Video Response Post

I thought the video to be interesting especially when it spoke about what make advertisements different than any other kind of artwork.  The one thing that stood out to me is that advertisements have to convince the audience they are not happy until they have their product.   One technique I found was interesting is the concept of glamour.  Glamour is what makes the audience crave what is depicted in the advertisement.  The narrator of the movie said to make them, the consumer, jealous.  I found that to be an intriguing tactic.  Making a people feeling jealous can trigger a response that the consumer will do anything to get the product.  That is exactly what the leaders behind advertisements want.   Another technique that I found to be unique in the creative process of making an advertisement is to create an illusion.  In my mass communication class we discuss about propaganda and advertisements and the methods used to attract the audience.  In my class the teacher discuss how they use manipulation and tricks to draw the consumer in.  That’s what came to my mind when the narrator spoke about creating an illusion for the audience.  The illusion depicts that having a certain product is the answer to all their hopes and desires.  Without this, the advertisement has no way to convince the audience to accept their message.  The most that I got of the video is that in order to draw in your audience, the advertisement needs to create or portray something that the audience does not have.  Whether it fame, glamour, money, etc. it needs to make the audience consider that they are missing out without it.  What I take from the video is different techniques to implement for my project.  I have to ensure I have an advertisement that conveys a powerful message that suggests an alternative way of life. 

Montage Project Evaluation

Being assigned the project of producing a montage story within a picture, I decided to depict a picture describing black history.  Over the summer I went to Black History Museum in Baltimore, Maryland that enlighten me to new information about black history that I had never known before.   I wanted to convey the timeline in the montage picture from the times of African-American slavery to present day African-American citizens.  I wanted to have shown a successful modern day African-American person, the woman in the red dress, looking into a mirror and seeing their past.  Not their personal past, but from the ancestor as a culture.  The mirror represents a time-portal where inside the mirror the character sees a former slave-woman from history’s past.  What these two different characters are used for is to show the differences and the changes that has happened throughout history.  I used different elements between each woman to make a contrast between different time eras of past and present.  One is that the modern day African-American woman is wearing a pearl necklace.  The pearl necklace is used to show prosperity, class, and comfort.  Inside the mirror, the back shows a noose rope hanging from the tree behind the slave in the mirror.  I thought it best to have the noose not around the slave-woman’s neck, but hanging from the tree.  The reason is because it portrays that back in days of slavery for an African-Americans there was fear and death always lurking behind them.  So I left the slave-woman without any kind of jewelry around her neck.  This is used to represent lack, poverty, and with the noose present in the picture an element of fear.  I have tattooed on the back shoulder of the modern day woman “I Have A Dream” in reference from the speech made by Martin Luther King Jr.  This is an element that shows the transition from slavery to the civil rights movement for African Americans.  Under the tattoo is a fade outline of a cross.  This represents the church and the important role it played within the history of African-Americans.  The church was a place that African-Americans had and used for comfort and encouragement through the hardships that they faced.  Their faith is a key element for their endurance.  Another aspect that the cross has is always a reference to the hate group of the Ku Klux Klan.  They would burn crosses in front of African-Americans’ homes in remainder of their hate for them.  The cross brings a double meaning that is a paradox and important within the timeline of African-American history.  Other pictures such as the signs saying “Colored Only” and “White Only” is used to depict the times of the Jim Crow Laws that were enforced.   It is placed inside the mirror because what is in the mirror is a representation of the past.

The inspiration in creating this picture in this manner came when one day I looked in the mirror and I saw different features of my parents in myself.  Then it dawned on me that each generation carries their ancestors of past generations with them.  So I wanted to find a picture that show a person looking in a mirror.  Then from there I manipulated it have their reflection be of their past ancestor.  Before I wanted to have the modern African-American woman in black and white and have the slaver woman in color.  However it became a problem because the pictures taken of slaves in the past weren’t taken in color.  Also having the modern day woman in black and white would not show that she was African American.  As I kept working and thinking about this project more ideas and creative techniques kept developing in my mind to skillfully show the timeline of African-American history.  Another problem that I ran into was making the mirror look like a mirror.  I wanted to have the slave woman stand out but at the same time, look ghostly and not as clear because it’s a reflection.  What I had to do is lower the opacity down and had outer glow around the slave woman to make her stand out and seem faded out at the same time.  One of my favorite elements in the pictures is the different hue of red that are shown in the montage.  Red is symbolizing blood.  In the mirror the background shows the hue red and I like how it is diffuse.  To me it just gives a look of “more blood” from the past that was shed making a thick splash look.

I would say that this project has been a challenge.  Usually when I deal with art projects I have an idea of how I wish the picture to look like but because of it being too difficult to show I would change my idea to make it easier.  The montage that I created not only satisfies my original idea that I had in mind, but far exceeds it.  I tried my best to push myself to doing different tricks and techniques within the Photoshop program.  Not only do I believe that I completed to objective of creating the story of a montage in depicting a change in time, but pushing myself to a new level.  One thing that I wished I had more to possibly implement different elements to show the progression in time.   I wanted to in some way have chains used in the picture but it did not fit well within the picture not could I find a way to creatively intertwine it.  Overall I would say that I am proud of my picture, it is everything that I had envisioned it to be and I had fun working on it.

Montage Reading Response

I found this reading to be the most difficult compared to the other readings.  I felt as though the speaker was not placing ideas in a nice and smooth flow.  However, I was able to learn a couple things about montage pictures.  At first glance montage pictures appear to be a collision of random pictures.  I noticed in the example pictures used in the article there maintains a central look.  The article discusses how these types of pictures are to show a progression or change.  There needs to be a sense of “before” and the “after”.  Even though it appears that the images do not match, it connects if the artist makes the atmosphere properly.  The speaker in the author wrote that he makes the atmosphere to illustrate his full intention.  To me that seems to be the connection between the different images in the picture.  Atmosphere meaning gloomy, cheerful and other such themes.  The speaker described this as a way to begin his montage pictures.  Another way that is discussed is to first place the different pieces together.  Then rom there develops the picture’s theme.  I do not believe that is the proper way to begin.  The reason is because the theme needs to be established first.  Establishing a theme/ atmosphere is a step that should be completed in the planning phase of making the picture.  After establishing what the picture is supposed to mean and portray, it will be easier to find the different pieces needed for it.  If an artist has a lot of random images it will be harder, in my opinion, to form a theme to connect between the images.  Towards the end of the article the speaker discusses what makes montage-paintings significant.  One of the things that I found more significant apart of the other reason listed.  That would be that through montage-paintings is that it shows a narrative.  Now I can understand how montages purpose is to tell a story.  If montages are depicted properly it shows a progression which should be a story expressed through it.  Learning that has made me to think for my montage to ensure that a narrative is shown.  A narrative within an art piece is the difference between a montage and collage.  A collage is a collision of different images that might depict a meaning, but lacks a narrative story.  This helped to clear up the confusion those montages and collages are the same thing.  The speaker speaks about implementing technology when making his pictures.  It is just amazing to me to see the example pictures in the article and it was not made on a computer.  The speaker said it was made with the basic tools of scissors and glue.  It just emphasizes the creativity and the determination of not only of the speaker’s work, but many other artists.  I found it also interesting how film had the impact upon the photography or pictures of montages.  Film came as another venue of art after photography and painting.  It is just fascinating to see the newer innovation impact an older one.

Good/Bad Art Response

This assignment I found to be actually interesting.  It was nice to see what different people find what is considered “good or bad” artwork.  I thought it would be more interesting to divide between gender.  The reason I did this is because males and females think and function completely different.  I know that if I compared the responses I go based off gender I would see things that are similar and different.  The responses that were similar from both males and females is that they like pictures that have colors that stand out.  Neither prefer pictures with flat colors or when they don’t compliment each other.  Both genders also agreed that pictures should have a message and purpose.  There should be meaning behind what is presented before them.  However, the differences started to come with the females.  Females wanted to know more about the different tools used in the pictures and everything involved in the picture.  They seemed to care not only about the art piece but the artist as well.  If the artist did not have a good reputation then their work, in the females’ opinion, is not good either.  Females seem to care more about every step involved in the picture and the person involved.  Males just focused more on what is presented in front of them.  Basically if it looked nice, in their opinions, then it was a good picture.  The only deeper element they cared about an artwork is whether the message fit their personal interest.  If it did not or if was hard to understand the males would label it bad.  So I found it to be interesting to see the differences between male and female opinion on what is considered “good and bad” art. 

Good/Bad Art Females

Female 

Good

• Good vibrant colors 
• Reflects the artist 
• Message in the artwork 
• Background history of the piece
• Background history of the artist 
• Art can be recorded easily 
• Details in the artwork 
• Good colors 
• Good reviews 
• It’s popularity 
• What was used to make (tools
• Composition 
• Complimentary colors 
• Relatable 
• How it was put together 
• Helps the decor of the house
• Expresses style 
• Its an expression of themselves 
• Shows creativity 
• Shows uniqueness 

 

Bad

• Wrong color palette 
• Colors don’t match 
• For painting; different brush strokes 
• Not proportional 
• The artist has a bad reputation 
• Mixing medium that smears each other 
• Not good to the eye 
• Not understandable 
• Too complicated 
• Not relatable 
• Sloppy 
• Unprofessional 
• No orginality 
• Mimics other artists 
• Overly sexual 
• Too distracting 
• Doesn’t fit the color scheme 
• Doesn’t match theme/title 
• Ugly 
• Offensive 

Good/Bad Art Males

Male 

Good

• Perspective
• 3D Effects
• Controversial
• Attention to detail
• Very textured looking
• Challenging the norm
• Colorful
• Thought-provoking
• Speaks volume
• Conversation starter
• Emotion is shown
• Nice looking
• Matches the house
• Shows purpose
• Simple
• Well presented
• Black & white are the only colors used
• Originality

Bad

• Lack of variety of colors
• Simple shapes
• Lack of depth
• Lack of perspective
• Ugly Something average
• Unable to understand
• Weird looking
• Expensive
• Misrepresents its theme/subject
• Nothing stands out
• Doesn’t match personal interests
• No place focus
• overly “artisy”

Response To Rosler Interview

One thing that stood out to me about this interview is the different words Rosler would use in answering questions about her art and opinions about different art forms.  She used the word “addressed” or “addressing” a lot.  That word (at least to me) shows that the art is speaking to people.  Art is not simply an entertainment for people to look at and admire.  However, that it has meaning and from that meaning it conveys a powerful message to people that makes the audience engage with the different artwork that is presented to them.  I can tell from this interview that Rosler is an artist that makes bold statements through her art.  Another description she gives about her artwork is that is how that it makes an argument.  I found that to be an interesting way to describe their artwork.  It shows that their art engages with its audiences and forces them to consider what is presented before them.   The word “argument” shows that there is tension between at least two opposing sides.  In this case, Rosler likes to have her pieces of art contend with her audience.  I don’t believe it is just about Rosler being a rebellion.  She is trying to draw out and address different issues and give new light to new perspectives.   What I learned from this interview mostly is that art has purpose and a meaning.  Sometimes people as the audience get distracted by looking at how the colors complement each other or the different techniques used in the art.  There is nothing wrong in doing that, but however the audience misses the chance to truly understand the meaning of the piece.  For example, the interviewer discusses with Rosler a film.  In that film people would critique the actors played in the film rather than the actual storyline of the video.  Rosler responds by saying “They accept what they see and don’t think about its precise relation to fact”.  That is just like what people do with artwork.  Too much attention is spent critiquing what is in the painting. Like the colors, shapes, and sizes and these elements do have importance to a piece of art.  And Rosler seems to be an artist that seeks to create different pieces of artwork to have her audience think about what is presented before them.   I believe that art is supposed to be subjective and not objective.  Rosler states that how she doesn’t seek to convey one meaning for one type of audience, but seeks to be as diverse as possible.  What Rosler says to describe her work is that “it doesn’t not insist on an avenue of action or say ‘Do this’”.  I found that statement to be interesting.  Sometimes when I am given the task to create to a piece for art for school I have trouble sometimes because I seek a step-by-step process to create it.  Even though art can be created that way, it lacks true passion.  I believe that art is supposed to reflect the artist and what they stand for and that can’t be conveyed by following a simply procedure but there needs to be room for creativity and uniqueness.  

Response To Baldessari Interview

        I liked this interview with John Baldessair in comparison to the interview with Rosler because in the interview there was a prelude that provided me some background history of the situation.  I was able to follow along with this interview much smoother.  One thing I learned about John Baldessari as an artist is that he like to take pieces of other artists’ work and put into one as his own piece.  That taught me that it is important to know different artist that are known.  The reason is because it will provide me with inspiration and teaches me about different techniques that I could use for my own work.  Also it provides a visible example that I can see and take note of.  However, I began to wonder if it was correct to take different techniques from other artist to collide as one and label it as your own.  I think being original is developing your own idea and that idea is something new compared to other people than before.  If Baldessari “copies” from other people in some way he is mimicking their work on some level, whether consciously or subconsciously.  So I believe there is a limit to how much an artist can look at other artists’ pieces to gather inspiration.  I began to wonder whether not Baldessari is only known for taking different techniques and elements from other artists then transforming it to his own.  I think in some way that would not be a good reputation to be known for doing that.  However, what I liked is through out this interview Baldessari spoke about icons used in pictures.  I liked that he thought there needs to be icons within pictures for the audience to focus on.  One factor I believe for picture to be considered bad is because it nothing for my eyes to focus on and the picture is too busy.  Baldessari wold discuss about different “icons” within a picture that I would have not considered to look at.  He talks about the picture de Kooning [Woman I] Baldessari said how his focus goes to the woman’s mouth in the picture.  He said “for me the whole painting seems to focus around that”.  From that Baldessari discusses how he had to use that look of the mouth for his personal use.  It is interesting that Baldessari attention is focusing on the woman’s mouth.  The first thing that stands out to me when I see the picture is the woman’s eyes.  Eyes to me carry the most emotion and that how you can “read” a person.  I think that it was interesting that Baldessari thought to look at her mouth.  What that taught me is that it I need to use icons in my different pictures and artworks so my attention can have something focus on within the picture.  Not that it necessarily needs to be the biggest image on the page but that it needs to stands out. And contain and portray everything that I want to prove from there.  Essentially having a resting place for my audience to look at when looking at my pictures.