Module 8: Video discussion

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

I selected the Greek Awakening from the choices because the title just seemed more interesting than the rest. All of the others seemed boring, this title stood out to me right away and I actually like the Greek culture so I chose this one. And it happens to only be 24 minutes long. 

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

BBC How Art Made the World 1- More Human than Human 

People rarely create images that resemble to real humans figures.

 Images give clues as to why they are made they way they were.

Many carvings were create thousands of years ago,

Some represent their culture, not realistic images.

The Greek Awakening: Art from the 5th century BC

Art began to represent Greek cultures 

Parthenon being preserved 

Temples before Parthenon must have been made of material that could not last

Many sculptures became the focus of Greek culture and reflect the cities of Greece

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

Both videos happen to talk about philosophy, and art. They reflect on how sculptures do not represent realistic figures,but more so how people want to see other people. For example the first video had a sculpture that was big all around and not properly proportioned. The cultures saw this as a fertile type of person, someone who was ready to reproduce and give babies to their culture. There are many meanings behind the sculptures that were created. In the second video, it talked about cultures and how other cultures relate to art and sculptures. These videos added to my knowledge from the text reading by telling me how philosophy and art work together to define our cultures and what the representation is between the sculptures and real world viewings. 

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

I thought it was cool how things such as anthropology play into art. In the BBC video, the Athena limestone piece worth 60 million dollars was studied in my anthropology class last semester. It is such a small figure and it is the first clue as to why we are so unrealistic of the human body. 

Module 7: Video Discussion

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

Prairie Style: 

First modern family house

Everything natural in and around the structure

Windows were a big thing in prairie houses

Ceilings tend to be lower in these styles

Didn't like to cover these houses, but wanted some privacy by using shrubs 

People would often incorporate Wright's ideas in their own architecture 

Architecture: The Science of Design 

When there is no space in busy cities, architects build up 

Metal structures are binded together to help secure walls, ceilings, and floors

Strict international regulations are used

Larger based and/or trees are planted around the base for high risers

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
The videos relate to the text because it is all about architecture.The text talks about certain types of architectures that can be used and different materials that can be used. Plus, the Prairie video involved Frank Lloyd Wright in it, and there is a whole section just on him in the textbook. The videos showed examples of houses and buildings and walked us through each house/building. The textbook only gives pictures, but the videos went into more depth.    

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of Architecture?
I thought the films were interesting because I never knew so much went into it. The way architecture is basically art fascinates me. It is cool how building a building or house is basically their form of art and way of expression. Yes, there are regulations to it, but it is still the architecture's design. They add to my understanding of architecture by giving me more examples of different ways it is used. Things such as arches and steel frames were spoken about in each the text and the videos. Plus, the way the videos talked about how it influenced the environment and they surroundings around the home or building helped me grasp the way others view architecture. 

4. Why did you choose the films that you watched?
They were the first two videos in the list so I just picked those. After I picked those videos, I went and looked at the others. These videos happened to be the shortest videos as well, which was a plus. I would rather watch the two 23 minute long videos rather than two 50 minute long videos. 

Module 6: Video Review

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

Video #1: Through the Eyes of the Sculptor

Stone carvings take a lot of time and work. 

If the stone is cracked, it makes a different sound than if it is not, and if it is cracked it cannot be used.

When a sculptor is happy with his piece and cannot refine it anymore, he moves on to the next part.

Silicone mold is placed over clay sculptures or they clay could damage. The silicon is then removed from the clay to be used as a molding, and then the silicone mold is put back together so plaster can be pouring into it to recreate the clay sculpture, but using plaster.

Marble is limestone squeezed and crushed together when tectonic plates collided and the mountains rose. 

Multiple artists can work on one sculpture.

Often it takes months to create one sculpture.

Video #2: Glass and Ceramics

Glass is made from liquid which stiffens when cooled.

Things like lime stone and oyster shells prevent the glass from becoming too fluid at high temperatures.

To create the glass, one takes a chuck of the molding out and blows into a rod until the mold inflates like a bubble. To shape it, the artist continuously turns the rod.

The glass cools as it is being modeled, so to continue, it needs to be reheated many times to keep creating shape. 

Glass is still fragile after creating, so a final firing will harden the glass. 

Propane torch can also be used to shape/fuse the glass. 

Lead strips are used when creating stained glass windows. 

Ceramics are made using fire with a clay base.

Molding techniques are used when making ceramics. 

Dry pressing is used to create multiple ceramics, like plates. 

The materials like marble and limestone are naturally created, carved to create sculptures. Once a carving is made, it cannot be undone. 

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

They relate to the readings in the text because the talk about sculptures in the text. The videos show the actual process while the text merely describes and gives few images. Both the videos and the text include the methods and materials needed to create sculptures. The text does talk about human sculptures in much detal though as did the first video. The glass and ceramics were not spoken about as much in the text as the video tells us, but there are sections that describe both clay and glass creations. 

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the topics: Sculpture, Installation, and Craft?

I thought the glass and ceramics video was more interesting than the first video. It gave much more detail and was all about the facts on glass and ceramics. It added to my understanding of the in text topics because the videos gave more visuals and step by step to actually create ceramics and limestone sculptures. Both videos were very helpful when comparing to the text, and helped me understand the way these types of art are made. 

Module 6: Peer Review

Blogs: http://sidorwi01.blogspot.com/ (Walter)

http://ashleys-art200.blogspot.com/ (Ashley) 

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?

For Walter's project #1, I did see some of the photos representing the elements and/or principles as they should, but some I did not see it in. Like for example, the unity and the value images were great. I think they represented the terms perfectly. One of the ones I did not exactly interpret as the word given was texture. The image seemed to be of a wall but I did not see the texture of it. More than half of his collection did create the term given to the image though.

For Ashley's project #1, I think she did an amazing job. Each picture represented the principle or element given to the image. Her images labels somehow got messed up where they weren't paired up with her images but in the html link for each picture. I think they were paired perfectly and I could envision each element or principle with each one of her pictures. 

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?

For Walter's project #2, we shared one image, La jeune bonne (The Servant Girl) by Amedeo Modigliani. His interpretations on this painting were similar to mine. The eyes caught both of our attention in this image, and we both wondered why they were painting like that.

For Ashley's project #2, we seemed to have picked different pieces of art from the museum for this project.

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?

Walter had an image called Walking Soldier by Alexander Archipenko. I really liked this piece and for some reason must have missed it in the art gallery. I like his interpretation on it. I would want to know why this sculpture was made the way it was, and for what reason it is important. 

Ashley had many paintings that looked similar to each other. I specifically liked William James Glackens Jetties at Bellport 1916, Oil on Canvas. This image creates a sense of peace and I would like to know why it was created. Is there a deeper meaning behind it or is it really just a oil painting of a lake with people on a pier? 

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 enjoyed getting to view my peers work because I got ideas on how I could've done mine or how I could've made mine better. But, this also made me appreciate my work by looking at some other's projects. I find this valuable because it helps me think of future projects and how I can relate my work to theirs. 

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

I only had one peer review for both of my projects. His comments were more compliments and statements rather than being 'helpful.' He had many encouraging words which makes me feel better about my projects since at the beginnings I'm usually unsure of what to do or create my project on. I guess in a way it was helpful because it gives me more confidence in my work for future assignments.