Metaphoric Self-Portrait
Artist Statement
Art education is like a composition being played by a symphony orchestra. All the sounds of an orchestra come together at the direction of a conductor, who is like a teacher. The musicians practice and learn to play their instruments in the same way art students practice and learn techniques. With practice comes the ability to intrinsically develop a style of playing an instrument that conveys the emotion of the sound. The same intrinsic values can be found when art students can demonstrate the aesthetics of their work and the message it conveys.
This collage uses instruments to represent the orchestra. The energy of the piece is found at the center with the sense of movement given by the conductor. From that energy is an explosion of art that is expressed in the swirling of notes through Picasso’s Guernica and continuing up through the composition. The flowing of the musical staffs can be followed through some artworks that were considered both revolutionary and sometimes abrasive in their unveiling. However, art students and musicians alike can find through the process of practice and learning aesthetics, a thoughtful composition can be made.
This collage uses instruments to represent the orchestra. The energy of the piece is found at the center with the sense of movement given by the conductor. From that energy is an explosion of art that is expressed in the swirling of notes through Picasso’s Guernica and continuing up through the composition. The flowing of the musical staffs can be followed through some artworks that were considered both revolutionary and sometimes abrasive in their unveiling. However, art students and musicians alike can find through the process of practice and learning aesthetics, a thoughtful composition can be made.
KidSpiration Brainstorming Idea
KidPix Sketch
Alternative Ideas from KidSpiration and KidPix
Posts
The transparent artwork that looks very "smokey" is so cool... I think adding more than one artwork (not just Picasso) really adds to your piece.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful piece, Sarah! I can see using the kidspiration piece about a puzzle with the kids explaining about artmaking. In fact, can I? I'm struggling with getting them to move beyond making a mark and giving up. Kathy F.
ReplyDeletehello you! Ok so we both know that I am not very... how shall i say.... smart when it comes to art. Although I totally agree that this is a self portrait. You are a small part of the big picture that makes life. the rest of the picture is everyday life.... flying around you.... alot of confusion... so much goin on around you and in your life at this moment and your portrait shows. I know you made this alil while ago but I think that with everything that is goin on right now you portrayed it all through your collage. If that makes sense to you then you know me well... lol All I have left to say is Great Job I absolutely love it... and I love you!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I looked at it again... and I think that all the stuff coming from the conductor (you) is big and wonderful.... just like all the things you do.... anything you put your mind to will be big and wonderful to someone!
ReplyDeleteI really like how you used the transparency of your layers in Photoshop to fill the space in your self portrait with both the environment for the theatre and the images of fine art. I also like how you used color and shape to unify your entire composition. I think that it would have been nice to include some non-western art images, but I understand why you would want to use more recognizable images to convey your meaning. It is also nice how you used some controversial historical art images, because these become so useful in the classroom for demonstrating reactive, relevant and boundary-breaking achievements.
ReplyDeleteI really like the ghostly nature of your portrait. It is a little bit eerie but I think that is because I know what the Picasso piece is about. I like the varying value of the music notes, it adds to it quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy all of the different aspects of your piece. I'm curious as to why or how you chose the specific images you used - especially the large transparent one in the middle of the composition. It all looks like they're struggling. I also noticed how it looks like the images are swirling up towards the top of the theater along with the music notes - I like that!
ReplyDeleteOverall, I think the composition is really great. I'd love to hear your thought process in choosing the images that you used (Piccaso, etc). Maybe I just don't know a lot about those and I might be missing your idea with the connection. :)
I really enjoy all of the different aspects of your piece. I'm curious as to why or how you chose the specific images you used - especially the large transparent one in the middle of the composition. It all looks like they're struggling. I also noticed how it looks like the images are swirling up towards the top of the theater along with the music notes - I like that!
ReplyDeleteOverall, I think the composition is really great. I'd love to hear your thought process in choosing the images that you used (Piccaso, etc). Maybe I just don't know a lot about those and I might be missing your idea with the connection. :)
Thanks, Emily! If you end up reading this, I chose those images because they were the most revolutionary pieces I've been introduced to. Through some of my theory classes and especially in response to my "commercial art" job, these works of art are important to me. Picasso, in my opinion, will always stand as one of the most abstract, thoughtful artists I know. Guernica is one painting I wish to see in person in my lifetime. His reflection of issues is a reflection of issue-based art I have been studying. Duchamp was obviously abrasive in the 1920's, and still is today. He truly questions our opinion of "what is good art?" And Manet used several techniques in his art to break the tradition of his day. Kollwitz I've been able to relate to on a feminist level, and Marc on an aesthetic level. My inclusion of these pieces reflect my own philosophy that I would like to teach beyond an understanding of every day art. I would really like to be able to influence the children I teach to begin to understand, or at least respect artworks outside of their experience with "fine art." Thanks for asking :)
ReplyDeleteI like your picture and the horses. It's funny how the instruments are people. It is good.
ReplyDelete-translated by Quintin's mom (2nd grade)
Hi Sarah. This is a really good artwork. You're creative at computer design as well we see. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDelete- Pat
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteThanks for responding! I knew you put those in there for a reason -- I was just really curious. :)
It sounds like it was definitely well thought out - I think they all work really well together, especially since you have a reason why you put them in there. I like that I had to ASK about it, rather than you spelling it out for the viewer.
Great piece (I think I already mentioned that)! There is such a great amount of space in this composition. I like that sense of space and depth and I really think all of the elements of this piece work well together.
I love the theater you created and the energy within it. I think the composition would become more dynamic if you twisted and manipulated the image of Guernica. That way, it would emphasize the sense of movement and swirling motion toward the top of the composition. And, it would create a starting point for the viewer's eyes to follow up the composition.
ReplyDeleteNot only was your MSP eye-catching and compositionally well constructed, but your statement was very successful as well. Music (an art in and of itself) and other art (such as drawing/painting) all stem from the same basic concepts of composition and building upon previous knowledge. In fact, in order to make drawings, I always have to have music playing to grab inspiration from, so I really enjoyed this piece.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I would like to though would be some warping of the instruments at the bottom of the portrait. Imagine taking them and angling them back so they have a sense of 3-dimensionality. Or, consider warping a few of them into the shapes of music notes themselves, which could easily be done using the watering technique on photoshop. Just something to consider, but all-in-all well done!