Week 3 Blog Entry

This week we studied several different artists of various styles and mediums. I found the video somewhat boring at first but each artist had unique ideals and I got something out of each piece that I didn’t expect to. The first artist in the video, Bruce Nauman, was my least favorite, but even his stairway art was interesting, and I like the idea of a functional object becoming unusable and having to figure out how to make it functional..that speaks to the tasks of everyday life. I found that very relatable.

I loved Kerry James Marshall’s pieces, especially how dramatic his darkness of figures is; it makes a bold statement and also stands out in the image more so than a lighter shade of brown would. A simple shade difference creates a completely different image with a bolder context. I was very intrigued by his love of greeting cards and how inspirational he found them, because I love to make greeting cards for friends and family which are usually collages of photos of us, mixed with text and drawings that I put on a big board or make a huge construction paper card. I love how Marshall’s family members got together and shared their cards he made them, and it’s sentimental and moving that they all saved his cards because when they reflect on them you can see the pride and appreciation they have for him and his artwork. I love that when I make birthday cards and Christmas cards for my family they cherish them and save them to reflect on later. I find it much more fulfilling to create cards for my loved ones rather than get store-bought cards that are impersonal. Here are a few examples of some cards I made my family recently.





Marshall’s pieces are more than meets the eye in almost every piece I’ve seen, such as his murals of the presidents where their figures are severely distorted and little black dots on flowers are actually the faces of African-Americans. It is interesting to learn what images or ideas inspire artists, and how each person can retain something different than another person seeing the same image or feeling the same emotions.

At first I didn’t really like the hands pieces by Louise Bourgeois, but I also didn’t really understand their meaning. Watching the video and seeing her interact with the sculptures and explain what they meant to her and how they were to be interpreted really changed my mind about them. I could see from her conviction and constant touching of the hands that they were very personal for her and very intimate. When I first saw them on the stones they looked like detached body pieces that were kind of disconnected and dead, like the black stone. But when I saw them through her eyes, they were very emotional and personal, like the touch of a familiar hand or the interaction between family. I like the contrast of the smooth black stone on top of grey rugged blocks of stone, showing the elegance of the hand compared to the rough stone and the textural differences between the two materials. I like that the sculptures were made from her own hands, and how accurate the molds were to her actual hands. It made me want to make plaster molds of people, which I always thought was strange as art.

The other image that I enjoyed in the video was Maya Lin’s architectural piece called the three stages of water, particularly the ice skating rink which was made to look like the night sky with lit stars that you skated over. It is beautiful to look at from above, and I’m sure fun to skate on. I would love to go there and visit the site where she created this piece.
Another artist who I was intrigued by was Jules Lion, for several reasons. I studied daguerreotypes in my photography classes and also in other art history classes, and found them interesting as historical photography and as art. Strangely, in my other classes I didn’t learn that Jules Lion is considered the first African-American photographer. I was also interested in his work because there is so little known about him, the mystery is intriguing. I want to learn more about his artwork and his life.

This week I found so much material to reflect on so it was hard to choose only two artists or readings to interpret. The book reading was long for this week but it kept my interest because there was so much historical context that helped me understand the context of the art discussed in the chapters. I was surprised how intricate and meaningful the quilt work pieces were by Harriet Powers and Aunt Ellen and Aunt Margaret. For women who were considered illiterate slaves, these pieces of art speak volumes about their intellect and talent, as well as knowledge of history and an eloquent way to portray this knowledge. The fact that patchwork quilts were used to display secret codes for directions through the Underground Railroad is very clever.

Also in the textbook reading I found the furniture pieces by Peter Day and Dutreuil Barjon to be exquisitely crafted. I was surprised that these pieces were appealing to me because I don’t usually care much about furniture or architecture in these styles, as artistic works. The carving and design of these household items is very pleasing to the eye and they have stood the test of time because they are still pieces that could be found in houses today. My grandmother had some similar secretaries in her house, made with the same pair of facing s-scrolls design, but in a lighter wood stain.

This whole week I learned about artists I had not previously been aware of, and I enjoyed reading and reflecting on their works. I intend to go to the MOMA to view Kerry James Marshall’s murals in person. I was excited to learn that his pieces were currently on display, so I hope I catch the exhibit.

Art 13 blog 1 (response to op-ed article &goff's response)

I agree with Kelli Goff on many points in her response to the statement made by Harry Reid. I believe Reid may be subconsciously showing how his views of African Americans is skewed or that he is not in the loop of what politically correct terminology is appropriate, but I do not believe he is proven to be a racist by this remark. However, while this may be a small insignificant slip of the tongue for a random individual, it shows a deeper issue coming from a government official representing President Obama.

Goff said that he just used an outdated term which was exaggerated and blown out of proportion to accuse him of racism, and I agree. I think it’s a bit extreme that Michael Steele wants him to resign from office because of it. Yes this comment shows that he is out of touch with the African-American public, which for a government official representing diversity is more of an issue than if someone else said it. It does show a contradiction. However, I don’t think he is racist because he said this remark and I don’t think he needs to step down from office. He may not have an accurate portrayal of African-Americans because he does not involve himself in social activities with African-Americans outside of work or within a social context (although he should). I am not a black American so I can’t really speak from that perspective, but my personal response to that statement was “wow, he said that? That doesn’t seem like politically correct dialogue, but I think he just stated it in a wrong way”. I don’t find him racist, just out-dated. I feel that Obama maturely handled the situation properly and was gracious to forgive Reid’s remark and dismiss it.

In terms of race and representation in the media, I somewhat agree with Bell Hooks that we haven’t made much progress in the way we represent African-Americans. We want to believe we have improved our viewpoints and elevated ourselves from segregation and unequal representation, yet we continue to categorize and judge accordingly. I love the quote on page 6 that reads “it is only as we collectively change the way we look at ourselves and the world that we can change how we are seen.” I think this opens up the reader to personal reflection and also gives food for thought as to how and why certain groups and types of people are seen in different ways.

Undirected..crossword puzzle

This week seemed to go a little differently in terms of class assignments and how the calendar was, for turning them in. I had never done a crossword puzzle for an online class before, the angel system had an interesting yet somewhat confusing way of designing the puzzle, but once you figure it out it's kind of fun to do (I usually love crossword puzzles, I used to do them all the time with my grandma and grandpa). I thought that the hints would be clues to the puzzle word though, not just giving you the first letter of the answer! I think it would be more fun if it gave you additional clues instead. It was a new way of doing homework assignments for me though, and it was kind of nice to complete a puzzle this time instead of a reading guide. It's a good variety though. Did anyone else enjoy it or find it confusing? I'm curious.

blog 5 (undirected blog)

While completing the reading guide assignment for this week, I found out (through the assignment 3 readings and the textbook reading) that figures within the Teotihuacán paintings were depicted in a profile image, except for Gods, who were painted frontally. This seems like a trivial minor observation, but in actuality it gives a much deeper meaning to their art and reflects their society’s views and also religious beliefs through the artwork, which I found fascinating. To reserve the honor of being painted frontally for only the Gods, these people were explaining their cultural beliefs and showing how they worship their Gods and hold them in the highest regard. Yet they paint individual figures in profile, even those of rulers. It shows a humbleness and civility, as well as utmost respect for their Gods. When I read that they painted only the Gods frontally, I assumed it was in comparison to those common citizens or servants shown in paintings in profile, usually in groups such as the maids to a God or the warriors going into battle. So I found it surprising that even the rulers were painted in profile, because that shows how even though they are an authority figure in the society, they still serve the Gods and view themselves as beneath the Gods, reserving the frontal depictions in art for only the Gods. This puts more of their artwork into context, and made the reliefs more interesting to me, as I noticed which figures were painted frontally and which were painted in profile (it gives the viewer a greater sense of rank to distinguish between the figures and to develop an understanding of the relationship between the figures in the piece). Another fact that I read in the assignment 3 reading link was that even though only Gods are painted frontally, the Great Goddess was painted frontally yet the Storm God was painted in profile. That makes a bold statement about the role of women in society and in regards to their authoritative status among the Teotihuacán people.

undirected blog 10/4

The map of Mesoamerica has been very helpful for me in identifying the locations of art pieces and the relationship between art and architecture at each specific location in Mesoamerica. It is a lot of information to retain, but very interesting to learn about. I noted that there was a structural theme in the majority of the cities found within the map; they each have a ball court, some even have multiple ball courts in one town. I looked at the sketches and photos of these ball courts in the different locations, and they were all similar in layout and some in size, although some were on a larger scale and had bigger stadiums for spectators. I found this relevant to the size of the city and the population of its people, which makes sense. I found this interesting that the ancient Mesoamericans were such athletic people and so interested in sporting activities at such a primitive time period, and that it was so monumental to them that they created central structures within their cities to devote to this sport. The reading linked this tradition to soccer, which I found very intriguing because Hispanic people are very passionate about soccer in particular, and it would be very cool to discover that the basis for the development of this sport came from this area and evolved from the sport Mesoamericans played in their ball courts thousands of years ago, and that a direct descendant of this game is still played today. The sculpture of the ball court in the reading was unique and different from previous pieces we’ve studied, so it stood out to me, just like the structures of the ball courts did on the map. The game atmosphere depicted in the sculpture was more friendly and family-oriented than I would have assumed from just viewing the ball courts. It seemed more realistic and similar to modern game stadiums, with all the fans cheering on the players.

Frida Kahlo Exhibit Experience

My overall experience at the museum was stimulating but also unnerving, because of the ridiculous crowd both in line for the museum and also once inside the exhibit. I was glad that there was such a wide variety of pieces on exhibition, but most of the pieces were kind of disturbing to me, so it wasn’t exactly a pleasant stroll through the museum. Also, I had the same problem that several other students expressed in the student discussion lounge (that it was extremely difficult to get photos of myself at the exhibit), because the museum employees were watching closely and would reprimand anyone who tried to take a picture in the exhibit. I wish I could have gotten pictures of me with the pieces that correlate with what I wrote in my blog, but between the crowd surrounding each piece and the museum employees’ glares, I was unable to do so (however, my friend and I found that the photos of Frida were less heavily guarded than the paintings, so we were able to take a few hurried shots in that area). At least I managed to get a few quick blurry shots for proof that I was at the exhibit, but it was a stressful experience and I would rather not have to go through that again and risk being banned from the museum entirely. I also found that the price for admission and entrance to the museum and Frida exhibit was expensive, so I ended up buying a membership to get free passes (although the membership was expensive too!). Besides all the hassle that the trip entailed, I did enjoy the exhibit and learned a lot about the artist and her influences.

I saw a Mexican girl at the exhibit and thought "Hey! Here's another element of Mexican heritage to add to my blog! I should take a picture with her!" (Just kidding, that's my best friend, who just happens to be half-Mexican).

The pieces that I found the most interesting were different in subject matter, but both deep in terms of interpreting the message within the art. The first piece I saw at the Kahlo exhibit was the Portrait of Luther Burbank (1931), and I was intrigued by it immediately. It has a less harsh political message compared to some of Kahlo’s other portraits and pieces, but it still conveys a deep meaning. For those who are not familiar with the work of Luther Burbank, he was a scientist who studied horticulture and created numerous species of plants. The portrait of Luther Burbank by Frida Kahlo is a very accurate depiction of this man, incorporating both the realist and the symbolic interpretive abstraction in the piece. He is seen as both a man alive and a man dead, buried and decomposing under the ground. He dedicated his life’s work to studying plants and nature, and this piece shows what a big part of his personality his work was (through the tree trunk that his live body grows out of, the seeds that grow out of his hands into leaves, and the tree roots that intertwine with his decomposing body in the earth). I like how the piece draws the eye up and down from the center outward; when I first saw this piece my eye caught the live body growing out of the tree trunk first, then went down the trunk to the roots and the body they grow through, then back up again as if to show that he comes from the earth (symbolizing the cycle of life as well). Compared to some of Kahlo’s other pieces, this painting is tame in nature of the subject matter.

The other piece that was the most interesting to me was the Flower of Life (1944). I don’t necessarily like this piece or feel that it’s pleasing to the eye, but it intrigued me to think more about the piece and the intention behind it, forcing me to interpret it more deeply than her still life pieces and portraits. To me, that’s the kind of art that I enjoy, the pieces that stimulate the mind to draw conclusions about the subject matter and the artist’s intention in creating it. The title is somewhat ironic to me, because at first glance it doesn’t look like a flower at all, but more like an alien morphing from a plant. Yet when you pay attention to the features of the plant and the attention to detail in specific areas, you see that it’s a fusion of the human body with the anatomy of a flower, and it shows the similarities between the two and also the concept of the cycle of life.

I found several pieces that Kahlo painted which exhibited her pride in her heritage and depicted aspects of her traditional Mexican roots, such as the traditional outfits she painted herself wearing in The Double Portrait of Frida and Diego Rivera, her Self-Portrait on the Border Line between Mexico and the United States, and The Two Fridas. Also, some of her pieces included elements of more ancient Mexico and Mesoamerica, specifically the pieces My Nurse and I and Self-Portrait on the Border Line between Mexico and the United States. There are numerous influences of Mexican art and architecture in her self-portrait on the border, such as the Mexican flag in her hand, the ancient temple from pre-Columbian times, and the sculptures on the left behind her that were ancient fertility idols, similar in shape and features to those we’ve studied.

The piece My Nurse and I stood out to me as the most influenced by Mesoamerican art, for several reasons. The nurse who is holding baby Frida wears a mask that is Teotihuacán, a stone mask similar to those worn by Mesoamericans and shown in numerous piece of their art. Also, the position that the nurse holds the baby in struck me as very similar to the Las Limas piece, where the shaman holds the supernatural god out in his outstretched hands. Both images are meant to be seen as sacrificial offerings, not as loving embraces, although both have been misinterpreted as such. I found this similarity very interesting.

Images That Define Mexico (to me)

Catholic Religion The widespread religion practiced in Mexico is Roman Catholic. It is common to find at least 1 or more statues of Jesus on a crucifix above the doorway of Catholic people’s homes, as well as inside their living rooms. I am personally not Catholic but I have several Catholic friends, and although I am Christian, we have some similar correlating beliefs (such as the same God and disciples, and the practice of communion).

Spanish Language While not the original or 1st language spoken by early Mexicans, Spanish is now the official language of Mexico. While other languages are prominent in specific areas (such as Nahuatl & other Mayan dialects), Spanish is the most commonly used, generally speaking. Of the Mexican people I know, the majority of them consider Spanish their 1st language, and were taught Spanish as the primary language in their household. I took Spanish in high school and was taught by a Mexican Spanish speaker, who taught us the differences between the way Mexicans speak Spanish and the way Hispanics speak Spanish, with different yet similar terms and different accents.

Quinceañera There are several traditions that embody the Mexican culture, and an example of a religious (as well as cultural) ceremony that Mexicans participate in is the Quinceañera, which is a celebration of a young girl’s journey from childhood to womanhood, occurring on her fifteenth birthday (quince años, hence the name quinceañera). I have been to multiple quinceañeras, which are usually held first in a church where the ceremony begins, then moved to a banquet room or dining hall where everyone eats, dances and makes speeches. They are quite fun and very family-oriented.

Dancing A major aspect of Mexican culture is the inclusion of dance in their traditions. At parties and family gatherings, music is played and everyone dances, no one is too shy to participate (from what I’ve experienced). There are several types of Mexican dancing, such as flamenco and salsa and traditional dances that tell a story of their history. These dances are usually festive, where the dancers wear colorful, vibrant costumes with big flowing skirts to emphasize their movements.

Mariachi Accompanying dance is music, and Mariachi music is well known in Mexican culture. At fiestas such as a quinceañera, a mariachi band usually plays upbeat music incorporating trumpets, guitars and sometimes maracas. There are both up-tempo dance beats and also slower, romantic tunes that Mariachi bands play at these events. I’m positive that most of us have heard Mariachi music, while you may not have realized it as such.

Superstitions The Mexican people tend to be superstitious, especially older generations of Mexicans (such as grandmothers and elders). I know several Mexican abuelitas who have strong beliefs in things such as mal de ojo (the evil eye), which they have perceived antidotes for. Although I do not necessarily hold these same beliefs, I understand that these rituals and traditional beliefs are a major aspect of their upbringing and tie into their Mexican culture.