Garden of Stones

Great approach in how he plans for the plants to grow, then die, and then grow in an endless cycle. Who would have thought of having a garden of stones though. That's what i like in this piece he does. It seems that certain people were unhappy with the piece due to the fact that they thought it didn't represent the holocaust victims. Of course their opinions changed after explanation, but surely one doesn't have to get an explanation at all times.
I like to let the mind wonder. It gives people a chance to come up with ideas of how the art piece is trying to give out the message. And after they see that it's giving a message, they can try to figure out what it is exactly the message is trying to say from the artist.

How Creativity is Killing the Culture

.....wow.... creative people are to be stopped eh?
Well, i suppose i get his point in reasons why he feels the way he does. He mostly looks at facts, and logic. I think that instead of looking at things in different perspectives, he looks at something and sees it for what it is. No extra fancy words, just plain and straight to the point. Then again i could be wrong all together.
But what i do know is that I don't think that creative people should be stopped at all. I mean if it wasn't for creativity, the world would suck ass. Do you understand just how plain and boring life would be? Shit, i'd probably would snap if I hadn't found my creative side in things i love to do the most. "Creative people"...what are they exactly? People who do things that are "odd"? "wierd"? or people that look at things in different perspectives? What about those who do in fact try out for American Idol or the other shows he mentioned in the text? Singers, dancers, performers in general, poets, people with dreams.
Dreams...that's where it all begins. Once you have a dream or set goal you should do what it takes to strive for it. I think that's where all the creativity takes place. You work hard and put yourself out there for the world to see and hear about. Yes you will be judged but you keep going no matter what the costs. That's where the creativity lies in my opinion.

He should realize that even he dreams sometimes and if so, does he not try to do what he can to reach his goals? Then again, some people don't try due to certain situations. Or they see that if they can't accomplish their dream, then they just toss away all emotions towards it and look at the facts in life. I hate it when this happens because they give up too easily. Yes it may take time or yes you are unable to reach that goal at the moment but it doesn't hurt to have hope does it?

I've come to realize the good and bad sides of having hope. The good thing is that it keeps you going even when all around u is falling apart. The only bad thing is when your hope shatters due to something someone said, or something that's been done, etc. Either way, still keep going and dreaming for one day as they all say, all of your dreams will come true. You just can't see it at the moment because something is blocking your path.

To make all of this come together and to have a random quote, if a friend of mine read this, she would say "he's upset at the world because he has no sex life".

Nan Goldin

I see that the artist tries to cope with the loss of her loved ones through her films. To be completely torn away from someone dear to you really can cause an impact on your life. Sure her friends have passed, but it seems that no matter who dies around her, her's sister's suicide will stick out the most even if it happened decades ago.
I've come to realize that many people cope with death differently. Some it takes a few days, others it can stay with them the rest of their lives. Sure they will try to get past it, but sometimes they don't want to get past it. They rather live or stay in the past rather than move on. For if they do move on, i suppose to them it's like erasing something dear to them when really they are just moving on to enjoy the days that remain for them on this earth. That's why i try to get people to realize that they can't stay in the past for too long. Sure it's going to hurt for a while, and that's understandable, but over time it's best to move on or else your past will become your present and future if you're not careful.

I like how she does her work. She takes shots of events as they are happening. She isn't trying to focus on the past, or what's in store for the future. It's all about here and now. For we are to live the moment and think nothing of tomorrow. That's something i tend to do at times. Instead of worrying about what's ahead of us, enjoy what you have now for it may not be there tomorrow.

I think I understand now as to why her sister's death sticks out the most. They were extremely close and all of a sudden, her sister is gone. Dead. No longer apart of her life. Something like her sister committing suicide didn't even cross her mind and when it happened...she had no chance to see her sister ever again. So now she does what she can to capture every moment of life on camera as it happens. So that once the people around her are gone, she can look back and see how she was able to at least have a moment in time with them through the photos.

A quote that the artist said which stood out to me in the text. "Memory allows the endless flow of connections."

Will Schade

Will is known for odd additions in his art pieces. He spells like a third grader, has odd humor in adding irreverence often directed towrds biblical prophets and saints, and leads the viewers to acknowledge the mastery of draftmanship. He finds ways to humor by sinking to low points in his work.

This text was one that i couldn't really get into for some reason. It could be that I just don't have much interest in it. Not trying to say that he isn't an interesting artist, but it could be how the text talks about him. It's not holding out some certain hook that i can grasp and hold onto in order to get full understanding of his work.
Then again, it could be how I'm feeling at the moment which isn't very good.

I do know that i like his route of putting childlike qualities into adult-like work. For example he could have a complex drawing, but a child's handwriting talking about something simple. Or he could have a child-like drawing, but text that speaks through the mind of a 30 yr old.
I like the contrast that tends to have an affect of how you see people. When you think you have your view of them, something else completely throws you off of what you thought of them in the first place.

Presenting Projects 3/28/08

WOO! Today was a great success for me. I was glad to see some of the projects displayed. The first thing i said when i saw Joseph's piece was "...he's naked." lol.
But it's all good. I didn't get to see his piece from the beginning but i did like how he build a fort in the woods using sticks and earthly elements around the area. To be honest the picture with him face down in the dirt is the strongest one in my opinion. If he had to choose out of all of them, i think that one picture is all that he needs.
As for my happiness, i was able to present my piece well today! yay! Finally some accomplishment! lol. It's good for me to see that people were able to talk about it and ask a few questions. I was glad that i had a specific view of how i wanted it presented and that i was able to relate it to the few sources i had so that they can understand where i got the idea from.
It seems Ms. Malena really liked it. Especially when we talked after class I was surprised to find that she was doing something so similar. Sugoi! ^o^

Thomas Kinkade

Kinkade's goal seems to be not focused on individuals, but everyone as a whole. He wants to spread his vision of peace and harmony throughout the culture. He's also creating art that appeals the the majority, not just a certain specific area of people.
He is known as the "Painter of Light" yet can be called the Sun King of Art since people are captivated by his pieces of cozy Cottages, blossoming gardens, picturesque waterfalls, and many more that seems to have the theme with nature.

Personally i think my mother would love his pieces. They have a way of making you want to escape reality for a bit and enter that little dreamworld of his inside the panel. Would i love to sit by the lake on a sunny evening outside of a warm cottage waiting for me to enter.
His paintings are like a stress reliever for all to just be able to take time from our busy schedule to sit back and daydream as long as we please. I know i already do. Lol XD

Mathew Ritchie

Ritchie's work offers more information that the human mind can comprehend at times. He tends to ignore space and time and focus on the third part which is expansion. To me expansion tends to mean that he goes outside one's knowledge, their perspective of things. He wants to make you think about what it is that you are seeing and try to wrap your mind around the idea itself.

His art is mainly material for you to learn and take into your own understanding for he is basically the teacher and the viewer becomes the student. To the fact that his work isn't sophisticated nor easy to understand, he just shows a complex art scheme and expect the viewer to get it. Think of it as a video game where he tells you the rules and you are to learn them then play.

To him a baffled audience means a failed endeavor. If the people did not get the message at all nor if they understand what it is that he is showing, then I suppose in his eyes he did not teach the material well and must go back to re-teach what it is that the viewer did not understand.

Alix Lambert

Alix bases her work on real-life experiences. To be more specific it's focused on life-transforming situations. Whether it is seeing someone in the hospital getting surgery, encountering death, seeing an accident take place, etc.
It doesn't have to all be tragic or drastic. She goes off of the emotions of love, commitment, jealousy, trust, compassion, and others.
The artist designs activities that take place each day. It's her way o f making up for all she's missed in her life since she grew up in a quiet, sheltered, calm neighborhood where one wouldn't really experience such events as shooting, sex before marriage, drugs, and so on.

This factor right here makes me wonder how is it she felt when she actually got out of her neighborhood and into the real world. To think that one was able to grow up with no major issues of worry such as alcohol, being raped, death, and ect. It's funny how those that grow up in rough areas wish that they can live in easier, safer places. And that those who grow up in safe, quiet areas want to be around the danger/excitement of the world. So for her to step out of that comfort zone and see the world for what it is must have made quite an impact on how she wants to go back and experience all that she's seen aka missed out on.

Hubert Dupret

This artist focuses on the history of art: the different inventions that expanded the art world, the new ideas that developed over time, how everyone's view of art started to change as people began to branch out more and try "daring" pieces not knowing whether they are going to be hated or loved.
To be honest i'd be kind of afraid to be one of the firsts to branch out. Back in time i'd probably make a piece but never really display it due to some of the negative feedback that I'm sure many artists have recieved. However in today's time one mustn't be afraid to try something new. For now, just about anything is accepted. Sure there are going to be a few that dislike it, but at least you made your step in putting your piece out there for the world to see. I'ts like "hey! look what i made!!" lol

A lot of technology got a change in the art world as well.
Photography invention added a lot to still life images representing a moment in time. Computers are now made to where you can modify just about anything. Whether it's a still image, a sound, a video, even words on a document. All you have to do is know the skills behind the technique and there you go. Interesting how far the art history has changed throughout the decades of time itself.
Dupret was also trying to get into the resurrecting of art history to be more specific. He mentions how an artist is to seek inspiration whether it's through themes, images, forms that compromise annals of art, etc.
However, his one main goal in many of this pieces is to provide an emotion, a surprise, or even a wonder to the viewer. Surely we all try to get a message out there to the viewers as artists. We want them to be able to understand what it is that we are thinking, trying to say, or see the idea through our point of view. If we can get that message across w/o actually having to say it, then i say that's an accomplishment all on it's own. However it's always going to be the few that never get it.

An Incomplete Manifesto for Growth

I love this piece. It basically says “fuck it. I’m going to do what I damn well please to become a better artist.” Lol

I really enjoyed reading this text. It really does motivate you to go out there into the world and not be afraid to achieve something. It explains that even though something may not work out, keep going anyway. This is something I needed to hear because at times I feel like I’m just not cut out for this class or art as my field. But I know that I must stand strong and use my mistakes or failures to my advantage. I have to think where did I go wrong? How is it that I can make it better? Should I start over or work something out? These are the questions that I need to ask myself more often and take time to think over as I continue on with the next step in success.

The Art World Expands

The artwork expanding at such a rapid rate can be challenging for artists of today’s time and artists of the past. It’s hard for one who is used to the old way to adapt when the world tends to prefer a different route to things. Also as for the ones who are working in more modern technology, it’s hard to get them to try to get involved with the more traditional, basic, or old fashion ways of working in the art world.

As soon as something new is developed, its like “I have to have it now!” That’s how the media seems to display things on the television and the internet. They market the new device and as soon as you buy it, another comes out just as good and it’s as if you wasted your time getting the first one.

To me it’s best to be patient and slowly work your way up in the art world or whatever it is you are doing. Because if you try to keep up with everyone else, you’ll pass by all the little details that make everything much better than what people put out for it to be.

The Happiest Day of My Life

Wow, for one to be able to destroy every single item that one owns is like…insane as some would think. To me I’m wondering what it is that made him want to do this? Must it be every item? What about the things that are special or important to you?

But he does have a point in us being bound to the things that we possess. It’s interesting how he wishes to “free” himself from all of this belongings. And I am glad that he was able to achieve his goal. However I know that I wouldn’t be able to destroy every little thing. It took time and hard work to get all that I have today. Most of it thanks to friends and family. Can I really throw away all that I own so that I can be free from it? After knowing what it took to get it in the first place?

The Stories They Tell

One thing about this story is that it teaches you how to keep an open mind. I would have never really thought of things the way I do now if I hadn’t took the time to read and understand the text. It seems that we are to be aware of exactly what’s going on around us at this day and age. How are we to become better artists if we stay within close-minded spaces? Do not be afraid to branch out and dare to be different from the world. One must learn to take that risk in life and not look back on it as regret, but as a chance to try something new.

Site Specific Piece

Just a close then far perspective of the piece. I prefer it to be in a corner because spirits usually are silent but want to be heard from some of the past info i learned. If they ever do show themselves it's just basically letting you know that it's there and most likely isn't trying to scare you. Of course this doesn't go for all spirits.
It's by a window on a cloudy day which is exactly how i had wanted it to be. If it was too sunny then the piece would be easily seen and the room would be less darkened. If it was night time then i would have no light coming into the room at all then i would have to wait. So rainy days are the best for me.

Site Specific Piece

A better close up perspective at how i wrapped the pieces around each string after sliding the string through a hole in the center of each sheet of normal white paper. I then slide them up the string at a certain point and secure them in place with a small piece of tape. But i only had to do this for a few. The rest of them was able to stay on the string w/o tape.

Site Specific Piece

A close up of the piece and a little farther away. I had wanted it to be a presence in the room that one would probably notice if they walk in. As you get closer you see that it's not just one but many in a group. A small cluster of "orbs" to be more specific.

Site Specific Project Sources

As i was searching of course i was unsure of what to look for so i looked up site specific art. I came across a few images that tended to spark my idea of how i wanted to do this piece. One idea i wanted to work with was something hanging in wires and/or strings. The idea of it in front of a window came from the artist Caroline Moiret.

http://www.suspendedkinetics.co.uk/suspended_kinetics.html

It was suspended kinetics piece with her artwork displayed in the air in an open space. Preferably by a window with sunlight shining in.

As i thought about it I wanted to do something with Spirits. Looking up spirits online i noticed that many of them are small orbs of light. I had wanted to do a presence in the room in the corner. However realizing that it doesn't have to be one, what if i did a multitude of small orbs in the corner. Never would one see spirits clustered together on a normal basis.

single
http://www.ghostweb.com/orb1.jpg
group
http://www.einterface.net/gamini/orbpic.jpg

One source that really tied it all together was this one.
http://www.morganartconsulting.com/images/sculpture/site_specific1.jpg
It reminded me of small birds flying in a group in the air as soon as they take flight.

Time for Drastic Action 4/25/08

Alright. Enough is enough. If people don't come to me on their own, it seems im going to have to go to them. It's time i stop sitting around and waiting for things to happen. My grade depends on this project and i don't plan on getting a low one because of it. I was thinking of rolling out a long sheet of paper in the hallway. And having people to walk along it. Leaving out some markers i was going to ask them to write something they remember on it. And see what they say.
Or, I could go around on campus with note cards, asking people to write something on it and give it back to me. Either that or have my camera with me to allow them to take a picture as a memory of anything they please.
That seems like a better solution. ^_^

Getting a tad bit desperate 4/18/08

I'm going to have to depend on most of my family and friends at home it seems. I got quite a few from close friends of mine. But it's not enough. I need a collection so that i can actually let people know that i didn't sit there and do nothing.

okay people 4/11/08

I'm trying to get people to help me out a bit. Only problem is, they keep forgetting or think nothing of it. It seems i may have to add in a lot of memories of my own. Perhaps i would just have a collection of my memories instead of others. Is that okay?

no thought much 4/2/08

I haven't really thought much about the piece. I've been thinking of other things before it crossed my mind. Hopefully i can get enough people to help me do this. Collecting things is harder than i thought. Especially when it involves others.

Getting the Word out 3/28/08

Alright. I got my plans started. Hopefully all can fall into place with everything of how i wish to do this project. It seems i want to do more than just pictures. I want them to write out everything or nothing at all. I decided to make the idea more broad than ever before. As long as it's a memory right? However it's all about how i choose to present it.

Missed Class 3/23/08

Okay, missed class today. I spent the time thinking of how in the world i was to present my site specific piece. Wondering how i should have it displayed, i also need a good starting point. Perhaps going different routs can help in a sense.

Wow.... 3/21/08

.....wow....
Today was...sooo disturbing to me in many ways. Man have I never really been bothered like this before or in a looong time. I will never forget the blood head piece. It freaked me out a bit for some odd twisted reason. Its a freakin head! Of blood dammit!! And then there was this other piece with this death scene of a person's head colliding into the wall after the car crashed into it and their body was thrown through the windshield. It's like, i could feel the pain behind it all. Looking at the blood head i thought about being cut, and got a headache.
Another piece had this freaky looking thing. I don't know what it was but it's teeth was growing through it's skin and i don't know. That messed me up as well. Other pieces messed me up to. I was close to stepping out for a bit but decided to see it through.
Of course i will never get over the piece with the children that were all girls and all connected with different parts on their faces. Gotta ask, what possessed the artist to make a piece like that? o_O

Guest Speaker 1/16/08

Barbara was fun to see in class. I noticed a lot of her artwork was children and danger. Like, one piece with a child shooting a squirrel. Another piece with two girls running away from squirrels that had slight blood spilling out. Perhaps it was the girl aiming a gun at her teddy bear. I don't know but a lot of death is involved.
Suppose it's something to do with her childhood. Many dangers that happened and she tends to get it all out through her artwork.

Site Specific 3/14/08

Site Specific. The absolute location your piece needs to be in order to be a success to the public. I loved the artist that was able to take something around him and turn it into a form of creativity. It takes a lot of talent, to me, for one to be able to do that.
With the lightening rods it was cool that Rachel Emily was able to go out there and see the artwork in action. How the lighting was able to hit the rods and form different patterns in the sky. A bit dangerous as to how she wanted to get closer though. O_o
Either art or your life i say. But im sure i would wish to view it at a closer perspective as well. Just not too close. lol.

Trip to Will's art work 3/9/08

It was exciting to see someone within Charlotte and how they live their lives as an artist. It's like actually getting the chance to see how their lives fall into place with the real world and such. Their house was like rare one's you'd see in certain movies or reminds me of old people's houses when they have many antiques and such.
I also noticed how each room was a different color and had furniture to decorate the space in it's own way. No room had a specific theme. It was all a work of art itself.
Going down to NOVA to see his Mural was amazing. To work on that on your own and to take so long. I'm sure there were moments when he wished he could stop or just say "forget it". Then again perhaps not. But to keep that motivation for 2 years on one project is a lot. I must say, i give him props for that. ^_^

1/7/08

Missed class today it seems. From what i understand there was a certain piece called "cut" by Yoko Ono. I looked it up and found it to be quite a creative piece to get the ideas of men and women out into the world. How the relationships of victim and assailant fall into place, as well as sadist and masochist.

Project Presentation 1/2/08

Gotta admit, today sucked for me in class. It seems no one got the idea of what it was i was trying to display. I assume it was due to the fact that they couldn't see it. Bit even when i went to a brighter picture, it's as if no one liked it. No one commented on it at all. It killed my self-esteem a lot. Had to basically walk out because i didn't feel like tearing up in front of everyone.
Anyway, after class Drake explained that perhaps it was because i didn't have much meaning behind it. I thought i did. To the fact that i based it off of life.
To better terms everyone's pieces was great. Some i had confusion on. Especially David's piece confused me a bit. But i suppose that's how he wanted it to be. I liked the mirror idea that one of the students did. And Drake did great with the music piece. Especially since he thought of how he wished to present it.
Thinking back over what happened, i got some words of encouragement from a phone call during class. Thanks to that i was able to get my self-esteem back. I can't sit there and let words get to me. Not everyone is going to be pleased with what they see and that's just something i have to understand as a person and as an artist.

Guest Speaker 3/31/08

It was interesting to see the guest speaker Brandon Boan to come into class today. A lot of his artwork was very...odd, to say the least. I don't know, how is it that an artist can make a living out of doing just that. I liked how we all had a huge discussion about it.
It seems that people really do care about their work and not just about money. It makes me wonder "is this what i'm really here for? Am i to do just art and nothing else?" Well i know that i want to do many things.
To the fact that I know that i must get a secure job in finding a way for money to come in so that i can actually make a living, i plan to continue to do art on the side outside of my career so that i won't let what i love go to waist.
I give Brandon nothing but courage in what it is he does. It's a hard life but im glad that he gets to enjoy it. Even though his pieces were out there a bit, they was still something that took time for him to build and create. And since he was able to make a finished product of satisfaction, then i say that's an accomplishment whether i understand it or not.

No Class 3/26/08

No class today