1. Look at Kiff Slemmons’s Transport (Fig 11-26, p. 25). The piece deals with mass death, with particular reference to deaths from AIDS. Slemmons, a jeweler, fashioned the piece from sterling silver and other lesser materials. What effect does the clash of materials have on the message of the piece? Evaluate.
The clashing of colors actually convey the message of the artist that cultures around the world are affected by Aids. It also involves the clashing effect of the materials used in the said art that makes the creation more sophisticated in form that makes the art a more meaningful approach in sending enlightenment to the viewers. There are different people in the world who are deeply affected by AIDS and are dying everyday because of the said illness. The art further notes that people of all ages and all genders as well as social classes should be well aware of this matter thus becoming less innocent and avoiding becoming a victim of the said disease later on. Besides being artistic, this work of art is indeed a meaningful piece that reminds people of the importance of being knowledgeable about how much they are affected by the health issues in the society today.
2. What building type (tomb, temple, palace) is most often associated with each of these civilizations: Egyptian, Ancient Near Eastern, and Minoan? What does this tell us about each of these civilizations? Explain (Chapter 12).
Egyptian: Hieroglyphics and Wall writings
The Egyptians were able to pass on their culture through the art of writing that they had primarily made use of during the ancient eras. Certainly, this particular form of art introduces to the entire human society the artistic traditions of the said civilization thus passing on the said value towards the generations who have found them along the walls of the said civilization.
Ancient Near Eastern: statues
Forming the Human entities through sculptural presentation has made the ancient near eastern art a source of inspiration for many sculptors today who are fascinatingly interested in creating human sculpture. Consequently, the said art made the fine introduction to understanding the human body as the most creative display of art thus serving so much interest and inspiration to many who would like to display the real art that surrounds them through the appreciation of their eyes.
Minoan: Buildings and Ancient Architecture
Architectural form of art actually identified the Minoan civilization. Their unique sense of creating establishments or buildings not only for function but for the sake of displaying sophisticated form of aesthetics in the environment has been used as a huge inspiration for early Roman buildings.
3. What features of the Roman temple (such as the Temple of Fortuna Virilis) (fig 13-19, p. 317) are Greek-derived, Etruscan-derived, or wholly of Roman invention? Defend
One of the best examples of outside influence on Rome is found in her ruins of past architectural glories. Everywhere, the visitor to this museum city sees how she borrowed from the Greeks and others. The so-called Roman arch, which she used to great advantage, was not her own engineering discovery. Rome’s successes as a builder were also due in large measure to her use of a primitive form of concrete as mortar and as a major ingredient in making artificial stones.
The building program of Rome began in earnest in the last century of the republic and was thereafter given special impetus by the emperors. Augustus said he found Rome a city of bricks but left it a city of marble. For the most part, the marble was a veneer over the structural brick or concrete. There was a second rebuilding of the city, after the conflagration of 64 C.E. Among the more notable Roman structures were the forums, temples, palaces, amphitheaters, baths, aqueducts, sewers, and monuments. The great Colosseum and some monuments, like Titus’ archway depicting the fall of Jerusalem, either is still standing or are partly standing. The Romans also made a name for themselves as builders of roads and bridges throughout the empire.
Over the years, researchers on art actually found out that each roman temple has a great bits of pieces of inspiration taken from both the Greek and the Etruscan culture and art. Understandably, the crossing over of such cultures long ago has made the development of art particularly follow a certain pattern of development that made it possible for all the said cultural matters to be a part of the artistic presentations of the different temples in Rome up to the current years.
4. Compare and contrast the representation of weight and space in the painting of The Good Shepherd in the Catacomb of Saints Pietro and Marcellino (fig. 14-2, p. 330) and the mosaic of Justinian and Attendants in Ravenna’s Church of San Vitale (fig. 14-5, p. 333).
The space on the painting of the Good Shepherd in the Catacomb shows the supposed goodness of the “court” that handles the judgment of the good ones in the catacomb of saints. Understandably, such presentation based on the depth of colors and hues makes the presentation more meaningful and implicative in the views of those who are seeing the art of the said creation. On the other hand, the collection of colors which are used upon the art on Ravenna’s Church shows the difference of the said type of judgment received by those involved in the situation conveyed by the said art.
5. Compare and Contrast Donatello’s David sculpture (fig 15-24, p. 372) with Michelangelo’s David sculpture (fig 15-26, p. 373), discussing the symbolism of each and including information on the artists and their styles of work.
Donatello’s David and Michelangelo’s David have differences in terms of style and creation. Aside from the materials used to create the sculpture, the approach used in presenting David’s stature had been created in different perspectives. Likely, the creations of the said sculptures show the identity of each artist shown through their works. Understandably, it could be observed that the identity of the artists grow out of the creation towards the message about the being of David that they would both want to convey to their viewers.
Obviously, both Donatello and Michelangelo used different ways to form the being of David based on their understanding of the said person based from those that they particularly have read from the bible or from other sources.
6. Discuss the subject matter of Velázquez’s Las Meninas (fig 16-15, p. 395). The artist is included in the picture, presumably painting a portrait. Use the evidence of figures depicted in the painting to determine as best you can whose portrait is being painting.
As the maid of honors attend to the dressing and fixing of Princes Margarita while she’s being painted by Velázquez showed the reality of the creation. Understandably, the concentration on the face of Margarita actually shows a certain implication of beauty upon the painting. The innocence upon the girl’s face shows the beauty beyond the eyes of the child. The hues and the different breadths of the colors used within the painting made the entire creation real and attractive as well as it raises the thought upon the viewers.
7. Explain how Picasso’s work would not be the work that it is without Picasso’s exposure to non-Western art. Point to specific works of art. Compare, for instance, the facial features of Picasso’s painting, Nude with Drapery (fig. 17-6, p. 411) with an Etoumba region mask (fig. 17-5, p. 411).
A recent editorial in the Toronto (Canada) Sun on abstract art brought the following comment from a reader: “Picasso, remarking about his role in modern art, said: ‘I am only a public entertainer who has understood his times, and has exhausted as best he could the imbecility, the vanity, the cupidity of his contemporaries. Mine is a bitter confession, more painful than it may appear, but it has the merit of being sincere.’ (Life, Dec. 27, 1968, Pg. 134)” The reader went on to suggest that Picasso apparently viewed his own work as a “bunch of nonsense,” produced primarily for the thousands of dollars he made from it.
Considerably, the art of Picasso which had primary affected the modern artists today was actually sourced out from different cultures that he had been familiarized with through years. Considerably, without the said influences of cultures upon his art, the sophistication of the said creations may have not been that obvious at all. This is the very reason why despite of the works being of no meaning to the said artist as per supported by the report above, the creations of Picasso were indeed meaningful to those who were viewing them. Primarily, the elements that he used to create his painting captures not only the eyes of the viewers but also their emotions, making them wonder about the meaning that Picasso himself wants to convey about the said art.
8. Explain how Auguste Rodin’s Burghers of Calais (fig 18-40, p. 465) represents all of the innovations of modernism thrust into three dimensions.
Obviously, the art of Auguste rodin brings the modern approach of culture towards a highly innovative process. A particularly new presentation of the modern art makes the sculptures more innovative and obviously a cross over from the past artistic creations of other sculptures. Understandably though, more than just the aesthetic value of the said creations, the creations of Auguste Rodin gives a clear Representation of important human history. Most likely, the approach of Rodin clarifies the importance of sculpturing in the face of human history. The reminders that they are making for the present generation with regards the important informations that they should understand about their history. The emotional impact of the said history is believed by Rodin as an important part of human progression. Considerably, the real picture of the said event in the past is believed by Rodin as a major aspect of human intention that should always be remembered by the generations ahead. Certainly, this art implies the consequences of history and its effects at present.
9. Analyze in what specific ways might Pop Art (pp.507-09) be seen as a reaction against Abstract Expressionism? Explain how American Abstract Expressionism (pp. 496-505) made the artist the subject of the artwork. Be sure to illustrate your points with references to specific artworks.
Many sculptures today came from the creative thoughts of artists. Using the historic system of art and crossing the said system towards the modern approach of technological innovations, the contemporary artists find it easier for them to use abstract approach in creating the said structures not only to display beauty but also to create practicality and functionality within the said structures especially when they are placed in certain establishments or public areas like that of the Eifel Tower and the Pyramid at the Louvre. All these sculptural beauties are the sign of modern art approaches that involve both innovation and aesthetics of art.
In terms of published or written art, Pop Art actually displays a more contemporary approach in presenting art. Most of these artistic works have underlying meanings that deal with the mind of the viewers. Understandably, such creations are supposed to affect the viewers directly thus implying certain thoughts upon them. Consequently, the knowledge that they have, as different as they were, appeared differently in form when they both created their own versions of the sculptures of David.
