Similar to one of the first questions we were asked, "What is Art?", beauty is something that cannot be defined by one simple definition. Different people choose to see different aspects as different things. I would like to say "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" but only because we were begged not to. In truth, its both very similar and very different to this.
In truth, beauty exists on different levels, many of which contradict each other. In example There is Physical beauty, emotional beauty, Inner beauty (people), there is beauty in a story or concept, and beauty in the way a well told lie or deception is thought out, and beauty in music.
Using these layers it is easy to imagine something that is both beautiful and hideous, like a painting with beautiful composition and painted perfectly but has a gruesome subject matter, or the reverse, a painting that, visually isn't as "pretty" But has a deep, beautiful meaning or emotional pull.
I personally, like the vain individual I am, find myself focusing most on physical beauty, how colors and shapes appeal to the eye and overall balance. I can appreciate beauty elsewhere but it is not what jumps out at me first.
That being said, I find beauty (particularly in art) in the intricate details and textures. I believe it is because of this that I tend to dislike bright colors more as it distracts my eyes from the intricacy that I so love.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Artist Presentation: Inka Essenhigh
Inka Essenhigh was born in Bellfonte Pennsylvania. She had attended both Columbus College of Art & Design and the School of Visual Arts in New York City.
Inka Essenhigh's chosen medium is oils paints, which she says, is because it has more variety and that she, personally, associates it with deeper emotions.
Born Again
2000
oil on canvas
90 x 78 inches
Essenhigh is attracted to "moody" and "muddy colors". She also says that she likes twilight. While she "might decide to paint daylight" She prefers a "moodier Palette"
White Rain
2001
oil on enamel on canvas
72 x 74 inches
optimistic horse and rider
2002
oil on panel
74 x 70 inches
getting comfy
2002
oil on panel
56 x 54 inches
Although I could not find much about her personally, while going through her website and gallery I noticed that her older work was mostly flat colors with the same distorted figures that her work features nowadays. It was not until 2002 that her paintings began to appear more three-demensional.
green wave
2002
oil on panel
60 x 72 inches
fantasy
2003
oil on linen
70 x 74 inches
chainlink fence
2004
oil on canvas
76 x 70 inches
The majority of Essenhigh's paintings are a narrative with a distorted, twisted figure taking part in a story which is usually drived from a particular "atmosphere of encounter", Perception, individual or scene.
brush with death
2004
oil on linen
60 x 48 inches
In Bed
2005
oil on canvas
68 x 62 inches
This is the painting that was featured in the text book that inspired me to choose Inka Essenhigh for my presentation. I loved how twisted and dream-like it was, especially with how the sprites are tugging at the sleeping woman.
Setting Sun
2005
oil on canvas
75 1/2 x 70 inches
Subway
2005
oil on canvas
78 x 70 inches
Exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery. "Subway" Depicts subway commuters at rush hour bustling to their lives leaving behind fluid trails of themselves.
Dance Party
2006
oil on linen
46 x 42 inches
Fall (Red)
2007
oil on canvas
Global Warming Cloud
2008
oil on canvas
78 x 60 inches
Spring Bar Scene
2008
oil on canvas
78 x 72 inches
Sleeping Faun
2010
Inka Essenhigh's chosen medium is oils paints, which she says, is because it has more variety and that she, personally, associates it with deeper emotions.
2000
oil on canvas
90 x 78 inches
Essenhigh is attracted to "moody" and "muddy colors". She also says that she likes twilight. While she "might decide to paint daylight" She prefers a "moodier Palette"
2001
oil on enamel on canvas
72 x 74 inches
2002
oil on panel
74 x 70 inches
2002
oil on panel
56 x 54 inches
Although I could not find much about her personally, while going through her website and gallery I noticed that her older work was mostly flat colors with the same distorted figures that her work features nowadays. It was not until 2002 that her paintings began to appear more three-demensional.
2002
oil on panel
60 x 72 inches
2003
oil on linen
70 x 74 inches
2004
oil on canvas
76 x 70 inches
The majority of Essenhigh's paintings are a narrative with a distorted, twisted figure taking part in a story which is usually drived from a particular "atmosphere of encounter", Perception, individual or scene.
2004
oil on linen
60 x 48 inches
2005
oil on canvas
68 x 62 inches
This is the painting that was featured in the text book that inspired me to choose Inka Essenhigh for my presentation. I loved how twisted and dream-like it was, especially with how the sprites are tugging at the sleeping woman.
2005
oil on canvas
75 1/2 x 70 inches
2005
oil on canvas
78 x 70 inches
Exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery. "Subway" Depicts subway commuters at rush hour bustling to their lives leaving behind fluid trails of themselves.
2006
oil on linen
46 x 42 inches
2007
oil on canvas
2008
oil on canvas
78 x 60 inches
2008
oil on canvas
78 x 72 inches
2010
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Chapter Twenty-Two: Artist Contrast 2
The gold color and various shapes found in Louise Nevelson’s “Royal Tide II” are phenomenal. What is more amazing is how Nevelson could take ordinary materials and objects and in turn create a piece that fits so well together that those objects become unrecognizable unless looked and studied closely. Furthermore the choice to paint the whole thing gold was a wise choice as it further meshes the sculpture together and creates a sort of unity amongst the otherwise odd and abstract shapes. This makes the sculpture look rich, coherent, and elegant.
In contrast to this, Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers building The Georges Pompidou National Center of Art and Culture in Paris, is multiple colors. Its bright, vibrant, and young despite being built in 1977. Very much like Nevelson’s Sculpture, there’s a lot of details that mesh together beneath the glow of the bright lights. The scaffolding on the outside reminds me of the borders around Nevelson’s sculpture. What I enjoy most about this building though is the pathway leading up to the multiple stories of the building. It looks like it would be incredibly fun to walk through much as “Royal Tide II” looks like it’d be incredibly fun to see and touch to attempt to identify everything put into it.
As far as differences go, the two have many. First there’s the obvious fact that one is a wall-like sculpture while the other is a large-scale building. One is monochromatic in a rich gold while the Pompidou National Center of Art and Culture is bright with a multitude of colors, lights, lines, an windows. If I had to describe each, I would say that Louise Nevelson’s “Royal Tide II” is a contrast between abstract but still, to me, has an old fashioned feel. However Renzo Piano’s and Richard Rogers’ building is bold, new, and futuristic.
In contrast to this, Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers building The Georges Pompidou National Center of Art and Culture in Paris, is multiple colors. Its bright, vibrant, and young despite being built in 1977. Very much like Nevelson’s Sculpture, there’s a lot of details that mesh together beneath the glow of the bright lights. The scaffolding on the outside reminds me of the borders around Nevelson’s sculpture. What I enjoy most about this building though is the pathway leading up to the multiple stories of the building. It looks like it would be incredibly fun to walk through much as “Royal Tide II” looks like it’d be incredibly fun to see and touch to attempt to identify everything put into it.
As far as differences go, the two have many. First there’s the obvious fact that one is a wall-like sculpture while the other is a large-scale building. One is monochromatic in a rich gold while the Pompidou National Center of Art and Culture is bright with a multitude of colors, lights, lines, an windows. If I had to describe each, I would say that Louise Nevelson’s “Royal Tide II” is a contrast between abstract but still, to me, has an old fashioned feel. However Renzo Piano’s and Richard Rogers’ building is bold, new, and futuristic.
Chapter Twenty-Two: Artist Contrast 1
Alice Neel was a painter that did not what people expected but rather what she wanted. On page 510, Neel defines herself not as a “portrait painter” But as a “people painter.” I agree with this statement. The term “portrait” sounds stiff, perfect, and posed. Alice Neel’s paintings are anything but these. They are loose, expressive, and allows you to see not a perfect rendering of the persons literal appearance but a glimpse into their minds, emotions, and expressions.
As already stated, Neel’s paintings are expressive. They She seems to focus on feelings, personalities, and individuals as opposed to painting a mere physical shell of a person. It is just as Neel says. She paints “people” not just bodies, not just portraits.
The particular painting of hers that caught my attention is “Harley” that she had completed in 1965. What I enjoy most about this painting is the pose. It is something I have seen many times in life; When someone is upset, fed-up, lost, or stuck and do not know how to proceed. It is a feeling that Neel has captured phenomenally.
In comparison to this, I found that Jenny Saville’s painting “Rosetta” on page 515 which made me think of as pure expression. The blank blue eyes, the facial expression, even the style in which she painted it all. It all builds up a feeling of being lost or despair.
In addition to their use of emotion and expression, both paintings are similar in style. In both the strokes of paint are visible. They are not meticulously blended as in photorealism and because of this I believe the paintings become even more powerful than they would have been had the artist chosen to perfectly render them.
As already stated, Neel’s paintings are expressive. They She seems to focus on feelings, personalities, and individuals as opposed to painting a mere physical shell of a person. It is just as Neel says. She paints “people” not just bodies, not just portraits.
The particular painting of hers that caught my attention is “Harley” that she had completed in 1965. What I enjoy most about this painting is the pose. It is something I have seen many times in life; When someone is upset, fed-up, lost, or stuck and do not know how to proceed. It is a feeling that Neel has captured phenomenally.
In comparison to this, I found that Jenny Saville’s painting “Rosetta” on page 515 which made me think of as pure expression. The blank blue eyes, the facial expression, even the style in which she painted it all. It all builds up a feeling of being lost or despair.
In addition to their use of emotion and expression, both paintings are similar in style. In both the strokes of paint are visible. They are not meticulously blended as in photorealism and because of this I believe the paintings become even more powerful than they would have been had the artist chosen to perfectly render them.
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