Module thirteen and fourteen-video review

1.     For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

Displaying Modern Art: The Tate Approach- this video discusses How did modernist ideas reshape the presentation of art in museums and galleries? And how did that approach evolve in the postmodern era? This video examines intellectual and aesthetic issues associated with the display of art, using rooms in the Tate Modern as case studies. Overviewing the exhibition style Alfred Barr established during his transformation of MoMA in the 1930s, the video shows how Tate curators developed a new method utilizing theme-based museum sections. Students are guided through numerous Tate holdings—notably the juxtaposition of Monet’s Water Lilies with Richard Long’s work—as well as pieces by Lucio Fontana, Yves Klein, Denis Oppenheim, and others.

Bones of Contention: Native American Archaeology- This video deals with the remains of more than 10,000 Native Americans unearthed at archaeological sites across the U.S. are in the possession of museums such as the Smithsonian. Is the analysis of the bones valid scientific research, or is it a desecration of Native American culture? This video focuses on the tensions between scientists, historians, and museum curators and Native American groups, as the bones take on a central role in a war of alternate perspectives. In examining this debate, the program provides an excellent survey of Native American archaeology in the U.S.

2.     Do the videos relate to the creation of your Art Exhibition project? If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.

Displaying Modern Art related to my exhibition project because it helped me decide which background I was going to use for my PowerPoint presentation. Having my exhibition dealing with landscapes from China and North America, chose the green background to help get a feel for my theme, but also had white represented in each slide so the viewer did not lose focus on the work of art being presented. The other video, Bones of Contention: Native American Archeology helped me to see how Native American people interpreted art throughout history while they dealt with all of their struggles of death, and starvation. Not many remains are left of the Native American lives so it is interesting to see paintings that are make now to represent North America because hopefully they can be persevered how historians in later years.

3.     What is your opinion of the films? Do they add depth to understanding of the art concepts you practiced while creating your curation project?

I thought that both of the films I watched were rather interesting but it was a little difficult for me to find connections with my exhibition individually. I did find it helpful to learn about the Native American culture and how not much remains to show their lives from history. However, the first video definitely helped me to pick the right background for my slideshow. It taught me that every little aspect is important when an audience is viewing work and knowing that I cannot change the lighting on a PowerPoint, I really had to focus on that background coloring and font.

Module 12- video response

Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above.
I decided to watch the video, Andy Warhol: Images of an Image because throughout middle school and parts of high school whenever I took an art class I distinctly remember learning about Andy Warhol. I don't know if this is because I heard about him so much growing up or if it because I am actually interested in his work. Secondly, I chose to watch Abstract Expressionism and Pop because I knew this had something to do with Warhol's art so it was perfect to link the two videos together and get a good insight from both videos.

2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
Andy Warhol: Images of an Image- is about  the works of Andy Warhol sardonically comment on the ubiquity of mass media in modern America. The video looks at the Pop Art movement and the life of Warhol through a penetrating investigation of his deadpan Ten Lizes. The painting exemplifies his fascination with—and his indifference to—celebrities as objects no less commodified than a simple can of soup. Warhol's art encompassed many forms of media, including hand drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, silk screening, sculpture, film, and music. He was also a pioneer in computer-generated art using Amiga computers that were introduced in 1984, two years before his death. He founded Interview Magazine and was the author of numerous books, including The Philosophy of Andy Warhol and Popism: The Warhol Sixties. He is also notable as a gay man who lived openly as such before the gay liberation movement. His studio, The Factory, was a famous gathering place that brought together distinguished intellectuals, drag queens, playwrights, Bohemian street people, Hollywood celebrities, and wealthy patrons.

Abstract Expressionism and Pop: Art of the ’50s and ’60s - this film is about abstract Expressionism was born from a joining of attitudes in American art and European avant-garde art, but was later rejected for its nonfigurative and seemingly egocentric character in favor of the ultra-objective phenomenon known as Pop Art.Pop art is an art movement that emerged in the mid-1950s in Britain and in the late 1950s in the United States.Pop art presented a challenge to traditions of fine art by including imagery from popular culture such as advertising, news, etc. In pop art, material is sometimes visually removed from its known context, isolated, and/or combined with unrelated material. Technically, an important predecessor is surrealism, with its emphasis on spontaneous, automatic or subconscious creation. Jackson Pollock's dripping paint onto a canvas laid on the floor is a technique that has its roots in the work of André Masson, Max Ernst and David Alfaro Siqueiros. Another important early manifestation of what came to be abstract expressionism is the work of American Northwest artist Mark Tobey, especially his "white writing" canvases, which, though generally not large in scale, anticipate the "all-over" look of Pollock's drip paintings.

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
The videos relate to the text in forms of art and technology. Warhol had decided to make a name for himself in pop art. Pop art was a new style of art that began in England in the mid-1950s and consisted of realistic renditions of popular, everyday items. Warhol turned away from the blotted-line technique and chose to use paint and canvas but at first he had some trouble deciding what to paint.Warhol began with Coke bottles and comic strips but his work wasn't getting the attention he wanted. In December 1961, Warhol gave $50 to a friend of his who had told him she had a good idea. Her idea was for him to paint what he liked most in the world, perhaps something like money and a can of soup. Warhol found that he couldn't make his paintings fast enough on canvas. Luckily in July 1962, he discovered the process of silk screening. This technique uses a specially prepared section of silk as a stencil, allowing one silk-screen to create similar patterns multiple times. He immediately began making paintings of celebrities, most notably a large collection of paintings of Marilyn Monroe. Warhol would use this style for the rest of his life.Warhol continued to paint and he also made films. From 1963 to 1968, he made nearly 60 movies.

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
The films added depth to my understanding of Abstract Expressionism and understand how technology became a part of art. These two concepts were developed visually through Warhol's work which helped me fully develop the concept.

Module 11- video review

1.     Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above.

I decided to watch the two videos Matisse and Picasso, and Dada and Surrealism because I wanted to learn something new that I did not get from the text. I thought it would be interesting to connect what we learned in the text from this chapter to actual artists and their pieces. The first video helped me get perspective of certain aspects of art throughout history. The second video helped me understand key terms from the text that I did not focus on in my chapter response.

2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

Matisse and Picasso- this film is about compiling a half-century of unparalleled artistic dialogue, the film documents the complicated relationship between two indomitable personae: Matisse, the serene, self indulgent father figure, and Picasso, the eternal adolescent and fiery primitive. The video employs archival photos of film clips, stunning images of painting and sculpture, and firsthand recollections of the Picasso and Matisse circles, illuminating the interesting creative journeys of both artists. Francoise Gilots and Picasso's son Claude shed light on the Spaniards formal reactions to and admiration a of Matisse, while Jacqueline Matisse Monnier and Matisse biographer Hilary Spurling reciprocate.

Dada and Surrealism- this film is about the Dada movement, born as a reaction to World War 1, and it's successor, Surrealism, opened new avenues for artistic creation by striving to bypass the reasoning process and tap directly into unconscious mind. The film takes time too look at work from Kurt Schwitter, Hannah Hoch, George Grosz, Joan Miro, Salvador Dali, and Man Ray.

3. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?

The videos relate to the readings because they focus on the era during the French and American Revolution. The 19th century gave birth to our industrialized middle class culture of mass consumption, advertising and consumption of leisure activities. These activities included shopping, visiting art museums and going to entertainments. The first national museum is called the Louvre in Paris. It opened during the French Revolution. The text also touches on Neoclassicism, Romanticism, constructivism, and Expressionism which are different styles of art that were developed during this time which are also mentioned in the videos.

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

I believe that the films helped me get a good grasp on artists drive for artwork during the revolutionary time because of different styles of art. The historical events that were taking place during that time in history helped artist make real masterpieces in their collections. The videos also helped me get a great perspective of specific artists such as Picasso and Matisse and how they developed artwork during this revolutionary time to help with advertisements using different styles of work. 

Module 11- Art Gallery Visit #2

Step 1: The Exhibition

Questions about the exhibit:

1. What is the title of the exhibit? Millie Chen: The Miseries & Vengeance Wallpapers

2. What is the theme of the exhibition? The Miseries & Vengeance Wallpapers improvises on the thematic rubrics established by Callot for his suite of etchings. On the Miseries wallpaper, agonized bodies have been extracted from Callot’s prints and assembled to form a disturbingly decorative pattern. On the Vengeance wallpaper, the landscapes from Callot’s etchings have been entirely emptied of bodies and presented as vacated/evacuated terrain, leaving only land and built structures like buildings and torture devices. Callot grouped his scenes into two categories, namely “Miseries and Misfortunes,” which details the perpetration of the atrocities, and “Vengeance or Justice?” which strikes the simultaneously zealous and ambivalent tone of retribution where the line between perpetration and vengeance is often blurred. Key elements extracted from the original prints are repurposed on the wallpapers; these act not only as indicators of Callot’s vision but also serve as links to contemporary territories of conflict that rage on, four centuries later.

Step 2: The Gallery

Questions about the physical space:

1. What type of lighting is used? The lighting in the exhibitions works in two different ways. Some of the lighting has one bright light that is angled down on the wallpaper that shows a specific detail or something that needs to be addressed. All of the space around this light on the wallpaper is dark so it makes the audience believe that the light has a significant meaning. While other areas of this exhibition had multiple lights on the wallpaper to brighten up the room and the artwork itself.

2. What colors are used on the walls? The colors on the walls help to give the wallpaper meaning. Some of the walls are painted maroon, and other walls are painted bright white.

3. What materials are used in the interior architecture of the space? The only materials that are used are the walls in the exhibit because the wallpaper is placed right on the wall to show off to the audience.

4. How is the movement of the viewer through the gallery space? This exhibition has long hallways to show off the wallpaper because each piece has a wide story to tell. The gallery space also has many corners to show off the idea of each group of wallpaper in a condensed space.

Step 3: The Artwork

Questions about the artwork:

1. How are the artworks organized? This exhibition was designed to show off the different wallpapers that Millie Chen had made. The two wallpapers that were shown in this exhibition were The Miseries & Vengeance. Both of the wallpapers had more than one area in the exhibition that was devoted to them. I believe that Chen may have sat the exhibition up this way so that the audience could get a feel for one wallpaper have some time to process it and then go back to it later while walking through.

2. How are the artrworks similar? The two works are similar because they are both wallpapers that Chen had made and they both have deep stories to tell. Although I may not know exactly what Chen was trying deliver aside from reading the article about the exhibition, I could tell that both pieces have strong meaning when looking into them deeply.

3. How are the artworks different? The Miseries wallpaper is rather dark for two main reasons, one the maroon coloring of the walls makes the audience already believe that something sad or evil may be happening, and second there are agonized bodies arranged in rows across the entire wallpaper. The Vengeance wallpapers landscapes from Callot’s etchings and the scenery is completely empty without any humans in it.

4. How are the artworks framed? The artworks are not framed they are just spread out along the walls of the exhibition because they are wallpaper.

5. How are the artworks identified and labeled? As you walk into the exhibition there is a folder of laminated sheets of paper that have an article about Millie Chen and the wallpapers that were produced. This gives the audience a great inside into what they will be viewing even before they get to look.

6. What is the proximity of the artwork to each other? The proximity of the artwork is laid out in an interesting manor because The Miseries wallpaper is almost tucked away into the wall in three different areas of the exhibition. While The Vengeance wallpaper is almost wrapped around the entire exhibition with a long story to tell. Also, The Miseries wallpaper is spread out in three different areas of the exhibition.

4. Answer this question: 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 believe that it was very interesting to visit the art gallery with this assignment in mind because when I first walked into the Millie Chen exhibition I did not understand why wallpaper would be shown at an art gallery. Analyzing this exhibition made me realize the importance of placement when setting an exhibition up, and what the artist intents to tell the viewer by looking at art in specific ways. I could tell that Chen had a reason to put The Miseries wallpapers in the tucked away wall with dark shadows around the lighting and this is something that I would have never thought about prior to this assignment.

 Artist: Millie Chen

Title of work: The Miseries

Media: Wallpaper

Date: 2011

Size: 162 x 222 x 492 inches

Source of picture: Albright Knox Art Gallery

1.      Be receptive - Keep an open mind.  Look for what is good.  No put-downs allowed.

In this exhibition I really like how The Miseries wallpaper is almost tucked away in the corners of the room. It is clear that this piece of art has a strong depressing message and it sets the audience up before they get a close view of the situation in the wallpaper.

2.  Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)?

In The Miseries wallpaper the audience gets a clear understanding that something drastic is happening. It may be a turn of events or one specific event that is causing all of these tragic deaths. I believe that the maroon coloring of the background of these images is perfect so symbolize the deaths, sadness, and bloodshed that are all involved in this wallpaper.

 3.  Formal analysis – (form)  What principles and elements were used and how are they used?

 The element of value is definitely represented in the wallpaper because the maroon background color allows the tan and black images of death stand out against the wall. Also, in regards to the colors again, the principle of balance is represents in the images of death themselves. The coloring between tan and black is patterned on the wallpaper to make it look more appealing to the eye.

4.  Bracketing - Is there anything in or about this work that reminds you of anything else? Do you see any symbols, metaphors, or allegories?  (iconography)

I believe that this wallpaper for a distance looks like any other wallpaper that may have been popular in past history, but once you get closer to the work you realize what is actually going on it the wallpaper.

 5.  Interpretation - (content)  What do you think the artist was trying to say?

I believe that are artist was trying to tell the audience that horrific memories will always be I bedding into your brain. Humans have always been around so when people think about the past or historical events most of the time major points in history have some death involved to win the victory. I believe the artist is trying to represent that through these images on the wallpaper.

Artist: Millie Chen

Title of work: The Vengeance

Media: Wallpaper

Date: 2011

Size: W: 18.5' H: 13.5' L: 41'

Source of picture: Albright Knox Art Gallery

1.Be receptive - Keep an open mind.  Look for what is good.  No put-downs allowed.

This wallpaper is very pleasing to the eye. It instantly reminds me of a nursery with a great story that needs to be told, or someone with a wide imagination needs to just begin telling a story that would go along with this wallpaper.

 2.  Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)?

In this one section of the wallpaper, I see this cathedral in the middle of a town that looks very beautiful. It reminds me of a building in Europe that is probably cherished by the people in the town who are very religious and attend mass with their families on a regular basis.

 3.  Formal analysis – (form)  What principles and elements were used and how are they used?

The first element that automatically stands out to me is the representation of space. In this section of the wallpaper it is it is clear that this building has a huge impact to this village and the dark lines used to draw textures on the building show that the artist took a lot of time to make the building exact to give the audience a better visual.

4.  Bracketing - Is there anything in or about this work that reminds you of anything else? Do you see any symbols, metaphors, or allegories?  (iconography)

Like I said, this image on the wallpaper definitely reminds me of a cathedral that would be in Europe and that is sacred and been standing for many decades. It reminds me of families who spend a lot of time growing up in this building, getting married in this building, and having children baptized in this building.

5.  Interpretation - (content)  What do you think the artist was trying to say?

I believe that artist is trying to tell the audience the importance on the building in this village but also leave it up to your imagination to decide what is truly important. Although this building looks memorable and important the artist did not place any human life around it at all so it may be the exact opposite of my thoughts.

 Artist: Millie Chen

Title of work: The Vengeance

Media: Wallpaper

Date: 2011

Size: W: 18.5' H: 13.5' L: 41'

Source of picture: Albright Knox Art Gallery

Be receptive - Keep an open mind.  Look for what is good.  No put-downs allowed.

This wallpaper is very pleasing to the eye. It instantly reminds me of a nursery with a great story that needs to be told, or someone with a wide imagination needs to just begin telling a story that would go along with this wallpaper.

 2.  Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)?

In this section of the wallpaper I see an electrical poll with something attached to it with a sensory of buildings behind it. Nothing is next to this electrical poll or even remotely close to it, with a lot of empty land around it.

 3.  Formal analysis – (form)  What principles and elements were used and how are they used? The element of line is definitely represented in this section of the wallpaper mainly dealing with the electrical poll and the bar attached, but it is also represented in the buildings in the background as well. The principle of movement is displayed in this image because the electrical poll looks like it is the main idea of this section but my eyes continued to trail back to the buildings in the background trying to find significance,

 4.  Bracketing - Is there anything in or about this work that reminds you of anything else? Do you see any symbols, metaphors, or allegories?  (iconography)

I believe that this section of the wallpaper is a symbol of loneliness, or depression.

 5.  Interpretation - (content)  What do you think the artist was trying to say?

I believe that the artist is trying to tell the audience about life without humans or the importance of things. Everyone should take a step back to engage themselves in this empty life and think about what the true meaning is, and how the land got this way.