Entry 30: My New Outlook on Art

I have always appreciated art and admired those that could do it well. That doesn't mean that I understood everything that went into it or what a lot of it meant. I would just look at a piece for a few seconds and decide if it was good or not. Now when I look at art I will see everything that goes into it. This includes the lines, choice of color, style, and texture among so many other things. I have a new understanding of the choices that artists make when it comes to artwork. Now, I can't help but think about the background behind every piece I see. I ask myself many questions. Questions like what is the thought process behind this and why did he/she choose to color it this way? My perception of what is art has also changed. It has become wider, for I see artful value in so many things that I would have never seen before. I realized that art can take so many forms. It doesn't just have to be pencil to paper. It can include happenings, architecture, and even things in our mass culture. Art is something that is a part of my everyday like and now I can acknowledge and respect that.

Entry 29: Graphic Design Art

Graphic Design is everywhere from the posters we see hanging around the school to the billboards we see along the street. A lot goes into this art form including knowledge of a specialized programming. Graphic Designers usually get hired to work on something for a company and have to understand the specific artwork that they are looking for. Things that we look at everyday have probably been touched by graphic designers. Some examples include the design on brochures and slogan for our favorite stores. The simplest things can be made with graphic design as well as complicated pieces of art. It is a long process that involves a lot of patience and knowledge of the technology you are using.

This is my creation using graphic design and its the bare minimum. I am using the simplest of techniques and it was a long struggle just to make it. We have to appreciate the work of graphic designers, because they go through a long creative process to create beautiful art. Art that we see everyday but don't even realize it. 

Entry 28: The Amphitheater

I never knew that amphitheater means double theater. So this is basically two theaters stuck together. This was a gift to the people of Rome to be used for entertainment. The entertainment included gladiatorial games. I was fooled by Hollywood, because before I thought that these were violent brawls without any restrictions. I can relate this to the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). Two people are really fighting each other and it can get violent, but there is always a referee. I can imagine the gladiatorial games being the same type of thing except weapons were involved. It is also interesting to see how many of our modern day stadiums are based of off this design.

Entry 27: Examples of Authorial Voice

Authorial voice is using art to make a protest against an issue.

Here are some examples of how this was used:

Liberty leading the people



This was meant to be motivation for the people during the French Revolution. It focused on the average person who doesn't have a voice. The depiction of so many different people shows unity to fight a common enemy. It was in protest of the monarchy going on at the time.

Boston Massacre



An event that resulted in the British soldiers firing on civilians was thrown out of proportion for the use of propaganda. It gave the colonists the perfect way to strike a blow at the British. They were protesting against unfair British control and taxing without representation. The picture depicts the colonists running away in terror and a lot of blood. All the while the British seem to be vigorously firing on them The colonists were able to take an event and create artwork from it with an authorial voice. Protesting against British and their unfair treatment of them.

Entry 26: Happenings

I found the idea of happenings a very interesting subject. This is allowing the artwork to be the performance, not the documentation. Its something that we, as viewers actively participate in. In a way it connects art to life.

I like this idea, because it puts a new twist on art. Something that is needed in our constantly changing culture to keep people invested. It allows for a deeper understanding of the artwork, for the viewers are the ones that shape it.

Happenings incorporated a lot of change because anything could happen. Some examples of this include:

A Chair with a History George Brecht

Participants would sit down in this chair and record events in the book seated on the chair

The Thousand Symphonies Dick Higgins

This involved shooting a compositional paper with a machine gun. The bullet holes would be the notes that the orchestra plays.

Yard Allan Kaprow 

People were invited to climb all over a room filled with tires.



There are tons of happenings, some simple others extremely complex. It is easy to see how some of them are art but others seem to simple to be considered as such. It doesn't take a lot of skill to fill a room with tires or put a notebook on a chair. I think its the thinking process behind these and the goal they are trying to reach that allows them to be called art.

Entry 25: Analyzing Art from Comic Con

This is a piece I got from the last Dallas Comic Con I attended. It's a detailed and realistic look at Captain America. The frontal view shows that the character is taking command. The menacing posture and glare juxtaposes with the bright and vibrant colors of the custom. This perfectly shows that he will fight for a good reason. It looks as though he is strong but the color palette shows that he will use that strength for a good cause. The small patches of bright light also signifies a heroic presence. Comparing these bright lights to the shield, it has more of a darker tone. This shows experience since the shield looks as if it has seen a lot of use. This creates a sense of trust that he will get the job done. The art is designed to give hope for the fake world he inhabits, but also create respect from the real world. The respect derives from the artful techniques that makes it seem like he will stand up for those that need help.

Entry 24: Analyzing Rothko's work

     

  When we were looking at this work in class, someone made the comment that their younger sister, who is in kindergarten could do the same thing. I couldn't help but agree with this. The response was that the skills that goes into the blending of the colors is masterful work. This may be true, but I could see anyone with a little bit of skill in paint be able to do the same thing. Rothko's work is still worth a lot of money.

  Even if I don't enjoy this art, that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the purpose of it.

  This can be considered pure art, for there is not anything recognizable to distract you. The work is designed for the audience to study and meditate on. They can take it all in instead of just looking. Everyone brings their own perspective when they look at art, so I can see the effect this may have on some people. The audience can really look at this work and gain some deeper understanding of it.

 I can not see myself reacting that way to this art, but I can't criticize those that do. Rothko accomplishes his task with these pieces. And if he has mastered this style then there is no reason to not call him an artist. Rothko may of a deeper personal connection with his work. Some of his audience may have a similar connection and, in my opinion, that's what makes this art special.

Entry 23: Analyzing cinematography techniques

  I have discussed the idea of cartoons being art, but what about live action movies. It's still a difficult subject, but cartoons are easier to grasp since they are drawn. Live-action requires someone to film the scenario. Could this filming also be art.

  It seems as though I am saying everything is art, but I am basing this of off my original definition. Art is essentially something that makes you feel something. If the way in which something is filmed is unique enough then it could possible do this.

 We considered photography a form of art, so I don't see a difference in calling filming art. I know they are two different things, but a picture can capture some sort of emotion if angled the right way, among other things. Film can use the same techniques to create a similar feeling.

 Breaking Bad, TV show that went for five seasons on AMC, is a master at using unique filming techniques to elicit emotion from their audience. These techniques include camera movement,  and POV (point of view) shots.

   

In this shot the camera slowly pans around the house until you see Skyler sitting at the table. This makes it seem as though this is a normal scene showing Skyler's new house. The camera then zooms in so that we can see behind the column in the middle. It turns out that Walt(main character) is standing behind the pillar. This is a simple example of how Breaking Bad uses camera movement to surprise the audience with a pivotal moment.

The POV shots are used to put the viewers directly into the action. There is a scene when one of the characters pours gasoline all over someone's house. The camera is from the perspective of the gas can. This raises the tension more then just using a regular perspective.

Breaking Bad isn't the only thing that incorporates these unique uses of the camera. Whenever it is done it should be considered art, because it is designed to have an impact on the viewer in creative ways.