AED 200 Reflection

This course was not what I expected it to be when I first signed up.  I was surprised to learn there was more to art then I originally thought.  Art uses different elements to capture a moment or express emotion.  Artists use line, shape, color, value, texture, movement, etc. in their works to convey meaning.  I don't think I named a favorite artist in the beginning of this course, but I really enjoy the work of Charles Burchfield.  There are definitely some positive and negative aspects of taking an online course.  For example being able to do the work on my own schedule was great, but sometimes the amount of work that needed to be done was a bit overwhelming.

Art Curator Exhibition Project

For this project I chose to use landscapes.  The reason I chose that topic was because I could use a variety of landscapes to make up the exhibit.  The variety of types of landscapes in the images I chose is what helped me come up with the name.  Changing Landscapes puts together all different kinds of landscapes and makes them work together.  I enjoyed creating this slideshow because I got to look at a bunch of different works of art and find a way to make them work together.

Exploring Line

It was interesting using my hand as a subject to draw and not just an instrument for drawing.  I chose to use a pencil because I thought it would be easier to hold in my left hand because I am right hand dominant.  It was much more difficult to draw with my non-dominant hand than with my dominant hand.  I think my drawings clearly show a difference between the control of my left and right hands.  I don’t think I would use my non-dominant hand to create art in the future just because it was uncomfortable to draw with my left hand.

Video Review

The videos I chose were Velazquez and Albrect Durer: Image of a Master.  I chose both videos randomly.  In the first video they expanded on some of the new renaissance ideas mentioned in the book.  They talked about the life and painting style of the artist Velazquez.  I found this video to be kind of dull and boring.  The second video was about the life of Albrect Durer and his art.  He painted self-portraits and incorporated landscapes of places he’d visited into the background.  This style of art is like one of the styles discussed in the book.  Rococo art works are similar to Albrect Durer’s self-portraits because they include lighter pastel colors.  This video was also not very interesting.

Architecture Video Review

Last Call for Planet Earth Video:

1. In this video I learned that there are many new and innovative ideas that modern architects have/are developing that could help maintain a healthy natural environment.  Some of the concepts they discussed involved heating and cooling buildings naturally using vents and cold/hot water.  One technique they went into detail about involved insulating the floor and pumping cold or hot water into pipes underneath to warm the floor.  Another interesting idea they discussed involved using skylights to naturally light a subway station that ran under a park. 

2.  This video related to the chapter 13 readings because the book also talked about environmentally friendly architecture, or “green architecture”.  This was discussed in the book as well as the video.  The video went into much greater detail and gave many more examples.  The video also showed us several different architects that specialize in green architecture.  They explained even further the benefits of making buildings environmentally friendly.

3.  I thought this film was lengthy but interesting.  They expanded further on topics mentioned in the chapter 13 readings.  The video taught me there is a lot more to architecture then I originally thought.  Also they listed many ways to make a building environmentally friendly without rebuilding it.  For example, ensuring windows and doors are properly insulated can save a lot of energy from escaping the building.

4.  I chose this film because the title sounded interesting.


Imperial Rome, Ostia, and Portus: Ancient Architecture and Technology Video:

1.  I found it interesting that the video said Roman architecture was developed from the ideas of the people they conquered.  Roman architects adapted local architecture techniques and incorporated the new ideas into their own designs.  Also, Roman architects seemed concerned with making their structures work with the natural environment they would be built in.  The aqueduct was built to work with the hilly landscape it would run through.

2.  This video relates to the beginning of the chapter 13 reading.  In chapter 13 they discus the advancements of Roman and Greek architects.  The video goes into further detail and gets more specific about the kind of materials used in building and various types of structures that were built in ancient Rome.

3.  This video was not as interesting as the first one, but still mentioned some interesting facts not spoken of in the textbook.  For example, Romans didn’t necessarily develop their ideas of architecture without help.  The video says that Romans adopted the architectural styles of areas they conquered and adapted them to fit Roman style.

4.  I chose this film because the title caught my attention.  Also, from the title of the video I could tell this would relate well back to the text.

Video Review

1.     In the video Through the Eyes of a Sculptor they discuss the process of creating a marble sculpture.  The process required a lot more work then I would have thought.  First the artist has to create a clay version of what they want the marble sculpture to look like.  After they are satisfied with the clay representation they create a mold using silicon and plaster.  When the mold is finished, it is removed from they clay and filled with plaster.  This plaster representation of the sculpture is then sent to a workshop that specializes in creating marble sculptures.  From there the artist chooses the block of marble they believe works for the piece.  Someone working in the workshop then carves away the big chunks of marble to create a basic shape of the sculpture.  When this step is finished another person carves the basic details out of the marble until the artist is satisfied and is ready to finish.  The artist takes over the sculpting process when they feel ready and carve the final details.  When they are satisfied they sometimes file down areas on the statue they want to smooth chisel marks out of.  The sculpture is finished when the artist believes there is nothing more they can do to improve the piece. 

The second video discussed glass blowing and creating ceramics.  Glass is created from melted down sand and minerals.  The artist uses a hollow pole to pick up some of the molten glass.  They blow in the opening as they shape the molten glass how they want.  The glass is repeatedly returned to the fire so it is easy to manipulate, and so when it cools the molecular structure is stable enough to handle changes in temperature.  Ceramics are created from clay that is fired in a kiln and painted with glaze to keep moisture out.  There are a few different processes for creating ceramics.  The temperature that the clay is fired at determines how hard or fragile the final product is.  Also the material the clay is made out of determines how hard the fired ceramic piece is.  One way to create a ceramic work is simply to mold it out of clay.  Another way to create a ceramic piece is using silt, which is watered down clay, and pouring it into a mold that absorbs the extra water.  This leaves behind a clay figure in the mold that can be glazed and fired. 

2.     Both videos related to the readings because the readings discussed the processes mentioned in the videos in much more detail.  Also, they show more examples and related techniques.  For example, the first video showed us the process of creating a marble statue of the human body.  Chapter 11 discusses the many different types of sculpting like low relief and high relief sculptures, and also goes into further detail of the processes of modeling, casting, carving, and assembling.

3.     I liked both of the films because they taught me something new.  The film on sculpture showed how the artist sometimes has to plan their work around the area it will be placed in.  The artist in the first video shows us his sculpture of two horses and a man he created out of marble for a fountain.  He goes over the process of placing the piece and describes how it connects to similar pieces in the same area.

Blog Reviews

http://aed200nicolejasz.blogspot.com

http://stocksj01.blogspot.com

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?

Yes, I think both of the artists of these blogs did a great job with representing the elements and principles.  You can definitely see other elements and principles represented in the images because more than one element and principle make up any piece of art work.

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?

No there were not any images the same as my own on my peers blogs.  The reasoning is most likely that I went to an art museum in a different area than where the other students went.

3. 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?

Yes there were a few images on each of the blogs I reviewed that caught my interest.  Specifically, on the blog aed200nicolejasz I liked the piece Contact by Ali Banisadr.  I like this piece because it has very vivid colors and easily caught my attention.

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

I found it helpful to read my peers reflections because they reinforced that I was doing the assignments correctly.  Sometimes with art it can be difficult to interpret into something that can be graded because art is expressive.  However it was a little difficult finding a blog from my classmates that included the assignments.

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

Yes I found the comments helpful and hope my classmates did as well.