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

The two videos I watched this week were Albrecht Dürer: Image of a master and Velázquez. I decided to select theses two videos this week because they were the shortest and I did not have much extra time to watch any of the other longer videos this week. I really like learning about Michelangelo and the Renaissance is one of my favorite time eras and I would have really enjoyed watching those two videos this week.

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

Albrecht Dürer: Image of a master 

-Albrecht Dürer 1471-1528

-Dragged his outwork out of the middle ages in Germany

-Self portrait at age 13

-Enjoyed painting hands

-Mother had 18 children and buried 15 of them

-Very particular on the process of aging 

-Traveled to many cities viewing other artists studios

-In Venice he was a noble and at home he was a nobody

-A member of the council

-Engraved on copper instead of wood

Velázquez

-Born 1599 in Seville, Spain

-1623 appointed court painter to Philip IV 

-Died in 1660

-Captured elements that were timeless (moment, light, and air)

-Mostly used dark tones, not bright colors

-Painted only a few religious pieces all strictly on commission, he out classed religious painters 

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

The videos relate to the text by there were a few small sections on Velázquez and one of his paintings that had so much realistic elements in his painting such as the timeless elements that were mentioned above. When it comes to Albrecht Dürer there were also multiple sections that related to the video and a new piece of information I learned about him from the text that was not mentioned in the video was about typography which I had no knowledge of which was nice to learn about.

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

When it comes to Velázquez the film added more depth when it came to his paintings. In the text there was only one visual paining where the video had several paintings. We were able to see how not only he focused on portraits but also a few religious pieces as well which was nice to learn. When it comes to Albrecht Dürer video it really was nice to see all of the visual examples of his works which was lacking in the book but I had an in-depth learning about his typography work. Overall it was interesting to learn about these two artists which I had no knowledge of along with the impact they made on art history. 

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

Using my hands as subject matter was really interesting. I'm not that good at drawing so it was a bit of a challenge for me especially drawing my own hands vs. something that was visually still such as a vase with flowers in it where as my hands kept moving.

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

I used pencil as my media due to not having any charcoal which I would of much rather preferred but I did not have any time to go out and buy some.

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

It was difficult drawing with my non-dominant hand, I cannot do anything with my left hand so it was a challenge trying to move my hand in the directions that I needed to go but as an end result I feel as though I did better than I thought I would.

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

I feel as though my final drawings were successful studies. I have not drawn anything since my high school days and that was over six years ago so I feel as though even though my left hand was stronger than my right they turned out decently compared to each other. 

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

In the future I would not consider using my non-dominant hand to create any art work seeing how it was a struggle to do so for this assignment and I cannot function with my left hand especially when it comes to drawing and writing I cannot seem to tell my hand were to go very well at all.

Explain why you selected the video you choose from the selection listed above.

For my selection of the video I chose to watch The Greek Awakening: Art From the 5th Century BC because I really love the Greek culture and I personally feel as though they were well advanced in their art making. Today there are still Ancient Greek ruins standing to this very day along with statues that are still intact (although some rough around the edges with pieces missing) that resemble the art that we see today. I love learning about their culture, Ancient Gods, and their art has always amazed me with their clean lines and embellishments that are just extremely appealing to the eye and make you take in every single little detail. 

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

More Human than Human

- Art made us human not humans made art

-The human body inspires and manipulates us, no other image dominates our lives like this. All share do not resemble a human being but rather just the form that is made you can tell that it is a human even if legs are missing, just being a block, but have a head shape and body shape.

- North East Austria, during an excavation on August 7, 1908 a digger pulled a statute of a woman completely intact nearly 25,000 years old. This statue is the famous Venus of Willendorf which is pictured in almost every single art book.

- Culture is king, each human form statue or art work differs by culture and the final result of the works.

The Greek Awakening: Art From the 5th Century BC

- Athens is considered to be the birth place of western civilization

- During the 5th and 6th century BC a revolution happened in art, architecture, philosophy, and theater which is called the Great Awakening and is lived in the world we live today, they shaped our would today and the way we think

- Created the sense of thinking and doing in the way we live life

- The frieze told a life like story, the great awakening showing life and power with animals, humans, and Gods. This frieze was broken up and majority taken by Britain and is found in their museum today rather than in Greece. 

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

The video More Human Than Human relates to the text by explaining how the earliest form of art of the human form date back to the ancient cave paintings and possibly even before then. It also explains in more detail the history along with visual examples of the different types of human bodies/ forms that were found through out the past centuries along with how culture plays a huge role in the ending results of the arts that were created of the human form. The video also went into great detail about the sea findings of the statues of the human male body on how they were not the perfect human body image because of the front muscles on the chest being relaxed while their back was tense, their legs were to long (but made that way to achieve the perfect balance of the upper half of the body) and along with the missing bone along the lower back and despite how amazing and life like the statues were they were not the perfect human form. The text lacked in this information given in the videos of the two reasons I explained but they did go into detail about specifics while the videos provided multiple visual examples in-depth of different cultures of art. I feel as though the video of The Greek Awakening tied in really well with the material from the book, the book focused more on different aspects of the Greek art while the video was limited to only Athens and Olympia.

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

I really enjoyed watching the films. I am more of a visual learner than a reader and I really liked all the different aspects of culture and just how much of an effect it played on art making throughout the centuries. I really enjoyed learning about more of the art history and what has led art to be what it is today and to appreciate the history of art and be grateful for the creations that were accomplished in order to learn about the ancient ways of art making that could really improve art making in our technologically filled art world on what it is today, personally I feel as though are is more appreciated when it is created the ways of the ancient times where heart and soul is put into every handmade piece along with the minor personal characteristics. 

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

For the two videos I chose to watch Prairie Style and Architecture: The Science of Design.

For the first video Prairie Style one of the key concepts that I learned was the style of the homes shown resembled of what a house would look like dating back to simpler times like life on a prairie but with some modern day features that we are accustom to today. Frank Lloyd Wright has designed this style of architecture that consists of a picture room and open floor plan and he also has influenced architecture like no other in history. He pushed Americans into this style of architecture that was Wright's dream to blend naturally not destroy the architectural design elements and their surroundings. He wanted you to observe the design and the surroundings around them as if they were naturally meant to be there blended all together fluently. For the second video Architecture: The Science of Design one of the key concepts I learned was about the superstructure and substructure of a high riser. By driving steel, wood, or concrete into the ground at a depth of 60 meters reinforces the concrete that extends the beyond substructure provides a stronger base that can properly support the high riser. When it comes to wind big it creates a big issue that needs to be taken into consideration for the design structure so there will not be any swaying motion to the building and the higher you go up the building the stronger the wind will be posing as a threat. In order to understand the problem of the wind a test model is made that is hooked up to man made wind also known as a giant ventilator which in turn collects data on building and surroundings of the effects of the wind which will then tell the designers how to go about building the superstructure.

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

The videos related to the texts by providing the same details from the movie but added more in-depth explanations than the movies. For example in chapter 13 from the book which is all about architecture it provided architectural examples dating back to the ancient Greece times and their style of architecture consisting of post and lintel along with their specific design elements of their columns used. Both of the videos that I watched provided me with a great example and understanding of the architectural topics at hand but I really enjoyed the various history lessons that were provided in the book which seemed to be lacking in my choosing of videos this week especially in the different styles of architecture.

What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of Architecture?

I really enjoyed watching the films they provided me with great visual examples and in the second video provided me with some future ideas of how architecture would look and the science behind the makings. From the first video I watched I got a great inside look at Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural design that had changed history. It really made me appreciate how he took the time and consideration into not just the physical buildings and objects but also their surroundings. It made me want to know more about why he chose to take into consideration about the surroundings and wanting to make his designs look like they belonged and blended into the surroundings where as it seems everywhere I turn my head a building can be old but it just looks like it was placed there with no natural surroundings and now it will really make me appreciate his designs and take in their beauty. 

Why did you choose the films that you watched?

To be honest in my film choices I decided to choose the first two videos on the list. I didn't want to just pick two at random because they all seemed interesting to me so I took the easy way out and just opted for the first two on the list.

video review

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

Watching the videos Through the Eyes of the Sculpture and Glass and Ceramics I learned a lot of new information. One of the most fascinating things that I learned about was the technique of making stained glass windows. I have always wondered how they got all of the different colors and designes into one window. After watching the video I now know that they can either use multiple different pieces of colored glass and piece them together as one whole or they can use the led technique which is one of the oldest technique. In this led technique stained glass is cut into pieces after sketches are drawn out and then put and held together by led pieces. I also did not know that glass was made out of sand and other crushed elements such as oyster and limestone which holds all the elements together from breaking apart during the fire process and allows pieces to be sculpted. It was really interesting seeing how in the video Through the Eyes of the Sculpture how there was a full process of creating a sculpture. I did not know there were different tools that were used to make proper measurements along with all the different tools creating a sculpture and different tools for specific elements such as different types of stones for carving or wood for example. It was really interesting seeing how I thought that once an artist was creating a sculpture maybe a sketch would be done and the rest would come naturally which was not the case there is a whole process step by step along with taking measurements with tools and a proper technique to achieve a final sculpted product. 

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

The videos relate to the reading in the text by giving us a visual in-depth explanation of sculptures, glass, and ceramics. Both the book and the video explain the same process of how to make a final product but the book goes into more detail with a much broader back history explanation where in the videos it was much more brief form the book. From the book we were able to see some examples of different cultures sculptures and different textures and elements that were also used where in the videos they were limited in variety but both had the same learning goal in mind.

What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the topics: Sculpture, Installation, and Craft?

In my opinion I really enjoyed watching the films. I have a better time learning with visuals and examples rather than reading and trying to process it for myself. I really enjoyed watching the artists put together their pieces where as the book was lacking on showing the visual process behind the makings. With seeing the visual process I know have a much better understanding and appreciation for these types of art making and it seemed like it was a lot of fun creating the pieces and makes me want to try it out for myself! 

Reviewing Peer Response to Artwork

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?

I agreed with the photos that were chosen by the artists for their elements and principles. I thought that all the photos that were chosen were also a cohesive collection and really moved me wanting to see more photos and made me feel silly because it was a project that I was really stressed about because I am not good at thinking on my toes I really need to take time and think about things or else I cannot put my best foot forward.

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?

In the art gallery blog postings there were no photos that were the same as mine. I felt a connection with Tara Donovan's piece untitled (Mylar) but it was not as strong as the other pieces that I had chosen.

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?

Tara Donovan's piece untitled (Mylar) I felt a connection with and would like to know more about why she chose to make that art work of the bubble like objects being placed on the floor. I felt as though they were there all along made naturally being connected as one to the floor and you would get sucked in if you touched them like quick sand and I was wondering if she was going for the audience to view her piece as being one with the floor or if seeing the objects as not connected as one to the floor but rather placed on top.

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

To me personally I didn't like reading what others had posted on their blogs only because I feel as though the pieces and artworks should speak for themselves. Everyone interprets their viewings different and if you hear or read someone else's opinions or ideas it will change yours from what you originally thought and take away form your own creative imagination.

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

I thought my comments were helpful. I really did have a hard time thinking about what photos I should choose for the elements and principles slide show I'm not going to lie I just could not wrap my head around some of the principles especially being on a dead line. I think my mind got the best of me on some and where I thought the photos that I had chosen made sense to me but it did not make sense to others so I will have to put some more consideration in the next project about how others will view my selections rather than just thinking about it for myself. Even though I had a hard time wrapping my head around some of the principle photos I really did enjoy taking photos and putting my slide together it was fun taking the time looking around my house for elements and principles I could use and have a better meaning behind this topic.

Hyperlink the Blogs you reviewed into your Blog

https://artinquiryreflections.blogspot.com/2016/10/module-5-museum-visit-1.html?showComment=1475870165093#c2063336193073714000

https://artinquiryreflections.blogspot.com/2016/09/module-3-slideshow-project.html?showComment=1475870580963#c6383781830935981795

https://emilyhirsch-art.blogspot.com/2016/09/photography-project-1.html?showComment=1475871004375#c8209351448962953362

https://emilyhirsch-art.blogspot.com/2016/09/module-five-project-2-art-gallery-visit.html?showComment=1475871381503#c1281121568023156

1. Discuss what you thought about creating your logo.

I really enjoyed creating my logo. It made me think of how could i create something that represents me and how would I be able to finalize my final logo. I created a process of thinking in my head then started thinking of meaningful things that I could incorporate in my design that would represent myself and where I am at in my life right now.

2. Describe the process: creative thinking skills and ideas you used in the logo creation.

Being newly engaged that was the first thing that popped in my head on creating a logo and incorporating my initials, my fiancé, and my son. I though how would I link all of us together without being to classical in my design. I'm really into spiritual meanings and symbolic meanings so I thought with putting the first initial in all of our names and putting them in a triangle would be perfect. The triangle represents unity and coming together and with having three points and there are three of us coming together as one family it was perfect in my logo. I thought about making the initials hard to read and tied into one but I thought it would take away seeing who was being tied together so I went with a more bold look so you can still make out the initials. I also am not really big on color I like basic neutral earth tones but when it came to adding color into my logo I thought of blue which also represents unity, harmony, and peace.

3. What was the most important discovery you made in the creation of your logo?

The most important discovery that I made in the creation of my logo was the fact that I came up with so many ideas. I thought that I would have a really hard time coming up with a design that would fit me and I'm not the type of person who can come up with something on the spot I usually have to think and dwell on it for a long time before I can get my creative juices flowing but this time around it just came to me naturally.

4. What is the most important information you learned from watching the videos, powerpoint, and reading material  for this project? What is your opinion of the videos?

The most important information that I learned from watching the videos along with the other materials was the fact of how much time and how long of a process went into creating a logo. I though that putting a logo together for a company or business would get created in a day when the process of just doing sketches and research takes days to create let alone just thinking of an idea that will represent that company. It really did amaze me how long of a process it was from the beginning stages up until the final result.

Two art works that has the biggest impact on me were by Reed Anderson and Kelly Barrie. The use of Anderson's white background with splashes of bright and vibrant colors really stood out to me and made me really look at every detail in his art work. When I look at this piece I can see the whole image as the peacock's tail hiding some other creatures and telling a story of his life. The second art work that made an impact on me by Barrie just screamed to me. The solid black background with the tree just lighting up with the mirror effect really made me look at it harder. To me it really did look like you were looking through a mirror when looking at the tree and it made me really wonder how Barrie was able to achieve this effect and made me wonder how I could achieve this effect as well. It really made me feel like I was standing in front of the tree in person looking at it that way with a sense of calmness when everything else is dark around me.

Reed Anderson

Midnight Peacock Music

2006

Acrylic on cut paper

107 1/8 x 99 1/4 x2 3/4 inches

Kelly Barrie

Mirror House

2010

Archival light jet print

94 1/2 x 124 1/2 x2 9/16 inches

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The two art works I felt a connection with were by Ross Bleckner and Leonard Baskin. In Bleckner's Invisible Heaven #4 when looking at it it just made you want to look up all the way to the sky and see the continuing shining light reflecting diamonds even after the image ended to really look up to the heaven's. It just really made me start to wonder what was on the other side when time has come to move on to another life and what will I see as I look up to the heaven's and with Bleckner's art piece it made me imagine what I was going to see. With Baskin's Rodin it made me feel a sense of movement with such simplicity. When looking at the image there is no really sense of what it is but you can imagine that is is moving through the surrounding blank space with such ease. It also reminded me of the Rorschach test images which can really make you wonder and you mind think of what you really want to see in the image and what means the most to you.

Ross Bleckner

Invisible Heaven #4

1994

Oil on canvas

106 x 92 1/4 x 2 inches

Leonard Baskin

Rodin

N/D

Lithograph

20 1/2 x 29 1/2 inches

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The two art works that I would really like to know more about were by John Ahearn and Varujan Boghosian. In Ahearn's art work Pinwheel I felt a strong connection of unitiy and coming together for peace. I just wanted to know what inspired him to make this peace and what was the reasoning for making it, but then it makes me not want to know his reasoning behind his creation due to the possibility of having to do nothing with others coming together because then it would ruin my connection with his work. In Varujan's piece called The Year of the Horse it really inspired me to want to know what date this artwork was created and if the years surrounding his art work had something to do with the changes in advancements in civilization such as relying on horses to now do majority of the heavy lifting when it came to farm life rather than just human labor.

John Ahearn

Pinwheel

1998

Plaster

37 1/2 x 43 1/2 x 6 inches

Varujan Boghosian

The Year of the Horse

N/D

Metal, Wood, Canvas

58 x 19 inches