How could I have forgotten? I must speak about the Louvre and the Musee D'Orsay. I had been to the Louvre before and to be honest, I enjoy the outside more than I enjoy the inside. It is incredible and full of so many great works. But, you see, that's just it--its full of TOO many pieces that it is all a bit overwhelming. I mostly just went and saw the Mona Lisa, the Nike, and some other sculptures I had wanted to see. This cause me to think, though, why the Mona Lisa? How do some people get so much recognition, when others can produce quality work and not a soul would know their name? I realize there are things that make these works so great, but it just makes me wonder how it happened? Who gets to decide? And I guess this is my Post-Modern Skepticism coming through...but I just don't get it...
Okay.. the Musee D'Orsay? Phenomenal. I loved it! Painting is my favorite art medium, so I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the rooms full of paintings. Also, it was not quite as crowded and noisy as the Louvre. I got to see works by Degas, one of my favorite artists. I love all of his ballerina pieces- I love the colors and the elegance with which he paints and sculpts. It was so incredible to be in Paris and see the work of Paris. I realize why painters fell in love with the city and the sky and the water. It was really cool to just see everything in its original context.
Paris turned out to be one my favorite trips. I so enjoyed getting to see and experience the insurmountable amounts of artwork in that city.
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
what is art anyway?
so i've learned so manythings about art and art history this semester...mostly because of our little portfolio for art history class.. but as our time here comes to a close i wanted to finish with a few of my thoughts about what art actually is..
Art is...
Expressed passion
history
inspiration
someone's inward reflections projected outward
moving
beautiful to someone (in meaning or visual appeal)
emotional (even if the emotion is emotionless)
something to be shared
what it is
buildings
houses
people
clothes
paintings
sculptures
landscapes
performances
skylines
churches
style
lighting on a stage
...I started this not knowing where it would go...but I do not feel like I could ever list all the things art is or could be...and I guess THAT is what I have learned this semester.
We are all tiny pieces of God's aesthetic masterpiece.
Art is...
Expressed passion
history
inspiration
someone's inward reflections projected outward
moving
beautiful to someone (in meaning or visual appeal)
emotional (even if the emotion is emotionless)
something to be shared
what it is
buildings
houses
people
clothes
paintings
sculptures
landscapes
performances
skylines
churches
style
lighting on a stage
...I started this not knowing where it would go...but I do not feel like I could ever list all the things art is or could be...and I guess THAT is what I have learned this semester.
We are all tiny pieces of God's aesthetic masterpiece.
Monday, 28 April 2008
looking back...
As I look back to the beginning of the semester, I realize my view of art, art history, and its importance and relevance has completely changed.
I never realized how much art reflected the time in which it was being produced. I undersand now how art history intertwines with so many spheres of influence throughout history: political, social, religious, cultural, economical, etc...
Now, when I walk into a museum I get excited. I think it has to do with the knowledge I now have of the reasoning behind different artistic moevements, artists, and their works. I can see art in so many more things and aspects of life- I cannot help but be affected by my aknowledgement of art. I ave come to love and appreciate stadning in front of a major work of art. I love the thought that the artist stood at the exact point I stood at at one point. I love the fact that I am connected to all these people throughout history because we all identify with some aspect of a particular work of art.
Even within the conventions of time there is freedom to communicate passion and make things personal.
I never realized how much art reflected the time in which it was being produced. I undersand now how art history intertwines with so many spheres of influence throughout history: political, social, religious, cultural, economical, etc...
Now, when I walk into a museum I get excited. I think it has to do with the knowledge I now have of the reasoning behind different artistic moevements, artists, and their works. I can see art in so many more things and aspects of life- I cannot help but be affected by my aknowledgement of art. I ave come to love and appreciate stadning in front of a major work of art. I love the thought that the artist stood at the exact point I stood at at one point. I love the fact that I am connected to all these people throughout history because we all identify with some aspect of a particular work of art.
Even within the conventions of time there is freedom to communicate passion and make things personal.
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
Under the Tuscan Sun
Approximately 17 hours ago I returned to my little home in Oxford from a glorious week in Italy. While I was there I traveled to Rome, Florence, Tavernelli, and La Spetzia. The two places out of the four with the most art were ROme and Florence. In every cathedral we stepped foot in, walls and ceilings were covered with paintings and detailed architectural structures.
The most impressive place I saw was the Vatican. I had been there before, but I did not remember the countless rooms full of paintings. I felt as though there was not a blank space in the whole city. I, of course, saw the Sistene Chapel in all its glory. It was beautiful. When I looked up at the ceiling I could not imagine being the one to complete the task for the Pope. I would have felt so overwhelmed to have completed one tiny section while lying on my back and realizing I had barely completed a fraction of the masterpiece. It is crazy to me that all of it was perfect to the tiniest detail. It seems that one would get tired and start to slack off at points. Though I had seen this before, I could not help but stand in silence, soaking in the entire experience.
Another place we went that I thought was just gorgeous was the St. Peter's Basillica. The cathedral was phenominal. I had been there too before and there were a few things I remembered, but it was just so neat to me to go back and visit a place where I had been before, but this time with new perspective. It was also (and I can't believe I'm saying this) neat to know a lot about the painters and the time periods from doing the art portfolio. All around Italy it was fun to look at the characteristics of buidlings and try to date them. Oh, and the most beautiful place in Venice was the Dome Cathedral (I can't remember the name right now). It was, hands down, the most beautiful and unique cathedral on the outside. I felt the outside was more interesting than the inside.
The art that I saw this past week in Italy was so beautiful and was the reason the trip was so enjoyable. It was awesome to be surrounded by the history there and the art was something to remind us of the history.
The most impressive place I saw was the Vatican. I had been there before, but I did not remember the countless rooms full of paintings. I felt as though there was not a blank space in the whole city. I, of course, saw the Sistene Chapel in all its glory. It was beautiful. When I looked up at the ceiling I could not imagine being the one to complete the task for the Pope. I would have felt so overwhelmed to have completed one tiny section while lying on my back and realizing I had barely completed a fraction of the masterpiece. It is crazy to me that all of it was perfect to the tiniest detail. It seems that one would get tired and start to slack off at points. Though I had seen this before, I could not help but stand in silence, soaking in the entire experience.
Another place we went that I thought was just gorgeous was the St. Peter's Basillica. The cathedral was phenominal. I had been there too before and there were a few things I remembered, but it was just so neat to me to go back and visit a place where I had been before, but this time with new perspective. It was also (and I can't believe I'm saying this) neat to know a lot about the painters and the time periods from doing the art portfolio. All around Italy it was fun to look at the characteristics of buidlings and try to date them. Oh, and the most beautiful place in Venice was the Dome Cathedral (I can't remember the name right now). It was, hands down, the most beautiful and unique cathedral on the outside. I felt the outside was more interesting than the inside.
The art that I saw this past week in Italy was so beautiful and was the reason the trip was so enjoyable. It was awesome to be surrounded by the history there and the art was something to remind us of the history.
Wednesday, 16 April 2008
art art art. i love art.
THis past week I have really been thinking about how much I'm going to miss this place. There's something about the history in the buildings I pass by every day, that give me a mystical feeling. The history, the architecture, the beautiful creation of the ultimate Artist. As I look back, I realize I have been to museums all over Europe to experience many types of art forms. Some of the best art I've seen, however, have not been in these museums.
I have learned that art is a form of expression and I have seen people express themselves in so many ways. I have seen it through dance, poetry, sidewalk chalk, street performers, street statues. I do not like all the forms of art I've seen, but I have grown to appreciate how art is an integral part of society. I don't know if it is because I am here, but it feels like art is more recognized , more widely appreciated, and more widely known about here in Europe.
I am planing on going back to London for a day before I leave to see the National and the Tate one more time. I love being here and having the opportunity to see all of these great pieces of art and history.
I have learned that art is a form of expression and I have seen people express themselves in so many ways. I have seen it through dance, poetry, sidewalk chalk, street performers, street statues. I do not like all the forms of art I've seen, but I have grown to appreciate how art is an integral part of society. I don't know if it is because I am here, but it feels like art is more recognized , more widely appreciated, and more widely known about here in Europe.
I am planing on going back to London for a day before I leave to see the National and the Tate one more time. I love being here and having the opportunity to see all of these great pieces of art and history.
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
sweet sweden
This last weekend I went to Sweden with five friends. It was absoltely beautiful. The archetecture in Sweden was a close second to Spain for me. The colors were lovely. Because Stockholm is a town made up of tiny islands, I coudl stand on one island and see tall cathedrals and building standing atop the hill of another isle. Everything was really close together, which is like most of the European cities I have been to. I really get to enjoy God's beauty through architecture.
We went to the Stockholm Cathedral. I remember whispering to Zach, "this just doesn't get old." It's so true. You'd think I'd be over pretty cathedrals, but I just can't get over the beauty: the structure of the building, the paintings inside, the intricate detail, the minds behind it all. All of it takes me back to the Father. Even when we went to the Nobel Museums, I could not help but marvel at the artisitc train of thought all around me. I know these talents and isnpirations are divine.
Before coming to study abroad, I had a very narrown view of what constitutes as art. Now, I am learning to see it in almost everything. I don't know if that's theoretically correct, but it's the perspective I've come to take on since I have been here. I hope it doesn't change when I go back home. It is hard to think of the artistic beauty in Abilene Texas, but I know it is there. It is simply looking at things with a different perspective.
We went to the Stockholm Cathedral. I remember whispering to Zach, "this just doesn't get old." It's so true. You'd think I'd be over pretty cathedrals, but I just can't get over the beauty: the structure of the building, the paintings inside, the intricate detail, the minds behind it all. All of it takes me back to the Father. Even when we went to the Nobel Museums, I could not help but marvel at the artisitc train of thought all around me. I know these talents and isnpirations are divine.
Before coming to study abroad, I had a very narrown view of what constitutes as art. Now, I am learning to see it in almost everything. I don't know if that's theoretically correct, but it's the perspective I've come to take on since I have been here. I hope it doesn't change when I go back home. It is hard to think of the artistic beauty in Abilene Texas, but I know it is there. It is simply looking at things with a different perspective.
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
i want more-rockin art
I'm sticking with the trend of clever blog titles. In this one "more-rocking" can be subbed out for "Moroccan."
This past week I went to Morocco, Africa. It was absolutely beautiful- the people, the places- everything! It was a completely different world than any place I've traveled to before. The art there was everywhere. The pottery was beautifully painted with vibrant colors, all of which took on different sizes, shapes, and forms. The architecture was pretty simple in most parts and many of the houses and building were a bright white color which contrasted beautifully with the bright blue sky above.
I realized that there is a form of art, i had not previously classified as art: apparel. It become extrememly evident to me that these people designed and manufactured clothing, shoes, and accessories with such intricate detail and with much thought. I brought back an entire collection of this beautiful art. THis art is how they survive. You can see the pride in their eyes as they show off the handmade jewelry and the dress they had just sewn. It was a beautiful metaphor, to me, of how God must look at us; as his own, hand-knit, individually unique pieces of art.
Also, I got a hena tattoo with Jessalyn. It was crazy how this lady gave us the tattoos all over our hands in less than five minutes. All we had to do was pick out a desgin and she went to town. It was madness.
I loved getting to see and experience new forms of art in Africa this past week. I am starting to see things with different eyes. I am starting to realize how important it is to recognize and aknowledge GOd's art. The people he has created with so many different skin colors, hair colors, eye colors, body structures: they are all so beautiful and unique. I realize, just like any artist likes to be complimented on their work, God loves when I tell him how much I love the beauty he has created. I need to do this so much more than I do.
Thank you, Father, for the constant beauty all around me!
This past week I went to Morocco, Africa. It was absolutely beautiful- the people, the places- everything! It was a completely different world than any place I've traveled to before. The art there was everywhere. The pottery was beautifully painted with vibrant colors, all of which took on different sizes, shapes, and forms. The architecture was pretty simple in most parts and many of the houses and building were a bright white color which contrasted beautifully with the bright blue sky above.
I realized that there is a form of art, i had not previously classified as art: apparel. It become extrememly evident to me that these people designed and manufactured clothing, shoes, and accessories with such intricate detail and with much thought. I brought back an entire collection of this beautiful art. THis art is how they survive. You can see the pride in their eyes as they show off the handmade jewelry and the dress they had just sewn. It was a beautiful metaphor, to me, of how God must look at us; as his own, hand-knit, individually unique pieces of art.
Also, I got a hena tattoo with Jessalyn. It was crazy how this lady gave us the tattoos all over our hands in less than five minutes. All we had to do was pick out a desgin and she went to town. It was madness.
I loved getting to see and experience new forms of art in Africa this past week. I am starting to see things with different eyes. I am starting to realize how important it is to recognize and aknowledge GOd's art. The people he has created with so many different skin colors, hair colors, eye colors, body structures: they are all so beautiful and unique. I realize, just like any artist likes to be complimented on their work, God loves when I tell him how much I love the beauty he has created. I need to do this so much more than I do.
Thank you, Father, for the constant beauty all around me!
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