Blog HW #2. "Skyscrapers and Tunnels", Fortunato Depero. 1930. Tempera on paper, 68 x 102 cm.

This two dimensional, representational painting by Fortunato Depero employs dark colors in negative space to accentuate and isolate the figures in the center of the work. There is an overwhelming presence of warm color with light accenting of cool blues, as well as angular lines ascending upward. The opposing circles on the left and right consisting of complementary colors seemingly are mediated or could have possibly ushered in the smaller circle nestled on the crown of what are strange buildings. These circles could possibly be light sources or suns. The suns disperse shadows that are seen on the sides of the buildings, providing value. This looks to be a representation of a typical city shrouded in darkness, which could possibly speak to a corrupt political overtone. The suns could be attempting to drive out the darkness and reveal what appears to be a vibrant and lively city. Depero painted "Skyscrapers and Tunnels" in New York in 1930, this may be his interpretation of the city.

BLOG POST #2

   Terrazas de Madrid by Javier Montesol is 2D painting .He uses a brush technique and doesn't show the face of the people in the painting. The painting in my eyes is equally balanced with hot and cool colors. For example the blouse on the women in the bottom right corner is a bright orange and the chairs ,tables and the details on the building are a bright yellow. What i see in this paint is a everyday life in Madrid,Spain. for example the people walking down the street, the people chatting at the cafe. Over all it looks like a gloomy day because of the the shade of blue Montesol decided to use. I believe that this painting is a objective piece of art because you are seeing what the painter wants you to see you cant really create a certain emotion to this painting all you can really see is that its a gloomy day, like you cant really connect to this painting. I also believe this painting is objective because the painter bluer the faces of the people that are in it he probably did that so you cant define a emotion in this painting. 

HW Blog #2

        

         In 1921, Henri Matisse created "Reclining Odalisque". This representational oil painting stood out to me with its bold use of contrasting primary colors, such as red and blue. This remarkable two dimensional oil painting used straight white lines of negative space to divide the red geometric pattern decorating the room. The artist also used lines and geometric shapes, such as rectangles and squares, to divide the hardwood and tiles making up the floor. "Reclining Odalisque" subjectively displays a woman reclining on a pillow. This painting objectively displays a seemingly wealthy young woman lying in complete relaxation and comfort. The amount of creative detail in the room's decor, lead me to believe this is a very wealthy young woman. The artist also displays the woman's wealth with the golden sculpture she is lying next to and the piece of jewelry on her ankle. Another item that represents the woman's wealth is the makeup on the table and on her face. Lastly, the woman's wealth is shown by the way she seemingly reclines without a worry or care in the world. The artist used negative space under the table with makeup and in between the geometric patterns decorating the door. The artist often used warm primary colors on its smooth canvas, making this oil painting achromatic.

Blog HW #2

From the Metropolitan Museum's gallery, I chose "Ancient Rome" done by Giovanni Paolo Panini in 1757. It's an oil painting that is clearly two-dimensional. From the looks of the lines and the way they are directed, it seems to be vertical, showing some assertiveness within the painting. The painting depicts the use organic shapes, seeing as the people are drawn like normal human beings instead of block like form. There seems to be no negative space, the entire canvas was painted over, making it all positive space. The style of the drawing shows just pure realism, which makes the painting representational as it is not abstract in any way. The light within the picture is not actual light, it's artificial light, the painter added in the effect of it's brightness. It's hard to determine whether or not the painting has dominant warm colors or cool colors, but I'd go with warm, seeing as the red and yellow in the painting is what stands out the most. I've also noted that there is a pattern that goes on in the background hall of the painting. The frames are in a rectangular shape following one after the other until reaching the main room in which the painting shows most of. A quick note about the painting that I couldn't help but notice is that the painter Giovanni Paolo Panini, depicted the many important works of art during his time, showing the sculptures and the framed pictures in the back are of different architectures that were built in Ancient Rome.

Blog # 2

This form of art is Pastel on paper, laid down on canvas which l found this 2D by John Russell piece to be very interesting because the way it captures the features of how people use to look back then and how the expressions on their face can tell you that they were very happy. In this pastel its John Russell’s daughter, Henrietta, and his first granddaughter, Ann. The visual elements shown on here is line shown between two diagonal forms from person to person and see how she is holding the baby, in a very unique, unexplainable way. The value of the background has a dark to light tone, which makes it show the how deep the love of these humans are joined together. There is a lot of negative space in the background that sets bright skin tones and the way the color brings out the clothes they are wearing. The colors in this painting is Monochromatic / Achromatic because its all used within the back ground which is from dark to light. In this pastel what l see is what you may not and for me personally l see a family that's happy and has a rich tone with there vibrant faces. This painting capture my eyes cause it reminded me of when you see the mothers smirk brought me to think of the Monalisa because you don't know if its a smile or not. Very scientific with a personal touch.

Blog Post #2

The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali in 1931

Museum of Modern Arts PAINTING AND SCULPTURE I, GALLERY 12, FLOOR 5

The form of this piece of art is painting, specifically oil on canvas. The style is abstract, giving the viewer a different perspective on time, portrayed as droopy clocks. We all know the clock is the best representation of time in our world, and we see them as round and non-flexible. Dali twists this around by painting these melted clocks around this desert-ocean scenery. The lines being used are mostly vertical, implying a downward motion to portray sadness, depression, and grief. The colors are complementary, with blue and orange-yellow or yellowish brown being used (two colors completely opposite on the color wheel). This makes the painting more eye-catching and has a sort of warm and cold mix, giving it the light and dark tone which really stands out. There is hardly no geometric shapes used, mostly distortions of geometric shapes such as distorted circles. But what does this painting mean?

Objectively, we might all have the common analogy that it has to do with time. Also, we might all agree that it isn't a happy tone, but more like a sad tone. While this painting might be hard to interpret at first glance, people might agree that these clocks are 'dying' implying that time is running out. Then might go into further detail into the end of the world, or the rapture, or even death.

What I think, subjectively, is that these clocks do not represent time, but rather, represent our memories. Since there are more than one clock, these could be a clue into representing our different experiences and moments in our past. They look as if they are decaying. The ants on the bottom left are scavenging the remains. As we grow older, our memories fade. Once was a strong memory you had will soon turn into an old, faded, memory; represented by these clocks. They will dry out (hence, they're in a desert) and soon will be forgotten.

I enjoy this particular piece by Salvador Dali because it gives you time to rethink yourself. Know your roots and if there is a memory that you don't want to forget, then hold on to it.

Blog #2

"A ride for liberty "is a 2D painting From the Brooklyn museum by Eastman Johnson painted in 1862. This painting caught my interest because of the use of warm and dark colors that can almost place you at  that very moment occurring in the painting. The style of the painting is representational because you can clearly see what's going on, it's a family  riding a horse through a field. The painter i believe used value by adding what it looks to be like shadows. You can tell that it's early in the painting and the sun is about to rise. He also uses organic shapes and negative spacing  in between the horses legs. There is no use of lines, texture or patterns in this painting. What I personally see in this painting is a family of fugitive slaves escaping to a safe and fear free beginning. They are leaving nothing but fear behind. But from what I've research, this painting is actually a representation  of the catastrophic conflict or of the experience of the enslaved African Americans during the civil war. Eastman claimed that this painting was actually inspired by  an actual event that he witnessed. There is lots more of interesting facts about the painting, for example it is said to be a unique piece of art work during the time it was painted because there are no white people in the painting.  

Blog #2

The Crucifixion

The painting was created by Pietro Lorenzetti in the 1340s. The form and style of this artwork is 2D representational painting. Some of the visual affects that Lorzenzetti used in his painting were warm colors with a bit of bright colors as well, lines including a triangle, bringing the viewers attention to the top of the painting. The concept of this painting was to portray a biblical story. Some of the objective contents seen in this painting are horses, crosses, people, and swords. Subjectively you can see the Virgin Mary being supported by people around her, in her eyes and body language you can see she is emotionally in pain due to her sons crucification. You can see the pain in Jesus' followers as they watch him suffer on the cross.  You can see the message portrayed by this painting, Christ being crucified along with the two thieves. I feel that this painting is very moving and captures the essence of how Christ died for our sins. Viewers can get a feel of what Christ went through and the pain which he and his followers felt during his crucification. 

Blog post #2

Salvador Dali painted this oil canvas in 1931. The name of this painting is called The Persistence of Memory. The form of this work of art is in 2D because it is a painting. This painting gives of a negative look. Everything in the painting looks life less. I would describe the ground around the dead like animal as negative space. This particular painting does contain lines, but only two or three of them. These lines don't particularly stand out. It has more of a pattern of the circles. These circles appear to be some kind of clock, it looks more like a stop watch. The colors used in this oil canvas were mostly dull. This painting does however capture some light. It appears as if the artist were painting this work of art while the sun was starting to set capturing its last bit of light. This painting happens to be nonrepresentational. This work of art is more surreal. It is more of an illusion. The animal like thing lying dead in the middle of his work is supposed to be in a way, a portrait of himself. Dali wanted to paint something completely different from the reality of things.  However, the cliffs in the distance are from his home in which he painted this piece of work. He wanted to capture confusion. This work of art is eye-catching cause it unusual and unique.

 

 

Blog post #2

This Zao Gongen 11th century sculpture has quite a few visual traits. Zao was worshiped in religious practices, and was known to symbolize sheer physical power. Therefore one of his visual traits is strong. The way he's kind of flexing his arm along with his stance makes him seem pretty fearsome. Another visual trait is frightening, because his face portrays a demons face in my opinion. The color of the sculpture I would say is being used to show his power and uniqueness, because no human being is blue. In horror movies the monster is usually an uncanny color like red, or blue in this case. The shape resembles a humans body to perhaps give belief to the followers of this religion that they could be like their god if they followed the religion and dedicated their life to their god.The line I see in this sculpture is diagonal to symbolize power, because his left foot is firmly on the ground. The stance he's in symbolizes balance, because he's perfectly balanced on one foot with ease it seems. Objectively I see that he has a human body. From the sculpture that is all I can tell, however Subjectively I can see that his face isn't like other humans. Also his ears aren't like any humans, more animal-like. What I see is a see is a sculpture of some sort of beast or god. From looking I see a spiritual being that resembles some type of animal. Just from looking at his stance and visual features I can tell he's powerful and very balanced like how some TV shows present monks.

The Card Players, Paul Cézanne, $262.9 million

 The Card Players 1894–95
Oil on canvas, 47.5 × 57 cm
   What is the true value of art when emotion makes people spends millions of dollars on paintings? There are numerous versions of this painting, and the style captures a quite few of audiences. The French post-impressionist artist Paul Cezanne drew references for studying the objects to depict the vision of impressions. Whether its a man sitting down smoking a pipe, later then became the famous and expensive painting, The Card Players. Cezanne had many visions for his paintings from the rich to the poor, he went all over town exploring and painting different settings from observing subjects. Particularly these card players are actually peasants and the lower class side of town has a very simplistic look. Each and every painting of Cezanne consists of his character in terms of brush strokes, contrasting light and dark, lines and shape. Looking at the painting I see a 2 men playing cards on a table indoors. When observing (subjectively), all of these elements does really set the true value of the art work by observing its potentials and means. Intriguingly, If Cezanne was still alive will he be a main stream artist today and earn the same amount of currency in his days?

                                                                       

Blog post #2: Majas on a Balcony by Francisco Goya.

I selected this stunning 2D painting by Spanish artist Francisco De Goya y Lucientes because it amazed me and caught my eye straight away. Francisco De Goya is known as one of the most important Spanish artist's of the late nineteenth and twentieth century. The title of this painting is "Maja's on a Balcony." It is representational and the medium is oil on canvas. This representational artwork is located in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Maja's on a Balcony" is quite a large work in oil, its measurements being 76 ¾ by 49.5 inches.The painting appears to be two young women in long dresses/gowns being overlooked by two men upon them. The two men above the women seem threatening and somewhat unsafe. Both men are wearing some sort of neck wear and makes them appear intimidating. The lines in the painting are smooth, delicate and calm. From my point of view the emotion in this piece is slightly depressing and melancholy. Goya used a range of achromatic colors such as black, white, grey, beige, and brown giving it a smooth texture. The painting also contains some negative space right along the sides and above the two men that really impact the painting.

Blog Post #2: "Springtime"

This unique oil painting has touched my heart since the first time I went to the Metropolitan Museum "Springtime" 1873, by Pierre Auguste Cot, the famous artist first displayed it in Paris Salon. While a famous painting it is clearly a representational style in where you can easily depict the two young lovers in that brightly enchanting forest. Pierre Auguste Cot has created a very interesting combination. His painting has curved and thin lines altogether it gives it a direction to separate and distinguish the two lovers in the painting, but at the same time combining them as if they were one. These lines leave an attractive moving quality and a softening outcome on the painting. Whit it's 2 dimensional organic shapes surrounded by trees, part of nature as well as the two lovers in the swing. It definitely has warm colors creating an ambiance of warmth and tranquility. The content of this aesthetic work of art has a very strong emotional message. The expression on the female's eyes give us a clue of what could only mean young love, we can't see the males face but her features are the only evidence of what the content is trying to make us feel. My objective thought would lead me to say that this is clearly two people on a swing enjoying each others company on a fresh summer day. My subjective thought is much more curious, I would believe they are hiding in the depths of the forest to somehow finally be together, the nudity of the female's body and both their feet gives me a clue as to how young love is, always so innocent and open. It is easier to see things, we can all do that. When we truly look and study the depth of what is in front of us then we will have an indication of veracity. John Berger precision on the subject of how we interpret and view art today is very different from the past. In Ways Of Seeing, John Berger states " An image is a sight which has been recreated or reproduced. It is an appearance, or a set of appearances, which has been detached from the place and time" (9). Somehow this painting gives me an idea of what young couples would look like in Pierre Auguste Cot's time. Its unique delicacy and emotional taste made "Springtime" became an important icon in the 19th century. Until this day over the last 125 years it has been adored and noticed by the eyes of millions.

Blog 2: Head of a Guardian

Head of a Guardian 

            This piece of art is an Asian sculpture from the 13^th century; at first glance it is a frightening piece. This sculpture looks like it was carved; from the base you can see what looks to be wood. The color of the sculpture is mostly monochromatic, seeing as how the face and most of the base seem to be this worn out forest green color. The hair structure seems to be beige or worn out gold color, depending on your perspective. However the structure is mostly a solid green. The dark green would usually suggest calm, nature, and energy. Culturally the green would suggest health, or life so that makes me believe this sculpture was made to record and commemorate. The hair carvings and face also array smooth texture because the lines are all going one way without any interference. Most of the face shows no chip or any rigid texture and this is highlighted by the natural light that is being shined onto the sculpture. It becomes difficult to identify the style of art because the sculpture is clearly that of a head but when you focus on the facial features you start realize its more abstract because of how the sculpture looks like a goblin or malignant spirit. This makes me conclude that the sculpture is abstract because the sculptor played around with the characteristics of a human face. What is clearly visible is this sculpture is of something important because of the crown structure on the head, so some sort of king. However the face looks mean spirited and then you think why would a king want to be sculpted in such an “ugly” way? So this cannot be the head of a real king. In fact the head is so scornful that it makes you want to stay away, so maybe a protector of a king, or some sort of guard. I personally found the head sculpture alarming but I know if that was my protector I’d feel safe.

Blog Post Number 2
Daniel F. Ambia

I chose this piece from the Metropolitan Museum of Art because it caught and held my attention as I was trying to figure out what it was. It is entitled "Sun Sets the Time Zone on Fire" and was created by the artist James Roenquist in 1989. According to the website the piece is a collage using colored pressed paper and lithography. I believe it is 2 dimensional and is mounted. Lithography is a form of printmaking so the type of work would be considered a print. The implied shapes are geometric as the red circle in the background resembles the sun and the blue circle resembles the Earth. The negative space in the piece would be the black and white borders behind the circles. The dominant subject is definitely the two spheres. The sun is a warm color wherein the Earth/Clock is a cool color. It is difficult to see but the piece seems to be two photographs, one of the sun and one of the gears to a clock. There are angry lines cutting through the clock and the sun and there are two eyes that can be seen peeking through. I can take a guess at the statement the artist was trying to make. Perhaps the Gears represent the Earth and how time keeps moving along and the sun maybe represents the inevitability of our mortality and the consistency of time and space. Perhaps the eyes represent God or human beings. I would say the piece is abstract since the viewer can tell what it is supposed to be from a distance. It would be nice to see this print up close so I could see how it was put together and what the texture of the piece is. I will definitely look into this artist more and check out other works he has created.