Guest Post: Maggie

Jackson Pollock

Number 3

In this piece, Jackson Pollock used the paint-drip method to express a sense of chaos in his many pieces. He would put the canvas on the floor and used a new medium at the time, alkyd enamel; to “drip” the paint, he used stick, hard paint brushes, and sometimes syringes. The lack of focal point allows the eye to be carried across the page and not focus on one specific point; the colors and the lines would carry the eye. Jackson Pollock created a new method of painting, later known as action painting, where the movement of the media and the type of media was important, rather than the “intricate detail.” He also contributed greatly to the abstract expressionist movement in the 20^th century. 

Number 7

Jackson Pollock utilizes an asymmetrical balance with intricate detail which causes the painting to appear “heavier” on the right side. On the other hand, the left side is composed of enamel lines and splatters which contrast the chaos on the left side; it creates a dynamic composition.

Sources:

http://www.1artclub.com/number-3-by-jackson-pollock/

http://www.abstract-art.com/abstraction/l2_grnfthrs_fldr/g007_pollock_no7,1951.html

http://kathleen-duffy.suite101.com/jackson-pollocks-drip-paintings-in-context-a151464

http://www.jackson-pollock.com/action-painting.html

Extra credit opportunity for IB Juniors and Seniors

Be a guest blogger.

Criteria:

Find an artist.  Choose one or two images by that artist to include in your post.  Analyze the visual qualities of the artist's work.  Consider the function or significance of that artist's work.  Write a short post one or two paragraphs including the pictures and links to your sources or the artist's website.

Choose an artist that is doing something you find interesting and that you would like to share with others.

See me in class about posting it to the blog.

Deadline for this is October 21st.

Guest Post - Krystal

Juan Geuer

Al Asnaam, 1979

Juan Geuer is a Canadian installation artist that combines the sciences and the arts to create what he described as "something nobody else has done". The piece above exemplifies the connection Geuer found between the sciences and the arts. Al Asnaam is made up of a laser and a seismometer, and a lot of other electrical engineering materials and concepts. What it does is it projects, through the lasers, the minute pulsing and tremors of the planet. In the dark room, the red laser is constantly changing shape to fit the movements of the earth, making the artwork seem alive.
In Geuer’s work engineering and art is often used to show the unity between nature, science and the beauty of the world, which can be explored here and here. The complexity of science and art are interrelated in his work, and he often describes his work as an extension to the sciences. His official website is here, and commentary on his work can be found here.

Guest Post - Sam

Olafur Eliasson: Geometrical Spatial Installation Art

“The Weather Project”

Olafur Eliasson’s installation artworks deal with the concept of using geometrical figures in combination with space which then creates an over whelming atmosphere. His pieces tend to have a repetition of rectangle or square figures with a combination of another offset figure such as a circle (oval) or triangle in order to create contrast between the forms. His use of repeating like-geometrical figures creates rhythm within the work and his use of color scheme whether monothematic scheme or multiple variations creates unity within his pieces and allows his works to flow rather than static like an ordinary geometric figure.

These are some more work of his where he uses space within geometric figure: here and here

Here is a direct link to his website here

Opportunity for an extra grade.

Students: If you are interested in being a "guest blogger" let me know. You will need to find an artist to feature that other students might be interested in. You will need a picture (title and artist to give credit), correct links to their work or website, and a one to two paragraph introduction. This is an optional assignment for those who a interested. It will be recorded as an extra grade.