"Exploring the Ancient World of Sculptures" (Egypt, Africa, South America, Roman, Greece)

        Since I've been always fascinated by ancient history, for my curator project I’ve decided to pick 10 artworks from Metropolitan Museum of Art which reflect that time and it's cultures.  All the sculptures I picked from MET collection are of ancient time, besides the African artwork. Each of them holds some sort of meaning behind and/or symbolizes something. As we all know, ancient art was always highly symbolic and intended to keep history alive. Some of the sculptures represent man, while others represent the culture of the place people lived in or the way they looked like. 

I find the different techniques used in all those countries to create these sculptures very interesting and fascinating. I would even say that some of them seem to be created in such a way, that they give me an idea on how art influenced their cultures. I feel my breath being taken away as I look at life size sculptures. Imagine the original Sphinx which you can see only if you go to Giza, the sculptural abilities of Egyptian artists have no limits. 

        I found Roman and Greece sculptures very look alike. The same techniques have been used by the artists who created them. The way they’re made is just astounding. Figures of people are almost “coming out” of the stone. 

        I’ve also found similarities among South American and African Sculptures. Although the “bench figure” is made of ceramic, it looks like it was made of wood, just like African wood sculpture, because of the color it was painted with. Both figures wear earrings. The kind of red they chose for the earrings makes me wonder. Is it possible that the colors they chose have some sort of correspondence with the climate? 

       I absolutely loved all of them because it's very interesting to analyze these sculptures and find what similarities they share. Even though all of these artworks were created in different sides of the world, we’re still capable of finding some kind of connection amongst them. 

       As I said before, I'm in love with ancient history and I think that art plays a big part in the development of every culture and its country. When I see immense sculptures like those I found in Metropolitan Museum of Art, I start longing to go to those countries and explore their mysterious ancient worlds and their cultures. 

       Metal-implements and wood paintings are approximately of the same time and from the same countries I mentioned above have lots of similarities too, but they also have differences that make them unique to the places they are coming from. I found a connection among them as well and the techniques that were used to create them seem to be very similar which again shows how cultures influence and interact with one another.

"Sphinx of Hatshepsut"
Granite, paint; stone sculpture
ca. 1473–1458 B.C.
"Egyptian Art" Section
 

"Marble sarcophagus with the                           Triumph of Dionysos and the Seasons"                      Marble, stone sculpture                                        ca. A.D. 260–270                                         "Greek and Roman Art" Sec.

 

 

"Ten marble fragments of                                                             the Great Eleusinian Relief"                                                          ca. 27 B.C.–A.D. 14                                                                 Marble, stone sculpture                                                                "Greek and Roman Art" Section

 

                     

"Bench Figure" 
1st century BCE–4th century CE
Ceramics-Sculpture
"Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas" Section 

"Commemorative Mother and Child Figure"
19th–20th century
Wood-Sculpture
 "Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas" Section

Dagger handle (with 22.3.75a)
ca. 1580–1479 B.C.
Wood
“Egyptian Art” Section

Ceremonial Knife (Tumi)
9th–11th century
Metal-implements
"Arts of Africa, Oceania and
the Americas" Sec.

     Ceremonial Knife
     19th–20th century
     Metal-implements
     "Arts of Africa, Oceania and
     the Americas" Sec.









  
                                             


Portrait of the Boy Eutyches
A.D. 100–150
Encaustic on wood, paint
"Egyptian Art" Section 


 










Portrait of a thin-faced, bearded man        
A.D. 160–180                                   
Encaustic, limewood                          
"Egyptian Art" Section                         

“LES Galleries Reaction”

       After having visited many different galleries in the Lower East Side, I would like to compare three of the ones I liked the most to the galleries I attended in Chelsea. As I began thinking about it, I realized it wouldn’t be easy comparing the Lower East Side galleries to Chelsea galleries, since both locations represent a wide variety of amazing artworks. Although both areas have a lot of similarities, LES galleries offer a wider variety of modern style “edgy” artworks than the ones in Chelsea. Most of Chelsea's galleries represent old cultures which are opposite to what you can find in LES galleries. Displaying such modern art, LES attracts a different, younger crowd of contemporary art lovers. There I found some galleries which contained provocative, and maybe some would say very challenging, works of art. I also found galleries like Tatyana Murray’s, (“In the Woods”) that contains amazing artworks you won’t find in Chelsea. I don't think I've ever seen boxes with images that are illuminated by LED which give them a ghostly effect. I was amazed by this exhibition. I was also quite impressed by the work at the “Strange Loop” and “Untitled” galleries. These galleries seemed to match my personality with such precision, that they instantaneously engaged my attention. All of them were influenced by pop culture and/or contain some elements found in pop culture, which makes them different from what is shown in Chelsea. I wouldn't say that they cater to the same type of art collectors, but I think that Chelsea's collectors would definitely find interest in the LES galleries seeing as how some of them do have similar artworks. Here, just like in Chelsea, they can find a wide selection of visual art consisting of prints, paintings, sculptures, photography, video, etc. The level of their interest may vary because of the contemporary subject or provoking context they would find in some of LES's artworks. The surrounding area definitely affected the way I viewed and built my opinion on the artworks I found there. I find it more interesting to walk around and learn about artworks and the artists who created them, in small galleries that look like shops or book stores as opposed to big, officially looking galleries like in Chelsea.

Galleries:

1. "Strange Loop Gallery" 
2. "UNTITLED" Gallery
3. Tatyana Murray "In the Woods" 

“Public Art Reaction”

Public art is a gift to all of us from amazing talented artists who doesn't mind to share it for free. The greatest thing about public art is that it's accessible to all. New York is filled with beautiful artworks that you cannot just pass by. One of my favorite works of art in a public places is the “LOVE” sculpture on 6^th ave in Manhattan. I remember the first time I saw it I instantly “fell in love with it”.

The idea of this public artwork is very simple and deep at the same time. I think that Robert Indiana, the American artists who created this beautiful masterpiece just wanted to remind people that love is very powerful. I think that he also wanted to say that we can make each other happier by spreading free love and positive warming emotions that we experience when we love. Love can be different and what I like about this particular artwork is that it always reminds me of love being the key to everything! “LOVE” sculpture perfectly interacts with it's surroundings, especially in the center of Manhattan. The territory it's placed on has a plenty of space so people can even take group pictures with the giant sculpture. Every time I'm in that area I see people smiling and taking photographs with“LOVE”. Just a thought of how powerful this sculpture is in a sense of emotions it evokes in people makes it very unique and effective. I find this artwork to be a benefit to it's surroundings since I always looked at Manhattan as at business area that mostly has skyscrapers. This particular artwork brings only positive energy to that area and makes it even more popular and attractive to tourists and passers by. The “LOVE” sculpture could fit anywhere in the city. You can't go wrong with this artwork, it would benefit any area of New York by making people smile and enjoying taking pictures with it. We don't need more words to understand what this public artwork is about, each of us can find his own connection with it. We all need some free love in such a tough and sometimes even cold big city like New York and I would be honored to thank Robert Indiana personally for sharing such an amazing artwork with us.

Artist: Robert Indiana

Title: "LOVE" (Sculpture)

Medium: COR-TEN steel

Year: c 1970

“Chelsea Galleries Reaction”

Sometimes we look at a work of art and realize that we definitely want to have it in our apartment or house. For example when I'm walking through a museum and see a painting that I like I can even imagine it hanging in my living room or in a hallway of my house. This is when I decide that this particular artwork has a value, worth my investment and has to be in my artwork collection.

This time I would like talk about four different art works that I picked from Chelsea Galleries and look at them as if I were an art collector. The first two items I would like to talk about have their own interesting and unique style, and that's why they immediately caught my attention.

The color photograph "Perchten" from Yossi Milo Gallery's series “Wilder Mann” is a very fascinating piece of art. The reason why I would love to have it in my art collection is the idea and style of this artwork. A full-length portrait of a person wearing an animal skin makes this artwork very powerful. The massive figure of a beast or something that looks more like half animal and half human, reminds me of a character from some fantasy movie that I loved to watch when I was a child. Charles Fréger's work is definitely a good investment because of it's unique style and the interesting story behind it that you can create in your own imagination.

The second artwork that I chose for my art collection is "Persian Miniature"painting of a Romanian artist Adrian Ghenie from Pace Gallery. I fell in love with it's complex and abstract style which makes this artwork look even more realistic. The first time I saw it, it looked like a print work to me with an effect of layered, spilled paint. The way it was painted and the colors that were used on it made it look very pleasant to the eye. I would definitely hang this painting in my house right above the fireplace. It's a good investment in artwork that will make your room look cozy and comfortable.

The last two artworks unfortunately will never be able to get in my art collection since they evoked some unpleasant emotions the first time I saw them. They are simply don't worth me making any investments in because I couldn't find anything about them that I like.

Zhang Xiaogang's exhibition attracted my attention but it left me feeling a little unpleasant inside. The real size

sculpture of a baby painted in red made me think of a dead infant that was mummified. I doubt that I'll ever be able to understand the idea of this sculpture. The emotions I felt after seeing it wouldn't let me invest any money in it or keep it in my art collection.

I had the same reaction when I saw a sculpture “Cupid” by Richard Hughes in Anton Kern Gallery. I 'm not even sure if I can call it a sculpture since it looks like a little piece that was left from an original artwork. I would never buy this work of art. If I were to get it as a gift I would keep in my basement because It doesn't evoke any aesthetic emotions that real art is suppose to evoke within a viewer.

1. Yossi Milo Gallery

Charles Fréger

"Perchten,Werfen,Austria"

2010-2011

2. Pace Gallery

Adrian Ghenie

"Persian Miniature"

2013

3. Pace Gallery

Zhang Xiaogang
"Baby #1"
2013

4. Anton Kern Gallery

Richard Hughes

“Cupid”

2013

My first hand made Quilling Heart

Lib 110 Project. Imitation

         Pablo Picasso is one of my favorite artists. It was very hard to pick a certain work of art to paint an imitation of because there are too many that I like. Finally I decided to stop on two of his artworks that inspired me in some way and led me to draw my painting. Picasso's works like "Self Portrait" and "Woman in a Hat with Pompoms and a Printed Blouse”, helped me create the image in my head and gave me an idea for my own artwork.

          My painting has a similar style and elements from these two particular works of art because I used similar lines, shapes and colors to create my imitation. From those two paintings I borrowed the style of drawing eyes, nose, ears and lips. I also mixed bright and warm colors together and made some parts of the face bigger or smaller.

         I tried to focus more on the painting of the woman instead because bright colors and abstract style immediately attracted my attention. This is the way I saw the imitation of that painting in my head. I decided to add a little bit of imagination to my artwork to make it more unique. I think It didn't change the point of imitation

“Illustrate a Story” "Project 3”

Every girl is dreaming of the true love. Time is changing and if many years ago real feelings, friendship and strong relationships were valued, nowadays it's a little different. People are trying to stay away from drama and obligations. It also happens because people are afraid to get hurt. Most relationships fall apart in our time, but there are still beautiful love stories out there that I was able to discover today.
While listening to the story of MaryAnn and Jim Fletcher could feel how strong their feelings are. I found this story very touching and unique. Both met when they were in first grade. They were in relationships for a long time after that and nine years later they decided to go their separate ways.
My favorite part of the story was when twenty two years later they met again. At this time they realized that they are just meant to be together and that they always loved each other through the years, even when they were not together. I call it a true love. This is one of the sweetest stories I've ever heard.
In my illustration I painted their love story from the very beginning of the relationship to the very end. It's a sequence of events that happened to them. On the top left I painted both of them as kids from the first time they met and continue counter clockwise. I then drew their relationships when they were teenagers. Then there was a break up that hurt them both and made them go their own ways. The next picture is of MaryAnn receiving a text message from Jim Fletcher twenty two years later. Then I painted them meeting each other after so many years and the last picture shows that they are together and love each other as they always did.
You can see the heart on the top of my painting. It represents a real big love. It started when they were little and on the right side of the heart they are grown ups and are living happily ever after.

http://storycorps.org/listen/jim-fletcher-and-his-wife-maryann/

 

“Design in Our Lives” (Field Trip 3)

              “Ergonomics is the science of making things comfy”.* It can be used in anything including design. Let's talk about design as a practical application of art work. In this blog I would like to discuss four items I found at the Museum of Modern Art and analyze these items by categorizing them as “high functionality” and “low functionality”.

      

       The first and my favorite item I want to talk about is called “Mine Kafon Wind-PoweredDeminer”. It was created by Massoud Hassani in 2011. I would like to give you a quick background story about the artist himself, so we could understand where his idea came from.

         “Hassani grew up in Qasaba, Kabul. At the time he was 5 there were several wars going on. His brother Mahmud and I him played every day on the fields surrounded with

 the highest mountains in their neighborhood. When they were young they learned how to make their own toys. One of his favorites was a small rolling object that was

wind-powered. They used it to race against the other kids on the fields around our

neighborhood. There was always a strong wind waving towards the mountains. While they

were racing against each other, their toys rolled too fast and too far. Mostly they landed in

areas where they couldn’t be retrieved because of landmines. Many friends of Hassani

were injured or killed by landmines. Almost 20 years later, he went back to Qasaba and

made those toys again. That was his graduation project for the Design Academy

Eindhoven (2011).

         The reason why I think that the Wind Powered Deminer has high functionality is

because it can be very useful if you put it into a mine field. It will go around where the wind blows it and it will detonates mines, so people don't have to go out there and risk their lives. Mine Kafon Wind Powered Deminer doesn't even need a motor (which is not good for the pollution), it moves through being blown by the wind. It can be successfully used in dangerous war zones located close to villages and places where civilians are. Another good side of this artwork is that it's pretty easy to make because the material Hassani used to create it is very cheap and simple.

       The next artwork I'll be discussing is an Earthquake Proof Table. From my perspective it has high functionality. First of all because just like the item I was talking about before, it saves people's lives. 
Earthquakes can occur anywhere in the
earth and I think that this Earthquake Proof Table should be used as a regular table just in case of any unpredictable nature disaster that can destroy building and harm people. It also made out of the lightweight material, so even two children can pick it up and move it on their own. It went through vertical impact tests and and it was proved that it can handle 1 ton. This table can definitely be used for most everyday classroom activities or at homes and offices, that's why I put it under category of high functional designed artworks.

                                                                                  
       And the two last items I would like to analyze, I consider as to be low functionality, from my point of view. 
The first one is a “Very round Chair” which is made out of steel. It caught my attention because of the way it looks and the way it was made, but the way it was designed makes it less possible to be used in our everyday life. The chair was made so you can't even sit on it. It can be used only as a decoration at home or in the office,but nothing more than that.

         The final artwork that I decided to put under the category of low functionality is called “Basic House” by Martin Ruiz de Azua. I have to admit that I liked the idea and the concept of his artwork, but I don't think it can be used as a homeless shelter as stated in the description. There are two

reasons why it has a low functionality and the first one is the size. The original size of it is pretty big, which means that in a big city, you doubtfully can use it on a street. Another big and as I think the main reason it can't be used by homeless people is the fact that it can attract too much of attention, which can lead to robbing, bothering, attacking. Homeless people are trying to hide in places where they won't be bothered and with this shelter it's impossible not to attract unwanted attention. “Basic House” is a very interesting idea, but unfortunately I can't put it under the category of high functionality.

           At the end I would like to say that it's ok If you would disagree with me. My opinion is very subjective and maybe from your perspective the items I selected as “low functional design” could be approved as “high functional”. There's no right or wrong because even “low functional” design can still be practical. 

*Sources of information:
http://ergonomics.about.com/od/ergonomicbasics/a/ergo101.htm  

1.  Massoud Hassani
Mine Kafon wind-powered deminer, 2011.
Bamboo and biodegradable plastics.
87 x 87 x 87" (221 x 221 x 221 cm). 

2.  Ido Bruno, 1963; Arthur Brutter, 1982.

EPT - Earthquake Proof Table,2010

Steel and birch plywood

 28 3/8 x 47 1/4 x 23 5/8" (72 x 120 x 60 cm)

  

 3.  Louise Campbell, 1970

Veryround Chair, 2006

Made out of steel.

4.    Martin Ruiz de Azua,1965 

“Basic House”, 1999.

Polyester.

 

“Art and Identity: The Museum of Modern Art” (Field Trip 1)

         Individuality, culture and history are a vital part of our everyday lives. They also all work together to make art and bring change into our lives. Without them, art truly would not be the same. I've picked these particular paintings to represent my definition of individual, cultural and historical identity.

 
Cultural Identity.

Marilyn Monroe will always be a significant part of our culture, thus making her a more than suitable example of cultural identity. She passed away a half-century ago nevertheless her legend still lives on. She's one of the most popular women in the world. She’s is so inspirational to millions of people that not only do fans try to emulate her, but celebrities as well. There are so many Monroe-inspired images like “Gold Marilyn Monroe” by Andy Warhol. After her tragic death in 1962, Warhol made a series of paintings as his way of paying tribute to Marilyn. I like the way he combined painting and photography. This kind of style made his work of art very interesting and unique and it also made Andy Warhol a very famous and well-known artist of that time.

Sometimes it makes me sad to look at her pictures thinking of how such a tremendously brilliant woman died at such a young age. What I like about this particular work of art is that this painting has a very elevating feeling caused by the style and colors Warhol used on it. In “Gold Marilyn Monroe”, Warhol clearly depicts her iconic status by using a gold background and placing her image in the center of it. It's like she was always a center of attention. Even now, so many years later she attracts our attention and influences us, artists, in so many ways. He turned her into someone that is to be idolized and worshiped.

From my point of view his painting represents timelessness of the Marilyn Monroe culture. It helps us to never disregard the impact she made on numerous people with her natural beauty, her sexy looks, and the talent she well presented in her work. I think Warhol creating these works right after her tragic death, will always remind us of how much she influenced the world of pop culture and public opinion on what the society thinks is famous and sexy. I think that Andy's Warhol work contributes this idea very well. 

 Historical Identity.

Children were forced to work because their parents either got hurt or couldn't get a job and they had to support their family. Kids were even sold out by their own families due to the need of money becoming even more dire than before. Although slavery has been practiced through out most of recorded history, the almost incalculable number of slaves involved in the African slave trade has left a legacy which can not be ignored. What's certain is that Africans were subjected to several forms of slavery over the centuries.

The first time I saw this painting, I was instantly transferred into the time of African slavery. African slavery shall never be forgotten, it's a large portion of history. It was one of the cruelest times. People were ripped apart from their families and forced to do work against their will.It is estimated that between 1450 and the late 1800s, 10-15 million Africans were kidnapped and sold into slavery. (http://africa.mrdonn.org/slavetrade.html)”. Children were forced to work as slaves too, there was no age difference limit.

On this painting we can see African kids working on a field. Whether on a small farm or a large plantation, most enslaved adults and kids were agricultural laborers. Kids were had to work or they were faced with horrifically severe punishments. Horrible living conditions, constant beatings and starvation, physically, mentally and emotionally affected the poor kids.

The description says, “They couldn't go to school”. They were not owners of their own lives, they were merely servants required to fulfill their owners boundless wants and needs without question or hesitation.. They were cruelly thrown into a world of hurt, suffering, and the heartbreak of family loss.

I was captivated by this painting. I feel that the simple two sentence description gave us a clear understanding of the dreadfully hard and horrifically painful life in the time of slavery. 

Individual Identity.

Rene's Magritte's painting, “The False Mirror”, is a very unique work of art. As i began to look at it, I thought to myself how very interesting it would be to analyze this work and figure out what was the the artist thinking about while painting it. I also thought about how this work describes her as an artist and as an individual.

The fact that she chose to paint the sky and not something else certainly fills the piece with a deep meaning. The understanding of “The False Mirror”, differs from one viewer too the next. One may look at it to be the world in the eyes of a person who's a dreamer, who's looking at the sky and dreaming of something that maybe will never come true and that's why it's “The False Eye”. Another may view it as a person who's going through a hard time and is looking at the sky hoping for things to change very soon. Maybe the sky for this person is a piece of heaven or maybe it's associated with peace. Maybe she/he hopes that looking at the pure, beautiful sky will help clear up his/her mind and give this person some ideas on how to resolve some conflicts or life difficulties.

In our everyday lives we get used to noticing only things that are going on around us, in our little worlds filled with problems and other necessary things we need to do in order to survive in this crazy fast speeding life. We are consumed with materialistic things and sometimes we forget to take a moment. We need to separate ourselves from that world filled with errands and problems, look up at the sky,think of something good, and let the beauty that surrounds us soak in. Let's look at the world with a different, more positive perspective.

There are many ways to interpret this painting, but I see a person, who took a moment to look at the sky to ease her mind and think of something good.

Finally, each of these paintings may have been categorized to represent one of the proceeding categories, but they all hold some value of each. Their meanings may differentiate, but one thing doesn't, they are all art.

1. Gold Marilyn Monroe    

Andy Warhol 

(American, 1928–1987)

1962. Silkscreen ink on synthetic polymer paint on canvas

2. Unknown. 

 "Their children were forced to work in the fields. They could not go to school."  

3. Rene Magritte 

 Belgian, 1898-1967

 The False Mirror 1928

 Oil on canvas

 Museum of Modern Art. Purchase,1937    

Narrative Digital Collage

     One of the questions parents like to ask their kids is "what do you want to be when you grow up"? I remember the first time my mom asked me this question I replied without thinking that I want be a singer and an entertainer. I always dreamed to perform on a big stage with professional dancers and see a big audience in front of me, singing my songs. In my dreams I was surrounded by paparazzi and fans trying to take a picture with me or my autograph. I smile every time I think about it! I had a lot of fun creating this collage of "my dream" and just remember about it!

Good Art vs. Bad Art.

        I have a different perspective on what good art is and bad art is. In my opinion, good art is something that makes me think of what message was the artist attempting to deliver to us. It's something that catches my attention, impresses me with it's style and technique, inspires me or just simply takes my breath away. If a piece of artwork makes me want to think about it, talk about after I see it, it's good art.

        Let me give you an example of what I think good art is:

                         Beautiful masterpiece by Jean Raoux, 1700s

                                                            "Orpheus and Eurydice" 

                                          

      I appreciate this type of art because I know that the artist put his time, thoughts, feelings and maybe even some experience from his own life to “breath” life in it, so we, even hundreds of years later could still feel it when we are looking at this painting. If art offers me something to think about, if it amazes me and if I can read some kind of story behind it then I can call it a good art. 

      You may disagree with me and my choice, but the next painting I want to talk about is an example of bad art and I will explain why: 

     

                                           “Black Square” by Kazimir Malevich, 1915

       Unfortunately I don't feel the same about the “Black Square”, a very famous painting of Kazimir Malevich. I call this bad art because it never got into my heart or my mind. The technique and style that was used on this artwork never impressed me because it's too simple. I believe that any artwork is a reflection of an artist it belongs to, and if I can't find the connection with an artist through his or her work, then I'm instantly losing my interest in it. I see nothing when I'm looking at this painting because to me, there's no meaning in it, it's just a black square. I couldn't see the thought process of the artist and this is where the connection was lost. I hope one day I will be able to understand the meaning and the idea of this artwork but now I can't use it more than just an example of bad art.