Self Portrait

Inspiration pieces from the virtual art gallery: 

The Portrait of Sakip Sabanci, 2014, LCD Panels, 
https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/asset-viewer/the-portrait-of-sakip-sabanci/YwHrPDVTPHKfEg?projectId=art-project

Maria Veronica un Dubai, U.A.E., where she works and lives. May 7 2015
https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/asset-viewer/maria-veronica-in-dubai-u-a-e-where-she-works-and-lives/AwEn7bARvNDqyg?projectId=art-project

Obey- Shepard Fairey, 2008
https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/asset-viewer/obey-shepard-fairey-obama-portrait/RwERadz8ZnfhGw?exhibitId=OALiT1LkTaeaIg&userGallery&projectId=art-project

                                                 

                               

1. Why did you select the inspiration pieces?

I picked these pieces because I liked the up-close self portrait with the flowers so I decided to zoom in on mine.  I like the piece with thousands of self portraits combined together; I wish I knew how to do that with my piece but I decided to take the shape of a square for my portrait like that piece.  In the Obama piece, I like the colors and different shapes/visuals added to the portrait which is why I decided to do something similar with mine.
2. Why did you select the media to create your self-portrait?

I wanted to use the computer and explore more of what I can do on Photobucket so I decided to do so with this project.
3. What challenges did you face in creating your self-portrait and how did you overcome them? 

I wanted to multiply my picture like my one inspiration photo but I could not find out how to do that.
4. How does this piece represent you?

It represents me because well it's me, and I also used colors that calm me down in my piece.  Also, it is fairly simply which I like.  
5. What elements and principles of art did you apply in this work?

I used color, shape, movement, and unity.
6. Did you enjoy working on this project?

I enjoyed being able to create this with the computer and being able to make something of my own.
7. What do you think of your final artwork?

I really like it, it was a lot easier than I thought it would be and something different.  I think it represents me and looks much different from my original.    

 Black man sticking his tongue out: This mask has color shown, a smooth texture, line shown throughout the mask on the skin,  and shape shown in the eyes and teeth, the mask also looks like it is symmetrical which shows balance and unity.  I choose this piece because I liked the cut outs.  

China Supay half-mask from Bolivia:This mask show plenty of different colors, balance because the mask shows symmetry, pattern in the squiggly lines shown on the mask which also shows lines, shapes shown in the eyes, texture seems smooth and also fur around the eyes.  I choose this piece because I liked the 3-D effect of it and the colors used.  

Rich masquerade in the Andes: This mask shows color throughout as well as line throughout the whole piece, their is balance and unity in the piece, I can't see texture very well, there is also pattern and repetition which is shown in the bottom half of the piece, there is also many shapes shown in this piece which can be seen by the huge heart in the middle.  I choose this piece because of the use of colors and patterns throughout the piece; it is very interesting.  

• I will use color throughout my mask, texture with glitter and gems and bow, shapes shown by the gems, line by the curve in the bottom of the mask and in the lightning bolt
• I thought this was a very inspiring project and I liked how my piece turned out.  The main elements I wanted to show in my piece were color and texture which I think my piece expresses well.  
  

Module 10

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

I chose the two African videos because I looked at the project for this week first before completing this.  The masks that I viewed in order to inspired my art was very interesting so it made me want to learn more about African culture and art.  

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

African Art: Legacy of Oppression

• glorifies mothers and chiefs
• art may seem abstract/non realistic but makes sense to those of the culture
• masks are very detailed
• creation for all masks have different meaning
• 'magic' in each mask
• masks created to scare westerns 
• rubber

African Art:

• wood and straw
• most pieces in museums are less than 200 years old
• color, sound and movement
• rock art usually represent animals
• supernatural forces
• art intertwined with religion and magic

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

They relate to cultures discussed in the text, especially with masks and importance.  This video and the text both help give me a further understand for our project due.  This video helped me learn more about masks and their importance.  

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

Videos help me learn better because I'd rather hear information and visually see what is being discussed.  They also helped express what is important in African culture and the meanings behind some masks and why they were created int he first place.  

Module Nine

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

I picked both of these videos because they both seemed like interesting choices.  Also, I wanted to choose videos about artists who I have never heard of before.  "Image of a Master" also made me pick Albrecht Durer's video because it seemed like it would have interesting artwork which it did.  

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

Velazquez:

• very realistic paintings
• real looking people in his drawings
• contrast of colors
• backgrounds of paintings weren't very detailed
• painted for the King
• paintings showed abstract
• seen to be more of an idealists

Albrecht Durer:Image of a Master:

• art showed his love/admiration for himself by drawing himself in his art work
• would use 4-6 coats of paint to create the color he wanted
• didn't really use color
• famous painting: "Feast of the Rose Garlands"
• landscaping 
• created first painting with silverpoint

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

These videos add more depth to the time periods we have read about in the text and add a visual for us learners to help use better understand the text.  

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

They add more depth to what we are learning about.  Looking at visuals and hearing someone else talk about he subject makes it easier for me to understand.  

Exploring Line

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

I didn't mind using my hand as a subject matter; it was actually quite interesting noticing all the lines you have in your skin.  I think drawing body parts are extremely interesting and hard. 

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

I chose a pencil because I am more familiar with this media so I felt more comfortable completing the task with it.  Also, I find it less messy.  

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

It was extremely hard and even kind of embarrassing trying to draw with my left hand.  I am no artist as shown by my dominant hand drawing but the left one is horrible.  It was hard for me to use the pencil and create things proportionately.  

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

I think for the most part my drawings came out decent and the study was successful.  My dominant hand drawing has more proportion to it and looks more like a lanky hand but a hand.  My non-dominant hand drawing is fatter and not as much proportionate.  It was an interesting exercise to do and I learned more from it than I thought I would.  

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

I think I would try using it more to make it stronger and possibly another option for me but I don't think I would use it for future artwork.  

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

• Was required
• I like learning about early art and how we use past methods today.  We develop pieces by looking at past art and advancing.  Also like learning about Greek art/culture because they have Gods and Goddesses.  

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

More Human Than Human:

• Seagull study
• Create things based off of our culture
• Numerous works of 'Venus' around the world, all very much similar
• Humans obsess over bodies but don't necessarily have realistic visions of it
• Why do we create unrealistic but realistic things? (no arms, by other limbs)
• Why do we emphasize some things more than others? (no face, large breasts)
• Culture

The Greek awakening: Art from the 5th Century BC

• Restoring of sculptures
• Humanism, rationalism
• Human in the center of existence 
• Columns
• Pollution affects the sculptures, must be reserved
• The theater still used to this day

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

These videos go over topics discussed in the text but just add further depth to them.  There are many different images provided to help give use a deeper connection about what is being talked about in some sections of the text.  The repetition of pictures in the text and also in the videos.  

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

I enjoyed the films and I like being able to pick films that interest us.  Given this option I think it's easier to grab more from the film and easier to pay attention to the detail.  These films were very educational and helped elaborate on ideas discussed in the text in more detail while providing us with more information.  

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

Prairie Style:

• Laying of horizontals
• House should represent time, place and client
• "organic"- part of the landscape/nature
• harmony with nature
• open floor plan
• good unity between nature, furniture, detail, exterior and interior

Architecture: The Science of Design:

• Foundation
• Sensors in houses to minimize electricity use
• Concrete
• Must consider dead weight/ weight with people
• Pre-stressed concrete
• Reinforced concrete

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

In the text, we read about Frank Lloyd Wright and his trade mark 'prairie houses".  We learn about his way of doing things and are given some examples as to why so many critics believe that he is the greatest American architect of his time.  Also, in the text we learn about reinforced concrete which is mentioned in the second video I watched.  

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

I think the films add more depth to topics we have read in the text because sometimes having more of a visual is more useful when it comes to understanding.  I think watching the videos instead of just looking at the pictures and having someone else talk about it makes it easier to understand.  Being able to see examples of prairie houses in the film made me realize what exactly Frank Lloyd Wright did and how they turned out.  Also watching how the reinforced concrete worked in the film made me understand the concept better.  

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

I decided to chose the Prairie style video because I like the architecture of it.  I like how nature was always incorporated with the house and was respected.  I also enjoy houses where he used windows to kinda break the barrier of inside outside.  Ceiling to floor windows are something i'd like to have in my house.  I decided to watch the second video because I was interested in learning more about how we build skyscrapers and other buildings.  I was also interested in learning about the sensors that people can have in their households.