Module 12: Video Review

I chose the videos “Abstract Expressionism and Pop: Art of the ‘50s and ‘60s” and “Andy Warhol: Images of an Image”. I selected these videos because I am interested in learning more about Abstract, Pop Art, and artists such as Andy Warhol.

The video “Abstract Expressionism and Pop: Art of the ‘50s and ‘60s” is about how Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art began. The video shows examples of art from several artists that are in the category of Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art.  

The video “Andy Warhol: Images of an Image” is about Andy Warhol and his works, and his influence in the world of art. Andy Warhol is an important artist because of his unique style and use of images.  

The first video is related to the reading on Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art which were briefly discussed in the textbook on Chapter 22. Also, the second video is related to the section of the reading about Andy Warhol.

The first video adds more in-depth information on how Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art have developed during the Sixties and Seventies. On the other hand, the second video provides more in-depth information on Andy Warhol’s life and contributions to the art world, along with more examples of his art.

Module 11: Art Gallery Visit #2

Step 1: The Exhibition

Picasso: The Artist and His Models

The theme of the exhibition is about Picasso’s use of models in his works. The exhibition reveals the ways in which the artist played a major role in the development of modern art by calling into question conventional ideas about art as the imitation of reality.

Step 2: The Gallery

The lighting used focuses on the artwork only. Different color walls are used in the exhibition. Some walls were brighter but mostly they were darker colors. It was easy to move around the art gallery space, as there were no large obstructions. There are small sculpture stands in the art gallery space.

Step 3: The Artwork

The artworks are similar because they all show images of women as the subject.

The artworks are different because of the style used. Picasso’s artworks showed more imaginative images of women, while Matisse’s artwork represented actual images of women.

Artist: Pablo Picasso

Title of work: The Women of Algiers (after Delacroix)

Media: Oil on canvas

Date: 1954

Size: 25 5/8 x 28 5/8 inches

Source of picture (URL): https://www.albrightknox.org/art/exhibitions/picasso-artist-and-his-models

Description 

The painting shows images of several naked women inside a building.

Formal analysis 

The principles used were rhythm. The rhythm is in the lines used on the walls, the windows, and clothing. 

The elements used were lines, shapes, and color. The lines and shapes throughout the artwork to create the image of the women. Also, a variety of colors are used to create contrast between the images of women and the background. 

Bracketing 

The work reminds me of women in a brothel were they are all naked and are waiting for customers.

Interpretation 

The artist gets most of his inspiration from images of women and his history of going to the red light districts has inspired him to paint about women.

Artist: Henri Matisse

Title of work: La Musique

Media: Oil on canvas

Date: 1939

Size: 45 3/8 x 45 x 3/8 inches

Source of picture (URL): https://www.albrightknox.org/art/exhibitions/picasso-artist-and-his-models

Description 

The painting shows an image of two women making music. One woman is holding a musical instrument, while the other is looking at a book with musical notes.

Formal analysis 

The principles used were scale and proportion. The women's bodies look bigger compared to their heads.

The elements used were lines, shapes, and color. These elements create the background and the images of the women. 

Interpretation

The artist wants to show women are also artists in their own way, such as playing musical instruments and making music. 

Artist: Pablo Picasso

Title of work: Femme en vert (Dora) (Woman in Green)

Media: Oil on canvas

Date: 1944

Size: 511/8 x 381/8 inches

Source of picture (URL): https://www.albrightknox.org/art/exhibitions/picasso-artist-and-his-models

Description

The painting shows an image of a women that is created in various distorted shapes.

Formal analysis 

The principles used were emphasis and rhythm. The image of the women is emphasized by its colors and the background. Also, there are repetition of lines used to create a rhythm in the woman's clothing.

The elements used were lines, shapes, color, and pattern. There are several lines and shapes used to create patterns in the woman's clothing. Several colors are also used for the image of the women as well as the background.

Interpretation 

The artist wants to show his imagination of a woman portrayed in a very creative way. 

The art gallery visit was the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. The art gallery is very spacious and it was easy to navigate around, especially in the Picasso: The Artist and His Models exhibit. Overall, seeing Picasso and Matisse's artworks after watching the video about them makes it a very fascinating experience. 

Module 11: Video Reviews

I chose the videos “Matisse and Picasso” and “The Mystical North: Spanish Art from the 19th Century to the Present”. I selected these videos because I am interested in learning more modern art and how it developed through times that were challenging in history.

The video “Matisse and Picasso” is about the interesting relationship that Matisse and Picasso have, where they paid homage and admire each other’s work while also competing against each other. Their relationship was brought together by the Stein family who were avid art lovers who collected both of their arts. The video also shows how different Matisse and Picasso were as people, such as how Matisse loved to travel around while Picasso mostly stayed in his studio. Also, their inspiration for art was similar. For Picasso and Matisse, inspiration comes from women. However, Matisse needed a model right in front of him while painting portraits, but for Picasso he did not need any models.

The video “The Mystical North: Spanish Art from the 19th Century to the Present” is about the contributions of Northern Spain to art including producing famous artists such as Goya, Gaudi, Picasso and Giro.Modern art in Spain flourished with the contributions of these artists despite the difference in styles. Goya’s art was dark and strayed away from religion while Gaudi’s was bright and was inspired by religion. Gaudi’s art inspired artists such as Picasso, while Picasso inspired Giro’s works.

The videos are related to the readings on modern art. Modern art has flourished around the world and many artists renewed the people’s taste on art with their different approach on art and architecture through artists’ different experiences and inspirations in life.

The videos add more in-depth information on how modern art developed at the beginning of the 19^th century, especially when different events in society influenced what artists did. In the videos, artists such as Goya was influenced greatly by the events of what was happening in Spain, and so his art were mostly about death and hardships that people faced. Another example is in Picasso’s art, where his childhood memories of growing up in Barcelona and having his first sexual experience still influence his art.