Chapter 3 Artist Analysis

In the first comparison we take a look at Ryoan-ji Temple, Kyoto and Robert Smithson Spiral Jetty. Ryoan-ji created stone and gravel garden in 1480. Where Smithson created a spiral Jetty in 1970. Both artists utilized rocks and other natural resources to create 2 very different themes. The rock garden was created as a place to meditate and has to be continuously maintained. Although there are certain changes over time that cannot be prevented (moss growing on the rocks). On the other side the Spiral jetty was created in order for it to change over time without being maintained. Creating it in Salt Lake the natural elements there are constantly changing the colors and looks of the rocks. For a long period of time the rocks were submerged under water and you could not view them.

The second two artist we will look at is Thomas Cole's, The Oxbow and Wang Jian's, White Clouds over Xiao and Xiang. Both artists are depicting there expression of a real place. Cole depicts a sort of war between two sides. On one side you have a mountain with lots of overgrowth and storm damage trees being depicted with storm clouds rolling over. On the other side you have a prairie that looks to be used by farmers and sunlight is shining on the fields. Seems peaceful compared to the other side and they are separated by a river. Cole painted what he saw. Jian depicts a real place but is his own rendering of that place not a recreation of an image like Cole. Jian's painting makes it almost seem dreamlike the way the mountain stands above the clouds in the background and the land mass in the foreground looks soft, cloud like. The two artists took a different approach as to where you were viewing them from as well. Cole is sitting on the mountain looking out and Jian has you up in the air looking down on the river with the mountain and clouds set straight out from you.

Lecture Review 3

In class last week several of the students had fun making there own videos. I did not partake in the festivities. I do not see the reason why someone would be so interested in putting there face or name all over the internet. I am not the oldest student in the class but older than most. Maybe my age is the reason I do not understand or it could have something to do with the way I was raised...

Also in class we were asked "Who am I and What is Art?" I am not sure I can describe myself in the same light that others see me. I think I am a humble person, I don't gloat when I win and have on occasion let others win without them knowing. I like to pay attention to what is going on around me. I don't strive to be the center of attention instead I prefer to remain unnoticed and out of the spot light. In my opinion Art is the creation of something that can bring out an emotion in another person. For example, if you paint a picture of the Grand Canyon then that painting would be considered Art. Could the Grand Canyon also be considered Art created by nature?

Chapter 2 Artist Analysis

First off we have Andy Warhol's Thirty Are Better than One, illustration. This art was based on Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. There is no doubt that the Mona Lisa is a well known painting that stirs lost of questions in the hearts of those who observe it. Andy's painting will stir up some questions as well. In taking one mans expression of art and then duplicating it many times is his own image he creates his own form of art.

Next there is Kitagawa Utamaro and her piece Hairdressing and Edgar Degas Nude woman having her hair combed. These paintings were created almost 100 years apart but exhibit the same characteristics. There is a woman with her hair being done by another. Utamaro's depiction has both women dressed in tradition clothing for that time, which looks like a robe. While Degas decides to depict the woman sitting nude with her robe lying beneath her.

Lecture Review 2

What is Reality? Does reality have to be something physical that we can touch or can it be a feeling we get when we think about something or someone. In class we watched two movie clips that focused on reality vs dream state. Sometimes when we are dreaming we think that it is real because we do not know we are dreaming. The Matrix was a movie that came out and dove deep into this. If life as we know it was a dream would you want to know the truth? Several years later Inception came out. Another movie based on a dream vs real world situation. People that can invade other peoples minds in order to plant thoughts or steal valuable information. Both movies are very similar in the essence that someone or something else is controlling your thoughts while you are asleep. The movies bring up a lot of questions that will probably not be answered anytime soon?

Chapter 1 Artist Analysis

In this chapter there are several artist and art forms that were covered.

To start I would like to bring up Ernst Haas and the photograph Peeling Paint on Iron Bench, Kyoto, 1981. Haas spent the time to get just the right picture given the time of day, weather, focus and area of the bench made the picture what it is today. Another artist that has done something similar yet different is Jim Hodges. His piece called Every Touch is a compilation of something that can be found in our ever day lives, silk flowers. Taking the time to separate them all and then sewing them back together in his own design to express himself. While both art forms are different both of the artist took something common and overlooked to expressed themselves to everyone else.

The chapter also talks about Juan de Valdes Leal and Audrey Flack. Juan painted a picture called Vanitas in 1660 utilizing a style that was popular for its time. Depicting a number of valuables and impications to greatness, yet at the same time showing how meaningless these things are. Audrey Flack, who was a fan of this type of art, created Wheel of Fortune in 1777-78. This is her own depiction of the that style of art called "vanity". While each depicted items from the era they lived in, the pieces are very similar. Audrey dropped the religious influence from her painting which was common in the 1600's versions of the popular style of painting.

Lecture Review

In last weeks lecture we were introduced to a wide array of art forms that have been developed since the beginning of our planet. Art has changed in a lot of ways throughout the years and there are many different forms of art. Some stick to there own personal style while other art forms utilize the style from another creator to create something that is their own.

The question of "What is Art?" was also asked. Does art have to be defined by something being man made or can art be created by natural occurrences? In my experiences I think that nature can create art on its own without the help of mankind. I would still consider these structures and formation to be art.

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