CH 14 #2 Aphtrodite of Melos vs Three Goddesses from the east pediment of the Parthenon

Greek art had many influences throughout this era. The largest and most obvious of them all is religion. The people of Greece were dominated by their religion. As a result, their art was also greatly influenced. Greek Temples and architecture were some of the largest and most beautiful because of this influence. Their sculptures endured the same influence as the architecture leaving sculptures like Aphtrodite of Melos and the Three Goddesses from the east pediment of the Parthenon still breathtaking today.

Three Goddesses from the east pediment of the Parthenon shows the best of their new found techniques that involved carving out of marble. The three goddesses are Hestia, Dione, and Aphrodite. Some of the sculptures in the Parthenon were lost over time. Zues and Athena are some of the missing sculpers.

 Aphrodite of Melos Is one of the most famous marble statues that is currently displayed in Paris. Aphrodite, was said to have been born from sea-foam gathered around the dismembered genitals of Ouranos, the god of the heavens, who was castrated by his son Kronos. As the goddess of love, Aphrodite’s sculpture is said to be very alluring and seductive. Her body twisted and posing with her cloths draping perfectly as she stares.

I could not choose any one statue as my favorite. All of them have their unique look and skillful craftsmanship. The time it took to carve these by hand in marble was an amazing feet at the time. Greek art has brought us not only the sculptures but the vast imagination that Greek mythology still shows us today.

CH 14 #1 Palette of Narmer vs The Great Sphinx, Giza

Egyptian art Is not only temples and pyramids, but it has drastically changed throughout its era. Some of the very first findings of Egyptian art were engraved drawings along side of cliffs. They showed the basics of their lives with simple etchings. They depicted events such as hunting with weapons and cattle or even  drawings of exaggerated sexual nature to show fertility. As the years went on, the detail and meaning in the art matured. Royalty and Hierarchy was giving in forms of metaphoric symbols. The Great Sphinx in Giza represents the most important characteristic of Egyptian art which is the essence of stability, order and endurance. The Palette of Narmer represents victory by the forces of upper Egypt which was led by Narmer.

The Great Sphinx is directly next the the great pyramid of Giza in Egypt. A sphinx has the body of a lion with a human head. The sphinx is said to symbolize a guardian figure that can fight off evil spirits and protect the tomb of Khafre from any type of evil. Over the years the Great Sphinx has been beaten and damaged by the harsh desert winds but still stands only somewhat disfigured.

Palette of Narmer was named after Horus Narmer. Narmer was a man who led upper Egypt to victory. Narmer is featured on the Palette large and in the center showing his importance. Different symbols cover the palette that are still studied today. Narmer is striking on top of an enemies head which could mean the victory on lower Egypt. Even the depiction of taming animals with a noose may show the unification of upper and lower Egypt.

Response to Lecture 11-29 "Pattern vs. Variation"

In last last Tuesday Mr. Z talked about the fine lines and differences between Realism and Romanticism, between Abstraction and Representation, and between Pattern and Variation.
In class we took a vote on our preferences on pattern to variation ratio in everyday things in our own lives. We first took a vote on music preference, the majority of the class preferred 40% pattern to 60% variation, and there were zero votes for 80% pattern to 20% variation ration in choice of music. Next we took a vote on preference of Cypress College classes, friends, and then ourselves and the majority voted 50/50. We also took a vote on preference for a partner and the majority of the class voted 80% pattern to 20% variation.
I thought it was interesting that the only people wanted more variety in was music and wanted the least variety in a partner. I thought it was pretty funny when Mr. Z noticed that most people voted for a 50/50 between pattern and variety and pointed out that we were cowards & not wanting to commit. Overall I like to have some variation in every aspect of my life, but I think that having a pattern set down first is often a good way to become successful in life. 

Project: Visit Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA)

I liked the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) a lot because they have the type of art collections that show a lot of emotion. Many works were very dark indicating death or mourning, while many of their works were also bright and colorful indicating the celebration of life. I also found that Latin American Art is a lot more unique and diversified compared to a lot of the art we studied in our art book. This museum has more contemporary art than the Bowers Museum and has a lot of works that I would probably keep in my own home. It was well worth the long drive for me, entry for students is cheaper than at the Bowers Museum, and I am glad that they were open until 9pm on Thursday so that I didn't have to take any time off of work to see the museum.

Project: Visit Bowers Museum

The Bowers Museum in Santa Ana is a very beautiful place. The museum entrance is similar to a Mission and the gardens are very beautiful also. The museum is very well kept and I imagine many people plan events here more for the beautiful location than for the art itself. I liked a lot of the sculptures from different times and places and also the Egyptian mummy and the carvings on the wall behind it. Overall I liked some of the art but didn't get to see everything because they are only open from 10am-4pm and I work from 8am-5pm so the only time I could visit the museum was for a short time on my lunch break.

CH 16 #2 Leonardo da Vinci's Madonna and Child with Saint Anne vs Michelandgelo's David

The Renaissance brought art and culture at a level that the world was not expecting to receive. There are many famous artist at this time but the two that are my favorites are Leonardo da Vinci's and Michelandgelo's. These names are recognized by all different types of cultures around the world. The reason that is true is because of the impact it had on the word art itself. The dedication these two artist had for their work was almost unbelievable.

Leonardo da Vinci's Madonna and Child with Saint Anne tells one of the most famous stories with a single image. With St. Anne, the virgin mary, baby jesus, or even the lamb have very specific meaning. Unfortunately, the original sketch is lost to us. Each small expression gives an exact emotion that Leonardo wanted to convey.  This is without doubt a very famous piece of art, but quite possibly one of the most famous pieces belonged to Michelangelo.

Michelandgelo's David is a sculpture that also is from the Bible. David and goliath is a very famous story and is well known. David was the underdog that became a great hero. Facing a giant named Goliath, the young shepherd proved that brains can beat bronze. A lesson that is told to every child even today. David used his sling shot and aimed for the giants head, killing him with one stone. 

CH 16 #1 Sandro Botticelli. The of Venus vs Giovanni Bellini’s St. Francis in the Desert

The Renaissance is one of my favorite eras. The art in the middle ages was not only filled with very accomplished trade like carpenters or goldsmiths, but it was filled with amazing and creative artist. From Leonardo Da Vinci to Michelangelo, the history of great painters speaks for themselves. Sandro Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus Shows such a mythical and meaningful expression and Giovanni Bellini’s St. Francis in the Desert shows an exact timeframe in history giving an real life emotion to the event.

Sandro Botticelli’s The Birth of Venu was commissions by the family of Medici. It is hung in their Villa along with another very famous painting know as Primavera. The painting is most likely the most renowned form of Venus as she is rising from the sea. Venus is surrounded by gods and goddesses with Zephyrus, Aura, and Horae. It is said that Zephyrus is the God of wind and Aura is a Gentle breeze. As they blow on Venus to force her to land. This is where Horae who is the Goddess of seasons awaits Venus to spread the sead.

Giovanni Bellini’s St. Francis in the Desert is more of an expression of a historic event. However, when you look close at the painting the fine details gives the viewer a sense of what Giovanni Bellini felt. It was created when Bellini was in his forties and was known for its interest in color and light.

Photography Project: A Day in the Life of a Paper Pusher

A Day in the Life of a Paper Pusher

For my project I took pictures of my desk every 

1 1/2 hours throughoutthe work day.

8:00AM - This is what my desk looks like when I first get to work. 

 9:30AM- at this time today I am setting up new accounts,

applying checks, and working through whatever else is in my inbox.

It was someone's birthday so I also had coffee & cake :)

 11:00AM-

 12:30PM

 2:00PM

 3:30PM

 5:00PM

Response to Lecture 11-22-2011 “Aesthetics and Beauty”

Last week Mr. Z began the lecture talking about the differences between Aesthetics and Beauty, and how many people think they are one in the same. He told the class that the definition of aesthetics is “a set of principles concerned with nature and appreciation of beauty, especially in art.” He then showed us a few clips from Hamlet which he called “the greatest play by the greatest playwright”. In the video he showed the clips telling the story of how Hamlet’s father was murdered by his own brother and then the brother took the crown when Hamlet was the rightful heir. When Hamlet discovers this he goes to the rooftop and looks down at his uncle in repugnance and states that “one may smile but be a villain”. I think that it is true that outward beauty may be deceiving and just because something looks beautiful doesn’t mean it truly is. Mr. Z told us not to say that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” which I also believe is an incorrect way to define beauty.

Our group brainstormed on what we thought beauty was and the definitions from our group and from the entire class that I like most was that “beauty is that what is pleasing to the senses” and I also the different definition that “beauty is knowing the truth, even if its ugly”. I think both definitions describe different types of beauty and I like them both because beauty can be many things.

After lecture we listened to some interesting presentations. I really like the architecture presentation with the miniature lego figurines. I wish I had a house designed by that artist!

CH 18 #2 Ornament from tomb of Queen Amanishakheto vs head, fragment of the larger figure

Many People do not realize that Egyptian culture and it’s art originally came from Africa.  In a region called Nubia in southern Egypt, the Nile not only brought life to Egyptian people but linked trade with Africa. Nubia Brought the link to some of Egypt’s finest treasures like Gold, Ivory, or even animal skins. Of all the Nubian kingdoms, the one that is the most famous of them all is known as kush.

The Gold ornament was actually found in the royal tomb. This is just one of the many solid gold works of art found there. It is a solar diety Amun in the form of a rams head. Even though this is a small ornament, the art work shows how regal the royal tomb is. Even down to the last figure or ornament is in detail and made of solid gold.

In the 20^th century, we exposed quite different works of art that were not too familiar coming from Africa. For Example, the Terra cotta peace that is in chapter eighteen. The peace showed the abundance of cultures that traveled to Africa and made it their home. This peace is inspired by the Islamic culture. It is only a portion, the head, of the Terra cotta scuplture

CH 18 #1 Friday Mosque, Isfahan vs Shah Mosque, Isfahan

There are many different types of a mosque throughout the middle east. In Isfahan, Iran there is two beautiful structures that show the uniqueness and uniformity of what an Islamic mosque is. The two mosques are known as the Friday Mosque and the Shah Mosque.

The Friday Mosque is a very important expression of the Seljuks rule in persia. These people plan and built their city center around this mosque. What sets this mosque aside from the others is the many gates that are spread out in the inner city of it. The main Gate was restored in 1804 but is no longer used as a main gate. It is now a gate that leads to the eastern wall. Around the western side is another gate. This Gate is still in use and dates back to 1590.

The Shah Mosque is also in Isfahan. Its cupola that is full of color and made from ceramic tile show the detailed work that went into building this masterpiece. The mosque is centered and around a large rectangular courtyard that streches over a mile.

Both mosques have a great deal of detail should truly be respected as works of art.

CH 19 #1 Detail of a leaf with The Birth of Mahavira from the Kalpa Sutra Gujarat vs. Ritual Wine Vessel jia from late Shang period

Mahavira was born King to Siddartha and Queen Trishala on the 13th day under the rising moon of Chaitra (April 12th according to the Gregorian calendar) in a place called Kundalagrama in India. While still in his mother’s womb, it is believed that he brought wealth and prosperity to the entire kingdom. This is why he was named Vardhaman, which means an increase of all good things. For example, the abundant bloom of beautiful flowers that was noticed in the kingdom after his conception. His mother, Queen Trishala had a number of promising dreams before giving birth to Vardhaman (between 14 and 16 dreams), that were signs foretelling the advent of a great soul. Vardhaman’s birthday is celebrated as Mahvir Javanti, the most important religious holiday of Jains around the world. I like this piece because it tells the story of Vardhaman and his mother Trishala.

Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin with lower melting point and a higher degree of hardness than those of copper. When it is cast, bronze has the advantages of minimum air bubble production and maximum flow quality and can product objects with razor sharp edges or exquisite decoration, thus making it a suitable material for durable weapons, tools , and containers. China employed bronze objects as long as four thousand years ago and brought use of the bronze ceremonial vessels to a peak in the Shang and Chou dynasties. This and many other bronze ritual wine vessels are still around today, and I found it interesting that many are appraised at over $100,000.00. It amazes me how something that was used by someone 4,000 years ago can still be used today. Both the detail of a leaf with The Birth of Mahavira from the Kalpa Sutra Gujarat and the Ritual Wine Vessel jia from late Shang period are great works of art that have lasted through the ages and are of great value to the cultures they represent.

CH 19 Artist Set #2 Bodhisattva Guide of Souls from Tang Dynasty late 9th century CE vs. Nanchan Temple, Wutaishan Shanxi from Tang Dynasty 782 CE

The painting is inscribed with the characters yinlu pu or 'Bodhisattva leading the Way'. It is one of several from Mogao of a bodhisattva leading the beautifully dressed donor figure to the Pure Land, or Paradise, indicated by a Chinese building floating on clouds in the top left corner. The two figures are also carried by a cloud indicating that they are flying. The bodhisattva, shown much larger than the donor, is holding a censer and a banner in his hand. The banner is one of many of the same type found at Mogao, with a triangular headpiece and streamers.
The woman appears to be very wealthy, with gold hairpins in her hair. Actual examples of these were found in Chinese tombs. Her fashionably plump figure suggests that the painting was made in the ninth or tenth century.
According to an inscription on a beam, the Great Buddha Hall of Nanch Temple was first built in 782 CE during the Tang Dynasty. Another inscription on a beam indicates that the hall was renovated in 1086 of the Song Dynasty, during that time all but four of the original square columns were replaced with round columns. In the 1950s the building was rediscovered by architectural historians, and in 1961 it was recognized as China’s oldest standing timber-frame building. Five years later in1966, the building was damaged in an earthquake, and during the renovation in the 1970s, historians studied the building piece by piece. The Great Buddha Hall is an important building in the understanding of Chinese architectural history. The Nanchan Temple also contains original sculptures dating from the Tang Dynasty. The hall contains seventeen statues that are lined up on an inverted U-shaped dias. The Great Buddha Hall also has one small carved stone pagoda that is five levels high. The first level’s carved with a story about Buddha, and each corner has an additional small pagoda. Each side of the second level is carved with one large Buddha in the center with four smaller Buddhas on each side. The upper three levels have three carved Buddhas on each side. Both these artworks are interesting because they show the history of the religions they represent.

Ch 20 set #1 Teotichuacan's Pyramid of the Sun vs.Twotihucan's Temple of the Feathered Serpent

The ancient city of Teotihuacan is the most visited of Mexico’s archaeological sites in Mexico City. The Pyramid of the Sun is the third largest pyramid in the world. Teotihuacan was a large settlement by 150BC, its importance starting from a cave system with religious significance, located underneath the present day Pyramid of the Sun. As other settlements in the area diminished, Teotihuacan flourished and became a religious and economic center, controlling the region’s production of obsidian.

Between 1AD and 250AD the ceremonial core was completed, including the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon and the Calle de los Muertos. The massive pyramid structures were painted red and must have been an awe-inspiring sight.

Major expansion in population and housing occurred between 250-450AD. As many as 200,000 inhabitants have been estimated and at least 2000 "houses" counted. Most of these buildings were home to large family groups or artisan communes. The prosperity continued to 650AD and around this time it was the sixth largest city in the world.

However, in 650AD, a great fire swept through the city, devastating many communities. For some unknown reason a swift decline ensued and there was no massive reconstruction exercise. Whatever the cause, the population soon moved to other growing cities and Teotihuacan was virtually deserted. By the time the Aztecs arrived on the scene, the area was little more than an ancient ruin.

The Temple of the Feathered Serpent is the modern day name for the 3^rd largest pyramid at Teotichuacan in Central Mexico. The structure is well know due to the discovery in the 1980s of more than a hundred possibly sacfricial victims found buried beneath the structure. The burials, like the structure, are dated sometime between 150 and 200 CE. The pyramid takes its name from representations of the Mesoamerican “feathered serpent” deity which covered its sides. These are some of the earliest know representations of the feathered serpent, often identified with the much later Aztec god Quetzalocatl. The structure is also known as the Temple of Questzalcoatl, and the Feathered Serpent Pyramid.

Ch 20 set #2 Zuni Culture's Kachina Doll vs. Edward Curtis' Navjo Zahadolzha Masker

Kachinas are representative of three types of entities within the religion of the Zuni people. First, a Kachina is a spiritual ancestor who is a messenger to and from the gods. Second, a Kachina is a male dancer personifying these spirits. And third, a Kachina doll is carved as a secular representation of the spirits. No exact attribution can be made to a specific, known character, because Kachinas are so numerous and change so much over time that exact meanings and names of historical representations are often not known.
Religious ceremonies for the Zuni people revolve around the cyclical calendar of seasons. During winter, the invisible spirits of ancestors return to their villages as Kachina. Zuni men, who belong to secret societies, believe that they actually assume the powers and persona of Kachina spirits when they enter the village dressed with painted skins, furs, and clothes and wearing the appropriate mask. During this time, several different occasions are held to dance, chant, and pray to the gods, who are believed to live in the distant mountains. These important ceremonies ensure rains for the coming agricultural season but also help renew all life. The Zuni regard the life-size Kachina masks and clothing as sacred because of their religious, transformative powers.
Men, often a matrilineal uncle, carve Kachina dolls to give as gifts to young children during religious ceremonies. Since women cannot belong to the secret societies and become Kachina personifications and young boys are not members until they are initiated, these dolls help them learn about their religion. In the late 19th century, connoisseurs began to value and collect Kachina dolls as sculptural works of art, and Zuni artists began making additional dolls for sale.

Edward Curtis' Navjo Zahadolzha Masker figure is a yebichai dancer representing the Navajo god Zahadolzha. Yebichai dancers are the link between our world and the spirit world. They performed in many traditional Navajo ceremonies, some of which lasted as long as nine days.

Petah Coyne

Petah Coyne was born in Oklahoma City, 1953. She lives & works in NYC.

Petah Coyne is a very prominent contemporary artist.

In her massive and unconventional sculptures, she takes on the human condition.

Her complex, layered works made from non-traditional materials connect the language of opposites to push the concepts of life and death, growth and decay, order and chaos.

Coyne balances horror and humor, light and darkness.

In her work, memory plays a key role, reflecting the tension between life and life’s traces.

The deep sense of grief found throughout her work is tempered by the possibility that balance can be gained in the wake of loss.

All of Coyne’s works take inspiration from personal stories, film, literature and political events.

Petah Coyne, “Untitled 1234 (Tom’s Twin,” 2007-8, Mixed Media. Galerie Lelong.

 Untitled #875 (Black Atlanta), 1997

Her sculptures are over ten feet tall, suspended from the ceiling and strangely encrusted with flowers, ribbons and birds, all dripping with a carpet of wax as if frozen in time.

Her work consist of remarkable chandeliers, billowing veils,

capes of red feathers and colossal bridal splendors. 

Petah Coyne’s affectionately refers to her sculptures as her “girls”

Petah Coyne ‘Untitled #1103 (Daphne)

Coyne belongs to a generation of sculptors—many of them women—who came of age in the late 1980s. This group includes Cassandra Smith and Angela Singer.

This group of women changed the great practice of sculpture with their new interest in nature, and a liking for detailed craftsmanship, domestic references and psychological metaphor.

Coyne and her peers took flamboyant risks. 

Little Ed's Daughter Margaret from Chapter 11 in Living with Art is the reason why I chose this artist. This piece is mournful and tragic, bu also creepy and funny, sad and silly all at the same time (pg 274).
From far away, it looks like a tangled mass but, upon closer inspection, you see that it was an intricate composition of tree branches, birds, ribbon, thread, tassels and wax-dipped silk flowers. This piece makes a bold statement, especially since the piece is programmed to cry at spontaneous times twice every day.

Untitled #1111 (Little Ed's Daughter Margaret) (detail)

Coyne’s references are historical and personal.

Her sculpture is influenced by her careful study of art history—such as Dutch still life’s and baroque sculpture—as well as her observant religious upbringing.

Petah Coyne, Untitled # 1093 (Buddha Boy), 2001–2003.

Altar Mary 

Coyne’s wax-coated sculptures are a metaphor for emotion and memory. Located in a museum’s early sixteenth-century French chapel, Altar Mary refers to acts of private devotion and recalls Roman Catholic shrines dedicated to Mary.

Petah Coyne, Untitled 1031S-01, 2001. Galerie Lelong, New York.

When Petah was a younger artist, she had a compulsion for collecting dead fish and she used them to decorate the rafters of her NYC loft. After her husband developed an allergic sensitivity to them, she used the 5,000 fish to decorate other places instead. At one point, she discovered a charming home in Long Island and, in the middle of the night, strung lines through the trees outside the front door of the house, then hung a large number of the dead fish on the lines. She was so hurt the next day when the homeowner came outside and reacted negatively to the fish that decorated his front yard. To Petah, the fish were a great gift and she couldn't understand why the homeowner didn't love them the same way she did.

Petah Coyne, Vermilion Fog Exhibition

Untitled #1180 (Beatrice)

Petah Coyne, Vermilion Fog Exhibition

Untitled #1180 (Beatrice), detail, 2003-2008
Silk flowers, wax cast statuary, taxidermy animals, taxidermy birds, thread, silk/rayon velvet, felt, tree branches, tree bark, driftwood, specially formulated wax, pearl-headed hat pins, black spray paint, pigment, plywood, wood, metal hardware, chicken wire fencing, wire, cable, cable bolts.

 
Petah Coyne Canto VIII, 2008

Silk flowers, taxidermic bird, thread, silk/rayon velvet, felt, wax,
pearl-headed hatpins, spray paint, pigment, chicken-wire fencing,
wire, plywood, metal hardware, cable, and cable bolts
Courtesy the artist and Galerie Lelong, New York

 Canto VIII, 2008

Petah Coyne, Untitled # 720, (Eguchi’s Ghost) , 1992/2007

Petah Coyne: Everything That Rises Must Converge 2010

 Petah Coyne: Everything That Rises Must Converge 2010

Response to Lecture 11-8-11 "Presentation Night"

In class last Tuesday we had to catch up on our "artist of our choice" presentations. Usually only 4 people present each night, but we ran out of time for presentations after watching the "Terminal 5" documentary last week. This week we were supposed to watch 6 presentations but only 5 of the 6 people that were supposed to present showed up for class. I am presenting next week so was one of the four students who had to grade the presentations after class.
The first presentation was on a cartoonist that became famous in the 80's named Keith Harring. I found some of his art interesting, but overall I was not impressed with his work. A lot of his work was controversial during his time, and if I lived during his time I wouldn't have like his work either. I thought trying to make the AIDS epidemic more known was a good idea of his, but I really didn't like the art with the drug needles, and also thought that his drawings were rather simple.

The second artist presented was Claude Monet, often called the father of impressionism. I like his art and think it is very pretty. I did not know that he was such a controversial artist in his time.

The third artist presented was Francisco Goya. I liked his later, darker, art better than the art that he did when he first became an artist.

The fourth artist presented was Magritte. I thought his art was entertaining and also intriguing. I enjoyed our discussion of his painting of a pipe that said this is not a pipe.

I don’t remember the name of the last artist that was presented, but I thought that his story was interesting.  This “artist” was a photographer a long time ago. I thought it was interesting that he accidentally invented a camera that shot a photo in only 8 minutes, versus the previous 8 hours it took to take a photo, and I thought it was interesting to see the first photo ever taken of a person.