Narrative: Mood, Action, and Topic

I have always been a story teller. My mom always told me that even in preschool she would see me telling stories to the class when she went to pick me up. I was always found writing little stories in my notebooks, especially during math class, but it wasnt until the 5th grade when I really fell in love with writing. I wrote several chapters (which I plan to one day finish) to a book I had titled The Forest Key. I thought it would be perfect for this assignment! I found some old writings and decided to fi it up and edit my 5th grader vocabulary and use a piece of it to tell a mini-story. The panel that I have with the moon and lily was about twin sisters that I had written about, that was the Mood. The one beside it was a scene where the family is walking outside of their village (because they were banished) and just stumble upon this home, this was my Action. I wasnt able to finish the Topic panel but will have it done for juries. 

This assignment brought me back to my love of writing because honestly it just wasnt an essay, it was a story. It was my story.

Diets Zine

This project was a really fun experiment for me. I had never done a zine before, and although my zine wasn't traditional, I still found it to be a fun learning experience. My work was about dieting based off different stories in my life which included when I did WeightWatchers, the Atkins diet, and had seen various nutritionists. This project was a way of me coming to terms with loving my body the way it is and that I can eat healthy or unhealthy food whenever I choose to. This project was supposed to be playful and speak to anyone who has ever been on a diet or felt frustrated with their own body image. I learned a lot through the process of making additions and will probably try different methods in the future. Even though this was one of the more challenging assignments we had to do, it was one of the most enjoyable for me.

So welcome to Diets: Our food is ...edible.

Zine: Outside Visits,Book Fair

I think this is a safe place for me to say that I cared less about the speakers for this assignment and cared more about the actual book fair itself. It was such a nice, new, and wonderful thing to experience. I visited some really nice booths, checked out artists who were selling zines, and even got to hear a bit from Bernie Sanders!I loved looking at the booths with older books the most and even bought myself an Alice in Wonderland pop up book, I will be bringing that beauty with me on Tuesday so that everyone can see! 

I choose to pay the most attention to Leela Corman's work. I am a firm believer that comics can go beyond the small Archie comics that you see in the store, they can be stories that impact you or simply just pieces of art. Although Im not the biggest fan of her style I can still enjoy her work because to me its less about the art and more about the story. However I don't think that she sees it that way. To Leela I believe she was trying to get across that the art and the written story go hand in hand. Its not just a comic, its not just a Novel, and its not exactly a Graphic Novel either its just her way of communication.

I hope that my zines are able to get my story across while still being good works of art.

Narrative Art Comic

This comic was based off my garden experience and was inspired by the poem and the writings that I journaled while out in the woods.

The comic reads:

Lets go for a walk in the garden

Lets explore high and low

through the leaves and trees we'll go

Follow Follow

Life grows everywhere

Explore the life that's out there

What is Comics Poetry?

Comics and poetry are two things that I enjoy to read and sometimes write. I personally never thought of combining the two thinking that they would be unsuccessful. In fact I thought by adding graphics to my poetry would lessen its value and on the other side of the spectrum I thought if I added my element of poetry to a comic I assumed people would laugh at the way the characters would be rhyming when they spoke. However one of my favorite poets when I was younger was Shel Silverstein and (if I understand this subject matter) I can see how his work could be considered comics poetry.

  

In the article it said how of course not all poetry needs comics and not all comics needs poetry and it wasn't that he was bashing the literature or the graphics but rather he was saying that sometimes they are so strong that they don't need anything else. But as artists its our job to explore these different worlds and make new experiences not only for ourselves (because thats why I am studying to be an artist, because I love to problem solve and explore) but for the viewer as well. It makes me think of what other loves for things that I could combine and make something "new" or have people see something in a new way (because everything has been done under the sun). Its our job to make those horribly embarrassing mistakes and take those experiences and turn them into something spectacular. 

I believe that the article was truly trying to talk about taking chances and growing as an artist and just used comics poetry as a means to do it. 

Landscape: In-Depth, My city Despina

Its only natural for me to choose the the hardest city to describe. When the assignment was first given about the reading I assumed thats all it was but WARP had different plans for me. I ended up choosing a story that didnt really talk about the city at all but rather the projection of what the city looked like from the distance to two different types of people. My city, Despina, was the city between two desserts: one of the sand and one of the sea. These men looked to Despina and saw ships to take them away or a calm oasis to escape to. The story did give me some very specific details but when read you realize that the men couldnt have seen what they saw from the distance they were at. To me it seemed that everything described was hazy and dreamlike.

I decided to take these mirage type images and make a projection out of it. I plan to work on my city more to make the image a little more clear.I believe the problem was in the way I formed the curtain and not having strong enough cuts in my cardboard.

Rhinoceros: In-Depth, Metomorphasis

This was my most challenging topic out of the entire series in WARP. Transformation and metamorphosis was a big obstacle for me. I knew that I had to narrow my intake of information when I first started this assignment so I chose to only transform one simple thing: toilet paper. I wanted to choose something that I saw in my every day life. I tried braiding it, laying it, ripping it, and gluing it but I could not get it to transcend toilet paper. I searched the internet for a way to make a paste from it, similar to that of paper mache and I found something much more interesting. This concoction made the toilet paper extremely hard to break which was a key component that I wanted to transform.

I began to rip, break, and build. At first I hated everything about this project but making the paste (although tiring) was fun. I tried to make a unique shape that would encourage the viewer to walk around, I dont think I achieved it in my first critique. I think its because when I first took this sculpture into critique I didnt know how to display it. After thinking about it and letting the paste dry fully I decided to rip out the inside of the structure and try again from scratch.

When I held it up to the light thats when I saw my piece transform. It reminded me of caves and lava. It was more interesting to look at and toilet paper can be found on ceilings all the time so I believe it truly found its proper home.

Landscape: Small Works Garden

https://vimeo.com/189802891

This is the video that will be playing on top of a cardboard wall that I made. Unfortunately my ceilings are not as high as the one in the WARP classroom, I will update this blog post on Tuesday when I present the piece.

Landscape: Small Works, Street

For this street assignment I really wanted to make an interactive piece. The goal was to take things that seemed ordinary and make it into something playful. I noticed that during my walk I cared less about the buildings and more about my immediate surroundings. I've been the type to notice odd things like the way paint chips off a fire hydrant. I was looking for a way to connect the viewer to a similar way of thinking. I realized that I became inspired to do this from a child's perspective because of a project I was working on in my Photography class. The assignment in the photography class was to create a new character and I thought it would be fun to be a child.

I believe in the end this project was more of a stepping stone for something greater. I wanted people of all ages to be able to play but the size of my piece didn't allow that interaction. I plan on changing the scale of these pieces to make them more accessible for adults. I would also like to create an environment that would create a sense of childlike curiosity. 

Landscape: Poetry (the garden)

Alone in the garden do I walk
Till suddenly a boy I hear
My brother grumbles behind me and states
"I didn't know you were going in here"

I had to walk into the vines
on a dirt path made by man
All around nature took its course
And foiled all the humans plans

Plants were unruly
Weeds were overtaking
Vines shot down from the branches
It was truly breathtaking

Trees were fallen on the ground
Mushrooms spouted from every sight
And although I knew it was day
I feared the moment it would become night

I could hear cricks and creeks
From the dripping of rain into the ground
But with every crick and creek did I hear
I would uncounciously turn around

Until the cricking turning into thumping
And the creeks turned into symbols
I could hear the music of the terrain
Not complicated, beautiful, yet simple

It amazed me that even around so much beauty
Man had left its negative mark
And in that moment I was reminded
I wasn't in nature but a man made park

I hope the gardeners forget to garden
And that man decides to step away
Letting the forest consume the area entirely
So that nature can take the lead in this play

It had been years since I had been there
When did I lose my connection to the ground
I will keep the reminder in my heart to visit
So that I dont forget the earth's sound

Landscape:Outside Visit, Visionary Metropolis: Tony Garnier's Une Cité Industrielle &The Discipline of Nature: Architect Alfred Browning Parker in Florida

I had visited the visionary metropolis a while ago while it was at the Wolfsonian and at the time I didn't understand what I was looking at. Of course I knew they were buildings and parks but I didnt understand the significance. Now that we are diving more into this subject I can see how much care and time it took to create these spaces. Im sure like a larger ratio of the class I enjoyed the garden like scenes over the architecture, or maybe its just me. I had written before in a previous blog that the Visionary metropolis felt like exploring Epcot because it was just full of pictures and plans for what they wanted to do for this city. I do have to admit however that I didnt really like that visit. It was extremely small and didnt catch my attention enough. I was jealous at the way Tony could draw. It just made me think that I should be practicing more.

On the other hand I really enjoyed Alfred's work. Seeing artists that worked in florida or are from florida is inspiring! His small models were built well, as expected from someone who sculpted, and his pictures were beautifully done but my favorite part were the "Parker Diaries". This man is gone no but his thoughts are there for the world to see. One of the descriptions said that he wrote poetry in them as well as: study sketches, geological studies,and even notes for lectures. It said in the gallery that he was a teacher but it didnt specify so I looked it up. Martha Kohen (who was UF's architect department director) said " Parker taught a "3-in-1'' graduate seminar "for architects as designer, owner and builder."

He really loved Miami, he even said: "Miami has been my base, the one city … that has meant the most to me in my work as an architect. It's been a marvelous trip and the trip isn't over yet … I will try not just to bask in the glory but I will try to do more things to justify what you have given to me.'' I started to look up other photos to get a better idea of what he made since some people called it "Tropical Modernism". I would have to agree!  If someone doesnt want this to be their home then they are lying. Alfred really paid attention to the entire house that he designed, never just paying attention to one room. I think thats what made him so successful at what he did.  I would love to go see al the houses he designed in person so that I can just sit there and take it in, how lucky would I be if I got to do that for the garden assignment.

Landscape: Reading Questions (Double Checked and Edited)

Buckminster Fuller--When was he working?-Fuller worked from the years 1914-1983

Ha-has (recessed walls)--where do you find these?

Ha-has are used in landscape design to prevent access to a garden without obstructing views.

Parco del Mostri--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

The park began in 1552 in Italy.

 

I would have this turtle in my backyard if I could get it to fit.

Roman Forum--What function did it have? Where, when, what's your favorite image?

Rome used this place for it's elections, public speeches, gladiator matches, and other public affairs. The Roman Forum was used from 800 BC to 600 AD located in the center of the town.

Boboli Garden--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

 The Boboli Garden was made in 1550 and was located in Florence, Italy.

Jardin du Luxembourg--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

This park/garden is located in Paris, France and it was made in 1612. (favorite place so far)

Tivoli Garden (Italy)--Where, when, what's your favorite image? 
The Trivoli Garden was made in 16th Century near Rome.

Bernini's Four Rivers--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

This fountain is located in the Piazza Navona in Rome, Italy and was designed in 1651 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini for a Pope.

Jean Dubuffet's Jardin d'Emaille--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

This gorgeous piece of art (because to me it doesnt feel like a park) is located in Gelderland, Netherlands and was made in 1974. It reminds me of a skatepark.

(I would live there, Im in love with it.)

Stowe Garden--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

Located in Buckingham, United Kingdom this park opened in 1683.

Stourhead Garden--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

This garden is located in Wiltshire, England and it opened in 1725.


Washington DC parks (any park space, structure, monument, or public artwork of your choice)--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

Ive always wanted to visit the USBG (united states botanic garden) My mom is a history buff and this garden (which was established in 1820) is one of the oldest botanical gardens in America.


Viscaya Museum--Why is this in Miami? What is it named after? Who is responsible for it being built?  Where, when, what's your favorite image?

The reason why this museum is in Miami is because it was originally John Deering's summer home. The name refers to the spanish province Vizcaya. The man who is responible for it being built was designer Paul Chaffin and John Deering himself, it was built between 1914 and 1923.

Fairchild Tropical Garden--Why is this in Miami?  Who is it named after?  Where, when, what's your favorite image?

This garden was named after David Fairchild who was a renowned plant explorer which works perfectly because this garden is a sanctuary for many different species of plants. It was established by Robert Montgomery and was designed by a landscape architect named William Lyman Phillips. Fairchild opened in 1938 in Coral Gables, Florida.

Landscape: Readings, "Green Dreams: Gardens"

I've always found gardens to be beautiful. That's what they were made to be; beautiful, looked at, and appreciated. Gardens can simply be small replicas of what we go out to see in the world. In the article they spoke about how different it was for a garden to be open and free and another thing entirely to be closed off to the world. A small piece of Eden or sometimes a confined space filled with worry. I know some people have fears of closed spaces but when the article spoke about the Villa Medici and how it made them feel like they were surrounded bulky poisonous things I couldn't help but laugh. It's amazing how we can perceive things simply through space.

Sometimes admiring and being in the garden for  people wasn't enough, they would stare and try to absorb all that they could but sometimes they needed someone else to help them remember. Painters tried to mimic colors, shapes, and lines to give people a sense of them being there. So while some places had the best gardens, others had the best paintings of them. My favorite things  that I wish I could see was the one they mentioned called Bernini's Four Rivers. They way they spoke about the "rocks" was lovely. I could see the sculptures in my head, their shapes being flamelike but sometimes soft like fabric?! I want to be a part of that!.

Rhinoceros: Readings and Small Works, Creatures and Portrait/Propaganda

Figuring out these animals was a great exercise I was happy that when the animal was finally revealed my sea slug looked the most similar to the real animal!

So fun side note, I had interpreted that a part of this assignment was to make your own choice of an animal in a similar way that the text had. Since the text had given us fragmented pieces of information about the animal through words I wanted to do that through drawing. So I took pieces and thoughts of a rabbit and abstracted it so that at first glance you cant understand what is happening. It did confuse people so my idea worked.



I have to give credit to my dad for letting me use him as my subject.

I had a really hard time with this project to be completely honest. I had too many ideas running through my head and I just couldnt focus on any particular one. First I wanted to draw it, then I wanted to use photoshop to manipulate photos, then it went to drawing, but sometimes enough is enough.

Do. Or do not. There is no try!

Rhinoceros: Outside Visit, PAMM Beatriz Santiago Munoz

This outside visit was really fun for me because I took my brother with me and now he wants to go again, it makes me happy for him to see my world. This "Universe of Fragile Mirrors" really did feel like a world of its own, the room was dark and quiet and all I could see were the videos and images being projected on the walls. Of course my eyes went straight to the sculpture first but it wasnt her work so I kept moving. The most interesting work that Beatriz did was one where she recorded a woman talking about a cat. If you had just looked at the video you would think theyre just regular english subtitles but when you were able to listen through the headphones you could hear that the woman was speaking spanish...but not convincingly. It sounded like she was reading a script which was made the work change for me. I really enjoyed it but sadly I forgot to write down the name of that video.

Rhinoceros: Reading,Photographing the Past During the Present

I wonder if we will ever live in a world where everyone can just respect each culture for what it is. I can understand human curiosity and wanting to know whats out there but sometimes things are better left alone. In Curtis's case of wanting the Native Americans to look untouched by society he was already interfering enough by being there. I know its because I have an obsession and although as a whole the movie is almost completely fiction I kept thinking about the Disney movie Pocahontas. People from the outside looking in thought they were savages. People expected Native Americans to just adapt to our culture in a day when people it had taken so long to create their own.

The most interesting topic about this article to me was about Curtis's loosing credibility in his work because his work was being staged which that in itself was already against the feeling of authenticity that he was trying to go for. The fact that he had even gone as far to have costumes and wigs to make men who had already begun to follow the white culture is just baffling to me. I just dont think that Curtis was thinking (well about people's feelings because he was probably thinking of money) when he was asking them to participate in these, in my opinion, stock photos of Native Americans. Not only that but it wasnt until much later that they were even able to have the photos that he had taken. It didnt surprise me that it was a bunch of rich white men who wanted these photos for what reason I'll never know.

Rhinoceros: Readings, The Rhinoceros from Durer to the Stubbs 1515-1799

This article felt so familiar to me. It read to me as if we were dipping into the subject of folk art again and that we were passing down information in whatever way we could through art. One phrase I particularly adored from this article was "Therefore on account of its Wonderfulness I thought myself to obliged to send you the representation of it." Most people who know me know I love animals but I have a special place in my heart for a few and the rhino (or ganda) is one of them. The history behind different places around the world getting information about newly discovered animals is fascinating to me and artists played a part in the international game of telephone. In the case of Durer and his woodcut, although it wasnt exactly accurate, Im glad that the work is being preserved because to create a creature with such detail with nothing but a newsletter and sketch should be something to be respected even if he romanticized it a bit.

I laughed a little when the article spoke about Durer designing armor, he couldnt have gotten a better animal to embellish with strong but beautiful designs. Although he had people who disliked the way he was depicting ganda Im glad there were people who could see where he was coming from with his design because (and I know this is almost exactly what the article says but I agree) he caught the essence of the Rhino. I dont believe that the other artists mentioned (Giovanni, Francious, and Hans) did as good of a job as Durer. The first two I just didnt like the art but I think I didnt like Han's as much because it makes me a little sad that the Rhino is in chains and Im confused as to why he chose an almost exact pose for the rhino. It couldve been that he didnt have enough information about the rhino to make it another way. However like I said Im still amazed that they were able to create anything as remotely close to the Rhino without having seen a real photo instead of what little information they got.

Ornament and Pattern: In-Depth Project

To jump off what I was saying about my small works and how they pushed me Im really glad that they did because then I would've NEVER made anything like this without all of the transformations that the small works made me go through. I cant recall the last time I made anything this "clean." My work for several semesters now has been organic and I didn't think that I could make flat plains interesting, I hope I did. I kept saying to my peers that I wasn't going to be able to make anything because my patterns were bulbous and I didn't want to just make a funky shaped bag of cardboard that would sit or hang. Eventually when I stared at my wall paper long enough I saw it...diagonals drawing into space. My favorite part about this piece is that it doesn't have a front.

Just as a side note I want to make a pedestal for this from cardboard. Im going to see if it works with the piece.

Ornament and Pattern: Small Works and Exercises

This series of exercises just felt like...forced experimentation, which was a good thing! It kept taking me in and out of the worlds of 2D and 3D design and was trying to mesh them together into one. For the first time in a long time I felt like my 2D work was more successful than my 3D work in the sense that I could grasp pattern and ornament better. I couldn't wrap my mind around making such specific shapes and transforming them, instead I saw it as something flat and when I tried to bring it into my sculpture I didn't give it much depth. This really pushed me.