Cinema as an Art

         I agree with this thought to a degree, but I believe there are many directors out there who feel their work is an art and those who watch it think the same. The only thing that would lead me to agree with this point is that many movies hire actors who are well known to attract viewers, but are not necessarily the perfect person to play the role. Directors take advantage of well-known names because they think this will increase the box office sales, and in some cases it will. I do think that movies exhibit an artistic quality though in terms of the shooting, as in where, how and why they film the way they do. This could be the angle a director uses, or how often they switch scenes. It is tough to say which opinion is correct, because people go to the show to be entertained, so there really isn’t anything wrong with the director aiming for entertainment opposed to a work of art. However, I think the story behind the film is dependent on how the director chooses to approach it.

 

"Shutter Island"

         To watch a film that challenges you and keeps you guessing is an art form in itself. The script, the characters, the plot, each of these things must work together to create a dynamic storyline that will challenge the viewers. I think that the last movie I watched that really challenged me was “Shutter Island.” This movie lead me to believe that the main character, played by Leonardo Dicaprio, was a police officer who was trying to solve a murder in an insane asylum. While in the end, it turned out that he was crazy all along and everything he did was fictional and occurred only in his own mind. Even after seeing the entire movie through, I was still left confused and I found it interesting that people understood the movie differently. Some believe that he was really crazy, and others believe that the workers made him believe that he was crazy. I couldn’t tell you who's solution was correct, but the movie was so in depth and created so carefully that one would have to pay extremely close attention to the minor details in order to fully understand the overall concept of the movie.

       

In the movie, “Shutter Island,” there were a lot of strange occurrences in the film that would lead the viewer to believe he was crazy, but he seemed so calm and collected that one would question it. It was almost as if he had a split personality that I had a hard time distinguishing between. There were also a number of flashbacks that only further complicated the story. It was definitely a psychological thriller, but it may have been too hard to follow in the end.

Image Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shutter_Island_%28film%29

http://www.examiner.com/article/current-picture-shows-martin-scorsese-    s-shutter-island

 

Styles of Calligraphy

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Classic Calligraphy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEo4xRfYbPg

     This form of calligraphy is how one would imagine calligraphy appears in general. It has a timeless feel and flow to the way the letters connect. It looks elegant and sophisticated, like the type of writing one would expect to see on a wedding invitation. The writing in this video is very delicate, which I am attracted to. The line work varies as the pen is tilted on a slight angle. I particularly like the ascenders and descenders in this form of writing because of how soft they are. The tops of letters really catch my eye, for instance, the loop of the K and the L. What makes this writing so eye-catching is how much precision goes into writing this way, not many people take the time to write this way anymore and that is why calligraphy is becoming more appreciated. As we learned in our history of media course last semester, when something becomes obsolete, it becomes a form of art.

Modern Calligraphy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=Q8lJWGnhyP4

     Modern calligraphy is different from classic calligraphy because there are really no rules when it comes to writing modern calligraphy. You simply chose a font or style you wish to recreate in a modern way and experiment. There were also many different tools used in this video opposed to the single calligraphy pen in the first video. The writing in this video was much more unrefined, yet were just as intricate the classic calligraphy, if not more so. For example, the S he created was very dramatic in the way that it almost became a symbol, and was no longer just a letter. In some of his letters, he also used double strokes, to give depth to the letters so they weren’t just lines on a page, which I thought was unique.

     After watching both videos and examining the two writing styles, I think that I like the first form of writing more so than the second. I think I am attracted to this writing because of its structure and certainty. It has a timeless feel to the style that everyone can appreciate. I do like the modern writing for its variations and twist on the classic font, but I am a person who likes old fashioned, simple things. It’s interesting to see the different styles of calligraphy because before this class, I thought there was only one way to do it. 

Sources:

http://www.flickriver.com/photos/thingsarebetterwithaparrott/tags/calligraphy/

http://www.etsy.com/listing/100580739/wedding-calligraphy-bride-and-groom-logo

Architecture

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           The Canadian Art Gallery of Alberta can be found in the core of the province in downtown Edmonton.  This building was designed by Randall Stout Architects and opened to the public in January of 2010. It is constructed of zinc, high performance glazing and stainless steel, providing it with the durability to withstand the northern climate of Canada. This gallery is strong, as is our country and guarded for what has yet to come. This building seems to have almost an armored look to it, as though it were ready for war. Not only is the inside of this building an appreciation of art, but one of the interesting things about this building is that the materials used give the building a reflective quality, taking in it’s surroundings; intriguing visitors to take a closer look at this unusually shaped structure.

The Art Gallery of Alberta

            The unique exterior of the art gallery is something everyone can appreciate. This reflects on our society in the way that Canada is accepting of social dynamics and of the people who live here. It brings a variety of people together because a love of art is something shared throughout all countries of the world, and being around people who are different than ourselves is when we learn the most.

            The inside of the gallery consists of neural tones as to not distract visitors from artwork itself. It is a four-story building with a rising vertical staircase to take visitors through the amazing art experience this gallery has to offer. It is home to various exhibitions and therefore the artwork is always changing and welcoming new pieces that will enhance the gallery. The ever-changing state of this gallery also reflects on Canada as a culture because the country is always looking for new ways to enhance the living experience for those born in this country as well as those who have immigrated to Canada. This country is very welcoming and supportive in terms of diversity and cultures, as is the Gallery of Alberta. 

Sources:
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http://www.e-architect.co.uk/canada/art_gallery_alberta.htm

David

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Donatello's David

     When comparing Donatello’s David and Bernini’s David, they appear very different in terms of their physicality. For instance, Donatello’s sculpture has a more feminine stance than that of Bernini’s. David stands in a relaxed ‘S’ curve position and is completely nude, except for the hat and boots he is wearing. This sculpture is known as the first unsupported standing work of bronze cast during the Renaissance. This statue is representational of just moments after David has slayed Goliath. David is holding the overly large sword of the giant, while his head rests under David’s foot. Each of these aspects led to a statue of triumph. 

Bernini's David

      Bernini’s statue of David is representational of a much different time during David and Goliath’s battle.  David has yet to take down the giant and is about to throw his sling that will defeat him. It took Bernini 7 months to carve this marble sculpture. This statue of David shows the armor he has shed at his feet, and is also shown nude except for a small cloth around his waist. Bernini’s perception of David is much more masculine, showing the tension and motion of battle. This sort of statue was rare for it’s time, as most statues were shown as frontal positions. Bernini challenged the viewer to examine the statue from its many angles and to see the power behind David’s throw. Bernini’s sculpture of David illustrates the Baroque era though the dramatic pose in which he sculpted the young man. This pose shows the tension and raw quality of the Baroque style.

Source Images:

http://inadvertentlyart.blogspot.ca/2009/11/donatello-took-risks.html 
http://www.3pipe.net/2013/02/why-art-history-bernini-david.html

Photography As An Art

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Fujifilm Finepix X100

       I think that anything that shows creativity and captures the essence of the moment is a form of art. Photography does just this, capturing emotions and interesting shots in the world we live in, that not everyone may see on their own. The creativity comes in when a photographer tries different angles and points of view, as well as distances from their subject. The subject matter is also something that photographers experiment with, finding things that others may not notice and making it beautiful through a shot. I would definitely categorize photography as an art form because there are so many different styles of photography that photographers develop naturally based on theirs interests and skill, just as painters of sculptors would. It takes practice and keen eye to visualize a potentially beautiful shot before it even happens. There is planning and preparing involved, whether it is the cameras they choose to use or the timing the photograph is taken. Photography is a form of expression as much as any other type of artwork.

Ansel Adams

         Now is everyone an artist because they take pictures? I think to some degree this can be true but the majority of the time only professionals are able to produce stunning shots based on their experience, practice and devices. However, that’s not to say that anyone can’t take a beautiful photograph because they certainly can. The matter of the fact is that a professional photographer puts much more thought into an image in order to create feeling and emotion when someone looks at their photos. I believe that some people just have an eye for photography and can find pick out an interesting shot in this non-stop world we live in. Finding the subject matter can be half the challenge, depending on where you are in the world and how far you are willing to go to get the perfect shot in terms of allowance and social acceptance. 

In saying this, I think that some photographers stand out among the rest of us for a reason. Photographers like Ansel Adams and Yousuf Karsh have earned their standing in the charts of greatest photographers of all time. They have a talent that many aspiring photographers will strive to reach and may never get there because photography, though it may seem like a fun career, takes discipline and time. Photography is difficult to climb the ranks in, but this does not mean it is impossible. 

Ansel Adam's Photograph

 

       
Source Images:
http://www.archives.gov/research/ansel-adams/
http://allthingsd.com/20130115/three-cameras-that-came-into-focus-at-ces/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansel_Adams

Post-Impressionism

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I particularly like the artwork that arose during the post-impressionism era between 1885 -1910. This time period was considered to be a revolt against classic impressionism. The artwork created was characterized by bright colour and sharp or outlined edge work. The artists worked to create pieces with a more powerful and influential symbolism and emotion. The number of colours used in their paintings was dramatically simplified, resulting in borderline abstract work.

         Personally, I’m intrigued by the large brush stroke work because it creates an interesting texture in the subject matter, whether it is a landscape painting or figurative and everything in between. Though the colour pallet is much more limited, it does not take away from the work. If anything it adds to the skill in which these painters were able to perform. I can see how easily it would be to fall into the abstract side of things when using large brush strokes and only a few colours, but many artists were able to distinguish this and work to keep their paintings realistic. Not that abstract was ‘less desirable,’ because one of my favourite artists uses realistic images and adds a touch of his own style, creating an almost abstract work of art. This artist is Vincent Van Gogh. 

         Looking at Van Gogh’s work, I see the connection in many of his paintings. He liked to use curved line work to create movement and interest in his work. He also used large brush strokes and limited colour as many of the artists during the post-impressionism period. It is evident that Van Gogh’s favourite colour to work with was yellow. Every shade, every variation he could create. 

I am particularly attracted to this because my favourite colour of the pallet happens to be yellow as well. There is something about this colour that I always found to be capable of portraying both a light and heavy feeling. It truly is a diverse colour and depending on how it is used, it can create a happy, excited feeling, or a mellow, unsure feeling. Van Gogh exhibits the trends of this time period with great skill and passion. His emotions are seen through his work, in both the scenic paintings and the many self-portraits he created. This is essentially why I appreciate his work to such a degree.

Source Images

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Vincent_van_Gogh_%281853-1890%29_-_Wheat_Field_with_Crows_%281890%29.jpg

http://www.vangoghgallery.com/catalog/image/0627/Self-Portrait.jpg

http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/the-starry-night-vincent-van-gogh.jpg

Proportion

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"The Fisherman" by Saul Steinberg

     In looking at the various principles of design, I think that proportion makes the greatest impact on the viewer. The proportion can be exact, such as in figurative sculptures or paintings and it makes the piece beautiful, or the proportion can be skewed and be just as stunning. For example, in this hand drawing by Saul Steinberg, the proportion of the fish is exaggerated greatly to create suspense, as the fisherman has no idea what he has on the end of his line. The over-sized 

 fish  is what makes this piece unique and interesting, though

unrealistic. 

"Marriage of Giovanni Arnolfini" 

            Proportion is so important for an artist to consider. When working on a realistic piece, the subject size and scale must be exact and the other elements in the piece must be scaled to work with the scale of these subject(s). When proportion is accurate and scale is exact, the realism of the piece is stunning.

      Proportion is something one would think would be easy to portray, but even by the way the artist places certain elements can change the style and perception of the piece dramatically. There are so many ways to approach proportion and there is ultimately no wrong way of doing it. It is completely left up to the artist and how they would like the viewer to see the image, painting photograph, etc.

     Proportion is a principle of design that is included in every piece of artwork and changes the overall feel of the piece depending on how the artist portrays proportion.

Works Cited:

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http://char.txa.cornell.edu/language/principl/fish.gif

http://char.txa.cornell.edu/language/principl/marria.gif

Strking Emotions

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'Afghan Girl' by Steve McCurry

     

      One of the topics discussed in class that intrigued me was how powerful the eye can be. When we looked at the photograph by Steve McCurry, entitled “Afghan Girl,” I found the piece to be so stunning and beautiful that it was hard to break away. Looking at the photograph I felt almost startled. The boldness of the green eyes are what make the photograph both unique and memorable. It’s amazing to think that something so simple, something so natural can create such feeling in the viewer. Eyes so vibrant are scarce to come by and never forgotten when they are. 

Mixed media 'Sink or Swim'

     

     Art stimulates our senses. This topic was also of interest to me because it relates to our field of graphic design. The purpose of our jobs will be to create something that stimulates the viewer to either purchase a product, intrigue them to attend an event, etc. Stimulating the mind of a viewer is so important for an artist because it means they have done their job. The capabilities of art are ultimately endless.

Works Cited:

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghan_Girl

http://keck-contemporary-art.blogspot.ca/2008/04/sink-or-swim-new-original-abstract.html

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