OBJECTS ARE ALSO EVENTS

" a great number of Chinese words do duty for both nouns and verbs- so one who thinks in Chinese
has little difficulty in seeing that objects are also events, that our world is a collection of processes
rather than things." Bones of the Master-George Crane

The objective of this exercise is to use Drawings and Photographs of your object to create a Transformed Image.

Guidelines:

-Choose 4 words to illustrate from your word list of the object.

-Choose 1 image, of the 4, to illustrate movement in your object.
How does your object have movement (rotate, explode, implode etc.)?
How do you depict this movement?

-Create 4 images: Minimum size 11”x14”
Methods: Digital or Traditional Canvas

1.Cut apart
Recombine
Photocopy/Repetition (make 2 copies at original size, 2 enlargements and 2 reductions)

2. Experiment: Scan actual object and experiment with the image on a digital canvas.
Drawings + Photographs = Transformed Image
(Traditional or Digital Canvas)

Employ 2D elements of Design:
Subject Form Content Unity Variety Balance Scale Proportion Rhythm Emphasis Space Movement Repetition Economy Line Shape Texture Value Color Unity Variety Balance Scale Proportion Rhythm Emphasis Space Movement Repetition Economy Line Shape

Due M Nov. 24: 4 Images 11”x 14” -Post 2 on your blog.

Read- Bones of the Master- Chapter 1-14 pgs .1-150

More info. on the Dali Lama: http://www.dalailama.com/

TRANSFORM through drawings and photographs

By definition, something that is alive is mutable, changeable, capable of transforming.
-Art of the Natural World- Valerie C. Doran
Objective:

Identify an object to study, analyze and TRANSFORM through drawings and photographs.
Drawings + Photographs = Transformed Image
(Traditional or Digital Canvas)

Part A:

1. Identify an object that is of interest to you in the spirit of Chinese nature art. This object must be portable because you will be bringing it to class.


2. Write down a list of 15 –20 words that you think of when you look at the object. What are its transforming qualities? What attracted you to this object?

Write a 2-paragraph response. Post words and response on blog.

Part B:

Make 30 drawings of this object. Choice of materials used is up to you.

10-5x7 paper
10-18x24 paper
10-11x14 paper

You may use these techniques but are not limited to them.

Point or dots Point of View
Line Collage Approaches
Shape Movement
Value Contour
Texture Color

Post min. 3 drawings on blog.

Part C. Digital Photographs

You will make 30 photographs of this object using the digital camera. How does the way you photograph the object help to reinforce your ideas about it? You may use these approaches but are not limited to them.

Composition
Point of View
Perspective
Emphasize scale

Guidelines:
-Make 5 photographs using shallow depth of field
-Make 5 photographs using great depth of field
-Other photos are your choice

Print out 3-5 8x10”.

Post min. 3 photos on blog.

DUE- MON. Nov. 17:

BRING OBJECT, ALL DRAWINGS & PHOTOS TO CLASS FOR GROUP MEETINGS

SCHOLAR ROCKS

The objective of this exercise is to become familiar with Chinese Nature Art. You will study and analyze objects in the collection of the MFA through drawings and photographs.

Reading: Art of the Natural World-Richard Rosenblum (hand out)

-Write short response to reading on your blog : min. 1-2 paragraphs

Identify and Study:

1. Field Work: Boston MFA

Trip to the Chinese Scholar Rock Collection
Chinese Furniture Exhibit-1st floor near SE Asian section
(4-5 rocks in this room)

Large rock outside MFA is also a scholar rock

2. Identify an object from the collection that is of interest to you.
Write down a list of 15 –20 words that you think of when you look at the object.

Post writing on Blog.

3. Make 10 drawings of this object. (scale & medium is up to you)

You may use these techniques but are not limited to them.

Point or dots Point of View
Line Shape
Value Contour
Texture Color Movement

4. Make 10-15 digital images of this object.

Approach your photographs with attention to:

Composition
Point of View
Perspective
Emphasize scale

You may photograph the scholar rocks but do not use your flash.
The general rule for photography in the MFA is no flash and only permanent collection art is allowed to be photographed.

5. Post a min. of 2 drawings & 2 photos on your blog.

THE SUBJECT IS COLOR

Section 1


Museum Visit:
1. Visit IN PERSON an artwork in the:
The Gardner Museum, 280 The Fenway Boston, MA 02115
Tuesday-Sunday 11 am-5 pm, Free with MassArt ID

2. Title: __________________________________


Artist:____________________________

3. Answer:
a. Immediate Response-What is your immediate response in relationship to color?
b. Objective Description- Objective Description-Describe the work to a blind person.
c. Formal Matters- Describe the work using properties of value, color-value, hue, intensity, temperature & texture and any other 2d principles.
d. The Story It Tells-Does the work tell a story? How does color
reinforce this idea?


View On-Line: http://www.gardnermuseum.org

4. How does the on-line color reproduction differ from the original? Be specific.
5. What color characteristics in the original are or are not translated on-line?
6. What stands out in your mind about the different viewing experiences?
7. Which way of viewing the work do you prefer? Why?

Due: M Oct. 27 POST IMAGE & RESPONSE ON YOUR BLOG

THE SUBJECT IS COLOR

THE SUBJECT IS COLOR
Section 2

The objective of this exercise is to explore and expand Color in the original artwork from the Gardner Museum. You will deconstruct color in the image and create a completely new image inspired by the color in the original work.

Part A: Research

1. Scan High Resolution (300dpi) Gardner Museum Image from a book.

Name of Book:

Artist:

Title of Artwork:

2. Create a grid of swatches sampled from the work you have chosen.
For example: you could have a grid of 12, 9 colors or 6 but not less than 6.

3. Organize these swatches in a way that represents dominance or larger areas of color in the composition.

4. Print Out Image (8x10”) and Post on Blog.

Part B: Locate

1. Locate surfaces and colors in the natural environment that correspond to your color sample. These surfaces can be created with paint, pencils, pastels or pens. Surfaces can also be found, ie walls, book pages, plants etc.

2. Create a grid of these color samples.
If you have a grid of 6 in Part A, make a grid of 6 in this exercise.

3. Organize these swatches in a way that represents dominance or larger areas of color in the composition.

4. Bring to class.

Part C: New Composition

These exercises have helped you decide how color is working in your original image and this will inform how you approach creating a completely new image with color as the subject.
1. Create a new image outer dimensions at least 11x17.
2. Image can be created traditionally, on a digital canvas or a combination.

Print Out Image and Post on Blog.

DUE: MON. OCT. 27: 2 GRIDS AND 1 NEW COMPOSITION

ART MATTERS RESEARCH

The objective of this exercise is to research artists who deal with conflict or respond to conflict that is political, cultural or personal in nature. You will be asked to do a short presentation of your research.

RESEARCH AND IDENTIFY

1. The first part of this exercise is to research and identify one artist.

Post this research on your BLOG:
a. Artist Statement
b. 3 images
c. Name of Magazine/Periodical and book for research.

2. A short presentation of the artist will include.

a. 5-8 digital images of the artist’s work
b. Choose 1 image to describe using formal 2D language
c. Biographical information: who, where, when, why?
d. Method, style and form (work in general)
e. What is the Conflict? (Content of Work)

Guidelines:
-10 minute presentations, 5 minutes for discussion, PDF or iphoto presentation.

-Images can be gathered from image databases, web searches and scanned material.
Provide research from on-line sources AND at least 1 1magazine or periodical and one book.

HANK WILLIS THOMAS
DIANE ARBUS
KEHINDE WILEY
SALLY MANN