The Depictions of Women Through Painting

     As the curator for this exhibition I decided that for my theme I was going to concentrate on the different types of roles women play. I decided to go with this path because many times women from many different paintings are depicted as very beautiful and fragil individuals. Their delicacy can be felt just by looking at the painting. They are portryaed as very innocent souls and hardworking women. Although these women are very hardworking, sweet and beautiful I feel that people are just stuck in observing the exterior beauty. Their roles however have changed through the years making them more independent and probably at the same time less likely to see them in the kitchen cooking.
     I was very intrigued by how the roles have changed so dramatically and how happy them seem to be now. I feel that before they were forced into leading the roles of a housewife. Their main job was caring for the childrena and being the understanding mother. The always sweet woman who when talked to by her husband should never speak up and take whatever she was told.
Women are beautiful individuals who have also been portrayed wearing nice and beautiful big dresses. Their hair picked up in an elegant and sophisticated way. 
     I expect my viewer to see how women have changed not only phyiscally but emotionally too. For example the painting "The Lamentation" by Ambrosius Benson, portrays jesus collapsed and to his aid three women by his side. To me everyone expects the woman to do the love aiding and the comfort. Everyone just views the woman and expects that woman to play that role.  Now a different sight of a woman is depicted on "The angry wife" by Jean- Baptiste Greuze. Here this woman is shown with messy hair and in an envirnment of chaos as she carries some sort of weapon that she intends to use on the man two other woman are protecting. This shows another side of women when they feel they have been betrayed.
     Woman have also been belittled for a long time. A perfect example of this is the sculptor made from the egyptians known as "Nikare with is Wife and Daughter" this depicts the man being the most powerful in the family. Nowadays you would probably see a painting with both the wife and husband being the same size. But the daughter and wife are belittled to make the man appear powerful and in control.
     Before women were seen to be very submissive and expected to fullfill things such as piety, purity and domesticity.Now they have become devinant, defiant and independent. And it has brought them consequences and hardship they we have been able to overcome.

 Francois Boucher "Virgin and Child with the young Sain John the Baptist and Angels" 1765 European Paintings

Fra Bartolomeo "Madonna and Child with the Young Saint John the Baptist" 1473 European Paintings

Marie-Guillelmine Benoist "Madame Phelippe Desbassaynas de Riechmont" 1802 European Paintings

Ambrosius Benson "The Lamentation" 1520 European Paintings

"The Victory Of Eros" 1750 American painting and sculptors

Loius Comfort Tiffany "Th Bathers" 1914 American paintings and sculpture

Louis Comfort Tiffany "Design for a Tapestry of medieval ladies and lords" American painting and sculptures

Anonymous "study of a classical female figure (night)" 19th C Drawings and Prints

Leon Bakst "Two Female Haute Couture Figures" 1910 Drawings and Prints

Jean - Baptiste Greuze "The Angry Wife" Drawings and prints

"Nikare with his Wife and Daughter" Egyptian Art

Lucas Cranach the Elder "Judith with the head of Holofernes" ca. 1530 European Paintings

Pierre Auguste Cot 'The Storm" 1880 European Paintings

  Lucas Cranach the Elder "The Martydrom of Saint Barbara" ca. 1510 European Paintings

Illustrate a Story

I found very intresting the fact that these two daughters still managed to keep their father smiling even after his disease. It was great to see that they loved and most of all respected their father and are still there for him because not every daughter or son is like that with their parents. I illustrated the moment when one of the daughters is having an intimate moment with her father, letting him know that she loves him as they interview him about their family. The people in the background are supposed to be the memory of them in their young years, and the path is what leads to that memory.

Brooklyn Museum Reaction

       My experience in The Brooklyn Museum was a pleasant one. As soon as I entered I realized it was a really big museum, bigger than the ones I had attended. As we were all walking to find our section I found out I was going to really like it because it had a lot of art that I was intrested in. Art that I personally find intresting and probably most of all I understand. As a class we went through three special exhibits. I found the three to be highly interesting, and I found myself not to be in a hurry to leave.
       One of the exhibits we visited was "Sanford Biggers: Sweet Funk-An Introspective". When I entered the space where his work was placed, I soon realized it was an artist whom I was a bit familiar with because we had seen his work in the MoMa Museum. I was instantly drawn to the tall tree with a  big piano basically right on top of it. It was named Blossom, and I felt the name fit the piece of work perfectly. I found it capturing because the piano was programmed to play a song, and it was a song that kind of forced you to stop and listen and absorb the surroundings. This art was set up by an African american and he tries to portray the lynching that was once imposed on african americans. This work of art to me most definitley defines a personal identity. This is because Sanford Biggers as an african american is more aware of the racism towards people of color. The piano according to the information on the wall was supposed to represent the broken body of a human who had been lynched. The symobols he used to represent his identity were pretty clever to me.
       The next exhibit we went to was the "Youth and Beauty: Art of the American Twenties". This is the kind of art that really attracts my attention. This particular exhibit was supposed to represent modern realism. These artists we focused on the changes that society was undergoing leading to the aftermath of the Great War and  the Great Depression. One particular work of art that captured my attention even though I really fell in love with almost all the ones this exhibit was the The Amazon. This is an identity of women in a moment in Amercia society where their role was purely glamour. This to me represented both the personal identity as well as the identity of culture. At that moment in time women had to and at some extent continue to present themselves in a manner of glamour and beauty in movies and television. I found it to be a compelling work of art because many women can identify to it and it is an identity we continue to see day to day. It is an identity that women all over aim for.
       The last exhibit we encountered was that of "Timothy Greenfield Sanders: The Latino List". This without a doubt represents alot of elements of personal identity. The type of personal identity meant to be portrayed is the success of a latino in the american socitey. I identified myself with every single latino in those photographs because I am a latino living in amercia. However the portait that I identified myself with the most was Eva Longoria because like her I am also mexican. This exhibit explores the success and latinos in the US who are influential in so many aspects. They range from singerst to actresses and even an atronaut. Without any doubt it focuses on the identity of the hispanics. The time is significant because our society is progressing for the better, both for a specific race and for the community they reside in.
       The different types of identities portrayed in these three exhibits were very significant. It brings out the feelings of humanity. It represents that past and at the same time the changes in progress in the american society. I loved all three exhibits, they really did an amazing job capturing my attention and really letting the viewer fall in love with the meaning of identity they worked so hard to transmitt to the viewer. It was an incredible experience.

Sanford Biggers
"Blossom"
2007

Joseph Stella
"The Amazon"
1925-26

Timothy Greenfield Sanders
"Eva Longoria"
2011

  

Narrative Digital Collage

I decided to make a collage of an imaginary experience. My collage represents all the elemenents that make up a peaceful environment. It has things ranging from music, nature and religion. I am a very peaceful person and I just imagine a serene enviroment where there is no evil and only good surrounds me, happiness and love.

Sculpture Center Reaction

       It was my first time attending The Sculture Center. My very first impression of the place as I walked in was curiosity. It was explained that it was small but that the artworks presented were supposed to be admiring. I didn't know what to expect as my eyes started to wonder around. I am not very familiar with museums given the fact that I don't frequent then as often as I should. But this one to me seemed to be different from the rest and I was interested at once.

       One sculpture that couldn't be missed was the "A Joia Do Orixa" by Sanford Biggers. It was the tallest sculptor there and because it was so tall and displayed in such a way, it meant it was craving for attention. Not only did it get my attention because it was so tall but because I soon realized it was a doll, and not just any doll, a voodoo doll! Things related to voodoo freak me out and this one was no different. The space given to this piece was crucial because it was placed where the viewer couldn't miss it's presence. To me the colors also played a significant role because they were bright against the open space. The place was slightly dark but not too much and so it allowed the colors to shine. I don't feel this particular sculpture would have had the same effect wanted if the space had been different. Had the sculpture been placed in a bright room with similar colors surrounding it, it wouldn't have obtained the same kind of appreciation and uniqueness as it did in the space that it had been placed.

       Although I was impressed by many of the photographs that I encountered in the narrow and dark space of the lower level I couldn't help but be captured by the videos as well. One of the videos that I witnessed and couldn't stop watching was "Dame of the World". It was a documentary of an old woman who was one of Americas first female artists. The space where this video was located was interesting. It was dark and the only light was the one escaping from the tv. You couldn't help but be compelled to know what it was about. It was a perfect space because your thoughts and your attention automatically focused on the documentary. If the screen had been placed somewhere else the effect wouldnt have been the same because there could have been other things in one small place trying to capture the viewers attention. It was just a small dark room with the big screen and nothing all.

       Another piece of art that captured my attetion was a white, worn out jacket just left hanging on the wall. It was in the basement, where it was a dark with a very narrow hallway. I couldn't believe the artists had chosen to present their art in this extremely scary enviornment. But at the same time it made sense given the type of art that was here. The front of the jacket was facing the wall and the back was the side meant to be see and read. It had words of encouragement and words that wanted to prove someone wrong. Whoever came up with the words seemed to be determined and willing to fight for what he/she belived in. I do think the jacket was placed in the right place because given the fact that it was so dark, the jacket couldn't be missed because it was white and it had a significant small amount of light shining on it. Had it been placed somewhere differently like a white room the meaning wouldn't have been the same. It did give you kind of a creepy feeling to it too though.
       Overall the sculpture center was pretty amazing. I was just very happy and relived I didnt have to witness the attractive art in the basement by myself. Most of all I was thankful the big voodoo doll hadn't been placed in that dark basement because I probably would have run back upstairs. The videos were really interesting and the photographs too. The space and place provided for these very specific pieces couldn't have been better.


Sanford Biggers
"A Joia Do Orixa
2011

Rona Yefman
"Dame of the World"
2011

Rona Yefman
"Born Fighter and Scrapper"
2011

Design in Our Lives Reaction

      In this time period, humans have come to the point where they depend on technology. Almost everyone is obsessed with some sort of gadget. However technology and ergonomics have affected us, there is one thing for sure, the impacts made have been constructive. Without these new ideas and designs it wouldn't have been possible to achieve and improve the lives of so many. This is why people all over the world continue to create and expand their ideas, making our everyday lives easier.
      Ergonomics play a big role on the major changes and the new rise of ideas coming foward. Although these devices are meant to bring new changes, their functionalty varies. One particular design that seemed to me of very good use was the "Glow Caps". It's an idea I found to be very brilliant because so many could benefit from this, especially the elderly. The purpose for these special prescription pills is to monitor and allow the prescription to be taken properly. It goes as far as to give the patient a call as a reminder to take their pill. It is highly functional, it's definitely something that serves a grear purpose from children to the elderly.
      The "EyeWriter" was another high functional device that caught my attention and kept me reading once I spot it. It was created for an L.A artist who was left paralyzed throughout his whole body except for his eyes. Rather than being left with nothing to live for anymore but spend the rest of his life in bed, he was given the chance to keep practicing his art through his eyes! Who woud have though such a thing would be possible, but it was and served a purpose in the life of that artist. The device created can be used and even improved for so many others with a similar condition. It's high functionality allows this idea to be considered for future creations that would make it possible to make a significant change in the lives of many more.
      Although I was impressed with many of the ergonomics I observed, there were also several I encountered that really served no purpose at all. One perfect example of a low functionality work would be the "Talk To Yourself Hat". When I saw it I was curious because I've never seen anything like it before and I wondered about it.I realized that it was basically as the name given self explanatory. When I was done readin the discription I though it was pretty awesome because sometimes some people do need their space and privacy. Although I found it to be funny I classified it as a low functionalty creation because I believe I was more focused on the purpose and impact it would have on society rather than on making people laugh.
      The "Call me, Choke me" was another form of device that I found to be of low functionality. This device is supposed to inflict pain if wrapped around the neck. The pain is inflicted whenever the person receives a call, the device will activate even if the person decides not to answer the call. I found the device to be funny but at the same time I didn't feel a could serve a useful purpose in society. However I think with some changes and improvements it probably could. I was thinking maybe it could be of good use if it was used on terorrists.
       Ergonomic can serve a great purpose on society, wether it's to improve the life of someone or the creation of fun and amusing things. I determined my high funtional items on the intentions for their creations. I was looking at how these ergonomic devices could progress our society as a whole. The low functionalty items were classified as such because although they were funny and intresting, to me their purpose didn't serve a great purpose for society.



David Rose
"Glow Caps"
2010

TEMPT1 & Theo Watson
"EyeWriter"
2009

Kate Hartman
"Talk to Yourself Hat"
2006

Gunnar Green
Call me, Choke me
2008

Arts and World Events Reaction

       The aftermath of september 11, 2001 left a big impact on the people of the U.S. I was twelve years old when the tradegy happened. I was in my literacy class when I heard the speaker in my class start to call out names. My name was among the ones called, and we were to report to the auditorium. I soon realized my mom had picked up all my siblings from school and I was the last one left. I remember that day very clearly. At the time I was oblivious to the fact that the United States had just undergone a frighting attack, that the lives of everyone had just been altered forever. However these changes have been both negative and positive. The negative would be that many innocent lives were taken that day. Due to the attacks security measures increased dramatically. Some people feel safer while others feel it's too much, for example all the chaos and things they have to go through in the airports. The positive changes would be the increase in focus in security, personally I don't mind. The events also helped us all unite as a family as we all grieved the demise of the twin towers and the lives taken that day.
       As I was walking through the september gallery, my attention was instantly drawn to the two big black body bags on the wall. I was horrified by the display and I knew I had to read the artists explanation. I felt the artist was very clever as I realized what the bags were meant to represent. They portrayed a very emotional symbol of that day. I came to understand that the significance of the empty bags relates to the same emptiness of the many bodies not found. Personally it also gives me a sense  of the vacant hearts of the victims family members who were lost and the emptiness in the future of the area that once held the twin towers. Another shocking realization was that the bags were placed vertically on the wall imitating the towers. It was intresting to me how the artist was able to resemble so much.
       Another work of art that jumped out at me was that of a painting. I love paintings and this particular one caught my attention. It represented the view of New york city. As I looked closely at the details I soon realized there was one crucial detail missing. The twin towers were missing and I knew then that it had been made after the tradegy. I believe it was very hard for many people to take pictures and know that the twin towers were no longer part of New york city. The title "Dark Afternoon" that Jane Freilicher chose, to me fits the picture perfectly because not only was it a dark afternoon physically, the hearts of many were filled with pain, hurt and most of all anger. Anger represents the darkness of that afternoon, at least to me.
       The many pictures and newspaper clippings behind the big frames protecting them caught my attention. The display made me sick, it represents nothing but hate, anger and despair. I feel that patriotism is a great quality to have, however it can also bring the worst in people. At times it gives no room for friendships with other people from different countries. The display was disturbing, but at the same time it's the reality we have faced and continue to face. I saw many portaying Osama bin laden as their hero while others let their hatred for him show too. We are all so different from each other and this results in war and terror.
       Overall the works of art that I encountered and captured my attention contemplated alot on the events of september 11. They all represented in their own ways the pain that was felt that day by all of us. It also did change my view on art. For example, the body bags displayed on the wall at first felt ridiculous to me because to me art is when an artist takes the time to build a scuplture or paint a picture. And the bags were just bags to me when I first saw them and held no significance whatsoever. So when I read the discription I was both impressed and I realized that it was created by him and he gave his art it's voice and it's significance. Therefore my perspective has changed, I feel I won't be too quick to judge a piece of art before I actually take the time to analyze it and see it from both my perspective and the perspective of the artist.

Cris Cristofaro
"Silent Calling"
2011

Jane Freilicher
"Dark Afternoon"
2001

Willem de Rooij
"Index: Riots, Protest, Mourning and Commemoration"
Jan 2000-July 2002