The Power of Art Chapter 1

Discussion: Learning to Look How is looking at art different from looking at other things? Have you ever watched a game with someone who actually played the sport and you didn’t? How do you view the game differently? How is “looking” today different from “looking” a hundred years ago? Or a thousand years ago? How has the development of print, photography, T.V./Movies, modern technology changed the way we look at thing?

When we learn to “see” better art becomes more powerful! What draws hundreds of people each day to view the Mona Lisa?

“Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci The weird smile? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uWex0jCEVE&t=23s Because it was painted by Leonardo da Vinci who was a very interesting person? Because of the mystery that surrounds it? It’s beautiful? It used new techniques like Sfumato lighting? “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci

Art is powerful because it connects to our religious beliefs. “Phoenix Hall” Byodo-in Temple in Uji Japan

“Rose Window” Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France

Primitive Societies believed art had magical powers. http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/lascaux/

Examples of tribal art:

Art can be a declaration of power: “Henry VIII” Hans Holbein the Younger

Art has the power to change our beliefs: In this painting, “The Liberation of Aunt Jemima” by Betye Saar, the artist uses found objects to comment on the stereo-typing of African American women.

In this art work Marcel Duchamp makes fun of the art world and their strict traditions. How do you feel about this art work?

Art has the power to touch our emotions. “The Vietnam Memorial” Maya Lin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_V1grA-SFQ

DISCUSSION: Controversy over the Vietnam Memorial Highly Abstracted design – some called the “black gash of shame” Maya Lin was Asian and a woman, how could she understand what the war was about? Because of the controversy this realistic statue was added at the entrance.

Art has the power to awaken our senses. “Clearing Winter Storm” by Ansel Adams

Art has the power to transform the ordinary. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEtsYIIIfkw

“Urban Landscapes” by Zhan Wang

“The Gates” by Cristo and Jeanne- Claude is a example of a form of art called Installation art. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvnBZjhZ6JI

DISCUSSION: Power of Art for the Viewer and the Artist REVIEW: We talked about ways the viewer is transformed by the power of art, do you remember any? (show beauty, strengthen faith, give mystical powers, show power and wealth, change attitudes, touch emotions, elevate senses, and transform the ordinary) How is the “Power of Art” different for the artist? Why do artists make art?

“The Little Deer” by Frida Kahlo Self Expression “The Little Deer” by Frida Kahlo

Spontaneous playfulness, amusement and imagination https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH6xCT2aTSo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6egUsZvWu4

“I and the Village” by Marc Chagall Express a memory “I and the Village” by Marc Chagall

Grandma Moses painted memories from her childhood Grandma Moses painted memories from her childhood. Her style is called folk art (art created by untrained artists often working in rural areas).

Definitions for this class: Fine Art: traditional arts like painting, drawing, sculpting, print-making, etc. Applied Art or Craft: taking artistic skills and applying them to create things that humans use (architecture, design, etc.) Industrial design: creating manufactured functional things in artistic ways. Graphic design: creating 2-Dimensional designs that are mass produced.

This Navajo rug is an example of what type of art?

What is this an example of?

What is this an example of?

What are these an example of?

Discussion: What is the connection between art and beauty? Example of Impressionism: La Loge by Pierre-Auguste Renoir Woman I 1950 -1952 by Willem de Kooning

Discussion: Can art be mass-produced? Art produced by Andy Warhol in his studio he called “The Factory”

Ways to Understand Art: Primary Question: Why does it look this way?

Discussion: When we know more, we see more: Have you ever not liked someone when you first met, but later, when you get to know them, you learned to really like them? Maybe art is like that. We can appreciate people without knowing everything about them but knowing more can help us appreciate them more. Maybe art is like that.

Story: Christina’s World by Andrew Wyeth