The Role of the Art in Society

 Artists and Art in Society

Artists do many things for society, the biggest thing they do is give us a piece of enjoyment that allows us to always be reminded of the one thing that is always around us and goes ignored. Morality. As whole society needs artists for an escape of everyday life, to find enjoyment and entertainment. For art serves a purpose to everyone society.

Art is a form of passion, enjoyment, escape and entertainment that as a society we need. It is how many find joy and can express themselves. One of the main purposes of art is to remind us of the one thing we can’t escape, Morality. This need to be reminded has come about with each generation living longer, due to medical advances and comfy lifestyles we now all live.  The Era when the need to be reminded really began to show was the Classical Era.

Visual Art in Classical Era

“Marriage A-la-Mode” 6: The Lady’s Death
William Hogarth, About 1743

The final Seen The Lady’s Death in William Hogarth series of “Marriage A-la-Mode” takes place at the home of the Countess’s father. Here, she has taken her own life with poison after finding out her lover has been hung.

Life is not forever, at some unknown time it comes to an end. The Lady’s Death painted by William Hogarth is a perfect example art showing Morality during the Classical Era. And that Morality applies to us all man, woman, and child.

As a mother, this piece hits me hard. It is an emotional piece, yet it makes me angry no matter life, how can one leave her child behind? As an emotional piece, it is for me, its is by far not my favorite for the Classical Era nor will you find it in my home. My dislike of it comes from more than the depiction of the piece, for its the dark coloring of the picture that has me also turned away from it.

However, Morality was not the only in the paintings of the Classical Era but in the music as well.

Music In the Classical Era

Piano Sonata No. 16, First Movement
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Composed around 1788

This movement of Pino Sonata NO.16 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart us a very simple composition. It has a very happy uplifting sound that is very pleasing to the ear. The simplicity and uplifting sound were brought about by the emerging importance of compositions for the public. The popularity of public concerts changed how the music had once been conducted. Per the University of Kansas, “the keyboard player [within the Classical era] was no longer typically the composer/conductor, but instead was simply one of the players in the orchestra.” This indicates influenced by the individualistic ideas of the Enlightenment period, where the common man was important and aristocracy was frowned upon. Even the composer of a remarkable piece was just a common man, which was a very moral idea. The fact that music became accessible to more than the rich and powerful led to a greater moral standing for music.

This is a truly beautiful piece, however, im not one for classical music.Another art that Morality showed up in during the Classical Era was in the theater.

Theater In the Classical Era

With the emergence Morality in the theaters, many governments began to censor the theaters. What was being written and showed in city theaters had to be approved. Theater had also gone from a high-class pass time to being enjoyed by the middle and lower classes.

The morality play was an allegorical drama and seen in many different genres. A morality play is a play which characters showed moral qualities or abstraction and moral lessons were taught. They were plays on life and choice.

The Heiress,
Written in 1786 by John Burgoyne

The Heiress was quite an enjoyable piece for me and comical. It is one that teaches while entertaining its audience.

Present day

Even in the present day artist still, incorprate morality into the art they create. but they do so in many different ways. As well as do it in new medians that werent created during the Classical Eras or many of the other Eras. Examples in the visual arts, music and theater can be found today.

Present Day Visual Art

On Rue Férou, Paris, today in the rain, next to Man Ray 2013

In today’s modern age, THERE are virtually no limits. With all the breakthroughs we are living into are 100’s, technology is now what was believed to be fantasy. As a society, we can justify anything, and morals are going away.

This modern day piece of art Done in Pairs in 2013 ties into us needing to be reminded that we are all human. For just like life and what we are will doing to do art is endless, so where do we draw the line. When have we gone too far and can’t return?

This is a great piece. I love how straight forward it is. While never saying it makes one think about where do I personally draw the line between right and wrong. How can I stop myself from crossing?

Present Day Music

 With recent acts of violence, movements about race and an increase deaths caused by murder. The genre of music in the arts has grown louder with songs about death and its ever-lingering presence.  Becoming a huge reminder of Morality.

Coldest Winter, Kanye West 2008

I love this piece due to the realness of it. You can hear in Kanye voice that this song is about real emotion and pain. Is a simple song that is enjoyable but as well as blunt reminder we all die.

Present Day Flim

A true film of todays modern day Morality is the flim the flim Pursuit of Happyness staring Will Smith. It features a single father of a young boy, who loses everything but his son. Even Homeless with not a thing to his name, he holds onto his son and a dream. Creating a whole new world for him and son.

Pursuit of Happynesss (2006) Trailer

This to me is great stroy. This flim teaches not only small lessons through out it, but it has a big message by the end. That everyone in this world should know and learn.

My Personal Journey

Before this course, art had little to no effect to me unless it was my quilting to be honest.  I had no interest and really couldnt tell you about any  piece of art that spoke to me. I could only say if I like something and not always why. With my journey of art with this course, I can now look at a piece of art and tell you what emotion I feel and why I feel.  My mind has expanded from being one of not caring about the arts to being one of wanting a closer look.

 Bibliography

“Marriage A-la-Mode: 6, The Lady’s Death.” The National Gallery. The Nationa Gallery, n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2016.

YouTube user “cubusdk”, perf. “Piano Sonata No. 16 in C Major, 1st Movement.” Rec. 10 May 2008. N.d. Youtube.com. YouTube. Web. 13 Dec. 2016

“Piano Sonata No. 16 (Mozart).” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Feb. 2013. Web. 13 December 2016

“THE HEIRESS on Broadway Montage.” Youtube. The Heiress on Boardway, 1 Nov. 2012. Web. 13 Dec. 2016.

 “THE 18TH CENTURY THEATRE.” Encyclopaedia Britannica School and Library Subscribers. Encyclopaedia Britannica School and Library Subscribers, 12 Nov. 2015. Web. 13 Dec. 2016.

“Morality Play DRAMATIC GENRE.” Encyclopaedia Britannica School and Library Subscribers. Encyclopaedia Britannica, INC., 21 Sept. 2009. Web. 13 Dec. 2016.

“The Heiress (1786 Play).” Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, INC, 5 Sept. 2015. Web. 13 Dec. 2016.

“Art, like Morality, Consists of Drawing the Line Somewhere.” The Spadina Monologyes. WORDPRESS, 13 June 2013. Web. 13 Dec. 2016. 

Coldest Winter. Perf. Kanye West. Youtube. KanyeWestEVO, 11 Feb. 2010. Web. 13 Dec. 2016.

The Pursuit of Happyness Trailer. Perf. Will Smith. Youtube. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, 18 Oct. 2012. Web. 13 Dec. 2016.

Ming Dynasty

Ming Dynasty

The Ming Dynasty took place from 1368 to 1644. This was the same time period as the Italian Renaissance and the Northern Renaissance. During the Ming Dynasty, the already developed styles and techniques of the past became classical. Paintings of large-scale landscapes, flower-and -bird compositions painted in a realistic representation were highly flavored as images that would favor the dynasty. For these images were seen as a way to convey the dynasty’s benevolence, virtue and majesty. Many of the paintings were court order and had to be painted, to satisfy the imperial taste. The emperors used the arts to strengthen China’s identity.

 

Ming Dynasty Artist

One of the greatest artist of the Ming Dynasty is Dai Jin. Dai Jin was born in 1388 and died in 1462. Dai Jin painted in the style of Ma-Xia or the academic style of landscapes of the Southern Song Academy of (1127-1279).  Dai Jin took these old styles and elaborated them by adding blank space and flatten surfaces in order to fragmentary the senses. Dai Jin was also known by the names of Tai Chin and Wenjin.

Returning Late From a Spring Outing
Dai Jin, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Color and Ink on Silk
Location and year painted unknown
National Palace Museum, Taipei

In this piece Dai Jins brushwork emphasizes the expressiveness and shows the style is sprited and varied. The large amounts of empty blank space, along with the surface looking flatter with distance is the style of Southern Song Academy, that Dai Jin favored.

This is a beautiful piece to me up close and faraway. The small details Dai Jin put into the trees in the background and the bottom right, and the buildings and bridge truel give this painting life. Whening looking at this piece it feels as if I am looking out a window.

I picked this piece because it is the style and what I think about when I think about Chinese art.

Plowing in Spring
Dai Jin, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)  Color and Ink on Silk
Location and Year Painted Unknown
Zhejiang Provincial Museum, Hangzhou

Dai Jin used the same expressice brush strokes to elaborate the style of the past from the academy of the Southern Song. A style which had become a classical style. Even tho Dai Jin elaborated the older style, he kept its roots, and kept it tradtional.

This piece by Dai Jin I do very much like, although it is not my favorite painting by him. In this painting Dai Jin captured the hard work, of the men. Dai Jin left no opporunity for details. You really see the extent of the details in vegatation and the faces of the men. Dai Jin makes it feel as if you are there looking the men you are working with instead of looking at a painting.

This piece I picked because it shows a hard side in life to me of the era.

Wen Zhengming was one of the master painters of the middle and late Ming Dynasty. Wen Zhengming was born with the name Wen Bi and courtesy name Zhengming. He was a leading Ming Dynasty Painter, Calligrapher and Scholar. Wen Zhengming was young he aspired to work in the offices at the captial, but differences in offical and his personal ideas lead him to return him home. Once home Wen Zhengming devoted himself to the arts.

Wen Zhengming is regared as one of the “Four Masters of Ming”. He had a great impact on the painting styles of the middle and late Ming Dynasty. Wen Zhengming became known as a leader of the Wu School.

Song of Pipa
Wen Shengming, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
Ink and Color on Silk
location and Year painted Unknown
National Palace Museum, Taipei

Song of Pipa us a great example if Wen Zhengming style. Wen Zhengming favored subjects of simplicty, yet showed strength through isolation. As well as a discontent with offical life. Yet showed aspects of the eliet life, for the eliet was his audience.

This is a very beautiful piece. I love the up close section of the painting, but to me it does not mix well with the background. All together to me it would be much better with no background. Yet its simplicity draws me too it. However, you would not find it in my home.

I picked this piece because it is simple yet complicated. It shows the higher side of societies life, and not the lower.

Old Trees by a Cold Waterfall
Wen Zhengming, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
Ink and Color on Silk
Location and Year Unknown
National Palace Museum, Taipei

Unlike  many of Wen Zhengming other pieces this piece is not of a simple subject. Nor does it show the context of the eliet. It focuses on the strength of isolation. For no matter the strength and will of the waterfall, the tree stands tall with its roots deep.

I truly love this piece, the messsage is clear and does not get lost in interpation. The details of the tree are my favorite part and bring this piece to life for me. For at the top of the tree the increditable amout of deatil went to work show the details of the tree with no leaves on it. Yet Wen Zhengming puts the same amount of hard work and detail into the leaves on the tree in the middle and near the base, just amazing deatil.

I picked this piece because it was different and stands out among the other pieces of the Era. It really truly showed strength, just as China has over the centuries.

Bibliography

Department of Asian Art. “Ming Dynasty (1368–1644).” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. 

“Ming Dynasty 1368-1644.” Asian Art Collection. Princeton University Art Museum, 2004. Web. 11 Dec. 2016

“Dai Jin CHINESE PAINTER.” Encyclopaedia Britannica School and Library Subscribers. Encyclopaedia Britannica, INC., 9 June 2012. Web. 11 Dec. 2016. 

“Returning Late from a Spring Outing (春游晚归) by Dai Jin.” Calligraphy and Painting. Cultural China, 2010. Web. 11 Dec. 2016.

“Da Jin.” China Online Museum. China Online Museum, 2016. Web. 11 Dec. 2016.

“Wen Zhengming.” China Online Museum. China Online Museum, 2016. Web. 11 Dec. 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Postmodernism 1975-Today

Post modernism

Artist of the postmodernism are best defined by the artist they replaced, of the 1960’s and 1950’s. The artist of the 1960’s and 1950’s were active avant-garde. While Postmodernism artist were driven by new forward radical ideas, ideas of technological positive and of the grand western domain. The marking of these new artist was the arrival of Neo-Dad and Pop Art that came from post war America. Postmodernism came in many different artistic styles and formed over a total of four decades. These artistic styles included; conceptual art, minimalism, video art, performance art, and installation art. As different as each form of the many styles are, each are connected by certain characteristics, characteristics such as playful and ironical in how they treated fragmented subjects. All, showed the breakdown of both high and low hierarchies, all while undermining the key concepts of the past, authenticity and originality.  While holding emphasis on the image and spectacle. Many artists today continue to use the Postmodernism tendencies.

Key Ideas of Postmodernism

• Questioning of narratives from the modern period. The most important being that all technological advances are positive and benefit society. All while they rejected knowledge and history, while embracing local, contingent and the temporary. Right along with questioning things Postmodernism artist reject the idea and thought process that artist development as something that is goal-oriented.
• Woman were no long silent in the artistic world, there message was that men were not the only artistic geniuses. The artistic community also rejected the assumption that non-white races are inferior.
  • This resulted in the feminist art and minority art, which challenges the canonical way of think to be included in the post modernism or representations of Postmodernism.
• Meaning wasn’t determined by the artist when created, overturning that piece of art could only hold and having one meaning. Giving the viewer the right to determined his or her own meaning to a piece. Artist gave viewers the pieces that allowed their participation or required the viewer to create or complete a piece of work.
• A mark of influence was the ready-made Dada, due to its questioning of authenticity and originality. With the Dada combination of questioning and notion of appropriation, Postmodernism took the under minding beyond the point of the line (law) of copyrights. By going beyond the line artist crossed the copyright laws and infringed on the rights of other artists. Under minding of other artist took place in almost all styles and forms of the arts. Its extremes reach the level of little to no change to the original.
• The idea that visual culture is not only equal but is valid played its own role in Postmodernism. This idea broke down the lines between both high and low art, make it all equal. It also brought bout an importance of incorporating elements of popular culture. A key element in Postmodernism, that was seen in its roots during the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. As well as it undermined notions of and artistic worth.

My Post-Modern Exhibit 1975- Present

Knowing that there was so much to all the key elements of the Postmodernism, I decided to do an exhibit or a showcase of artists based on one key element that they all shared. The different artist I picked touched on the key element that women and minorities were artistic as well as artistic geniuses.

My choice for this key element is Cindy Sherman. Cindy Sherman is an artist most known for her photography, although she is a film director as well.

Cynthia “Cindy” Morris Sherman January 19, 1954 Glen Ridge, New Jersey, NY State University College at Buffalo

She was born in 1954 in the state of New Jersey, she grew up in New York state. She received her education while attending the Buffalo State Collage. Where she began her education in painting, due to technical difficulties she encountered early on with photography. Later on, however one of her photography teachers told her to forget the technical part of photography and take pictures. With that advice, she fell in love with photography and switched major from painting to photography.

Ms. Sherman typically only photographed herself, and does so in series. Although Ms. Sherman does not view herself as a feminist, many of her pieces of her work callout stereotyping of women in the media. Many critics have found Ms. Sherman to be one of the most successful female photographers of the Post-Modern Era. As well as one of the most successful artist of either men or women in the late twentieth century.

Untitled Film Still #3 1977 Cindy Sherman in her Kitchen

My first pick from the Cindy Sherman is her Untitled Film Still #3. Taken in 1977, the Untitled Fill Still was taken in Ms. Sherman’s kitchen. It dictate’s a form of vulnerability. As if she is trying to protect herself. This idea of protecting oneself, is seen her in her pose; her shoulders are tense, along with her arm is positioned over stomach in a protective manner. As well as her focus on something out of the frame, like she is looking at someone or may have heard something.

Giving viewers minds a place to wonder and give their own sense of meaning or interpatation to the still. The camera placement also plays a role in the tone of the film still, giving the viewer more to work with when interpatating what it is they are seeing.

Untitled Film Still #3 does very little for me emotionally or mentally. It gives feeling of an older horror flick style to me. A style in general that I do not care for.

The next piece from Ms. Sherman portfolio I picked to add to my exhibit is Untitled Film Still #35. Untitled Film Still #35 has a very different feel to it than Untitled Film Still #3.

 
Untitled Film Still #35, Cindy Sherman, Sherman Home

Untitled Film Still #35 is an image of a woman who appears to be both hard working, full of emotion and a touch of attitude. In this film, still Ms. Sherman is dressed as if she was from a different era. As though she was a house from either the 1950’s or the 1960’s. but it’s not her clothing that has a lot to say in this piece, it’s her body language. The stance she is holding in the image in from of what appears to be a very busy entry way. It is a stance of a woman who is upset or frustrated about something. Her glare is focused on something out of the film still, as if she is watching something or someone. And the look on her face of what she is watching is something that has her upset.

But it’s not just her body language that says so much or her out fit in this film still. It’s also where she is standing that sets the tone and the idea of what may or may not be happening. For she is standing in what appears to be an entry to a home. A busy home, with what appears to be the marks of a hard working as well.

To me this piece from Cindy Sherman says a lot. It’s a piece to me about no matter if a woman decides to have a career or stay home, she is the backbone and always hardworking, all while seeing all.

My second Artist I picked also showed the key element of female artist being artistic geniuses as well as a feminist artist.  My second artist is Victoria Van Dyke.

Victoria Van Dyke focuses her work on some ideas that we doesn’t seem would be fitting here in the United States, but as well as other parts of the world. She focuses her work on cannibalism, snakes, guns, religion, sexuality, and censorship.

Victoria Van Dyke tends to be a little radical at times. Her radical ideas and thinking are most noted in 2007, when she cut off her little toe and stuck it in a jar. Then tried to exhibit the jar with the toe inside of it in a art gallery. However, it was never made it to the gallery for the refused show it.

No Picture available of Victoria Van Dyke
(Victoria Van Dyke does not photograph herself out of shame of her body. )

Victoria Van Dyke is an artist that is currently in her 20’s. She currently lives in her home country of Canada. Her personal favorite artist is Manson.

Victoria Van Dyke is an artist with, (I hate to say) the typical tortured artist back ground. At the age of 13 she was raped by two man she believed to be her family. However, because she didn’t say anything until the age of 18, the men were never punished for their actions. With the years of keeping the event to herself and never seeing the men punished for their actions, Victoria suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts. Due to these thoughts and depression Victoria committed herself into a mental hospital and has continued to do so on off, as she feels necessary.

Art was originally a form of therapy method, for Victoria. When Victoria discovered she was not alone, that many women are sexual abused (1 out of 3) gave her inspiration to keep doing her art to help and inspire woman who had also been sexually abused.

All of Victoria art pushes the limits. Her fist piece I picked to put into my exhibit is her piece titled Ms America #02 2006

Ms America #02 2006 by Victoria Van Dyke
location unkown

This picture by Vitoria Van Dyke is one based on sexuality. Something that tends to be a touchy subject anymore. It features two women one with her breast covered in stars, the being in the style of American Flag, while she sits on what appears to be a red blanket. While another woman lays next her. However, this woman is completed nude with no cover ups. This is show the difference in how woman are viewed sexual in the us vs other places such as Canada.

This piece to me touches on a big problem here in the US. Where the female body has been so sexualized that what is natural has become wrong. I however believe that the message of this piece of Victoria Van Dyke was done in a distasteful manner. I’m not a fan.

My Second pick out of the many different series by Victoria Van Dyke is her toe in the jar. The toe in the jar is actually toe that Victoria herself cut off.

Severed Toe in Jar 2007 Victoria Van Dyke
Location Unkown

In 2007 Victoria Van Dyke cut her own toe off and placed it in a jar. She had hope to put it on exhibit in Toronto, Canada in an art gallery. The gallery refused the jar however. Victoria Van Dyke Severed Toe in Jar is a piece that immobilizes pain and puts it out there in front of everyone to see.

Severed Toe in Jar is a piece; I can’t quite wrap my mind truly around. It has no meaning to me nor does it stair any emotion inside of me. All I can think of when I see this piece or hear the story behind is think crazy and why.

My third and final artist for my exhibit is yet another feminist artist as well as a artist who shows that females are also artistic geniuses. Joyce Wieland Is my third artist. Joyce Wieland is an Canadian artist. She was a painter, filmmaker, and mixed-media (quilts) artist.

 Joyce Wieland and Michael Snow in 1964, photographed by John Reeves

My first piece by Joyce Wieland is a very well-known piece in Canada. It is her most famous piece out of all her work. However, the piece is not a painting or a film, it is a quilt.

Joyce Wieland – Reason Over Passion – 1968. Location Unknown. 

Called “Reason over Passion” is a ironic piece that focused on what was happening in Canada at the time and was directed at the then New Prime Minister Elliot Trudea. It was based on Trudea’s statement “Reason over passion –that is the theme of all my writings”.

I really appriate this piece becuse the median used says so much for she took an art style that was once considered “women’s work” and put it back out there during a time when art exclude women. All while women had been created art for years.

My second piece is by Joyce Wieland is “She Will Remain in Phenomenal World Filled with Ignorance with Her Sheep and Not Go with Him”.

Joyce Wieland – She will remain in the phenomenal world filled with ignorance with her sheep, and not go with him – 1983. Location Unknown

Painted in 1983, this piece is one of many that are truly autobiographical about Joyce herself. All while touching sexual -orientation and issues of feminism.

When I look at this piece it does not standout to me. The message is very subtle to me. The darkness of it turns me away instead of pulling me in.

Bibliography

Jenkins, Sarah. “Postmodern Art.” The Art Story, Modern Art Insight. The Art Stroy Contributors, 2016. Web. 14 Nov. 2016.

“Feminism & Feminist Art.” The Art History Archive. Toronto Website Design & Toronto SEO, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2016

“Cindy Sherman The Art History Archive – Photography.” The Art History Archive -. The Art History Archive -, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2016.

“IN CLASS RESEARCH- CINDY SHERMAN.” Shoki Lin My Portfolio. WordPress, 15 Sept. 2015. Web. 14 Nov. 2016.

Dyke, Victoria Van. “Who Is Victoria Van Dyke.” VIctoria Van Dyke. The Lilith Gallery Of Toronto, n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2016

“Victoria Van Dyke.” The Lilith Gallery. Toronto Website Design & Toronto SEO, n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2016.

Sloan, Johanne. “Joyce Wieland.” Art Canada Institute. The Art Canada Institute, 2013. Web. 15 Nov. 2016.

MacNevin, Suzanne. “Joyce Wieland.” Joyce Wieland Canada’s Greatest Female Artist of the 20th Century. The Art History Archive, n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Influence of African Americans During the Early Modern Era

 

The Cotton Club, Harlem, New York City, c. 1930.

During the Early Modern Era  African Americans had a hugh influence on the arts. Their influence became known as the Harlem Renaissance. For its birthplace was the Harlem district of New York City. When the district became the culture center, drawing in the black writers, artist, musicians, photographers, poets and scholars to the districts streets. Making the district a symbolic capital of a culture awakening, with an incredible concentration of intellect and talent.

The movement is known as the most African Americans most influential movement in literary history and in the arts. It was started by: Jean Toomer, Langston Hughes, Rudolf Fisher, Wallace Thurman, Jessie Redmon Fauset, Nella Larsen, Arna Bontemps, Countee Cullen, and Zora Neale Hurston. The purpose of the Harlem Renaissance was an attempt to change “the Negro” in societies stereotypes. For the it was an aesthetic movement not a political movement.

Art

During the Harlem Renaissance, African American artist still fought against racism. Lois Mailou Jones was a female painter during the Harlem Renaissance movement.  She trained at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Designers Art School of Boston, School of Fine Art in Boston, and Boston High School of Practical Arts as well as many other places. The 1930’s were the early years of Lois career, during this part of Lois career her art reflected the traditions of Africa. During her early career, she also designed African style mask.

 

Lois Mailou Jones, Year Unknown, Location Unknown

 

Lois had an iron will, she wanted to prove, that she was as good of not better than white artist. Often she would have her white friends enter her paintings into white only shows. She often won these shows but often would have to return the award and prize of winning, after reveling she was an African American.

The Ascent of Ethiopia 1932 by Lois Mailou Jones
Harlem District, New York, USA

 

Lois, painted The Ascent of Ethiopia in 1932. She used colors that reflected the atmosphere of Harlem during the 1920’s. The Ascent of Ethiopia was painted to show the fight and ancient heritage of the African American. Reflecting their pride of what they had accomplished over the generations. Lois made sure the emotion of this was the life of the painting. But she also made sure the painting showed the stuggle of each generations accomplishment.

The purpose of The Ascent of Ethiopia was to bring to light what was happening in society to the African American population.

Music

The greatest musical take away from the Harlem Renaissance is Jazz music, but with the jazz we also gained the style of swing. One of the most important people in the bring to life of jazz was Louis Armstrong. Armstrong had a huge influence and impacted on jazz. He was of the most important artist of the Harlem Renaissance, nicknamed “Stachelmouth” due to his wide and huge grin. Armstrong brought jazz a soloist art into the ensemble art we know naturally think jazz music to be. To this day he is still one of the most popular jazz artist to date.

Cornet Chop Suey By Louis Armstrong

Heebie Jeebies by Louis Armstrong and the Hot Five

Theater

It was toward the end of the Harlem Renaissance, that the movement made its way into the theater. One of the biggest venues that seen the Harlem Renaissance is the Apollo Theater. The theater had an already played a big role in emergence of jazz and other developing music types of the movement and era.

In 1934 the Apollo Theater was bought by Cohen and his partner Morris Sussman, they changed the shows and expanded it to marking the attention of the growing African American community in Harlem. It soon became a popular venue for African American: films, plays, and musical performances. The Harlem Renaissance sought to overcome a decade’s ling constrained theatrical presentation of black life. It became referred to as the “Negro Experience”. White authors play writes gained new life as black performers found their way to the stage.

As popularity grew, for the “Negro Experience” all black theater groups arouse in several cities. Willis Richardson was one who found a calling in theater. Richardson play “The Chip Woman’s Fortune” (produced in 1923) was the first African American  play that was a non-musical to be produced on Broadway.

Personal Thoughts

To me the Harlem Renaissance is another way to refer to the 1920’s, which to me was not a movement but a time of discovery in the U.S. and of experimentation. It was a decade of partying that spilled into the 1930’s. However, there are things that came from this time that I do appreciate and have come to love, such as jazz and blues music. 

Bibliography

“Cotton Club”. Photo. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Web. 24 Oct. 2016.

Wormser, Richard. “THe Harlem Renaissance (1917-1930).” The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow. OBS, 2002. Web. 24 Oct. 2016.

“Harlem Renaissance.” History.com. A&E Networks, 2009. Web. 24 Oct. 2016.

Hutchinson, George. “Harlem Renaissance American Literature and Art.”Encyclopaedia Britannica School and Library Subscribers. Encyclopaedia Britannica, INC., 6 Oct. 2016. Web. 24 Oct. 2016.

“Biography.” Lois Mailou Jones. International Arts & Artists, n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2016.

“Lois Mailou Jones Biography.” The Biography.com Website. A&E Television Networks, 1A Apr. 2014. Web. 24 Oct. 2016.

“Lois Mailou Jones.” Virtual Exhibition Racism & Censorship in the Black Diaspora. WORDPRESS, n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2016.

“Loïs Mailou Jones.” National Museum of Woman in the Arts. National Museum of Women in the Arts, n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2016.

“Louis Armstrong.” THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE. Blogger.com, n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2016.

“46e. The Harlem Renaissance.” U.S. History Pre-Columbian to the New Millenium. Ushistory,org, n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2016.

Louis Armstrong-Cornet Chop Suey. Perf. Louis Armstrong. Youtube. Ma3FoisPlusEfficace, 4 Nov. 2010. Web. 24 Oct. 2016.

Heebie Jeebies-Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five. Perf. Louis Armstrong and the Hot Five. Youtube. A Place for People Who Love Music., 6 Jan. 2009. Web. 24 Oct. 2016.

“APOLLO THEATER HISTORY.” Apollo. Apollo Theater, n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2016.

“harlem Is…Theater” Documentary. Youtube. CommunityWorks NYC, 12 June 2014. Web. 24 Oct. 2016.

Randolph, Ranny. “Transcript of Harlem Renaissance Theater.” Harlem Renaissance Theater. Prezi INC, 1 Mar. 2011. Web. 24 Oct. 2016.

“African American literature”. Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online.
Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 25 Oct. 2016

 

Impressionism

Pyramid of Skulls, c. 1901, The dramatic resignation to death informs several still life paintings Cézanne made in his final period between 1898 and 1905 which take the skulls as their subject. Today the skulls themselves remain in Cézanne’s studio in a suburb of Aix-en-Provence

What is Impressionism

In 1874 the group known as the Anonymous society of Painters, Sculptors, Print makers etc. launched an art movement that came to be known as Impressionism in Pairs, France. Independent artist, with diverse approaches to painting came together and contemporaries as a group.  The style was not popular among the man. It was criticized for looking unfinished.

The Impressionism style was demonstrates, short, broken brushstrokes, with pure unblended colors, that emphasized on the effects of light. A technique that many independent artist adopted. the artist used bright colors and did not dull there works by adding the thick golden varnish that was customarily used to dull the colors.

Popular subjects for impressionist was images of suburban and rural leisure located out side of Pairs, along with landscapes and daily life. Marking a break from traditional European painting, Impressionism was a momentous movement.

Opinion

When it comes to Impressionism, I am not a hater or a lover. There are pieces I truly enjoy and others I will happily pass on. One artist who has pieces I both love/like and that I would pass on is Paul Cézanne.

Paul Cézanne, French, 1839–1906 Study of a Skull, 1902–04

Paul Cézanne was a french painter. His piece study of a skull is one of my favorite pieces this is due to the simplicity of the piece. Tho very simple is a powerful piece reminding that mortality is very real.

Another piece by  Paul Cézanne, that is a impressionism piece that I truly like is his piece Pyramid of Skull,  tho it is a dark piece of morality Paul uses bright colors and reflects the light back out of piece making it seem as if the view is walking upon the the Pyramid of Skulls in the dark with a flash light giving it real world beauty. (Pyramid of Skull can be view at the topic of this blog).

Ships Riding On The Seine At Rouen, 1873 by Claude Monet

Claude Monet was one of the pioneers of the Impressionism movement.  However, not one of my favorite. In the piece Ships Riding On The Seine At Rouen, painted in  1873 to me the colors were still on dull side and following suite with traditional European painting. But I do like however how when you look at the piece it pulls you in and gives you the feeling of being on the water during mid day.

Claude Monet, Sunrise, 1872

When it comes to Claude Monet, my favoirte Impressionism piece would be Sunrise. Painted in 1872, it envokes he emotions of a early moring day and the feeling of being close to nature. The bright colors with the emphsis on the effects of the light. It has become a piece that pulls me into it, and allows me to discover just a little more emotion, thought and discovery every time I look at it.

 Compared

When comparing the Impressionism art to other artistic style, its easy to tell them apart. Such as with Still Life of Apples and Peaches by Fede Galiza and Paul Cezanne – Still Life with Skull, 1900. For the Impressionism still life piece is bright with color,  envokes a feeling down deep in ones mind and full life. But the still life done done in 1607  is dark and full of high contrast and dull colors, as it follows with the traitional European painting style.

Still-Life with Apples and Peaches, Fede Galizia, 1607

Paul Cezanne – Still Life with Skull, 1900

Bibliography

“Paul Cézanne.” Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc, 18 Oct. 2015. Web. 17 Oct. 2016. 

“File:1902, Cézanne, Study of a Skull.” Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, INC, 6 Sept. 2015. Web.

“Impressisonism.” ART Movements. Magic Web Solutions UK, n.d. Web

Samu, Margaret. “Impressionism: Art and Modernity.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/imml/hd_imml.htm (October 2004)

“CLAUDE MONET.” Art Shebang. Jason T. Campbell, n.d. Web.

“SHIPS RIDING ON THE SEINE AT ROUEN.” Art Shebang. Jason T. Campbell, n.d. Web.

“Impressionism in the Romantic Era.” A Life Refined. WORDPRESS, n.d. Web.

“Still-Life with Apples and Peaches, Fede Galizia, 1607.” Art History Blogger Discussions on Painting, Sculpture, Architecture and More. Carol Hendricks, n.d. Web

“Paul Cézanne – Still Life with Skull at National Art Gallery Washington DC.”Flicker. Yahoo, n.d. Web.

Morality and the Art of The Classical Era

During the classical era morality played one of the largest roles in the arts. Due to morality have such a large role in the arts, that the government of Britain felt the need to censor. In 1737 Britain passed the Licensing Act of 1737. This act was so the government could censor the theater and keep what they believed to be lewd out of the theaters. By censoring the theater, it created a change in audience, making it largely middle class viewers.

By censoring the plays the government of Britain was placing boundaries and lines for what was considered lewd, and bad behavior, it also made them very clear. It was accomplished by the creation of a fake play by the government. It is said to be fake due to no evidence of it ever existing, has ever been found. This fake play was known as “A Vision of The Golden Rump”. It was said to be a play about a king with gold in a unpleasant place and its removal. Full of bad behavior, inappropriate humor and far from moral, the playwrite of the “A Vision of The Golden Rump” is anonymous. By banding this play and making it known the government of Britain made the boundaries and lines very clear.

“A Vision of the Golden Rump” to me was a very crude and inappropriate play and was correct to be band.

   Political Cartoon– The Festival of the                                                                                                                                 Golden Rump

 

Opera

Engraved print of The Beggar’s Opera by William Blake after Hogarth, London, England, about 1729

“The Beggar’s Opera” was created by a English man named John Gay in 1728, while in his home country of Britain. John Gay created a whole new style of opera, with the “Beggar’s Opera”. This new style allowed for more then just sing, it also allowed for spoken parts. It also took popular tunes well know by the public and turned them into satirical lyrics.

This new form of opera stood out to me, for it was created before Britain began to censor the arts. “The Beggar’s Opera” was meant to expose and criticize a persons or a groups moments of low intelligence, by the use of humor.

 My Opinion of this style is high. For it does what it is meant to do on a high note, and is far from crude. Also because the Beggar’s Opera is a upbeat and funny even thou it is meant to criticize.

The Piano

The piano was not a new invention during the Classical Era but it underwent many changes. With every change, it created new sounds and new styles of music, evolving the the different sounds of music as the ear progressed.

The piano went unnoticed for the early part of the 18th century and wasent truly noticed til 1760’s. As the piano became more noticed so did all the different styles and sounds of the piano.

 

Rococo Style

A room decorated in the Rococo style, Nymphenburg palace, near Munich.

Rococo style is a visual art from the beginning of the Classical Era, and it ties the Baroque Era to the Classical Era. It is a lighter and more intimate style then thous that had come before. It uses delicate interlacing of the curves and counter-curves filled with natural shapes. The style began in France, before spreading out.

To me this much lighter style is a little too feminine for me, but is a nice change compared to the heavy dark styles of the eras before.

Bibliography

 

Hay, Eliza. “The Licensing Act of 1737.” The Licensing Act of 1737. Math Grin, n.d. Web.

“The Golden Rump.” Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, INC, 16 Sept. 2015. Web.

“The Contemplator’s Short History of John Gay and the Beggar’s Opera.” The Contemplator’s Short History. Contemplator, n.d. Web.

“TECHNICAL HISTORY of the PIANO.” TECHNICAL HISTORY of the PIANO. Cantos, n.d. Web.

“18th-Century Plays.” 18th- Century Theatre. Victoria and Albert Museum, n.d. Web.

“Rococo Style.” Encyclopaedia Britannica School and Library Subscribers. Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11 Dec. 2014. Web.

 

 

 

Baroque Era: The Influence of Royalty

 

The Baroque Era wasn’t the first great era of the arts, this lead to giving artist more freedom with the arts. The Baroque Era is thought to be the first of “modern age” art. Now able to express there emotions and reality, it was a turning point for humanity. One of the most dramatic changes during the Baroque Era was the adding of movement. Many artist also made there pieces both colorful and vibrant as well. This new style of colorful, vibrant pieces full of movement became a must have for those of the upper classes.

The Catholic church helped the Baroque Era to grow and gain hold, accompanying the  Counter-Reformation. Baroque style became popular in the royal courts as the it moved north through Europe. In the royal courts it symbolized emerging power of new monarchies. The demand for Baroque art became great due to the demand for it by the royals. It was used to show wealth and power.

Baroque art was used to show more then wealth, it was a way to impress  visitors. It expressed triumph, power and control to visitors. Palaces during this time were built in the Baroque style. The royals built the palaces around entrances of courts, grand staircases and reception rooms of increasing opulence. The new Baroque style became a sign of wealth and power during the Baroque Era.

Connecting the Renaissance and Baroque Era’s

When looking at the powers during the Renaissance and Baroque Era one family stands out. Medici family that is.  During the Renaissance the House of Medici created a powerful dynasty for themselves. By backing a pirate, who then thanks to the Medici became a Pope John the 23rd. By doing they become the Gods bank. This gave the rise in status they needed to become one of the strongest families. Also help them become one of the driving powers of the Renaissance Era.

However the Medici dynasty had only begun during the Renaissance Era, and it continued on into the Baroque Era. The Family continued to not only take positions of power inside the Catholic church, but also it married itself into royalty. In 1533 Catherine De’Medici, married Henry II of France. Catherine and Henry II had ten children together. In 1559 Catherine passed away. Before her passing Henry II sudden death pushed Catherine to the forefront and her oldest son Frances to rule over France.  This Kept the Medici family influence strong and going, as the Baroque style became popular in the royal courts.

A Piece from the  Baroque Era

Palace of Versailles, Hall of Mirrors, built in during the late Baroque. Built by King Louis XIV of France in 1678, it was completed in 1684

 

Palace of Versailles.

As Visual arts go during the Baroque Era, my favorite was the architectural. There is far and few building built with the architectural lure and visual beauty as was built in prior century’s.  My favorite from the Baroque Era is the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace Versailles in France. The Palace of Versailles is in a away a walk through the eras, having being built in one era and then added onto by many during different eras. Each add on was done in the new eras style and design.

One add on to the Palace of Versailles is The Hall of Mirrors. It was built by King Louis XIV in  1678, and completed in 1689, it has breath taking views of the gardens out the windows, all 17 windows to be exact. On the opposite side of the hall, hangs mirrors. there are 578 mirrors in the hall. Each mirror matches the size of the windows exact and are hung in a manner to catch all the natural light the windows filter into the hall.  The hall is meant to catch all the  light from the setting sun.

To me the hall show cases the very meaning of the Baroque style. All materials used in the building of hall were from France, none were imported giving grand design and hall a even grander stance.  Nothing was left out in the building of it, it not only pulls the eye around but up and down it. Its beauty is in many ways unmatched in today’s modern era with our buildings of metal, and dry wall.

 

 

 

Biography

 

“Hall of Mirrors.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, INC, 14 Sept. 2016. Web. 28 Sept. 2016.

“Palace of Versailles, Pairs, France.” Traveldigg. Traveldigg.com, 5 June 2016. Web. 28 Sept. 2016.

“Hall of Mirrors.” Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution. PBS, 13 Sept. 2006. Web. 28 Sept. 2016.

“Catherine DE Medici.” The History Learning Site. Moocow, 2016. Web. 28 Sept. 2016.

“History of the Medici Family.” History of the Medici Family. Tuscany-toscana, n.d. Web. 28 Sept. 2016.

“The Medici Family.” History.com. A E Networks, 2009. Web. 28 Sept. 2016.

“What Influenced the Baroque Movement?” Artsz.org. Pictum Qualitas Website, 2008. Web. 28 Sept. 2016.

“Baroque Period.” New World Encyclopdia. MediaWiki, 13 May 2016. Web. 28 Sept. 2016.

“The Baroque Era In The Arts.” World History. History World International, unknown. Web. 28 Sept. 2016.

Italian & Northern Renaissance: the House of Medici

The House of Medici

The Medici Family or the House of Medici are known as the god fathers of the Renaissance. Medici family was not unlike any other family of the time, they wanted wealth and power. They ran a small bank out of the back of a small shop.

Giovanni, head of the Medici family, pulled the family from obscurity and brought them into wealth. While Giovanni was alive and the Christen Church was on rocky ground, he backed a Pirate, and took this pirate all the way to being a pope, Pope John the 23rd. When John the 23rd became pope, he did not forget the Medici’s and made them Gods Bank.

When the Medici became Gods Bank, they grew in power and wealth. Cosimo the oldest son of Giovanni invested in the arts. He also continued his father’s search for the knowledge of the ancients, that had been lost. By bring this knowledge back, unknowingly a new way of life was started.

The House of Medici open two academies. These academies became focal points of artist perfection and discovery, along with birth places of new techniques that the Renaissance became known for. Cosimo commission artist from all over. He allowed them to bend the rules and to work in areas that were questioned by many and the church. Thus allowing many pieces that are famous today to be created. During this time 70% of the worlds artist were present.

By commissioning religious pieces, having the Medici family painted into religious pieces as well. Cosimo painted the family into the good graces of the Church. By doing so he was able to rid any guilt of collecting money or any other sin they had committed.

By placing themselves into the position of being God’s Bank, the academy’s, and its commissions of religious pieces, the Medici family placed its self in the center of the renaissance. it was a driving power behind the renaissance, without ever knowing it.

The above image is a painting of Catherine De’ Medici’s marriage to Henry II of France.

 

I believe the painting above is beautiful, I love the amount of detail put into the painting. The contrast of color set the mood of the painting and the importance of what is taking place. You can tell the who is of importance in the painting by how the artist placed them in the painting and by the amount of detail placed into them. While looking at this piece you are pulled into the moment and feel the significance and importance of the day.It shows the power and the place in society the Medici came to have as well.

 

 

 

Bibliography

“The Medici Family.” History.com. A E Networks, 2009. Web. 14 Sept. 2016.

“God Bankers.” PBS.com. PBS, n.d. Web. 14 Sept. 2016.

“Founding the Medici Dynasty.” History of the Medici Family. Tuscany-toscana, 2005. Web. 14 Sept. 2016.

“Influences on the Italian Renaissance.” ART/MUS/THR F200. WORDPRESS, 24 Apr. 2009. Web. 14 Sept. 2016.

Marriage of Catherine of Medici with Henri II of France. Unknown. Galleria Degli Uffizi, Florence Italy. Proma Guide Siena. Proma Guide Siena. Web. 14 Sept. 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

Hi my name is Hanna. I am from the small town of Kenai, AK, where my family moved to in 2000 from Oregon. I have never truly lived away from the ocean and often joke with my sister that we are true mermaids at heart. I am a single mother of the cutest little 19 month little boy, named Cillian (pronounced Killian) who was named after a Irish pirate. I am the Motorclothes Manger for Kenai Peninsula Harley Davidson. I am currently working on getting my BA in petroleum engineering. I am passionate about quilt making. I design and create my own patterns all while trying out different color combinations.

My relationship to art is found in my passion of quilt making. I use both the median of paper and pencil  as well as computer design software, and fabric. I grow my skills and experience quilting in many ways one of my favorite ways is by taking classes or joining in with different local quilt groups. I love music but haven’t played a instrument since high school,  I have passed my love of music onto my son. who is both relaxed and happier when he hears music and tends to like the old school country the best.

Here is video of a quilt tutorial from one of my favorite you tube sites Missour quilt company.