat. The
steam also portrays movement, as it gathers at the bottom of the Falls and moves upward in
an implied line. The movement helps the viewers' eyes move through out the painting. 
Moore also used proportion in this piece, as the whirlpool jet boat and the person are scaled
appropriately in relation to Niagara Falls

Bracketing - Is there anything in or about this work that reminds you of anything else? Do you see any symbols, metaphors, or allegories?  (iconography) 

 The symbols/molecules Moore used in the mist and water, can be interpreted as an allegory for environmental concerns. They reminded me of the saying that things are not always as they appear. For example, at first glance, the painting looks like a simple painting of Niagara Falls, but upon closer look, the symbols can be seen. This can be a representation that people are not always aware of what is going on in the world around them, even if it is as important as water supply, until they do their own research and gain knowledge about them. The person painted in this piece could also be a symbol for the average person, who is uninformed about ugly information in the world, because they are focusing on capturing the beauty. The copper piping and faucets that frame the painting act as a metaphor for humanity's donation of natural resources, suggesting that the Falls can be turned on and off like a tap.

Interpretation - (content)  What do you think the artist was trying to say? 

I think Moore was trying to express his environmental concerns in this painting. He used several metaphors and allegories for these concerns. I think that he was trying to bring about awareness to the water quality of the Niagara River, and how the industries that surround it impact it. Moore dedicated his practice to exploring the connections between health and ecology, and upon revisiting this natural wonder of the world he was fond of as a child, I think he wanted to share his concerns and newfound knowledge with his viewers.

 

Artwork #2

Artist: Stephen Hannock

Title of work: The Great Falls at Dawn for Xu Bing

Media: Polished Mixed Media on Canvas

Date: 2013

Size: Support: 72 1/2 x 144 1/2 inches 

Source of picture (URL): https://www.albrightknox.org/artworks/201716-great-falls-xu-bing-massmoca-180

Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)? 

The subject matter of this artwork is a realistic version of Niagara Falls, shown from a
perspective below the falls, looking up to the falling water. The water is falling over large cliff
rocks with greenery on them, as well as trees and additional greenery that can be seen at the
top of the falls. Upon closer look, inscriptions of Hannock's thoughts and pictures of
sculptures and people can be seen on the cliffs. The canvas is not framed at all.

Formal analysis – (form)  What principles and elements were used and how are
they used?

Hannock uses several elements in this artwork such as lines, form, color, and texture. The
lines in this piece are used to emphasize movement of the water, as well as distinguish
different shapes and forms. The cliff rocks are depicted in a way that appear to have
dimension. Texture can be seen in the water, as it falls down the cliffs, and ripple as if they
were really moving. The color of the water enhances the texture, as the white mist looks as if
it were really foaming or cascading down. Many principles can be seen such as rhythm,
movement and proportion. The rhythm of the water and mist cascading down the falls
enhances the water's movement. The appearance of water flow in this piece also helps guide 
the viewer's eye through the artwork. The contrasting color of the water and the cliff's
greenery also place focus onto certain areas of the piece. The falls are portrayed in relevant
proportion to the imagery, and at an appropriate angle for a person who would be viewing it
from the bottom.

Bracketing - Is there anything in or about this work that reminds you of anything else? Do you see any symbols, metaphors, or allegories?  (iconography) 

 I interpret the inscriptions and pictures seen on the cliffs as a symbol of Niagara Falls and its part of history in the world. For example, Niagara Falls is one of the world's natural wonders, that was formed hundreds and hundreds of years ago, which makes it a large part of our history. Hannock placed inscriptions of past artistic sculptures and experiences into the cliffs, to help demonstrate the idea that our personal experiences or historical art, is such a small part of the world and its contents, such as Niagara Falls.

Interpretation - (content)  What do you think the artist was trying to say? 

I think Hannock was trying to draw new perceptions of the environment and reclaim art history in this piece. He included reproductions of works from artists who have concentrated on Niagara Falls, and inscriptions  of myths and oral histories. He was trying to bring this past art history to the surface again by including it in what can be considered a traditional subject matter over the years.

Artwork #3

Artist: Harry Fenn

Title of work: The Horseshoe Falls from the Three Sisters

Media: Watercolor on Paper

Date: 1893

Size: Sheet: 14 x 10 inches 

Source of picture (URL): https://www.albrightknox.org/artworks/1964152-horseshoe-falls-three-sisters

 

Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)? 

The subject matter of this artwork are the rapid waters of Horseshoe Falls, the largest of the
three waterfalls that form Niagara Falls. There are a few bare trees painted as well as a rock
containing some greenery. The leaves and greenery is sparse. Their appears to be mist
forming in the background of the painting, and water crashing rapidly against the elements.
The artwork is encompassed by a picture mat, and framed by a skinny, metal, gold frame.

Formal analysis – (form)  What principles and elements were used and how
are they used?

Fenn used color, line, shape, and texture in this artwork. The lines he used are two
dimensional, which enhance the principle of shape in the piece, as the trees and other
images are not appear 3 dimensional. The trees are painted with lines that help imitate
branches, and greenery. The contrasting values of color in this painting help determine
different items like the water, trees, and mist. The painting is black and white, so the value
of color is crucial to understanding the imagery. Texture can be seen in the rapid waters as it
appears as if it were actually splashing, and that the mist is actually rising in the
background. The principles that are present in this painting are contrast, movement and
unity. The contrasting values of black, white and gray place emphasis on the different areas
and items in nature presented in the artwork. Movement can be seen in the waters, as action
is appearing to take place. Similarly to texture, the movement of the waters seems realistic.

Bracketing - Is there anything in or about this work that reminds you of anything else? Do you see any symbols, metaphors, or allegories?  (iconography) 

 The dark blacks and grays used to portray the trees, sparseness of the greenery and leaves on the trees can by a symbol for death. They appear as if are dying, whether that be for seasonal changes or other factors. This symbolization of death can relate to the danger of the falls. The current and rapids are so strong and powerful that all that surrounds them may not survive. The mist rising can be interpreted as trying to "escape" this death/danger.

Interpretation - (content)  What do you think the artist was trying to say? 

I think Fenn was trying to portray this particular part of Niagara Falls in a different way than the other artists. Most artists in the exhibition painted in color, and enhanced the natural beauty of the falls. However, Fenn took a different approach as he focused on the dangerous and dark elements of the falls. The torrents are moving harsh and rapidly, and the trees appear sharp and bare, which is Fenn's way of creating awareness to the danger of Niagara Falls.

Answer this question:What did you think of visiting the Gallery and purposefully looking at the exhibition from a different perspective - the physical space, the architecture, theme, etc.?

 I enjoyed visiting the Gallery and focusing on one specific exhibition. It was less overwhelming to focus on an exhibition with a strong theme. It was helpful to understand how the architecture and physical space surrounding the exhibition can contribute to the viewer's experience and interpretation of the artworks.