Postmodern Pluralism

a. After reading this chapter in your own words, define Postmodern Art?
It is undecided whether Postmodernism survives along with Modernism, or if it follows in its footsteps, or if it even replaces Modernism. Postmodern Art seems to be a break from all of the theories thrown out there by art 'experts', and is more based on what the artist wants their work to be. It involves the mixing of all that Modernism considers taboo. Aesthetics, as well as external experiences and knowledge all come together to create art. Post Modern works deal with the issues of culture, identity, history, and language, and how they affect current times and people. Postmodern art often uses images of the abject, or the lowest of the low, to show issues of society. I would consider Postmodernism to be a movement 'allowing and encouraging' artist freedom.

b. Why is Feminism or Feminist Art considered Post Modern?
Feminist art is considered to be Post Modern because the main focus of the work is the cultural issues women face. Feminist art is not meant to be a thing of beauty, but more a mess of art, history, social and political problems. Also, feminism challenges the criteria of what makes art great, and what makes it worth taking the time to look at. Just like Post Modern art, feminism strives to make unnoticed cultural issues noticed, and to challenge art expert's ideas.

c. Pick one of the following artists: Cindy Sherman, Lorna Simpson or Paul McCarthy. Describe their artwork and then give reasons why it is Post Modern.
Lorna Simpson's art is Post Modern because it confronts societal injustices of race and gender, issues that affect identity. Even though her work addresses societal concerns, it is still beautiful and intellectual. Her art definitely mixes her knowledge, her personal beliefs, and artistic skill together. Postmodernism is mainly about mixing all that you know and represent, along with aesthetics to create, and that is what Lorna Simpson does. Her piece, "You're Fine" mixes her knowledge of medical procedures, and her view of how women are treated in the work force, as well as her artistic skill. It could not exist how it does without the mixing of all these factors. Simpson believes photography is a Post Modern medium because it doesn't have to be a pure medium like Modernism believes, but it can be freely mixed with other media.

d. Find an artist on The Drawing Center’s Viewing Program Web site that relates to your drawing for this project. How does there art relate to your concept, subject and style?
I chose Sandra Perlow for several reasons. Her style is similar to what I am doing with my project in that she uses collage in her works to create texture. I am exploring different textures in my project with the use of collage as well. She uses vivid colors and forms that stand for an object or landscape in nature. I am using colors and forms to represent animals and plants in nature. One difference between her works, and mine is that she, according to her artist statement, tries to show psychological states of mind and unseen forces affecting the world. In contrast, I am interested in expressing the diversity and beauty of nature. Also, she uses acrylic paint and oil sticks to create her colorful backgrounds, while I am using soft pastel. I really enjoy her works, and they inspire me to explore the use of color and collage more thoroughly. Check out her work http://www.sandraperlow.net/.

Formalism

a. In your own words how would you define Formalism?
Formalism is a theory of art, in that art exists only for the beauty of art. Any message that might be represented in art is a distraction to the true purpose of art. The most important elements in Formalism are things such as line, shape, and color, and how they look together, rather than what message they send. Composition is very important to Formalistic art. The pieces usually do not have identifiable subjects, or personal or psychological meaning. Formalism is meant to free artists from the expectations of what art should be, but often can be hard for viewers to appreciate because they don't "get it".

b. Kadinsky, Mondrian and Malevich are all considered to be early Modern Abstractionists. After looking at their art, which artist do you think best fits into your own definition of Formalism and why?
I think Piet Mondrian best fits into my understanding of Formalism because his works have no recognizable subjects, they are mostly squares and rectangles. Both Kadinsky and Malevich have very abstract works, but I see parts of recognizable subjects in them. I think I could read some meaning into them. But with Mondrian's work, I see how the lines and colors work together, and I am not distracted by any hidden meaning. It's just an appealing design with no frills.

c. Pick one of these artists and discuss how their artwork fits into Formalism? I believe all three artists fit into Formalism in some way or another, but I understand how Mondrian's fits into Formalism the best. He favors the primary colors, red, yellow, and blue, which are always attractive when put together. The lines are bold, intricate, and intense. He uses ordinary shapes in his artwork, usually squares and rectangles. These elements are all very visually appealing, which is what Formalism strives for. There is no underlying story told, no distraction, the paintings just are what they are. Mondrian's pieces fit his idea that art should be "objective" instead of "subjective."

d. Find an artist on The Drawing Center’s Viewing Program Web site that relates to your drawing for this project. How does there art relate to your concept, subject and style?
Donte Hayes seemed to have a similar reason for making his work, as I did for making mine. He uses images of a "Gingerblack Man" in various activities and struggles to portray the places one must go through to get to where they are going. (He specifically is portraying African American struggles) He sets up his drawings in a timeline (next to each other). In his description, he states "society shapes identity on the basis of assumptions and accusations." In my drawing, I am trying to show that events in my life have led me to the places I have been and will go. Bits and pieces of events are shown in pictures, and feelings are shown with line. Hayes uses a lot of line to show feeling in his works, however the subject matter he uses is quite a bit different. We both are showing a timeline in our composition, however mine is a long timeline, and his is individual pieces. We both use bold colors, as well as black and white. I like his repetition of figures, even though I did not use it in my own piece. Mostly what Hayes and I have in common is what we are using our materials to show---a relation of life events to places traveled. http://www.dontekhayes.com/

Expressionism and Cognitivism

a. What is the difference between Expressionism and Cognitivisim? To answer this question you must define each word first.
Expressionism is when an artist purposefully distorts or manipulates an image to give an emotional effect. Cognitivism is when a piece can teach something new about the world. The difference between Expressionism and Cognitivism is simply that Expressionistic pieces make a person feel, and Cognitive pieces make a person think. Expressionism is the reason the artist creates, the experiences the artist has had. It doesn't involve the viewer, but instead the artist's own feelings. Cognitivism is what the artist wants the art to achieve, what they want to teach or influence the viewer to do. It involves both the artist and viewer's opinions. From my understanding, Expressionism could involve themes such as hate, love, or fear, while Cognitivism could explore love for humanity, environmental concerns, or social wrongs.

b. Without quoting Tolstoy, what is his definition of art?
Tolstoy sees art as a cooperative experience where the artist shares his feelings with artistic symbols, and the viewer then experiences the same feelings as that of the creator. He also believes that art should not be made purely for the sake of art, but that it should be both "clear and sincere" and express high morals. Art should not be used as a teaching tool, but as a way to understanding the feelings of others.

c. What is the role of the viewer in Collingwood’s definition of art?
Collingwood believes the artwork comes to life, has meaning, and becomes itself solely in the viewer's mind. The viewer's job is to find what the artist was trying to say, and by doing this, they assist the artist in the creation process. This causes the viewer to understand themselves better.

d. Discuss the use of metaphor in Louis Bourgeois and Kiki Smith’s art?
Louis Bourgeois uses symbols as metaphors in her work. Her "Cell" series seems to represent a kind of prison where she had to learn to grow up, and fast. Since viewers weren't allowed to go inside, it seems to me, to be a metaphor for growing up without any outside help. The parent's room is covered in red, especially the bed, suggesting blood or sin. The children's room is full of objects, suggesting creativity and life. From knowing about her home life as a child, the symbolism in her work is noticed. Kiki Smith also uses symbols as metaphors in her work, but not from a personal level. She uses skin as a metaphor for boundaries, moths to symbolize sexuality, birds as a metaphor for nature's fragility. Kiki also takes symbols from fairy tales and even the Creation story and uses them to tell her own story in her artwork. A metaphor Kiki uses a lot in her work is Red Riding Hood and the Wolf. She often uses the red cape to symbolize sexual insecurity, and the aggression of the Wolf. Together, these concepts symbolize the loss of innocence. Everything Kiki Smith creates uses well-known ideas and subjects, sometimes from nature, and mixes them to show an altogether different point.

e. Find an artist on The Drawing Center’s Viewing Program Web site that relates to your drawing for this project. How does there art relate to your concept, subject and style?
I think Nancy Linden's work represents much of what I was trying to show in my series of drawings. Her work is largely lone figures, and she expresses the damages of time through her use of line. She says that she used her family members who contracted Altheimer's disease as inspiration for her drawings, showing as how time passed, the people she knew disappeared, but left traces of them behind. She uses charcoal, as well as mixed media to create these pieces. In my drawings, I wanted to show that even though my friends are dead and gone, and much of my memory of them is already fading, there are still some parts I can remember, traces of what was. I used both charcoal and colored pencil to show this, only having bits and pieces of them, what is still in my memory after time has taken its toll. Unlike Nancy's work, color shows the one thing I remember most about each of these people. Nancy uses simple outlines to show absense, and I show absense too, but with missing pieces, like an incomplete puzzle. Both Nancy Linden and I are inspired to create by our memories of people we loved and lost. More of her work can be found at: http://www.nancylinden.com

Realism

a. In your own words define realistic art.
Realistic art is art that can be identified for what it is and what it means by the viewer without much thought. It should look like the subject it is meant to mimic in all details and form.

b. How does Plato define good art?
Art should stand for high moral values and be extremely beautiful. He believed objects in reality were the best, and an artistic depiction could not do them justice. Art must not be personal to anyone; it must belong to everyone. Plato said that the arts must be "fine and graceful." Art should also teach people to find beauty in their own bodies, as well as in others, so they can find the beauty of the soul.

c. What would Plato say about Koon’s artwork?
I believe Plato would say Koons' artwork is not art at all, but a detriment to society. Koons' "Made in Heaven" might appeal to Plato's idea of finding the beauty of the body (he might also think it is unmoral), but his other works would not pass Plato's inspection. Most of Koons' work are reproductions of a real-life object, animal, or person. They are not the "ideal" image of the item, but simply the artist's interpretation. Plato would be upset with these images because they would take away from people's ability to think and feel deeply. He would be not happy with the fact that the images do not teach any kind of moral lesson.

d. In your own words, how would Aristotle define good art?
Aristotle believes that good art should interpret truth and beauty in the representation of the natural world. Art, to him, should celebrate nature, and in that case, is better than the original object or scene because it shows the best of the object. A successful piece, should, in his mind, have a meaning behind it, or express a point of view. It should not just be to look at, but also for us to think about. However, an artist who wanted to achieve great art, in Aristotle's mind, would have to strive for perfection. Aristotle believed that proportion, order, and harmony were important to a piece, and without them, I don't believe he would call a piece "art."

e. In your personal philosophy is “obscene art a contradiction of terms? Why or why not?
I do not believe that "obscene art" is a contradiction. What is thought to be obscene is in the eye of the beholder. A piece of artwork cannot appeal to everyone who looks at it, so some might find obscene what others find beautiful. Many artists do not always show beautiful, pleasing images in their work, but rather show problems of the world using disturbing imagery. Others may show the beauty of the human body through art by using racy images. I still consider pieces that illustrate violence and sexuality art if the artists are inviting us to look at them for a reason. All in all, I think art should have a reason behind it, but that it doesn't have to be beautiful or pleasing to everyone.

f. Are vivid sexual images more obscene that vivid images of violence, poverty, display of extreme wealth or sickness?
I do not think sexual images are any more obscene than portrayals of any other "disturbing" subject. Images of starving people with bones sticking out bother viewers just as much as healthy bodies in sexual poses, if not more so. Subjects like these are meant to put the audience on edge...its all part of the point they are trying to prove. To me, sexual imagery is less disturbing than images of violence because sex can often represent beauty of the body and soul, whereas violent images show evil and darkness, blood and gore.

g. Find an artist on The Drawing Center’s Viewing Program Web site that relates to your drawing for this project. How does there art relate to your concept, subject and style?
I think many of Joseph Gerges' works relate to my drawing. He did a lot of pieces dealing with political unrest such as war, as well injustices of society-such as violence and prostitution. My concept for my drawing was to show the past to present struggle of the women's rights movement. Not only do the rights of women affect politics, but they also affect civilization. His subjects tend to affect both as well. Gerges made his drawings appear confrontational, and the subjects appear heroic with genuine emotion. That is what I am trying to do with my own drawing. I want the women to appear beautiful, yet strong, and I want their face to express this emotion. His style is similar to mine because he uses both color and black and white in his drawings, and he uses pencil for many of them. He also uses a similar perspective to mine in some of his drawings, such as Exodus, because, like my subject, the people are on a march. I admire Gerges' drawings for their emotional quality and their detail, as well as their perspective.
http://www.josephgerges.com

Week 1-3 Beauty vs. Repulsion

1)An example of "good art" in my opinion would be a piece that is well thought out and conveys a feeling or a concept. It does not have to be visually appealing, but I think it should speak something about the artist and their thoughts, or in the case of commercial art, it should convey what you are trying to say in an effective way. An example of this would be Vincent van Gogh's work (shown is the Church at Auvers). Many people of the time did not like it but his work spoke volumes about his personality and his feelings. His paintings were intense and expressive like he was. I think "bad art" is something drawn without any attention to planning and with no real meaning other than just something to hang on a wall. An example of this could be the painting here (Lucy in the Field with Flowers) by an unknown artist(painting is from the Museum of Bad Art :O). It has clashing colors and no real theme that I can see. Just not well planned out.

2)Honorific art is any art put in a place of honor by critics. It is given this place of honor based the "essential" parts the work has.

3) Classificatory art is anything created by an artist to be shown as art, and it is usually something that the audience can understand.

4)In the discussion of art and aesthetics, I get uncomfortable when people try to judge what art is based simply on the visual appeal (aesthetics). I would feel more comfortable if viewers would think more about WHY the artist did something a certain way, or created what they did, rather than HOW. Then the meaning is truly found.

5) My beauty drawing is going to be of sunflowers on a wood farm fence. The artist Nancy Blum illustrates my view of beauty because her drawings are brightly colored flowers, detailed, yet expressive. My repulsion drawing will be of a polluting factory with dark smoke surrounding it, next to a metal framwork. My views of repulsion are expressed well by Steve McClure because, in many of his drawings, he uses dark, hazy shading to give an eery or dark feeling.

Beauty and Repulsion

I consider repulsion to be caused by anything that repels people from it because it is disagreeable, disgusting, or uncomfortable. I consider this picture to be repulsive visually because it is a moldy, dirty, and rusty shower drain, not something you want to stand on when washing yourself!

Here are things I find personally repulsive:
Filth/Dirt
Anger
Depression
Laziness
Smoke/Haze
Commercialization
Tight spaces-uncomfortable situations
Anti-values
Cafeteria food :)

I consider beauty to be anything that can be found pleasing whether it is a concept, a personality trait, or simply visually appealing. This picture represents beauty in concept because hands are used to perform hard work, to hug a child, to hold a hand, or to help an elderly person with their groceries...there are so many 'beautiful' actions hands can do.

I consider many things to be beautiful:
Nature
Laughter/Smile
Music
Comfort
Historical artifacts
A good story...words on a page
Love
Working hard to achieve dreams
Lively colors
Friendship
Freedom

Week 10-Color Contrast

My first impression of the photo is that it is very simple. The bottle definitely stands out from the stark black background. I like it though, because the bottle has a lot going on in its design. It's funky! It kind of carries the life of the photo all by itself without needing a lot of extra background.

In front of me is a Mountain Dew bottle with several shades of green in a geometric, graffiti pattern decorating it. The background behind it is a simple black piece of cloth, perhaps a blanket or a sweatshirt.

I like the composition because the bottle is not directly standing up in the center, but laying at an angle, not a normal position for a pop bottle. All of the lines in the design of the bottle stand out from each other because of the bold, bright colors. The different green colors on the bottle form a monochromatic color contrast because they are just different shades of green.

The photo may suggest that a person who takes a picture of a Mountain Dew bottle is a little odd, maybe eccentric, since the designs on the bottle are very funky and the bottle is a collector bottle. Who collects pop bottles right? :) Since I like the word, and it seems to fit, I will once again say this bottle picture should be named Funky.

This photo connects to Paul Cezanne's drawings because it is a simple still life. The bottle is sitting on a simple surface, yet pops out because of the color contrasts of the green and the brightness of the colors used. Cezanne's fruit do the same thing. They stand out from the background because of the quality colors used.

Landscape

The first thing I notice in this photo is the curving lines of the border around the bushes. The next thing my eye is drawn to is the bushes, and then the building in the background. The curve of the bushes, as well as the bright green color of them really stands out. The haziness of the building in the far background really creates the atmosphere.

In front of me is a photo of a bush with a wooden double trim around the base of it, on the light green and brown grass. At one time the border might have been a flower bed. The bushes are a bright green and yellow, with muted red tones mixed in. The curve of the trim leads the eye up a hill and in the background is a college dormitory with cars parked in front of it.

I like the composition of this photo because the bush is not right in the middle, and the atmospheric perspective of the building in the background adds depth to the photo. I really like the curving line. It draws the eye upward and around the photo. Your eyes feel like they are going up the hill. The contrast of the colors is nice. There is a light green, bright green, yellows, and some muted fall colors. There are really light blues and grays of the building and atmosphere surrounding it. Each part of this landscape is noticeable and stands out from the rest.

This photo tells a story of students who walk up that hill from their cars to go to the dorms and rest or eat, or even just to have fun. I would call this photo "the hill".

Joseph Mallord William Turner did many landscape paintings and drawings. Since my photo is of a landscape, they have that connection. However, many of his paintings were of bridges or the sea. My photo most connects with his work, "Buttermere Lake, with Part of Cromackwater, Cumberland, a Shower" because of all of the curving lines, the hills, and the atmospheric perspective used.

Figure Ground Relationship

My first impression of the photo is that it is very simple...not much going on in it. My eye is drawn to the black ring box first...then I am curious to see what is inside.

In front of me is a tiled floor where a black velvet ring box is placed. Inside the box is a beautiful engagement ring...with a medium sized pink stone and many smaller stones around it.

The whole photo is taken at a slight angle. The box with the ring inside is the focal point, however it is not in the center but off to the side and closer to the corner. The lines on the tiled floor lead the eye to look at the dark black box.

This photo tells a story of a new change in a person's life. Mine. A ring such as this speaks of commitment and love. Apparently the man she loves must know and love her well to get her such a personal ring. The noun I would use to describe this photo is commitment.

My photo doesn't relate to many of William Kentridge's drawings. Manyy of them have human subjects. However he has a couple of drawings that this photo could relate to. Ulissee: ECHO Scan Slide Bottle is one. It is a simple bottle on a black background. It compares to my photo in its simplicity of background and focal point of one object.

Self-Portrait

The first thing I notice about this photo is the deep color of the eyes and hair, as well as the dark background. I seem to be thinking about something sorrowful. Perhaps I have lost someone dear to me or have a lot on my mind. This photo affects me by its deep black values and the expression on my face. These elements show much about the mood the photo is implying.

In front of me is a black and white photo of myself with long dark hair and dark eyes. The centers of the eyes seem sparkly because of the contrast between the white of the center and the blackness of the outer part. I have somewhat of a frown on my face. A serious expression at least. The lips are a slightly darker color than the skin color. My skin is very pale, but the white shirt I am wearing is even paler. It is a t-shirt with a modest neckline. The background behind me is deep black with no details.

The composition of the photo is at an interesting angle, not simply straight up and down. The photo was shot close-up, a view of just my face and neckline. The shadows on my face create interesting lines, and the lines of my neck and shirt create angles against the dark background. I like how the values are very noticeable. The white, gray, and black are all distinguishable. Since the background is blank, it draws the eye to where the main point is, my face.

This photo tells a story of a girl who has been through a lot. She is struggling with some troubling thoughts, but hoping for the best. I would call this photo Eyes because her eyes tell her story.

My photo connects to Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres' portraits in that Ingres shows a lot of emotion in the eyes of his subjects. You can tell what the subject is feeling. Also, Ingres uses a lot of contrast of values in his paintings to make the subject stand out. They are usually in front of a very simple background like my photo is.

Perspective

I first notice how shiny the floor is. It really stands out. Then my eyes notice how the lights above are somewhat dim, creating shadows down the hallway. My eyes follow the line of the hallway all the way down to the door. It makes me think of how many times I have walked down this hallway in a hurry.

In front of me is a hallway with doors at the end. There are brightly colored paintings by students lining the halls on both sides. On the left side of the hallway is a cushioned bench to sit on and a janitor's cleaning supply cart. There is a dull orange trim around the top of the wall. The lights above are dim, the ceiling has white tiles with black trim around them. The floor is shiny and tiled, but scuffed. The doors at the end of the hallway are thick metal, but painted brown. Whoever took the photo was sitting in the middle of the hallway.

The compositon of this photo is very much placed in the center, however, it is angled a bit. The lines that the walls create lead the eye to the door in the distance-the vanishing point. The ceiling tiles have bold lines that create texture. The shadows created by the dimness of the lights add some interesting values to the photo. The colors of the paintings on the walls add some eye-catching interest, as well as the orange trim at the top of the walls.

This photo tells a story of students. How they wake up in the morning and rush to class. Hallways are not only where they travel, but where they catch up on some last minute studying, or even where they socialize with friends. So I would use the word student to describe this photo of this particular hallway.

This photo connects to Edward Ruscha's works in that it shows perspective with the lines used. However, most of his works are outside gas stations, while this is an interior hallway.

Textures

When I first look at this photo I think how comfy it would be to curl up in the soft blankets and hug that fuzzy pillow. I first notice the heart-shaped pillow because it is the most brightly colored object in the picture.

In front of me is a bunch of blankets on a bed and two pillows, one is long and barrel-shaped and the other is fuzzy and heart-shaped. Both look really soft. The barrel-shaped one is light blue and the heart-shaped on is hot pink, purple, and blue. The blankets are pink and brown, and the brown ones have pink and light brown flowers on them. It looks like a very comfy place to sleep.

The heart-shaped pillow is the focal point of the photo. It is brightly colored, almost neon, and stands out from the pastel pink and brown behind it. There are a lot of soft contour lines in this photo, because the subject is very soft. The composition definitely has a background and foreground.

This photo tells a story of many dreams spent on these blankets and pillows. The college student who owns these pillows and blankets may often be exhausted after a long day and run and jump onto this bed. The word I would use to describe this would be sleep.

Richard Serra's works are not soft at all, but made from metal. However, they compare to this photo in that the lines on his works are very contour and flowing. Other than that, I don't see much of a similarity.

Expression & Value

I see a girl who seems very bubbly and fun to be around. I feel admiration and maybe a little envy for her because she seems to be a very cheerful person whereas I am more of a serious person who gets depressed a lot. What stands out the most about this photo is the sparkle in her eyes and the darkness of her hair.

In front of me is a giggling girl with sparkling eyes sitting on a bed with pillows tossed about behind her. Her hands are folded in front of her face in line with her nose. She is wearing a white shirt. She has the comforter over the top of her. The photo is in black and white.

The focal point of this photo seems to be her face and hair. It stands out the most. I like how the subject is off-center, rather than in the middle. The photo is in black and white to show the values. The outline of her body and face have some nice contour lines. The pillows in the background add interest to the piece and suggest that she is on a bed.

The photo tells a story of a fun night with friends, perhaps a sleepover. She seems happy and comfortable. I would label this photo "Giggle" because she seems to be stifling one!

This photo connects to Degas' works in that its subject is a person who is showing expression. Most of Degas works were of women either performing ballet or doing daily tasks. On several, he showed facial expressions of his subjects. They are different in that my photo has a comedic expression, while most of Degas' works show serious expressions.

Chiaroscuro-Week 3

The first thing I notice about this photo is the dress the subject is wearing. It is very dark in contrast with the clothes on the racks in the background. I also notice the pouty expression on the woman's face and how she is being playful. I wonder why she is wearing what she is wearing. She is obviously a fun-loving person. The picture makes me wonder more about her personality.

Here is a black and white photo taken at an angle that shows a woman in sunglasses pouting for the camera. She seems to be modeling a long, flowing, but simple dress. The dress she is wearing is a deep black in contrast with the ligher gray and white background. The background shows that she is in some kind of store. There is a sign showing something is for sale for only 99 cents. There are racks of clothes and blankets around her, most noticeably a pair of pants and some sheets. The background gets smaller and less focused towards the back of the store where the photo forms a point.

I like the composition of this photo because it has an interesting angle and the subject is off-center a little bit, creating interest. There is some good variation of values in the photo, the strongest value being the black of the dress. It has an interesting perspective creating a vanishing point in the background. The focal point is clearly the woman in the dress. There are some interesting lines in this piece, many of them creating the texture of the clothes on the racks, as well as the texture of the woman's hair. The lines up close are very clear and get blurry as your eyes move to the vanishing point.

This photo tells a story of a fun day shopping with a friend. The woman in the picture is enjoying modeling for the camera. Her expression shows confidence with a little bit of mystery. I would name this photo "Confidence".

Albrecht Durer's drawings are very detailed and his use of line varies from hardly noticeable to very bold. I would say that the lines in this photo are very similar but our perspectives are quite different. The perspective of this photo is very angled with a vanishing point and Durer's were upfront. Also he used more detail in his drawings than I have in the photo.

Week 2-Line & Rhythm

The first thing I see when I look at this picture is the hand rail. It is very dark in contrast with the other lines in the picture. Secondly, I notice all of the lines making up the photo. Seeing the stairs at this angle makes me think of running down them.

In front of me is the second landing of the stairs in Agnew from the point of view of the landing in between 2nd and 3rd floor. The stairs are made up of copper colored tiles with a black handrail going diagonally through the photo. There is a white wall in the background. As your eyes follow the stairs down the landing and past, you can see the darkness when the stairs begin heading toward the bottom floor.

This photo was taken at an angle so both the stairs that I'm standing on, the landing, and part of the stairs heading to the first floor are visible. The upper stairs and handrail form a diagonal line through the photo and the spaces between the tiles also form diagonal lines. The stairs are copper colored, the handrail is black, and the wall is white. The handrail ends directly in the middle of the photo.

The photo tells how I begin each morning, rushing down these stairs, always in a hurry. One word I would use to describe this photo would be movement because there are always people using these stairs, plus the diagonal lines give a feeling of movement as they turn the corner.

Even though he drew mainly people in courthouses, this photo connects to Honore Daumier's in that he drew a lot of interiors and exteriors of buildings, usually in the background of his subjects, sometimes as the subject. As he did so, he used a lot of line for the structure of the buildings, walls, and even some furniture.

Week 1-Skye, the Bird with Attitude

My impression of the photo is that Skye is a bird with quite a character and that he looks puffed up and proud, and a bit irritated. I notice the bright color of his feathers first because they stand out against the blank wall. I am affected by Skye's beauty, it makes me look in admiration.

In front of me is a brightly colored teal bird on it's masters' hand. He has a white head with blue markings by his beak and black and white markings on his wings. The bird has his head back and his chest puffed out with an irritated look on his face. There is a white wall in the background.

Skye is perched on a hand in the center of the photo.You can see the outline of the bird easily because of the plain wall behind him. The most colorful object is the subject, making it stand out.

The story of Skye: My friend says the photo shows exactly the attitude her bird has always had. He is quite old, about 10 years or so, and he makes this face a lot when you play with him. noun to describe the photo: personality.

This photo connects with Kathe Kollowitz's work in that it shows how the subject is feeling.