VIDEO REVIEWS APRIL 22, 2011

For this blog entry, I selected to review Abstract Expressionism and Pop: Art of the ‘50s and ‘60s, Hockney on Photography, and Andy Warhol: Images of an Image.  I chose these videos to better widen my knowledge on these specific topics. I am mostly interested in learning more about expressionism during the ‘50s and ’60s.

The first video I watched was Abstract Expressionism and Pop: Art of the ‘50s and ‘60s.  The video examines the expressionist art of both America and European influence. The program examines work from this movement such as Andy Warhol’s The Texan: Portrait of Robert Rauschenberg and Helen Frankenthaler’s Mountains and Sea. This video does an excellent job adding depth to the material offered in the book.

Hockney on Photography was quite interesting. I selected this video because I am interested in photography and how photography evolved throughout the 20^th century. This video does an excellent job explaining how Hockney implemented his painting skills with photography. It also shows how Hockney’s photographs developed over time.

Andy Warhol: Images of an Image was my favorite video of the following. I wanted to learn more about Warhol after seeing his 100 Cans at the Albright Knox Gallery. This video takes a look at the Pop Act and Warhol’s Ten Lizes. This video compliments the book well, as it adds another perspective to the material.

Overall, these videos were quite interesting. In addition, they did an excellent job providing better understanding of the material.

Project Art Gallery

For this project, I chose to go to the Albright Knox Gallery. After walking through the gallery, I was especially intrigued with the Piccasso exibit. The Picasso exhibit is a collection of the works of Picasso, Braque, Leger, and Delaunay. The exhibit was shaped in a rectangular room. The white painted room, guided the viewer from corner to corner around the room.

1.) Pablo Picasso. Bacchanale. Linocut on paper. 1957

I thought Bacchanale was very interesting because of the lines and color scheme. It looks like people are sitting on a hillside, looking across a body of water. The hills and body of water reminds me of a setting in the Mediterranean.  Although I did not have a significant reaction to the piece, the Bacchanale reminds of a happy and warm summer night.

Principles and Elements: Picasso uses lines, color, and shape in this piece. The color really enhances the mood of the piece.

2.) Claude Monet. Chemin de Halage a Argenteuil. Oil on Canvas.1875

                 

This painting was really interesting to me. I thought Monet did a wonderful job using colors and light to capture this moment.  It sets a setting of a quiet and chilly day along a waterfront. I really had an attachment to this piece. It reminds me of a time when I was younger playing along the lake.

Principles and Elements: Monet uses line and color. The color scheme has lots of blues and grey that reminds one of a cloudy day. Line is used to guide the viewer’s eyes down the shore.

3.) Andre Derain. The Trees. Oil on canvas. 1905

I really connected with this painting because it really represents nature. I thought the trees with the hills in the background really represent the beauty of nature. I also liked how Derain used color to enhance this feeling. The bright colors add another dimension. This was one of my favorites at they gallery.

Principles and elements: Derain makes use of rhythm and color. He uses rhythm by creating a forest of several trees.

Overall, I had an enjoyable time at the gallery. Although the gallery has many interesting works of art, these pieces stood out the most. I look forward to visiting this art gallery again in the future.

Video Reviews

I selected to review the movies Matisse & Picasso, A Sunday on La Grange Jatte, Expressionism, and The mystical North: Spanish Art From the 19^th Century. I selected these videos to help widen my understanding on these areas in art history.

The video Matisse and Picasso is about the complicated relationship of Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. I am especially interested of how Picasso uses color and shapes in his pieces. In addition, the video gives an overview of some of works by both artists.

A Sunday on La Grange Jatte analyzes Georges Seurat’s notable piece. The video creates a picture of many of the mysteries of the A Sunday on La Grange Jatte including the symbol of the little girl and monkey. I found this film to be quite interesting on how Seurat influenced classical art through this piece.

The video Expressionism gives an overview on the Expressionism movement. The video analyzes the works the works of Edvard Munch and Oslo Franz when discussing this movement. This video compliments the reading quite well.

The Mystical North: Spanish Art from the 19th Century to the Present was my favorite video. It gave an excellent overview of how Spanish art evolved throughout the 19^th century.

Overall, the videos were quite enjoyable. Additionally, they complimented the reading quite well. They really widen my knowledge of the material.

Video reviews

I selected to review the movies, Hinduism, Buddhism, African Art, and the Great Waves. I thought these videos would widen my understanding of these religious and cultural values and enhance my knowledge of the art in these cultures.

The video, African Art, showed many of the rituals and spiritual forms still present in this area. Even so, that some of these aspects have become a part of daily life. Additionally, the video enhances and elaborates on the explanation of the text on African cultures.

The video, Buddhism, compliments the text well. It shows of Buddhism, once established in India, and then spread throughout the rest of the world. This video does an excellent job analyzing many Buddhists’ architectures.

I really enjoyed the video, Hinduism. I have always been interested in Hindu ideology and it was enjoyable to see the art influenced from this religion.

I did not really know what to expect with the Great Video. On a side note, this video was my favorite. I especially enjoyed the analysis of the different meanings of the great wave. This video really familiarized me with Japanese art.

Overall these videos were a great supplement to the reading. They did an excellent job explaining the different art from these areas and religions. Moreover, the videos reinforced much of the knowledge in the text and widen my knowledge of the material.

Mask project

 The artist makes use of lines and shapes. The use of line emphasizes the vertical aspect of the mask. This mask is also symmetrical.

 The artist uses lines and color in this piece. The primary colors of orange and black along with the numerous colors in the hair add a new dimension to this mask.

 The artist use lines and shapes in these masks. Additionally, the mask are symmetrical.

My mask incorporates the elements of color, line, and shape. I used this color scheme to add a lively feel to the mask. I attempted to make the mask symmetrical. I am surprised how well the finish mask came out. I enjoyed this project as it allowed me to be creative. Below is a sketch of my original mask.