Module 12

1. Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above.

I chose to watch “Abstract Expressionism and Pop: Art of the 50’s and 60’s,” and “Andy Warhol: Images of an Image.”  I chose to watch the first one because just the word “pop” associated with “art” sparked an interest from me.  I wanted to see more about pop art and the artists that go along with it.  I chose to watch the Andy Warhol video because I know of his work but not too much about him.  We had an art show at my work and some of the children imitated his work so watching the video was interesting to me because we had just done it at work.

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

In the video “Abstract Expressionism and Pop: Art of the 50’s and 60’s,” I learned about the understanding and meaning of the different styles.  It shows how globalization affected art.  People were becoming more individualized with their art and the vibrant colors.  The colors bring attention to the art immediately because they catch people’s eyes, rather than being drawn to dull colors.  The video “Andy Warhol: Images of an Image” was very interesting to me because I had already known a few things about him as an artist.  The video goes through and discusses his views on how media affects his artwork.  It was interesting to hear about how he feels like celebrities are just like anyone else rather than putting them up high like everyone else seems to do.

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

The videos relate to the text by going into more detail about what we had already read.  The topics are discussed quickly but the videos go into more depth and I find it interesting to see it rather than just read about it.

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

I always enjoy watching the videos.  They help me understand more of what I have already read in the text.  It gives me a better understanding plus they’re entertaining at the same time. 

Mask Exploration

The first mask that I chose was the “Hawk Mask.”  It is made out of and carved from wood.  The mask represents protective spirits that take animal form.  The site goes into detail about the geometric patterns that are on the wings that refer to their moral principles.  “The zigzag lines flanking the face signify the "path of the ancestors."”  This shows how the mask is very important to this group as a whole because it represents so much of their past, their knowledge, and protection. 

The second mask I chose was from Bolivia.  It is a Bolivian China Supay mask.  It is 14 inches long, fiber-glass, plaster, paper mache, paint, sequins and glitter.  It’s a human face that has large eyes, features on the face, and uses many different colors.  The emphasis on the mask is to the large features on the face.  That is the first thing you see and are brought to.  I chose this one simply for the use of colors.  I loved the variety.

The last mask that I chose was an animal spirit mask.  It is created by the Piaroa-Huarime people in the Orinoko River region in Venezuela.  It is 12 inches long, basketry covered with beeswax and mud, bark cloth hood.   “This mask probably represents the marmoset, a small simian which is believed to have a special affinity toward men.”  When this mask is used while dancing, the stripes make it look animated. 

I used play-dough to create my mask.  I just rolled it out and cut out a circle.  I used small glasses to cut out the eyes.  For the mouth, I originally wanted to do teeth but then I just did a straight line and I thought it wouldn’t look right.  My mask kind of turned into a “zombie” looking mask which isn’t what I expected but that’s okay.  I used shape in my mask and maybe there is emphasis on the eyes.

Module 11

1. Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above.

I chose to watch “Dada and Surrealism,” and “The Impact of Cubism.”  I chose these videos because they sparked my interest and who doesn't want to watch a video that will interest them? 

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

In “Dada and Surrealism,” it discusses the Dada movement.  The video showed how it changed into Surrealism.  This affected a change in the artwork of this time.  In “The Impact of Cubism,” it was interesting to me how Cubism influenced Europe.  It showed how there were different ways were offered to represent form and space. 

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

The videos both gave me a better understanding of what I had read in the text.  It showed things in a visual sense for me and it also provided me with further knowledge and information.  I learned things that I hadn't known before.

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

I always enjoy watching the films.  I like being able to choose which ones I can watch and which ones may spark my interest.  It furthers my understanding of what I had read before.

Module 10

1. Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above.

The videos that I chose to watch were related in a way, being called “African Art” and “African Art: Legacy of Oppression.”  I chose these videos because I knew that it would give me a better understanding of the text from what caught my interest within the book.  Also, it sounded interesting to me from reading the descriptions below the videos.

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

In “African Art,” it went into great detail on the different aspects of the artwork of the culture.  It shows symbolism, different religious beliefs, the functionality of the art, and the aesthetics.  In “African Art: Legacy of Oppression,” the video mentioned that there were more than 230 different cultures.  Their art was considered to be magical.  Using masks to scare people somehow taught young men to respect their elders and how to treat the handicap people with respect, as well.  They stopped making the masks to use as a tool for intimidation because they came to realize that their magic didn’t work.

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

The videos talk about the same information that is in the text just in a different way, plus it is visual.  They showed different artwork than what was within the reading. 

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

I enjoyed watching both of the videos.  I found them very interesting and helpful to my understanding of what I read within the textbook.  They provided additional knowledge and understanding of African Art, the different cultures, and history. 

Hand Drawings

1. What was it like using your hand as subject matter for a drawing?

I found it easy to use my hand as the subject matter.  You can look at it as many times as you need to and it is right there with the details right in front of you. 

2. What media did you select - pencil or charcoal? Why?

I used a pencil.  I really don’t like using charcoal because I’m not used to it and I feel like my drawings look dirty after I use it.  I would much rather shade with a pencil.

3. How did it feel to create a drawing with your non-dominant hand?

I found this assignment to be easy yet difficult at the same time.  It was easy to draw your hand but then using my left hand was difficult to do.  I basically took my hands and just flipped them over on the paper and traced them then went in and added the details.  I’m not the best artist in town so it’s not as detailed as I would've liked it to be but I have all the lines and creases in my hand.  This was the easy part.

4. Compare and contrast your final drawings. Do you think they are successful studies?

I think they look similar enough even though I had to use my left hand for part of it.  I would say that they are successful.

5. Would you consider using your non-dominant hand to create artwork in the future?

I would not consider this.  I’m not even good at holding a pencil with my left hand, let alone drawing with it.

Module 9

1. Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above.

I chose to watch The Drawings of Michaelangelo and Albrecht Durer: Image of a Master.  I chose these videos because reading the descriptions, they seemed like they’d be interesting to me.  I just wanted to learn more about both.  You hear a lot about Michaelangelo but I felt like a video would be interesting to watch about him and his drawings as well.

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

In “The Drawings of Michaelangelo,” it was interesting to see how he would get his ideas from sketching.  His drawings, in a way, are like sculptures with their detail.  Showing mass in his drawings, you got a good glimpse at how he used different techniques while drawing and what a great artist he was.  In “Albrecht Durer: Image of a Master,” the video showed what a great artist Albrecht Durer was and showed us art in Northern Renaissance.  Learning the history of Durer really showed something about his life.  His father was a goldsmith while is godfather was a publisher and printer.  The influence from these two men is what really got him started.

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

The videos explain the lives of the artists during the times that we have read about including the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period.  Reading about the influences then actually watching them was good to see because the videos showed how the artists really grew.

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

Seeing where the artists came from and how they grew during these time periods really gave me a greater sense of what we had read in the text.  The videos give additional information that we can actually see instead of just reading about.  Choosing the videos that we watch is helpful, too.  It shows what we are interested in and what we want to know more about.