Welcome to Seminar – Unit 2Art & Architecture

• DQ for the Week• Project• Seminar

DQ: Choose a contemporary painting, sculpture, or piece of art that captures your interest.

This should be a piece from the end of World War II (about 1945) until today.

You may choose one of the illustrations or color inserts in the textbook, opt for an artist featured on the PBS series “Art 21,” or try a virtual museum (links are in My Humanities Kit).

‘First Communion’Pablo Picasso

Before you begin writing your post, view at least two of the “Closer Look” art critiques from the unit resources.

Consider what features are discussed. Aim for an evaluation that notes small details in a work, considers the purpose of various elements, and perhaps investigates the artist’s life.

‘Woman with a Fan’Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso1881 – 1973

Created Cubism with Georges Braque. Cubism is the reduction of objects into hard-edged, abstract shapes.

‘Guernica’ 1937 Pablo Picasso

In the post, begin by introducing the piece of art.

What is the title?

Who created it and when?

What is the style?

How would you describe it to someone who had not seen it?

Finally, explain why viewing this work is a valuable experience.

‘Girl Before a Mirror’Pablo Picasso

Project:

The essay should contain both Part I and II. It should be at least 750 words and must employ terms from the text and unit materials. The project may be completed in Microsoft Word or in Powerpoint. Even in Powerpoint notes and slides, the word count must be met. You are welcome to attach or include photos of the works of art and architecture that you have chosen. Cite any sources in APA style. Check the APA Quick Reference under Course Home for tips, or check the Writing Center for proper citation.

For this project, we will present a detailed analysis of a piece of architecture and a work of art.

Part I:For this project, we will give a detailed analysis to both a piece of architecture and a work of art. However, we will examine art in your community and life. The objective of the assignment is to apply the concepts from the chapter to art and architecture in daily life. Choose pieces of art and architecture that are from the 20th Century or Beyond!

New OrleansNinth Ward

Green architecture produces environmental, social and economic benefits. Environmentally, green architecture helps reduce pollution, conserve natural resources and prevent environmental degradation. Economically, it reduces the amount of money that the building's operators have to spend on water and energy and improves the productivity of those using the facility. And, socially, green buildings are meant to be beautiful and cause only minimal strain on the local infrastructure.

Read more: The Concept of Green Architecture | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_6693602_concept-green-architecture.html#ixzz0tgD8A7jY

Part II:

Next, find an 'artwork'. Consider civic art, sculpture, an image you use to decorate your home, graffiti, street performance, or any art experience that you find engaging.

Start by describing the work of art. Use terminology from the text. 

You may consider the following questions: What is the medium? 

When was the work made? Is the work abstract or representational?

You may find the flashcards in My Humanities Kit  a helpful resource.

Then, add to your discussion:

What is the purpose of this work of art? What does it mean to you? Which concepts from the chapter reading are applied in this work?

1. What are some of the key terms in art and

architecture? Who are some of the key figures of 20th

and 21st century art movements? What is the purpose of art? 

AlterationAbstractStill lifeRealismPostmodernismModernismMediaLikenessImitationCollage

GoyaPicassoBraque

Frank L. WrightClaes OldenburgGeorgia O’KeeffeArthurs Stieglitz

Duane HansonSalvador Dali

Aaron Douglas

RealismPostmodernism

ModernismCubism

SurrealismSuperrealism

PopPerformance

ImpressionismPost-Impressionism

2.

Look at the painting in the text by Wassily Kandinsky (Plate 8).

What is your reaction to this work? What do you think it means?

3.

Art can often mean different things to different people.

Is this a strength or a weakness?

The root of humanities is the study of what it means to be human. In this course, we will talk specifically about types of creative expression and the ways we have interpreted this in the twentieth century and beyond.

Thinking About the Human ExperienceArts and Humanities: 20th Century and Beyond.

References:

Stokstad, Marilyn (2005) Art History, Volume 2, Revised Edition, Pearson, Prentice Hall

Harmon, Mark (retrieved 9-09) Post-Impressionism, www.artchive.com

Janaro, Richard Paul & Altshuler, Thelma C. The Art of Being Human, Pearson Longman