Just Happy To Be Here

  “What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?”― Vincent Van Gogh  

[jwoodarts]

Doña Sebastiana

Sabrina & Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine shares any new viewer what its like from her eyes and others. During the first chapter titled “Sugar Babies” I was quickly drawn in when the young boys accidently dug up some bones near their town. Further long within the chapter, it was Robbie and his visions that drew in my inspiration for this final work. When Robbie was explaining how he wasn’t scared when he discovered the bones but more so scared of the skeleton lady that was at the foot of hid bed one night. His grandmother explained that he might have seen Doña Sebastiana. In other words, lady reaper. I went and did some more research about this lady reaper and found out that  … “She is more a symbol of mortality and penance, a bleak reminder of our fragile and sinful state. The Aztec figure known as the “Lady of the Dead,” presided over such celebrations…”* This lady reaper is known for protection and watches over those who need it. With this notion I wanted to create what I would think Doña Sebastiana would look like. I also wanted to incorporate some natural Colorado elements.

If I were to take more time on this piece, I would mess around some more with watercolor. It is a hard element and I feel like I could have done better for the boarder and her head piece/hair. I also wish my photos would have picked up on the gold highlights more then presenting them in a pale yellow tone. Over all I am pleased with this outcome and Happy to finish strong.

It was an interesting semester, but I am happy to be apart of this class and still be able to see everyone’s work. I hope everyone enjoys their break and stays safe. (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧

For the artwork I did a mix-media. I used watercolor, ink wash, acrylic paint, and pen ink.

*https://delgadoarts.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/dona-sebastiana-lady-sebastian/#:~:text=She%20is%20an%20unusual%20figure,our%20fragile%20and%20sinful%20state.&text=The%20Aztec%20figure%20known%20as,%2C%E2%80%9D%20presided%20over%20such%20celebrations.

[keil-beguile]

These piece is so dynamic and beautiful! I love the imagery used to tie many different aspects of the story together and you’re mixing of media really adds to the piece. Each look allows for a new and interesting thing to see, great work!

[jthomp2020]

All Her Names

For my final project, I chose to create a poster inspired by the short story “All Her Names.” This story stood out to me because I related to the idea of being a different version of yourself depending on who you are with. My goal was to create a minimalist representation of a scene in which the main character, Alicia, a graffiti artist, was chased away by the police and their flashlights. I enjoy creating minimalist art work, and I thought it would create an interesting point of view of a complicated scene. I used two geometric shapes to emphasize the importance of the typography or in this case Alicia’s K-SD tag, and to serve as the police flashlight. I chose to repeat the tag K-SD as a connection to the story’s title, “All Her Names.” Alicia has many names, many personalities, and many secrets that make her who she is. Each color is meant to represent a different version of Alicia. I really enjoyed exploring how to create a piece of art based on the vivid stories within Sabrina & Corina. 

[keil-beguile]

This piece is really interesting! I love how you were able to get the layered graffiti effect! I like the idea of different colors representing difference names of Alicia, it’s a wonderful and subtle touch! 

[zhooven]

Death

https://streamable.com/wsx0p5

Death is a theme that all of the stories from Sabrina and Corina share. I’ve taken important quotes from each of the short stories and put them in this gif.

Unfortunately, the gif is too big and the only way for me to share it is through a link.

[keil-beguile]

This gif is amazing! It really drives home this overall theme that you found of death. Death is a part of everyone’s life, and in these stories they are some major factors in the narrative. Great work!

[keil-beguile]

My piece is a digital piece inspired from the chapter “Remedies” in Sabrina and Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine. The specific moment is when their grandmother finally comes to help get rid of the lice that was brought into their home by the girl’s half brother who almost acts as a symbol of the father who left. Their mother breaks down after not being able to get rid of the lice and trying so hard for Harrison to be included in their family. Finally realizing that it is not her place to take care of everyone when she can’t manage it. Accepting help and accepting a bit of weakness. This chapter was one I really related to myself, having my own half brother whose family caused a lot of problems for my family, including attempting to use me as a pathway to my father. It can be really hard to realize you don’t owe people anything, even if they are blood. I really appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this class, and I hope that everyone has a healthy and safe year!

[keil-beguile]

Reading Response 5 - Sabrina & Corina

This book was honestly a pleasant read. Being able to read stories about overcoming abuse and devastation as a family really hits home for me. Especially since it takes place in Denver. Seeing these families in these short stories going through violence and an unfair hand from life is very humbling and allows more people to be able to have a look into these lives allowing for varying points of view on life. Although these are stories, they feel very real. The narration really makes you feel right there with the main character of each story, living and experiencing the rough parts of life with them. I think being given the opportunity to read and experience these stories was a highlight of this pretty rough semester as a way of realizing my life is still good and I should be happy with how things are going for me. 

[jestesmsu]

“performance”

[keil-beguile]

I really love the meaning and personality behind your project! It’s really sweet you have this little robot you draw for your wife that has lasted so long! I appreciate you feeling open enough to share it with the class! Great work!

[brandonml]

One minute performance

For my one minute performance I decided to draw something, I drew Princess Hibana from the anime that I’m watching Fire Force , I enjoy drawing and it’s one of my favorite hobbies, may not be one of my best but I really liked it.

Song: Tank!-Seatbelts

Ps: i forgot my pen for the outline lol.

[keil-beguile]

Your drawing style is very satisfying to watch! Your ability to draw a side profile so quickly is amazing! I look forward to seeing more of your work in the final project! Great work!

[keil-beguile]

Art Project 4 - One Minute Performance

For this piece, the word performance made me a little bit nervous because my intial thought was taking a video of myself acting out some sort of scene. Although thinking on it deeper, I realized I could share a performance of something that makes me happy, and that I would feel a bit more comfortable sharing, which would be my art! Still wanting to show this art as a performance by me, I drew a small cartoonish self-portrait. Drawing is something I have always enjoyed and used as a outlet for my sadness and frustrations. Eventually allowing it to be what I want to do for the rest of my life! (Hopefully)

I hope you guys enjoy my little drawing and have a great weekend!

[keil-beguile]

Technical Exercise 4 - Verb List

To Split

To Twist

To Cut

To Simplify

To Fold

To Discard

To Repair

To Join

To Bond

To Open

To Bundle

To Heap

To Gather

To Match

To Hang

To Collect

To Weave

To Join

To Compliment

To Scatter

[keil-beguile]

Reading and Film Response 4

Roselee Goldberg - Performance: A Hidden History Reading Response -

I find the idea of performance developing the edge of disciplines really interesting. Since film can be something that’s hard to put in a definite catagory when film can really show different interpretations through the endless possibilities and limits that it has. The reading goes into how performance is really a mixing of many mediums and allows the performer to push the perceptions of their audience with their actions. This is greatly different compared to how I would view things like paintings. Since you can’t really stand near it and force your intended view of it onto people, allowing them to perceive it however with their previous life experiences and perceptions. It’s amazing to see how far performances have come and will definitely make me appreciate the performances I go to in the future since I have a deeper understanding of the the importance the performance has to those performing and those who made it.

Coco Fusco - The Other History of Intercultural Performance -

It’s always horrible to hear about what people of color and those with disabilities had to go through to entertain those who saw them as something other than human. Seeing each of the examples listed for different years was honestly shocking and sickening. Putting these unconsenting people on display and dismissing their lives and cultures is despicable. Although later on when Fusco was talking about the children and how they treated her performance it was like a small bit of hope rose in my chest. Like maybe their is still hope for people to be treated with proper respect if they’re not taught otherwise by a racist societal influence like their parents. Seeing the end was a bit disheartening with the talk about the lawsuit and not being able to protect their rights as an experimental artist. My only hope is she made it out without a major amount of money lost and she continued to do her performances to try and move people.

[jestesmsu]

Dancing Fools. Audio: Frank Zappa - Dancing Fools - Jestes Edit Video Sources Coldplay - Violet Hill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8zKtcKCaG8 The Telegraph - Dancing politicians: the good, the bad and the awkward https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdt1IrTOYSc Inside Edition - Don’t Quit Your Day Job! Politicians’ Most Awkward Dance Moves https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hezRFsKBOEI

[keil-beguile]

It hilarious that many of the dances are so similar to each other. A lot of raised arms and awkward swaying side to side. I’m sure a lot of them are thinking they look cooler than they really do. Great and funny idea to use for this project, great job!

[cameroncoyhis]

Art Project 3: One Minute Supercut

Title:

A Little Saying To Get A Laugh.

Artist Statement:

Do you often hear people respond with this when someone says something like “Man, that test was hard” or do you find yourself saying this phrase? I’m a victim of it because it’s a phrase that never gets old and I am known to joke around sometimes whenever I’m hanging out with my friends.

It was definitely a challenge and disappointing having to shorten the clips to where I had to cut out the main body of the joke. But, I think that the shortened clips came out good because it can make someone wonder what was said to make Michael Scott or the other office workers to say “that’s what she said.”

I hope you enjoy my video!

Fun Fact: “That’s what she said” is said 51 times between Season 2-Season 9 of The Office.

*If there are any problems with the video or Youtube takes it down, please let me know*

Here’s the link for my supercut video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEd-KFiJKLI

Sources-

The Office: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClzJkv3dpY8&t=119s

[keil-beguile]

I’ve seen The Office so many times from bored nights on Netflix and I honestly never realized how much they say this phrase! Especially since it is sprinkled in among other funny bits so it didn’t really stick out or get old to me. Very funny and great approach for this project! Well done!

[dchrisart]

Artist Statement: 

I made this video because I had the realization that no matter what culture, religion ethnicity, or nationality differences we may have, the one thing that brings us all together is the fact that no matter how hard we try, no one can use fireworks safely. This is only halfway a joke as some of my fondest childhood memories were messing around with fireworks and explosives with kids from my neighborhood that sometimes didn’t even speak the same language as me and my brother, to say nothing of our parents’ lack of supervision. Although there’s controversy over the safety of fireworks for the health of our great Colorado plains, nothing quite captivates people more than an exploding ball of color and fire in the sky (or on the ground in most of these cases), and the rush of adrenaline and the great memories that come with accidentally putting a firework upside-down or blowing up a watermelon with an M-80. Despite their downfalls (literally) fireworks perfectly capture the spirit of celebration and awe that many people feel during a holiday, and gathering around to watch fireworks is one tradition that can bring an entire neighborhood together.

[keil-beguile]

I’ll be honest, the chaotic vibe of this video is mesmerizing to me. It honestly left me wondering how it goes so wrong so fast. Like all of these people just forget what fireworks can do! I always think about how I heard that every year many people go into hospitals from firework related injuries from being too reckless around them. Great job on your project! I look forward to seeing what you make in the future.

[keil-beguile]

Art Project 3 - Crabs Have Flippers

Please enjoy my silly video about crabs swimming!

Artist Statement: For this project, I wanted to make something a bit more lighthearted that made me laugh. Ocean animals are something I can cared about my entire life, even though living in Colorado made it difficult to see my favorites, I still enjoyed learning about them and all the weird things they do. Due to this I am filled with silly sea creature facts, one of them being that some crabs have flippers and can swim! Telling my friends this would make them skeptical and it always made me smile when I would show them a video of a crab using it’s little flippers to swim after a camera. This project was made with iMovie and a song from game I liked growing up as a kid. My hope is that this video can make you laugh or smile too, and let you learn a new fact you can impress your friends with!

(Sources are in video description)

[keil-beguile]

Technical Exercise 3 -  I thought this song and Tangled went really well together overall with the tone and vibe. The song is called Téir Abhaile Riú by Celtic Woman. I hope you enjoy!

[keil-beguile]

Reading and Film Response 3

Projection: Vanishing and Becoming by Sean Cubitt -  I enjoyed reading Cubitt’s to see the history of the idea of projecting images. When he talks about using a flashlight and hand shadows to begin to talk about the beginning of modern moving images. Since I imagine many people in their lives have made little shadow puppet animals with their hands as children. Also the use of Plato’s allegory of the cave to discuss how the early idea of projection had more negative connotations. Overall I find the reading an interesting look into something that many don’t think of the complexity of today. The amount of work that goes into making a piece of cinema is immense and to think about how the idea of projected images has evolved overtime is really amazing. I only wonder what it would be like to bring someone from the past to the present and show them a modern movie. If it was me I would probably be in awe.  Making Art: Form and Meaning - Chapter 6: Time and Motion by Terry Barrett - Barrett’s chapter on time and motion is very knowledgeable in how different depictions of time in art works. I really like the use of still images the show motion. Two that I found showed me the most motion personally was Cataract 3 by Bridget Riley, that gives off a feeling of motion from tricking the eye in an optical illusion, and Queen of Hearts Playing Card Hit by a .30 Calibre Bullet which feels almost like a slow-mo shot in a 007 movie. It also ties to Cubitt’s writing with the use of recorded/projected time and movement. Since time and movement is very easily shown in recordings since you’re taking things as they happen. Replaying every second that you want to show, and every step you want people to see. Overall both pieces are interesting and offer an interesting and historical insight into an often overlooked part of film and art. 

[kabbott56]

The Loop

Artist Statement:

Ever since I was young, I have a had a deep love for Disney. When assigned to make gifs for this project, it was a no brainer to create gifs from some of my favorite moments of my childhood. The moments captured in these gifs are sweet, funny, daunting, suspenseful, and interesting. 

[keil-beguile]

This was really nostalgic to look at! I used to especially love Beauty and the Beast and Hercules as a kid! I think using these films really gives off that child like wonder of seeing these for the first time as a kid! Great picks!