Controversial Art

The controversy that really impacted me was Maya Ying Lin’s, Vietnam Memorial. It was interesting how the people who were against it interpreted the piece in a completely different way then Lin intended. But I loved her piece because it was different then any other monument or memorials in Washington. It made me appreciate a different type of piece of art.

I think the world wouldn’t appreciate art the same way if all artists conformed to the same predetermined standards. Like Lin, she didn’t conform to a standard that memorial’s should be raised above ground level and have some relation to the American colors and the flag. I think that if people were truly determined to make artists conform to certain standards, they would make it happen. They would find powerful people to see their views and get them to set standards for artists to conform to.

If this were to happen, this world truly wouldn’t be a “world of art”. I would see art as boring and all the same. I like it when artists create images that challenge the mind and push the buttons of those who don’t see it as a good thing. The only reason people really appreciate art is because of the diversity between every artist. As much as some people don’t like these differences, they still look at the art and have some type of opinion about it. The artists are still getting a reaction out of those people, even if it is a bad one and I think that is the artist’s ultimate goal.

Every controversy in this weeks reading made me appreciate art that much more. I realized that having diversity in art is what truly makes art. The images that really push the standards is what people appreciate because that challenges them to try to understand what the artist was trying to convey. When I watched the documentary about Lin’s memorial and saw how so many reacted badly, I felt really sad and irritated. I understand that at that point America was going through a lot of tough times, but someone was trying to remember the men and women who fought for our freedom. Lin wanted people to take a few minutes in looking at the memorial and giving appreciation to those who risked their lives. I don’t think that she had to put some sort of American symbol, like the flag, with her memorial because by just looking at the names on that wall and taking it in, Lin got the reaction/emotions she was looking for. She pushed the limits and in the end created a beautiful piece that had a lot of meaning to it. I love how the “V” shape represented America going in and out of the war. The black granite gave off reflections of those who looked at it, almost saying that your life is what these names fought for. It was a monument that people were able to look straight at rather then up at. It almost mesmerized people because of the many names on their, but it also made them appreciate everyone on there. Although Lin’s piece was a controversy, I see it as a brilliant way to push the so called standards of art and challenge the people’s minds.

Week 2 Reflections

Wow, in the first two weeks of this class I have learned a lot. I am beginning to become an active looker.

So far I have learned content, which is to look deeper into the images and trying to discover the meaning(s) behind them. I think that is one of the most important skills in this class, because then you can almost relate the artists and almost read their minds. Many of the images do give me a sort of emotion and from there I can further analyze the piece.

I have also learned form. Although it is very simple to define form in art, but it also plays an important part in appreciating art. Rather than just looking at an image, you find the very details that the artists put there for you to see. It makes a person look more in depth and not just glancing over it really fast. Form and content are interrelated, especially when it comes to color. Usually the color of an image can help set the mood/tone of the entire image itself.

I have also learned how to look at images and analyze them as representational, abstract and non-representational (non-objective). When an image is representational, it resembles real things in the real world. When an image is abstract, it less resembles real things in the real world. Then when an image is non-representational, it does not attempt to represent the appearance of an object.

All of these aspects so far have helped appreciate art a lot more. I no longer just glance over an image. I try to discover the meaning(s) behind it and analyze the form of the image. For me to obtain these skills is a plus, since I have never before looked at art this way. So far I have enjoyed this class and it has opened my eyes to new lights.

Getting Critical About Art

Childe Hassam, Allies Day, May 1917, 1917
Jasper John, Three Flags, 1958.

In these works of art, they both are pictures of the American Flag. In Hassam's Allies Day the American flag is being celebrated by people and being waved around and there is more then just one flag. In Johns Three Flags, it is just of three different sizes of flags laid on top of each other.

Hassam's Allies Day depicts the flag in more active terms. The flag is being appreciated by the American people who are waving the flag in the picture. The colors red, white and blue is seen everywhere in the picture. His image provokes patriotism because the flag is being more actively used and appreciated by the people. In order for it to be patriotic, there needs to be people who are acknowledging the flag not only as just a flag but as a symbol for their country. We look at this image and analyze it as patriotic because of the usage of the flag in the image.

Unlike Johns Three Flags, that canvases are just strategically placed on top of each other to create an image of the American flag. Althought it does show patriotism because it is the American flag itself, but nother else goes along with it. Unlike Hassam's image where people are embracing the flag, in Johns' image the flags are getting smaller. Which almost is saying that America is not so big anymore as a country and diminishes the idea of America stands for.

All About Me!

Hi everyone!
My name is Jessie Manzer and I am in my 2nd year at Sierra College. My first year was spent at Sonoma State University on a soccer scholorship, but decided to make school my main focus. I am a Business Admin. major and hoping to transfer to Sac State very soon!

This is my first Art class I have taken at Sierra, so I am a little nervous but very excited for whats to come. I have never looked at art in any other way but just looking at it. I never tried to realize the meanings behind it. That's why I think this class is going to be extra challenging for me, but I am up for it!

Besides school, i love being outdoors and being active. During the winter i love to go skiing and during the summer I am usually always at the lake doing all sorts of water sports. I love being with my family and friends in my spare time. I am very excited to begin learning and appreciating Art! Good luck to everyone!