ART 101 Draft Final Exam - Museum Paper

David Smith and Jacob Lawrence are two American artists who have created wonderful work during their careers that took place during the 20th century. Their work is exceptionally fantastic and I have chosen to compare and contrast one of each of artist. Lawrence created “Daybreak – A Time of Rest” in 1967 and Smith created “Untitled” between 1932 and 1935. The production of Smith’s “Untitled” took place closely before the beginning of World War II, which began in 1939. It was created during the modern period consisting of 150 years, beginning in 1800 and ending in 1950. This period was “driven by technological progress and characterized by rapid change” of society (505). This work was greatly inspired by the Constructivism movement, which was founded in 1913 by Vladimir Tatlin. It was a movement where Tatlin believed that “advanced ideas about art should be put to practical use and, and that artists should apply their talents to architecture, graphic design, theatrical productions, textiles, monuments, festivals” and other types of visual arts (531). Though this artwork was created after the movement was condemned in 1922, its ideas and concepts are clearly seen in this photograph. Many of the artworks created as a result of this movement resemble layered architecture and structures. Lawrence’s “Daybreak – A Time to Rest” was created during the Vietnam War and during the Contemporary period beginning after 1950 and continues into the present. The turning point in this period took place right after World War II and was heavily influenced by the many horrors and hardships of the war (536). Unlike Smith’s photograph, this painting was created during the Conceptualism movement that arose during the mid – 1960s. This movement presents the theory that the ideas in which the artwork is about are paramount and the form used to present the ideas is secondary (549). This movement is said to be more of a way of thinking than a style.

The movements that occurred during the production of these artworks play a significant role in the reason why these works were created. Art and Art is a theme that reminds its audience that art is an activity in which people have come to pursue for its own sake. This being so, many times art can be its own theme, having no other purpose than to provide visual pleasure or even an answer to the ongoing question "What is art?" (76). Since Smith’s “Untitled” photograph is partially blurry, it is hard to make out what each detail is. The blurry affect, however, is pleasing to the eye. This work doesn’t seem to have a clear message or intent, therefore its purpose in being made is to just have something to look at or to have hanging on a wall or museum exhibit, allowing others to observe the beauty that has been made. Lawrence’s painting, however, has different theme and purpose than Smith’s. The Human Experience is a theme deals with the different life adventures that a human being would encounter. Some of these adventures may include birth, childhood, young adulthood, love life, maturing into a full grown person and even death. It may also include the different emotions we feel throughout our lives that are caused by certain events; these feelings can include doubt, wonder, happiness, sorrow, fear, loneliness, despair and the sense of being worn out, in dire need of rest (69). With the human beings lying down on the shore of the beach, it looks as if they are worn out from all the work they have done and have decided to take advantage of their "Daybreak" from their jobs. They seem to be resting, wanting to regain the energy they need in order to get back to doing their daily duties. This may be something these people do on a daily basis, something that is apart of their human experience or lifestyle. It reminds the viewer of the importance of taking advantage of the breaks they receive at their jobs each day. The action of lying down may be a little extreme, but the idea is for the viewer to be reminded that they should rest during their daily "daybreaks."
Now knowing their reason for creating the works that they did, these artists had to use specific elements of design to effectively present this purpose. Lawrence uses a number of elements, including line, color and shape throughout the entire painting. There is one horizontal line featured to indicate the horizon, yet the majority of lines used are contours, which are the boundaries perceived of 3 dimensional forms (83). These lines are shown between the different objects painted. Lawrence uses lines, which are paths traced by a moving point (82), in a different way to create the orange bug located on the blade of grass towards the bottom of the painting, creatively composing diagonal lines to show the accuracy of how thin and long this particular bug is. There are also a number of organic shapes, which are irregular shapes evoking the living forms of nature (88), featured in this painting. These shapes include the 3 humans lying on the ground, but what stands out the most are the feet in the middle of the painting, mainly because of its size and color. With few of the shapes being sort of geometric (the toes similar to circles), the majority of the feet and the rest of the organic shapes reveal the nature that’s inherent in the painting. The entire painting consists mostly of tertiary colors, products of a mixture of a primary color and an adjacent secondary color (95). The most dominant tertiary color is the yellow-orange dulled with blue violet used for the sand, which is the ground, or the background to demonstrate the low intensity, or the dullness, of the color as well as the painting. David Smith uses these same elements in his “Untitled” gelatin silver print in contrasting ways to "Daybreak". The majority of all the lines found in this work are both horizontal and vertical lines, which are used create the window frame as well as the wall tiles. Like "Daybreak", contour lines are also seen in this photograph to demonstrate the 3 dimensions of the heater shown towards bottom center of the work as well as the dark, shadowed shape that takes up the entire photo. Smith, unlike Lawrence, includes primarily geometric shapes in this work, including the many squares and rectangles seen in the ground, also known as negative shapes (89), as well as in the window frame. There is also one circle seen towards the right of the photograph which seems to be apart of the figure, which is the shape we focus on and that stands out from the ground, also known as the positive shape of the work (89) . Smith uses different colors to portray the same dullness Lawrence used in the ground of his painting. Primarily in composed of a grayscale, an indication that this work also contains low intensity, Smith uses the dullness and low intensity of color to deliver a somber and peaceful feeling.

Both paintings use the same to elements in similar and contrasting ways, yet they are used in effective and powerful ways to deliver the same soft and peaceful feeling of the work. Though both works have different meanings and purposes and have used the design elements in different ways, these works present a soft and calm mood. The artists use different mediums and techniques to deliver this same serene mood. Lawrence uses tempera, paint in which the vehicle is an emulsion, which is a stable an aqueous liquid containing an oil, wax or resin (171) in his work “Daybreak.” Tempera is an aqueous medium, one where the paint is diluted with water (168). While tempera is similar to oil paint, in that it dries to a tough, insoluble film, it differs because tempera colors retain their brilliance and clarity much longer than oil paint (171). The brilliance of these colors still remains after almost 40 years of being painted, not fading or becoming darker over time like oil paint. Because the paint dries so quickly, its colors cannot be blended easily once they are set down. You can clearly see that the colors used in this painting are clearly defined and do not blend with one another. It looks as if Lawrence used crayons instead of paints because of how closely the colors touch yet they do not blend together. Knowing that this painting is tempera, I find that it is much brighter and more clearly defined than how I first saw it. It’s caused me to notice the clear definition of all the colors used and their outlines. After studying and observing Smith’s “Untitled” photograph for a period of time, I came to the conclusion of what his method of putting this photograph together could be. It seems that he used a number of photographs and/or negatives of photos and merged them together in order to make one complete photograph. In doing this, Smith gives this photo three – dimensional depth. This layering method that he has used makes the photo much more life – like and attainable than any normal photograph. The images almost jump off the paper, giving them much depth as well as texture. Knowing that this was Smith’s method helps me to understand the complexity of the photograph, seeing the multiple images layered one on top of the other.

Though their techniques of creating their work differed, they were both used in the same abstract style. Abstract can be described as an art where forms of the visual world are purposefully distorted, fragmented or simplified. In Smith’s work, there isn’t a clear or concrete view of the industrial worksite; however, the viewer can clearly see that it is present in the art work. Smith uses his layering technique to distort the view of the industrial workplace. The bodies of the human beings in Lawrence’s painting are much more simplified and slightly fragmented than a body of a real human being. The size of the blades of grass is greatly magnified as well.

Both Smith and Lawrence, two magnificent American artists, created these abstract and peaceful artworks for two different purposes during two different movements in art and using two different mediums during two different periods of time. I initially chose these works because I thought that they had no relationship to one another. I thought that because they were made with different mediums, I thought their meanings would be different as well. However, as I closely examined these works, I found that they both ironically are connected to the two events in life that many people across the nation can relate to: work and rest. In Smith’s photograph, we see the structure of work and how we are to remain focused on our vocations. In Lawrence’s painting, we see the need for escaping the structure of work and the importance of running away to relax and to regain the strength we need for our jobs. I leave looking at these artworks being reminded that I am to be focused on whatever task is at hand and yet I am to, at some point, take some time off to rest my body and mind so that I can effectively and successfully accomplish whatever job I am working on.

Activity #13

In this essay, the movements and styles of two artworks, “Untitled” a photograph by David Smith and “Daybreak – A Time to Rest” a painting by Jacob Lawrence, will be discussed, compared and contrasted. A movement in art is described as a shorter span of time that features a succession of style. Style deals with appearance of art and its specific constant, recurring or coherent visual characteristics.

“Untitled” is gelatin silver print created between 1932 and 1935 by David Smith. It was created as a result of the Constructivism movement, which was founded in 1913 by Vladimir Tatlin. It was a movement where Tatlin believed that “advanced ideas about art should be put to practical use and, and that artists should apply their talents to architecture, graphic design, theatrical productions, textiles, monuments, festivals” and other types of visual arts (531). Though this artwork was created after the movement was condemned in 1922, its ideas and concepts are clearly seen in this photograph. Many of the artworks created as a result of this movement resemble layered architecture and structures. Smith uses a layering technique of the different photographs of an industrial worksite, a place construction and structuring occurs. Smith clearly uses an advanced technique of art to present the similar theme of the Constructivism movement with an abstract style. Abstract can be described as an art where forms of the visual world are purposefully distorted, fragmented or simplified. There isn’t a clear or concrete view of the industrial worksite; however, the viewer can clearly see that it is present in the art work. Smith uses his layering technique to distort the view of the industrial workplace.

“Daybreak – A Time to Rest,” is a tempera on hardboard, painted by Jacob Lawrence in 1967. Unlike Smith’s photograph, this painting was created during the Conceptualism movement that arose during the mid – 1960s. This movement presents the theory that the ideas in which the artwork is about are paramount and the form used to present the ideas is secondary (549). This movement is said to be more of a way of thinking than a style. Lawrence, through his title as well as his human figures, tells his audience of the importance a time to rest is needed for the human being. You notice immediately that the idea of needing rest is much more important than how and why he used the bright colors of paint to present the idea. The way he delivers his message can be described as the icing on the cake; it’s not necessary, yet it’s much more satisfying. Lawrence also uses an abstract style in this artwork. The bodies of the human beings are much more simplified and slightly fragmented than a body of a real human being. The size of the blades of grass is greatly magnified as well.

Both artworks were designed with an abstract style, yet both were created during and inspired by different movements in art, reflecting the different art theories that were established in art history.

Activity 11

In this essay, the periods and cultures of two artworks, “Untitled” a photograph by David Smith and “Daybreak – A Time to Rest” a painting by Jacob Lawrence, will be discussed, compared and contrasted. A period in art is a long span of time, lasting at least one hundred years, where artists were working in similar techniques and approaches in art. Culture is defined as a particular form or stage of civilization.

“Untitled” is gelatin silver print created between 1932 and 1935 by David Smith. In was created during the Modern Period and was influenced by the American Culture. The modern period consists of 150 years, beginning in 1800 and ending in 1950. This period was “driven by technological progress and characterized by rapid change” of society (505). You can clearly see that Smith took advantage of the technological progression of the camera. Here in this photo, you see how he was able to merge a number of photos together to make one complete piece of art. Smith was born in America; therefore, his artwork was greatly influenced by the things he saw in his everyday American life, specifically in this print, the industrial atmosphere.

“Daybreak – A Time to Rest,” is a tempera on hardboard, painted by Jacob Lawrence in 1967. This painting was also greatly influenced by American culture for Lawrence was also an American artist. In contrast, however, this was painted after the Modern Period. This period is known as the Contemporary period beginning after 1950 and continues into the present. The turning point in this period took place right after World War II and was heavily influenced by the many horrors and hardships of the war (536). This can be seen by the woman located in the center of the painting that’s holding a shotgun in her hand, a symbol closely related to war.

Both artworks were created by American culture and influenced by American events, yet both were created during different time periods, reflecting the different turns that took place in history.

Activity #10 – Mediums and Techniques

Jacob Lawrence created “Daybreak- A Time to Rest” in 1967. The medium for this painting is tempera on hardboard. Tempera is paint in which the vehicle is an emulsion, which is a stable an aqueous liquid containing an oil, wax or resin (171). Tempera is an aqueous medium, one where the paint is diluted with water (168). While tempera is similar to oil paint, in that it dries to a tough, insoluble film, it differs because tempera colors retain their brilliance and clarity much longer than oil paint (171). The brilliance of these colors still remains after almost 40 years of being painted, not fading or becoming darker over time like oil paint. Because the paint dries so quickly, its colors cannot be blended easily once they are set down. You can clearly see that the colors used in this painting are clearly defined and do not blend with one another. It looks as if Lawrence used crayons instead of paints because of how closely the colors touch yet they do not blend together. Knowing that this painting is tempera, I find that it is much brighter and more clearly defined than how I first saw it. It’s caused me to notice the clear definition of all the colors used and their outlines.

“Untitled” is a gelatin silver print created by David Smith between 1932 and 1935. After studying and observing this photograph for a period of time, I came to the conclusion of what his method of putting this photograph together could be. It seems that he used a number of photographs and/or negatives of photos and merged them together in order to make one complete photograph. In doing this, Smith gives this photo three – dimensional depth. This layering method that he has used makes the photo much more life – like and attainable than any normal photograph. The images almost jump off the paper, giving them much depth as well as texture. Knowing that this was Smith’s method helps me to understand the complexity of the photograph, seeing the multiple images layered one on top of the other.

Activity #8

Activity #9

Because of the invention of the camera, visual art has become much more than just paintings and sculptures. Since its development, art is no longer just a fantasy or a reproduction of a reality. It is now composed of real beings and authentic figures to create masterpieces. The look of photography has changed drastically since it was first developed. Towards the beginning, all photographs were in black and white and were mostly beneficial for portraits of important political and social figures as well as natural land/cityscapes. Because of the long exposure time needed to create a photo, there wasn’t much variety in photography until it was shortened years later. Still mainly in black and white, photography became compared to paintings, where artists (photographers) would have models pose and create a specific scene. Photographers would also be inspired by everyday life and the occurrences that happened at that moment to create a work of art by simply taking a photograph of the happenings of the day. Years later, photography became much more colorful and very abstract now that computer technology became more advanced. What’s more popular now is that artists would use normal photos, upload them to the computer and edit them to form whatever creation they have in mind, making the finished product look totally different from the original. Photography, first developed for special occasions and professionals, has become so technically advanced so that it is so easy to, making it open to any and everyone.

Activity #7 - ART 101: Mid-Term Exhibition Introduction

20 Years of Fantasy

Art can have many different themes and purposes. In this exhibition, we will discuss and explore six paintings falling under the theme Invention and Fantasy. When you hear or think of the word “fantasy,” one immediately connects the word with happiness or perfection; in a fantasy world, all of your desires come true and dreams seem to become a reality. “Invention and Fantasy’s” primary goal is to bring an imaginary world to life before the viewers and in this exhibition each artist does just that in similar and contrasting ways.

One similarity that is brought before us is that 4 out of 6 paintings use blue as its dominant color. Blue is a cool color, known to provide calm and peaceful atmosphere. When you look at the four paintings that use blue as its dominant color, you can sense a calm tone and a peaceful mood. For example, “Adoring Moon,” an acrylic on canvas by Jean Campbell, is a painting predominately colored in blue as its background sky with a personified moon looking over the world and “adoring” what he sees. The lack of definition and clarity in the outline of the moon causes us to be at peace just as the moon is. The monochromatic harmonies of blue seen in this painting keep the viewer at a calm state of mind. “Serpent Mage” is an acrylic on board painted by Ciruelo Cabral and also uses blue as well, yet we wouldn’t think of using an object/theme to deliver a peaceful mood. Serpents are known for being dangerous, sneaky and have evil connotations. But because of the blue that is used throughout this painting and the bright horizon in the background, it brings us back to our initial connection with the word “fantasy:” a place of happiness. If you really look at the serpent, it seems to be very happy that his kingdom is near a peaceful and beautiful ocean.

As we look over the past 20 years of fantasy artwork, we come across the differences that come with the development of fantasy occurs. “Dapple Grey,” a watercolor created by Lela Dowling is the oldest painting in this exhibition and resembles a fairy tale type narrative. Here, you see the flying horse coming to return something that was lost, something treasured by the queen. The use of watercolors brings a soft touch to the colors on this painting as well as the dominant blue used as the peaceful sky, setting a happy and somber tone for the painting. This horse is the hero and saves the day, establishing a “happily ever after” ending to this tale. One of the more recent paintings also has a fairy tale type narrative, only this time there doesn’t seem that this tale will end with “happily ever after.” “Three Samurais” is an oil on hardboard by Nick Marci and doesn’t use much blue in this painting. The two samurais standing have an evil look on their face and seem to have defeated what could possibly be the desired hero of the tale. Because of the strong warm colors used as well as the blacks and grays, it causes us to believe that evil has prevailed, an ending that we don’t like to see yet it is becoming more and more evident and relevant in our world today.

This exhibition has allowed you to see the development of fantasy over a span of twenty years and to see the many similarities and differences used to convey the central message of bringing an imaginary world to life.