Visit to the Hirshhorn Museum

Class # 2 Homework. September 7, 2009

Point: Chuck Close, Roy III

This is a very good example of how the mind of an artist can put together points on a canvas and make something coherent. The specific concept used in this painting is called closure, which is the ability of the mind to “add the missing pieces” of the painting.

Line: Henry Moore, Stringed Figure No. 1

This use of the line is very interesting because it express movement from top of the sculpture to the bottom. It also holds the entire piece together. The lines give the sculpture life, make it more intriguing to the eye and mind.

 

Form: John Currin, The Pink Tree

This painting shows the use of the three dimensional shapes and curving forms. The voluptuous curves used by this artist are commonly used to create the human body. The use of curves shows the artist expressions and feeling by the paintings “body language”.

Movement: Gary Simmons, Black Chalkboard

This piece is very interesting because the artist used the texture of the chalkboard to show the movement of the frog. The shades and “eraser marks” are very eye catching. They also seem to depict the movement and make the drawing seem like it’s dancing.

Color: Frank Stella, Barabjerd III

Color is considered a very important aspect of any work of art. Printer primaries colors make up most of this piece. Each color represents a different emotion. I take from the colors here is warmth, optimism, and playfulness. The color scheme really attracts a person’s eye and captures their attention.

Pattern: Frank Stella, Pagosa Springs

The pattern here, as the definition says, organizes the structure of the composition. The mirroring lines give the artist a given of how the bottom part of the structure would turn out. It is a repetition but the eye does not get tired of looking at it or analyzing it.

Texture: Magdalena Abakanowick, Four on a Bench

The texture of this sculpture can be seen as rough and hard. The texture of this makes it seem sad. Based on the texture it seems as if the four people would seem to be going through hard time because of how the are standing and their body language. 

Balance: Michael  Lucero, Greenhouse

This is an excellent example of balance because the artist had to place each piece of the sculpture in a specific way to keep the sculpture from collapsing especially because of its height. It is interesting because the artist uses asymmetrical balance, which is when the structure seems uneven and disorganized but appear to work in favor of its balance.

Proportion: Rene Magritte, Delusions of Grandeur

Views on the human body vary during times and this painting expresses three different ways the human body may be seen. Here the artist took “liberties” with his work of art and expressed his opinion on the human body. Se seemed to be accepting the different forms a woman’s body can be seen and making it seem beautiful.

Rhythm: Oscar Bluemer, Morning Light

The rhythm here works well because the eyes start off at the left of the painting with the trees and then the eyes work their way down to the other houses. It makes the eyes go downward when looking at the painting.  

Emphasis: Arthur Dove, Haystack

The point of focus of this painting is the big yellow tree because of its size and bright color. Even though it is the first thing the eye sees it is hard to recognize what it is but the background helps to realizing what it is after analyzing the painting for a while.

Unity: Joseph Csaky, Abstraction

In this piece there is an obvious unity of the curves, lines and forms. They come together and all achieve their original objective as  principles of design. The lines cause the eyes to look downward and pause in the middle with the curve forms and then continue down. Balance also is found because the artist had to use different forms to create balance for this structure.

Composition: Stuart Davis, Tropes de Teens 

This piece has many design principles put together. There is color, which are bright and constant. There are a lot of straight lines and not many curves which does not allow much fluidity. There is also emphasis on the face and  black figure on the right and then eyes move back to find the four people in the background. Proportion is also seen here. The eyes on the face are different sizes and the face seems too large. The rhythm is found in the black square due to the color curves and forms. There are many things happening in this painting and cause the eye confusion on what to focus on first. But then  the face catches the eyes attention and then slowly make them their way to view the entire painting.

Genre: Drama

Drama is a type of genre that deals with the emotional development of characters.  Drama was first seen in Greece and it became popular in the time the Greek civilization was going through its splendor.
Dramatizations were first seen during “Bacchic feast” which had dancing and singing. People would dress up as nymphs and satyrs and wear masks during the festivities. They would recite dramatic poetry and theatrical scenes. Tragedy during these times was ideal and did not reflect ordinary life.
The drama and conflict within the characters in the movies is the main focus, it is what keeps the action in the movie flowing. Dramatic films usually have a serious tone to them and the characters are shown in a very emotional state of mind. Characters tend to be shown in every emotional state possible: happy, depressed, and everything in between. The actions in the movie usually bring out hidden or known conflicts that exist between the characters. Drama films typically
include social issues, family problems, death, crime, relationships, etc.
Scene from A Street Car Named Desire:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1A0p0F_iH8

A Streetcar Named Desire, featuring Marlon Brando, is a classic example of a drama. The “Hey Stella” scene in the movie is remembered by many as an abusive husband played by Brando calls out to his wife in despair.
Dominant: The first thing that a viewer’s eye settles on is the door where Stanley, played by Brando, comes out of. This spot is where the action first appears and a person eye is logically attracted there first.
Lighting Key:While the movie is black and white, it is still evident that this scene has low contrast and is softer to the eye. Also the lighting in the scene is low key because the picture is dark.
Shot and camera proxemics: The camera is far away from the actors and the action but as the scene progresses it switches back and forth to close ups of the actors.
Angle: In addition the camera begins filming at a lower angle and moves to a high angle when it comes upon Stanley’s face. It then alternates between low, middle, and high angles as it switches from Stanley to Stella.
Color: The movie has no color since it is a black and white film.
Lens/Filter/Stock: It can be seen that a wide-angle lens is being used through most of the scene.
Subsidiary contrast: Another aspect of Mise-en-scene is the subsidiary contrasts o where your eye moves to after the dominant eye stop. In this case, the eye moves to the big stair case that leads up to the rooms on the second floor.
Density: When it comes to the density of the scene there is a small amount of visual information. Besides the actors, the staircase, and the upstairs balcony the scene is not visually packed and it is moderately detailed.
Composition: The initial scene is divided into three planes. In the front there is space, in the second stands Stanley next to the staircase and in the last plane the audience can see the back of the house and a hallway. During the close-ups and the scene of Stella walking down the stairs, the camera reduces the planes to two. In that section of the scene Stella moves from the plane that is furthest away towards the camera
Form: The scene appears to be open because it isolates a fragment of a scene.
Frame: At the beginning of the scene the frame is loose but as it moves along and    the angles change the frame becomes tighter and the actors only have a limited  frame to move along in.
Scene from The Notebook:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJOcKJNGGCE&feature=PlayList&p=E4DF920E52FFCC0D&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=53

In this scene from The Notebook illustrates a conflict between the two protagonists of the movie: Ally (Rachel McAdams) and Noah (Ryan Gosling). Essentially this is an argument that results in the end of their intimate relationship because Ally is planning on studying in New York. In this three-minute scene, the lighting remains relatively dark employing the low-key lighting. At the beginning of the scene, the viewer’s eye is automatically drawn to the young woman running out of a house to the driveway where a young man is walking away from the house. The scene incorporates an aerial view of Ally running out of the house and then reverts to a planar view where you are able to see waist up of the two characters. The focus of the entire scene is the interaction of the two protagonists. The camera is filmed zoomed into the two protagonists, Ally and Noah, the viewer is able to see waist up of both characters, illustrating that the director used zoom to focus the viewer’s attention on the characters and their interaction and emotional states. The camera angle is, at first from an aerial view, but then resumes to a neutral, eyelevel angle. Because the lighting is not very prominent, the colors do not seem to be of utmost importance, the faces of the two characters are illuminated; yet the colors they are wearing do not seem to add any significance to the scene. The main eye-stops, apart from the characters, are the house and the car.
The car plays an aspect of the scene because it symbolizes the departure of Noah from Ally, and hence, their break up. The form of this scene is closed when Ally is running out of the house, and then the form becomes open when the couple argues outside of the house. However because the focus is simply between the couple, the focus of the lens is on the faces of Ally and Noah, not the surrounding areas. All in all, the elements of this scene of a modern drama focus on the facial expressions and emotions conveyed by the actors and their interaction as a couple. The elements used by the directors further depict the events as a drama.

FILM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mNEz-9NEDM

MOVIE POSTER

Photo Essay Combination

Class # 7 Homework; October 13th 2009

The BlackBerry Goes Everywhere

Class # 6 Homework, October 7th, 2009

Her Life, Her Lens: Annie Leibovitz

Class #5 Homework, September 19, 2009

Annie Leibovtiz was born in 1949  Waterbury, Connecticut. She attended the San Francisco Art Institute to study painting. She discovered her passion for photography her sophomore year while traveling to Japan with her mother. Once she returned to San Francisco she began her studies in photography. Her first professional photography assignment was photographing John Lennon for Rolling Stones magazine. Two years later she was named chief editor of said magazine.

Being in the music world gave Annie many opportunities to photograph musicians and artists at their essence. She is known for her artistic and risky technique. Her portfolio includes photographs of Demi Moore, Mick Jagger, Miley Cyrus, and a series of “Disney Dream” portraits.

This photograph is an example of one of the many photographs Leibovitz took for the “Disney Dreams” campaign. It is recreating the famous “Alice in Wonderland” teacup ride found in Disney theme parks. It is interesting how the characters, played by Beyonce, Oliver Platt, and Lyle Lovett are in perfect focus and the background is diffused creating the illusion of the teacups twisting and twirling like the theme park attraction.

This is a beautiful photograph showing two people who appear to be very much in love embracing each other in a beautiful bridge. The color of the woman’s dress is captured perfectly giving the seemingly gray photograph a boost of color. Instead of taking away from the photograph the background is complementing the couple adding to their passion. The photograph makes it seem as if they are the only two people present at this moment enjoying each others presence at the fullest, there are no distractions.

This was one of Leibovitz most controvesial photos. Young actress/singer Miley Cyrus is posing semi-nude for a “Vanity Fair” cover. The 15 year-old girl is covering herself with a silk off-white sheet and her innocence for the world to see. Aside from the controversy behind the picture, this is an exquisite photograph of the up and coming musician. This captures Cyrus’s passion for her work and Leibovitz putting her risky techniques to work.

Recreation of Miley Cyrus Photograph

Essie; Some Color for Your Summer

Class #5 Homework, September 29, 2009

Indian Culture

Class # 3 Homework. September 16, 2009

-What are the main visual design elements that define the culture or time period? Look at Clothing, Architecture, etc.

Symbol (Brahma, the creator)

Here we see symbolism take form in the lotus flower. “The lotus flower starts as a small flower down at the bottom of a pond in the mud and muck. It slowly grows up towards the waters surface continually moving towards the light. Once it come to the surface of the water the lotus flower begins to blossom and turn into a beautiful flower.” (http://flowermuseum.com/?p=35)   Within the Indian culture, the lotus flower is the symbol for awakening to the spiritual reality of life.  The lotus flower is rising up from the depths for dark water, opens up, and in it is Brahma, the creator.

Color (Ganesh, destroyer of vanity/pride)

In the Indian culture, bright colors represent positive emotions like joy, new beginnings, etc. An example of this is the celebration Holi.  Holi is supposed to be an exuberant show of goodwill and cheer, a time for all the people in India (regardless of your standing) to take part in celebrating the return of spring.  Bright powder of all colors is used to throw at one another

Balance (Shiva, the destroyer)

Here we see vertical symmetry.  The painting is has equal weight on the left and right of the painting.  Additionally, there is approximate symmetry horizontally.  Shiva and the lotus flower are arranged around the horizon of the pond and sky. This balance also symbolizes a goal of Indian people, which is to have balance between nature, the gods, and people.

Form (other Vishnu)

Here form and shape are very defined.  The folds of Vishnu’s pants, ocean waves, clouds in the sky appear to be made of solid mass even though they are paint on a canvas.

Emphasis (Vishnu)

Vishnu has been placed in the center of the painting with his worshippers surrounding him.  Through this strategic placement, one’s eye is drawn to Vishnu, the most important aspect of the painting.  Because of this positioning, one understands he is the focal point.

– How AND why were these elements used during the height of the culture? Explain

During WWII censorship was extremely tough and film creation was minimal, but after India’s Independence in 1947, the studio system in India came to an end. This time period was a blend of new artists coming from different places and an increase in left winged progressive writers, associated with the Indian Peoples’ Theater Association, a group of people whose cinema covered political messages before independence and continued to do so for about a decade after it achieved independence. Many films expressed social themes mainly dealing with blue collar urban life in India. Bollywood initially explored issues of caste and culture in their earlier films.

Bright colors and patterns are used to convey the Indian culture. Techniques such as bouncing light to convey a daytime effect at night were also used during this period of time. Generally a rhythmic story line was the basis from which movies psychologically drew audiences in to convey the message, generally based on working class urban life in India. Often times this story line was shown with a great deal of movement on the actors parts as it was expressed through dancing.

Sound was also used to draw people in, as if was reflective of the culture. Basically the music in Bollywood films was based on sounds heard around India, creating an aura of Indian life.  Bollywood films also use a technique called “looping the sound,” which basically means that they film and record the sound at different times. This often means that the sounds and film are a few beats off from one another, disjointing them. For this reason Bollywood films are known for their lack of ambient sound and have an underlying silence rather than the usual background sounds usually employed in films to create aurally perceivable depth and environment.

– What visual references or examples in our culture today come from that time period?

Today’s fashion is very much influenced by the Bollywood time period. There are a few Indian designers that are very fond of expressing their culture through their clothing. Rachel Roy is a prominent designer of Indian descent. She uses vibrant colors and rich textures, which are commonly seen in Indian clothing. She received a Bollywood industry award for her contribution to the American fashion.

Also Sushma Palel is a big influence in Bollywood fashion. She is known for her “Indo-Western” fusion and traditional Indian embroidery.

The Bollywood influences were seen in the popular show “America’s Next Top Model” where the models had to portray classic Bollywood photographs. As explained in the show Bollywood is about excess, color, and sequence.

Bollywood is also influencing movies. Bollywood movies are mostly morality tales about the triumphs of good over evil and ethics over lucre. The Oscar winning movie, Slumdog Millionaire mirrored the occurring themes from Bollywood movies. For example it was very common for the action of a movie to focus on a man who has fallen crazy in love. Also seen in Bollywood films and Slumdog Millionaire was the concept of a poor boy falling in love with the girl who is usually noticed only for her body but he sees her for her soul. And even though it seems, as they should not be together, he will do everything in his power to be with her.

Bollywood dance moves are also seen today. Many dancers are incorporating Bollywood dance moves and adding their own modern twist to them. This was seen in America’s Best Dance Crew, where each crew had to put a hint of hip-hop in their assigned Bollywood move.

The show So You Think You Can Dance did a similar challenge on their show and they had to incorporate three hand movements called lotus, sleeping deer, and man with the hat (all traditional Bollywood dance moves).

These three references of the Indian culture seen today show how impacting and influential this culture is. It has shaped movies, dance, and television, which is not an easy task to complete. Indian culture is uprising in today’s society and will continue to rise and influence people in the way it has being doing until now.

References:

http://www.colorsofindia.com/holi/aboholi.htm

http://flowermuseum.com/?p=35

http://www.filmreference.com/encyclopedia/Independent-Film-Road-Movies/India-INDIAN-CINEMA-AFTER-INDEPENDENCE.html

http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail/12217/Shantanu-Swanand-recreate-Bollywoods-golden-age.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bollywood#Influences

http://www.bollywoodawards.com/press.php

Critique: Indian Culture

After reading about the Indian culture, I came to realize how interesting and complex it is. I learned more extensively about Hinduism and its Gods and their manifestations. The most important deities are Brahma- the creator, Vishnu- the preserver, Shiva- the destroyer, and Kali- the goddess of time and change. These gods are constantly seen in Indian sculpture and paintings— beautifully represented in charming ways and with rich colors.

It was also interesting to read about the different symbols in the Indian culture. I noticed the Lotus was commonly seen in paintings and grew fond of it and what it represented. The Lotus flower represents beauty and non-attachment. The flower floats on water without getting muddy, which symbolizes how one should live life, with out attachment to ones surrounding, will reach the Supreme Lord, just like the Lotus is untouched by water. Over all it was very engaging to read about Indian history and religion and how they affected other cultures around the world.

Critique: Hirshhorn Museum

The Hirshhorn Museum was very interesting. The paintings and sculptures were unique and fascinating to analyze.  Both the basement and the third floor had very appealing pieces of art. Many of the sculptures seemed rare to me and very intriguing to any person who may see them. However the most unusual sculptures and paintings were on the third floor. They all seemed out of the ordinary and intriguing in many ways.

My favorite painting was one by Frank Stella named Barabjerd III. Its vibrant colors and forms were very appealing and caught my attention as soon as the escalators took me to the third floor. There was one exhibit that I did not understand/appreciate, but it is probably because of my immature artistic eye. I did not right down the name or artist but it was the exhibit with the glass and fed-ex boxes. I didn’t not understand how that could be art or what the artist was trying to portray in this exhibit. I just found myself confused and quickly moved on to other work.

Over all the visit was very rewarding and a good learning experience. It really helped me get a better grasp of the principles of design we had read for that class. And instead of just reading and discussing it in class we actually went out and had a hands on learning experience. This helps to make the concepts stick in a persons mind and learn what they represent much faster.