In-Depth: Landscape

     This assignment is all about landscapes, so it could be any thing that we have explored in this topic. They wanted us to be more ambitious than before so the had specific criteria that we had to met. For 2D works we would have to make 6 pieces of a series, and that sounds pretty crazy so I picked to do the 3D assignment that must fit  24'' cubic volume. This would be the largest 3D piece I make.

      From the small works I made two 3D pieces with the exploration of clay, I liked how it was easily manipulated and could be given a great amount of details. In the small works 3D pieces, the clay allowed me to make forms that looked realistic and that is the goal I was trying to achieve in the In-Depth piece. 

      For this landscape inspired piece, I went with the idea of focusing on the smaller inhabitants of our landscapes. I focused the art piece on insects, I took creatures that are very minuscule to us and i scaled it up. I wanted the audience to really feel emerged into the piece, to get a bugs eye view. 

      The insects I included are 3 ants, 1 fly and 1 millipede. The insect's bodies are all made with grey self harding clay and once dried that were painted with acrylic paints. Some of the limbs (ant legs, antenna, and fly wings) are crafted from floral wire. For the wings of the fly, I first bent large wires to create the shape, I then got thinner wires to create the vain like structure, after I got the wire part done I then got kitchen plastic wrap and melted it over the wire to give it a see through skin look. The fiber board was painted black and then I covered it in natural top soil, reindeer moss and floral moss to give it a lively appearance.

      The lollipop was a way that I wanted to show scale in size with the bugs and a human made object. The stick of the lollipop is painted a PVC pipe, it was hollowed out and gave it a sort of manufactured lollipop feel. The actual lollipop is made of real candy, it is melted down jolly ranchers, so because of this it gives the sense of smell, taste and texture of a real lollipop. Before critique started I had the lollipop laying down, and I then found out that the 3D had to be 24'' in width, length and even height. My piece was way too short and it would not have made the cut, but the lollipop saved my piece, I sat it up and it was a full 30''. Not only did this work but Don even said that the piece benefits from the lollipop staying up.

Small Works #3- Calvino.

Clarice

Invisible City—Identify four different materials that convey something about the mood or tone of the Calvino City you chose. Make an exploratory work with EACH of those four materials in which you attempt to use and emphasize the material qualities to present that mood or tone to a viewer.

"Clarice, the glorious city, has a tormented history. Several times it decayed,then burgeoned again, always keeping the first Clarice as an unparalleled model of every splendor, compared to which the city's present state can only cause more sighs at every fading of the stars..."

    

Rapid Fire Material Analysis:

    The materials that were used in these art pieces are, water color, marker, black indian ink, acrylic, tinfoil, dirt, moss, clay, glass, and other organic materials. The use of clay and organic materials is to demonstrate life, especially the kind of life that would drive from the city of Clarice, Mushrooms and insects tend to live off of the decomposing which is the dilemma that is happening to Clarice. The investigation of watercolors and indian ink are to convey the mood of the city through color by using many grey and black tones.

 Rapid Fire Formal Analysis:

    The pieces have a lot of organic forms and are then contrasted by straight lines and edges. There are organic forms with the large larva and mushrooms especially that they are made of clay which is an organic material. Then with the paintings they use a lot of grey tones and also some straight line work to show the industrial aspect.

Interpretation of Contextual Referent :

    The context of material and form bring about the sense of environment that is Clarice. Clarice was very decayed and home to infestation, along with a lot of debris and ruble lying around. The materials I used such as glass, tin foil, wood, dirt, and moss are all things that could all be possibly be found in a place like Clarice. 

An Understanding of Place Through Conveyance of Mood:

     As described before, Clarice is a desolate city of decay that is covered in debris and trash. All of the pieces were to represent the harsh times of Clarice, the use of Grays and black demonstrate the mood of a dystopian society, that it is dark and upsetting. With then the mushroom piece, that was to demonstrate the decay of the city, mushrooms are decomposers along with millipedes that I also included. From decay there is life, as there is moss shown which over time will grow to demonstrate the city's rebirth. The tin box is to demonstrate something eye catching and sort of pretty, but one you lift it up it shows a grub which to a lot of people that is disgusting. When Grubs are placed in dark places they begin to transform in to their final/adult stage which is magnificent. The use of the tin box was to show that process of transformation, Clarice was one a gross city but then over time it flourished.

In class exercises #4: Landscape

      Authority

        We were asked to go out and explore the downtown area of NWSA, while doing that we are to collect a minimum of 3 objects that we find in this enviroment. In this exercise we needed to partner up, I partnered up with Adriana and we went to a field like are that isn't too far from NWSA. Adriana and I collected a large leaf, a reddish leaf, a snail shell, a large branch and a millipede.

   After returning to class with our objects, we were then to pair up to a larger group of up to 10 members. The other members of our group collected a large play kitchen designed for a child, receipts, children's toys, beer caps, some paper garbage, etc. As a group we were to collaborate and make something depicting the term that we were going to be given. Our term was Authority. It was difficult at first because we all struggled to choose an idea. Another problem was to figure out how we were going to demonstrate it, many of us that that performative would have been the best ides but in the end we didn't follow through with it and instead choose to do a writing of it. So at the very end we went with the idea that in order to succeed in life you must outgrow your childish behavior and grow into an authoritative state.

In class exercise #3: Depiction from oberservation at park or garden

"Birds EVERYWHERE, I can see them, I can hear them... The mosquitoes aren't that bad at the moment, but they are annoying"

        In this assignment we were to pair up with a partner and read each others observations. Based off of that observation we were to collaborate in an art piece. I partnered up with Adriana, we both observed natural settings and mostly focused on the animals in the environment.
         I picked her sentence about birds and she picked my sentence about mosquitoes. Based off of those sentences we chose to make something weird. From those we created a bird and mosquito hybrid. This assignment was a fun collaboration to see how others think.

Small work #1- Street or Garden.

Garden.

For this assignment we had to choose between street or garden, and I chose garden because I prefer nature. The location I decided to go to was the Everglades. I would go to the Everglades a lot as a kid especially since my dad works there, and he'd take me to work with him. The section of the Everglades that I mostly focused on was the Pine rocklands thats my favorite area to hike through. Once we found our location I wrote in my sketch book my observations:

       "Taking a trip into the Everglades. There are a lot of pine trees especially here in the Rocky Pine-land area. Which by the way, is an endangered part of the ecosystem. The grass here is very long and dense, up to my knees and are kind of spiny. The ground is dry and rough, a lot of edgy rocks covering the ground. 
         It's very relaxing here, there are no sounds of cars, all I can hear are wild birds and the wind. The mosquitoes aren't that bad at the moment but they are annoying. There are a lot of amazing animals that live here that you can't really find anywhere else. I love the Everglades, I used to come here a lot as a kid but it can be kind of scary. You can easily get lost if your are not careful, lucky I'm with my dad and he knows what he's doing."







After the observational writing I then went on to the next page to do my observational drawing. I did a sketch of a point of view of the Pine rocklands I wanted to incorporate the tress, grass and palms.  There are a lot of pine tress and sable palms in the area and that is a good representation of the Pine rocklands.

After completing the observational piece we were to create an IMAGINARY CREATION. I based my creative piece on experiences I had as a kid, and the fear I had of getting lost. When I was little I would go camping with my dad, and we would go out into the trails at night to explore and he'd then ask me to find my way back (my dad would be with me), but I'd still have the fear of getting lost. That was the inspiration I had for my piece.

In-Class Exercise #2: Making a Map

   


On this topic we are focused on landscapes. We were discussing maps and the affects it has on the landscapes. For this exercise we were to pretend we were cartographers, we had to map out our route from home to school. This was kind of difficult since I don't drive so my boyfriend drives and I'm usually sleeping in the car and then there are days in which we take the metro.
On this exercise my map was very vague, and so it was sort of empty. We then had to re create it and add what we were missing. After that I made a more exact map image to show my progress.

Topic #4: Landscape- Additional quick research to accompany your reading of Eccentric Spaces

Ha-has (recessed walls)--where do you find these?

• Ha-has are still found in the grounds of grand country houses and estates and act as a means of keeping the cattle and sheep out of the formal gardens, without the need for obtrusive fencing.

Parco del Mostri--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

• Located in Bomarzo, in the province of Viterbi, in northern Lazio, Italy.
• The garden was created during the 16th century 1552.
• The pegasus.

Roman Forum--What function did it have? Where, when, what's your favorite image?

• The Roman Forum is considered to be the most celebrated meeting place in the entire world. It was known for holding triumphal processions as well as numerous elections for officials, criminal trials, matches that were held between gladiators, and much more. It was the center of life during ancient rome.
•  It ws build over a period of time. From 29 BC through 203 AD. 
• Located in Rome, Italy.
•  The Temple of Saturn.

Boboli Garden--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

• Florence, Italy
• 16th through the 18th centuries
• Pegasus by Aristodemo Costoli - 1865

Jardin du Luxembourg--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

• Located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. 
• Was created beginning in 1612 by Marie de' Medici
• Medici fountain

Tivoli Garden (Italy)--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

• Villa in Tivoli , near Rome.
• It was opened to the public in 1843, but was being developed from the 15th century, all the way to the 18th century, and even further than that date.
• The Fountain of Pegasus

Bernini's Four Rivers--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

• Piazza Navona in Rome, Italy.
• 1651
• Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi

Jean Dubuffet's Jardin d'Emaille--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

• It is located in the garden of the Keöller-Müller Museum in the De Hoge Veluwe National Park near Otterlo in the Netherlands.
• Is a monumental sculpture  by Jean Dubuffet made in 1974.

Stowe Garden--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

• Located in Buckinghamshire, England.
• Developed in 1683.
• The Corinthian Arch

Stourhead Garden--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

• Located at the source o the river Stour near Mere, Wiltshire, Englang
• 1754
• Rhododendrons in flower

Washington DC parks (any park space, structure, monument, or public artwork of your choice)--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

• Washington monument
• Located on the National Mall in Washington D.C.
• Construction of the monument began in 1848, and was halted from 1854 to 1877 due to a lack of funds, a struggle for control over the Washington National Monument Society, and the intervention of the American Civil War. Although the stone structure was completed in 1884, internal ironwork, the knoll, and other finishing touches were not completed until 1888.

Vizcaya Museum--Why is this in Miami?  What is it named after? Who is responsible for it being built?  Where, when, what's your favorite image?

• Vizcaya is located in Miami because, James Deering needed warm weather to improve his health and because he undertook the challenge to build an elaborate estate in South Florida.
• Deering was intrigued by a Spanish merchant named Vizcaino who supposedly explored the Americas in the early 1600s. There is also a Spanish province that is known as Vizcaya.
• The architects were Paul Chalfin, F.Burral Hoffman and Diego Suarez.
• Located in Miami, Florida.
• 1916.
• Vizcaya gardens.

Fairchild Tropical Garden--Why is this in Miami?  Who is it named after?  Where, when, what's your favorite image?

• Dr. Fairchild retired to Miami in 1935 and joined a group of passionate plant collectors and horticulturists. This core group worked tirelessly to bring the idea of a one of a kind botanic garden to life, and in 1938, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden opened its 83 acres to the public for the first time.
• Fairchild gets its name from one of the most famous plant explorers in history, David Fairchild.
• Located in Miami, Florida.
• 1938
• The Butterfly Garden is my favorite exhibit.

Small Work: Poetry or Prose

Beware the mystic forest.

A forest of mystic colors,

of bright pinks and greens with sections of dark blue.

This forest is always hidden and unseen,

it stays dark with only small sparks lighting the way.

There are plants that spiral and swirl, 

and large voluminous shrubs that take mountainous form.

The forest is home to mystic beasts that have been unseen,

they have flawless humanoid features; blushy cheeks and large innocent eyes.

Their hominid features contrast with their beastly, yet elegant forms

they blend into the forest with their otherworldly colors.

There are noises that are both calming and yet cryptic, sounds similar to a weeping child;

they echo through the ethereal forest.

The forest is dense and full of life, 

coated in whimsical vegetation and accented with dark waters.

Even though it feels peaceful, it is still easy to get lost

the longer you wander the more disoriented your return will be.

You will wander further and further,

slowly becoming absorbed by this forest.

So there will be no more return, 

and you will be one with the forest.

You will be a weeping huminoid beast,

 whos sounds echo throughout the mystic forest.

WARP First Post

Labels Help You Organize

All blog posts must be labeled with two keywords, which blogger calls Labels. When faculty visits your blog for evaluation purposes, we will use the labels to quickly find your work. If you do not use the keywords properly, we will not be able to find your work. Proper set-up and maintenance of your blog falls under the Research and Participation part of your grade which counts for 30% of the overall semester grade. 

Topical Keywords

The first set of keywords correspond to the module we are working in. We will refer to these as topical keywords since they correspond to the topic we are exploring over the two-week periods. Your first group of posts will be labeled under Topic: Creative Impulse since this is the first topic (Topic #1). Here are the topical keywords you will use through out the semester:

Topic: Creative Impulse

Topic: Pattern and Ornament

Topic: Rhinoceros

Topic: Narrative

Topic: Landscape

Topic: Zine

Categorical Keywords

The second set of keywords will organize your posts according to kind. Here are the Keywords you will use for Labels:

Exercises - tag for posts documenting all assigned exercises. The first one will be the paper folding exercise from the first class. 

Readings - tag for posts containing your two paragraph responses to the assigned readings. The first ones will be for "The White Bird" and the Jerry Saltz article from Vulture.com. 

Small Works - tag for posts documenting all assigned small works. The first blog post labeled Small Works will contain images and accompanying descriptions of the three small works you complete for the Creative Impulse Module (Topic #1). 

In-Depth Projects - tag for posts documenting all assigned In-Depth projects. The first blog post labeled In-Depth Projects will contain images (or video if appropriate) and accompanying descriptions of the more robust work you produce in response to the Creative Impulse Module (Topic #1).

Outside Visits - tag for posts containing your two paragraph responses to all required visits outside of the classroom. These include visits we do together as a class [during class time] or individually outside of class time. 

Please be sure to use both a topical and categorical keyword when labeling your posts.

Next Steps

1. After copying and pasting this text into your first blog post, create your labels from the keywords we listed above. In the Edit post window you will find an area titles Labels where you can add your own custom labels to your blog. This is where you will add the keywords we listed above. Please be sure to add all keywords to the Labels window for this first blog post. 

The easiest way to do this is by copying and pasting the following text into the Labels window for this blog post:

Topic: Creative Impulse, Topic: Pattern and Ornament, Topic: Rhinoceros, Topic: Narrative, Topic: Landscape, Topic: Zine, Exercises, Readings, Small Works, In-Depth Projects, Outside Visits

Here's a screen shot of what that looks like, and where to find Labels when editing a post

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