Blog Posting - Module 9

1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned. (please categorize the comments for each video/reading)

The Great Wave;

- Some of the key concepts I learned from this video include the well known Japanese painter, Katsushika Hokusai lived to be 110 years old. Also, he began sketching at the age of 6. He is known and great for creating figures that has naturalistic movement with various textures that can be identified throughout his painting. 

Early photography;

- The most important facts I took from this video involves the making of daguerreotypes becoming known across the world. I learned that techniques inventor Louis Daguerre sold his formula to the French Government so it could be freely available to the public without patent restrictions. This formula and invention being made to the public spread all across the world, becoming extremely popular in the US. 

Death of Marat;

- Within this video, I learned about the established painter, Jacques Louis David who painted the Death of Marat in 1793. Before this painting occurred, David joined the Jacobin club, 1792 which consisted of a group with the most violent revolutionaries, who served the Revolutionary Government. I also learned that the Revolutionary Government asked David to create a series of three images that would heroize new martyrs of the Revolution, leading to the Death of Marat painting. 

Manet;

- The key concepts I took away from this video involves the painter, Edouard Manet creating, A Bar at the Folies-Bergere, 1882. A painting that takes place in a cafe concert and bar with entertainment that included circus like acrobatics. I also grasped that the woman in the painting is staring at her reflection in a mirror, having the mirror be a reminder that a canvas is seeing a reflection of what the world was like at the time.

Delacroix;

- Having watched the video, I learned Eugene Delacroix, artist of Liberty Leading the People, July 28 1830 was generally painted for history purposes. This painting represents what the country of France direly needed at the time, which was Freedom. From the video, I also learned that the woman within the picture holding the flag resembles The Statue of Liberty in NY, encountering the land of the free. This painting is filled with movement throughout, color and contrast, having the elements and principles of design fully present. 

Monet;

- Some of the key concepts I learned from this video include the artist Claude Monet creating the poplars series in 1891 based on the light changes outside across the sky. I learned that according to a friend of Monet, he only had seven minutes to work on a single canvas before the lights changed and the affect he was looking for within his painting was gone. 

Cassatt;

- Within this video, some of the concepts I learned involves the artist Mary Cassatt painting The Child's Birth, 1893 of a mother and daughter showing a bond and intimacy. The painting includes attention that is being shown by the mother and daughter of their bodies, which people can tend to overlook. The artist captured one of the most purest relationship forms, which is the connection and love a mother and child shares. 

2.) How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?

- The videos relate to the readings in the text because they create perspective to what was seen from the videos. The texts gave insightful information to such pieces like the Marat, providing more background information than the video had. 

3.) What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to your understanding of the readings and art concepts?

- In my opinion, the films were easy to watch and insightful. I really enjoyed the back and forth natural conversation flow between Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker among the videos. They add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts due to seeing the specific artwork that is discussed through video. Since I am a visual leaner, I was able to visually grasp and see the detail within the work, along with the descriptions occurring when describing them.

Blog Posting - Module 8 (Art Making/Material Exploration: Exploring Line)

Step 4: Final reflection and posting;
1.) What was it like using your hand as subject matter for a drawing?
- Using my hand as subject matter for a drawing was interesting. It was interesting since I'm not use to drawing my hands but rather using them in the physical aspect. I had to look at my hands as models and proceed to draw them as realistically as possible.

2.) What media did you select - pencil or charcoal? Why?
- I used pencil primarily because it was the only thing I had on hand. I've used charcoal before and I notice that it can be more fragile than pencil. Charcoal also is a bit more messier than pencil, therefore I'd rather stick to something that can be erased rather than smeared tremendously.

3.) How did it feel to create a drawing with your non-dominant hand?
- Creating a drawing with my non dominant hand was stressful. I am right handed 100%, so using my left hand always leads to a crisis. 

4.) Compare and contrast your final drawings. Do you think they are successful studies? 
- When comparing my dominant hand drawing to my non dominant hand, I definitely prefer my dominant hand drawing best. Being that I usually never draw since it is a challenge for me, I do believe my final drawings were successful. They're good representations of my hands, more specially human hands in general. 

5.) Would you consider using your non dominant hand to create artwork in the future?
- I would not use my dominant hand to create artwork in the future. I usually draw out of boredom or fun, all being so with the hand I am most comfortable using. 

Blog Posting - Module 8

1.) Explain why you selected the video you choose from the selection listed above
2.) For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned 
Cataclysm: The Black Death Visits Tuscany;
1.) I chose this video from the selections due to the title. The Black Death stood out to me since I've learned about it previously in high school and other college history classes. Whenever I see works involving The Black Death, I want to learn more regarding it and figure out what made such a tragedy become so known within history.
2.) Some of the key concepts I learned within this video involves, within the first decades of the 1300s, the Tuscan city states of Sienna and Florence were at the height of their power and splendor. The Black Death had been known since ancient times but a new outbreak had begun in China in the 1340s. I also learned that in the spring and summer of 1348, the plague reached Tuscany. A third and half a population of Europe died. Along with The Black Death affected the arts as it did every other profession, leading to the death of Ambrogio Lorenzetti, one of Sienna's most influenced artists in June 1348.

Florence: Heart of the Renaissance;
1.) This video became of my choosing from the selection based on what I had learned in the previous video, Cataclysm: The Black Death Visits Tuscany. This video title Florence: Heart of the Renaissance stood out to me since the prior video mentioned the city of Florence. I wanted to see if the video had similar topics as what was discussed in The Black Death Visits Tuscany video.
2.) The key concepts I learned throughout this video includes the 15th century Florence was the home of the Renaissance. The Renaissance was an age of humanism where people worked hard and professions flourished. Also, Renaissance lasted two centuries. The high Renaissance within the 1500s is well known for individuals such as Michael Angelo while the first half of the Renaissance, the 1400s is overlooked. 

3.) The videos relate to the readings in the text due to the readings including different periods and cultures that relates to the videos. As well as including historical influence of art so the readers can determine the importance the influence had on the world. 

4.) In my opinion, both films were informational and educational. They add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts due to me being able to grasp the information and apply it to what I have already learned regarding other historical art. I am able to apply what the videos discussed and use it to find similar information in the readings so they can better stick within my head. 

Blog Posting - Module 7

1.) For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned 
Art of Faith Series - Christianity;
* Within this video, some of the key concepts I learned involved the Basilica being sponsored by the great Byzantine emperor Justinian; leader in the 6th century and then the christian Roman Emperor. I also learned that the Basilica is the home of the precious relics of St. Catherine. Also, San Vitale is built on an 8 sided plan, distinct from most churches in the world, western tradition with their central maiden aisles. 

Art of Faith Series - Islam;
*Some of the key concepts I learned from this video includes the fact that Islams pray 5 times a day. The Dome of the Rock Mosque was built at the heart of the christian world in Jerusalem. Also, Blue Mosque was made on purpose in 1609-1616. Mosques are made to invite other individuals into the faith. I also learned that the Taj Mahal took more than 20 years to build. 

2.) How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
*The videos relates to the readings in the text due to similar information discussed and proven. The readings include periods in art history, involving the prehistory of Christianity and different cultures. Relating to the videos also including prehistory religion topics, discussing the locations of various Chapels and Mosques that creates a safe haven for people to go to while learning more about their faith. 

3.) What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to your understanding?
*In my opinion, both videos were informing regarding the history of the Islam and Christianity religions. Both videos included the first churches and Mosques that were built to establish the religions, causing people to worship their lord more efficiently. The videos add depth to my understanding because it helps me to expand my mind by realizing that religion is a world wide thing, not just local, which I sometimes fail to realize. Also, religion goes as far back as the 6th century and will continue to spread and evolve even after my time since it is a strong factor in many individuals lives. 

4.) Why did you choose the films that you watched?
*I chose the films I watched since I am most familiar with the religions, Christianity and Islam. I remember learning about the different religions in history class during high school, resulting in Christianity and Islam standing out the most to me. This is due to primarily seeing and involving myself with known Christians, along with seeing and affiliating myself with Muslims since those are the most common religions to date. 

Blog Posting - Module 6 (Reviewing Peer Responses to Artwork)

1.) https://visualgemsbymikayla.blogspot.com/

2.) Looking at the photos the artist chose for the elements and principles of design, I do agree with what was taken. Each picture represents each element in the according way. Other elements and principles can be pulled away from other images as well, such as the lines that was portrayed in the space image. 

3.) When it came to this artists project #2, the only image that was the same as mine involved the Spirit of Niagara medium portrait by Evelyn Rumsey Cary. The reason my peer chose this work was similar to mine due to the portrait making a connection with her. The mention of the rainbow above the spirit and the painting being peaceful to look at was similar to my connection with the art. 

4.) One image that my peer selected that interests me includes Adam and Eve: Oxunmare by Abdias Do Nascimento. My connection to this portrait involves the nudity of the African Americans. It is a play on Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden but involving people of color, causing people to think about God's creation. I would like to know what possessed the artist to create such a statement piece. 

1.) https://firstblogaed200.blogspot.com/?m=1

2.) I do agree with the elements and principles the artist chose due to them being unique and clear to view. I see many other elements and principles within the images, such as lines in images chosen as pattern and space. As well as movement chosen in the image perceived as color. 

3.) There were no similar images to mine within my peers project #2. This was due to different art galleries visited. Seeing the images my peer chose would have probably been close to the same images I would have gravitated towards if having visited the Castellani Art Gallery. 

4.) One image my peer selected that pique's my interest now includes the Mount Diversity portrait by Lenore Tetkowski. I feel connected to this art due to the fine detail placed within the piece along with the subtle colors chosen. I inquire how the artist learned how to do such a technique on such as small canvas. 

5. The process of reading my peers reflection was beneficial yet time consuming in my opinion. Each one of my peers completed the work in its entirety and it was shown through the work that directions were followed. I found reading their opinions and views on certain artwork was interesting and eye opening since it became clear that not everyone views art the same way I do. 

6. Upon reading comments from my peers, I do find them helpful because it allows me to review my work over and find things in the art that I didn't previously see. It is also reassuring knowing that my peers can relate to some of the same artwork chosen and have similar connections. 

Blog Posting - Module 6

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

Beyond the Classical: Byzantine and Later Greek Art;

- Within this video, some of the key concepts I learned involves Greece still standing out as a deeply religious country today. Also, Greek painters started to look outside of schools beauty in Paris and found inspiration within their own Byzantine Empire as the 20th century came around. Neoclassical architecture was introduced to Greece by a Barbarian, King Otto. 

The Greek Awakening: Art from the 5th Century BC;

- Some of the key concepts I learned from this video involved the knowledge of the Acropolis being a significant piece of art within Greece where many people can go visit and sight see, representing the classical architecture of perfection. I also learned that the Parthenon represents the summit of that humanist movement of the 5th century BC, which happens in other art forms within plays by Sophocles. The Parthenon representing several things to individuals such as a temple, church, mask. 

The Measure of All Things: Greek Art and the Human Figure;

- Similar concepts discussed in this video also were discussed in the previous video, The Greek Awakening: Art from the 5th Century BC. Some of the key concepts I picked up involved the Acropolis being the most famous view in western civilization. Also, when the 7th century BC was at its peak, that is when artists began to discover natural form, starting to portray human beings and animals in a more realistic way rather than stylistic. There is a lot of pottery underground and in abundance that is found everywhere within Athens. 

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the OER Content?

The videos relates to the OER Content readings due to many similar topics covered such as the religion Christianity within art, key characteristics of art: prehistory and 1900 to the present. Many of the readings discusses what the videos mostly covered involving ancient Greece and Rome from then to now and the Byzantine Empire being prominent withing Greece around the 1800s.  

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the themes/topics for this week?

In my opinion, each one of the films were easy to follow along with and grasp an understanding of what was being heard. I did find one of the videos being a bit more difficult to find interesting key concepts that stood out to me, however the videos were all informing with the information included. The videos add depth to my understanding of the themes/topics for this week by having learned the history of art and how it came about then applying the history to one's preference and interests. Later establishing various opinions and on-lookers since art involves a lot of opinions, likes and dislikes.