Video Reviews - Uncertainty: Modernity and Art & Andy Warhol: Images of an Image

Video One - Uncertainty: Modernity and Art 

My personal art aesthetic is anchored in realism and rich color, in particular I am obsessed with capturing the portrait of an individual. Since I have a BFA in Art History, I do, however, have a sincere appreciation for Modern Art. The more I learn about Modern Art and the many "isms" that fall under this category, the better I can comprehend what many artists in the 20th century were trying to achieve. To add to my understanding, I chose to watch Uncertainty: Modernity and Art.

The ancient Greeks lived their lives according to the words "know thyself". They were intent on becoming, and representing in their art, architecture and writings, an 'idealized man'. Fast forward to the 19th century, the western world was experiencing the 'Industrial Revolution'. In the words of the documentary's narrator, Matthew Collings, "...something 'broke' in art and can't be remade". This brings up the query, what will the future see when they look back?

One of the foundations of art in the modern world is its complete break with work from the past. In the beginning, artists such as Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee and Piet Mondrian were interested in speed, efficiency, and mass production, they wanted to create unpredictable shapes and alter reality. Although not mentioned in the video, it is also my understanding that photography, with its ability to capture the real world, pushed artists to go beyond reality and create a new kind of art.

The experiments of the art world were interrupted and reviled by Adolf Hitler, the leader of Nazi Germany. Hitler wanted to return to classicism in art, and preferred the grotesquely muscled 'super-hero' figure sculptures of Teutonic men, paintings of the perfect German nuclear family and of the perfection of Aryan womanhood. He (Hitler) even created a Degenerate Art Exhibit, which he proclaimed to be art and artists who were 'sick' and needed to be eradicated. This exhibit included many Modern Art works, creations which the German people were asked to condemn.

Later in the 20th century popular artists included Abstract Expressionists Jackson Pollack, Mark Rothko and Willem de Kooning. Their art, while seemingly 'simple' was very well thought-out, they wanted to capture the 'mystery of existence' and their work was 'emotionally heavy'. Pop Art of the 1960's was all about consumerism, a time when money was valued above all else for the objects that it could buy. Andy Warhol was one of the most popular artist of this time. Warhol created huge silk-screened portraits of pop icons, including Elvis Presley. Where once upon a time Jesus Christ was the man we revered and painted, singer Elvis Presley was our new idol.

The video was an excellent synapses of Modern Art, in about an hour almost one hundred years of the art world were touched upon, and I saw many art works which I have never seen before.

Video One - Andy Warhol: Images of an Image

 I felt as though the Andy Warhol video was the perfect segue from the previous video about Modern Art. I went to school in the 1980's and was familiar with Andy Warhol, who didn't pass away until 1987. The Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, NY, which is a 15 minute drive for me, owns Andy Warhol's 100 Cans, 1962. casein, spray paint and pencil on cotton support: 72" x 52". I have stood before this work many times, and have always had questions. Why Campbell's soup cans? Why 100? How is this, silk-screen on canvas, art?

Warhol began his career as a successful commercial artist. It was in 1960's, at the height of 'mass commercialism', that he began to experiment with art, his favorite vehicle being silk-screening. As a collector of movie posters and movie magazines, he was fascinated with the famous faces of pop-culture. He would take photographs of famous personalities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe and Jackie O and create many different silk-screened images of them, turning them into modern-day Mona Lisa's.

He embraced silk-screening for several reasons. He wanted to be richer and richer, and with silk-screens, he could create many images very quickly. Warhol didn't even need to have a hand in the silk-screening process, his assistants or anyone could reproduce the silk-screen, he merely had to come up with the initial idea. He actually removed the artist form the art, thereby depersonalizing art.

Andy Warhol was extremely narcissistic and made many self-portraits. He also had a macabre fascination with death, and was fixated upon plane crashes, car accidents, electric chairs, suicides and human skulls. This video was so informative, Warhol's images of repetitive perfection are in reality imperfect; each silk-screened image is slightly different. The process of creating an actual silk-screen virtually strips away the flesh of his idols, and he replaced it with color. I found that despite my early impression of Warhol and his art as 'shallow', there is actually quite a lot of depth and forethought in his artistic process.

Video Reviews: Matisse and Picasso & Expressionism

I chose the video Matisse and Picasso because, although I'm very familiar with each of their artistic styles, I had never heard that they had a mutual respect for, and interest in, each others work.

The video titled Expressionism interested me because I am also currently taking a class with Dr. Alice Pennisi called 'Arts in Living' and we have discussed and looked at some of the Expressionists works and their relationship to WWI and WWII.

Although Picasso was Spanish and younger than Matisse, who was from France, they shared many similarities. They both put their painting careers above all else, in Matisse's case, he went so far as to leave his wife and three children to paint in Nice. Neither one felt that their passion to paint was a choice, they simply had to pursue their art. When WWI broke out in 1914 Picasso felt compelled to enlist in the Spanish army, while at 45 years of age, Matisse was considered 'too old' to fight. Both artists love women, and love to paint them. Picasso seeks to break apart the female figure with cubism, and Matisse is on an endless search for simplicity. Each day Picasso would paint, and the next day, he would simply paint over the previous day's work. Matisse would simply wipe-out his day's work with turpentine, and start over on the same subject the next day. When the Germans were on their way to Paris in 1940, both Picasso and Matisse decided to stay in their beloved city. Although their artwork was "diametrically opposed", they were "brothers in anguish" and held a deep respect for one another.

The video on Expressionism featured artists Edvard Munch, Franz Marc, Ernst Ludwig Kirschner, Max Beckmann, Georg Baselitz and Anselm Kiefner. The Expressionists, which included the mini-groups Der Blaue Reiter and Die Brucke. As a whole, the Expressionist work can be categorized as, aside from Norwegian Edvard Munch, German painters who sought to paint not just what can be seen, but what can be felt. Many of the Expressionists struggled with depression, anxiety, despair, recurring nightmares - in other words pure emotion and "...extreme states of mind". Bold color, strong patterns, and unique subject matter marked the Expressionists style. Almost all of the Expressionists were affected by the devastation seen in WWI. Artist Franz Marc was killed in battle in 1916, and Anselm Kiefer, born in 1945, painted the aftermath of Germany post-WWII. Max Beckmann was accused by the Nazi Party of creating degenerate art, and fled to Holland. I find many of the paintings of the Expressionists to be grotesque and disturbing. But not all art is meant to be a pretty picture. The world at the beginning of the 20th century was in turmoil, and the Expressionist movement was a way for these artists, perhaps in a therapeutic way, to paint how they were feeling.

Both films were excellent and surely added to the readings. It was fascinating to see so many different photos of Matisse and Picasso at work in their studios; in some cases the paintings in the photographs do not even exist outside of the photo; Matisse often erased his day's work, and Picasso would paint over another painting. Some of the Expressionist artists in the video were new to me, I was not familiar with the work of Georg Baselitz and Anselm Kiefer, and I found both artists' work to be intriguing. In particular, Anselm Kiefer's Interior, which was modeled after one of Hitler's rooms, also had many similarities to Italian Renaissance artist DaVinci's Last Supper fresco in Milan. Both the fresco and the oil painting utilized geometrical perspective of the ceiling. Interior is cold and empty, devoid of human activity which is so clearly portrayed by DaVinci. Perhaps he is representing a post-war Germany in mourning.




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

Art Gallery Visit #2 - Burchfield Penney Art Center

Step 1: The Exhibition

Questions about the exhibit:
1. What is the title of the exhibit? 

I visited the Burchfield Penney Art Center for the first time on Thursday November 9th. The current exhibit in the East Gallery is Art In Craft Media 2017, which began on October 14, 2017 and continues until January 28, 2018. The Burchfield Penney Art Center is part of the SUNY Buffalo State campus, located at 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14223. The Burchfield Penney Art Center (BPAC) is "(T)he Museum For Western New York Arts".



2. What is the theme of the exhibition?

The theme of the Art In Craft Media 2017 exhibit is "...the dedicat(ion) to the work of contemporary craft".  A beautifully photographed catalog of this exhibit is available at the BPAC gift shop for $25.00,

 

Step 2: The Gallery

Questions about the physical space:

1. What type of lighting is used?

The Art In Craft Media 2017 exhibit features what I would consider 'low lighting'. The ceiling in the gallery are extremely high, and has track lighting with many adjustable light fixtures that are adjustable.

High ceiling with track lighting

2. What colors are used on the walls?

Upon first entering the gallery, your eyes are drawn to the right, where there is an exhibit entitled: Wright, Roycroft, Stickley and Rohlfs: Defining the Buffalo School Arts & Crafts Aesthetic. The walls in this exhibit are painted in matte colors such as navy blue, olive green and ochre. To the left is the section of Charles E. Burchfield's paintings and sketches. The walls there are a medium-grey value. But as you proceed straight ahead, the Art In Craft Media 2017 enfolds with white walls, movable partitions, and slightly brighter lighting.

Entrance into the BPAC's gallery space

3. What materials are used in the interior architecture of the space?

The floor of the BPAC is a semi-glossy hardwood, perhaps pine or light-colored oak. As seen in the picture on the left, there is curved, grey, faux-concrete brick wall (inside is a round room featuring some of Burchfield's work). There is a high ceiling when you first enter the gallery space, and as you walk forward the ceiling becomes even higher, making the space feel very light and 'airy'.




 


  4. How is the movement of the viewer through the gallery space?

The movable wall partitions subtly guide you through the exhibit. The Art In Craft Media 2017 exhibit is incredibly dynamic: art is on the floor, hanging from the ceiling, displayed on pedestals and hanging, even 'protruding' from the walls. Everywhere you look there is something unique, and the placement of the partitions prevents the exhibit from becoming overwhelming. You are able to enjoy the artists' work in different groupings; as you round each corner, something new awaits to tantalize your eyes. Below are five photographs that were taken as I entered each unique space of the exhibit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3: The Artwork

Questions about the artwork:

1. How are the artworks organized?            

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

There are 151 works of art in this exhibit, yet despite the large quantity of pieces, the show has an

intimate feeling; as you weave in and out of each grouping you are able to appreciate approximately

six to ten works of art before you enter the next space. Also, this eclectic group of work is not

restricted to wall-hangings, there are also pedestals and sconces showcasing work, as well as work

hanging from the ceiling and spread out on the floor. There are also many comfortable seating areas

spaced throughout the BPAC, allowing you the opportunity to sit and contemplate the beautiful

creations.

 

2. How are the artworks similar?  3. How are the artworks different?

The artworks are all similar in that they are considered high-end 'crafts' by extremely gifted artisans.

But almost everything is created using a different material. Or if something is the same material, it is

used in a different way. There were so many textures, colors, designs; I was taught that whenever

walking through a gallery and you wish to take a closer look, you need to put your hands behind

your back so the guards do not worry that you are going to touch the art. I used this technique at the

gallery on Thursday, but the temptation to feel the many different surfaces was definitely there.

4. How are the artworks framed?

Below is one of the few works of art that is actually in a frame. Artist Hillary Fayle has two works in

the  Art In Craft Media 2017, and both are in simple white frames.

Hillary Fayle (b. 1987), Off Grid, 2015; hand cut Magnolia leaves, 12 x 12 inches; Courtesy of the artist

5. How are the artworks identified and labeled?

Below is an example of how the artworks are identified. The photograph on the left is an incredible

hand and machine pieced quilt which is hanging on a wall. To the right and below of the work is

pictured the identifying placard with the artist's name, the title and year, and media used.

 

Step 4: Art Criticism Exercise

Marvin Bjurlin. Top: Cobia, 2016, Bottom, l-r: Black Grouper, 2016, Chopper, 2016

. All wood fired ceramic.

Marvin Bjurlin. Detail - Top: Cobia, 2016, Bottom, Chopper, 2016.

The three ceramic fish pictured above caught my eye because the are literally coming out of the wall, as if they are bursting out of a waterfall. The bottom two fish were at my eye-level, and the detail and craftsmanship of the fish are extremely well-executed. The detail of the form, right down to the pointy teeth of the Chopper, are incredibly realistic. The placement of the fish on the white wall creates an interesting triangular composition, and the shadows cast by the sculpted fish add extra interest on the wall. Fish are a symbol in Christianity, three fish made me think of The Trinity - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In the Bible, Matthew 4:18-20 reads as follows: As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow Me, Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men". And at once they left their nets and followed Him.

Perhaps the artist meant the grouping of three fish are a reference to Christianity, or perhaps he is an avid fisherman, and rather than represented his passion with taxidermy, he chose to recreate the beauty of the fish in ceramics.

David Derner. Dionysus Chess Set, 2016. Cast bronze, cast iron, steel and Brazilian granite.

David Derner. detail: Dionysus Chess Set, 2016. 

This incredible, multi-media chess set is an amazing creation. In Greek mythology, Dionysus is the Greek god of wine, theater, and he was well-known for his lascivious lifestyle. Each chess piece is incredibly detailed, perhaps the tall female nude standing between the two sides of the chess board is the Greek goddess Athena? The cool green tones of the Brazilian granite are an interesting contrast to the warm bronze and iron colors of the chess pieces. The Ancient Greeks were often at war with neighboring city states, so the facing chess pieces could actually be representative of a Greek war, with the solitary goddess figure ready to show favor to the side she wishes to win the game (war). Truly a work of art, this set could still fit in the home of a chess aficionado, it is just waiting for two combatants to pull up two chairs and begin the game.

Jack Edson. Self-Portrait, 2017. Cotton patchwork quilt, hand and machine pieced, hand quilted.

The self-portrait, above, is created by small fabric squares which serve as tactile color pixels. Artfully arranged, these tiny cotton squares create an impressively large portrait. I am passionate about sewing and quilting, and can truly appreciate the difficulty in not only piecing such tiny squares, but also in arranging the colors to create a such a terrific likeness. I have always felt that quilting is an overlooked art-form, and in the Art In Craft Media 2017 it was great to see several works that I would consider 'art-quilts'. The squares are multi-colored, when you take a close look at the quilt, you notice that there are also patterns on the fabric squares. To appreciate the way the colors blend, you need to take quite a few steps backwards to see the entire picture. Quilting and sewing are often (mistakenly) considered a woman's hobby. By creating this larger-than-life self-portrait, Jack Edson is maybe making the statement that yes, men can be fabric artists and he wants the world to be aware of this.

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

I enjoyed visiting the BPAC with a camera in tow and a project in mind. I took a look at more than just the artwork, I took notice of the interior space, colors, lighting; all things I would probably have taken for granted in the past. I've visited many different galleries in the U.S. and throughout Italy, and I was usually interested in seeing particular paintings in the collection. Thinking back, there was quite a diversity in the galleries I visited. Some were new and modern, some were old and classical. My eyes have been opened, on future gallery visits I will definitely be looking not only at the art, but also looking at the surrounding wall colors, light-fixtures, flooring, and ceilings.

 

Mask Making

Detail of My Mask

Inspiration #3

Inspiration #1

Inspiration #2

Above are the three images that inspired my mask design. They are all examples of Venetian 'Carnivale' masks. Although the masks I looked at in our text and the African Art video I watched, I am drawn to the theatrics of Italian masks, particularly those worn before Lent in Venice. I love the color blue, and was particularly inspired by the juxtaposition of the gold face and blue feathers of Inspiration #2.

I have always had a fascination with masks; perhaps it was my early love affair in high school with Andrew Weber's Phantom of the Opera.The scene when everyone was at the masquerade ball was my favorite.

Or maybe it is my macabre fascination with the bubonic plague. I absolutely love the aesthetic design of plague masks, with the large beak-like nose that doctors stuffed with herbs, supposedly to help prevent breathing in the putrid plague germs.

And of course there are the Mardi Gras masks in New Orleans. The exquisite decorative masks are sold throughout the city, particularly in the French Quarter. I took pleasure in looking through every window display, the endless variety of mask styles captivated my imagination.

When I first attended Buffalo State College in the early 90's, I spent a Spring semester in Siena, Italy. While the Italians don't dress up for Halloween and trick-or-treating like we do in the U.S., there was a time before Lent when the youngsters were dressed up in costumes.

Initial Sketch for My Mask

Supplies used in the creation of My Mask

Some artists use clothes, exotic hair colors, piercings, make-up and tattoos to express their creativity on the outside. I present myself in a conventional, perhaps boring (?) way; I prefer solid colored tops and bottoms and use my purses or scarves to add a little excitement. But inside my mind colors are exploding - patterns, contrasts, compositions, I am constantly thinking about what I want to paint, everything I see is a potential inspiration. My mask is meant not only to conceal myself, it is also meant to reveal how I feel inside. Covering my face gives me the freedom to express myself.




The initial sketch for my mask was quite simple. I am a middle-aged mom of two young children, and I am back in college in a post-baccalaureate Art Education program that is preparing me to be certified to teach K-12. When I sketched my mask idea, I wanted to include crayons and sticks of chalk as design elements that are an homage to my chosen career as an art teacher. The top and bottom of my mask is divided with a curvy diagonal of gold paint, accented with multi-colored crystals. I chose cyan-colored acrylic for the top part of the mask because it is one-fourth of CMYK, and also my favorite color. The cool color tones were carried through with the blue and purple feathers, which added an interesting contrast to the warmth of the metallic gold paint.

Finished Mask, view 1

 I absolutely loved creating my mask. Making a mask to wear is a way for me to 'temporarily' try on a new look. I'm able to be flashy while keeping my real face hidden. A mask lends freedom to the wearer, you are able to be someone else, even do something the 'real' you wouldn't normally do. I varied slightly from my initial sketch. I added three rolls of crystals to add more texture and color, and to more emphatically divide the gold from the blue. I also added the bright pink feather between the eyes because it needed a central accent and also hid some of the points of the feather quills.

Finished Mask, frontal, view 2

Finished Mask, view 3

Video Reviews: Islamic Art at the V & A and African Art: It's Cultural Meaning

Islamic Art at the Victoria & Albert Museum

 

I chose to watch the Islamic art which is on display at the V & A because I was curious to see how a museum in England would present the art of Islam. The video immediately acknowledges that 'Islamic Art' is broad cultural term for Middle Eastern Art from the 7th to the 19th/20th century.

My knowledge of the Prophet Mohammed was very limited. In the Living with Art text, author Mark Geitlein describes how in 622 God spoke to Mohammed through the angel Gabriel; the very same angel who announced to the Virgin Mary that she was expecting the son of God. After the revelations Muhammed began to spread the message. Islam is Arabic for "submission" (submission to God) and Muslims are "those who submit". Mohammed's revelations were recorded after his death and make up the Koran ("recitation").

There are similar techniques and themes throughout Islamic art, such as "...decorative geometric patterns and stylized plant forms - curving tendrils, stems, foliage and flowers". Generally, Islamic Art is secular because there is a warning in the Koran against "...the worship of idols". The V&A Museum has incredibly beautiful examples of Calligraphy. To create a copy of the Koran is considered to be an act of prayer, therefore calligraphy was a popular and well-regarded art form in the lands which had accepted Islam. It reminds me of the exquisite illuminated manuscripts of Medieval Art, although Christianity allows artists to represent people, including religious figures.

Although unable to show images of people in the Islamic houses of worship, called mosques, they were covered inside and out with incredible decoration and color. According to the video, Muslims believe they should "...decorate, ornament, (and) beautify..." everything. The video also features examples of silk woven fabrics, carpets, carved ivory and inlaid metalwork. Italy originally supplied the Middle Eastern peninsula with silk and velvet fabrics, by the 16th century, the Ottoman Turks made their own fabrics, imitating the Italian merchandise that they had imported.

African Art: It's Cultural Meaning

 

Like the art of Islam, I have very little knowledge of African art, the only exception being my knowledge and interest in ancient Egyptian civilizations. African art comes in many different forms, it is seen in the dress, hairstyles, personal ornamentation as well as in traditional African rituals. Artistic traditions also include in music and dance.

Unfortunately, many examples of African were created in wood or straw, which did not survive Africa's climate. Just a few examples of art were found made of gold or bronze; the ancient rock art of the Bushmen, which was in a dryer climate, has also survived. African art was virtually unknown until the 19th century, and it was considered to be primitive and childlike. In reality the African art is not "primitive", but rather, "conceptual", which means (according to the video's narration) it "...flows from the imagination, not objective reality".

Some African art is considered to be the carrier of magic and rituals, they believe that through their art, be it masks of sculptures, the living have access to the power of their Gods and ancestors. Today many of the old beliefs have been replaced by Islam and Christianity. However, African artists and craftsman continue to create traditional masks, statues, figurines and more, for Interior Designers and tourists. In this way, their artistic tradition is kept alive.

Since I had little to no prior knowledge of Islamic or African art, I found that these two videos, as well as the text I read, gave me a basic foundation. I am particularly interested in the Islamic calligraphy and would love to see some actual texts in person some day.