My kind of Town ( My Kind of Place )

For this curatorial project, we had to choose from four topics, thus picking the best one that we could use to represent ourselves through art works. I chose My Kind of Town (My kind of place) and chose pieces that best represent my ideal place that are also reflective of me. I looked on the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s website to find my art pieces however, when I visited the Museum I could not find the pieces I chose. The twelve works chosen illustrate a portrait of me because, they’re a group of places that I’d like to visit and they also represent my inner personality in a sense.

Majority of the works I chose are photographs of landscapes. After I decided which topic I wanted to do, I looked for pieces that could represent my theme. All my pieces are from the online collection of the museum. When choosing the pieces, I had to make sure I found it to be an ideal place and be able to reflect upon myself within the art work. I found a lot of pieces I liked but could not use them since I felt I couldn’t represent myself in the picture. In conclusion, my pieces are a mix of places I’d like to visit and a reflection of myself.

Anderson, Carlos. “A Man’s Castle” 1935-40. Color Lithograph.

This piece is a lithograph depicting a red house with a storm like background and a man walking up the hill to get to the house with his family waiting for his arrival. This piece reminds me of The Wizard of Oz because it looks like a storm is about to sweep away the house like in the movie. 

Rovner, Michael. “Border #8” 1997-98. Paint on canvas.

This is a picture of a person in the middle of what looks to be a street. This picture reminds me of the song “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day; it pretty much is of a man walking this lonely road all by himself like the songs says. It also represents me because, there have been times where I have felt like I was all alone and had no one but myself. 

Callow, William. “Caesar’s Tower” 1850. Watercolor

This is a light colored piece that gives you a serene feel. There is as castle with a lake in front of it, it makes me wish I could have a picnic in front of the castle and stare at the clouds all day. 

Porter, Eliot. “Dark Rocks at Edge of River” 1967. Dye Transfer Print.

In this photograph you see a portion of the Grand Canyon. I chose this picture because; I want to see the Grand Canyon at least once in my life. I also like how the sun is hitting the water in the picture it gives it more of a warm tone. If there were a safe and quiet spot next to this portion of the Canyon I could imagine myself sitting there watching the sunset. 

Berenice, Abbot. “Exchange Place” 1933. Gelatin Silver Print.

 This is a photograph representing the financial district. This is an ideal place because the location is flowing with businessmen, entrepreneurs, and smart hard working people. It’s also a reflection of me because, in the picture the buildings are so close to each other portraying a tight squeeze, this for me is supposed to represent money being tight especially during these hard times. 

Cuvelier, Eugene. “Fontainebleau Forest” 1860. Salted Paper Print from Paper Negative.

This piece reminds me of life in a strange way. The forest doesn’t look like the safest place but the way it looks makes you want to walk a little bit further like life, you never know what’s going to happen if you take a risk or a gamble.

Margolies, Samuel. “Man’s Canyons” 1915-54. Etching and aquatint.

This shows five skyscrapers in a city like area with pedestrians and automobiles on the street. Seeing this picture reminds me of Manhattan -big buildings, traffic and lots of people. This is a reflective picture of me because, I was born in the city and I’ve been there so many times I can relate to what is going on in the picture.

Cross, Henri- Edmond. “Landscape with Stars” 1905-08. Watercolor.

This is a unique picture that differs from the other pieces I chose. The sky stands out to me the most; the artist used a special type of brush stroke and chose bright colors to make the sky pop out. To me, this symbolizes my creativity; it reminds me of letting my imagination go wild and I’m sure a lot of people can relate to this picture. Even someone on drugs can say they pictured something like this piece before but that of course would be due to them hallucinating.

Evans, Walker. “Grave” 1936. Film Negative.

This is surely not an ideal place for most but for me it is. I’ve always liked cemeteries; I’d find them peaceful in a bizarre way, I’m sort of attracted to this picture. I would not step foot in a cemetery by myself because I am far too scared, I’d prefer to look at pictures instead. 

Fohr, Carl Phillip. “Four Castles of Neckarsteinach” 1800-18. Watercolor.

In this piece you see castles with some wild life and people too. I’d like to visit a place like this because, it reminds me of the country which I love. The picture is also supposed to be taken in Germany which is one of the places I’d like to visit especially since I’m part German.

Evans, Walker. “Rocking Chair on Porch” July 4^th 1948. Film Negative.

 This photograph shows a rocking chair in a dark abandoned room. It symbolizes my inner loneliness confined to a dark room with nothing but a rocking chair and open door to society. 

Greco, El. “View of Toledo” 1540. Oil on canvas.

This is a phenomenal piece with a lot of darker colors used in the piece. This place looks dangerous especially with the eerie sky which is why I like it and find it to be an ideal place.

Public Art Reaction.

Field Trip #5
This field trip was entirely different from the others! Instead of going on a trip together we worked by ourselves. Luckily form me, the public art I chose happened to be in Long island city not too far from LaGuardia the place I chose is Socrates Sculpture park. The actual piece I picked is "Untitled (Stump Fire #4) by Catherine Opie. This installment is a billboard of a fire and some logs representing the park's ongoing billboard series. When I look at the billboard I feel a sense of warmth and mystery. The artist is interacting with her surroundings because it's nature like and its related to the billboards series featured in the park. I think this piece can be a benefit towards the park because, it doesn't stand out too much and the darkness and depth of it makes it nice to look at, and I'm sure it'd look great if it were edited in photoshop. I think my perception of this piece would differ it were in a different location. For example, if it were in a gallery I honestly don't think I would like it as much because, the background would be all white so it wouldn't be as appealing to me. This was a really nice park though and I definitely recommend it!

Catherine Opie

"Untitled (Stump Fire #4)"

Billboard

September 9, 2012

LES Galleries Reaction.

Field Trip #4
The Lower East Side Galleries differ immensely from the Chelsea Art Galleries. Personally, I liked the Chelsea galleries better than the Lower East Side. I saw Joe Sheftel, Reena Spaulings, and Miguel Abreu's gallery.

In the Joe Sheftel gallery I saw an installation titled "Deep Space". This piece was to show the psychological effects of built space and how structure affects our emotional state. I think many curators from the Chelsea galleries wouldn't be interested in this piece because its not like the art works they are used to; however it is unique and as a deep meaning to it. Another installation work I saw was "As it Lays" from the Reena Spaulings gallery. This piece featured two chairs,two couches, a t.v, and a main setup. It looked like a talk show set, especially with the main stage. I actually liked this piece, I thought it was unique although it was simple, there was nothing crazy to it. The last piece I picked was "After Troy" from Miguel Abreu's gallery. This installation has three pieces, which are abstract art works representing the human body. With this piece I don't dislike it but I'm not too fond of it either. I think the choice of abstract art to represent the body was an interesting choice, and I do think that a curator from a Chelsea gallery would be interested in this piece.

In conclusion, some pieces I saw were fit for a curators taste while others weren't even fit for my taste. I think there is no yes or no answer to would a curator chose or keep one of the LES pieces because each person is different, they have a different perspective and opinion.

 

"Deep Space"

"After Troy"

"As it Lays"

 

Chelsea Galleries Reaction

Field Trip #5

For this field trip we visited galleries in Chelsea. We had to look for exhibitions from the galleries that we liked and disliked. From Marlborough Gallery (Stray Light Grey exhibition) I chose "Star mime" by Freeman/Lowe and "Nancy" by Chuck Close from The Pace Gallery as pieces I didn't like. For pieces I'd like to have I chose, "Turned on Season Spy" by Freeman/Lowe and "Orchid 22" by Lucas Samaras.

I chose "Star mime" because, I don't find it appealing at all and I don't see the purpose for it being created. I think this work isn't a good investment because it's not something people can relate to or feel an emotion from looking at the piece. I'd rather keep this piece in storage where no one can see it. "Nancy" is considered a bad investment to me because, the picture is a bit odd and I don't think people would want to post it up on their living room wall. I dislike this piece because, it's creepy and once again I don't see the purpose of it being made. I would keep this picture in storage, if it were a picture of a famous person how ever that would change my mind.

I chose "Turned on Season Spy" as a piece I'd like to have because, I love the colors used and their are very unique designs that capture the eye. This piece to me would be a wise investment because I would bring it with me to wherever I live and keep it in either my room or living room. The last piece I chose is "Orchid 22" by Lucas Samaras. I chose this piece because, I've never seen anything like this before, it's beyond unique looking and has a "trippy" look to it, I would put this piece in my room or in a basement. I think this would be a good investment because, people would find this piece to be sort of "exotic" and different. I would keep this piece hanging up and would never put it in storage.

"Star mime"

Freeman/Lowe

Created in 2012

 

"Nancy"

Chuck Close

Created in 1968

 

"Turned on Season Spy"

Freeman/Lowe

Created in 2012

 

"Orchid 22"

Lucas Samaras

Created in 2003

 

 

Illustrate a Story

Project 3

I created a collage on cardboard based on the story of Henry Flores and Gwendolyn Diaz. Gwen started a new job and caught the eye of Henry. He'd pass by her office and be left in utter amazement at her beauty, thus resulting in him stumbling into the wall. Eventually, Gwen asked him for a cigarette, Henry then brought three ash trays to her office and asked her to pick one, and from there they began to talk. Henry took her dancing and asked for a kiss at the end, Gwen replied back in a flirty manner and that started their passionate relationship. I found this story interesting because of the way it started off with music, it caught my attention. I also found their story to be very cute.

The cigarette symbolizes the reason why they first talked. The ash tray represents Henry's idea to break the ice between him and Gwen. And the dancing image symbolizes Henry and Gwen's first date. Although I was not supposed to put text in this project, I felt it would help the viewer understand my collage better.

Design in Our Lives

Field Trip #2

 

For our second trip to the MOMA, we had to look for pieces involving functionality. By functionality I mean if the object is practical.We had to look at four pieces of functionality, two that are considered high functionality and two that are low functionality. High functionality meaning it can be useful and low meaning it's not too practical.

 

For high functionality I chose "Truck: Utility 1/4 Ton 4 x 4 (M38A1) Jeep" manufactured by Willys-Overland Motors,Inc., Toledo, Ohio. The Jeep was used by the Army during World War 2. It's considered the best military jeep ever built due to the lack of doors making it easy to jump out or rush back in the jeep. The jeep's parts are designed for quick assembly and replacement; the top and the wheels can be removed and stacked, and the cars can be arranged like boxes for easy transport. The overall height is low, and the windshield can be folded down on the hood. This piece is still very ergonomic but was more useful when it first came out. The second piece I chose is "Tuttuno" (All-in-one-living system) made by Carlo Bimbi, Gianni Ferrerara, and Nilo Giocchini.It contains a pull out bed, table, drawers, and shelves below an elevated pit. This piece is perfect for a small apartment, studio, loft, or for a kids bedroom. It's useful because, you have a sleeping,eating,and entertainment setup all in one and it saves space.Both pieces serve a purpose for people and are beneficial.They also are helpful with time or space. With "Truck: Utility 1/4 Ton 4 x 4 (M38A1) Jeep" the components of the parts can easily be removed and put in boxes and the non-existent doors make it faster to jump out or in. As for "Tuttuno" you save space because instead of having a separate bedroom,eating,and entertainment center you have it together. It also saves time because, you don't have to walk around your living area since everything is together.

 

 

"Stars and Doves" by Antoni Gaudi and produced by Amigos de Gaudi personally is low functionality.It cannot be used to help you with a daily activity, it cannot physically be useful. It was used for Church for the people to admire."Paper Folding" by Fannie E. Kachline is another example of low functionality. I consider this low because, it doesn't serve a purpose that can help people. It's only pretty to the eye it doesn't serve as a useful object. Both pieces don't have a physical purpose and they can't be useful, which is why I chose them as low functionality. For "Stars and Doves" I would make it more ergonomic by putting a bird bath on it since it would be outside where animal life is. That way instead of it being there to be admired it can be used by birds. As for "Paper Folding" I don't think there is much you can do that would make it ergonomic.

 

In conclusion,I think art and design are two separate ideas. Just because you design something doesn't necessarily mean it's 'art'. For example a regular plate or cup would be considered just a design but, a fancy plate with designs on it can be considered art. To be a good design I think the design needs to be highly functional. It's a design therefor it has a purpose so it should be very useful.

 

HIGH FUNCTIONALITY

 

Willys-Overland Motors Inc.

"Truck:: Utility 1/4 Ton 4 x 4 (M38A1) Jeep"

Steel body

Established in 1909

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carlo Bimbi, Gianni Ferrerara,Nilo Giocchini

"Tuttuno"

Plywood covered with plastic laminate

1971

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOW FUNCTIONALITY

 Antoni Gaudi

"Stars and Doves"

 Plaster

1958

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fannie E. Kachline

"Paper Folding"

Various materials

1890

 

 

 

 



 



“Art and Identity: The Museum of Modern Art

Field Trip #1

       On October 3rd as a class we visited the MOMA in the city. We had to look for pieces that involved
either personal identity, cultural identity, or historical identity. Personal identity, meaning an art work that relates to the artist or an experience in his life. Cultural identity means an art work based on ethnicity, religion, or even gender. And historical identity, art work pertaining to a certain time period.

For individual identity I chose "Nan and Brian in Bed" by Nan Goldin. In the picture Goldin is seen gazing at Brian while he is smoking a cigarette. This picture is personal for many reasons, one being that the artist is in the picture and so is her lover Brian. This notion of identity differs from the other pieces because, it's a photograph instead of a painting or figure, it's more personal and easier to interpret the meaning for the art piece. This piece doesn't really overlap or have anything in common with the other pieces.

"Suited for Subversion" by Ralph Borland is an example of cultural identity, which was apart of the exhibition for Contemporary Galleries:1980's-Now. It was created as a protest tool that could provide protection from police batons during protest events, and at the same time serve to creatively disarm any baton wielders that protesters might confront. Borland was inspired by the work of other activists and demonstrators who wear protective clothing and make creative use of tools and technologies for protest. This is a form of cultural identity because, it involves a special interest group such as the activists and protesters. This piece differs from the others because, it's more of  a sculpture or a figure instead of a picture or painting. This art work however could be considered individual identity because, it's referring to the artists' subject and an experience he went through in his life.

And lastly, "Three Woman at the Spring" by Pablo Picasso is form of historical identity. The piece was created in the Summer of 1921, the idea was that after World War I, French society wanted to reestablish its roots with the grand tradition and sculptural vision of the human figure. You estimate the time of the painting being made because, of what the women are wearing, the vases they are holding, and by the technique of the painting. This painting differs from the other artworks because, it's an abstract piece of art rather than a piece that looks realistic. As for overlapping, this piece can also be personal or cultural. Personal because, the artist painted a picture of what he saw during his lifetime which would be considered an experience. As for cultural, what they are wearing and the vases they are holding show the lifestyle of people back in the 1920's.

In conclusion, these pieces that I chose seem to have more differences with each other than in common. Also, all three works have meanings that we can relate to; for example the photograph "Nan and Brian in Bed" is relate-able because, it involves loves and romance which a lot of people have experienced and can understand the reasoning for Nan gazing at Brian. Although these pieces are different from each other their meaning is quite understanding. Especially when it comes to abstract art it's not always easy to interpret the meaning for the piece but with "Three Woman at the Spring" you can distinguish that there is three women who don't look too modern.

Three Artworks:

                                                                 -Nan Goldin

                                                                 -"Nan and Brian in Bed"

                                                                 -Silver Dye Bleach Print

                                                                 -1983

-

-Ralph Borland

-"Suited for Subversion"

-Nylon-reinforced PVC,padding,speaker,pulse reader

-2002

-Pablo Picasso

-"Three Woman at the Spring"

-Oil on canvas

-1921