Final: Poem Visualization Write-Up

I wanted to emphasize the doll itself in my approach on fashioning this book. I felt that using the “layered” approach was an effective and interesting way to present the poem I chose. I feel that by layering the colors of each page to make a complete doll when the book is closed went well with the rhythm of the poem.

To come up with my concept I first talked to my friends and fellow students as a way of brainstorming ideas. After I came up with my final concept I did brief, rough sketches of the general shape I was aiming for. Then I drew out a set of blocks to represent each page and labeled each with what would be colored on every page. This process made it really easy to put the book together on Photoshop. I feel that the blocking process I did enabled me to get each page file done very quickly and smoothly. The actual doll shape was an image I found on the internet that I lived traced and manipulated slightly in illustrator. With my edited doll shape, I used Photoshop to put the color and text on each page.

The physical construction of the book was relatively simple after some obstacles with the printing. It took a little while for the lab tech and I to figure out how to adjust the Phaser to print correctly on the transparent paper. Once we adjusted the printer, though, everything went smoothly. Once I had each printed sheet I cut every one out. I had planned to put the book together with a brass paper fastener. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any in the bookstore, and I was unable to get out to the store. So, I settled on using a lip ring, which ended up working out well.

Typeface Used: Hobo Std

Whitney Response

I know that this is supposed to be a comparison entry of pieces I saw on my visit to the Whitney, but first I would like to address my favorite piece. The piece was an enormous mized media drawing called "Master of the Universe" or "Flex Master" done by Aurel Schmidt. I fell in love with this bizarre and fascinating piece the moment I saw it.
The insanity and complexity of this piece were what I found to be so incredibly attractive. I became even more fond of the piece when I read what was used to make it: a combination of graphite, colored pencil, synthetic polymer, beer, dirt, and blood on paper. I stood, staring, at this magnificent creature longer than I looked at anything else (besides the movies scattered throughout the museum). I was very disappointed when I could not find a print of it in the gift shop. (Not that I had the money for it).

One of the first pieces I saw upon entering the museum, like many others, was the large, bridge-like, bright red sculpture. The bumpy, fuzzy structure was described by one of my friend as soething that resembled a uterus. Needless to say, it was hard to shake that image after it was implanted in my mind. (Thanks, Shannon!) Unfortunately, I failed to write down the name of the piece. Stupid.
Then, at the end of my visit to the museum, on the fifth floor, I found myself standing in front of a massive piece by Uklanski called 'Red Dwarf'. This huge, round, abstract and textured piece reminded me of the very first piece (from above) I saw. The vivid red and intresting texture of this piece was instantly related in my mind to that very first sculpture I saw.

Nothing I saw in this museum-- although I saw ALOT of really incredible things -- impressed me nearly as much as Schmidt's Master of the Universe'. I really enjoyed this museum trip.

Self-Visualization

My concept for the self-visualization project was to illustrate the different phases and cliques I went thru to get to the person I am now.
In 5th grade, while dating "King of the Punks" I became someone who fit the mold of the stereotypical 'freak' or 'mall rat'. This phase, the mallrat phase, while most intense in the 5th grade, carried on until my first year in highschool.
Before the 5th grade I was in the popular crowd. Even during middle school while I leaned towards the mall rat group, I was still very much a part of the popular girls and guys. However, I was fully devoted to this group leading up to middle school. In fact, my then best friend and I pratically ruled the school for years.
When I got to high school is when I decided I was totally over the cliques I had been formerly associated with. The middle image in my project was mean to look happiest and the most liberated, because I have enjoyed the life I lead as an independant individual much more than any other time of my life.

Lillian Schwartz and Robert Lazzarini

(Kristen and Josh)

Very informational from the get-go.

I found Schwartz to be very interesting. Mona-Leo is really interesting and kind of humorous which I enjoy. I like her thinking that the Mona Lisa was a portrait of Leonardo DaVinci. The first video they showed I found to be EXTREMELY irritating and eerie, but also fascinating, being as it was so advanced for the time period. Really trippy and hard to watch. The second pixelation animation they showed i enjoyed much more. I loved the kaleidoscope-esque nature of it. The music was still kind of scary and trippy, though.

The piece, Teacup, by Lazzarini was seriously cool. It reminds me of things, although I can't put my finger on what, however, it is unlike anything I've seen before. in fact, all of the pieces shown by Lazzarini were unlike anything I have ever seen. They're really cool, for lack of something better to say.

Overall i found this to be a very informative and interesting presentation. Which is a good thing as these can get suuuper boring.

Lucy's Presentation

I'm really not sure who she was talking about. I know she spoke of avatars from a Mattes group. The names were Eva and Franco, I believe. Other than that, I was really pretty lost as far as what she was talking about goes. I feel like she really just chose two identical artists; even though it was unclear whether she was talking about an artist or an avatar. There was no contrast between the two as far as I could tell.

After consulting with my neighbor, I determined she was speaking of two different avatar groups: the Mattes group and the Brennes. I think.

Then, if I'm not mistaken, she was speaking about a game? A computer game of some sort called Second Life that was basically like The Sims...only way less awesome.

Overall, I think the presentation was really unclear but with more time put into it, perhaps, it could be very successful. I don't see how these things could be put in to an exhibit. :(

Lynn Hershman and Marina Abramovic Presentation

This presentation addressed the likeness of these two women in that they both had similar ideas of using themselves as a medium to portray ideas of feminism.
I was a little taken aback by the information they provided about how Hershman's first exhibit was shut down and she was told she had no place in an art museum.
I was also shocked by Abramovic's self-mutilation pieces, particularly the one where she cut a five pointed star on her stomach and the details of the events leading up to and following the cuts. I think that's obviously the intent of her pieces. I was also surprised to learn that Abramovic recently did this at the Guggenheim, being as I was recently there for a visit.
Abramovic's piece that featured herself and a man (naked) standing facing each other at the entrance to an exhibit, forcing visitors to push past them to enter.
This piece seemed more focused on Abramovic than Hershman. Or, perhaps, Abramovic's pieces were more powerful than Hershman's. I think that the pairing of these two artists is at a glance appropriate but after further investigation it seems that Abramovic's performances overall trumped those of Hershman's.

Masaki Fujihata and Perry Hoberman Presentation

Group supplied good, solid information about the artists personally as well as their artwork. Both artists desire and often require viewer participation and interaction in their pieces. Unreflective Mirror was one of the most interesting pieces this group showed. I really wish I could experience it. Another piece they showed (Mersea...Cirlce? something like that) reminded me of something they have at Loews movie theater in my hometown. They have a series of projections on the floor (spiders, toys, balls) and when you step near them they moved around.
Their idea of having an exhibit that is entirely interactive is a great one. I, personally, can hardly stand walking around aimlessly in an exhibit just looking and being forbidden to touch. The concept of being able to -encouraged to- touch everything is something that would make for a great exhibit.

Illustrator Vector Exercise

Artist Comparison

Marina Abramovic is a widely known performance artist who is recognized for her common use of her own body in her work. Abramovic is also known for encouraging audience participation, often in search of their reactions which become the art. Most of Abramovic’s work embodies an underlying theme of feminism, as well as including her own female form.
Like Abramovic, Cui Xiuwen’s work also portrays a theme of femininity through female sexuality and gender. Xiuwen is also known to use a reoccurring theme of maternity in her work. Xiuwen’s art was commonly based off of her battles with vulnerability, anxiety, and concern; feelings that relate to maternity. Xiuwen’s pieces usually feature a young, pregnant, asian woman, standing/laying/etc alone in a serene setting.
Xiuwen and Frida Kahlo are similar in that both artists find inspiration in their own loneliness and struggles. Kahlo, like Abramovic, uses her own figure as the focal point of her work. Rather than performance art, however, Kahlo is known for her earthy, rustically painted self portraits, which she did so often as a tribute to her time spent alone while healing from a tragically vehicle-related accident in Mexico.
Obviously, these three remarkable female artists share a common theme of femininity in their works, whether it be sexuality, gender, or maternity, as well as the use of their own, or another’s, female figure.

illustrator exercise 1

Project One: Photo Alteration

Photos for Project 1

Peer Evaluation..?

Overall, I enjoyed reading the thoughts and opinions of my classmates. I found myself surprisingly interested in the differing interpretations and reactions to each of the different artists. It was also nice to see that some other people in the class shared my opinions on some of the artists' work.

Artist Evaluations

Gregory Crewdson:

Crewdson's work depicts images of reality with those of a more surreal nature. His work encompasses a spectrum of realism and fantasy, which is why I found myself attracted to his photographs. I particularly liked his untitled piece featuring the boy standing beneath the bridge. I enjoyed the peaceful quality the piece acheived from the nature element and soft lighting.


Teun Hocks:

I found myself most attracted to the work of Teun Hocks. I enjoy his comedic undertones used in his photographs. His style is one I always find myself drawn to. I especially enjoy the piece featuring himself sleeping in the boxes that mimic the shape of the skyline in the distance. I also liked the photograph of him carrying the bundle of sticks and looking at one he dropped. His work is funny and sometimes able to relate to real life.

Jeff Wall:

I really appreciated the work of Jeff Wall as well. I found myself staring at his pieces for prolonged amounts of time. I particularly liked The Destroyed Room. I enjoyed the feeling of chaos the image portrayed while it still managed to maintain a feel of unity and organization.

Cindy Sherman:

Like Hocks, I can really appreciate an artist using his/herself as the main focus of a piece. Cindy Sherman's photos were beautiful to me because of the levels of elegance she achieved while still including a sense of real-life and sometimes a feeling of uneasiness. Her photographs, to me, had an Audrey Hepburn feeling to me which I was very attracted to.

January 26th Project

January 19, 2010.

BLOGG!!! I'm excited.

Johann just sneezed... 6:53pm