Module 8: Video Blog Posting

1. Explain why you selected the video you choose from the selection listed above.

I chose The Measure of All Things: Greek Art and the Human Figure because after watching the first video of how we or artists interpret the human body, I wanted to learn more about it and saw that part of the title included "human figure".

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

In the first video, I learned that many cultures have different views on how they look at the human body or what the human body should look like. People are dominated by images that aren't realistic. The example used was Venus Von Willendorf and it was then that we had our first clue as to why our world is so dominant and our mind is distorted with images of how our body should be. Venus' body was unrealistic because her face wasn't shown and arms were not visible. The video included more discussions of how cultures perceive human art.

In the second video, I learned that power and feeling can be felt or were conveyed through sculptures that artists made. I learned that the Greeks were obsessed with the human body.

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

The videos give a glimpse of how cultures have different perceptions on how they view the human body and what art can do to enhance the meaning of human art. The chapters give a more detailed background of how specific cultures view body images and the human figure.

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

I enjoyed watching the films because I have a better understanding of why some body sculptures look a certain way. I learned a few more aspects of the human form. There are many cultures who view the human body differently than most but its interesting to see the many ways that the body pertains to art.

Module 7: Video Blog Posting

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

Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie Style 

This video was very interesting a few concepts I learned was that Frank Lloyd Wright is famous for his structural designs in making horizontal planed roofs on houses. His first prototype was the Tomak House. I also learned that he started designing family houses in the Chicago suburban areas in 1890 through the early 1900s. His way of designing houses is unique and he utilizes not only the space that is in the house but also the space surrounding the house. Ron Thom is an architecture who's ideas were inspired by Wright's. One interesting fact I learned is that most houses designed or inspired by Wright includes fireplaces that are in the center of the house, and also houses are built/designed to follow the sun.

Architecture: The Science of Design

In this video I learned a glimpse of what it takes to build really high skyscrapers. It requires different foundations and based on factors such as wind, weight (weight of the building including weight of the people inside of it), and the furniture inside the buildings. Many tall buildings sway back and forth, and a model that was shown on the computer uses a probe to detect data to see if the structure of the building will be equipped to handle such occurrences.

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

The videos relate to the readings because it talks about structural systems just like in the book. For example, weight is a huge component when designing a building. Walls must support the weight of the roof and lower stories must support the weight of the upper stories.

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of Architecture?

I highly enjoyed watching the films because it gives you a better understanding of how skyscrapers are built and how wind and other occurrences such as snow, rain, and thunder all take part in how a building is structured. And in the Wright video, it was cool to see how the inside of the houses are differently designed and built than the houses we have today that are built.

4. Why did you choose the films that you watched?

I chose Frank Lloyd's video because I know there is a House Complex of his in Buffalo and I wanted to learn more about his type of houses that he has designed. I think it was a cool video and made it even more interesting since his work is popular here in Buffalo.

I chose Architecture: The Science of Design randomly and after watching a few minutes of the clip, I was really interested to see how different houses are made and how hi-tech they can become.

Module 6: Video Review

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

 Through the Eyes of the Sculpture

 -the stone and the figure make life

-sculptures check the sound of the stone before carving it to know where the cracks are

-they use forming clay, bronze, limestone, and marble

-certain type of rocks are used to support the weight of the sculpture just like the artist had to do when supporting the horse

-they use bridges and insert them where it needs support and then remove them

-when sculpting a model--clay is used, then silicone mold, then screws are put in to hold hard shell, then they make the plaster mold which then turns to marble

Glass and Ceramics

-glass is made from sand
-glass is not a true solid
-glass is made in fire and when it is cooled is when it becomes hard (solid)
-preparation of clay to make ceramics
-dry pressing, using powder
-glazing a ceramic piece to get a gloss or "finishing touch"
-glazes can give ceramics certain color

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
The readings give a more depth and direction of how glass or a sculpture is made but the videos actually show how its made so it was cool to see the process. Also, the readings give examples of works done by famous artists while the videos are strictly informative in how to make the products.

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the topics: Sculpture, Installation, and Craft?
I really enjoyed watching both of the films. I never realized how much work it took to make glass and I never knew that it was made using fire! We see glass and ceramics everyday and I don't ever stop to realize how that product is made.

Peer Reviews

1. Hyperlink the Blogs you reviewed into your Blog

http://creativesoul87.blogspot.com/

http://journeytoartdiscovery.blogspot.com/

2. When looking at Project #1: (Elements and Principles), did you agree with the element or principle the artist listed with the images? Did you see other elements and principles in the images?

Both artists did a great job presenting pictures in which fell under the category of elements and principles. I was able to see differently in how they saw things in their own way and agree with them that it would fall into that category of either an element or principle.

3. When looking at Project #2: Where there any images in the Peer Blogs the same as your own? If yes, what were they? Where the reasons the image was selected the same or different as your own?

No images were the same but in Shakia's blog, I actually noticed that a picture she posted was going to be a picture I was going to post myself. I also found that picture intriguing and wanted to know more about it. The bright colors caught my eye but I also wanted to know the story behind that. 

4. Where there any images that your Peers selected that pique your interest now? If yes, what are they and what is your connection with them? What would you want to know about them?

An artwork that piqued my interest was from Shakia's blog, and the painting is by Albert Bierstadt named The Marina Piccola, Capri. When I look at this painting its almost as if the light in the painting is actually real. The painter did an amazing job and takes talent to make it really come to life. I would like to know more about this painting and maybe where this place (if it exists) is located. Kind of reminds me of the movie "The Goonies", if anyone has ever seen it.

In Samantha's blog I saw that she posted a painting done by Clifford Still called November 1950. This also interested me because when I saw this painting at the art gallery I stopped and stared at it for a couple minutes. I felt confused and had this weird feeling because I had no idea what the emphasis of the black spot in the middle meant. I'd like to know more about this and perhaps more about this artist as well and see if he uses emphasis in his works of art.

5. What do you think about  the process of reading your peers reflection? Do you find this to be a valuable in your learning?

I highly enjoyed reading and looking at their reflections. I think its nice to see how they view things differently than me or if there were things that were similar. Every artist looks at everything in a unique way that might be different from one another but it also enables me to be open minded and see where they are coming from.

6. Check your Blog and read comments posted by your Peers. Do you find their comments helpful?

Module 5: Logo

 

1. When creating my logo right away I thought of a lotus flower. I love flowers in general but one of my favorites is the lotus. The logo i picked is the lotus that has "JZ" for my initials around the lotus flower and has pink in it because that is my favorite color. The lotus flower is a representation of obstacles in life and the good that comes from overcoming them.

2. When I have a pencil and paper in hand I always end up drawing random things. Usually hearts, flowers, or dreamcatchers but when I first did this project, the first thing I drew was a lotus. I thought I would like the lotus shaded in but I actually like just an outline better.

3. The most important discovery for me was how much I actually like drawing or sketching for fun. At first in the upper left corner I drew the lotus flower badly and then had to really concentrate on each petal to make it look like a flower.

4. The most important thing I learned from the logo video was that it takes time, ideas, concept, application, feedback, and sometimes team work to come up with a creative and unique logo. A logo doesn't have to be so complex for it to be unique, sometimes it can just be plain and simple and still be able to represent something or a person.