Installation Art Project

 Step 3

A. What is installation art?

A. an installation is a work where the entire space is used and it is three-dimensional.  The work can be entered and explored because it is off the wall and everything in the space is part of a single work.

B. What materials are used installation art?

B.In installation art any material can be used including natural things or everyday things such as icicles and tevlevisions.

C. Why make installation art? 

C.  Installation art is a way of expressing a theme in three-dimensions rather than making a single flat painting or a gray sculpture there can be many materials that all come together to encapsulate the point of the work.  The artist has much more freedom I think to be creative and use everyday materials.  

D. Which artist/installation did I find most interesting?

D. The installation I found most interesting from the text was Jumbo Spoons and Big Cake by Thomas Hirshhorn because it was so out there and over the top when I saw the picture and if it had not been described to me I would definitely have no idea what it was about. 

Step 4

A. From the material reviewed, is there a inspiration piece that I feel a connection with?

A. Like I said earlier the work that really inspires me to think outside the box is Spoons and Big Cake by Thomas Hirshhorn.  I think I have a connection with it because of all the elements involved and for the message it is trying to get across.

B. What theme do I want to explore in my installation? Refer to your textbook if you need to review Themes of Art. (chapter 3 in text)

(Nature, Environment, Self, Mass Media, Consumerism, etc.)

 B. I am not sure which theme I would like to explore because my first idea does not seem to fit into any of the themes except maybe Looking Outward: The Here and Now if I really stretch it.  Perhaps my second idea would fit into the theme of Politics and Social Order but, I fell more confident about my first idea.

 C. What materials will I use?

 C.  For my first idea which I think I have decided to go with I will use: mine and my boyfriends dirty laundry, the materials I use to wash them, the hamper and an empty towel rack.

 D. Where will this installation be located and why?

 D. This installation will be located in my washroom because that is where our laundry sits waiting to be washed everyday and I feel it is the most appropriate place for it.  Mostly I chose the washroom because it is the room with the open space to have a good picture.

Worksheet

Describe your installation:  My installation is called Laundry Day and it shows how much laundry I have to look forward to in the next day or two.  There are clothes of all different colours, and the materials I used to clean them all and then behind the hamper overflowing there is an empty towel rack which also represents that I am out of towels and it needs to be done.  The work was done in the washroom which I feel is an appropriate place for dirty laundry.

Analyze your installation:  My installation definitely uses colour and a lot of it.  This shows how many different articles there are to be done.  The size of my pile of clothes shows something that most likely a lot of college students go through, laundry day, because of all the homework and everything else some things get neglected, clearly in this case it was my laundry.  My work also uses variety and unity because there are a variety of different clothes but they all seem to come together to form this overflowing pile.  Balance is used in the manner of the clothes being balanced precariously on top of one another.   I created texture with the bright yellow dryer ball because they are spiky and hard compared to soft clothes.

Well, the planning of a site specific installation did not really seem to be that hard because I tried to find materials that were already at my disposal and the site just kind of fell into place.  The creation was fun because I could do whatever I wanted and there was not anyone who could tell me that I was doing it wrong, it was nice to plan something and create it without there being a right or wrong answer; it was very freeing. 

My Installation Laundry Day: 

Peer Reviews of Blogs

1. These are the blog posts I commented on:

http://ryanmalo13.blogspot.com/2011/10/albright-knox-art-gallery-visit-chosen.html?showComment=1318101624738#c6714901899820061153

http://ryanmalo13.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-slideshow-displaying-visual.html

http://katrondinelli.blogspot.com/2011/10/1st-art-gallery-visit.html?showComment=1318101897368#c7882342126541738899

http://katrondinelli.blogspot.com/2011/09/httpphotobucket.html?

showComment=1318102078229#c4098203678757606994

2. I agreed with all of the pictures both artists used.  I noticed in Ryan that his picture for unity may also be used for variety because I saw each hanger have something different on it but it still seemed to fit together. I noticed in some of  the pictures in the other ones I feel like they may be interchangeable such as her variety and unity picture.


3. In both blogs the only similar images was The Old Mill by Vincent van Gogh.  Kat and I seemed to have the same idea of it reminding us of something, even though I am not sure if that is one of my reason written down I know this image reminds me of my home.


4. I think that the image Carcass of Beef that Ryan had on his blog now peeks my interest.  As I said in my comment I wasn’t too sure of this image on my visit so I just walked by and dismissed it as something gross but, now that I read what he had to ask about it I am wondering the same things.


5. I think that this definitely is valuable in my learning process because I get to see different points of views and different opinions about the same things that I have done.  It is nice to read and view what other people have done with the same instructions.
6. I think that my peers comments are helpful, it is nice to know that people think I have done a good job as well J

Week 6 Video Questions

Q: For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

A:  Installation Art:    Installation is that the artwork takes over the space and defines the space and are 3 dimensional.  They force the individual to interact with them. The concept is only from 30 years ago and began witht he Frenchmen.  The video camera become quite big in the creating of installations, now video installations are popular.  Installations are quite controversial.  It has taken art off of the walls.

Glass and Ceramics:  Glass is everywhere and is made from sand.  Glass is not a solid but a liquid.  Silica forms crystals that are united by regular bonds.  Glass can be warped when it is cold (using chemicals) or hot (using fire).  Cementation is used to paint stain glass windows.  There are many types of ceramics but what differentiates them is the type of material they are made from and the temperature that they are fired at.   There are many steps that must be completed for a ceramic to be made such as glazing. Glass fulfils many functions.  Laminated glass prevents shattering and is used in schools or sports buildings.  Bullet proof windows can be as much as 10cm thick. 

Through the eyes of the Sculptor:   There are many steps that must be taken before a sculpture can be completed.   It is easier to visualize/ have a detailed picture of a sculpture before it can be made.  Medium used for sculpting can be hard to acquire.

Q:  How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?

A:  I remember in the text reading about how video cameras have really influenced art, and in the installation art video they talked about the affects of the video camera on installations. Types of glass  were described in the readings as well  in the video Glass and Ceramics, there were some things that crossed over each other such as china being described in the video and being shown in the book.  In the video through the eyes of the sculptor the process of sculpting a human figure was described and in the book a whole section of the chapter is about sculpting human figures.

Q:  What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the topics: Sculpture, Installation, and Craft?

A: I liked each film and they really helped me understand the reading from the text much better.  The topics of sculpture, glass and installation were really made clear to me.  The topic that I was the most confused about before the films was installation art but, now that I have watched the film I have a much better sense of what it is and what to do for my own.

Logo

Q: Discuss what you thought about creating your logo.

A: I thought that this process would be kind of fun, and I was excited that it had to be in colourbecause it meant that I would be able to use the paints again and create my own colours

Q: Describe the process: creative thinking skills and ideas you used in the logo creation.

A: First I tried to think of what represented me and right off the bat I thought that I could turn my initials into things that I love to do or things that I like.  So then I did a bunch of sketches and brainstorming to try and get it going.  I eventually came up with L as a hockey stick, A as a cake with many different layers, and M as a stethoscope.  I chose these because I love to play hockey, I love baking and I would be able to create some great colours in the layer and I love taking care of animals and hope to be a veterinarian some day.

Q: What was the most important discovery you made in the creation of your logo?

A:  I would have to say that I learned how terrible of a drawer I was and that I had to keep it simple because if I tried to get too extravagant I would just make a terrible logo. 

Q: What is the most important information you learned from watching the videos, powerpoint, and reading material  for this project? What is your opinion of the videos?

A:  The most important information I learned was that the simpler the better because it gets right to the point and is easier for everyone to remember.  I liked the videos but, I already had an idea of what I was going to do before I watched them so they did not help much.

Sketches

This is the Final Logo

Art Gallery Visit

Q: Which artworks make an impact or impression on me?(Pick 3) Why?
A: 1) Tongue-cut Sparrows by James Drake in 1996, video installation, it is a black and white value.  I was very touched when I read the description and I think that it was a very  interesting video to watch.  

    






2) Junk by Tony Oursler in 2003, fiberglass sculpture and DVD projection, it is in colour.  This work made an impact on me as soon as I walked up the stairs, it scared me that I thought I wasn't supposed to be up there.  It in interesting to say the least.

3) Extruded Video Engine #5 by Peter Sarkisian in 2007, vacuum-formed thermal plastic and video projection, it is in color.  This work was very interesting because as soon as i walked in the room it looked as though it was just floating in the middle because the rest of the room was all black and this works was quite bright.  I had to closer to realize that it was attached to a wall. 

Q: Which artworks do I feel a connection with?(Pick 3) Why?


A: 1) The Old Mill by Vincent van Gogh in 1888, oil on canvas, this work is in color.  I felt a connection with this work because van Gogh is my favourite artist and I love all of his paintings.  I immediately felt a connection to this painting when I walked towards it at the gallery.

2) Morning in Provence by Paul Cezanne, ca. 1990-06, oil on canvas, this work is in colour.  I felt a connection to this work because it reminded me of where I lived before I lived in Buffalo.  Where I am from is a place where it rains a lot. 

3) An Anniversary by Edwin Walter Dickson in 1920-1921, oil on canvas, this work is in colour.  I felt an immediate connection to this painting  because of the details that the artist used in the eyes of the people in the work.  Not only the main people in the painting had detailed eyes but, people around them did. I really enjoyed looking at it for a long period of time.

Q: Which artworks would I like to know more about?(Pick 3) Why?


A: 1) Self Portrait with Monkey by Frida Kahlo in 1938, oil on masonite, this work is in colour.  I would like to know more about the artist because this is a very good painting.  I like this painting not only because I love animals but, I like the amount of colour and how well it stands out.  It would also be interesting to learn more about how it was done.

 

2) the world won't listen by Phil Collins in 2004-07, synchronized three-channel colour video projection with sound, this work is in colour.  The first thing I saw was that it was by Phil Collins, my moms favourite singer, so I was initially very interested and once I sat down I watch all three videos and then I read what the purpose behind them was.  I think I would like to learn more about what the videos represent.

3) Jakob/Big Psycho VIII by Erwin Wurm in 2010, aluminum and paint, this work is in colour.  This immediately caught my eye because it looks like someone to put on a sweater but it has a more artistic way about an everyday task.  It reminded me of when I was little and I always used to get lost in my turtlenecks. I am interested in learning about  what this represents other than what I see.

Q: Discuss what you thought about creating the Value Scale and Color Wheel.
A: The value scale actually took a lot longer than I originally thought it would, but I have done one before and it was not that challenging.  The colour wheel was fun to make, I enjoyed mixing the colours and even just brushing on the paper.
Q: Which media did you enjoy working with the best and why?
A: I enjoyed working with the paint more because I love colour and the value scale was so boring in black and white.
Q: What was the most important discovery in the creation of these studies?
A: Probably that I could create so many different colours from just a basics few.
Q: What is the most important information you learned from watching the videos for this project?                What is your opinion of the videos
A: I think that the video for painting colours was more helpful and it helped me learn the truth about colours.  The other video did not seem to help much.


Colour Wheel:

Value Scale:

Elements and Principles Slide Show

I really enjoyed this week of taking pictures and trying to brainstorm on what to take pictures of and how to take them. The pictures I had the most trouble with were unity and shape, I just could not think of anything.  For the most part I had to create the picture that I wanted and for some such as texture, space and line I just saw the picture come to life before my eyes.  I did use some techniques to edit each picture, cropping and changing exposure, sharpness and contrast on a lot of them.  My favourite picture by far is the balance picture.  I just said to myself what do I think of when I think of balance, how do I balance, then it came to me...tree pose.  And then I thought that instead of just having a boring picture of me doing tree pose why don't I make it asymmetrical where I have a real tree at one side of the photo and myself in tree pose on the other side.  And it worked, I really liked the outcome of that picture.  A couple of the photos I had taken in the past such as colour, value and emphasis.  Colour and value I had previously taken in Hawaii this summer and I knew right away that they were ones that I could use, especially the Hawaiian flower for colour.  Emphasis was taken last weekend at a concert and I really enjoyed editing this picture to bring out the colour of my lipstick, my eyes, his skin and shirt, I like how with everything going on around us I was able to play with he shadows and highlights and make it like it was just him and I and nothing around us.  For unity I am Canadian and I was sitting there trying to think of something for unity the it came to me, I grabbed my hockey stick, my boyfriends skate and my Canadian winter stuff and created a picture that fit together, to someone else it may not seem to fit together but to me, its perfect.  For variety I was just getting ready one day and thought how cool a picture would look with my new red high heels and most of the things I use to get ready if I was to wear those shoes and it came together.  For space I was just sitting in my car the other day and saw a lone seagull standing on the light post looking around and noticed how much space he had around him, I edited the picture so you could see his outline better and I think it made it much more appropriate.  For movement I was originally going to use a fan but, my fan was not powerful enough so I had to use my blow dryer.  I like how nothing else in the photo appears to be moving though except my hair.  For line I noticed one day when I was walking to class how the bark on the trees around campus seems to be in groups of lines and then I took the picture and it seemed to work. Overall I enjoyed this project and I never noticed how much I enjoyed photography!
The link to the slide show is:
Link To Slide Show of Pictures
the password is: hockey5