Arthroplogy

This is a blog for my Creativity and Culture Anthropology class. It is under construction right now but I will have it up and running shortly. - Lindsey

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UPDATE!

The broken link to Journal 3 has been fixed. It is now accessible. 

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News Item 6

Photography Project Takes "You Look Just Like Your Mother" to a New Level. 

French-Canadian photographer Ulric Collette, has created a series of mashups in which he takes photographs of two family members, edits half of each face and creates one seamless portrait to prove just how much you resemble your family members. He calls it the “Genetic Portraits” series.

I think this is a very interesting project. Some of the mashups are incredible. 

I would love to be able to take part in this series. I know I look like my twin sister, thats a given, but just how much do I really resemble my parents? 

When I'm with my mom, I constantly hear how much I look just like her. Even my dad has said so. On the flip side, when I'm out with my dad, I get a lot of people telling me I look just like him. So which is it? I know its possible and completely makes since to look like both of them, but which one do I resemble the most?

The same even happens with my twin. We don't know if we are identical or fraternal but we always here mixed opinions about it. One person will beg us for the secret of telling us apart and the next minute we will here how we look nothing alike. 

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News Item 5

Look Up! All Signs Point to Art

This summer, images by dozens of famous American artists will be plastered on 50,000 displays from electronic billboards to bus shelters as an initiative to create one of the largest outdoor art exhibitions seen in the country and rescue the struggling billboard business. 

Fantastic! What a great way to not only save an industry, but also get more art out there to the public. My dad was just talking about this. We were driving through some beautiful scenery on our way to Texas and he was complaining about how an empty billboard was running the view. With this project, hopefully we can see some of that gone and freshened up with a classic work of american art. 

This is also a great way to get people interested in art. There are several pieces that I would love to go see but can't simply because I don't have the time. On average, most americans spend the majority of their time in cars going to their destinations, then actually at the destination itself. 

I am much more likely to look at a billboard with "Nighthawks"on it than some lame advertisement that most likely doesn't apply to me.

Go to ArtEverywhereUS.org to vote for pieces that you would like to see. 

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News Item 4

Can Satellites Save Pompeii?

From the Artnet News website:

The latest attempt to save the historic site of Pompeii from collapsing could cost $2.3 million, donated by Finmeccanica, an Italian aerospace and defense industrial group, and could unitize satellite technology. 

The current project to save this site has previously made little leeway so the Italian Prime Minister has sent out a plea asking private donors to help. 

This is significant because Pompeii is such a rich culture and history. If we were to lose this site, we would in turn lose a big chunk of history only to be written about in history books, and never to be seen again. 

The art and history that came out of Pompeii has always captivated my attention and this article makes me hopeful that there is something that can be done to save this miraculous site. 

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Artist Interview 2 - W. R. Waller

Me: To start, what is your definition of art?

Waller: Well to me, I see it as simply just a form of expression. I think it can be anything you want, if its is what YOU want.

Me: What kind of “art” do you work in?

Waller: I do portraits and landscapes mostly. However, I am the most comfortable with and I think my best work are my animal portraits. I have always had a passion for animals so coming the two just seems to work.

Me: Do you have a favorite medium that you like to work in.

Waller: Yes. I generally use pastels and oils. I love the soft lines and feel it brings to the image. It seems to bring more reality into it.

Me: What do you want to do with your art?

Waller: Oh nothing major. It is not meant to be a means of income for me. Just something I like to do as a hobby. I am content just making works for my family and friends.

Me: What artists have influenced you and why?

Wallelr: Honestly, I don't know if there is just one artist that I can single out for this question. It is more like a collective group of artists. I have found inspiration in so many, It might be easier to say that I get my inspiration from a style of art more than anything.

Me: What do you do for fun (besides art)?

Waller: Spend time with my pets. I have a wonderful horse that l love to get out on and go ride some trails and just escape for a bit.

Me: What inspires you/your art?

Waller: Probably what I said earlier. My love for animals. The majority of my works are of my pets or my friends. I really enjoy just working with the challenge to get it just right, the texture is really important.

Me: What is the best advice that has been given to you, as an artist?

Waller: The best advice thats been given to me is just to not pressure yourself. More than anything, your art should be for you because it is something that you enjoy doing. Just relax and do what feels natural.

Me: Is there any advice would you give to an artist just starting out?

Waller: Relax. Stand by your work. As long as you like it. There is so much pressure out there to be perfect and the best today but I don't think that should apply to art. Who can define perfection in art anyway?

Me: What is your latest project that you have been working on?

Waller: I haven't actually worked on a piece in quite some time, but I believe the last piece I did was of my late dog.

Me: Why/when did you decide to become an artist?

Waller: It wasn't probably until my teens. I was always interested in animals as a kid but in high school I took and art class and it just started from there.

Me: What is the most challenging part about what you do/make?

Waller: I still feel I'm pretty limited. I can not draw people for the life of me. That's probably been the hardest. I have tried many times, but I just can't seem to get it right.

Me: What do you feel makes your work unique and your own?

Waller: Just the way I work is alone what makes it unique. I can't really pinpoint it. What is it that makes one modern artist different from another. Everyone has their own style and no matter how hard they try, it will always be there.

Me: What is your creative process?

Waller: I just do what comes to me as it comes to me. It's simple really. I just let it happen and don't force myself into creating something that I really don't want to do.

Me: What is your favorite piece that you have ever created?

Waller: I did a beautiful drawing from my daughter for her birthday, that she still has in her room. I think that is my favorite.

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Image 6 - Matt Crump

I found this image through an art account I follow on Instagram. It is by a local Texas artist from Austin, Matt Crump, who takes regular everyday objects, and gives them  a "candy colored" minimalist twist. 

This is an image of a building downtown that people pass everyday without even thinking about it. That's why I find his images so compelling. His ability to take the world and see it in a different way and use his vision to creating these beautifully stunning images is awe-inspiring.

His Instagram is full of several images similar to this, and all of them just as spectacular. His use of bright colors and balance make each one a masterpiece to me simply because of its simplicity. 

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Image 5 - Starry Night?

breaking the mold again, this "image" is actually a .gif but lets say it counts. 

This "image" is from a scene in Doctor Who, which if you've been through my other posts, will know that I'm a huge fan, but I found this .gif on the internet (probably tumblr).

Since I can remember, Starry Night by Van Gogh has been one of my favorite paintings and was one of my first exposures to art and my reason for wanting to pursue it. 

This specific "image" of it is incredibly stunning and brought one of my favorite pieces together with some magically beautiful cinematography. 

Just the way it flows and dances, it's like it gives you a view into how van Gogh might have seen the world. A series of calming but inviting colors and brush strokes that give the piece movement (even when it's not actually moving). 

(Did I mention this just happens to be one of my favorite episodes?)

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Journal 6

I am going to have a little fun with this journal entry. 

Just the other day I was doing what I do best. Sitting on my couch and spending time with my two great internet loves, tumblr and shopping. Without fail, as always, I found something that caught my eye. Something that filled two of my great passions. Art and clothes. 

This store: PurpleFishBowl

Sales several different clothing items all styled after famous works of art. 

I would be lying if I said I didn't want to buy everything. It's one thing to admire a piece of art, but then why not go one step further and wear it! In all seriousness, I think that this is a brilliant idea. It is something that I have never seen done before. And the way they are made is beautiful. It's not like they just went and slapped a image on a shirt quickly, it looks as each piece is carefully thought out and the use the images and clothes to complement each other. Not every image is offered on the same skirt or whatever it happens to be. 

Maybe I'm just biased, but I really do love this. For me it is a cross of two passions, but for others it could just simply be a way to have a unique style that is not very common. Either way, I think it works. 

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Image 4 - Impression by Justin Bartels

(For this entry, it is more of a series of images, rather than just one.)

"IMPRESSION" is a series of images shot by Justin Bartels that I take to be a statement about how much we conform to the ideas of society. 

Take a look at some of his images: 

I originally found these images on a separate post and knew straight away that they were a great chance for me to rant about something that has been bothering me. 

Not only are they absolutely beautiful and breathtaking, but the speak very strongly to me. Today's society is warping us to believe that this kind of torture to our bodies is normal and should be endured just because "they" say so. 

 When we undress at the end of everyday, it shows us how confined we are. Those imprints show how uncomfortable we are throughout each day just to impress other people. We create prisons in our own clothes. We are a prisoner in a socially constructed idea of what is beautiful.

This is mainly directed at women. You can hardly go into any store without seeing at least one item of clothing that is suppose to "instantly shape your waist and make you look smaller" because society has told us that is how we should look, and we have believed them. 

Anyway, thats just what this woman's opinion is and what she took away from it. 

(Images from Justin Bartels website.)

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Journal 5

Beach Museum of Art: 

This is honestly going to be the hardest journal entry for me. It is almost impossible to pick a piece or exhibition because as an employe there, I am constantly surrounded by them and see them leave just as quickly as they got there. 

Seeing them all almost everyday, you get a certain attachment to them, and have very specific feelings about each one. There are things I equally like  about several of them, and if I'm honest, there are things I quite dislike about others too. Some speak to me, some absolutely freak me out (the museum is quite a scary place at night with the lights turned out). 

The one piece I suppose I will single out is called Elevators by William Judson Dickerson, and I have a very strong personal attachment to it. 

It reminds me so much of my old home town in Texas. It was a tiny town with a population of about 800 and you couldn't go anywhere without crossing the train tracks, and being held up by a train was a viable excuse for being late. Chances are, the people that were held up with you, were going to the same place anyway. 

I have so many memories there, good, bad, and sad, but they are still mine and who I am. Anytime I see that piece, I just remember the life I had there, and while it makes me a little homesick and nostalgic, it also gives me a sense of comfort and helps me feel a little bit closer to my family there. 

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Journal 4

Generally I think the answer to that is divided by generations as the view on them is being shaped slowly by society. The general consensus is that yes, they can be, but that is typically what you here from the younger generations. 

Honestly I can see both sides to the argument. I understand why you would want to get one, I want to get one someday, it is my body after all. However, I can totally understand the argument that it is not something you can take back and might just be a fad. 

I honestly don't know how to answer this question, or even where to begin arguing one side or the other. Just something to ponder. 

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News Item 3

Cleaning Woman Hilariously Mistakes Contemporary Artwork For Trash

Found form Huffington Post Arts and Culture webpage. 

A cleaning lady at a gallery in southern Italy accidentally throws out parts of an exhibition after mistaking it for trash. 

The cleaning company stands by the woman, saying she "was just doing her job". The company has also agreed to use its insurance coverage to cover the value of the works, which are valued at nearly $14,000 (10,000 euros).

Part of what the lady threw out included cookie crumbs. This just seems incredibly silly, because (a) I can think of about 20 better uses for cookies, like you, eating them, and (b) and more art like this seems to keep popping up. I'm a firm believer that one can never really assign a definition to art, but I will admit modern art like this is lost on me. That's the reason I chose this particular article, it's a little bit sillier than the previous articles, and I can seriously relate to this lady. 

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Journal 3

Can Cars be art? 

I have never really thought about this question before, but I was watching Top Gear the other day on tv, and just as a joke, they brought it up, and that got me thinking. Why can't they be? They certainly fit the aesthetic theory of art, as they can be pleasing to look at and evoke emotion in the viewer, but thats not all. If we look at it closer, they can even fit into the elements and principles of design. 

The elements of design are line, shape, space/size, value, color, and texture, while the principles of design are unity, harmony, balance, rhythm, contrast, focal point, and gradation. 

Car traits can certainly fit many of those ideas. There is certainly a competition among car manufactures to have the best looking car, and to do that, the designers must use those ideas. Line can work with the aerodynamics of the car as well as the aesthetic look of the car. Space and size are also very important to making cars, and I can think of several other principles and elements that can come in handy for designing a car. 

Just something to think about. 

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News Item 2

Legal Battle Over Nazi-Seized Masterpiece Worth $20 Million Is Revived

Found on the Huffington Post website, this article gives the account of a family's legal fight to reclaim a $20 million 19th century work of art they were forced to sell off in order to escape from Nazi Germany in 1939. 

The Painting in question is "Rue St.-Honroe, Apres-Midi, Effet de Pluie" painted by Camille Pissarro in 1897. 

It's sad and fascinating that even today, the events of WWII are effecting people and families in different ways at different costs. It's also interesting in that it sheds light on an issue that is typically shadowed buy the darker events that took place during this point in history. The fact that the Cassirer family has continued to fight for their possession for generations, shows I think not only the value of the art work as art, but it's importance to the family, and what it stands for. Having to flee their home as well as their possessions, getting the work back will bring a sense of closure to the family. 

[alicexz]

Are you afraid of the big bad wolf?

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Journal 2

How far does the term art reach? What does it encompass? Is it strictly painting and sculpture, or does it cover architecture and design and other things? 

Currently in my philosophy of art class, as well as this one, we have been discussing what art is. How do you define it? Now most people will be in agreement that there is no universal definition of art, as everyone has a different sense, taste, and idea about what art should be. However, I think there is a difference between how people define as being art in the sense of is can that painting really be considered art? and can music, dance, or design be art? 

Currently my goal in life it to make it into the design world whether it is in a theatrical sense or interior decoration, and I have often asked myself if those can be considered art in any sense of the term. Can they be considered a medium in which one choses to work in? They seem to fit the common ideas of what art is. To work in deign you need a good eye for color and shape and all the other principles and elements that are drilled into every art majors brain. In a sense, they are displayed for others to see like many works of art. 

Is this even making sense? 

I guess what I'm trying to express is that I think art is such a broad term that it can encompass just about anything if you can back it up. 

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Journal 1

Watching the documentary film, Who the *$&% is Jackson Pollock?, gave me mixed feelings about the art community. Any "society", for lack of a better word, is going to have its pros and cons and people that give it a bad image, but the way the art community was portrayed was almost villainous. 

It is easy for us as outsiders to look at them an form an opinion, but would we feel the same if we were in that community? As someone who works in a museum, all be it a small one, and it constantly around art and that world to an extent, I can see where they, the critics, are coming from. When you look at it from their perspective, they were just doing their jobs. Yes, I'll admit that they may have been a little friendlier in their manner, but if I were in the same position its hard to say whether I would have acted like that or not. I would like to think I wouldn't have, but if I'm being honest, and I was from the art community, I probably would have look down on someone claiming to have an original work, especially if it was a Pollock. 

The way I see it, they have to be careful about these things. If they did just easily accept it, and it turned out to be a fraud, then they could be in trouble legally. There is a lot that goes into making sure a work is real and no one wants a lawsuit to worry about. Now, I may have misunderstood or interpreted them and the events that took place in the documentary differently, but to my understanding, I think the portrayal may have been just a little biased and one sided.