Topic #5 Telling Stories Rothman Reading

    I really like Marion Fayolle's "The Mirror." To me, it shows a man walking up to the mirror admiring himself which maybe gives a narcissistic expression on the character. Then you see a woman who sees the man looking in the mirror and she appears to show some anger or jealousy and throws the stone at both the man and mirror. She gets other women to help her collect the broken glass and they all use the fragments to make artwork.

    I think this expresses how the woman felt angry that the man was so intrigued by himself instead of the woman so she used the stone to get rid of the man and used him for her art piece to tell a story. I really like it because its a visual story without words. Words would tell you exactly what is going on but I think the artist doesn't add text for a reason. She wants us to know ourselves just by looking at the images and she wants us to tell the story.

Topic #4 Landscape Additional quick research to accompany your reading of Eccentric Spaces

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

A Ha-Ha is a landscape design that creates a vertical barrier while preserving an uninterrupted view of the landscape. They can be found in estates and they are used to keep cattle and other animals out of the gardens so it gives the landscape an all natural look. A Ha-Ha can also be found at the Washington monument. It is used to reduce the view of security.

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

Located in Viterbo in Lazio, Italy during the 16th century. Hannibal's Elephant.

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

The Roman Forum is a political and civic center in Via della Salara Vecchia Roma, Italy.

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

Located in at a park in Florence, Italy around the 16th century.

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

Paris during the 1600s.

Tivoli Garden (Italy)--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

Located in Tivoli, Italy. 16 century.

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

Located at the Piazza Navona in Roma, Italy. Was made in 1651.

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

The garden of Kroller Mueller in the Netherlands. 1974.

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

Located in Buckingham, England. 1711.

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

Wiltshire, England. 1719.

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

Located in Washington D.C.. 1954.

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?

To commemorate a Spaniard who was believed to discover the land. Designed by Paul Chalfin  located in Miami, Florida. 1900-1920.

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

Dedicated to exploring, explaining and conserving the world of tropical plants. Named after David Fairchild. Coral Gables, Florida 1938.

The Rhinoceros from Durer to Stubbs 1515-1799

I prefer Durer's woodcut compared to Burgkmair because to me it had more exaggerated features making the rhinoceros more unique and interesting to the eye. Durer also had studied armor in which you can see the influence from that in the woodcut giving the rhinoceros a remarkable appearance.

I really like the olive-green chiaroscuro woodcut of Durer's rhinoceros because there is an extensive amount of detail in it. I can see a lot of sharp marks as well as soft marks that have been made in the piece. Because Durer was influenced by amour, I can also see how the plates on the rhinoceros show a lot of similarity to that of Durer's influences. I can also see an exaggeration on the rib cage and how it resembles like the pegs in an umbrella giving the rhinoceros a striking appearance.  

Topic 2- Ornament and Pattern, CAM Raleigh.

      Before reading the articles, I didn't have a lot of knowledge about patterns and ornaments. After reading them I had a better understanding of why they are important in our culture and how they are observed. I thought of how Oliver Sacks mentioned that patterns can be optical migraine hallucinations offer a window on the dynamics of our nerve cells. I was fascinated to read on how patterns interact in a way that we see them such as looking into the world of the artist who made the pattern or ornament. Like words, punctuation, and grammar, it is the shape, color, line, and structure, of ornaments that shape our understanding, and make us appreciate the things we take for granted. 

     

 I was also really amazed, but at the same time not surprised about how in the 16th century a lot of ornaments were produced by women and how their work was considered less superior to men's. Overtime they didn't have the same rights as men which resulted in dishonest work making. I really like how the author uses Hansje van Halem’s lace's piece to help us understand how ornaments and patterns are like reading a certain language the artist is presenting.