Art 21 Holzer/Jaar "protest"

I took a look at some of these artist projects and I have to say that they are both extremely serious about their work. I'm not that serious but maybe I haven't had a big inspiration yet. Jenny Holzer says she has to believe in her work so she really takes all of the subject matter in and she says after words its physically exhausting sometimes to put yourself in a project so much. Alfredo Jaar is also very serious, in his interview he even said there is nothing funny about his work. I saw the piece on "100 Acres" I thought it was a great idea to have a park that artist can create in. It can touch on multiple subjects and really get the public to notice in an active way. I would like to visit this place sometime. Over all I think these two artist have a depressing feel to them and kind of take the fun out of art.

Art 21 Krzysztof Wodiczko/Laylah Ali "power"

I watched the videos of these two artist and they are very different. Ali finds her inspiration or mission in heer community and draws from her child hood love of superheroes. Her work with the cartoon like skinny superheroes is interesting but plain and simple in my eyes. I'm sure that's whats she is going for. She seemed to get very anal about her colors and I didn't see what all the fuss was about. Some people work differently than others. I did think Wodiczko's exhibition on the side of buildings was very cool. Just walking up to a special piece of architecture that has a human face talking is pretty cool. It reminded me of the wizard of oz. He is very serious about his work and I watched a little about his peace project and understand where his inspirations come from. Both the artist used art as "power" to draw attention to matters which they feel strongly.

Good 100

Took the quiz, hurt my eyes, made it through all 100. I read the list of doers first and decided I was a "cosmic troubadour" but the quiz had me pegged as the "dark Knight", thanks for the complement but I also read Dark knight and that didn't seem like me as much if any. Maybe I didn't understand some of the questions or maybe I wasn't tuned with the 1-10 scale. Interesting.

daily notes

Today in class we received our fifth project assignment. "political/ cause posters" should be fun, I like graphic design and I want to learn more about prints before next semester so I should enjoy this one. Once again the hardest part about any of these assignments is getting started. I have some ideas bouncing around in my head but nothing really standing out yet. The whole time in class we were ansewering questions about what we don't like and all I could think of was Tarheel Fans, can't stand em'. but its not political or a public cause so I'll try to think of something that pisses me off  about the government, LOBBYIST piss me off, maybe Ill go for that one . Good luck to all.

"Fantasy" project citique

On Wednesday we had our class presentations for our fourth project with the theme of "Fantasy". Needless to say this was a rare day in class. At first I was nervous before I arrived but as soon as you enter the room and see everyone else you realize that everyone is dressed crazy and people aren't going to be staring at just you. When everyone is dressed crazy then all of a sudden the crazy one is the person is isn't dressed up, that would be our professor, shame on you. I was dressed as a samurai warrior in balloon armor. With the requirements being noise and movement also I immediately jumped to the balloon idea because I thought of  "cos-play". I've never participated in "cos-play" so I wanted to give it a try, that's how I arrived at my costume. Before we started we had to have our picture taken photo shoot style. The music helped the situation but I think that was the most nerve racking part to most in the class because you were out there on your own for that one. My group went first in the presentations and there was a ninja with me and we began sword fighting, all the while I was popping balloons to simulate a hit. The minute crept by but we made it successfully. As for the rest of the groups, I believe our group set a fight or aggressive tone because what followed was much of the same. The last group broke from the aggressive mood and put on a more mellow performance which was welcome by then. I liked a lot of the outfits and performances. Some that stood out to me were Ryan's, (he had a light saber and camouflage which reminded me of "return of the Jedi" and he didn't fight with the sword, which is most peoples first instinct, instead made a sort of light ballet, cool). Another was Sara's outfit which looked like she was being blown in the wind, very creative. Randall's "hawk/superhero" outfit took a lot of heat of of my silly outfit, cool and thanks. Overall I feel it was a success and turned out to be one of the funnest classes we've had all year, which I did not expect  leading up to it. Thank you and good job to all.

Daily Notes

Today in class was very interesting. First we did movement exercises such as stretching, moving wildly across the room, and an embarrassing improv exercise. Basically I had to walk around the room and act like a soda machine dispensing sodas to the male students, crazy stuff. It will get everyone prepared for the presentation wed. which will definitely be a sight to see and hear. We then took a stroll to the galleries which I do enjoy. First the painting exibit in rowe. Lots of talented people in there, I liked the "latin dancer", "the asian themed 4 panel piece", and the "booty", who wouldn't. Then to the Storrs building we went and saw the arcitecture exibit from their trip to China. I wanted to climb the ladder in the middle but I was not sure I should, maybe next time. Busy day for all, till next time.

Mint Museum Trip

I went to the Mint Museum on Friday afternoon, I've never been to the Randolph rd location. I've been ton the uptown Mint several times so needless to say the new venue was welcome. Our assignment was to view the ceremonial mask and garments of Africa and Mexico. I wasn't excited about the clothes that much butt when I entered the mask room I was amazed at the craftsmanship of these mask. I know these mask are spiritual and ceremonial to their creators but I can see how it relates to our "fantasy" theme. To an american who does not believe in the ceremonies of ancient or foreign cultures it hits on our fantasy side because that is how mask are portrayed to us. I can imagine a lot of people dressed in these mask, but I visualize them I've studied the African Komo mask and their spiritual powers in previous classes, but I've never seen one up close. They were very cool and very exotic. Once again many ideas for our project came pouring in. Just putting on one of these mask can change ones whole attitude and character. The mask gives us freedom to do as we would like because no one can see your physical expressions or read your eyes. To me fantasy starts with freedom and there is no freedom like a mask. I now understand how this trip relates to our current project of "Fantasy". Thank you.Download