Art Analysis

‘Augustus of Prima Porta’

Description

Livia Drusilla founded Augustus of Prima Porta in 1863 at the villa of Livia.  It is located at the Musei Vatican Museum (Kleiner, 2015).  The marble sculpture contains materials such as armor, jewelry, bronze, and others.  'Augustus of Prima Porta' shows Augustus as an armed general and as a heroically nude warrior who saved the lives of citizens.  This is a  Roman art and Augustus was the emperor in the Roman Empire who used to communicate his ideology and power using the power of imagery (Kleiner, 2015).  In the portrait 'Augustus of Primaporta,'    the picture of a boyish child (Venus's son) is clear.  It represents a political ideology of naval victory.  During 31 BCE, there was a Battle of Actium in the Roman Republic and Augustus won the battle against Mark Antony and Cleopatra.  In the portrait, Augustus is a symbol of the ruler of the Empire.  In addition, the image of a boy child shows that he a son to Venus and Augustus' adoptive father descended from Venus.  Note that Venus is the goddess of love and therefore Augustus family is a descendant of gods (Kleiner, 2015).  As a commander of the army, he is wearing military clothing.  He is raising his hand and this indicates a Roman salute to his leaders.  The main subject matter from the portrait is the political and cultural environment during the Roman Empire.  The function of the portrait is to represent the Augustus virtues in that during his reign, Rome experienced internal and external peace (Kleiner, 2015).  Note that he aimed to restore the republic, which was under the control of the Parthian empire.  

Analysis

Color

During excavations, the statue had traces of color but the color faced.  In 1999, a cleaning process showed that the statue was colored and in 2002, ultraviolet photography detected traces of color though invisible with naked eyes (Galinsky, 1996).

 Form

  The height of the portrait is 40 centimeters.  Width is 26 centimeters and the depth is 10 centimeters.

 Value

 The portraits have both white marbles and darker stone and textured marbles.  The portraits have extensive traces of pigments to achieve realism.

 Line

 The portrait has implied and rendered lines to allow the views see the shape and color

 Shape

  The portrait ahs an ideal shape or it depicts the painting of a man.  The shape also presents individual features that focus on realism.

 Space

 The portrait has both negative and positive space.  They both allow the viewer to create a perception of the image and make sense of what the image wants to portray.

 Texture

 The hair and skin has a real texture

Interpretation

 First, it is important to note that the Parthian empire has great power over the Rome and this influenced the Romans to fight Parthian.  However, the Romans were humiliated since some of   the military members were killed and therefore they did not win.  The shameful defeated motivated the Roman to revenge but at this time the Roman was defeated following Cesar's assassination (Barrow & Silk, 2018).  However, Romans did not lose hope and this time Augustus showed his willingness to restore the Roman standards and he used diplomatic means to defeat the Parthian and achieve the restore the Roman standards.

 Therefore, the porta statue represents the Roman Emperor.  Augustus was an imperator and he had the power to control the Roman public life.  He had powerful armies who maintained peace and brought prosperity.  The 'Augustus of Prima Porta'   is one of the portraits that portray the emperor's great deeds.  Since Augustus was only 32 years old when he becomes the ruler, Roman portraitists represented an idealized portrait of a youthful leader who overcame the Parthian (Barrow & Silk, 2018).  Lastly, Augustus communicates political, religious, and social-economic ideology.  He supported   the Roman religion, he shows a national pride toward Rome, and he was dedicated to preserve the social and economic values.  Augustus was dedicated to reform Rome and improve Roman society, the Roman government, and   Roman religion (Barrow & Silk, 2018).  He believed in restoring the public monuments that promote religious rites.  The revival of religion restored the moral standards and improved morality, as well as social life.

Aesthetic Judgment 

  First, 'Augustus of Prima Porta' is valuable due to its formalism.  The portraits have elements and principles of art and they are arranged effectively.  The portrait is also inspiring due to its emotionalism.  The art evokes emotive qualities or in other worlds the elements of art convey ideas to the viewer that depict Augustus as a hero (Barrow & Silk, 2018).  Every viewer can detect his success and authority and there is no doubt that he was an emperor who has supreme confidence.  Lastly, the portrait is meaningful due to its functionalism.  This means that the art has a practical purpose, that is; to communicate the heroic great deeds of Augustus in the Roman Empire (Barrow & Silk, 2018).  The purpose is to present Augustus as a hero and a warrior who received a bloodless by diplomacy.

 References

Galinsky, K. (1996). Augustan culture: An interpretive introduction. Princeton, N.J: Princeton

University Press.

Kleiner, F. U. (2015). Gardners art through the ages - a concise western history. Cengage 

Learning

 Barrow R.,& Silk M,. (2018).  Gender and the Body in Greek and Roman Sculpture. Cambridge

University Press

Artist Profile

Artist: Zanele Muholi

            In the video, Zanele Muholi artwork presents LGBTQI community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, Queer and intersex). During apartheid, the Afrikaner National Party supported the ideology of separating racial groups until the creation of multiracial democracy that supported diversity, and equal human rights (Munro & ProQuest (Firm), 2012). People from different races could not form social integration, and they were treated differently. Black people could not live in cities, but they lived in tribal homelands.  After apartheid, discrimination was banned, and gays and lesbians were accommodated, and they received legal equality and freedom (Munro & ProQuest (Firm), 2012).The country developed democratic values, and gay people were recognized as citizens in South Africa.

              It is worth saying that there are some factors that motivated Muholi to engage in artwork. In other words, the purpose of visual expression is to communicate the sexual threats, sexual stigma, sexual violence, physical differences, discrimination and violence, and the social injustices that gay and lesbians experienced (Thomas, 2010). An important point to note that the different portraits represent pride, compassion, and hardships. Some portrait shows cultural domain images and other shows the Black pride, identity, and freedom from stigma and negativity (Thomas, 2010). In general, the portrait is beautiful since they represent sadness and joy. 

 The black and white portraits indicate the celebration of lesbian and transgender communities and their presence in the South African community. The images also offer an important lesson about racial classification, which results in racial segregation. The portraits play a significant role in preserving memorable records that future generation can use to understand the hate crimes in the transgender community and their struggle to create a community of being.  Today, gay and lesbians are recognized as a result of the power of images.

References

Thomas, K. (2010). Zanele Muholi's intimate archive: photography and post-apartheid lesbian

lives. Safundi: The Journal of South African and American Studies, 11(4), 421-436.

Munro, B. M., & ProQuest (Firm). (2012). South Africa and the dream of love to come: Queer

sexuality and the struggle for freedom. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

 Video: Johannesburg. Season 9 Episode 1, Art21. Retrieved from: https://www.pbs.org/video/johannesburg-fjplbz/

An introductory statement for an upcoming exhibit on Feminist Art.

The National Museum of China

            Feminism art is a postmodernist art; meaning that it addresses social issues or in other words, artists express their ideas and social expectations of women without restrictions. The feminist art was developed in the late 1960s, and its primary purpose was to change cultural attitudes and encourage equality. Being a postmodern art, feminist’s artists were willing to change society, and they created a women's liberation movement to alter the political culture and the dominant power structures. The major purpose of the feminist art movement was to allow woman exhibit their artist work, develop women's studied in art, and develop art organizations that could support women in art.

 The main characteristics of feminist art in relation to the Feminist Art Movement

  Feminist in China addresses the issue of gender inequality. Artists express their spirit and energy and focus on improving women's social status. Female artists express their inner feelings using different methods and using new materials. Through a careful observation of women art, one can depict that Chinese women artists apply Western art techniques and express western thought[1]. In order to understand the characteristics of female art, it is important to note in China has established economy reforms that have led to economic growth. The country has formed a socialist market economy that focuses on private economic intuitive[2]. However, the social market economic system and the economic growth have violated the women economy rights in that the State does not support gender equity. As a result, women rights are not honored. They are denied property rights, right to work, among other forms of systematic discrimination[3]. Women artists solve these problems, tension, and anxiety, by participating in art. Women are experiencing survival anxiety, and the role of art is to present the female challenges and convey anxiety. In general, feminism art is characterized by expression of anxiety, finding a higher position, finding growth, developing self, finding the love and respect for life, show human care, express the human nature, and show the value of women.

Feminist Artists

Han Yajuan

 This artist focuses on the modern generation and presents the ultra-contemporary culture and young ‘material girls' who desire everything and seeks identity[4]. Her common exhibit includes Beautiful plan and Herstory.  These artworks fit in the feminist art in that she focuses on the socio-cultural transformation and how the modern economic system is materialistic[5].  She expresses her perception of the world and presents the pressure women experience.

 Bu Hua

 Bu Hua is a digital artist who is well known for artwork such as cat and Savage growth. These work explore contemporary China, such as economic development and cultural heritage[6].  She talks about modern industrialization and the characteristic of modern society.  Her artwork fits in feminist art as she wants modern China to define social roles and understand gender[7]. Note that women are underrepresented in the contemporary economic system, and the artwork expresses how women are not valued and suffer from gender inequality.

 In conclusion, feminist art is important as it allows women artists to express ideas of womanhood, and more importantly, they bring awareness and a significant change to the life of women.  The feminist art exhibition will help the audience understand the factors that influenced women artists throughout history. Both male and female audiences will learn about the foundation of the Feminist Art Movement and the artists' greatest achievements.

References

 Guest Luise. 2017. 10 Contemporary Chinese Women Artists You Should Know. The Culture

Trip Ltd.

Yang Jin. 2017. The Characteristics and Performance of Feminist Art at the Present Stage. 

Francis Academic Press

[1]  Yang Jin. 2017. The Characteristics and Performance of Feminist Art at the Present Stage.  Francis Academic Press, pg, 173

[2] Ibid, 173

[3] Ibid, 174

[4] Guest Luise. 2017. 10 Contemporary Chinese Women Artists You Should Know. The Culture Trip Ltd. Pg 1

[5] Ibid, 1

[6] Ibid, 1

[7] Ibid, 1

Aesthetics in art

            The work titled ‘Undetectable: The presence of HIV in contemporary American art’ by Rock Hushka (n.d) demonstrates the authors abilit to communicate through art. A good example is the aesthetic qualities seen in the piece ‘Untitled (buffalo)’ by David Wojnarowicz (1994) showcased in his work. From the piece, three buffallos are shown falling off a cliff. Color is used to evoke the dark emotion associated with death as the bulls symbolize the outcome that is likely to befall society is the issue of HIV is not brought in the open. The image of buffalos falling to their death made me come to terms with the severity of the disease as it affects even the strongest of people in society.

            The image also fits into the theme of activism as it is a call to action informing those who view it of the final outcome of those who get infected. The decision to use buffalos falling off a cliff is symbolic of the tragic end awaiting those infected. It also shows the severity of the situation as the buffalo’s, similar to humans’ have no control over the outcomes that follow once one gets infected.

            The piece successfully combines art and activism in that it is appealing to both forms. On the one hand, the piece has the tone, texture, color and other elements that are used in harmony to make it even more appealing. The black and white for instance shows the grave nature of HIV and the same is communicated through the image of the animals falling down a cliff. Activism on the other hand is achieved through the buffalos depicted falling. Since the animals are falling to their death, the art is a call to action indicating what happens when those diagnosed with HIV do not get the help that is needed.

Reference

Hushka R, (n.d) “Undetectable: The presence of HIV in contemporary American art”

Early Renaissance Art

The early Renaissance was an era full of unlimited artistic and knowledgeable activities, through which performers deviated from the usual boundaries of Byzantine art. During the 15^th century, artistes examined the ordinary world for the sake of perfecting their comprehension on such matters as composition and viewpoints (Lytle et.al, 2014). Some of the artists of that era are Sandro Botticelli and Paolo Uccello. More so, throughout this specific age, one of the emergence of gothic art emerged from Germany and Netherland areas also called Northern Renaissance.

Bonaventura was a well-known painter who came up with the painting of St Francis, canonized in 1228. The painting is a beautiful piece art that leaves an impression on the face of anyone who lays their eyes on the beautiful relic. The art embodies the nature and hard work of the artist who dwelled in that era (Lytle et.al, 2014). Furthermore, the art was a dedication to the St Francis who devoted his life to Christianity and even raised some finances to build churches for Christians after selling his father’s business shop. What even more fascinating was Francis rejecting his father and leaving him for full priesthoods service to God. The artist did his best to portray the painting of St Francis as a man who served God and his community with selflessness.

The early renaissance led to a total overhaul of the past and ushered in the new culture and newfound ways of painting and inspiring through art and the experiences people passed through in search for the perfect manner of articulating issues (Saleh, & Elgammal, 2015). An evident development of renewed inventive practices, departing from the flat unexciting portrait artworks that were once common among people. This change was inclusive of radical mechanisms such as linear perspectives resulting from buildings and even at atmospheric impacts.

David Donatello

Apart from St Francis’ painting, David Donatello’s statues somehow characterize all the change that took place during the early renaissance period. The three statues have a significant historical significance. They represent the start, the elevation, and conclusion of the Italian Renaissance, the integration of man with god. Every time an artist deduces an issue that got numerous interpretations before his or her own, it somehow has to respect the past artistic impressions (Saleh, & Elgammal, 2015). Therefore, David created the statues to compare the various interpretations of past perspectives of the Italian renaissance. David shed light on rarely documented facts on attitudes rarely displayed by artist for a long time.

 Donatello commenced working on David from 1430 to 1432 and the statue is currently at Bargello palace, Italy. Even though the inspiration behind the statue is somehow intriguing, each of his curving have a main message attached to it (Saleh, & Elgammal, 2015). Attached to the main message is a hidden theme and one can Interpret the messages based on how they deem fit. Each moment depicted in the statue stands for something different. For instance, David killing goliath and then standing firmly in victory depicts some different angles of perceiving the hidden messages portrayed in the statues. In the end the interpretation of the statues, differ from one person to the net hence accommodating varying opinions. In fact, the statues can capture the life and misdeeds of David depending on the angle one decides to view the statues. This masterpiece gave artists learn how to accommodate the some unpopular opinions about other people and cherish the message of the artist past.

Reference

Lytle, G. F., & Orgel, S. (Eds.). (2014). Patronage in the Renaissance (Vol. 658). Princeton University Press.

Saleh, B., & Elgammal, A. (2015). Large-scale classification of fine-art paintings: Learning the right metric on the right feature. arXiv preprint arXiv:1505.00855.

                                                 Social commentary and art 

            According to the Alejandro Gonzalez, it implies that it main objective of the modern artistic world entail understanding some of the human visual gestures that have the ability of improving the whole process. The reason for that is because photography as been perceived as being one of the mean that has the ability of undergoing extraordinary changes as far as their industry is concerned. Consequently, this means that the modern artistic world has been regarded as being the main platform that has the potential of reflecting the mentality of the elite individuals.

             Within the social artistic work, the ideal reason that Alejandro Gonzalez considers to be imperative is the expression the ability of expressing their ideas. The reason for that is because the wonderful legally societal works that is left behind by such individuals will ultimately have to take into account the wonderful legacy that was initially established by others.  Regardless of that, it is important for them to understand that the cultural base of slavery is the one that had the ability of structuring the some evolution.

            As far as art is concerned, it implies that social commentary have not yet has the potential of losing its meaning with the passage of time. The reason for that is because it should be realized that the dazzling beauty regarding the earliest sculpture is the one that has the potential of signifying the impacts that it has to the modern society. Other than inspiring them, it is obvious that that is the same route that enables people to understand the ethnicity of people.

            Nonetheless, Alejandro Gonzalez continues to educate us that some of the societal art qualities that have been noted to lose its credibility today are mainly based on the existing modern propaganda.  The reason for that is because any masterpiece should not have to take into account the need of using gigantic efforts embracing his or her work. From the artistic point of view, it is evident that the classical artistic work art cannot be perceived as being a testimony of knowledge.  The reason for that is because it is an individual emotion that has the ability of directing the whole course. 

                                                What is American Art?

                        According to Alanzo Arzatel, an American art is currently regarded as being the amalgamation of its historical grounds of its people as well as the tales that revolves around them. The reason for that is because it is the same ideology that has the enables them to establish the newest means of creating their artistic work. This is true because according to the American art, it is clear that the contemporary American art work mainly relies on the works that could have been established within such a period. The reason for that is because it is the one that has the ability of capturing as well as capturing some of the philosophical that have been utilized in the in this period.  Ideally, it is evident that such information has been extensively utilized in various religious occasions for the purpose of ensuring that they all have the potential of enabling community members its essence.

            Nevertheless, the abstraction, in this context, is perceived to be some of the things that they are easily to be understood at the end of the day.  On the other hand, it has been realized that it is important for various American artists to know and acknowledges the means to be used in enhancing their artistic means.   The reason for that is because there is the essence of understanding the some of the changing perspectives   as well as the some of the contemporary information used in the modern artistic world. In so doing, it implies that it is possible for the American artists to recognize some of the modern changing definitions and perceptions concerning the art history.

            As an artist, Alanzo Arzatel indicates that it is important to take into consideration the importance of understanding some of the relationship that exists between visual and art culture. Conversely, it is important for them to be in the position of understanding some of the existing world dimensions regarding the modern artistic world as well as the manner in which it has been altered as the time goes by. This is to imply that it crucial for the community to have the potential of understanding the role played by artistic institutions, as well as the wider historical institutions in shaping art. Conversely, these views can be rejected because the nature of their work is mainly based on their ethnicity and what they always experience at the end of the day. This implies that the American artistic culture is one of the avenues that have had the potential of improving the wellbeing of their society. 

How to view art

The great variety of attractive and creative Native American art works and customs span plenty of years ago. Hence, it contains plenty of traditions and customs, all rolled into fine pieces of art. Sharing art with other people who appreciate it more goes makes most people view the piece artwork as precious and an attempt to preserve the beautiful art (Montoya, 2011). Art lives beyond the boundaries of time and allows an artist to share his or her thoughts with other people.

 As commercial art

 An artist takes his or her precious time to create and put together carefully crafted artwork. One of the ways of appreciating art and various aspects it offers is by parting with hard earned money in exchange for a fine artwork (Montoya, 2011). In addition, putting value to any commodity creates a market niche, which in turn keeps the business afloat and art circulation within the community.

 As fine art

            Fine art tends to keep the memories and traditions of the Native Americans alive. Native Americans had various cultures and ways of life, which an artist can convert into a good canvas. They reflect both the past and the present and gives the public to enjoy and critic it from various perspectives (Montoya, 2011).

 Examples of modern Native American art

 Some of the examples of contemporary art range from the usual art work to such as portraits displaying a Native American chief donning feathers and beads with his head tilted to the sky. Another example of Native American painting is the sand painting that has the drawing of medicine man encircled with feathers, a trademark feature of most Native American artwork. The above example goes signify the appreciation people have toward traditional beings. From the clothing to cooking all portrayed in one art forms.

 Modern Native American art

 In the present world, Native American art has a marginal role but that does not mean it is not effective. It is enticing to criticize Native American art and site a mistake here and there but its outlay is rich in culture and specific. Over the years, past decade modified classical architecture into subsections of styles. Hence, it would be unfair to claim that Native American art only serves its purpose in certain perspectives. The rules completely changed, if not for the better, then, may be for personal reasons (Dolkart, 2008). It goes without saying that the current society is at a crisis. People no longer factor in emotions or pay close attention to detail while painting portraits. Simply put, an aspect an average painter user ignores is that the nature of the painting is not vital and the features together with the intended message are what really matters when it comes to studying authentic Native American art. Native American art stood the test of time and endured a barrage of criticism and careful; scrutiny. Criticism relies on the mechanism and not the perspectives of the artist who expresses himself behind the painting brush. Thus, one can decide to talk about a certain piece of work not meeting the recommended Native American art standard and neglect the mall. However, it does not matter the type of work one criticizes, the only element of concern is giving a valid expression that would assist in the preservation of culture into the future.

Reference

Montoya, T. M. (2011). Woven Kin: Exploring Representation and Collaboration in Navajo Weaving Exhibitions.

Dolkart, A. (2008). Guide to new york city landmarks. John Wiley & Sons.

Daughters of uranium exhibition

Introduction

Kavanagh’s exhibition is a solo exhibition found in art gallery in Southern Alberta. It is taking place between March 2^nd ,2019 –April 28^th, 2019.It is a name given to an extensive and an ongoing research by artists involving research on atomic history, culture and military it was initially the work of Mary Kavanagh. According to her the center of her work rests on Georgia O’Keefe’s letter written to Alfred Stieglitz on August 7, 1945, the New York times written from August 7^th, trinitite which is a glassy residue left on the desert after a nuclear test carried out on July 16, 1945 and also the fragments that were left after the Hiroshima bombing within one kilometer of the bomb epicenter. Kavanaghs exhibition seems to revolve around these three factors and how they influenced the environment, human health and how they helped to shape the history of atomic nuclear bombs.

The New York times newspaper written from 7 ^th august contained details of the Hiroshima bombing. Hiroshima was a Japanese a commercial town that was bombed by the American army. The atomic bomb contained more power than 2000 tons of TNT. This bomb was also able to produce more than 2000 times blast of the largest bomb ever used before. The bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima was as a result of uranium and the components contained in it. Kavanagh’s solo exhibition seeks to educate on how the manufacture and use of atomic weapons is accelerating the degradation of the environment (Kavanagh 2019). She has shown this through projection of information on boards, exhibition on boards and displaying artifacts and displaying a series of structures using glass and light her work is organized around certain central themes and a certain historic period.

After bombing Hiroshima, the town was cloaked by a cloud of smoke and dust. 8^th the New York times reported that the bomb had killed at least 200,000 people. This number did not include the people who had died from injuries acquired during the bombing and those who had died due to exposure to atomic rays released during the bombing (Listwa 2012). The effect of the bomb who was a mile a way from the place where the bomb landed was capable of being alive after 32 hours.  A radio station in japan announced that Hiroshima was completely destroyed and the number of people dead could not be counted (Kavanagh 2019). By using an atomic the American army had violated an international law. This atomic bomb had. The radio presenter goes ahead to explain that the bomb had killed all living things including plants and animals. Kavanagh is reflecting in to this historic period in her artistic work to show how nuclear atomic warfare was responsible for ending the life of Human beings.

Kavanagh in her exhibition, she exhibits trinitite also referred to as Alamogordo glass which is a glassy residue that was left on the floor of the desert after the trinity nuclear test that was carried out on july 16, 1945 in Mexico. This glassy residue is composed of quartz and feldspar that was melted by the heat produced by the atomic blast. Trinitite is usually mild green in color. It is a little radioactive. (Kavanagh 2019). Earlier on I had discussed that Kavanagh uses glass in her exhibition. This trinitite is the glassy substance she displays in her exhibitions to show the effect of use of atomic nuclear weapons in artistic way. She displays this as an artistic way of showing the results of the use of nuclear atomic weapons on land. Soil has been destroyed to lead to the formation of this substance.

In her work Kavanagh is concerned with the health impacts the use of atomic nuclear as has on the health of individuals and the traces present today as a result of use of nuclear weapons in the historic error. This concern of hers has been illustrated by a series of graphite drawings referred to as breath drawings. In an artistic way she goes forth and explores the effects brought forward by atomic and radioactive substances brought about by the settling of atomic particles in the body (Listwa 2012). The Hiroshima bombing had long term effects in the health’s of the people and the later generation that was to be born was still going to experience those effects. Some of these side effects were those who were exposed to radiation caused by the bomb their chances of suffering from cancer increase. These cancer incidents were not present until ten years after the bombing.

In her exhibition Kavanagh uses a two covered plinths to display samples of trinitite from Mexico, and the fragments that were collected after the bombing of Hiroshima. In an artistic way she is connecting the bombing of Hiroshima to the trinity test carried out in Mexico (Listwa 2012). Her connection with the work of artist Georgia O’ keefe is shown by how she uses plant materials from white sand desert which was Georgia’s home. This arrangement of artifacts was important in connecting the three aspects that are the center of her artistic work. Her use of plants from Georgia’s home is artistically showing the history of atomic nuclear bombs.

Kavanaghs work has a relationship with Georgia O’Keefe’s letter written to Alfred Stieglitz on august 7, 1945 because she wrote this letter while in ghost ranch in white sand. There is a plant from this desert in Kavanaghs exhibition. This is still the same desert where the trinity test was carried out in the year 1945. She also uses uranium glassware to display these plants (Popova 2011). Uranium is one of the components in that were present in the bomb that was responsible for the destruction of Hiroshima and also it was one of the components that were present in the bombs that were being tested in the desert. Covering this plants with uranium glass ware is an artistic symbol.

conclusion

Kavanaghs work reflects on the history of the manufacture of atomic weapons by military and the long term effects these nuclear atomic weapons have on the effects on human, on the environment and the traces of these effects in history. In the gallery she artistically displays images and artifacts and plants to show the history of atomic nuclear weapons. She symbolically uses Georgia a late artist from America whose homeland was used for testing nuclear atomic weapons. She uses a picture of the Ney York times to show the cloud that cloaked Hiroshima after the bombing. Her work shows the history of the time atomic nuclear bombs were starting to be used and the current position of atomic nuclear warfare materials. She has well illustrated her work using displays and even video projection.

References

Hiroshima and Nagasaki: The Long Term Effects, retrieved from; https://k1project.columbia.edu/news/hiroshima-and-nagasaki

Mary Kavanagh/Daughters of uranium, retrieved; from https://www.saag.ca/art/exhibitions/0738-mary-kavanagh-%7C-daughters-of-uranium

My Faraway One: The Passionate Love Letters of Georgia O’ Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz, retrieved from; https://www.brainpickings.org/2011/10/28/my-faraway-one-love-letters-georgia-okeeffe-alfred-stieglitz/

Networking Note

 Ai Weiwei and visual art

 I found this artist from an internet search (theartstory.org).  The artist is known as Ai Weiwei and he is a Chinese artist and an activist. He was born in 1957 and since he was young, he was interested in art.  He joined Beijing Film Academy in 1978 where he gained visual arts education (THE ART STORY, 2019). In 1981, he moved from Chinese society to the U.S in New York City and he enrolled at Parsons School of Design.  Though he was interested in painting, the sculpture work of Marcel Duchamp and Joseph Beuys inspired him.

I was searching for contemporary visual artists from an internet search and I came across the Chinese artist Ai, Weiwei.  What stood out in this artist is that he is one of the contemporary artist and a cultural figure in the western world (THE ART STORY, 2019).  The reason as to why I like Weiwei is because he is against the violation of human rights especially in China where people are denied the freedom of free speech.  The political system is implementing harsh measures to the citizens, it controls the labor rights and violates the freedom of association, and it violates the women's rights activist, among other violation of human rights (THE ART STORY, 2019).  The reason as to why I am writing this is to educate readers that as a marginalized person, Weiwei is the best political artists in the contemporary world who is against the political turmoil. He demonstrates the need to build a new culture and government, especially in China.   Readers should also know that Weiwei acts as an advocate for human rights and demonstrates the need to maximize human happiness and minimize harm by providing fundamental human rights.

 As an art student, I selected Weiwei so that I can be exposed to the artwork, get inspiration, interact with the artist and think creatively, and increase my achievement levels.  Since Weiwei was influenced by his father Ai Qing, I also want to get motivated and learn more about artwork from this artist.  Some of the artworks by Weiwei that I liked include the Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn (1995) - it symbolizes the Chinese culture and Chinese civilization and its main idea is to destroy the communist China and focus on socialism (THE ART STORY, 2019).  Another artwork is the Study of Perspective Tiananmen Square (1995) - it symbolizes the Chinese culture and politics, as well as the Feudalism which led to social classes.  During the informational interview, first, I wanted the artist to know my area of interest and second, seek advice about the career, the challenges as well as the benefits (THE ART STORY, 2019).  Remarkably, I received positive answers to my question.  I learned that art is the most important area that makes someone gain experience, understand values and beliefs and more importantly make sense of things around us.  In addition, visual art will help become creative, explore possibilities, and gain cultural awareness.

 According to my own preferences, Weiwei has experienced both advantages and disadvantages in this position.  First, he has been able to express his ideas about the Chinese political system and he has provided individuals with a new perspective.  In addition, the artwork has helped him expand his imagination, move people emotionally, and intellectually, and develop a sense of accomplishment (THE ART STORY, 2019).   Note that he has shared his artwork with the world and people have recognized the problems with the political system and the need to change the culture and promote social stability. However, in creating visual art, he has encountered challenges such as time, money and commitment, and competition with other artists (THE ART STORY, 2019).  Other challenges include criticism and hatred that led to his persecution by the Chinese authority.  In working in the visual art industry, I expect to experience advantages such as freedom to express myself, use imagination, explore the world, solve problems, and develop a sense of accomplishment. However, this industry will pose challenges such as competition with other artists which leads to low income, criticism from opponents, and limited opportunities (THE ART STORY, 2019).  All in all, I have learned that artwork is a rewarding job as it gives one the opportunity to practice natural talent, address different matters and bring innovations.   I have also gained professional advice;   in order to be a professional artist, I should be authentic, avoid competitions, and ensure financial freedom.

Work cited

 THE ART STORY. (2019). Ai Weiwei: Chinese Conceptual Artist.  Retrieved from: https://www.theartstory.org/artist-ai-weiwei.htm

Using Art Education to Help Other Lessons Stick

This article discusses the effects that art has on the learning of other subjects for students especially at the tender ages. This article was selected because it discusses matters of how education can be made easier for students to understand and how education curriculum can be made fun for students. Art is something that current education systems are trying to scrap out without considering the importance that these subjects have on the students. Art subjects are what help create a balance in the education system from the boring classroom routines and tests to adventures outdoor or indoor activities that help rejuvenate the students and make them more interested in school.

As the article illustrates, art is something that is loved by every individual and this is mostly because of the fact that it breaks the norm of teacher student relationship (Klass, 2019). With art as illustrated in the article, the teacher gets to interact with their students on another closer level without any fear of not understanding concepts. With art, the students get to be themselves, all learning and literary experimenting on new ideas. Art gives the students a chance to be creative as they look for new ideas to make things work, which is a trait that is very important in every aspect of real life (Klass, 2019).

I find the subject of this article related to health communication in the sense that the education curriculum has not been properly effected in such a way that it nurtures the brain of the student. The world today has basically shifted its focus on science and technology, this has changed the mind-set of the education systems to reason that art and humanities are no longer important. This is however wrong, because without art then the other science subjects will not be effectively understood. The curriculum lacks that understanding of the fact that the brain is something that relies on rhythm and frequent repetition in order for it to be effective. Creative use of songs to help the students master science concepts, makes learning fun and easy for the students unlike the normal dictation by the teachers that is sometimes too boring for the students to cope with (Klass, 2019). The brain works in a very unique way and this includes the use of repetition to help in memory storage.

 Art is all about repetition a good example being singing, singing is all about rhythm and it is very easy to remember a song as opposed to memorizing an essay. When the teachers integrate the use of songs in their respective subjects, the students not only find the classes fun but also find it easier to understand concepts better. As illustrated by the article, art encourages the students to be more socially dynamic, it helps them develop better social skills as well as better reasoning capacities because they learn to interact, imagine and also approach their learning in a systematic manner (Klass, 2019). Art gives the children a chance to refine skills over time and this makes in the overall helps them develop better mental and also personal skills.

Arts can be termed to be the most important element in the education system; it creates room for exploration and creativity which in turn help students to be better performers. It is time that the education system changed its perception of art and encouraged its integration most especially in the young children.

References

Klass, P. (2019, March 04). Using Arts Education to Help Other Lessons Stick. Retrieved

from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/04/well/family/using-arts-education-to-help-other-lessons-stick.html

American Art

Discussion Forum: Images of George Washington 

             Both Greenough and Houdon presented important artwork that appealed to Americans during the 18th century. The statue of Washington in the works of Greenough and Houdon display similarities.  For example, the artists present Washington as an American political model, they capture his likeness, the images describe him as a champion, authoritarian, powerful, brave, and a strong man (Zygmont, 2019).   For examples, there are images where both artists present Washington in a contemporary attire and holding a walking cane to symbolize a private citizen.  Other images are made of bronze, and his facial expression is fatherly or in other words, he is presented as a man with paternal qualities such as kind, protective, and affectionate (Zygmont, 2019). In generally, Washington is presented as a symbol of authority, and a Roman dictator.  The artists also focused on the classical idealism in painting the images to show Washington's beliefs and values in building society. However, there are some differences in how the artists present the images of George Washington. For example,   Houdon present Washington as a hero whereas Greenough presents him as a god.  For example in the 1788-92 statute in Richmond, Virginia, Washington is in military uniform and holds a  military sword to symbolize his power and strength (Zygmont, 2019). On the other hand, in 1840 statue, Greenough presents Washington as a god in Greek attire as a symbol of emancipation.

 Response to classmates' opinion (Heather Gloster)

 I agree with your opinion that Both Greenough and Houdon present Washington as a significant historical figure. They remind the Americans his role in America's Revolutionary War and they also adopt a common style known as neoclassical style.  In presenting Washington, they focus on Enlightenment ideas to show Washington's authority, legitimacy, and his role in building a better society. I also support the idea that these traditional images are better than contemporary art images (Zygmont, 2019).   In the past, artists presented realistic things, unlike today where artists do not represent realist thing and make it hard to understand the meaning of the artwork.

Discussion Forum: Identity and Culture

            Culture and group identity are related in that culture encompass ways of life and these ways of life or in other words, ideas and feelings are socially constructed (Livesey  & Lawson, 2008).  Identity is formed by embracing all principles or norms that a particular group has formed.  Thus, culture and identity are linked in that one forms a sense of belonging and follows social behavior through collective knowledge.  Culture is essential as it is the source of identity. In other words,  culture or the way of life helps people build relationships,   gains nationality, understand respective ethnicity,  understands the moral character, and understand own gender, among other important things (Livesey  & Lawson, 2008).  Culture, which is made of values, beliefs and practices help one form identity or in other words, helps the members of the particular group understand the acceptable behavior, guidelines, and what is expected from them.  I identify with the cultural background of the Native Americans and I am proud of our cultural lifestyle, customs, and beliefs.  The Native American culture is important in that first, it is shaped my personal identity (Livesey & Lawson, 2008).  Through the pattern of behaviors in this culture,   I formed gender identity, I understand my religion and beliefs, and I understand ceremonies and customs and all these have helped in building a sense of belonging.

Response to classmates' opinion (Paradyce Reed)

 I agree with your opinion that culture and group identity are related and they go hand in hand.  Culture helps individuals build identity through learning various ways of life such as values, beliefs, customs, food, and more.  Culture is socially constructed or in other words, it creates beliefs and practices and these ways of life help the members develop a sense of belonging and build an identity.

References 

Zygmont  ryan. ( 2019). Jean-Antoine Houdon, George Washington.  smarthistory. Retrieved from: https://smarthistory.org/houdon-george-washington/

  Livesey. Chris., & Lawson Tony.  (2008). AS Sociology For AQA [2nd Edition]. Retrieved from: http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/AS4AQA_identity_v2_2.pdf

Reading Reports

Introduction

 Visual methodologies employ two chapters that comprise of two similar discourse analyses to bring out different views from Foucault. The first discourse analysis expresses itself through written or spoken and spoken material.  On the other hand, Foucault employs the second discourse analysis to show the institutional practices by focusing on the production, power regimes, and the aspect of technology.

Artistic Works That Deals With Institutional Critique

Through the second discourses analysis, Foucault criticises institutions made to subvert the human mind and the very change it brings. He goes ahead to talk about institutions like prisons, hospitals and asylums. Consequently, Foucault cites evidence from a book written eighty years before called the birth of prison to bring out the question of why the institution needed a change. The Birth of Prison goes ahead to state the type of punishment by changing the penal organisation in post-medieval Europe where visuality organisation and spatiality is central.

Foucault goes ahead to ask why the change from spectacular punishment to torture that follows a specific routine had to happen. Consequently, Foucault criticised the prison institution by saying the public execution that was present before is not the same us the current body punishment in prisons. Also, the body is seen as an instrument through which exercise is done upon it to change the way of doing things a phenomenon Foucault view as a way to deprive the liberty that is regarded as a right and a property.

Foucault described the emergence of new professions that could administer punishment and who could carry out the punishment on the subjects he named the ‘docile body’ due to their nature to conform themselves new principles in constraints and privations on obligations and privileges.  Also, the main critique made by Foucault about the new punishment body he called ‘docile body’ is that they are. The docile body had to discipline themselves through the machine that was mind changing through apparatus and technology.

Possibilities and Suggestions

Ashely Hunts Notes on the Emptying Of a City

 Ashely Hunt’s Notes on the emptying of a city is a dismantled film performance with the documentary images alongside the storytelling before a live audience. Just like the observations made by Foucault in Visual Methodologies, the Ashely Hunts expresses the feeling of people and criticises the system through written materials. Consequently, Ashly Hunts criticises the community by dehumanising the people by denying them rights and emptying their memories and homes to attain processes of democratic politics(Stewart). Ashly reflects on the building’s written marks by the police and soldiers in Beyond Katrina saying the inmates and prisoners refused to be evacuated, but a witness told the different account that the hurricane killed the inmates because the soldiers refused to vacate them.

Ashely Hunts goes a step further to look into the security clearance required for someone to gain access into the prisons especially when working with the media. Consequently, the notion around the prisons protection is that they are ensuring enough security, but Ashely criticises the idea by asking whether the protection is for the inmates or the pilled secrets in the prisons

Ashley goes a step further by looking into Orleans Parish Prison where there is total control of information and the things that the people do so that the head of the parish prison can stay in power. In prison, a pile of bodies is seen, but the minimum to no answer is given to any question asked especially from Sherriff Marlon Guzman.  Also, the Sherriff did not want to answer any questions paused by the human activist during the press conference, and once she arrives, the Sherriff quickly notes and concludes his briefing but she asked questions that seemed to bother him.

 The human activist asked how the Sherriff department was going to be looking into the matter that surrounds the prisoners who cannot be accounted for and ways the family members can get in contact with their loved ones(McNamarah, Chan Tov). Consequently, the human activist asked if the prisoners that were not accounted for were still alive prompting the Sherriff to respond by saying the activist's organisation is talking about issues that he wants to withhold. Also, the Sherriff warns the activists and tells her that she is on his list showing that she should stop digging information where there is no need (Han, Shuchu, et al).

Work Cited

Han, Shuchu, et al. "Generating Look-alike Names For Security Challenges." Proceedings of the 10th ACM Workshop on Artificial Intelligence and Security. ACM, 2017.

McNamarah, Chan Tov. "White Caller Crime: Racialized Police Communication & Existing While Black." Available at SSRN 3312512 (2018).

Stewart, Suzanne L., Roy Moodley, and Ashley Hyatt, eds. Indigenous Cultures and Mental Health Counselling: Four Directions for Integration with Counselling Psychology. Taylor & Francis, 2016.