Mod 5
For this assignment, I payed a visit to the Burchfield Penny Art Center and had a look around.
A.) Impact Artworks:
- 1. "Open Waters'' (2019)Large Installation by Judith Goldman, Andrea Wollensak, Bridget Baird, and Brett Torry, Composed of Projection, Sculpture, Photography, and Audio.
This piece left an impact on me, and I believe it was because it showcased a topic that is a large personal concern for myself; global warming. More specifically, the melting ice caps and rising of sea levels in the arctic and great lakes. It was an eye-opening experience to be in the great room, surrounded by images, sounds, and emotions that circulate around pollution, human damage and climate change, something many of us try to forget, but would be absolutely unable to ignore in this room. It swallows you whole.
- 2. "Frame from Charles Burchfield's Studio" by Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967) Wood and Paint, Creation Year Unknown, Gifted to Gallery in 1997, Dimensions Unknown
Burchfield's frame was mounted in the gallery, currently titled "A Focus On Wood," surrounded by many other artworks made of the organic material. What stood out to me, was the fact that this frame was hung with nothing inside it. Just the frame itself. It was something I had never seen before, especially in a gallery, and I loved it because it forced me to admire the framework, something rustic and handmade, and something we so often ignore as we walk through shows. The frame. It made me realize, that frames are art too. They have a meaning, a message and many formal qualities just like the things they hold. Why did he choose wood? Why this size? What made him choose this color of paint- why paint it at all? Artists have their reasons, and frames, have their reasons too.
B.) Connection Artworks:
- 1. "Swept Away," (A Focus On Wood) (2007) by Dianne Baker, Wood and Metal, Dimensions Unknown. This piece appealed to me with its rustic qualities and natural material. I made a connection to it through knowledge of my own work, which is often organic in appearance and material.
- 2. "Bentley's Place," (A Focus On Wood) (1970) by Frank C. Eckmeir, Woodblock Carving. Dimensions Unknown I drew connections from this printmaking block to my own work. As a print maker, I both enjoy and understand the difficulty carving wood carries, and I was able to appreciate this large, detailed piece deeper than I would have had I never worked with the material. .
C.) Curious Artworks:
- 1. "An Anniversary," (1920-1921) by Edwin W. Dickenson. Oil on Canvas. Dimensions Unknown. I am drawn to this painting by its color scheme as well as its formal style, but what makes me curious is its meaning. I want to know what exactly the artist was thinking about and working through when creating this painting, something the museum didn't offer.
- 2. "Adam and Eve: Oxunmore" (1971) by Adbias do Nascomento. Acrylic on Canvas. Dimensions Unknown. This piece is non-typical for what we see in art galleries, which would be white European art. I am curious about it because it depicts people of color in representing the Brazilian versions of Adam and Eve, versions we rarely see, even in higher level art courses. It makes me want to learn more about Brazil's cultural aesthetics, as well as other countries who are overlooked because their art is considered second hand. In our society, we rarely study art other than High Renaissance European figures, unless we take a special elective.This is a white privilege driven notion, and something I hope to see change in my life time This type of art is not regularly considered 'professional' or 'worth studying' in our American culture. That needs to change. Art like this is just as important and valuable to the world as the rest of it.
From the Video, "How Art Made the World"
1.) Most Interesting Fact(s):
- The most interesting 'fact' from this film is the fact that the authors of this video find a well-endowed female statue "extremely grotesque," enough to say so three separate times. Yet, athletic, males statue are both perfect and, "the best statues ever made." It says so much about our society, doesn't it? It really pinpoints how our cultural ideas of beauty and health are so warped and always changing.
2.) Reason(s) for Societal Promoting of Unrealistic Beauty:
- Humans make incorrect yet representational art based on what we find attractive/healthy. In our society, that would be a young, tall, skinny, muscular body. In ancient societies, it was well-endowed females. Why? Because in the modern age, we value 'health' or showcasing physical strength over ancient ideals of fertility and wealth- 'wealth' being the ability to eat so much one grows fat, a desired comfort in times of hunter/gatherer societies.
In order, these are images taken of the written works above. Images 1-4 are all from the first installation, "Open Waters."
A.) Impact Artworks:
- 1. "Open Waters'' (2019)Large Installation by Judith Goldman, Andrea Wollensak, Bridget Baird, and Brett Torry, Composed of Projection, Sculpture, Photography, and Audio.
This piece left an impact on me, and I believe it was because it showcased a topic that is a large personal concern for myself; global warming. More specifically, the melting ice caps and rising of sea levels in the arctic and great lakes. It was an eye-opening experience to be in the great room, surrounded by images, sounds, and emotions that circulate around pollution, human damage and climate change, something many of us try to forget, but would be absolutely unable to ignore in this room. It swallows you whole.
- 2. "Frame from Charles Burchfield's Studio" by Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967) Wood and Paint, Creation Year Unknown, Gifted to Gallery in 1997, Dimensions Unknown
Burchfield's frame was mounted in the gallery, currently titled "A Focus On Wood," surrounded by many other artworks made of the organic material. What stood out to me, was the fact that this frame was hung with nothing inside it. Just the frame itself. It was something I had never seen before, especially in a gallery, and I loved it because it forced me to admire the framework, something rustic and handmade, and something we so often ignore as we walk through shows. The frame. It made me realize, that frames are art too. They have a meaning, a message and many formal qualities just like the things they hold. Why did he choose wood? Why this size? What made him choose this color of paint- why paint it at all? Artists have their reasons, and frames, have their reasons too.
B.) Connection Artworks:
- 1. "Swept Away," (A Focus On Wood) (2007) by Dianne Baker, Wood and Metal, Dimensions Unknown. This piece appealed to me with its rustic qualities and natural material. I made a connection to it through knowledge of my own work, which is often organic in appearance and material.
- 2. "Bentley's Place," (A Focus On Wood) (1970) by Frank C. Eckmeir, Woodblock Carving. Dimensions Unknown I drew connections from this printmaking block to my own work. As a print maker, I both enjoy and understand the difficulty carving wood carries, and I was able to appreciate this large, detailed piece deeper than I would have had I never worked with the material. .
C.) Curious Artworks:
- 1. "An Anniversary," (1920-1921) by Edwin W. Dickenson. Oil on Canvas. Dimensions Unknown. I am drawn to this painting by its color scheme as well as its formal style, but what makes me curious is its meaning. I want to know what exactly the artist was thinking about and working through when creating this painting, something the museum didn't offer.
- 2. "Adam and Eve: Oxunmore" (1971) by Adbias do Nascomento. Acrylic on Canvas. Dimensions Unknown. This piece is non-typical for what we see in art galleries, which would be white European art. I am curious about it because it depicts people of color in representing the Brazilian versions of Adam and Eve, versions we rarely see, even in higher level art courses. It makes me want to learn more about Brazil's cultural aesthetics, as well as other countries who are overlooked because their art is considered second hand. In our society, we rarely study art other than High Renaissance European figures, unless we take a special elective.This is a white privilege driven notion, and something I hope to see change in my life time This type of art is not regularly considered 'professional' or 'worth studying' in our American culture. That needs to change. Art like this is just as important and valuable to the world as the rest of it.
From the Video, "How Art Made the World"
1.) Most Interesting Fact(s):
- The most interesting 'fact' from this film is the fact that the authors of this video find a well-endowed female statue "extremely grotesque," enough to say so three separate times. Yet, athletic, males statue are both perfect and, "the best statues ever made." It says so much about our society, doesn't it? It really pinpoints how our cultural ideas of beauty and health are so warped and always changing.
2.) Reason(s) for Societal Promoting of Unrealistic Beauty:
- Humans make incorrect yet representational art based on what we find attractive/healthy. In our society, that would be a young, tall, skinny, muscular body. In ancient societies, it was well-endowed females. Why? Because in the modern age, we value 'health' or showcasing physical strength over ancient ideals of fertility and wealth- 'wealth' being the ability to eat so much one grows fat, a desired comfort in times of hunter/gatherer societies.
In order, these are images taken of the written works above. Images 1-4 are all from the first installation, "Open Waters."
Hi again Elizabeth! the images you showcased from the Burchfield Penney were great. I went to the Andy Warhol museum in Pittsburgh for my Module 5 museum choice. You made great and detailed connections to the art, for example, the one entitled "Swept Away" , the way you were able to make a connection to your own art is notable! Your reason behind the "Societal Promoting of Unrealistic Beauty" I 100% agree with. I think the modern difference between wealth then and now is important to recognize, modernly, people like thin, tall, attractive people and older pieces of artwork showcased more realistic beauty standards, pale skin, curves, and things society has trouble accepting now. The "Open Waters" exhibit in the Burchfield Penney looks very interesting and intriguing, climate change is such a relevant topic in today's news, art is needed around it. Art can spread awareness and show how extreme problems can be through the use of color, sculpture, etc. I would love to see that one in person.
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