Class #10 Followup: Manifesto

Everyone in our society will be coming up with rules of their own and posting it up on their blogs, then when we get the opportunity to get together we'll discuss which ones to keep and which ones to get rid of or modify.

My Manifesto
1. No one shall commit obvious crimes (murder, theft, assault, etc...) against other members of society.
- Murderer - exile.
- Attempted murder - exile
- Assault - exile
- Attempted assault - exile
- Theft - Compensation of goods. Multiple theft counts and attempted theft counts results in exile.
2. No one shall lie.
3. Everyone has the right to bare arms.
4. Everyone must contribute to society.
5. No one is allowed outside our community borders past sundown. It be too dangerous.
6. After sundown, we must keep as quiet as possible. Don't want predators or an attack on our society.
7. Anyone is allowed to declare independence from society.

Note: Any member exiled or declares independence from our society will no longer be protected by our manifesto. Any threat to society shall be eliminated.

Class #9: Ai Wei Wei and Intervention

Big Brother

My public intervention was towards the government, I should say "Big Brother." We all know that the government is always watching us, on the phone, monitoring us online, etc... but we do nothing about it and go on with our I lives. Though I have nothing to hide, the idea that the government is always watching is annoying. Mind your own business government.

During my intervention, people were looking at me like I was crazy. Might have been due to the fact that it was 80 degrees and I had a suit on. But just what we were doing looked sketchy. Had I followed random stangers they would've asked me what am I doing. What they should be doing is asking that question to the government. But I didn't want to draw too much attention to myself or have to answer to the law.

Class #9 Followup: Survival

I really enjoyed the "Sea City 2000" vision of a Utopian city. I like the whole solar panels for solar energy and I am pretty sure they also have some sort of machinery to produce hydro power since the city is based on the sea. This sea city is pretty much an island which makes me agree more to this utopia. I always thought the perfect city would be on an island separated from everything else. It is just the island and the population. They have their own food source and produce their own materials. The only thing I disagree with is the speedboat and the cargo plane that connects the sea city to land cities. If this sea city is a utopia, there would be no need to have contact with land cities or other cities. Unless people want to explore outside the city. But then again, we should have everything we need on this utopia and people shouldn't want to leave the city.

Class #8: The Art Market and You're the Curator

Bleeding World

The first picture is called "Presentation" by Dana Schutz. Date: 2005. Medium: Oil on canvas. Dimensions: 10'x14'. 

The second picture is called "Bleeding Takari II" by El Anatsui. Date: 2007. Medium: Aluminum and copper wire. Dimensions: 12'11"x18'11".

The third picture is called "Fire" by David Wojnarowicz. Date: 1987. Medium: Synthetic polymer paint and pasted paper on plywood, 2 panels. Dimensions: 6'x8'

The fourth picture is called "Robbe-Grillet Cleansing Every Object in Sight" by Mark Tansey. Date: 1981. Medium: Oil on canvas with crayons. Dimensions: 6'x6'1/4"

This exhibition is called "Bleeding World" because it illustrates what is happening throughout the world and what will happen in the future due to global warming. All the greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide emissions we are releasing into atmosphere is causing extreme natural disasters which increases the death toll. The world keeps dying slowing until there is nothing left. After everything is gone we'll have to appreciate whatever there is left, which will be rocks basically. The audience for this exhibition are the people releasing all the greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere. Usually big corporations or people living a lifestyle with a big carbon footprint. Driving non eco friendly vehicles, people who do not recycle, and people destroying forests.

Class #7: The System (Art History)

1.

This is the Statue of Diadoumenos (Youth tying a fillet around his head) - 69-96 AD
it's a Flavian Roman copy of a Greek bronze statue by Polykleitos - 430 BC
This sculpture is of a young man tying a fillet around his head after winning an athletic contest. The original bronze statue was probably stood in a sanctuary such as that at Olympia or Delphi, where games were regularly held. It is made of marble and is 73 inches tall. This statue was sculpted very carefully and very detailed. The hair curls, eye lids, and even eye lashes were sculpted out. The sculpture focused heavily on body proportions and muscles.

This is statue is the Torso of a monumental bodhisattva, 5th century in Pakistan, ancient region of Gandhara. Made of Schist and is 64 1/2 inches tall. Originally 10 ft tall. Bodhisattva was said to have reached a state of enlightenment and stayed on earth to guide others in the quest of spiritual perfection.


2. For the first picture, the audience were for the people of Rome or Greek. Mostly for the emperor and higher ups.
For the second picture the audience were probably religious people.

3. The statue of Diadoumenos is bear witnessing to the physical attributes of athletes. Every muscled is sculpted out very detailed.
The torso of Bodhisattva is bear witnessing to a religious man who achieved the state of enlightenment.

4. Both statues are sculpted out paying attention to detail. However, the statue of Diadoumenos focuses more on details and proportions. the torso originally was 10 ft tall, i doubt any humans has been that tall.

5. There is a possibly that artist of the torso of Bodhisattva knew the techniques of the other because this sculpture was done a few hundred years later. But the other way around I don't think so since Greece was far from Pakistan and I don't think they reached that far.

6. Yes I believe so because it was done by so much precision and accurate proportions that it is a great work of art.

7. I believe so too as well because although the proportions were a bit off in terms of height, it is still a great sculpted work of art.

HW. Cooking up a Story. Mangu con lo 3 golpes

The dish that I chose that is important to our culture is called Mangu con los 3 golpes. Mangu is a form of making plantains. In this case you boil them and mash them. Los 3 golpes refers to whats complementing the plantains, which is fried salami, cheese, and eggs. Usually you add onions as well but since I was making this for myself I didn't add onions and I cooked the eggs in butter instead of oil. Well this is a very important meal to my culture because back in the Dominican Republic this is basically the main breakfast that everyone eats. It is mainly eaten for breakfast but basically any Dominican will eat this for which ever meal of the day. The DR is mostly a farming country, we raise a lot of cows, chickens, pigs, and plant a lot of plantain trees. That is why there is an abundant supply of plantains, eggs, cheese, and salami in the DR and that is why we tend to eat this food a lot. Of course because it is delicious and filling as well. The only times I've prepared this dish is when I cook for my brother or friends when we are hungry and we do not want to order food. Plus it always makes us happy. I'm happy to be cooking for my brother or friends that I've known for many years and they're always happy to eat one of my home cooked meals which they say is always delicious.

Ingredients

·         Green Plantains (2)

·         Eggs (1)

·         Salami (2 slices)

·         White cheese for frying (3 slices)

·         Cooking oil (2 ounces)

·         Butter (4 tbsp.)

·         Salt (1 tbsp.)

·         Water (approximately 59 oz.)

·         Lemon (1 oz. lemon juice)

·         Ice cubes (3 cubes)

·         Sugar (2 tbsp.)

Steps

1   Peel plantains

2   Cut plantains into quarters (cut half vertical and other half horizontal).

3   Place plantains into pot of boiling water (32 oz.)

4   Add 1 tbsp. of salt

5   5 minutes after water is boiling, add 8oz. of cold water

6   Repeat step 5.

7   Let water boil for 10 minutes

8   Turn off heat

9   Pre heat pan on high heat 5 minutes

1 Add 2 tbsp. of butter. Let butter melt across the pan

1  Crack open an egg onto pan. Add pinch of salt to egg.

1 Scramble egg till cooked

1  Once pan is cleaned. Add 2 oz. of cooking oil and preheat on medium heat.

1  Once oil is heated, add the 3 slices of cheese

1  Flip once underside is golden

1  Remove cheese from pan once other side is golden

1  Then add the slices of salami

1  Flip once underside is darker.

1  Remove from pan once other side is darker.

2  Now back to the plantains. Remove water from pan.

2  Add 2 tbsp. of butter

2  Mash plantains

2  Remove plantains from pot

2  Squeeze 1 oz. of lemon juice into cup

2  Add 11 oz. of water

2  And 2 tbsp. of sugar

2  Stir

2  Add ice cubes

2  EAT!

Class #6 Followup: Translation - Food as a metaphor

1. Klein's blue cocktail relates to the metaphoric nature of food to transmit ideas because one is consuming the blue cocktail. They are consuming the artist's idea and then releasing it. 

2.Warhol's Campbell's soup piece says that after WWII America's relationship with food has become more about instant meals. Instead of taking the time to gather the different ingredients, doing the proper steps, and mixture of ingredients to create a meal, we rather just buy a meal already made. All that is needed is a microwave to quickly heat it up.

3. I think baking your own bread is a political act because if you can't bake your own bread then you have to get it from someone. Which means you have to depend on that person; and if you need to depend on somebody then you aren't truly free.

4. In Da Vinci's Last Supper, the table and food that was prepared for Jesus and his 12 disciples showed no distinction in culture, it was just a traditional dinner. Where as in Chicago's Dinner Party, the table and food was prepared for numerous women in history, fiction or real. In addition, each plate portrayed a range of ceramic, textile, and other woman's craft to honor their contributions.

5. Rirkrit Tiravanija's, Theaster Gates', and Michael Rackowitz's projects take advantage of the social aspect of meal-sharing to generate ideas and discussions because everybody loves food. Everybody loves to eat food. So if you have a meeting with food, different cultures would love to attend to eat and talk about their culture food, ingredients and such.

6. I thought that Bozhkov's "Befriend the Bacteria" project was interesting. He created a food that came from himself. Not necessarily making food out of your own stool because that is discarded from your body. He actually got bacteria from his inside and froze it as if he were to preserve himself. So it is very similar to the self portrait of bear witnessing because it will last.

Class #3 Follow up

1) Mutu's human/insect/machine-like distortions of the body are sort of the opposite of the conventional notions of female beauty. When I look at her art I don't think it's beautiful because of the norms of beauty that I've been influenced by society. Beauty is perfection of the female body. The smoothness of the skin, the slim curves, and long legs. According to society that is and Mutu's art shows none of that.

2) I have a sort of love/hate feeling towards her work. I love the fact that she puts together all of these different types of pieces and make them look so good together. I just don't like the images she uses. It gives me a sort dark and ominous feeling.

Part B

Cringe Factor
a. I'm not embarrassed by any drawing or work of art that I've done in the past because when I draw or paint I do it to please my standards, not those of society. I do, however, have a picture of myself in the past of how I use to dress that I am deeply embarrassed by.

This picture was taken around June of 2003, I was 12 years old. I remember that day perfectly. My brother, a couple of friends, and I were having a water balloon fight right after school. My mom wanted a quick picture so my brother and I quickly posed and ran off right away. My right hand was cutoff but I was holding a water balloon. Anyways, I'll start from the top. I was wearing a du-rag to keep my braids neat. Yes, I once had braids. Never again will I grow my hair out to get braids. My shirt, or rather should I say blanket, was 4 XL size because back then, wearing really big shirts was in style. Then I was wearing some shorts that you can barely see due to the extremely large shirt that nearly went over my shorts. Like I said, back then the style was one would wear really big shirts and really baggy pants. 

2) The transition in style from back then to now is mind blowing. People now a days wear the complete opposite of back then. Slim or skinny jeans and small shirts. The way I dress now is similar to today's norms. I just don't wear my jeans to skinny as some would wear them, my shirts not too small either. But that is only when I go out with friends to the movies or events. Usually either going to the park or going to school I wear sweats, a hoody, and basketball sneakers because that is how I am most comfortable. I don't like my movements to feel even the slightest bit constricted. Pretty much I rather be ready to play basketball at any given moment. 

Class #2 HW - Interior View of the Pantheon

I think this artwork out of my 3 is the one that most directly relates to the ideas of beauty.

a) The artist uses all formal elements of beauty to create a pleasing visual experience. The unity in colors are so well blended in, as well as the balance, rhythm, contrast & emphasis. They do not guide your eyes to a focal point but since its so well blended in, you tend to look at every square cm of the painting because it is so detailed and accurately painted. The scale and proportions are painted so well. the people closer to you are bigger and the further the others in the back the smaller they are.

b) I think this work of art is in the baroque scale and it is an intellectual and balanced artwork. All the colors are well blended in, the scale and proportions are accurate, the whole painting is well balanced. When I see this painted I am in awe. It looks so lifelike that I feel as if this were a picture taken from the inside of the Pantheon. Makes me want to visit the Pantheon and stand from this position and see how accurate the painting is.

c) It will be hard for me to re paint this work of art into a contemporary visual language with a contemporary interpretation of cultural beauty because I don't really have the "art eye." I wouldn't know what to do. I don't really get what today's standards on cultural beauty are. Maybe make the colors pop out more and emphasize more on facial expression. idk.

Class 5 HW

     The skill that I pride myself in knowing can be confused as just pure talent rather than a skill. That skill is body control. Without body control, Michelangelo would not have been able to create the sculpture David. Using too much power in any sculpture and you break off too much of the medium. Athletes especially have great body control. One can not simply perform a crossover move between the legs if that person doesn't have body control. It takes practice to develop body control. The reason I pride myself in this skill is because I nearly have complete body control. Just by looking at an action I can immediately be able to duplicate that action nearly identical. This is the reason why I excel in physical activities. People say its natural talent but I believe it is a skill one can learn. One just needs to know the mechanics to a certain action and just apply it when performing it. Easier said than done. If I'm watching somebody perform a textbook style jump shot, I look at every movement that person takes, how he/she bends their needs, elbows, etc.., the sequence of movements, the release point of the basketball, everything. I look at every single detail then I just grab a basketball and do it myself. That is how I learn physical movements, by observing first then performing it. My skill of body control is what allows me to be able to perform that physical movement nearly perfect.
      I would adapt this skill into creating an artwork that communicates something about me. I would make a sculpture of a man wearing sports gears pertaining to different sports. A soccer ball under a foot to represent soccer, a basketball on one hand to represent basketball, a hockey stick in the other to represent Hockey, etc... I would have so many different sports into this one sculpture as to representing that this person is good at sports. I would display this artwork in front of my building replacing the tree that is there. I would place it there because this is an artwork that I made and represents me, so I would love to see it everyday when I leave and return home. It will definitely bring joy to me every time I look at it.

Class 5 Lecture

A) I found the process of Janine Antoni's rope-making piece to be very artistic. She took many things that had meaning in her life and tied them together creating a rope. A rope, as she pointed out, connects parts together. Since these things were part of her life, everything in one's life is connected. This piece is about her life.
B) Although she used her hands in the rope-making process, it is very different from her action painting process. When one looks at her rope-making work, they will assume the artist used her hands to make this that artwork. However, when one looks at her action painting works they wouldn't know how the artist created this piece of artwork. For example, the artwork that required her to used her hair and mopped the floor with dye, one would not know that she used her hair just by looking at it. I think this method is particularly appropriate to the meaning she wants to get across because art is essentially of piece of yourself. By using your body it takes that meaning literally.
C) Someone who is completely ignorant to Antoni's work of Moor would not understand the meaning of it. They will understand that it was made by tying different materials and objects together to make a rope. However, they wouldn't understand that each material or object has a meaningful significance to Antoni's life.

Class 5 Field Trip Response

1. Nothing arises from this artwork that is understood as representational.
2. There are no verbal supplements supplied by the artist. This "artwork" doesn't even have a title.
3. The medium used is called muslin. It is a cotton fabric of plain weave. It is a very inexpensive material. Maybe that is why the artist chose this material because it is cheap.
4. It looks to me as if the artist sewn together these 3 different colors to create this 1 piece.
5. The scale of the artwork is 6'6 3/4" x 6'6 3/4". It is a perfect square. In my opinion, this scale for this type of artwork is a waste of space. However, the large scale is what makes the artwork more artistic.
6. This was made in 1970. Judging from it's appearance it has lasted a long time and will continue to last. Unless the material starts to breakdown, it is cheap to make.
7. I don't see any context arising from this material.
8. The only thing that arises from this artwork's relationship with art history is that it'll probably last a long time. In addition, I don't think there suppose to be a focal point but I keep looking at the border lines of the colors.
9.  I don't think anything will accrue to this artwork as it progressively reveals its destiny through persisting in time. Maybe questioning. For example, why is this considered art? Why is this "artwork" still in the MOMA?
10. There is no content arising from participation in a specific iconographic tradition.
11-13. There aren't any content arising. This was a gift from Jo Carole and Ronald S. Lauder in 1997. Maybe they realized how this piece wasn't art at all. I don't mean to sound so cruel but you did say to pick an artwork that I really hated. This artwork took the cake. It really irritates me how this is considered art.

My Process Drawing

      When it comes to art I don't have that much of an imagination. I couldn't really decide on what my process drawing will be. So I did my best to relate to it as much as possible.
       My process was simple. I put a blank poster on the floor, slightly wet my basketball, and started dribbling on the poster until I dribbled on most of the poster. I wish the ball was a bit dirtier and the poster much bigger. The drawing isn't very clear so you'll have to look very closely.

Metropolitan Museum of Art - Mercury Zone III

1. The painting entitled "Mercury Zone III" was created by Al Held in 1975. It was made using acrylic on canvas with the dimensions H. 96 x W. 143 inches.
2. I think the artist was trying to bear witness to shapes in 3-dimensional views. Also how they appear within each other as well.
3. The artist communicated this story visually by showing his understanding on how shapes look in 3-dimensional views. As well as how shapes would look when put inside within another shape.
4. I don't know how this painting was made but I'm assuming it was done with technology. The circles look perfectly drawn to be down by hand without using some sort of technology. Maybe done by a compass and the straight lines were probably created using a ruler. It looks like the artist used different brush sizes as well.
5. The materials or manner in which they are applied helps the artist tell his story because they show 3-dimensional views of the shapes and were drawn well.
6. I picked this work of art because Math is my favorite subject and

I like how all these shapes are drawn.

Metropolitan Museum of Art - View of the Interior of the Pantheon

1. The "View of the Interior of the Pantheon" was a painting done by Giovanni Paolo Panini in 1734. The medium was oil on canvas and the dimensions are 127cm x 98cm.
2. I believe Giovanni was bear witnessing to how the pantheon looked on a day to day basis on the inside.
3. Giovanni communicates this story visually by painting people inside the pantheon, painting how the sunlight looks when entering the pantheon through the dome. He especially painted every detail of the interior of the Pantheon, every person's shadow, shadows of structures, and shows depth perception in the painting.
4. The painting was made using paint, oil, painting brush, and a canvas, and possibly charcoal. I think the artist first sketched the painting using charcoal. Then he applied the already mixed colored paint that also has oil mixed inside. After he finishes, he lets it to dry. I really don't know how the painting was made but this is my idea of how its made.
5. The materials or manner in which they are applied help the artist tell his story especially well because he demonstrates depth perception and shadowing. He also pays close attention to every little detail. For the viewer, its as if we are at the Pantheon standing right at the artist's point of view.
6. The only thoughts I have on this work of art is that it is amazing. It's, like I said, as if I was there inside the Pantheon. Really makes me want to go visit the Pantheon.

Metropolitan Museum of Art - Limestone statue of a man holding a mask in the form of a bull's head

1. The "Limestone statue of a man holding a mask in the form of a bull's head" sculpture has no information on the artist. The medium for the sculpture is limestone. The dimensions are 67 inches in height. It was sculpted in the 2nd half of the 4th century B.C.
2. This sculpture is bear witnessing to a man who is a priest. He is holding a mask in the form a bull's head that he would have worn when involved in a religious ritual in Cyprus. The religious ritual probably had a God associated with fertility.
3. The artist is communicating this story visually by sculpting the priest and his ceremonial outfit. I can't say if the sculpting is lifelike but it was very proportional to an actual man.
4. The Greek sculptures used various tools and techniques to make these sculptures. They would start at the top of the medium chosen and work their way down. Arms and limbs were usually done separate and then added on. Also the sculptures were using a small scale model to guide proportions.
5.The materials or manner in which they are applied help the artist tell his/her visual story especially well because it the statue is very lifelike. You can clearly see the ceremonial attire. In addition, the medium chosen gives the statue durable to time.
6. One thought I have on the statue is about the missing head. I don't know if the statue's head broke off or if the sculpture didn't sculpt the head. As well as the man's right arm which is incomplete, or maybe it broke off. Whatever the reason, it makes the statue more interesting and its what caught my attention.

1. What do I want people to know about me; what makes me interesting? 

        What makes me interesting is what I want people to know about me. I am an all around natural athlete with raw talent in any sport. My favorite sport is basketball. I have been playing basketball for as long as I can remember. My exceptional athleticism and natural talent makes me an interesting basketball player to watch. I I don't really talk about how good I am in basketball, I just love to play the game the best way I can. I am grateful for this gift and I will continue playing basketball as long as I can.

  2. If there was one thing I would want to "bear witness" to, that would be remembered, whether it be something about myself, something about my family or culture, or a problem with the world that needs to be fixed, what would that be?

        I would like to bear witness to world peace. No more wars, no more racism, no more stealing, no more starvation, and no more prejudice. I want people to be able to travel any where in the world without fearing for their safety. I want kids all over the world to have a decent education. I don't want to hear about genocide or invasions going on. I want to witness true happiness in the world. I would do anything in my power to bring this world closer to world peace.