Week 9 Art Making: Exploring Line

The assignment for this art making exploration was to draw one hand using our dominant hand and then reverse it to drawing our dominant hand with our non-dominant hand. 


Using my own hand as a subject matter to draw was a little bit of a challenge because I wanted to move my hand that was  the subject!  I chose to use an HB drawing pencil because I am accustomed to sketching with this pencil. Perhaps if I had chosen charcoal, the image would have transferred to the computer in a darker value. Drawing with my non-dominant hand was difficult, although the results are not as bad as I anticipated.  I think these studies were successful in that both drawings are approximately the same size in scale, however, less successful in detail as I am not accustomed to using my non dominant hand for detail.  This assignment is an excellent exercise in skill building and I am inclined to experiment with sketching using my non-dominant hand in the future.  In my art practice of working with fibers and textiles, I am more aware now of just how much I utilize both hands but not for fine details. 

Week 9 Video Reviews Renaissance

Albrecht Durer: Image of a Master

I chose this video because he is an artist I know little about. 

The key concepts I learned in watching this video was that Durer was the first landscape artist of Europe and associated with the Northern Renaissance.  When he was 13 years old he drew a self portrait of intense detail using silverpoint.  He is also known for his printmaking.

The video related to the text by exploring this artist of the Northern Renaissance life and contributions to the period and in my opinion added depth to the understanding of the growth of art in this region and period.


The Night Watch

I also knew of Rembrandt but not much about his life and work, my impetus for choosing this video to view.

The key concepts I learned from this video was the incredible events that fated the painting, The Night Watch as well as how the use of x-ray technology to study how the painting was created and changed as Rembrandt worked different areas.  This painting, considered to be a national treasure of Holland, is of great scale, has been moved many times, was "cut to fit" a space (absurd!), suffered acts of desecration and violence and has constantly been repaired and restored. 

The video is a fantastic choice to companion the text, Living with Art, as the narration really expands on the Northern Renaissance artists, as well as what was going on in Europe at this time in history.  In my opinion, this video should be a requirement of the week's topic and lesson.

El Greco:  Rediscovering a Master

I chose this video because it was about one of the (for me) less focal artists of the Renaissance.

The key concept I learned was that El Greco influenced the Modernists, in particular, Pablo Picasso, who was so enthusiastic about El Greco, that the influence is evident in Picasso's work. 

The video was mediocre in it's correlation to the text, Living with Art, and spent so much more time on his personal life than anything else.  I think the video was about 20 minutes too long and I began to lose interest rapidly at that point.  It is not well narrated and periods of silence made it seem like the video would never end.

Leonardo da Vinci:  The Mind of the Renaissance

I chose this video because I never tire of learning anything about Da Vinci.

 The key concepts that I learned from this video was even though there are so many documentations of his thoughts and work, we can't possibly know all there is to the depth of his contributions to history.
Leonardo DaVinci's must have never stopped, always reflecting, always thinking. 

This video was no disappointment to relating to the text, Living With Art, and in approximately an hour's time, one only gets a brief overview of the man's contribution to art of the Renaissance.  My opinion of the film is that it adds depth to the readings, and as far as art goes, that this Master had intense depth of thought that is so evident in his art, and science as art as well.  This video should be required to view prior to the readings because of the scholarly contributions to the Renaissance and the support of this concept.

Week 8 Video Reviews

More Human Than Human
The key concept I learned in this video was over the different periods of civilization, human images have been created in both unrealistic and realistic representation. For example, the Venus of Willendorf, a small sculpture from 25,000 years ago, is an unrealistic image of the female form.  However, during the Renaissance, Michaelangelo's human sculptures are realistic representations of the human form.

The video correlates well to the text, Living With Art, in elaborating on the topic of realistic and unrealistic representation of the human form, referencing the same examples.

In my opinion, this film is quite repetitive to the text, however, it supports the text in an auditory and visual way.



I chose the following three videos to watch and review because the titles captured my attention.  I have heard of all three subject matters but did not know much about the subject matters.

A World Inscribed, Illuminated Manuscript

I have heard of Illuminated Manuscripts, however, I have to admit I did not know what they actually were, so I the title of the video drew my attention.

The key concept I learned was that the definition of  Illuminated is illustrated.  The manuscripts were scribed by Monks in monasteries, an intensely laborious task and the artwork illustrated the texts.  I found it fascinating that the Monks also added their own little artwork in the margins. 

The video information expands on art of the Middle Ages covered in the text, Living With Art.

In my opinion, this video was fascinating, and has prompted me to add further research on the Illuminated Manuscripts to my personal list of topics I want to know more about.

Cairo Museum

I think just about everyone has heard something or seen something about Egyptian art, whether it be the Pyramids or hieroglyphics.  Several years ago, I recall the traveling exhibit of King Tut, although I did not have the opportunity to see it, so I was hoping this video would include the subject matter and I was not disappointed!

The key concept I learned was how advanced the Egyptian civilization really was and how much knowledge has been revealed by all the relics that have been unearthed.  The most fascinating was the evidence of plastic/orthopaedic surgery done on a man who had lost a toe and the prosthetic toe that was found in his mummified body.  The many thousands of artifacts is unbelievable. 

The video related to the text, Living with Art, only it was far more informative.

In my opinion, this film could have been much longer, as I wanted to know and see so much more.  I was intrigued by the processes of art the Egyptians employed in adornment, using metals, precious stones and textiles.

Beyond the Classical:  Byzantine and Later Greek Art

I never tire of Classical and Neoclassical architecture, so my interest in this subject matter and wanting to know more about this period is what made me elect to view this video.

The key concepts I learned more about was the influence of Constantine on the art and culture of the period, and how Christianity and the monuments are the focus of the artwork, then, and still today in curriculum foundation in the schools of fine arts.

The video is a fabulous enhancement of the topic that is covered in the text, Living With Art, by including narratives from various experts on the topic of Greek Art over the ages.

In my opinion, it would be beneficial to have this particular video as a required viewing before reading the text, as it would make the text reading more exciting.

Week 7: Video Review

Prairie Style

This video investigates the contributions to architecture of the great American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.  The key concepts that are introduced are the development of the single family home, horizontal layering, and the use of nature and natural materials.  FLW converts the concept of the Victorian style home of segmented spaces to one of flowing spaces, the main entry door as a place of mystique, the fireplace in the center of the structure to free the exterior walls for window use that can capitalize on the Sun as it travels throughout the day and create an unrestricted view of the yard or environment.  His approach was very organic, in and of the surrounding landscape, he abandoned history and focused on open spaces both on the interior and the exterior. 

The video relates well to the text, Living With Art, specifically to the short biography of Frank Lloyd Wright on page 309, by elaborating on his contributions to American architecture of the 20th century.

In my opinion, the video was filmed well, narrated well, and added depth to the knowledge of architecture by  explaining how FLW explored living space and his early exploration of the "Green Movement", before the phrase was coined!

Architecture:  The Science of Design

The key concepts explored in this video included the basic principles of high rise (skyscraper) structure, exploration of materials used to build structures, and the development of high tech living spaces.

The video relates well to the text, Living with Art, by further explaining the changing needs of the environment, urban planning and redevelopment, and "Green" technological advances.

In my opinion, the video was filmed well and provided impetus for further thought and development of high tech and efficient features that make them affordable for more people.

Classical Architecture

The video provided comprehensive information on the Greek and Roman orders of architecture that are considered the foundations of  future styles of architecture. Specifically, the three Greek orders are the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian styles of columns and post-and-lintel construction.  The Roman elements are the Tuscan and composite arches.  The emphasis is on proportion, harmony, and symmetry repeated over and over.  The Renaissance introduced a recreation of  the Orders, and the elements were then used as on the  facades of buildings.  We see domes, porticos and rotundas introduced and still they echo classical elements.  The elements are repeated through history in Gothic styles as well.  Post modern classicism is prevalent in architecture today.

The concepts parallel the text, Living With Art, and provide  a reinforcement to it.

In my opinion, watching the video first is beneficial to the text.


I chose to watch Frank Gehry: Architecture as Art for my selection because I did not have prior knowledge of his work. (Although I realized I did, once the correlation was made to the Guggenheim Bilbao.)  The key concepts to the video are Gehry's intuitive nature in creating sculpture to be used as buildings.  He stated that a building can be a passive container or a place that creates an emotional response from the people using the building.  His goal is the latter.  He draws inspiration from visiting museums and viewing the paintings in them.  He also draws great influence from Pop-Artists, including Claes Oldenburg and the motion of Robert Roschenberg's paintings.  Gehry work is Iconoclastic in that he breaks with the past to create anew. 

I found this film to be a valuable addition to the text because it explored a modern architects way of creating, the way users of his buildings react, and was a good example of an artistic inventive approach to architecture.  I also found it interesting to hear from points of view that include Urban Planners as well as Gehry's thoughts on the future of architecture post 9-11 urban tragedy.  My only disappointment lies in the actual style of filming his work.  His work by its nature of assymetry, radical shapes, etc are difficult enough to comprehend on normal viewing, but the filmmakers angles and zooming in and out made it more difficult to see the structures because they passed so fast. 

Art Making/Material Exploration #3: Installation

Installation art is an artwork in which a space is presented as the work of art.  It can be interactive in such a way that the viewer can explore, experience and reflect upon it by entering that space.  Any materials can be used, a decision made by the artist. Artists create this type of work, an installation, so the viewer can interact with, or move into the space to experience it.  Two installations that I find most interesting are Zhan Wong's, Urban Landscape Buffalo, on exhibit at the Albright Knox Art Gallery and Griffis Sculpture Park in East Otto, NY.  While Wong's exhibit is a "no touch" exhibit, the viewer can view it from four different sides, and many angles.  At Griffis Sculpture Park, the viewer can touch, climb on, and walk/crawl under the sculptures.

For my installation art project, my intent was to take much of my studio work, and place it in the open space outside the elevators on the 4th floor at Upton Hall on Campus.  Due to illness and timeliness of the assignment due date, I have had to change that plan.  In my installation, I want to work within the theme of the Here and Now, a moment in time of my work. This also includes the theme of Self.  I will use all the materials that I can that depict a day in the life of a fiber artists work.  My work will be in my studio at home, for the reason I stated above. After several attempts to upload a video of the space to no avail through either this application or photobucket, I am uploading 4 photographic images instead.

Monica White
"studio freeze frame"'
Installation Art
March 2011
12' x 15'

This is a fiber artist's studio, jam packed with mixed media and related fiber materials, tools and equipment.  The elements take over the studio space.  The theme is both Self and Here and Now.

What a thrill it was to be honored as a recipient of the John J. Jauquet Award for Creative Excellence in Fibers last evening at the opening reception of the Design Department's Student exhibit in the Czurles-Nelson Gallery in Upton Hall.  I was deeply touched to recognized for my work in the company of so many talented young artists.  Congratulations to all the other artists on their achievements!

Week Two, Video Review Blog

In "Through the Eyes of a Sculptor", the key concept that I learned is that art or craft requires time and patience as well as well planned out execution from concept to completion.  Often, extreme research and search for just the right materials requires a certain passion for your craft.  Sometimes, as an art student, I find this to be the most frustrating part of an assignment are the time constraints!!!I also endeared the concept of a team of artisans that all work on a facet of the process.
In "Glass and Ceramics", the key concept that I learned is that the scientific use of the material is limited only to the imagination and creativity of those that chose this medium.  The medium of glass is not restricted to the artist, but is a field of scientific development that we have only begun to utilize. 
"Installation Art" left me with the impression that anything or everything is art,  how the viewer receives and reacts is open to interpretation.

The videos relate to the text, Living With Art, by expanding on  the definition of three dimensional artwork.  Also, I have a much better understanding of Installation Art, and how to create a work of installation for this week's Art making Assignment.  

In my opinion, of the three films, "Through the Eyes of the Sculptor", "Glass and Ceramics", and "Installation Art, I found "Through the Eyes of the Sculptor" to be the most interesting followed by "Glass and Ceramics".  "Installation Art", for lack of another word, boring.  Only the very last 8 or 10 minutes was able to keep my attention.  I have to admit, I watched it four times on separate days to eliminate the possibility that I was preoccupied or tired when viewing it.  The narrators seemed to just droll on endlessly and spoke as if they were half asleep or wanted to keep their thoughts a secret.
Sculpture fascinates me now, and I am inclined to pursue a course in it in my curriculum as a result of this film.  The films definitely added a depth to my understanding of sculpture, installation and craft by exploring the processes with human explanation and interpretation, not just by photography in the text book.  The interpretation also added to blurring craft and art, and I truly believe one cannot exist without the other.