Narrative: Reading - What is Comics Poetry? An essay by Alexander Rothman

Marvel Comics Characters

Honestly for me is difficult to see a relationship between comics and poetry, maybe because I see them as individual forms of literature. Yes, I agree both can be used to tell a story. Also, I agree with the idea of comics being more easily to understand rather than poetry and other pieces of reading. Also, people might have  a prejudgment or stereotype against comics. I remember this Chilean comic character known as "Condorito"; this character was really popular in Ecuador during my childhood years but people reading this comic were perceive as uneducated, if you liked "Condorito"you will be associated with low class or construction worker. Other memory from my childhood was the comics placed on the newspaper in the same section with the obituaries, I was reading Mafalda and then 5 minutes after the condolences to the family of an unknown human. 

"Condorito" by Pepo

Now days I believe comics have become more popular and is slowing breaking with the negative associations probably thanks to superheroes and their entertainment production. Comics can be useful to introduce kids to literature, changing the typical idea of readings as something boring. I cannot see comics as a foundation of poetry; it is true that comics and poetry have a similarity on their structure like the shortness of the narrative and the process of repetition but that do not explain the connection. In the other hand I agree that the job of an artist or creator is to make work, it does not matter the way or medium you choose to used to communicate as long as you do it. I was grateful of how at the end of the essay Rothman acknowledge how the term "comic poetry" really is not important, the essential is to work on something different and creative in order to make it attractive. Also, I love how he describes art as an "empathy engine" and how making art create an attachment with the world opening the artist/audience mind. 

"Mafalda" by Quino 

Landscapes: Reading - "Green Dreams: Gardens" by Robert Harbison

When  I think of a garden as an image of art it came to my mind the garden design from Edward Scissorshands, I think of outdoor sculpture made with bushes. You cannot compare a drawing or painting of a garden  with the feeling and reactions of been physically inside of a garden. Also, gardens can be consider nature because of the living species but modified by man hands. I admire gardeners because in order to plant and soil successfully it requires certain level of skill. Gardeners need a type of touch(buena mano) to make plants/trees/flowers grow happily in their new environment; they also need to know about climate, soil qualities and the specific ways of rooting so the plant survive. Garden design can be reproduce in other places but you have to consider certain things such as weather, altitude, atmospheric conditions to decide if a plant survive on the new location; for example a Miami palm tree will not survive in a dry/ cold place or in the best case the palm tree may have to adapt  to live. 

Edward Scissorhands Garden

I agree with the idea of gardens been perceive as a close place that set you apart because every time I visit a garden I forget of the outdoor world, focusing only on the nature that surrounds me. It is interesting how gardens had inspire other types of art such as books, movies, performances, etc. I also agree with the perception of natural things seen as sacred and not be able to compared it with man made projects. Sometimes I lost myself with the gardens description from the reading as well with some references of locations. I found interesting how they consider architecture to be able of constructing a garden successfully. Other aspect that called my attention was the analogy of the word path(sentiero) or sendero and the explanation of how it connects in nature. Something appealing from this reading was the relationship of vegetation as a symbolism tool in the creation of the space and in the way humans use it as a method to be able to speak up. 

The secret garden (book cover)

The secret garden (film cover)

Rhinoceros: Reading - Enter the Dragon; On the Vernacular of Beauty by Dave Hickney

Beauty is something so debatable, what is beauty for you can be disgusting for me or vice-versa. We always linked beauty with good but that is  not necessary truthful. Sometimes a piece of art gets attention because the artist is popular but that not means that the artwork is special at all. Other times the artist has the right connections to make his/her exhibition possible but might not be talented at all. While in some cases extravagant art pieces are not acknowledge because they are too polemic for the typical audience. An artwork can be horrible but if it makes the viewer think or cause awareness about something specific, the art piece complete its duty. 

I attend a world press photo winners exhibition in Quito and some of the photos were really impacting for its cruelness. The stories associated with these photos were so powerful that I believe that was one of the reasons that make me want to pursuit a documentary photographer career. Good art have to send a message, it does not matter if is beautiful or not. It is hard to break the rules but sometimes the artist have to stand up, separate from the system and create a new movement in order to have a space to present their art and ideas. The old art market might be settle to an antique point of view, leaving new galleries or art institutions as the only valid opportunity for emerging artists to present their work. 

Rhinoceros: Reading - A People's Art History of the United States by Nicolas Lampert

Photographing the Past During the Present !

As an aspiring photographer I totally understand the idea of me in charge of the image, manipulating what I want people to see. It remind me the wisdom words of my color photography professor Richard LaBarbera "LaBarbi" he was always suggesting that if you need to stage your frame in order to achieve success you should definitely do it. Photographers  document their world thru their photos, is a way to unconscious state your opinion.

During 1890 and 1930 Native Americans were in the middle of this transition, putting them in a vanishing situation. What if they disappear and we do not have records of this civilization? In the other side Native American subject matter was valuable enough to make this documentation expensive  for only a privilege group of bankers and prominent people to have access to it. Even if most of Curtis photographs were stage I do not think we should dismiss his work; he was trying to reconstruct traditions and a lifestyle that modernity and colonialism sadly destroy. 

Curtis had to respect tribal beliefs such as a camera being consider a "shadow catcher", making his photography duties difficult. A photographer has to know its boundaries, you do not want to ruin the experience for the community or denote negative ideas for the art itself. If you are an insider like Richard Throssel you might have a better opportunity of success since your community will support you and your art. 

Photography is a powerful tool to aware, to teach; and eye opener or a type of activism. I do not agree with Throssel changing his images into "Curtis Mold" in order to sell his work; he wanted fame but his realistic images were more valuable than no one else because he was allowed to be present and capture the life, precious moments in the Crow tribe. Curtis and Throssel used different methods to portrait Native Americans, both tried to document a community of vanishing people and culture to leave a legacy in the United States art history. 

This reading make me explore Curtis and Throssel photography. Now I a curious about the whole content of  Lampert book. Also, gave me an idea of how personally I want to approach my Andean culture and my Mestiza heritage in my artistic vision. 

"Pretty Bird" Richard Throssel

"Dakota Sioux" Edward S. Curtis

Rhinoceros: Reading - The Rhinoceros from Durer to Stubbs (1515- 1799) by T.H. Clarke

It is incredible to realize how history is a cycle. The only difference is that today we have it easy; discovering and exploring of new things or creatures is on our hands thanks to technology and Internet. I can imagine the citizens of Lisbon waiting at the port on May 1515; their faces and amusement when they saw the rhino, a creature they could never thought exists. Also, is sad to realize the we "humans", we are idiots since day one. How someone thought re-gifting the rhino was a clever idea? The rhino was exposed to enough stress on the first trip to Lisbon to be transported to Marseilles and then to Rome, of course it was animal cruelty but no one will stand for him/ her when curiosity and the gaining of the Portugal empire was on the line. The only comfort and tribute for "Ganda" was Durer woodcut  and the early sculpture by the Tagus tower. 

Even though Durer rhino was mostly from imagination, it gives the viewer the idea of this massive animal. Durer work from letters and sketches that came thru people who had the opportunity to see the rhino live. Sadly getting references from others usually leads to misinterpretation. The rhino was always perceived as a beast. Also, it is interesting how Durer woodcut piece inspired others to create their own or "improved" versions of this animal. As well as how other artist took the rhino woodcut as a initiative to transform this pieces using different mediums and approaching the animal with other interpretations. 

Pattern and Ornament: Reading - Ornament and Crime by Adolf Loos

I feel identified with the tattoo analogy because even today that tattoo art is more accepted, sometimes I feel the awkward looks of random people. People are still too judgmental even in the 21st century. Personally I consider tattoos a beautiful ornament, my skin is my canvas and I tell my story in my body with ink. Piercing are an ornament as well, more accepted than tattoos probably because is something  not permanent and as long they are not exaggerated they are perceived as ok. Its sad how handcraft work such as embroidery and lace-maker lost its hierarchy due to mass manufacture objects. Its also comforting that "hipsters" small business are trying to rescue these traditions and make them trendy. The debate if the ornament is aesthetic or not will be endless. Some people might say ornament is a waste and that the lesser the better while others might think ornament is a beautiful detail that represents tradition and culture. 

Pattern & Ornament: Reading- Deep Surface (Ornament and Pattern) by CAM Raleigh

I being attracted to pattern all my life and I thought it has to be a result of my cultural background. The first paragraph of the essay describes how pattern is essential to our lives and the way we are attached to it since day one,even a scientific study approves this idea. In the other side; ornament is a complement for the pattern, is equally necessary to express ourselves adding meaning and symbolism to our lives. Ornament and pattern are a form of language that serve as visual tool to describe an object. It is desolate how some people perceived ornament as a decadent and weak form of art. Also, is disappointed how they describe ornament as "feminine arts and decoration" considering something less.

Other disadvantage was the initiation of mass production, making handcraft objects expensive. Actually ornament is assumed as something nostalgic. In the other hand pattern is still use like a structure in many designs. Some designers like Delvarey and Manferani decided to break the cycle and benefit of the machine to generate their designs. It is interesting how these new designers start to see ornament with certain purpose; approaching their exhibitions with a themes related to the ornament subject such as amplification, the everyday, kit of parts , inheritances, elaboration and fantasy. These categories describe the different uses of pattern and ornament in the design/art industry. Ornament and pattern are important components in the way humans perceive the pieces, helping the process of identifying a particular relationship with a culture or tradition.

Pattern and Ornament: Reading - Ornament and the Sources of Design in the Decorative Arts

Is contradictory how Ivins classified ornament, design, and craftsmanship; how he perceived these elements as individuals. I disagree with this opinion because these elements work as a whole to complete artworks successfully. Everything starts with an idea, that idea require certain type of design to be possible. While the style determined how much ornament or craft is needed to fulfill the artist intention in a specific piece. Is difficult to imagine how even in formal education style and ornament were separated into two different fields that go together (design and architecture). Also, is disappointed  to realize how early craftsman's did not had the opportunity to explore new techniques because these improvements or new discoveries went only to a privileged group. Is complex the thought of craftsmanship not been consider in early art education as something that needs to be study and master.

The evolution of decorative art and the relationship with cultural associations is highly interesting, the idea of a particular piece of art evoking a culture; like Moroccan mosaics that determine that an object comes probably from that area of the middle east. Craftsman evolve as well, in the way a certain job was specific to someone; such as ornaments only made by painters. Nowadays any person even with no formal practice or education can explore art or craft making. Other important aspect is the way ornament or design can work as a tool of inspiration for artists. Institutions like museums and galleries must be aware of how the art world is changing  and make their spaces more inclusive not only to the artists but also to their visitors and art aficionados; to expand the knowledge for the sake of all!

Creative Impulse: Reading - Jerry Saltz on the Outsider Art Fair

Jerry Saltz article opened a whole new world, just because I had no idea  that the art business was full of discrimination. Of course I knew there was a difference between artists that had the opportunity to go to art school and those that are natural talented without formal education. The necessity of the outsiders of creating their own art space remind me of the impressionist in 1863 and The Salon des Refuses. Why is so difficult for museums and galleries to accept great quality artworks from uknowns? Maybe the artists have to sell their souls to the devil or to the gallery owner to be included on an exhibition? Who decides if the artist qualify to show their pieces in galleries or museums?

This article brought more doubts and questions rather than answers. In a way I agree with Saltz when he said that the institutions need to change their old policies of who is entitled for an exhibition. We live in the 21th century and many things had change; technology and social media can make an unknown artist famous and  keep it evolving. On the other side,  now in art school I am starting to feel and understand the sacrifices educated artists went thru to pursue their dream career. Having your work exposed in an art space sounds more like a reward for the hard work and a symbol of success.

Creative Impulse: Reading - The White Bird by John Berger

While reading "The White Bird" by John Berger I found very interesting how Berger used the symbolism of a wooden bird to refer to aesthetics. This reading describes the way artists required some type of skills in order to construct their artwork using the bird as a metaphor. Do you believe you can create something without at least a little bit of craftsmanship? I agree with Berger on that point; even though skills might not be the most important characteristic to become an artist and practice will always make perfect, craftsmanship is required as a starting point. Other important feature that Berger mention on his essay is simplicity, less is more like the popular saying adding masterpiece value to every artwork. Berger used the object to outline the vital characteristics artists usually follow to complete a piece. 

Other fascinating comparison Berger used in relation to aesthetics is nature. How nature is a significant component when you need to understand the concept of beauty  and the relationship with an artwork. Human perception is changing, you and me might differ in what we consider beauty but at the same time those juxtaposed opinions is what makes art and nature captivating. Not only describing the artist point of view, but the way the viewer feels and sees your artwork. Aesthetics is a method to organize and settle standards for art. Also, art needs purpose and emotion in the creation process to make it valuable not only for the viewer but for the artist itself.  Personally I consider my art a weapon, a tool, a way of communicating and producing change; I agree with Berger opinion of art having the energy of perception and creation.

WARP First Post

Labels Help You Organize

All blog posts must be labeled with two keywords, which blogger calls Labels. When faculty visits your blog for evaluation purposes, we will use the labels to quickly find your work. If you do not use the keywords properly, we will not be able to find your work. Proper set-up and maintenance of your blog falls under the Research and Participation part of your grade which counts for 30% of the overall semester grade. 

Topical Keywords

The first set of keywords correspond to the module we are working in. We will refer to these as topical keywords since they correspond to the topic we are exploring over the two-week periods. Your first group of posts will be labeled under Topic: Creative Impulse since this is the first topic (Topic #1). Here are the topical keywords you will use through out the semester:

Topic: Creative Impulse

Topic: Pattern and Ornament

Topic: Rhinoceros

Topic: Narrative

Topic: Landscape

Topic: Zine

Categorical Keywords

The second set of keywords will organize your posts according to kind. Here are the Keywords you will use for Labels:

Exercises - tag for posts documenting all assigned exercises. The first one will be the paper folding exercise from the first class. 

Readings - tag for posts containing your two paragraph responses to the assigned readings. The first ones will be for "The White Bird" and the Jerry Saltz article from Vulture.com. 

Small Works - tag for posts documenting all assigned small works. The first blog post labeled Small Works will contain images and accompanying descriptions of the three small works you complete for the Creative Impulse Module (Topic #1). 

In-Depth Projects - tag for posts documenting all assigned In-Depth projects. The first blog post labeled In-Depth Projects will contain images (or video if appropriate) and accompanying descriptions of the more robust work you produce in response to the Creative Impulse Module (Topic #1).

Outside Visits - tag for posts containing your two paragraph responses to all required visits outside of the classroom. These include visits we do together as a class [during class time] or individually outside of class time. 

Please be sure to use both a topical and categorical keyword when labeling your posts.