Blog Post #1

I see art around me when i go to Socrates Sculpture park. When I'm there i see sculptures done by various artists that can freely express their ideas and it's a free exhibition for anyone that passes by. The sizes can vary, but usually larger than 5 feet. A couple of the sculptures are interact able such as bridges planted in the middle of the park or such as a sculpture containing jungle bars, an obstacle with tires, a crawl under nets and hurdles made to resemble an obstacle race. The size of this sculpture as stated by the picture next to the picture of the sculpture , is 30' x 30' x 30'. The color is Green because of the pyramid and the plants used to create "The Living Pyramid". I think the artists created this to demonstrate the extra-ordinary version of the ordinary in everyday life. And to exalt the beauty of nature and its importance as seen through the idea of placing it on a pyramid

There is a debate regarding the legitimacy of architecture as art

Growing up in Bed Stuy, there is no question

When the leaves start to transform and descend from the branches

And these Brooklyn streets are covered with them

When you look down Bainbridge or Halsey or Jefferson Ave 

To marvel at the beauty

Once autumn arrives

Around these amazingly, artfully constructed buildings

You know that these structures are truly masterpieces

That is the time of year when I see it the most

And those moments of me stopping in my tracks

On the way to wherever

Hastily or not

To take in scenes, I've enjoyed all my life

That still cease to amaze

Beautiful

Architecture, much like any other art form, capitulates a certain period or moment in history. Just as you can look at a Picasso piece and identify the period he created it, so can you with a building. Especially with buildings as historic as the brownstones in the very neighborhood I grew up in, many of which are actually certified historical landmarks. 

Brownstone was originally used in NYC architecture to front buildings that were built using more inexpensive stone and/or brick. Not many preferred it or considered it "desirable" until the romantic movement/era of the mid 1800's when a darker look was adopted. Both literally and figuratively. The purpose of these Brownstones being built were not to merely serve as reflections of personal taste but, more profoundly, as a reflection of the aesthetics of the time. A time when music, art, literature and even thought/intellect were in alignment in all of the Western world. You can look at the buildings and see the homage to the Middle Ages through the color palette and European inspired design; you can see the focus on the ghostly/mysterious through the faces and human figures (that fascinated me as a kid as I clutched my parents' hand on the way to school) sculpted in some of the oldest brownstones. This too is true with all forms of expression during the period these gorgeous structures were built. 

These brownstones fulfill out need and use of art in numerous ways. In regards to the list provided on the first day of class, these brownstones record and commemorate a specific movement/era. They were constructed and molded to resemble forms of the Middle Age, some even containing specific images and scenes. They are definitely extraordinary versions of homes. I'd argue that these structures gave tangibility to the feeling of the period which was centered around intensity and all things gothic. And lastly, it completely changed the look of many areas of the city and the way in which brownstone was viewed and utilized. 

For Closure (outdoors the Bronx) by Gabriela Salazar

Here in the Bronx, I don’t particularly go outside and look for art. But when I was a sophomore in high school. I used to take the BX42 or BX40 bus to the West Farms Square/East Tremont Avenue subway station because I needed to catch the 2 train to get to school. As soon as I would get off the bus, the first thing I would of seen would be this sculpture of doors put into pyramid. Each door is made up of different colors and one of them even has a pattern on it that is different from the rest. My thought when I saw it was “why are there doors by the train station”. It wasn’t until this task that I took the time to learn of its backstory. The artist, Gabriela Salazar, a new york native, created this art piece because of the crisis that was happening in the housing sector. It makes more sense now because it’s not just a bunch of doors that have been put in front of the train station. It has been put there because of the struggle of living there, but West Farms is not the area in New York City with that problem. New York City may be known as the fashion capital of the world, but a massive part of the population lives in poverty. The doors represent safety for people with a home without a door there is really no security, which is how many people live. For Closure, is powerful to me now because I could look at it all of those doors and feel safe.

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Sorry all, I did not find anything interesting on my way home however, I found this piece of work on google without the artists name but when I saw this piece it automatically gave me a sense of hope.  I would like to think that this piece is a 3D painting.  I say 3D because I feel as though  I am standing right there under the Brooklyn Bridge. I believe there is a mixture of color and size that catches the viewers eyes. There are dark blue clouds passing through the sky, fading away and then the bright orange and yellow colors representing the sun. Now the further the picture goes the brighter it becomes which is why I mentioned hope because looking from the bottom of the picture and placing yourself there, ahead is a journey or where you're standing is a struggle but as you look further out or cross that bridge you will see a brighter future, the end of your struggle. Base on what we have discussed in class, this is a piece that was painted to create a place for a human purpose. Like an escape route of some sort, either for the artist or the viewer. Thank you all for reading my outlook on this piece of art. I would like to hear what you all have to say about this picture or even if we agree. This assignment  has been fun and I look forward to more. Goodnight

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Growing  up in the Buddhist family Buddha's painting, sculpture, etc. Can see day to day life. This painting name called "Thangka". We can find this kind of painting at Buddhist monasteries, museums and houses. I believe people been painting this kind of paint since 11th century. People used to paint this kind of painting on wall, paper, canvases and cloth. According to the viewer views it looks like a huge monster with six faces, legs, arms holding various weapons. but actually it's the painting of goddess name "Vajrabhairav". The size of this painting is about 15"×19". Usually Thangka artist tries to illustrate the life of Buddha, various influential monks and other Goddess. As I know about this painting symbolized the pure enlightenment. The purpose of this Thangka is for devotional as well as for home decoration.

Blog Post #1

This is a picture of the famous twin towers before the tragic day in September. It represents both sadness and anger because a lot of lives were taken that day and the people who caused this event. This photograph also represents commemoration of September eleven.

Blog Post #1

Believe it or not colleagues, in my eyes this is art. If you guys here me out and look into my point of view of why this is a form of art, you'll at least understand my well thought out point of view and maybe even agree. This tree has recently been in my sight. It is just around my neighborhood and a number of them has grown since the beginning of Spring 2015. It is not just to tree that makes it art. It is the symbolization and the purpose for the number of trees being grown. The botanist's critical thinking in planting them must've also had an element of artistic feeling in that person's instinct. The botanist/artist must've made it to make a positive impact towards the community, and to express its passion for nature. It is just like what an artist needs to become great at it's work, passion and expression. The tree's form is not as eccentric as others. It is not perfect. There are two branches from a dead tree holding thin branch so it would not collapse. It may look physically weak, but artistically it is not. The symbolism behind the growth and process of this tree, it is just as important as an oak that you would find in the suburbs. A regular spectator just passing through the neighborhood maybe just see a tree. Myself, if someone was to see it in my point of view, growing tree is a sign of hope and positivity. Especially for the simple observation of not seeing much nature at an urban location. Even the little things around our sight, may have more significance than something that is obvious. Sometimes, there is art and beauty in front of your face and you would not even notice.

Karilis Cruz: The world around me

                                                                        Art surrounds me, I see the world through a photographer's eyes. Anything can be turned into art just as long as you have the right imagination for it. A leaf in the woods can become art, showing the beauty of the natural world giving the credit to mother nature who really deserves it. Art mostly stands out in its 3D form extending its arms to me,calling out the inner photographer. Lighting is crucial the way that light reflects off the captured scenery draws me in, go ahead catch the light of life. Lighting focuses the attention to the main point of the photograph .Lighting can also set the emotion of the picture.The viewer can feel what the photographer originally wanted the viewer to feel.The purpose of a photograph is too tell a story either short or large depending on the components within the picture, the picture tells the story for the artist. Just like the saying goes "A picture can say a thousand words".

Photograph taken by me 

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I live in the middle of nowhere, my surrounds are houses and more houses. There is no art anywhere from where I live so that’s why i decided to do it on the Unisphere. I see the Unisphere every time I go to Flushing. The Unisphere is a 3D sculpture that is a 12 stories high globe of Earth. This sculpture is huge and you are able to see it from many places. The Unisphere is 140 feet high and 120 feet in diameter weighing in at 900,000 pounds. It is build with some of the heaviest steels in the world. They had to be very careful engineering this sculpture because it is very unbalanced. When you first walk to up the Unisphere, it will be the biggest globe you’ve ever seen. The Unisphere itself is made out of stainless steel metal and it constructed with high detail to make the Earth. When the artist (Gilmore David Clarke) made the Unisphere there was a meaning behind it called “Peace Through Understanding”. Gilmore David Clarke made the Unisphere as a symbol of peace. He wanted everyone to understand one another and all be in peace. Even though we still do not have world peace, Clarke believes it will happen. This sculpture has been up for over 50 years and it still stands today. The Unisphere is also a symbol of culture because in Queens we have people from all over the world. The Unisphere allows all visitors and it is a great place to visit and just enjoy what is there.

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   This is an art piece by Kim Rosen. She is known for 2d illustrations. I'm sure most of you have seen this inside the trains almost every day. I always stare at this every time I see it. I stare at every single person and study all their features like how she chose to dress them and add certain accessories or hair styles. I also love how the variety of ages, nationalities, races, and cultures are illustrated. This was made specifically for our subways and the purpose of it I believe is to show an extraordinary version of ordinary objects. Or in this case, ordinary scenery. These are people we see every day around us in this lovely city of ours. We are able to meet all these various kinds of people on the subways but we don't always pay attention. I think this piece is to make you pay attention. It is to show you every person who might be around you but you might not have even noticed. The men from different countries who are trying to get to work to provide for their families, just like everyone else. The old woman or children patiently waiting for a seat. The man with a unique sense of style who decided to gauge is ears. Or even things as simple as the variety of hair styles we all choose. Like dreads or a crazy hair color. The colors we love to wear or the designs on our clothes. All this and much more is shown in this art piece. You just have to look; you have to pay attention. This is what is around you; and it is all crunched together in this long frame.

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Most of my close friends are very talented artists, I consider myself very lucky to be constantly surrounded by people who are being creative and doing some really incredible stuff. From art for band t-shirts, album art, concert posters or artwork for local businesses, the artwork I'm surrounded by on a daily basis is impressive and awe inspiring. The photo above is a t-shirt designed by my roommate Sam Ryser for our friends band Hank Wood and the Hammerheads. Sam has a really unique style of art that has always fascinated me, he's been working a lot on lettering and sign painting lately and some of the script that he's been coming up with has made the art he's been doing really interesting. I spend a lot of time playing shows and going to see bands, the music is the main reason I go but the aesthetic of the bands and the artwork that they use adds so much to something I love.

Post #1 "Sureal Sculptures" by Bruno Catalano.

When I saw this picture, I was amazed by the talent of this artist and certainly I was intrigue by his art. I wanted to know what was behind this masterpiece, who created and what was his purpose?

My first impression was "wow" how can this be possible?? and why he will design something like this?? In my mind I was thinking "is this person feeling empty? Is he leaving his town, friends, family and country??

Well, those were my predictions specially because if that was the case I can related with this magnificent piece of art. That could be a similar feeling I've felt when I left my country, and relatives.

Honestly nothing could describe me better than this back then and probably I still might feel this emptiness and loneliness once in a while when I think about my family.

At the end of the day I believe that everyone has different ways to perceive and represent art. This is the way I perceived Bruno Catalano's art.

In addition, I found out that his art is called “Les Voyageurs” in Marseilles that depict realistic human workers with large parts of their bodies missing. 

The sculptures were put on display in Marseilles to celebrate its position as the 2013 European Capital of Culture. They are skillful works of art even without the omissions, but the missing parts of the sculptures make them truly extraordinary. They leave room for the imagination--are they missing something, or is it something that these “voyagers” have simply left behind?? What’s especially impressive is that some of the sculptures seem to stand on very little support, giving them a sort of surreal and magical appearance right??. In my opinion the author created these sculptures to "Construct meaningful images and forms" and perhaps is also related to "Extra-ordinary versions of ordinary objects". So this way Bruno Catalano it's  expressing the way he feels by representing his art with these sculptures in a very particular and stunning way.

P.S. I may was wrong or right to make my own assumptions and predictions about his art but one thing I was totally confident about it was that Catalano's art is sincerely outstanding and unique--making an exceptional contribution to the world.

Ninotska Love.

    I do not have an artistic environment around me generally, so I go online to look at art galleries, or research different artists.  In this case since I was web streaming, I had stumbled upon this photo. It was very dramatic and had caught my eye in such a way.
This is graphic designing, 2-D art. The artist had said to be unknown, I assumed since he/she wanted to keep it mysterious. What I think that this artist was trying to portray was predominantly his/her emotions. It is very dark, very solemn, it is almost like you cannot breathe, but then fresh air is given within the center.

1. I had found this specific picture most intriguing, it was not a random choice, for this had struck out to me and had spoken to me. It speaks in such a dramatic way with color. How other viewers may interpret this picture is gloomy and intense perhaps. Unsure maybe of the story being given. Some may even say with darkness there is light, but leaves you with such a heaviness. With the faded texture of an old fashion picture gives this art piece more of a vintage yet melancholy effect. Some may falsely assume that this artist may be depressed, or this may just be a troubling picture. It has both effects in a way between the eclipse happening and the warm and cold colors. Depending on the individuals in take upon this graphic design they may grasp s sense of warmness and isolation. Or just sheer depressed emotion. I believe that it is the sun setting, with the clash of the moon bring out all these fantastic colors. Despite the fact that it is limited. Overall this is a breathtaking piece. From its shadows to its highlights- to the echo of darkness that it repeats. It is unusual, strange, abstract and so self expressive. 

Photo

   Okay so this particular photo was taken in Woodstock New York. My fiance and I have been traveling around New York from time to time and were just relaxing in a creek. She is an artist as well as a photographer. I wanted to share this with you because in my day to day life I am always exploring nature, especially with her. This photo is considered 2-D I believe, and why I had chosen this picture specially even if it it is not a painting, drawing, or even a sculpture, I take nature as art with in itself. Sometimes you do not need to paint it in order to say it is art, but to show its true essence.
I feel why this particular artist had chosen this picture is because it gives you the luxury of a fantasy. There is no limitation of where this picture can't take you. From how it was taken with the trees fading into the distance, is a sense of mystery, and peace.
The colors are limited they are cold colors. But emotionally in a sense it does not feel as so.
The artist had the freedom to choose anywhere she wanted and yet she chose for where earth meets water. I feel like there was a deep spiritual connection with in this incorporated with in this picture.
What I think people may see and grasp from this image may be, almost creep, or mysterious. They may not know where to go or be. As well as other individuals can see what I see in which that it is freedom, life naturally flourishing, breathing, this may be a still picture but you feel as if it were moving.

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Water Logs

I found this very interesting and confusing because I was wondering who made this and or put this here. I was at my brother's neighborhood in Dumbo park. This is a 2D photography of standing darkish and greyish logs, as you see here the logs start from bigger then goes up to smaller logs. I think the creator made this to create places for human purpose , give tangible form to the unknown and feeling, and extra ordinary versions of ordinary objects. 

This photo is just a section of a 20-30 foot mural across the street from my grandmothers apartment building.  When I first saw this painting I was in awe. In vibrant blues and purples are the faces of our african american brothers pleading for the freedom to have the ability to come home to their families every night. 
The caption reads "A contemporary blues piece. This mural echoes an original lyric calling for emancipation. The ballad stretches across the wall in a worried note.We yearn for a city free from intimidation and aggravated encounters with police. We stand against the displacement of low income families in rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods. We cry out for the nearly 50,000 16-17 year olds arrested in New York and facing the possibility of prosecution as adults each year. This composition extends itself to anyone who has experienced loss or heart break, with compassion and respect for the sanctity of life." This mural is just the one act of many trying to speak out about police brutality towards African American people. This piece is used to create a place for human purpose, to record and commemorate, to construct meaningful images, give tangible form to feeling, and most importantly to refresh our vision and see the world in a new way. Art like this encourages us to try to get involved in the cause and try to make a difference in our communities.