Week of February 14

Monday, February 14



Above is the "Rabbit" done by Jeff Koons. Jeff Koons is a contemporary artist known for his sculptures of balloon animals. In 1986, "Rabbit" was created and eminates a soft inflatable bunny cast in stainless steel. The sculpture's polished surface allows the viewer to see their reflection regardless of the angle in which it is viewed. This work is glamorous and erotic despite its kitsch origins. Jeff started his rise when he changed contemporary and popular american art into controversial high art. In the case of "abstract art" Jeff Koon's painting were appreciated compared to other artists. His works feature simple imagery that is transformed into sculptures using fine materials.

Wednesday, February 16



Andy Warhol was a key artist in the "pop art" movement that emerged in America and other places in the 1950's. He connected the idea of television/film (media) influence into his paintings. Above are several photos of Marilyn Monroe with various colors and tints. These different forms and prints create and convey different sensations and moods. Warhol experimented with silkscreen printing, a popular technique that was readily used. Warhol moved away from the typical traditions. Many people did not welcome this new technique.

Week of February 7

Monday, February 7



This picture is entitled "A Few Small Nips" by Frida Kahlo. Inspired by a newspaper report about an unfaithful woman murdered by jealously, Frida created this work. A drunken man threw his girlfriend on a cot and stabbed her 20 times. However, he claimed that he only gave her "a few small  nips". Frida's sorrow and anger is eminated in this painting after she found out her husband was cheating on her with her sister. The viewer can feel the physical and emotional pain that Frida experienced. This picture is graphic and grotesque making the viewer want to know more about the story behind the painting. To many viewers, this piece of art may not seem beautiful but art does not have to have certain conditions for it to be beautiful. Beauty is personal.

Wednesday, February 9



The above piece of art was created by John  Baldessari. He made many works of art by placing colored shapes over the faces of authority in black and white images. Art gave him an understanding of what the universe was all about. Art is more than simply painting. Artists have control when creating the piece of art and the viewer has control in how they view the painting. This painting is interesting as the colors stand out against the black and white background. Many other artists do not approach creating their pieces in this way which makes this piece of art unique. This forces the viewer to contemplate what John Baldessari is communicating. We feel that the men with the red and green colorblocked faces are attempting to either save or help the man with the yellow colorblocked face.

Week of January 31st

Monday, January 31


The above photo is of a neon light installation done by Emilio Perez. We thought the neon light artwork we saw in class was extremely interesting so we decided to look into it further. This piece takes into account the greatness of a spectacle but quickly contradicts it. It makes the "spectacular" comment loud and clear but says silently that it is "empty" too. If a piece of artwork moves you to attentiveness and catches your eye then it is art. It is not art if it does not move you to attentiveness.

Wednesday, February 3

After reading "Enter the Dragon: On the Vernacular of Beauty" by Dave Hickey we decided to comment on the following quotations: 

"Beauty is not a thing. The Beautiful is a thing. In images, beauty is the agency that causes visual pleasure in the beholder..."

We agree with the above statement. Beauty is what attracts the viewer to the painting. Beauty is in the eye of the  beholder, therefore, some people may view beauty differently than others whether it be a violent, graphic painting or a soft and calming one. However, if a painting does not visually attract the viewer it does  not necessarily mean that it isnt't beautiful.

"The task of beauty is to enfranchise the audience and acknowledge its power-to designate a territory of shared values between the image and its beholder and then, in this territory to advance an argument by valorizing the picture's problematic content."

Beauty should liberate the audience and allow the viewers of the painting to realize the power it can have. The artist of the painting exhibits their values in the painting and the beholder sees these values as beauty. Therefore, the artist and the viewer share the same values as the beholder is attracted to the beauty of the painting.