Reflections of AED 200

1. What were you expectations for this course and where they met?
                     My expectations were to learn more about art and have fun with it. Yes, these expectations were met.
2. Now that you've been through this course, What is art? How would you define it now compared to your intial posting?
               I still believe that art is something that helps people to express themselves in ways that they wouldn't be able to in another way.
3. Who was your favorite artist in your original posting and who is your favorite visual artist now? If there is a difference, why do you think so? If you have the same favorite artist, why do you think so?
       In my original I didnt have a favorite because I really didn't know any. Now, my favorite I would have to say is the local artist I concentrated my art curation project on, Patrick Willett.


4. Now that you've completed this course, how do you feel about taking an online course? Is your answer the same as it was in your first posting? How is it the same or different?
       I was very hesitant about takng an online course. I like taking online courses but, I am very bad at taking them. I wait until the last minute and I also forgot some assignments by their due date. I believe that this ws my first and last online course.

Project #5 - My Self-Portrait

 Frida Kahlo
(Mexican, 1910-1954)
Self-Portrait with Monkey, 1938
Oil on masonite, 16 x 12"

 MAX BECKMANN
(German, 1884-1950)
Hotel Lobby,1950
Oil on canvas, 56 x 35"

 Paul Gauguin
(French, 1848-1903)
The Yellow Christ, 1889
Oil on canvas, 36 1/4 x 28 7/8" (92.1 x 73.4 cm.)

 Me

Final Project

1. Why did you select the inspiration pieces?

               I selected these inspiration pieces because I was originally going to draw myself with other factors surrounding me which is what all three of these pieces have in common.
2. Why did you select the media to create your self-portrait?

              I enjoy using media that is unusual. I created it in pencil but then used glitter glue and colored pens to make it my own.
3. What challenges did you face in creating your self-portrait and how did you overcome them?

             I am not a good artist at all. I attempted to draw my face but I was not doing very well at it. So, then I looked into creating an abstract self-portrait. I began having difficulty ith that as well but I just began to write down words that described me and that is how my self-portrait happened.
4. How does this piece represent you?

           The first thing that sticks out to the viewer is "Emily" which is my name. I also added my middle name "Rose" underneath it as well. Inside the "E" I wrote down words to describe who I am and what I represent. The design in the upper right corner is a "star of life" It is the symbol for EMTs. Inside of that is written BVFA EMS, which is Bowmansville Volunteer Fire Association Emergency Medical Service, which is my fire company. The word "Rainmakers" is our mascot. We are called the Bowmansville Rainmakers. All of the decorations were used to brighten up the project.
5. What elements and principles of art did you apply in this work?

           I used color, emphasis, balance, texture and unity.
6. Did you enjoy working on this project?

          Yes, I did enjoy working on this project. It gave me a chance to express myself and be proud of who I am.
7. What do you think of your final artwork?

            I believe my final artwork is unique, creative and expresses who I am and who I am proud to be.

Art Criticism Project

1. Which projects did you review?
           I reviewed Wonders of Life, Motivation and Wild Life Encounters.

2. Why did you select the Exhibit you critiqued?
           I chose Wild Life Encounters because I felt connected to the exhibit. I love and enjoy wild life very much.

3. What challenges did you face in writing the critique article and how did you overcome them?
             I could not figure out a way to relate the exhibit. But then as I began to look more closely, I began to remember those memories I shared in the article.

4. How do you feel about critiquing your peers work?
           I feel good about it. I feel like it could be helpful for the creator to hear what his/her peers think of their work.

5. Would you like to read the critique your peers wrote about your Art Curation Project?
            Yes, I would love to hear what my peers think of my project because I worked very hard on it.

6. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate your finished article and why?
             I would rate it an 8 because I put a lot of thinking into it, but I don't believe it is the greatest.

7. Did you enjoy working on this project?
           I did enjoy it because I enjoyed seeing all of the different ideas my peers came up with for their projects.

Week 15 video blog

Greenberg on Art Criticism: An Interview by T. J. Clark

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

             According to Clement Greenberg, "writing about visual art is much tougher than writing about literature or music". He reads the work of music critic Tovey to remind himself "how to be relevant". Greenberg comments in his early suspicion of modern art and his unfixed notion of mainstream. He and T.J. Clark discuss prejudices in art criticism and the best art of the last 50 years, which Greenberg feels has been predominantly abstract.Greenberg on Pollock: An Interview by T. J. Clark
1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
             In the summer of 1947, Jackson Pollock paints his first spatter-drip piece. When he received the Guggenheim Award, Pollock explains that he will paint large, movable pictures that will function between the easel and the mural. Jackson Pollock has a disdain for easel paintings, yet his own paintings remained easel paintings until the end.
2. Do the videos relate to the creation of your Art Criticism project? If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.
           This video discusses art criticism and helps to develop my thoughts on my project.
3. What is your opinion of the films? Do they add depth to understanding of art criticism?
           I thought this video was very helpful in me beginning to understand art criticism.
An Introduction to the Italian Renaissance (Giorgio Vasari)
1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
                   The Renaissance is marked by a renewed enthusiasm in the arts and many Italian artists contribute to its development. Giorgio Vasari writes the "Lives of the Artists." Ancient Romans create art from natural beauty until Barbarians conquer the empire. Artistic endeavors travel east to the Byzantine Empire who focus on religious themes.
2. Do the videos relate to the creation of your Art Criticism project? If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.
             This video does relate to art criticism because it gives another perspective and teaches us more abour art criticism.
3. What is your opinion of the films? Do they add depth to understanding of art criticism?
              I did like this film. This film presented a new perspective on art criticism.

1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
             Media artists express their negative opinions about critics. What good do critics do? First of all, critics get us (the general public) to think. A "Washington Post" book critic sees his job as "lighting the way" for readers. Film critics help people get the most out of their film dollar. Criticism can also be fun for readers and viewers. Criticism of media arts improves the media in general. "Critics can keep artists on their toes," and sometimes critics' remarks give artists the big breaks they hope for.
2. Do the videos relate to the creation of your Art Criticism project? If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.
               This video discusses media criticism, a different kind of criticism. This film does relate to art criticism.
3. What is your opinion of the films? Do they add depth to understanding of art criticism?
              I enjoyed this film because i enjoy media. It helped me to understand that there are different types of art criticism.

The Colonial Encounter: Views of Non-Western Art and Culture

1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
               Dahome art is visually beautiful, but it is often ignored as art and treated as craft. The 1900 Paris World Fair ran for 8 months. The colonial factions exposed the underlying nationalism of the event. Half the area was devoted to French imperialism while the rest represented other nations' colonies. While most countries were symbolized by famous monuments of each country, the Dahomian exhibit consisted of a group of thatched structures, suggesting that there was no civilized infrastructure.
2. Do the videos relate to the creation of your Art Criticism project? If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.
             This film does relate to art criticism because it discusses history of art.
3. What is your opinion of the films? Do they add depth to understanding of art criticism?
             This film was ok. I was not very fond of the film, it was not very interesting but it did describe art criticism.

Jackson Pollock: Michael Fried and T. J. Clark in Conversation

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

             Michael Fried and T.J. Clark agree that Jackson Pollock is an enormously important modernist master who raises many questions with his work. They also acknowledge that he has been used as a negative point of reference for modern art. Michael Fried and T.J. Clark agree on Jackson's Pollock's importance in modern art but have offered conflicting reasons. Clark's emphasis is on the historical role of modern art while Fried is focused on the independence of its aesthetic.

2. Do the videos relate to the creation of your Art Criticism project? If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.

            In this film two art critics discuss an artist and his works of art. This film does relate to art criticism.

3. What is your opinion of the films? Do they add depth to understanding of art criticism?

             I believe this film was very helpful. It helped me to better understand art criticism.

The Critics: Stories from the Inside Pages

2. Do the videos relate to the creation of your Art Criticism project? If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.

                This video really did not help me with my project. It talked about art criticism but I feel like I really didn't learn much from it.

3. What is your opinion of the films? Do they add depth to understanding of art criticism?

             I did not like this particular film.

Creating my Exhibit Powerpoint

            I really enjoyed creating this art exhibit. I absolutely love Buffalo and I don't think that Buffalo is ever given enough credit for being as beautiful as it once was. I wanted to re-create that beauty and show everyone that Buffalo is still beautiful. I found one artist by the name of Patrick Willett. He is an amazing local artist. He mainly creates works of art based on Western New York and it's surrounding areas. I did attemp to use other artists but, I enjoyed Willett's talents too much.
          There were so many different types of creations he had. He had pen and ink drawings, watercolor paintings, photographs, both black & white and color, and graphic designs. It was definately hard to choose only 30 different pieces.
          I believe that I did a great job on this project and I cannot wait for all of my classmates to view it and critique it as well.