Self Evaluation Project 1

I feel like my ghost wasn't the most strenuous thing to make. It also wasn't the most appealing. But I think it has a lot behind it. I feel like I explained myself well and that the presentation went well. I think once the class got the idea they were more impressed. I think overall the presentation went well. The class had lots of questions, and I had the answers for them because this project really did hit home with me.

In summary, I don't think this was my best physical work. I think this was my best work in terms of thought process and meaning. In the next project I hope to show more skill along with a good meaning.

Class Notes for 9/28

-I really enjoyed the Super-Size Me video. It helped me develop my idea for project 2.

-Discussing our project 2 ideas I am beginning to worry. The more I dive into my project the more I feel it conveys a different message than consumption. I feel if I explain it I can get the point across, but it might not be the main one. I, however, feel really strongly about this idea, and I want to go through with. I think it would be a good piece for my portfolio that I need to be building.

Text Notes Thomas Kinkade/Vanessa Beecroft

Questions

1. What mediums does Thomas Kinkade use?
2. What do women represent in Vanessa Beecrofts work?
3. What’s significant about their work?

Comments

-I had no idea Thomas Kinkade was so popular. I actually think my family has one of his paintings in our house! His art pleases the masses. It’s not very bold; it doesn’t have something to say; it’s just pretty.

-I like that Vanessa Beecroft has a purpose to work. It says something. I however think it’s a bit one dimensional.

Comments on Questions

1. Thomas Kinkade uses paint. I think it’s good to find the medium you are best with and to run with it.
2. Vanessa Beecroft “…constructs her image of self according to criteria valued by contemporary society.” She also selects her audience, which I really don’t care for. I think it’s setting yourself up for a guaranteed success.
3. These artists are totally different. One paints scenery to be mass-produced and to make money. The other is actually using humans, woman, in her art to get a point across.

Ending Questions

1. What kind of art do I want to create? Pretty art or art with purpose?
2. Is it possible to combine both styles into one?
3. Who is my audience? Homeowners? Businessmen? People who go to galleries or people who don’t appreciate art?

Project 2 Consumption Ideas

The first thing I thought about with this project is all of the things that are not necessary for survival that we waist money, man-power, and resources to have. The biggest one to me is cigarettes. Smoking is not only unnecessary, but it kills people very slowly. And we pay to have this product manufactured. We waste valuable land for the production of cigarettes when we really need this land in this day and age. We are plowing down rain forests, but we keep tobacco fields.

I decided I wanted to make a smoking add that disgusts people. A clip from the documentary Super-Size Me inspired my idea. In this clip children were able to identify Ronald McDonald but not George Washington. I wanted to show that children can identify a cigarette add and that they can associate that with being cool.

The Idea

I hope to draw a baby or an embryo smoking a cigarette on a smoking add. When you see people smoking on an add it's acceptable; you see a baby and you might be concerned. This should hopefully give off the idea this is how BIG this waste of money and resources is. Babies can recognize it. An embryo might exaggerate the idea a little more.

SO:

Idea: How big that cigarette industry is.

Metaphor: Baby/Embryo smoking cigarette on smoking add

Materials: Pencils/Markers (I think this will be the best way to make an add)

Text Notes Nan Goldin

Questions

1. Does Nan Goldin only do photography?

2. Why does she photograph only sad moments?

3. What are her influences?

Comments

I enjoy art like this. I don't really care to see how well someone can draw a hand or a sunset. I'd rather someone's art have a purpose. I like to see the artist through his or her work. In Nan Goldin's case you can clearly see the kind of person she is through her work. She is real; she is edgy.

Comments on Questions

1. Nan Goldin is a photographer

2. Her work documents very controversial ideas. Her photos are of real friends of hers, and they are not usually very happy photos. In her work she shows us truth; she shows the not so glamorous side of things.

3. Her influences are real life. She is not influenced by happy, sugar coated moments.

More Questions

1. How can I incorporate her ideas into my art?

2. Can photographs help portray my ideas better?

3. What can I do to set apart my work?

Project 1 Ideas

Moment-

All of my moments kind of went together. In summary I want to show fear and intimidation and the attempt to overcome it. I'm not sure if I want to show that I am completely free of this intimidation because I don't believe that is true. I might want to show how it is still burdening me even though it has improved.

Adjectives-

Intimidation, fear, hatred. Enlightened, remedy, breaking out.

Metaphor-

#1 A scary monkey/gorilla and a man overcoming it. A man coming out of a suit perhaps.

#2 The Mona Lisa or another famous artwork with red paint splattered on it. The Mona Lisa representing normality and the paint representing fear.

Materials-

#1 A monkey suit. Maybe markers to draw the idea.

#2 A picture of the Mona Lisa. Art markers to draw it. Red paint. Maybe paint balls?

Actions-

#1 Physically stepping out of a monkey suit. Drawing or painting.

#2 Throwing paint at the Mona Lisa, maybe in class?