Final Blog Post

My final art project is based on the work of Naum Gabo and his style of constructivism. Gabo primarily made sculptures but this being a 2D design class, I chose to depict what Gabo may make today in a two dimensional format. I followed his normal style of a metallic futuristic like sculpture. Being more modern than when he was creating art however, rather than depict a futuristic machine I created an image depicting binary computer code. This is representative that our future is not based as much in machines but instead will be driven more in the digital world. I used three different sheets of paper to construct each layer with the frame, code, and background of the piece. I tried to have a sense of texture brought to the piece by constructing the frame of my image out of fact tape to give it a metallic look.

I had difficulty at the beginning of the semester as I have never had any real appreciation for art. As I went on though and realized the openness of the assignments I realized that a form of art is in mechanical design and specifically in cars which I do appreciate. The openness of each of our class projects was extremely helpful for me because virtually every project we did I was able to find a concept that I could relate to and appreciate. Throughout further study of the artist that I focused in on this semester I even realized that Gabo actually studied engineering. My biggest take away form this class is realizing that art is in more places than just on a canvas in a museum. I don't see anyway to improve this aspect of the class, I appreciate that we were all able to find topics that fit our own interest and stay within the given guidelines.

2017 Student Exhibition

I visited the student exhibition this past week in the fine arts gallery. One exhibit that drew my attention more than the others was the exhibition on pets. These were visual paintings appearing to adore animals that could be found in most homes. One painting that I chose to focus on was a close up of a dog's face. The focal point of the piece is the dog's eyes which appear very life like. The brush strokes around the dog's face appear to give the fur lifelike qualities and even though it is clearly a painting it has the realistic characteristics of a photograph.

Light City at Loyola

The on campus event that I chose to attend first was Light City on Loyola's campus. The three exhibitions that caught my attention most were the digital projection of art pieces inside the student center, the large "L" that was in front of humanities, and the motion projection of art that was outside the student center. The digital art depictions displayed on the glass instantly made the art pieces appear modern even for pieces that were over a century old. By changing the medium of which the art piece is viewed it changes the interpretation of the piece. The large "L" outside of Humanities was more of just a fun art piece that was pleasing to view. The changing colors draw in observers from a distance away and it is only on approach that the "L" becomes distinct form a mass of light. The planetary motion projection was my favorite piece form the event. It reminded me more of a short movie than a traditional art piece and held my attention longer. Rather than analyze one image I was viewing a series of movements.

Post Modernism

The articles I read on post modernism were difficult for me to form an opinion on. What I gathered from them is that post modernism is the unification of many cultures and types of art into the formation of one project. Traits from numerous regions of the globe form together to create one unique identity in it's respective field. An example was given of coke in that they take capitalism as well as traits scene from buddhist and hindu through their advertisement campaigns that would never ordinarily go together. These unlike things would never be expected to conform with one another and instead not only conform together, but create unique ideas that make up nearly every aspect of our everyday modern lives.

Kubler

An interesting thing I noted in Kubler's article was the emphasis he placed on the similarities between scientists and artists yet the different treatment they receive. Historically advances in science are spoken of more often than that of artists. Additionally Kubler emphasizes specialization among scientists and its's similarities to artists. A physicist is not expected to understand or be successful at biology just as two artists may be masters of different fields but not broadly a master at art. A physicist is not a waste roof science in the broadest sense similar to an artist.

Data Visualization

I enjoyed the video about data visualization because it expanded on the possibility of using data visualization for a purpose other than that of a standard art form. There is a form of practicality that can be utilized through the use of data visualization. I have seen data visualization from working in a restaurant. I took the data on the number of food items sold in a given week and then created a new menu based off of the information. The data visualization here did not necessarily create an art but it did create a menu from the affects of its analysis. Art typically conveys a message just as data does. Data transmits a message to improve or analyze something while normal art analysis also conveys a message.

Originally these two pieces both appeared white. When placed on top of one another the smaller piece of paper appears more of a grayish or blue color. The larger bottom piece appears closer to a beige. 

                                                                                     Photoshop Edit

Original advertisment

The first insight I had as to the Berger video was how perspective can change how we perceive art so drastically. Seeing art in person the way the artist intended it to be seen, with it's original texture and surrounding environment can change how we view the artists work. Texture aside and relating to the environment, whatever other senses are stimulated when viewing the art can also change how it is perceived. For example music in the background of the art piece can alter one's perception of the original work that they would not notice by viewing it outside of its original showcase.
The second thing I noted about the Berger video was his disapproval of the camera. Berger argues that the camera takes away from the original beauty and intention of the artwork in the ways that I discussed in the previous paragraph. There is unintentional distortion in the use of a camera when a photo of art is taken. Either through movement, loss of texture, or loss of background a camera is never able to capture the full intention of an original piece of art.

Baltimore Museum of Art

This work of art is formed by Magdelene Odundo and takes inspiration from the form of a woman's body in the creation of her art. It is described as "questioning the relationship" of societal conceptions and ideals of beauty contrasted to the true form of a woman. I was drawn to this piece of art because it lacked normal symmetry that nearly every other piece possessed, rather it was created in a unique form to the artist. 

This was my favorite piece that I looked at in the art museum because it was not crafted out of a single block of a substance, rather it was created using a metal frame and hundreds of different metal wires to construct this sculpture. The artist was Naum Gabo from Russia and was created with the idea of some form of futuristic machine in mind. This work's intricate design and form that was created out of so many components is what attracted my attention to the piece out of all the other works in the museum. 

This work was created by Jacques Lipchitz, an American and originally done in 1915. I was drawn to this sculpture not because of its intricacy but because of its simplicity. It stood out as a solitary figure and did not offer any true description in regards to the design of the piece. I especially liked it because it seemed to merge several shapes into one standing figure without letting any one shape dominate. The separate shapes are merged into one and no single structure could be separated from the statue and stand on its own. Rather the sculpture depends on each of its parts and would be nothing without each entity formed into one shape. 

Visibility

"Visibility," is an article that speaks more on the contemplation of art and where the meaning of it actually originates from. A very apt comparison is made to where inspiration for visions or art come from in the form of an iceberg. Very little is actually seen from the surface but most of the substantial body, or inspiration in this case, is hidden from view. Inspiration for how we perceive are is rooted in our own minds and whatever factors shape them. Rather than depict art physically this article makes the case that allowing art to be construed in the mind actually offers a more holistic view. Rather than have the art created solely by the artist, authors have the ability to create art that appeals individually to every beholder. Similarly, when an artist does create a visual work, the idea for this art is perceived only in the eyes of the artist adding the individuality of a human mind and outwardly showing it to the rest of the world. It is impressive to think that each piece of art is formed uniquely by a sole persons mind and whatever causes shaped their mind in a way that outwardly produced an individual art form. An author has the ability to call on people to express this ability by forcing people to visualize how they perceive the art taking a more involved approach. The two approaches are alike in that originality is needed. They differ in the fact that in literary art, the reader is left to visualize and form their own images in their head, while a single artist requires the beholder to try and see into the artists meaning behind their work.

The Whole Ball of Wax

"The Whole Ball of Wax," is an article describing how although art physically is unable to cause massive changes in the world, its impact on human beings is so profound that it can be attributed to global change. The thoughts and feelings that art provokes can lead to changes in human behavior which in turn alter the world in which we live in. Were there no art then these feelings would cease to exist. The negative impact of having a world without art would be greater perhaps than the positive impact art currently has on global world order and politics today.