Final Essays [O]

 

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 November 16, 2021

 

Beauty in Madness 

Ruiyan Qi

 

I grew up seeing the painting The Starry Night everywhere around me and I always thought it was beautiful although I did not pay much attention to it. It was only after studying the piece of art by Van Gogh that I got to appreciate it. I understood the experiences of the man behind the art and what he was going through at the time and got to appreciate the amount of beauty that comes from negative experiences. Van Gogh was in an asylum when he painted The Starry Night, he was undergoing treatment for a mental illness. He was able to observe the night sky from his room and that is how he was able to paint the magnificent painting that is widely celebrated in the world today. 

The painting represents the post-impressionist period that made art of short brushstrokes, use of color and a focus on mood. I chose this piece because it represents how much can be achieved through a state that is considered madness. Van Gogh’s painting transcends reality, it goes beyond capturing the stars in the sky and holds a deeper meaning that expresses his emotions at that time in his life. I also loved the painting because despite its beauty, Van Gogh considered it a failure. He did not live long enough to see the success of a painting he did at one of the lowest points in his life. 

The contours in his painting that guide the eyes of the viewer are a representation of the turbulent emotions that defined his stay at the asylum. Van Gogh captures the stars and moon and in the distance he is able to see a village with lights coming out the window, a symbol that provided him with hope at the end of a dark and turbulent night. The glaring night is the center of attention drawing in the viewers to get lost in it through its beauty and realism. The painter is more inclined to capturing nature in its authenticity as he focuses on the land, the sky and the trees. The use of color and lighting further work to make the painting a masterpiece. The use of blue, yellow, green and red in his painting work to make different features more visible.

The painting The Starry Night could be used in class to explain the history of art as well as how meaning can be understood in context. By introducing the history of the art of the period to students I will ask them to study how Van Gogh used the outdoor as his muse and how he used color, brushstrokes and depiction of various elements to convey meaning. I will also ask them to consider literary symbols that were applied by Van Gogh and what they meant to him and his experiences. I will also ask the students to discuss the various elements of the painting, engaging with its intricacies and determining how Van Gogh depicted different elements and why he did so. The lesson will allow the students to think critically and apply comparative analysis on the life of Gogh and his art. It will allow them to also appreciate the way Gogh expresses his mental state through the use of art.

I had not realized the role art played in other subjects when I first took TAL 324, but now I am more appreciative of the role that studying art plays in the creation of a wholesome student. Art allows students to practice critical thinking, comparative analysis and helps shape imagination, all of which are features that work in the creation of a better student in all subjects. Appreciating beauty in madness, as the case of Van Gogh allows individuals to see beyond labels and appreciate art for what it is and what it could be. The class has played a major role in enabling me to have a more open mind towards art and through that, I have become more appreciative of the abstract.

 

 

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November 17, 2021

 

 “Hamsa with Pomegranate”

Micaela Wenger

 

    I have always had a love for the evil eye. The evil eye dates back almost 3,000 years and is said to keep us safe from jealousy and harm. It is also supposed to bless and protect us and our loved ones. In my apartment, I have an evil eye hung up right next to my door. I believe that it keeps me safe and protects me from all of the bad things in the world. Because the evil eye is so symbolic in my life, I chose to write my creative essay about a piece of art that I love, “Hamsa with Pomegranate,” by Inna Laktionova. This is a one-of-a-kind acrylic painting made in Canada. It is abstract and extremely unique. I believe that it really draws attention to the evil eye in the center through the different use of colors and patterns.

    Although there are many pieces of art that include the evil eye, I chose this one because it has a hamsa that is also included in it. A hamsa is a symbol of protection and a reminder to pray within the Jewish culture. As a proud Jew, the hamsa is also a very important symbol in my life. I wear a necklace that combines the evil eye and a hamsa on a daily basis, so when I saw this unique piece of art that also combined the two, I knew that I needed to pick this artwork specifically. As I was looking through the different pieces of artwork with the evil eye, many pieces did not include a hamsa as well. I think it is important to include them together in order to incorporate Jewish culture into the artwork.

    This piece can definitely be used in a lesson that combines art with other subjects. Specifically, I think it is extremely important to talk about the meaning and symbolism of both the evil eye and the hamsa when teaching history to students of all ages. By showing this beautiful piece of art with so much meaning behind it, students will have a deep understanding of not only what the symbols look like, but how important the symbols are to so many people. When teaching this lesson to students, teachers can talk about where the symbols originated from, how different religions incorporate them into their everyday lives, and the meanings behind them. This piece would not only look amazing in a home, but it would have so much meaning and years of history behind it.

    After taking this class, I learned to look at art in a more meaningful way. I learned that all art has a meaning behind it, no matter if it is in the form of dance, paintings, or music. I believe that all art can be used as a tool in teaching students as well. Instead of reading out of a textbook, where many students get bored and distracted, students can learn from art while finding pieces they resonate with and the meaning behind the pieces. Through this piece, “Hamsa with Pomegranate,” I believe that many students will not only learn about art and history, but they will also find a new piece of art and an artist that they will love.

 

 

 

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  November 22, 2021 

“The Western Wall: A Holy Place” 

Nicole Katz

 

“The Western Wall: A Holy Place” is what I decided to name this piece. Not only is this a beautiful image, but this place is filled with beauty, history, holiness, memories, emotion, religion, and so many more impactful things. The Western Wall, also known at “The Wailing Wall,” is truly an art piece and genre of its own. Made from ancient stone, this wall dates back to the 2nd century BCE. This place is filled with so much history that I will later explain, but my favorite part about the wall, which makes it such a unique art piece, is that it has a special power. It is said that if you write down your wishes, hopes, and dreams on a piece of paper and stick it between the cracks of the stones, it is bound to come true. This adds an interactive and sentimental aspect to this art piece. The Western Wall is not only a wall, but it is a place, an art piece, an architectural structure, a place of prayer, and the list goes on - which makes it so special.  

 

The reason why I chose this art piece is because it is not only special to me, but it is special to millions of other people. For starters, growing up as a Jewish woman, it has always been important to me to learn about my religion. I studied in Hebrew school, had a bat mitzvah, learned how to read Hebrew, and so much more. When I visited Israel in middle school, I couldn’t wait to visit The Western Wall. Israel is the holy land for me and my people, and The Western Wall is one of the holiest and most sacred places a jew can go. 

 

When in Israel, I took part in the ancient truth that if you write your wishes on a piece of paper and put it in the crack of stones in the wall, then they would come true. And guess what? They did. This added so much more meaning and power to my life and made me realize how unique, beautiful, and gifting The Western Wall is. The Western Wall is 160 feet long and 60 feet high, but goes very deep down into the Earth. The wall also forms to another wall that surrounds the Muslim Dome of the Rock. This is why you will find mostly Jews and Muslims at the Western Wall, although it welcomes all religions and people to come upon and pray. The Western Wall is a beautiful place, piece of art, and landmark with years of history which is why this piece is so significant.

 

There is so much meaning to The Western Wall I cannot even begin to explain. The Western Wall may be open to interpretation, but from my perspective as a Jew, The Western Wall is the last remains of The Holy Temple that was destroyed in 70 CE by Titus and the Roman legions. To me, and many others, The Western Wall is a blessing. It is the place where God has blessed Jews and all to be, pray, and make peace. The wall stands for legacy, history, freedom, peace, love, and more. In contrast, the wall is also a symbol of the struggle Jewish people have gone through. Just like the existence of Jewish people have been threatened in history through The Holocaust and anti-Semitic attacks, The Western Wall’s existence has also been threatened. The story of the wall includes how “the Romans burned the entire Temple but inexplicably left the outer wall unscathed.” And by miracle, the wall still is present today, just like the Jewish people are. This is another meaningful reason as to why Jewish people feel this place is so powerful and emotional, and is truly indescribable with words.

 

Although I have only provided a short history and analysis, The Western Wall can easily be used in a lesson that combines art, history, and religion, that can provide a comprehensive, interesting, and eye-opening lesson to students. An example lesson plan could involve learning the history of the wall, learning the history of Judaism, learning about the architecture and other art aspects of the wall and the stones. In the context of our class and the arts, the Western Wall embodies the potential to look at this beautiful image and examine perspective. In our class and in the arts, I have learned that everyone has a different perspective and all are valid. Similarly to The Western Wall, other people may have a different perspective on what I perceive as a holy and special place and art piece. And I am okay with that and have to accept that because it is a part of growing and learning. Overall, I think the Western Wall would be a multi-dimensional lesson plan, teaching the students and others so much, since it has so many layers, aspects, and history to it.

 

 

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November 23, 2021

 

The Struggle of Control 

Madisen Rieger

 

Many people think one day robots are going to take over the world. This may be a bit of an exaggeration, but robots, software, and technology are very common worldwide. A prime example of software and technology is our phones. Some may even consider our phones to be robotic. Two artists Sun Yuan and Peng Yu employed the concept of robots and controlled software systems in a live art piece they titled Can’t Help Myself.

 

Sun Yuan and Peng Yu made their piece using uncommon mediums and making it live. The two artists, Yuan and Yu, are robotic engineers, who designed the robot arm and programmed it to move. The entire medium consisted of Kuka industrial robot, stainless steel, rubber, cellulose ether in red colored water, lighting grid with Cognex visual-recognition sensors, and a polycarbonate wall with aluminum frame. The piece from Yuan and Yu was commissioned for the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, New York in the year of 2016 and was removed in 2019 when the robot arm stopped working.

 

The style of this piece is unique because live art pieces other than live performances are not very common. Although Can’t Help Myself is non-traditional art there is still a great amount of meaning behind the abstract and unique piece. Can’t Help Myself shows a robot arm continually trying to clean up a red fluid that’s constantly flowing out from underneath it. The robot arm was programmed to continuously try to clean up the never-ending flow of blood. Initially the robot was energized and appeared to move in some type of happy way as it cleaned up the blood, but over time as it could not clean up the blood the robot arm appeared to do the job hopelessly and appeared tired.

 

When the robot arm died in 2019, three years after its creation, it resembled the robot arm dying from exhaustion of trying to clean up the never-ending flow of blood. To each person the art piece can mean something different; however, the piece primarily shows struggle and a difficulty to not be in control. The robot arm struggled to clean up the blood for years, and this struggle ultimately killed the robot arm. Sun Yuan and Peng Yu designed the robot arm to have thirty-two movements it could perform to clean up the blood; however, the piece was created so the robot would never be in control of the flow of red blood. Therefore, despite all the software programmed into the robot arm, it was never intended for the robot to be in control of the red blood flow.

 

I found this art piece from the internet and other social media platforms. I had seen recordings of the robot arm trying to clean up the red blood, which made me investigate the art piece. I typically am more drawn to colorful, multi-media art with a happy meaning; however, this piece is very interesting to me because of the emotion created from viewing the tired robot arm trying to clean up the red blood. This piece is not intended for younger audiences because it is quite dark. Although Can’t Help Myself could be used in a lesson to combine art with a health class lesson on control in life.

 

The audience for the lesson would have to be in high school or older because Can’t Help Myself is a pretty dark piece. Through viewing the robot arm in Yuan and Yu’s piece students could interpret how the robot struggles with control as it is not able to ever clean up the red blood, but keeps trying. A health teacher could relate this struggle of control to mental health and realizing we can’t control everything in our lives and that it is okay. The health teacher could educate the class about urges and control, as well as different mental health issues in our society. The teacher could also ask students about what they interpret from viewing a video of the robot arm in action.

 

Finally, the health class could end by students describing things they may struggle to control in their lives or anything they want to talk about relating to urges and control. Before taking TAL 324 I enjoyed creating, viewing, and thinking about art; however, I did not realize how much art could be incorporated into learning traditional subjects. Many people are visual learners, and all humans are emotional. So, bringing art, which contains emotion and is visual, into the classroom can help relate to students more. An art piece like Can’t Help Myself I would have never considered being used to teach more traditional subjects, but after taking TAL 324 I can now see how beneficial incorporating any form of art into the classroom can be. 

 

The inclusion of art makes students more communicative and creative during class, as well as interested in the material because art is something everyone can relate to.

 

 

 

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 November 26, 2021

Sensitivity of a Monster

Emma Carlson

 

This image shows an oil painting that was created in 1914 by an artist with the name of Odilon Redon. He was a French painter in the Symbolism period that found a lot of his inspiration for his art in famous literature. The image above is one of Redon’s most famous paintings: The Cyclops. The Cyclops shows Polyphemus, the most famous cyclops in Greek mythology and the son of Poseidon. He is shown looking down from behind a mountain at Galatea, a water nymph. Although Polyphemus is known for being a man-eating monster, this painting by Odilon Redon depicts a softer, more human side to the monster. 

 

I chose this piece because I have always been fascinated with Greek mythology. The Odyssey, by Homer, is one of my all-time favorite novels. I have read it a few times and discover new themes to it every time. One of the most memorable characters from the book is the cyclops, Polyphemus. I always found Polyphemus interesting because the character himself is very complex. Although he is depicted as a violent and evil murderer, there is so much more to Polyphemus than described from the perspective of Odysseus. I feel that this piece shows the other side to the monster that isn’t shown as much in the novel. I chose this painting to take a deeper dive into who Polyphemus was and look for the good in someone that is typically thought of as evil.   

 

Polyphemus is shown peeking over a mountain at a naked woman sleeping. This woman is a water nymph named Galatea. Galatea is known for being the love of his life; however, she was in love with a shepherd named Acis. Legend has it that when Polyphemus found the two together, he killed Acis by sending a boulder down the hill to kill him. This story shows how powerful love can be. Some would go as far as to kill someone to be with the one they love out of spite and jealousy. In this image, it appears that Polyphemus is hiding behind the mountain to avoid being seen by Galatea. This painting depicts a shyness in the monster’s eyes. He even looks to have a slight smile while looking at his love. I think this painting is extremely powerful because it shows that a monster known for being evil and killing people can have a nicer, sensitive side as well. While killing the love of your life’s love is not a good thing, this painting points out that even a monster as bad as Polyphemus has feelings – he is capable of caring, loving, and protecting.  

 

There are many ways this piece of art can be incorporated into a lesson. I think the best way to use this painting in schools would be to show it while reading Greek mythology, specifically The Odyssey. I remember reading The Odyssey in school, and every assignment attached to the readings was discussion- or writing-based. I think it would be very beneficial to the students if they could see artwork such as this one that was inspired by the very pages they are reading. It shows the impact that the novels have had, even on famous artists such as Odilon Redon who created art such as this. Attached to learning about the painting and how it relates to their readings, I think students could be encouraged to create their own artwork based on their favorite story of Odysseus’ journey told in The Odyssey. For example, a student could paint a picture depicting the sirens attempting to seduce Odysseus with their singing. This type of assignment gives a deeper understanding of the material while using art to make what they learn more memorable. 

 

Before taking this class, I would have thought of this artwork as just that: artwork. If someone were to ask me if this painting could be taught in schools, I probably would have said “yes, it could be talked about in an art class”. Now that I’ve learned about how easily the arts can be incorporated into any lesson of any subject, it’s a lot easier for me to see the way this painting could be used to teach lessons in schools. I am so grateful to have learned so much about art and teaching in this class. I have an 11-year-old cousin that currently lives with my parents, and I help with her school assignments every night. I have started using what I have seen work through this course, and I really believe that it is helping her learn in a better and more well-rounded way. It was fascinating in this assignment to take a piece of literature and a painting that I have known for a long time and see the connection between the two that can be taught in schools in a single lesson. I hope that more teachers and schools are able to see how easy yet beneficial it is to incorporate art like this in more of their lessons for their students. 

 

 

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November 28, 2021

 

The Last Supper

Fangchen Song

 

            The painting I will write about is “The Last Supper” by Italian painter Leonardo da Vinci. The piece appeared on the wall of the convent of Santa Maria Delle Grazie in Milan. This is an outstanding masterpiece which depicted the biblical events on the Holy Thursday as explained in John’s Gospel. The choice was decided by the unique features of the painting and the important history of the Christian faith it depicts. Due to its nature and characteristics, it is also one of the most famous paintings in the world. Copies of the painting also appear on numerous Christian books and church walls around the world. Historically, this painting took da Vinci two years to complete. He started painting it in 1496 and finished it in 1498. Although a variety of textures and types of imitations have been made, the original painting depicts Da Vinci's unique technique, making it an excellent masterpiece.

 

            I believed this panting is the perfect example of details and the importance of specific features. My point of view is based on the two factors that makes the painting unique. One of these factors is Da Vinci’s application of the “rule of thirds”. This rule refers to the composition of a painting divided into three sections, where each intersection shows an interesting point in the painting. Appling this rule enables audiences to understand what information Da Vinci intended to communicate. It also portrays some unique skills that Da Vinci used in his masterpieces. The second factor out of the ordinary is Da Vinci’s enthusiastic attention to details. If you view this painting carefully, painters might even pay attention to details such as fingers and toes. I find it is interesting to see how the artist ensures that all the colors of the clothes are clearly seen. Finally, this painting was exposed to lots of dangers; these dangers make it more like a “miracle” masterpiece. The building hosting it was hit by a bomb, in the 16th century, it suffered from seriously damp, and in 1499, King Louis attempted to cut it and take it home. These such events made the painting more attractive.

 

            This painting reflected a key point in the history of Christianity, because it shows what happened on Holy Thursday as well as known as the scene of “the last supper.” As explained in the gospel, Jesus disclosed information to his disciples during the last supper, and one of his disciples would betray him and sell him off to his killers. This has a significant meaning in Christianity, since it reminds Christians of the time when Jesus held his last supper with his disciples. When I first saw the painting in Christian books, I did not know that city of Milan hosts the original version of painting. Thus, the reason why this painting is important is because it shows the connection and relation between humanity and history. It reminds me of the artistic skills after 15^th century. Having seen the importance that Christians attach to Holy Thursday, I really appreciate the painting, the belief of Christians and the importance of the arts’ microcosm.

 

            This painting could be used to teach lessons that combine art with other subjects, because it portrays lots of skills and have history value. First of all, it can be used in History class; students in history class can use it to acknowledge how humans communicate with each other and how to use painting to deliver messages during Da Vinci’s times. For instance, it is helpful to explain how early Christians used paintings to pass messages about Jesus and his salvation journey. It is also helpful to acknowledge the location of painting, bomb attack, the governor of King Louis in 1499 and other challenges that it might have faced and the places where the original painting located. Besides history, this painting also can be used in some lessons related to Christianity. If students have the image of this painting in class, the class about “the last supper” is easier for students to understand. It will enhance their understanding of what happened during “the last supper” and the disciple’s reflections. It is also helpful to clarify the teachings in the Bible about Juda’s betrayal. Third, this painting is useful in Language Arts class, because it shows how and what kind of ways disciples made reflections to the sad news about Juda’s betrayal. In these lessons, this painting can help students analyze non-verbal gestures that the disciples depicted. Finally, this painting is useful in the class about loyalty and ethics. 

 

            In conclusion, this painting deficits the special features of Da Vinci’s technique, making it a special artwork. It can be used in lots of classes to define specific values and teach history and communication. Using art to teach other fields is helpful to connect learner’s thoughts with historical aspect of education and how art knowledge operated in other fields. The skills shown in this painting are also valuable for the education of art because it shows how ancient art develop and how different from modern art it was.

 

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November 28, 2021

 

 

Nature is Art

Brandon Senia

 

Clark Little grew up in on the North Shore of Oahu where he discovered his love for the ocean. Growing up Clark was a surfer who was one of the best at surfing shore break waves. As he got older, he started to capture the beauty of these waves and decided to share them with the world. Unlike a traditional artist Clark Little puts his body at risk in order to capture the wave the perfect moment. It is all about timing in this art because these 10-30-foot waves are quickly forming and then crashing on the sand. 

 

As you see in this picture the best shot comes from being in the barrel or middle of the wave right before it crashes. I had to attach another picture to give the audience an understanding as you see Clark running toward a mountain of water. In landscape photographer Nigel Waters's own words, "when you capture the moment in photography it is so much more than just pointing the camera at a scene and clicking the shutter button." It requires the understanding of that instant by identifying elements that turn that lapse of time into an important part of one's existence.

 

I started surfing at a young age and I have always had a strong interest in the ocean. When I was about 13 years old I bought a Go Pro camera and attempted to make my own art by taking photos of the waves at Zuma beach in California. Clark Little’s work inspired me to make my own and I discovered another side of myself. Going into the ocean to capture its utter beauty is one of my favorite things to do now. This gives me a sense of peace and allows my thoughts to slow down.

  

It is important to teach students that art doesn’t have to be drawing or a sculpture. Students should have the ability to choose what kind of art they want to do and what they are passionate about. True art comes from someone falling in love with what they are working on and having a true connection to the piece. Some students will want to spray paint or make art digitally and this enhances the student’s creativity. The schooling system today is outdated and does not give the students a chance to really express themselves.

 

          This class has given me a new understanding for teaching and how students should be taught. Also, I feel that art plays a major role in the development of a child’s education and that this needs to be as important as all the other subjects. I know that this class will have a big impact on the way I will lead in business and teach others. All I can hope for is that more teachers will implement what we have learned over the past couple months.

References

Waters, Nigel (n.d.). Capture the Moment Photography.                                                           https://nigelwaters.photography/blog/capture-the-moment-photography/

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November 28, 2021

    Guernica

Ryan Hanusyk

    The painting above is one that has always fascinated me due to its controversial history. The painting shows different extremes of emotion in an effort to represent the bombing on Guernica by the Germans. Picasso leaves much up to interpretation in this painting which creates a unique abstract. This painting also had differing reactions among the art community which changed the way art is interpreted and created forever. With one of his greatest works, Picasso was able to make a lasting impression on the world. 

    This painting is believed by many experts to be the greatest war painting ever created. It can be difficult to reveal the horrors of war in a single canvas although Picasso did a fantastic job with his representation. The specific event pictured in this painting is the bombing of the Spanish town of Guernica by the German Air Force. This bombing followed many political events within Spain that Picasso opposed. One of these events was rise of General Franco’s power when he merged different political parties within Spain. Franco’s actions had been a primary catalyst to the bombing that ensued. 

    Following the bombing, Picasso attempted to create a piece that depicted war and fascism in just one campus. Such a task was only attainable by Picasso, the father of modern expressionism. It was finished in about half a year and shows a crying mother, a dead child, an injured horse, a minotaur, and many other symbolic pieces. The painting is humongous. It is 11 feet tall and 25 feet wide which gives it added affect when considering the stern message behind the painting. It is clear that themes such as violence, maternity, and agony are present in this painting. Picasso needed to tug at the heart string of his viewers to create a reaction that could have national affects. 

    The painting had strong reactions with the public even though it was far from easy to understand. The painting was eventually sent on an international tour to show people the horrors of war and raise money for Spanish refugees. It had massive success in raising money and changing the public’s perception of war. Picasso even refused to have his painting displayed until justice was decreed in his country. His efforts caused controversy between him and the government but he was intent on making sure that his voice was heard. 

    This painting has since become a representation of the horrors of war around the world. During the Vietnam war, artists petitioned to have the painting removed from the public’s view until the war concluded. They were successful in their efforts and able to change people’s vision of this strife. This painting has caused countless debates in regards to the images portrayed. Picasso was never transparent about the meanings of the images within the paintings. He was a firm believer in leaving that up to the viewer. The painting now resides in a museum in Spain known as the Reina Sofia. This is Spain’s national museum of art.

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November 29, 2021

Art Is Expression

Wesley Jakimowicz 

 

    Untitled is a painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat that was completed in 1982. Basquiat is a Brooklyn born artist and a large source of his artistic inspiration came from his diverse cultural background. His mother was Puerto Rican, and his father was Haitian-American. Basquiat lived a short, yet impactful and inspirational life. He was born in the year 1960 and died in the year 1988. Basquiat first gained attention for his graffiti artwork which he sold printed on sweatshirts, shirts, and postcards on the streets of New York City. After dropping out of high school a year before he was expected to graduate, Basquiat continued to make ends meet my selling sweatshirts, shirts, and postcards printed with his art. His artwork finally began to gain traction in 1980 and he soon after began to collaborate with the well-established and famous pop artist Andy Warhol. In many ways, Basquiat’s art paved the way to the emergence of the new art movement called Neo-Expressionism.

 

    Basquiat’s piece entitled Untitled vaguely depicts a skull. It is among the most expensive paintings ever purchased, at $110.5 million dollars. The painting portrays and is most noted by the black outline of a skull. The skull seems to show angry eyes and a ravenous display of teeth. The background of the painting is very light and pleasant, marked mainly by blue and white. Right above the skull seems to be some sort of messy mathematical calculation but is not clear at all. The painting depicts an all over the place and messy theme as a whole, possibly because Basquiat’s history in graffiti art. The piece could also relate to the theme of subway walls and the city streets of Brooklyn and New York City being marked with graffiti.

 

    There is something so appealing to me about Basquiat’s artwork. I even have two t-shirts with two of Basquiat’s pieces of art printed on them. Being a self-taught artist that first delved into art by drawing on pieces of accountant paper his father brought back from work, Basquiat grew to be one of the most influential artists in the world. He was largely credited with bringing African American and Latino experience to the art world. Neo-Expressionism, the style which Basquiat is mostly tied to, is marked by intense subjectivity and rough handling of lines and colors. I think that New-Expressionism was used by Basquiat for two main reasons: lack of formal teaching and being self-taught along with the style being a strong way for him to express himself.

 

    I think that all of Basquiat’s artwork, including Untitled, could make for excellent subjects to classroom lessons. Basquiat’s artwork alone can teach many lessons on cultural diversity and heritage. The artwork also can be used to teach students that there are countless ways of expressing yourself, whether that be through art or other ways. Art was Basquiat’s way of expressing himself. He felt strongly enough about expressing himself through his art that he took a chance and dropped out of high school to pursue his passion. Untitled is my favorite of Basquiat’s work, but there are countless of other pieces of his that people can connect with and relate to. I encourage everyone to explore his artwork.

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Ethnicities by Eduardo Kobra

 

Jiachen Chen

    The largest mural created by an artist is the Ethnicities, that was done in Rio by Eduardo Kobra. I loved the painting because it stood out from others and because it is a representation of how graffiti can be embraced as an art form that can be used towards the fight for social justice and inclusion at an international level. If I were to be asked about one of the artworks I would like to visit, Ethnicities would be one of them. The painting of the mural took 2 months of rigorous work which resulted in the beautifully crafted piece of art that shows the representation of the world’s continents. The painting also stands out because it was done in this century and as such it is a contemporary art form that is easy to relate to and analyze. The painting that is called “Etnia” a translation of “ethnicities” in English took up 100 gallons of white paint, 1500 liters of colored paint and 3500 cans of spray paint. Kobra’s work of art is phenomenal.

 

    The painting was meant to portray the five indigenous groups of people from the five continents as a way of depicting the image of the world through representation. Kobra made use of the concept of the five Olympic rings that symbolized the union of the continents. The painting shows how the world is connected despite the uniqueness in each and every member of the different continents. Kobra’s idea was to showcase the beauty of the world and he did so using colors and geometrical representation of shapes. The depiction of culture is also evident in the way he represents each of the five ethnicities. The mural was meant to unite people at the Olympics reminding them that despite where they came from or what cultures they practiced, we are all one people. The painting speaks to why it is important to abandon differences and embrace unity, an important art form in the fight for world unity.

 

    The art form can be studied in a literature class that seeks to talk about the role of art in the fight for social justice in the world today. The understanding of the painting and what it represents could present a great topic for discussion as well as analysis of inclusion and unity. The Olympics is one of the activities that bring the world together and the mural could be studied alongside, activities such as world competitions to understand its role in building a united and integrated society. Students could also compare different art forms from the past that were geared towards uniting the world and Kobra’s art and see what similarities they shared. In the same way, they can also compare how the works of individuals such as Martin Luther King worked towards the same agenda and what that means about various art forms and their role in the world.

 

    The mural by Kobra is one that seeks to connect the world by reminding us that we are one and that we should work together for the betterment of the world. In the context of the class, the mural has shown me how art transcends the classroom and how it touches on issues that affect the world. In the context of art in general, the mural shows the capacity that art has in informing, persuading and encouraging the world to be more peaceful and embrace inclusivity.

11

December 2, 2021

The Scream

 

Xiangge Ji

 

Art is everywhere. Art can be interpreted in various ways. Art is art. These are the things that are the most abundant personal definitions that people could hear from their environment. In some cases, art relates to the painter or maker, or art relates to the muse or subject for the piece. In my perspective, art can be derived in many forms and has many interpretations as people are varied. My appreciation for The Scream roots from my feelings and curiosities behind the work and its artistic styles.

 

Olson et al. (2004) explained that The Scream was painted by Edvard Munch in 1893 which was part of his collection of paintings that were inspired by his personal experiences, and this collection was named The Frieze of Life. They also inscribed the text from Munch’s journal about the backstory of the painting where he disclosed that it was during sunset where he stood still, observed his surroundings, and found anxiety creeping in while nature was screaming. Yet despite not knowing the backstory, with just looking at the painting, I was caught in a breath between anxiety and uneasiness. The painting created me the wisdom of anguish and discomfort but at the same time presents the idea that such presentation was acceptable. This made the painting memorable for me, which in the end made me appreciate it more. As anxiety has never been the focus of my life before nor had the concept of it, I was able to feel and derive the idea of it through this painting. With just encountering it through class discussion, I was able to appreciate it in more ways than one as I can perceive it as a painting that proposes the anxiety of people that sometimes will never be heard.

Dahlan (2014) describes how, through the brush strokes and sways, the deep and vivid colors with the patterns, contrasts, and depth of field, the painting preserves its feeling of negativity and eeriness. To elaborate, the strokes and sways that Munch presented could be interpreted as the epitome of uneasiness or the possibility of a symbolic idea of clouded judgment. On the other hand, its colors which vary only from yellow, orange, black, and more represent the darker shade of colors, which could imply the negativity that surrounds nature itself. The work of Munch can be considered  naturalist art despite being categorized as impressionism. This is because the colors, figures, and other objects imply reality that is exemplified in a metaphoric or perceived obsession (Dahlan, 2014). With the same thought, I ought to believe that the painting was created for people to observe the absurd and negative reality of the society that not all people could learn and understand.

 

The past, present, and future holds value to art in many ways just like how an antique increase or decreases its value as time passes by. Examples of such are paintings and creations of famous painters or sculptors where the older it gets, the higher its value. The same goes for Munch's famous painting which is known and studied in different countries due to its distinctive characteristic and influence on its audience. These factors could be the possible reason why this specific painting is welcomed by all despite its negative representation.

 

References

 

Dahlan, A. G. (2014). The Scream & Starry Night: Emotions, symbol & motives. Estudios Sobre el Mensaje Periodistico, 20(1), 331-339.

 

Olson, D. W., Doescher, R. L., & Olson, M. S. (2004). When the Sky Ran Red: The Story Behind the" Scream".

12

December 4, 2021

Finding Beauty in Each Day

 

Rachel Radder

    During Art Basel this year, I went to an exhibit that really inspired me.  It was called 55 Sunrises by artist Sho Shibuya that was commissioned by Saint Laurent and YSL art director Anthony Vaccarello.  Sho Shibuya painted 55 Sunrises from a small window in his New York City Apartment during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic.  They put this exhibition up in Miami Beach and opened the exhibit from sunrise to sunset each day of Art Basel.  55 Sunrises shows how there is something beautiful every day even during a worldwide pandemic. During COVID-19 in Brooklyn, New York, artist Sho Shibuya painted the sunrise on the front page of the New York Times every day.  He made this a daily meditation to find solitude and fill his time with the beauty of nature covering up the depressing news during the worldwide pandemic. Shibuya said “It does not matter what in the world is going on.  The sky is always beautiful.”  This is a really powerful and inspiring message during the times of the pandemic, since every day felt like it was filled with darkness.  

 

    This exhibition on Miami Beach showed the sunrise in the center- aesthetically and metaphorically.  In the center of the exhibit there was a box opening that pointed towards the beach.  It was a window to the beach (where the sun rises in Miami) to show how Sho Shibuya was inspired through his window in his small New York City Apartment.  It was how the creative director Anthony Vaccarello and artist chose to show the shift the world is making in order to create some positivity during the times of the pandemic. This is a powerful message to “preserve every day moments” and bring “some kind of sanity in the beginning of the pandemic.”  This message is important in showing that even in the darkest days, there is a light.  It also shows the importance of nature in our everyday lives and how the sun will always rise again in the morning. This piece is a great example of how art is combined with nature, or rather how nature is art.    

 

    This piece can be used as a lesson in high schools as a mental health check to act as an aid to allow students to assess reality.  I think schools are really lacking in education about mental health. I would teach about this piece, and when my students are having a bad day, I would ask them to find their sunrise and journal/draw about something positive in nature that is happening today. Something that can become on the front of their mind instead of having them worry about obstacles that are out of their control. For example, at the University of Miami, my favorite thing to see in nature is the baby ducks trotting around with their mom.  When I am stressed and studying for an exam and see them pass by, it puts a smile on my face and forces me to relax and enjoy nature for a minute.  I really liked how this artist used this as his daily meditation each morning, and would love to implement finding something beautiful in nature each day as a warm up activity in the classroom to boost spirits. 

 

    I happened to go to this exhibit at the perfect time.  When I walked up, the sun was perfectly setting on the beach and Shibuya, was at the exhibit signing newspapers for passersby to take home with them.  I was fortunate enough to meet him and bring home a newspaper that I will display in my apartment.  This will be a reminder to me that there is always something positive in each day and each situation.  He decided to change the narrative of dark and depressing news to light and beautiful sunrises to fill his brain and create a daily meditation of finding goodness.  In the context of this class and the arts, I think this is an important reminder to put things in perspective and to search for the good in every day!  

13

December 4, 2021

“The Great Wave off Kanagawa”

Caroline Brannon

 

            Hanging in my room at this moment is a tapestry of what I now learned is “The Great Wave of Kanagawa”. It is also frequently called “The Wave”. This art piece was created by famous Japanese artist, Katsushika Hokusai. He was most commonly known as Hokusai, but was called over 30 names throughout his lifetime. He was born on October 31, 1760 and passed away May 10, 1849. Mimicking his father who painted designs around mirrors for a living,  Hokusai started painting around the age of 6. He not only worked as a woodblock painter, but also painted and produced designs for book illustrations. This included his own book of over fifteen volumes called Hokusai Manga, which consists of thousands of images of every subject you could imagine. He constantly changed and improvised his style from a young child until death at age 88. This allowed him to produce, in total, over 30,000 woodblock prints, sketches, paintings and images for books. His exceptional work made him one of the greatest masters in art history.

I chose to discuss this piece of writing because I have a 6x5ft tapestry decorating my room. It wasn’t until I did research on this piece that I fully appreciated it for what it was and the meanings behind it. Due to his personal obsession with Mount Fuji and in response to a domestic travel boom in Japan, he created “The Wave” which is included in the series he is best known for called “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji”. The woodblock print depicts a massive wave that is suspected to be around 45 feet tall, at breaking point. The rogue wave endangers 3 boats below it. In the distance, there is a mountain top offshore. The mountain and wave combination was inspired by artist Shiba Kōkan’s oil painting. However, Hokusai’s wave is noticeably larger than Kōkan’s.  

            In the artwork, the mountain top with a snowy peak is Mount Fuji which is considered sacred and a symbol of national identity in Japan. The wave is at peak creating tension awaiting the break. The wave spews water droplets that form claw-like structures that could represent the artist's fear of the overwhelming ocean. There is also a tiny wave forming next to it that looks very similar to Mount Fuji which is what it could be representing. The brave men who are rowing the boat cling on for their lives. These men were confident and courageous enough to face tsunami-like conditions holding them back.

            Hokusai’s artwork could be used in many different lessons throughout all levels of school. This piece can promote creativity among students who perceive the wave, boat and mountain differently. It teaches students how one may see things this way and one may see things that way, opening up new perspectives. It also can allow for deeper appreciation for art. Thousands of people have seen “The Wave” as a pretty decoration but never know the true meaning or background story of it. Just like readymades, they may see a stool with a wheel on top of it but this is actually a form of art that takes objects out of their everyday use.

14

December 5, 2021

Iman Shumpert & Daniella Karagach 

in Dancing with the Stars

Leyla Shapiro

Although what would typically be cliché of me as a Latin Ballroom dancer myself, the piece I am choosing to share and talk about is one from the hit television show Dancing With The Stars. This is a contemporary piece danced by professional Danielle Karagach and her partner, professional basketball player Iman Shumpert. To me, this piece encompasses a lot of the lessons that we have learned this semester in class and that is why I feel it is a piece of art worth dissecting further.

The purpose of this TV show is to pair a professional dancer with a celebrity and the celebrity will then learn how to become a ballroom dancer, learning a new dance that the professional teaches them every week. I personally have a connection to this professional Danielle, because we come from a similar “dance world.” She grew up training at a studio that I have taken lessons with. We even did a camp together many years back. We have had the same coaches and learn from the same “technique book.” Although competitively she is at a much higher level than me. It is very inspiring to see someone like her that I feel I almost know on TV showing “our little world” to a national audience.

Immediately, after watching this piece, I had to rewind it and watch it a second time. The first time I watched it with an outer perspective. Mesmerized by the musicality and eerie “vibe” of this contemporary piece. Then, when replaying it, I honed in on the technical skills. The intricate lifts and delays in their timing make this less of a dance and more of a piece of art. 

Since Danielle comes from such an “old fashion” ballroom world and is trained to dance and choreograph in less flashy ways, it really shows in their partner work. It is interesting because this piece is so simple yet extremely complicated. They wear basic red suites. There are no backup dancers and besides flashing lights they are the only thing on the floor, no props. At the same time, I think Iman spends twice as much time with two feet on the floor as Danielle. She may as well be floating through the whole piece. The emotion that they portray to match the music makes the piece feel futuristic and technological. 

This piece could be combined with many other subjects. For starters, Iman is a basketball player. We have talked in class about how football players are encouraged to take ballet so why not encourage basketball players to learn ballroom! It is one in the same. Additionally, there is a lot of memorization involved in learning steps and forcing the brain to learn a new routine every week. Those same memorization skills are useful and needed when memorizing formulas for a math test or learning everyone’s name on the first day of class (as we do with Jorge each semester).

All semester we have learned how important it is to incorporate arts into education. Shows like this expose everyone to dance and the arts. It even makes people want to take classes once they are out of school. This piece is a perfect summary and “end” to the class because it just shows how valuable arts are in every other subject. Iman comes from the basketball world. He is not a trained dancer, but he learns. He even wins the show, competing against other people who danced when they were younger. Everyone has rhythm within it just matters how hard the teacher works to pull it out. It is clear that when a teacher, in this case Danielle, puts in the effort, the time and truly cares, the teacher can make the student grow from within and accomplish new things. 

 

 15

 

December 5, 2021

 

Composition with Red Blue and Yellow

Ashley Stand

 

This small painting was created by artist Piet Mondrian and made in 1930. This painting marked a small turning point in the evolution of the artist’s style. Mondrian wanted balance in his work but also wanted to make this abstract and opened to interpretation. Some of the elements in this painting were planned, such as leaving some of the shapes opened. This painting is so famous because it is so simple, yet there are so many ways to interpret it.

            I decided to pick this piece because it has been one of my favorite ones for a long time. I really like the simplicity of it, but also how there is a lot that can be said about it. In this class, I’ve learned that art can be expressed in any way that the artist chooses and can be applied in many different ways.  I think that this piece can really get your mind moving, which is really interesting because there are so little colors and extremely simple shapes included. 

            This piece is really opened to interpretation due to how abstract it is. It could represent the harmony of the colors together. Something that Mondrian did was make the lines different thicknesses to give the piece some energy. The idea could have been that a piece as abstract as this one still needs to have energy going through it in order for it to feel like something is going on. Without the ability for the painting to come to life, it wouldn’t leave much for the viewer to interpret. 

            I think this piece is one that could definitely be put into a lesson. I could see this as a piece that is shown in a class and students could write what they believe it is about. Even taking it a step further, they could write a story about it. In many art classes that I’ve had in the past, when we look at abstract pieces, the class goes over all of the different meanings the piece could have. I think that is a great way to get the mind moving while also allowing the students to interact with each other. By hearing other students’ interpretations of the piece, it could help you come up with something of your own. Something like this in a classroom could help the students understand the piece more, while also giving them the creativity to come up with a meaning themselves.

            I’ve always loved art and I’ve always believed it should be something students should have the opportunity to do in school. After taking this class, I’ve really learned the importance of art and how it can be effective outside of just art classes. Art can be used in almost any subject and it can also help students learn better than being taught regularly in some cases. Now when I look at an art piece or do any sort of art on my own, I really think about how it could be incorporated in other school subjects and how it could get the brain flowing. I think that more schools need to take art more seriously and learn how it can be beneficial in an academic setting.

16

December 5, 2021

“Freedom from Your Thoughts, Freedom from Society.” 

Spenser Adams

When I saw this painting on Instagram, I immediately screenshotted it because of how much I thought it resonated with today’s society. This painting came from Kyrie Irving’s Instagram, a famous basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets who has decided to sit out of the 2021-22 season because of COVID-19 vaccine mandates in New York. With Irving’s decision to sit out, he received tons of backlash from the fans and media. Kyrie Irving has always been a freethinker, but for some reason I felt like this post he made on Instagram was different.

            If I were to title this painting, I would call it, “Freedom from Your Thoughts, Freedom from Society.” This painting has lots of dramatic imagery, with lots of dark shading and fine details. The man in the painting has locked shackles around his head, but if you look closely, you can see that the lock has been unlocked. The first observation I made about this painting was that the man was black. Being a black man in America, sometimes society can project their own standards on you, not understanding that your life is unique to you for a reason. With that can come fear of judgement from others, negative expectations for yourself, taking on heavy burdens, and suppressing your emotions. This build-up of stress can do tons of damage to your mental health, but once you begin to take positive action towards improving your life, you begin to unlock your mind, like the main character in the painting. 

There are a lot of things in this world that are designed to distract us and keep us at a low frequency. Nowadays, there is so much stimulus in the world, we rarely tend to take moments for ourselves to stop and pause and evaluate our wellbeing, or where we are in life. What are our goals? What are our aspirations? What do we want to learn? Little do we know that days, weeks, and months of stress can build up, which eventually leads us in a never-ending cycle of misery, and a locked mind. When you couple that with society’s subconscious stressors, such as social media, the news, and negative energy, overtime your brain can become locked, but there are steps that we can all take to unlock our minds. 

This painting can be applied to other subjects, especially when it comes to teaching. I have been in school for a very long time, and when it comes to teaching material, 90% of the professors that I have been taught by have had a “locked” mind. When I took TAL-324, I was surprised at the fluidity and real knowledge that we have learned throughout the semester. This was one of the few classes I have taken where I did not feel pressured or stressed. Learning in school should be an interactive and positive experience. 

There should be no “end goal” with learning. You should gain perspectives, learn topics you are interested in, and care about what you are learning. Nowadays, most teachers and students are just there to pass time, and few are passionate about what they are engaging in. Students ultimately want good grades, and teachers may not have a deep desire to teach their subject. Overtime, the actual content being taught becomes less valuable, and the grade becomes more important. When students only focus on grades, our minds can become “locked”. 

There have been numerous times where I have been in class, mindlessly memorizing information just in the hopes to get a good grade, not to fully experience learning. This is unfortunate because once this mindset is adopted in the classroom, I feel like it can bleed over to other aspects of life. For example, you may get a job that you hate, but stay because “it pays well”; or you may take a trip to an extravagant place, just to post pictures on Instagram, not because you sincerely wanted to travel there. When we have this “end goal” mentality, nothing good ever comes from it. Usually, we just look back and wish we would have been more present, which leads me to my final point.

In conclusion, I think this painting could be very useful in many situations; specifically in teaching history, or with it being the subject of an essay in language arts. Due to this painting’s versatility, I feel like it could be showcased in a variety of subjects. However, I think it would be important to show this to younger students and ask them of their interpretations. This painting could also have lots of different meanings for each person, but through writing, visualization, and conversation, students can express themselves. If I were teaching, I would ask students how this painting applies to the modern school system, and just everyday aspects of life. The more we discuss these topics and spread valuable knowledge, we can all eventually unlock our minds, and value experiences rather than end goals.

17

December 7, 2021

Moonlight Sonata 

Hanlin Chen

The Moonlight Sonata is a musical piece composed by Beethoven. The piece is of the classical genre. In the contemporary world, the piece has been played in different variations. However, the piece evokes various emotions including a feeling of relaxation. 

The piece is a unique musical piece. Other pieces may be unique in regards to the genre or composition. However, this musical piece is unique in respect of its ability to affect the emotion and mood of listeners. The music is an expression of the beauty of music. The music is purely played on the keys. However, the music has different variations that act as a tool to influence the listener’s emotions. 

The music can be used in a lesson to express the ability of artwork to evoke various kinds of emotions in onlookers. Artworks have the propensity to portray various messages and evoke various emotions. For example, an artwork of war is likely to evoke empathy in the onlooker. However, this is likely to differ depending on how the artist has depicted the war. If the artist depicts the war in terms of the soldiers matching this is less likely to evoke the emotions of empathy. 

Citizens are likely to ascribe to such artwork as a patriotic work. The musical piece by Beethoven is likely to inspire different feelings in the listeners. It is likely that listeners are likely to want to cry at some point. The music presents some somber modes in some episodes. However, the music piece also portrays the emotions of celebration in other intervals. The musical piece would be vital in explicating the various effects of art on the minds of onlookers or listeners. 

To me personally, this musical piece means more than just melody. The process of choosing this piece of music exhibits the change of mind on how I view art. I am putting more understanding into the art piece. I am thinking how I should teach as a teacher. I am not only listening to the music, but also planning the elaboration of the lesson. I like this change of mind.

18

December 7, 2021

Why Is Art Valuable?

John Howard Montealegre

Just this year, the infamous performance and graffiti artist, Banksy sold a piece entitled “Love is in the Bin” at auction for over eighteen million pounds. But what if you had the opportunity to buy an original Banksy for $60 on a street corner? A no-brainer, of course, buy as many as you can afford. Well on a summer day in 2014, Banksy offered unsuspecting pedestrians the opportunity of a lifetime by setting up alongside the rest of the street artists in central park and hiring someone to tend to the impromptu shop. However, this was no regular art sale as zero advertisements were made, there was no signage explicitly stating Banksy originals, and the uber-famous graffiti art blended right in with the rest of the vendors, unless you cared enough to ask of course. 

 The man tending the stand only revealed that these were indeed Banksy originals to the one soul who actually asked him throughout the course of the long day. The entire sale itself was a piece of performance art simply titled, “Art Sale.” Out of thousands of passersby, less than five people made a purchase and Banksy only netted $420 that day. A clear statement by the notorious legend of street art, as if any advertisements were made and people were informed, then the art, without a doubt, would have sold out in seconds. 

Gareth Williams is quoted as saying, "The fact that his paintings were original and were being offered at a tiny fraction of their true retail value, raises real questions about the perception of worth and the nature of art as commodity within the marketplace – something that the artist must be acutely aware of." Similar projects have been done with famous orchestral artists performing in the subway and they were mostly ignored completely, as Banksy was. I believe that this performance piece correlates entirely with the theme that has recurred all semester which is that the arts are undervalued in schools and the education system. Just as the pedestrians walked by, dismissing the art and not giving it a second thought, schools and education boards around the world are cutting their programs without a second thought.  

Actions like these are detrimental to a students education, just as if the pedestrians were to simply stop and ask they would have been informed they just hit the jackpot and are in for a big pay day, or at least a Banksy original and the story of a lifetime. Very much like educators and administrators everywhere would realize the profound positives and importance of keeping the arts in a student’s daily educational routine, if they were to just ask and delve even the slightest bit into research which depicts the immense positives of art and expression, they would hit the educational jackpot and foster a greater community by giving students the opportunity to find their niche in the arts community and create a sense of belongingness as everyone deserves to have one.

The real value of art lies in the experience of the creator, the perception of its audience, and the emotions evoked by both during the process. Educators and students alike, take example from Banksy and understand that the value of art and its programs should not rely on materialistic and financial means, as the second anonymity is presented the perception of value is lost, so instead of anonymously axing the arts out of the educational process, administrators must find the true value of their arts program and personally see just how many people’s lives it improves on a daily basis. They must see how much dedication, happiness, and opportunity it brings to the members of its community to truly know why art is valuable.

19

December 8, 2021

Untitled 1988

Allison Rubin

    For the past few years, I have attended an event called Art Basel in Miami Florida which is the leading global platform connecting art collectors, galleries, and artists. Honestly, prior to this, I really did not know much about art, but attending these events have made me very interested in art and artists. Ever since, I have followed many collectors and artists on social media platforms. Through this journey I have recognized that I enjoy abstract art and discovering the meaning of the art. I also enjoy the simplicity in many art pieces. When I looked at this assignment, I had to think really hard about what piece I wanted to introduce, but after looking through my favorite artists, I easily decided that Untitled 1988 by Keith Haring is the perfect art piece that can be combined with other subjects and taught to a class.

    Art pieces have many meanings to them depending on how you, as an individual, choose to view them. Keith Haring is a recognized artist who is very popular in the modern art category. He typically uses black bold outlines with bright primary colors to express repeating symbols and images in his pieces. I chose this specific piece because I like how the heart and human figures portray Haring’s optimistic belief in humanity. This is something that Haring stands for and shares through all of his artwork which is a positive characteristic about him. I view this piece by Keith Haring as an abstract piece that shares interesting concepts and emotions induced by brushstrokes, shapes, and composition. 

    This piece represents Haring’s positive belief in humanity and the power of love while the lines represent energy and movement. Haring’s use of symbols has meaning as well, the round lines and lines around figures indicate movement. His use of short straight lines indicates sound and the lines around a figure indicates energy. The heart portrays love and the human figures holding up the heart resemble the power of love. It also resembles that there is optimistic belief in humanity and people come together to make that reality. The small lines around the heart and the human figures represent energy and movement. 

    As a student learning about education and the arts, I have found most interest in elementary education in this class and I believe I can use this piece of art in a lesson. There is a lot to learn about this piece including the colors and the language of colors. The intriguing concepts of Haring’s pieces will teach students new concepts and emotions that can be brought by shapes and brush strokes. Along with these technicalities, I think that this specific piece will teach young students the importance of love and humanity. This piece resembles coming together as one and I believe that it is very important to teach this to children at a young age. Along with this, Haring’s artwork is composed of simple shapes that young children should begin to learn to draw and while learning about the importance of the piece the students can also learn how to draw these shapes. They can also learn the importance of small lines which emphasize movements and sounds in artwork. 

    Overall, I have been a fan of Keith Haring for as long as I can remember. I think that his pieces resemble a lot of importance through simple brush strokes, lines, outlines, and colors. It would be interesting for elementary students to understand the importance of love and friendship through this piece of art. I chose a piece of art that is easy for young students to understand and that it has enough meaning for adults to enjoy as well.

 

References

Keith Haring, untitled, 1988, Silkscreen (s). Masterworks Fine Art Gallery. (n.d.). Retrieved December 8, 2021, from https://www.masterworksfineart.com/artists/keith-haring/silkscreen/untitled-1988-2/id/W-10070.

Gallery Art Blog. (2015, May 23). Keith Haring – untitled, 1988. Gallery Art Blog. Retrieved December 8, 2021, fromhttps://galleryartblog.com/2015/04/13/keith-haring-untitled-1988/. 

20

December 8, 2021

The Last Judgment

Wenyang Cao

            As a person who practices christianity, I have been heavily influenced by bible verses and varieties of art pieces from this religion since childhood. I remember when I attended weekly worships and learned faithful materials by hearing pastors’ sermons. Not only that, I was also very interested in looking at all the paintings that were displayed on the walls. Those backgrounds led me to take art history class about those kinds of artwork last year, and found out that “The Last Judgment” that was painted by Michelangelo was one of my favorite art pieces.

            Thus, the fresco “The Last Judgment”, commissioned by Paul III, was created by the famous Italian Renaissance painter Michelangelo. The fresco covered the whole altar wall of the Sistine Chapel. It shows the Second Coming of Christ and the Final Judgment by God of all humanity. This masterpiece contains over 300 muscular figures, in an infinite variety of dynamic poses, filling the wall to its edges. The primary colors for this artwork are yellow, green, orange, and blue. Those colors scattered throughout this piece and unify the complex scene of Christ's final judgment. 

            Even though this fresco contains over 300 figures, the whole piece is well designed and organized to its finest. The composition is organized into quadrants and tiers, with sub-groups and meaningful pairings that promote the fresco’s legibility. The piece rises on the left and descends on the right, recalling the scales used for the weighing of souls in many depictions of the Last Judgment. To be more exact, Christ sits in the middle, his hand raised in casting judgment on the damned who sink into the depths of hell, and Virgin Mary sits at his left and St. Peter, who holds the keys of Heaven, is next to him as well. 

    

    The overall composition circles in a flowing motion, with the saved on Christ’s left pictured rising up from their graves while the damned are pushed down into hell, so we can see many cruel and ugly characters at the bottom of the fresco.  The piece is also very detailed, it contains many symbols and reflects some meanings. There are many saints painted around Christ, they exceed large in the foreground and extend far into the depth of the painting, dissolving the boundary of the picture. St. John the Baptist and St. Peter who settle around Christ share his massive proportions to point out their importance.

This painting is also great for teaching advanced art history classes or art appreciation classes due to its background and controversy. In fact, back then, many people were still confused about the protestant reformation and were trying to implement spiritual reforms. They didn’t appreciate Michelangelo’s piece because it contained a lot of nudity and it also mixed mythology with religious figures. Many others suggested that Michelangelo’s painting should have been more closely related to the event as described in the Bible. However, many praised the work as a masterpiece. They saw Michelangelo’s distinct figural style, with its complex poses, detailed foreshortening, and powerful musculature as worthy of both the subject matter and the location. Those controversies can stimulate great discussions in class and make students give out their own opinion about the piece. The long history of this fresco can also be great information for students to learn and absorb facts about the period. 

Ultimately, this picture can be a great representation of Michelangelo’s art style and thus give a great interpretation of how he draws. As a great example of an Italian Renaissance masterpiece, Its’ complexity and controversy can be great topics that can be discussed in class and help educate students. 

The Mona Lisa Essays

21

December 9, 2021

Become Better by Mona Lisa

Hairui Deng

 

“Mona Lisa” is an oil painting created by Italian Renaissance painter Leonardo Da Vinci between 1503 and 1517. It is now in the Louvre Museum in France. The painting mainly shows the typical image of elegance and tranquility of women. It portrays the image of an upper class woman during the rise of capitalism. “Mona Lisa” represents the aesthetic direction of the Renaissance. This work reflects the profound and noble quality of women's thoughts. It  reflects the aesthetic concept and pursuit of women's beauty during the Renaissance period.

 

I choose this artwork because “Mona Lisa” is the most impressive work since I studied art. I think what makes this work great is that people have a lot of interpretations of her. Some have discovered that Leonardo Da Vinci's “Mona Lisa” turned out to be a self-portrait, while others have turned it over and found a gorilla. However, “Mona Lisa” is a famous because it represents Da Vinci's artistic thoughts. The picture depicts a quiet and dignified beautiful woman, who is full of joy and confidence in life. 

The painter quickly grasped the smiling expression of the woman and showed her subtle mental activities, giving the audience a rich association. The portrait depicts the woman's face, neck, and hands in soft tones and delicate techniques. This sweet artistic style is completely consistent with the Renaissance's praise of humanity and appreciation of female beauty. In the picture, she sits gracefully on a chair on the balcony. In the background, the undulating distant mountains, winding paths, and murmuring water make people feel that she is always an unconfined bird flying on the water in the spiritual field of vision. 

Da Vinci gave "Mona Lisa" bright eyes, slender eyelashes, hair that fell halfway to the chest. According to the aesthetic view of the time, female eyebrows were not painted on her because they were bad for the clarity of her eyes. Everything is unified in the air and the rippling asthenosphere. In order to strengthen the clear expression of the characteristics of the times, Da Vinci broke through the absurd regulation of the medieval church. This is, the portrayal of people below the abdomen would cause people's lust, so the church prohibited portrayals of people below the abdomen. Nevertheless, Dan Vinci painted his characters below the abdomen, openly opposing medieval views. 

Mona Lisa's dress is simple and elegant, with musical pleated clothes instead of the usual jewels on women's portraits, and a thin veil is gently lifted on her forehead to increase the charm of her face. Her hands are so exquisitely painted that they seem to convey a gentle warmth. Mona Lisa's most elusive feature is a smile on her lips. This smile has been called "holy smile", "charming smile", "charm smile", and even someone called "evil smile."  Mona Lisa's smile has become the mystery of the ages. 

Da Vinci said that the eyes are the windows of the soul, through which you can peek into the whole inner world of the characters. Her smile, her eyes, showed the confidence of the new bourgeoisie, announced the collapse of theocracy, usher in a new century.

 

The fine arts curriculum is recognized as one of the most effective courses for cultivating creativity. Imagination is the source of both artistic creation and scientific invention. In junior high school art class, students often do not understand the changes in the inner feelings of the characters, unable to resonate, which leads to the difficulty of using the brush to create flexibly, and only mechanically copy the facial expressions of the characters. In view of this, I would focus on the interesting expression changes of the characters as the mainline. Furthermore, I would stimulate students to do preliminary observation of emotions and people's eyes, nose, and mouth to notice  subtle changes. This would give students the freedom they mean need to develop their character's personality. Based on preliminary perception and understanding of the basic features of the human face, artistic creation can develop students' sense of imagination and creativity.

 

After taking TAL 324, I have learned that subjects are all connected. The skills that students learn or develop in art classes can be applied to other subjects. For example, in the portrait creation of this art class, students' imagination and creativity developed in the process are extremely important for writing. Without enough imagination and creativity, fiction would not exist. It would be written in the same way and not be interesting to readers. 

Secondly, students' observation ability will be improved through preliminary observation of the expressions of happiness, sadness, and joy and the changes of people's eyebrows, eyes, nose, and mouth. When the observational ability students is enhanced in combination with the imagination and creativity mentioned above, students can view or solve problems from different angles. For example, in philosophy courses, students would need to find a new angle to explain the phenomenon in a debate. They could used their  observational abilities to re-imagine the past or modern humanistic environment that could support their arguments.

22

December 11, 2021

Seen By Millions

Jordan Radden

    The Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo Da Vinci is one of the most famous, valuable and captivating art pieces in the world. The painting was created using oils on a wood canvas in the early 1500s by Da Vinci and it remains in the Louvre museum of Paris, France today. Each year, the painting is seen by millions of people from around the world. The painting remains in a bulletproof case to protect it from thieves or poachers. 

    While most people have heard of the Mona Lisa or seen pictures of it, seeing this art piece in person would be very astounding and breathtaking. Luckily, I was able to see this painting prior to the COVID-19 pandemic on my brother's 30th monumental birthday trip to Paris, France. I had always seen pictures of the Mona Lisa in art class from a young age, but the actual piece is so much more powerful in person. 

    As a kid, I used to walk back and forth in front of the picture because her eyes follow you around no matter where you're standing. This is what makes the Mona Lisa such a powerful piece of art. Da Vinci was able to paint the eyes in a way that they appear as if they're moving. As a child, this was a very cool thing; yet, it was also scary and frightening if you saw her eyes following you around.

    The Mona Lisa is said to be worth more than $850 million dollars. It can be quite difficult to understand why the painting is valued so high. At the end of the day, it’s simply just a picture of a woman; yet, I think it has a deeper meaning. One thing that demonstrates why it's worth so much is the time period in which it was painted. The painting was created about 5 centuries ago and has still maintained its condition. 

    In addition to unique features like the illusion of following eyes, this painting clearly shows the time, effort and dedication needed to create something powerful and successful. Not only did Da Vinci create something astonishing, but he used the resources he could at the time to create the piece. This is also something that makes  his creation so pure and respected. The technology we have today can create this piece much easier; however, Da Vinci made a masterpiece with prehistoric tools. The fact that it's worth so much now shows how significant a simple painting can be. I really admire the Mona Lisa painting and I am very glad I was fortunate enough to see the original creation in person.

    After being in the Tal 324 class, my experience visiting the Mona Lisa became more important and valuable. This was primarily because I learned many background facts about art itself and how it can motivate everyone to learn, prosper and discover peace. Art is much more than paint on a canvas or clay being sculpted, it is a creative, soothing, pleasant, and expressive way of life that students can learn. Students can release tension creating art or even listening to it.

23

December 10, 2021

Frank Lloyd's Fallingwater

Chris Muchow

 

    When discussing art and magnificent artistic creations many neglect the beauty found in architecture. Architecture is everywhere, no matter where we go, we see buildings that are creations from the minds of others, envisioned and thought out extensively. However, just as in commonly known art such as paintings, sculptures, etc. not all built structures are considered good works of architecture and certainly not all are considered a work of art. You may now be asking what makes good architecture? What distinguishes a specific building from the multitude of others that surround it? We will explore these questions with a piece of architecture that is recognized for its greatness in architectural expression, Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright. 

    Fallingwater is an extra-dentary structure that cantilevers over a waterfall in the woods of Pittsburg. For starters, what sets this building apart from others is the way it blends into the site it is constructed on. Meaning that rather than demolishing the existing conditions of the site such as flattening out topography and tearing down trees, Frank Lloyd Wright takes a different approach and adapts his building to mold with the context it is built within. Wright even takes the aspect of including his building within nature to a whole new level by bringing nature into the living experience of the house. Since the residence sits above a natural waterfall, you can hear the peaceful sounds of the flowing water throughout the day in many spaces in the structure creating a unique experience for the residents of the space. 

    Not only does Fallingwater make legendary moves in architectural form and style it also has deep meaning for Frank Lloyd Wright's career. Architecturally it brings to light and successfully displays the idea of “organic architecture,” which as previously discussed is the inclusion of a designed structure with the nature around it. Along with revolutionizing the idea of organic architecture the building also can be looked at as the one that sealed Frank Lloyd Wright's spot as one of the most legendary architects of all time. At the time this building was being designed, Frank Lloyd Wright's legacy was in question as he was reaching the later end of his career. However, once this structure was erected there was no longer a debate about the talent Wright possessed. 

The beauty of such brilliant architecture is the number of lessons it can be used to teach us not only architecturally but also in traditional classroom settings. Such a building can be used in learning spatial awareness and understanding areas and square footage. In math classes we often learn about calculating areas, however, are given no real-life way to visualize what these numbers really mean. By accompanying a lesson on these topics with a building like falling water students can better understand the meaning of the numbers they are calculating. 

    Overall Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright is a brilliant work of architectural genius. Such a well thought out artistic creation that revolutionized the architectural world can easily be included in the general educational classroom as well. It can be used to create traditionally boring lessons much more intriguing and exciting for the students and as we all know students learn best when they are enjoying and are passionate about what they are doing. 

24

December 10, 2021

Italy Milan by Camilla Ferrari

Haiming Hao

It is almost evident that the most significant event globally after the World War II has been the Covid-19 pandemic, which has shaken peoples’ understanding of normal life across the world. It is safe to say that Covid-19 has divided time into pre and post Covid-19 eras. Amidst fear, frustration and socioeconomically crippling effects of the pandemic, people have illustrated the indomitable resilience of the human spirit in seeking and finding beauty in the oddest places as illustrated by the photograph “Italy, Milan” captured by Camilla Ferrari (National Geographic, 2020). The photograph features ordinary objects collected from the lawn and the house, making it to belong to the still life photography genre. This essay evaluates the above photograph and illustrates how it demonstrates both art and optimism. 

The photograph “Italy, Milan” is fantastically beautiful, due to its sharp contrast, unique colors, and textures. It catches the eye and invigorates the mind by its unique visual appeal. It also elevates curiosity as the observer is drawn to look into different areas within it, and enjoy unique variations in colors, shades, and textures. However, this attractive appeal also draws the observer to appreciate its oddness and hence beauty in mundane things. Objects captured are dried leaves and lichen arranged to form a flower. Others include boxes, shells, and tree cones, tufts of grasses, birds’ skulls and egg shells among others. These are all items that a person can easily collect in an overgrown garden or lawn. When viewed in real life conditions, they have no significance and can easily be ignored. However, when arranged as seen in this photograph, and the view captured by a skilled photographer, the ‘magic’ seen in the photo is achieved. Looking at “Italy, Milan”, numerous questions relating to the photographer’s inspiration and the circumstances under which it was taken come to mind. However, Camilla Ferrari’s words concerning it can assist in responding to these questions, and also reveal a significant aspect of the human spirit in the face of danger and desperation.

The photographer, Camilla Ferrari stated how she had remained under lockdown for many months following the first wave of covid-19 in Italy, which had extensively ravaged the society (National Geographic, 2020). Amidst these events, she stated that she tried to remain optimistic by researching, reflecting, and taking pictures. While at home and unable to travel to view or photograph things she thought were beautiful, she decided to look around for beauty around her, and it seems she found it. Therefore, she collected these items from in and around her house, arranged them and took photos. This photo stands out and can be used for teaching art alongside psychology to teach on optimism. It illustrates how the photographer made and captured a beautiful view from uninteresting and even odd objects. Looking at the circumstances under which it was made, it demonstrates that many challenges can be faced and surmounted by training the mind to remain optimistic in the face of adversity. 

The photograph under review in this easy illustrates meticulous work of collecting and arranging ordinary objects to generate an exotic view and hence capturing it with a camera. The circumstances under which it was captured were bleak due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, it illustrates the resilience of the photographer, and it can be used to teach art as well as optimism to Elementary and Secondary students.   

Reference

National Geographic (2020). Italy, Millan in: Coronavirus Coverage These photos capture a world paused by coronavirus. Accessed [November 28 2021] from. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/these-photos-capture-a-world-paused-by-coronavirus

 

25

December 10, 2021

What is meant FOR you won't pass you by

Amaya Turner

    The piece above created by Ashely Pinklomein is called What is meant FOR you won't pass you by. The genre is self discovery and coming of age. The style is a postmodern art because it expresses challenges and shows high culture and diversity with a powerful message.

    I chose What is meant FOR you won't pass you by because I remember the feeling the first time I saw this piece. I was moved. This past summer, I was shopping for decor for my dorm room. I had an anxious and exciting feeling starting a new chapter in my life as I was about to become a freshman in colloge. As I was feeling various mixed emotions while walking up and down the store’s isels, I looked up and saw the Ashley Pink Logmein creation. 

    Her artwork instantly made me feel at ease and really moved me. I had never felt this sense of peace, strength and excitement before when seeing art. It wasn't even the look, size or color scheme I was searching for, but something about this piece touched my soul and inspired my inner strength letting me know it was going to be alright. It’s not everyday you see a piece of art showing a positive light on a colored woman. I love the image of the biracial woman with her natural hair. 

    I’m obsessed with the colors used to define her face. The brown, blue, pink, and yellow not only complements her features but gives a calming energy to the viewer. This picture is exactly what I want to become. It gives me hope for my future and really inspires me. Although my mother wouldn't let me buy it because it was too expensive and wouldn't fit in the suitcase, I still think about this piece to this day.

    What is meant FOR you won't pass you by is a self discovery piece. It’s the realization that if something is destined for you there will be opportunities for you to grab it. This piece has an important message because it gives people simpliticy. Life is full of positive and negative moments that we can’t control but if we realize that and try our best in any situation then what is meant to be is meant to be. It’s not only a realization piece but an empowering one for biracial women as well.

    This piece can be used in class to teach students the importance of context and self discovery. Students can evaluate and use critical thinking skills for a deeper meaning in this piece of art. Not only are students looking for the bigger picture but focusing on mental health as well. Mental health is a serious issue all over the world and needs to be addressed more. Self-discovery can be compared to a refresh or a better understanding of ourselves which is important for mental health.

    Originally I was in this class because my athletic advisor picked out a cognate for me and I didn't have any interest in the arts. These past few months I found myself getting excited for a 9:40am class. The arts and this class not only taught me how to connect and teach a class but the importance that art has on the educational system. The arts are desperately needed for children and I hope more schools have a realization on that.

26

“The Persistence of Memory” By Salvador Dali

 

Jess Jacobs 

 

“The Persistence of Memory” is a very famous surrealism painting by Salvador Dalí. It was painted it in 1931. This painting represents the understanding of space and time in the world. The clocks are melting, emphasizing the passing and relativity of time. This painting helps teach the valuable lesson of how quickly time flies and how important it is to cherish life. 

 

I selected this piece because it resonates with the current stage of my life. I am a senior, and boy did my time at the University of Miami fly. I remember my freshman year of college, I was at my first football game, and I was talking to two senior girls. They both told me to cherish every moment at the U. During my ups and downs, this is something I think about frequently. I don’t remember what those two girls looked like, but I will always remember their impact on me. This beautiful art piece represents how fast time moves and slips through your fingers, melting into memories, which describes my college experience. Additionally, the Dalí Museum is in my hometown, Saint Petersburg, Florida. Although this painting does not reside there. It is one that I connect with. 

 

As the new year is approaching, people are beginning to focus on their new year’s resolutions. I would teach this lesson the first day back from winter break. I would have my students write about their proudest moment in the past year and a moment that they wish they handled differently and how they would do it. I would explain how this painting represents the importance of time and memory connecting it to the importance and impacts of one’s actions. Finally, I would have my students write down three resolutions they are going to focus on during the school year. 

 

I have been looking forward to taking this class since my freshman year of college. It was my last class to complete my Elementary Education minor as well! I was not too sure what to expect when joining the class; however, it was something along the lines of theater, music, and visual arts. A lesson like the one I described above is one I never would have thought of before taking this class, and I will always look back on the valuable information I learned in this class!

 

27

Aware Artwork 

Jason Donovan

The piece of art I chose is “Defacement” by Jean Michel Basquiat. This piece shows the death of Michael Stewart at the hands of NYPD officers. This painting was painted in 1983 in the Neo Expressionist style that was very popular in New York City at this time period. This piece tells the story of a young graffiti writer named Michael Stewart who was arrested for vandalizing a subway. He arrived at the precinct in serious condition and from then he lay in a coma for 13 days before his death. Being a friend of many artists around New York at the time this death had a heavy impact on them, one shown in this painting. Showing this piece to students would be very effective because of its very youthful style, its relevant social critique, and its connection to similar events in the past. 

First, I chose this piece because the style it is painted in is easily related to and able to be deciphered by students. Neo Expressionism often involves very rapid brushwork and spontaneous technique that is similar to the way children paint. By using an artwork like this, children are much more likely to understand it versus very intricate works from the past. This style and medium that children are familiar with allows them to more effectively understand the content of the piece by presenting to them in a recognizable format. On this piece, the two police officers are very distinguishable and the figure in the middle is very evidently in pain. The single word “defacement” in the middle of the canvas hangs over the drama occurring underneath asking, “what is really happening here?” 

This piece shows the abuse of power and often violence of authority figures. It very eloquently shows the positions of power of the police and the vulnerability of Michael Stewart who was arrested for a nonviolent crime. It serves as a critique for the treatment of people by authorities and others in positions of power. This premise was true before the painting, while it was painted, and even today, where not much has changed.

Using what I said previously I believe this piece can pair well with a history lesson. This lesson would be about social injustices of the past, specifically focusing on the 20^th century.  The cases of Emmett Till and Rodney King would pair well in a history lesson to give context to the type of society that results in a piece of art like this. This lesson can be paired with a current events lesson that follows a similar path but discusses for contemporary cases such as George Floyd or Trayvon Martin. 

Within the context of the class this piece for me is an opportunity to teach about injustice. It clearly shows violence being performed and the almost childlike quality of it makes it much more innocent. This innocence mixed with the very serious nature of the painting mix to create a strange eerie feeling that there is a disconnect that resonates within me. In the context of the arts this piece to me is a tribute to a friend and a cry for help. It does not argue with point in an over-the-top arrogant way, it is quite simple and through this simplicity, the true story of this painting shines in the forefront. To me this piece is of the utmost importance because of its relevance and the importance of the issue it shows. 

28

Art I'm Passionate About

Lingzi Ye

The global disruption brought by the Covid Pandemic resulted in several limiting factors that could not guarantee people's safety during movement, as a result, I could no longer be able to safely explore the various art pieces around my state as I usually did on holidays. However, this did not completely limit me from pursuing my passion and as a secondary option, I opted to view various art publications online. This approach proved to expose me to a unique type of artistic environment where I could explore some f the most unique Renaissance art masterpieces across the globe. 

 

Among these works of art is Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper, which is displayed on the wall of Milan's Santa Maria Delle Grazie (King,2012). Even though I saw numerous masterpieces online, the "Last Supper" impressed me as a powerful example of Leonardo da Vinci's artistry and vision. He employs both, together with his interpretation of the Holy Scriptures, to bring the last moments before Juda's betrayal of Jesus  Christ (Ladwein, 2006). Having an internalized assessment of this marvelous piece of art exposes us not only to Da Vinci's artistic expertise but exposes us to how different elements come together in nature to form a cognitive meaning.

 

Da Vinci's depiction of Christ and the apostles, as depicted in this picture, is one of the most distinctive and intriguing I've ever come across. Since the Last Supper is a prominent element of the artist's mission, this dramatic element is a logical choice. To further,  in regards to his compositional skills, Da Vinci depicts Christ with his torso shaped like a triangle in the middle of the painting, with the apostles in between.

 

The structure and location of the picture are intimately entertwined with religious literature, where the four sets of three apostles alongside Christ at the table correspond to the four Gospels and three as the number of the Holy Trinity, as described in the Bible. In addition to being an Italian High Renaissance masterpiece, it was one of the best-known pieces of Christian art depicting the scenario from the final days of Jesus Christ, as related in the Gospel of John 13:21. Da Vinci stays up with Quattrocento's early revolutionary artistic methods, such as the one-point- linear- perspective represented with a vanishing point near Christ's head to underline the centrality of Christ. His right eye is the focal point of all the lines, bringing the viewer's attention therein. 

 

Two parts of the Last Supper have historically been shown in Christian art: Christ's revelation to his Apostles that one of them would betray him and their response to this revelation, and the creation of the sacrament of the Eucharist with the Apostles' communion (Varriano, 2008). Thus, there is a connection between Leonardo's Last Supper and other areas, including Theology and Psychology, because of its innovativeness in capturing a form of realism that was previously unseen in Italian painting in the previous century.  With its mathematical symbolism and psychological intricacy, as well as the use of perspective and dramatic emphasis, this painting serves as the first authentic example of High Renaissance aesthetics.

 

29

Andreas Gursky's Photographic Art

Jiangke (Eric) Yao

Contemporary phtographic art is quite intimidating since it is hard to understand it unless one is given a clear description and analysis of the photo. Unfortunately, historians and critics have easily dismiss photographic art as they have do not give enough credit and categorization to it. Learning the basics in understanding photographic art will help our students.

If someone asked me about phtographic art, my reasoning goes to German artist Andreas Gursky. His art can be taught in a class and given a descriptive analysis of the same to have students  understand his photos. Having studied how to incorporate arts in a class setting, I find it easy to explain this pice, Rhine 2, to emphasize it. Rhine 2 was taken in 1999. Gursky took most of his time doing photography as an art. He motivated many people within Germany and across the globe.  His photographic art was taken from an actual views of Germany. 

There are pictures composed of a simple image that draws a compositional wealth of possibilities.  This photo does not have trees, livestock, or power lines; they are removed by the photographer through his digital creativity. This piece is seven feet high and twelve feet long, meaning that it would allow more objects to be shown. However, Gursky only focused on showing the relevance and understanding of an imaginary world far from our thoughts.

I found the picture online and read its origin and description analysis since it had much influence and popularity. My interest motivated me to learn Gursky's photographic works. I have always had a big passion for reading and understanding German works of art. Luckily, I came across one of the best of Gursky's pictures that changed photography styles by enhancing creativity into art. His art was quite hard to understand and drew strong reactions from the public. This picture led to discussions that asked many questions, such as, "is photography equal to painted art?" 

After many debates about Gurky's  art, people can now understand it. However, their views are far from what the photographer was symbolizing. The photograph initially had trees. However, after its editing, it can be regarded as an art piece. It shows how the photographer wished the World looked like from his perspective. From a distance, the picture does not contain the color images obtained from a Camera. The art shapes the World in which the photographer wishes to live. 

The art resonates with an undemanding of a world without any plans, only the sky and the land. Some think that the photograph evokes a biblical imagination from the creation stories of the world before God started creating the rest of the universe's properties. Children learning at middle and lower schools may be curious to know how the World looked before anything else was created. The picture serves as a good example that can be used to make students understand how the World looked or how the World would look without vegetation.

In conclusion, art can be used in classes to teach photography, art, and history. Learners may use the art to learn and judge what existed before the creation. In a photography class, the art can be an example of excellent editing processes that need devotion and psychological thinking that leaves a message to the audience. In an art class, students understand how to incorporate values and understanding of arts and how it changes, how art can be impacted by ancient and modern art. This learning scheme develops learners'  critical thinking as they think about the development of photographic art.

30

Kehinde Wiley: “Equestrian Portrait of Philip IV”

Cayla Dious

                                   

            This piece of art called “Equestrian Portrait of Philip IV” was created by one of my favorite painters, Kehinde Wiley. He is heavily inspired by European Old Master portraiture, but he puts an interesting twist on it.  He combines this old painting style with the modern world today by using Black men and women as the focus of the paintings, rather than just White people in order to include Black people in the narrative. In traditional European paintings, Black people were left out, so Wiley gives a new perspective on this style of painting which I find refreshing. This piece and others by Kehinde Wiley can easily be incorporated into other subjects such as history, because it gives black people agency and places them in a position of power.  

 

            Wiley uses people he finds in his own neighborhood as the models of his artwork which I find amazing because it gives them a chance to be admired as artwork. I think this piece is important because it shows Black people in a positive light and sometimes in history classes when racism is discussed, it can get dark. This piece can be used to uplift Black people and show that they are powerful and resilient. Wiley doesn’t take away their personality or what they are wearing, he paints them as they are which I find inspiring. He also gives the people he paints a choice of what Old European portraits they would like to inhabit. 

 

            By asking for their opinion, Wiley is opening an important dialogue with these strangers who may have never felt valued or worthy.  As stated before, this piece could be used in history classes. It can shed a light on how Black people were left out of the narrative during the time Old European paintings were made. One might not even notice that there are very few Black people depicted in those old paintings so this piece can help bring awareness to that issue. 

 

       This class helped me to see the deeper meaning in several different art forms. I learned that everything can be art and the interpretations of a certain art piece can be endless. “Equestrian Portrait of Philip IV” reflects that knowledge because on the surface, this piece may just seem like a person on a horse, but there is a deeper message that the author is trying to send. The interpretations and discussions that could be had about this one piece are endless and I think that is the beauty of arts in education. 

 

 31

Vintage Framed Gold Foil Old World Map

 

Manu Tobal

 

 

            The picture I chose to analyze is a piece of art that I have at home, to which I have not paid much attention throughout my life. This past semester, since I’ve been taking online classes at home, I moved to a different spot of the house to use as a work area for school, a place which I never really spent time at. It is here that I realized this framed piece which represents the world globe as it was interpreted hundreds of years ago. The details that make up this piece of art are simply amazing. The materials used, the shiny golden tone that surrounds the globe is very attractive. It also conveys a sense of history and how things have evolved, even the perception of land, which I find useful for teaching. 

 

            After a brief google search, I found that this beautiful gold foiled old world map is a reproduction of what is considered to be one of the great examples from the golden age of Dutch cartography. The original Nova totius Terrarum Orbis geographica ac hydrographica tabula was created in 1630 by Henricus Hondius (1597-1651), a Dutch engraver and mapmaker. It was later published the following year in the atlas Atlantis Majoris Appendix, which is the closest to the copy I have at home. The map includes portraits of Julius Caesar, Claudius Ptolemy, Jodocus Hondius, (who was Henricus’ father), and other important historic figures of the time.

    This picture can be used to teach in different instances. Apart from the historical and geographical content of the map, the picture can be used in an art class to teach students how to make such an art piece. For instance, for an artist to be able to re-create the map, it has to count with all the necessary elements of art, which are the visual components of color, form, line, shape, space, texture, and value. I believe that this map can be used in an advanced Art course, where the teacher uses the map as a reference of the final product, and shows the steps and materials needed to perform something similar in quality.

 

What I like about this assignment is the freedom of choosing what we want to write creatively about. In my case, I realized throughout this semester that there was a really nice piece of art at home which I never paid attention to. Creativity, in my opinion, is finding new ways of thinking and performing things in an ordinary world, where many things are predictable. I believe that the best people at every profession have the ability to think creatively, and that is what makes them stand out and tolerate adversity.