Klein Arts 1304 Padlet by Dr. Sluis

Instructions

amysluis — 2025-01-08 19:37:23 UTC

This week, choose any of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in North, Central, or South America to share with the class. Use this website to help you find a site!

Your post should include an image of the site you chose. Your post should explain the function of the site, it's history to us, and why you chose it. Is this site currently at risk? Why? Are actions being taken to protect it?

After posting, please choose a peer's post that jumps out to you. Take time to thoughtfully respond to their site too. Your initial post should be 150-200 words. Your comment should be thoughtful.

Your grade is based on the following:

1. Your post meets expectations

2. You comment on a peer's post and share your thoughts

3. You respond to whoever comments on your post.

**If no one has commented on your post, please just jump in and join another conversation.

In total you should have 1 original post, 1 comment to a peer, and 1 response to the comment left on your post.

Instructions

amysluis — 2025-01-08 19:37:23 UTC

This week, choose a contemporary artist to share with the class. They should fit the week's theme of Political and War.

Your post should include an image of an artwork you liked and why. Explain the artwork to us and why you chose it. Make sure to give a few sentences about your artist's style and message (what are they trying to communicate with the viewer). You should find this in their artist's statement.

After posting, please choose a peer's post that jumps out to you. Take time to look at more of their artist's work. Respond to their post by sharing another work you found and give your opinion on this artist and their work. Your initial post should be 150-200 words. Your comment should be thoughtful.

Your grade is based on the following:

1. Your post meets expectations

2. You comment on a peer's post and share another work

3. You respond to whoever comments on your post.

**If no one has commented on your post, please just jump in and join another conversation.

In total you should have 1 original post, 1 comment to a peer, and 1 response to the comment left on your post.

Instructions

amysluis — 2025-01-08 19:37:23 UTC

This week, choose a church from the Byzantine Empire or the Middle Ages. No contemporary artists this week! Pick from any country in the world as long as the church is either considered "Byzantine (400-1400 in Western Europe or Turkey) or Medieval (500-1500).

Your post should include an image of the site you chose and why you liked it. Explain the site to us and why you chose it. What is your favorite feature or artwork within the site? Make sure to give a few sentences about your site's history.

After posting, please choose a peer's post that jumps out to you. Take time to look at their site. Respond to their post by sharing another fact or artwork you found that is within the site. Your initial post should be 150-200 words. Your comment should be thoughtful.

Your grade is based on the following:

1. Your post meets expectations

2. You comment on a peer's post and share another work

3. You respond to whoever comments on your post.

**If no one has commented on your post, please just jump in and join another conversation.

In total you should have 1 original post, 1 comment to a peer, and 1 response to the comment left on your post.

amysluis — 2025-01-08 19:37:23 UTC

Hi everyone!

I'm Dr. Sluis, and I'd love to share a bit about me!

I studied art history at the University of Oklahoma (BOOMER SOONER!), and I did my graduate work in art history at Oklahoma State University. I earned my doctorate degree in Applied Learning Sciences through the University of Miami.

I live in Tomball with my husband, our 3.5 year old daughter, and our two pups. In my free time, I like to spend time outdoors with my family, paint, read, and travel! We also have a toddler running around, so we stay busy these days. I've included a collage of pictures from our trips this year to Italy, the UK, and Seattle. I also through in a couple of our pups :)

Instructions

amysluis — 2025-01-08 19:37:23 UTC

This week, choose a contemporary artist to share with the class. They should fit the week's theme of Political Leaders.

Your grade is based on the following:

1. Your post meets expectations

2. You comment on a peer's post and share another work

3. You respond to whoever comments on your post.

**If no one has commented on your post, please just jump in and join another conversation.

In total you should have 1 original post, 1 comment to a peer, and 1 response to the comment left on your post.

amysluis — 2025-01-08 19:37:23 UTC

This week, choose a contemporary artist to share with the class. They should fit the week's theme of Spirituality.

Your grade is based on the following:

1. Your post meets expectations

2. You comment on a peer's post and share another work

3. You respond to whoever comments on your post.

**If no one has commented on your post, please just jump in and join another conversation.

In total you should have 1 original post, 1 comment to a peer, and 1 response to the comment left on your post.

Instructions

amysluis — 2025-02-03 16:49:03 UTC

This week, choose a any work of art from Ancient Egypt to share with the class.

Your post should include an image of an artwork you liked and why. Explain the artwork to us and why you chose it. Make sure to give a few sentences about the function of the artwork and where it was found.

After posting, please choose a peer's post that jumps out to you. Take time to look at the artwork of your peer. Respond to their post by sharing your thoughts and takeaways from their post.

Your initial post should be 150-200 words. Your comment should be thoughtful.

Your grade is based on the following:

1. Your post meets expectations

2. You comment on a peer's post.

3. You respond to whoever comments on your post.

**If no one has commented on your post, please just jump in and join another conversation.

In total you should have 1 original post, 1 comment to a peer, and 1 response to the comment left on your post.

Instructions

amysluis — 2025-02-03 16:52:20 UTC

This week, choose a contemporary artist to share with the class. They should fit the week's theme of Science.

Your grade is based on the following:

1. Your post meets expectations

2. You comment on a peer's post and share another work

3. You respond to whoever comments on your post.

**If no one has commented on your post, please just jump in and join another conversation.

In total you should have 1 original post, 1 comment to a peer, and 1 response to the comment left on your post.

Ancient Egyptian Artwork

2025-02-17 18:32:40 UTC

The artwork I chose this week is from the The Book of The Dead: Anubis. It is meant to depict Anubis weighing the heart of a scribe. I chose this artwork because when I initially think of ancient Egyptian artwork I think of the murals they would make depicting their life or gods that they worshipped. And this artwork really fits that because of its depiction of how Egyptians believed the after life worked. As they thought that the way you are judged in the afterlife is by having your heart weighed against a feather. If your heart was lighter you would pass onto a good afterlife if it was not lighter you would be casted into a bad afterlife. It is really interesting and probably my favorite thing I've been learning in the reading for this week. It is really interesting how the bodies of the mortals are also made to look smaller to signify their lesser status compared to the larger Anubis. It is also interesting how much detail is put into this piece specifically. With the inscriptions on the side and other symbols around the people it really is beautiful.

Ancient Egyptian Artwork

MarianaRosalesMilke — 2025-02-18 13:34:21 UTC

This week I chose a Statuette of Isis nursing Horus. This statuette is from the Ptolemaic period and while I couldn't find where it was found I did find that this was a symbol of rebirth. I really liked this statuette because of the vibrant light blue stone it was made of. The amount of detail is also something that I really loved because it encompasses the craftsmanship and carefulness it was made with. I also like how happy both Isis and Horus look in those positions as if they find comfort in each other.This statuette is simple from afar but once you take a closer look you can see the careful lines of the hair both for Isis and for Horus whose single hair represents childhood. Perhaps because it is a symbol of rebirth it was placed in tombs to guide the dead into the afterlife where Egyptians believed they would have a new life.

Ancient Egyptian Artwork

atra8930 — 2025-02-20 14:28:46 UTC

The artwork I chose for this week is a Portrait of the Boy Eutyches. This artwork shows a portrait of a young teenage boy, supposedly named Eutyches, dressed in a white roman tunic with a narrow purple canvas. I was drawn to this artwork because of how lifelike it looks. Furthermore, the artist used light colors to make it indicate bright shiny spots on his forehead and the strong source of light in the portrait. What’s unique about this artwork is that the artist would use colors from pigments that were mixed with hot or cold beeswax and other ingredients, such as egg, resin, and linseed oil, etc. This painting originated in Classical Greece in the fifth and fourth centuries before the common era, and is different from traditional Egypt when it comes to style. The purpose of this portrait was to identify who was mummified when someone died. When it was their time to go to the afterlife, the portrait panel was placed on top of the mummy with parts of the outermost wrapping holding its place. This also implies Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife.

Lion Cub statue

carolineruthannwelch — 2025-02-20 20:43:10 UTC

I chose this carving because thought it was very cute. It is estimated to be carved sometime between 3100 and 2900 bc. There are a lot of other carvings from this time, so it could have been a personal trinket for protection or something someone put in a pyramid for the afterlife. This picture actually makes it look small (Or at least that's what I thought at first) but it's really 9 inches by 4 inches and probably weighs about 13 pounds.

vrobles1226 — 2025-02-22 06:34:58 UTC

Hi Caroline! That's a great choice! It's fascinating to think about the Lion Cub carving from the Early Dynastic Period. The idea that it could have been used for protection or placed in a tomb for the afterlife makes it even more interesting. I didn’t realize it was so big 13 pounds really shows how much detail went into it. It's amazing how something so small can have such a big historical impact.

Bowl with Human Feet

esmrivas — 2025-02-23 03:00:17 UTC

This bowl is Predynastic, predicted to be made between 3700–3450 B.C. The reason why it caught my attention is that it is very different from a lot of the other Egyptian art I have come across. It has an element of innocence and creative freedom. I have come to find Egyptian art to be largely iconic, following similar style and figures, deriving from both nature and spiritual deities. This piece doesn't contain either of these. To me, it resembles something we might see in an animated movie. It has a playful feeling to it, almost like it's a living thing. It feels as if it is trying to offer us something. If I would give it a personality I would say it is shy. It is a very intriguing piece of art from that time.

Ancient Egyptian Artwork

thitran20 — 2025-02-23 05:00:00 UTC

I chose the Bust of Nefertiti because it is one of Ancient Egypt’s most iconic artworks, renowned for its beauty and exquisite craftsmanship. Carved around 1345 BC, the bust is believed to depict Queen Nefertiti, the wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten, and it captures the elegance and power of the Egyptian royal family during the Amarna Period. The intricate details in the sculpture, from the delicate contours of her face to the detailed headdress, highlight the advanced skills of ancient Egyptian artisans.

This artwork likely served a ceremonial or symbolic function, representing royal authority and possibly even being used in religious contexts to honor the divine nature of the pharaoh’s family. It was originally discovered in Amarna, Egypt, and today it is housed in the Neues Museum in Berlin, although its repatriation remains a topic of debate. I find this piece fascinating because it not only exemplifies the aesthetic ideals of Ancient Egypt but also provides insight into their culture and beliefs about power, beauty, and divinity.

Weavers, Tomb of Khnumhotep

ntra2070 — 2025-02-23 23:51:01 UTC

For this week, I chose the artwork "Weavers" which comes from the Tomb of Khnumhotep. The painting above is an exact replica of the original which was made around 1897-1878 B.C. The work shows a group of weavers plying linen thread and using a ground loom. The artwork was made during the 12th dynasty in the Middle Kingdom of Egypt under the rule of Senwosret II, the fourth Egyptian pharaoh of the dynasty. The tomb is located in Beni Hasan, Middle Egypt. The work is a representation of the craftsmanship and lifestyle of Egyptians at the time and reflects the time period it was made in. In the background, there are various symbols of what appears to be a basket, bird, and other objects. While I’m not completely sure of its meaning, I believe they’re symbolic to the work of the weavers. They’re likely tools and objects associated with the weaving process such as the basket. Overall, the work reflects the Egyptian craftsmanship and offers a detailed look into their work.

The Golden Mask of Tutankhamun

2025-02-24 04:03:16 UTC

For this week, I want to share about King Tut's golden mask. It's like the artist wanted to emphasize Tutankhamun's significance through his creation despite the fact Tutankhamun passed away during his early years. Solid gold formed the basis of this mask since Ancient Egyptians believed it had extraordinary significance. It was like they were saying, "This is the king, and he's as awesome as the sun!" The Egyptian ancient people thought gold would function as a protective shield for his afterlife journey.

This mask is really famous. The discovery of a golden mask occurred in the hidden tomb of King Tut which contained many extraordinary artifacts. All ancient Egyptian achievements and their beliefs in living after death draw your attention.King Tut memorials along with understanding Ancient Egyptian beliefs function as a fascinating method to remember this pharaoh. History proves that ancient people shared the same wish to preserve their memories through stories which would remain after their passing. The powerful statement shown by King Tut's mask reveals the exceptional status he enjoyed in life. The object encourages people to reflect about the permanent legacy they wish to achieve in life.

I picked King Tut's mask because it's so shiny and impressive. The artifact sparks my interest regarding the lifestyle of Ancient Egyptian people and their thinking about spiritual matters. The artifact serves as a natural chronicle which travelled through ages ago.

William the Hippo

2025-02-24 05:12:22 UTC

An artwork I would like to share with you guys in this discussion is William the Hippo. The reason I have decided to talk about this sculpture is because this hippo looked very cute and it has been here for 100 years. The designs on him also reminds me of an alebrije. In which they are these colorful creatures in mexico. Though the hippo has been around longer than the sculpture. This hippo figurine has been around since 1961-1967 B.C. The name william was named later on in 1931. The author, Captain H.M. Releigh, mentioned that his family owned a color print and that his family have decided to name him “William.” This artwork of the hippo is a reminder to the Egyptians to have fear of the hippos and to have the power to get control of dangerous animals. This hippo was found in Meir, an ancient egyptian cemetery. But now it is officially located at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

William the Hippo

alondrazamarripa67 — 2025-02-24 05:26:55 UTC

An artwork I would like to share with you guys in this discussion is WIlliam the Hippo. The reason I have decided to talk about this sculpture is because this hippo looked very cute and it has been here for 100 years. The designs on him also reminds me of an alebrije. In which they are these colorful creatures in mexico. Though the hippo has been around longer than the sculpture. This hippo figurine has been around since 1961-1967 B.C. The name william was named later on in 1931. The author, Captain H.M. Releigh, mentioned that his family owned a color print and that his family have decided to name him “William.” This artwork of the hippo is a reminder to the Egyptians to have fear of the hippos and to have the power to get control of dangerous animals. This hippo was found in Meir, an ancient egyptian cemetery. But now it is officially located at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. (the anonymynus one is me I just re did again just with my name being non there)

arob3840 — 2025-02-24 13:22:31 UTC

One fascinating work is the "Book of the Dead," especially the version linked to the ancient Egyptian scribe Ani. This collection contains spells and illustrations that guide the dead through the afterlife, helping them find safe passage and prosperity. The artwork in the "Book of the Dead" is beautiful and filled with meaning. A well-known image shows the Judgment of the Dead, where Ani’s heart is weighed against the feather of Ma’at, which represents truth and justice. This scene has many details, including Anubis, the mummification god, and Osiris, the god of the afterlife. The bright colors and detailed pictures invite viewers into the story of the afterlife. I chose this piece because it acts as a religious guide and reflects ancient Egyptian beliefs about life and death. The artwork was discovered in Ani's tomb in the Valley of the Kings. It was made to ensure that Ani and others would be safe in the afterlife. This highlights how art served as a way to protect spiritual journeys and preserve identities and legacies.

MarianaRosalesMilke — 2025-02-24 14:05:17 UTC

This week I chose Giant Covid-19 by Luke Jerran. I really liked this artwork because of the way the artists captured the essence of the virus. I also liked the way it captures the DNA inside the virus with vivid detail making it seem like the artwork is actually real with floating DNA. This artwork was created to mark 1 year in the lock down for the UK. Luke Jerran created this glass sculpture as a tribute to the medical and scientific effort to fight the virus as well to create an more or less realistic example of the virus for the public. Another thing he did is that he also created this as a limited edition of 5 in order to raise funds for communities who were impacted by covid-19. For this reason, I also like this artwork, because it was created to help people in their time of need. https://www.lukejerram.com/glass/gallery/giant-covid-19 ( for references )

Art and Science

dayanmendez — 2025-02-24 17:03:24 UTC

This week I found the artist Luke Jerram who mostly does sculptures and installations. This work that I chose is a part of the Glass Microbiology sculpture series Jerram that can be found at the Metropolitan Museum. I chose it because it is such a gorgeous sculpture of bacteria. I never thought I would see artwork on bacteria of all things, so this really stood out to me when I first saw it. The detail in the sculpture as well as the delicate nature of glass makes it very spectacular to me. It is also why I appreciate how much work Jerram puts behind his work as he has many sculptures based on bacteria that he does research on to make as accurate as possible. Even when making his huge installations he works to be as accurate as possible with his artworks. Jerram does so by working with scientific institutions to create his sculptures.

Week 5: Janet Saad Cook

ulisrodriguez — 2025-02-27 18:47:53 UTC

This week I chose to explore the artist Janet Saad Cook. Her work struck out to me because it combined elements of photography down to a literal science. Utilizing the key "ingredient" in photography, light, and actually bending it to create art was such an obvious yet creative route. The juxtaposition of photographing a piece that changes with every minute that passes and encasing it in a photograph was truly brilliant. Her work allows the viewer to further explore the science and mechanics of photography. Through her use of different elements like metals and crystals she is able to create different light reflections that emphasize how everyday elements in nature can create amazing visuals just by interacting.

Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium

carolineruthannwelch — 2025-02-27 21:59:10 UTC

This is an artwork done in 1705 by a woman named Maria Sibylla Merian. She would create this illustration to show pollination, and many of her other works also show this. Her drawings consist of plants and flowers, along with various species of bugs and insects. All species that are aided by pollination. She would criticise merchants and their pursuit of sugar, researching plants and their export

Week 5

thinhutran — 2025-02-27 22:48:56 UTC

I chose The Weather Project (2003), an art installation that took place in the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern in London, by Olafur Eliasson. The artwork used lights, projection foil, haze machines, mirror foil, aluminum, and scaffolding to create the illusion of a large, glowing sun. The bright sun filled the space, while mist from the haze machines added to the atmosphere. The floor had mirrors that reflected the entire scene, making visitors feel like they were surrounded by this artificial weather. Eliasson’s piece makes us think about nature, the environment, and how we experience the world around us. His art often mixes science with visual experiences, like in The Weather Project, where he explores light and air, which are scientific ideas. Eliasson’s goal is to make us consider our connection to nature and the effects of climate change. I chose this artwork because it fits the theme of science, showing how art can help us understand and reflect on important scientific issues in a way that feels personal and real.

szac7060 — 2025-02-28 14:10:41 UTC

The artist that I chose this week is Shahzia Sikander. She is a Pakistani-American artist who blends Islamic miniature painting with spiritual themes in her work. The piece of art that I chose is her work called, "Perilous Order" (1997). This miniature painting expresses the emotion of finding religious and one's personal identity. Sikander states in an interview, "And the title, Perilous Order, is about a variety of structural devices which can lead to order, or a chaos of order." This showcases the complexity in life and spirituality. When looking at this image, you can feel the sense of disorder or mayhem in the emotions that the characters in the image experience as they compare a woman's view of spirituality versus a man's.

Art and Science

atra8930 — 2025-02-28 14:13:29 UTC

The artwork that I chose for this week is called “Coral” created by undergraduate Natascha Varona. In this artwork, the pale woman stares at you with her hand placed on her cheek. The top of her head shows a community of corals bleeding vibrancy. Clouds of gold and red seep into the water, joining other bits of her eroding body. Furthermore, it shows a fish stripped to its skeletons. This artwork is “permeated by a sense of disintegration and death. But there’s also beauty.” What drew me to this artwork was how the artist used this pale cold blue to contrast with the rest of the colors. It makes the artwork seem quite ethereal. To create her artworks, Natascha Varona uses a blend of digital, acrylic, watercolor, and sometimes even bacteria in her works! The artist’s message from this artwork is to try to raise awareness on Ocean Health and to combat coral bleaching. Not only is Natascha Varona contributing by raising awareness throught art, she is also helping by finding solutions to the problems as well.

szac7060 — 2025-02-28 17:42:09 UTC

The piece of art I chose for this week is "Coffin of Khnumnakht". It was found in Middle Kingdom. I chose this work because I like how the exterior of the coffin looks like, especially the eyes drawn on it. I feel like the eyes draw me into it. The purpose of the looking eyes is to have the deceased individual be able to look onto the living. Usually, the person who passed away would have their head be placed right behind the painted eyes. On the end of the coffin, there is an image of a goddess displayed, which wasn't that common of a thing to do at the time. On the left side of the box you can see that there is a small doorway on the coffin. This is known as the Old Kingdom false door. The Old Kingdom false door allowed the spirit of the one who passed away to go back and forth from the land of the living and the land of the dead.

Manifest Destiny

vrobles1226 — 2025-03-01 04:46:16 UTC

I chose "Manifest Destiny" (2004) by Alexis Rockman because of the powerful message behind it. The painting shows a future Brooklyn completely submerged in water, with decaying buildings and mutated plants and animals taking over the space where humans once lived. It serves as a warning about the effects of climate change and how our actions today could shape the world for future generations. The mix of realism and surrealism makes the message even stronger because it feels both believable and unsettling. Rockman’s attention to scientific details while adding an imaginative twist makes the painting feel like a prediction of what could happen if we continue to harm the environment. Alexis Rockman’s art combines science and storytelling to explore themes of biodiversity, climate change, and environmental destruction. His artist’s statement highlights his concern for the way humans impact nature. He wants his viewers to think critically about how we are shaping the planet and what the future might look like if we don’t take responsibility. His work makes me reflect on how fragile our world is and how important it is to take care of it before it’s too late.

szac7060 — 2025-03-02 02:48:50 UTC

The piece of art that I chose for this weeks prompt is Theo Jansen's "Standbeests". Theo Jansen is a Dutch artist who started building these mechanisms in 1990. I chose this art because I thought the piece looked interesting due to the art's structure. This artwork differs from robots because the Standbeest does not use electricity or any programming, it just has mechanical engineering and windpower. He created the sculpture by utilizing PVC pipes, plastic bottles, and zipties to construct the figure. The plastic bottles were used to store and release air to sort of simulate a muscle. Jansen's creations are a perfect blend of science and art, and while they still have scientific principles, they manage to display life. This art showcases kinetic energy throughout its movements. The sculptures appear to walk by utilizing wind energy. His designs are very innovative and are truly a beautiful piece of art.

Week 5: Art and Science

thitran20 — 2025-03-02 04:01:41 UTC

This week, I chose Luke Jerram, a contemporary artist who blends science and art. His Glass Microbiology series features incredibly detailed glass sculptures of viruses and bacteria, like HIV and the coronavirus. I picked this artwork because it makes something usually scary, viruses, look beautiful and fascinating. The clear glass makes them feel delicate, just like real microbes under a microscope. Jerram works closely with scientists to make his sculptures accurate. His goal is to make the invisible world of science visible and get people curious about it. In his artist statement, he says his work is about “perception,” meaning he wants people to see things in a new way. His art helps us appreciate the beauty of science in everyday life.

Vitruvian Man

akiyah_dotson — 2025-03-02 18:44:26 UTC

The Vitruvian Man was created by artist and scientist Leonardo da Vinci dating to c. 1490. This drawing was done with pen, brown ink, and watercolor over metalpoint on paper. The drawing represents Leonardo's conception of body proportions, originally derived from Vitruvius, an Italian architect, but created from Leonardo's measurements. The Vitruvian Man describes a nude man surrounded by a square, while enclosed in a circle. I have always been drawn to this piece because I never thought about the proportions of the human body and spreading out making a circle like this. Also, the different movements make it seem like he is in motion.

andrewhuynh955 — 2025-03-02 21:06:39 UTC

This piece is called “Neuroscience” the artist Laura Jacobsen uses brain scans to influence this particular artwork. She uses ceramic to help create the illusion and replicate the brain scan. I picked this art because when I came across it, it was obvious to me that it was supposed to be a CT scan. I first thought it was a maze painted to resemble one but upon further investigation and a closer look you are able to see the various pieces of ceramic used to create it.

Vaccine for COVID-19

2025-03-03 02:02:38 UTC

An artwork I would like to share with you guys in this discussion is The Vaccine for COVID-19. I really enjoyed this artwork from Luke Jarren since it is showing what the COVID vaccination looks like. Especially since the artwork is clear and see-through, it looks really nice. I also like how the DNA or the genetics is inside the vaccination to show that it helps kill off the virus.The fact that this artwork piece is made out of glass material for medical test tubes, I find it really cool that something like that could be made. I also feel like the reason he created this artwork piece is to show the audience that we can fight through this epidemic and to not let it affect us during this time. Which I can see how it would motivate people since Covid-19 was a really dark place for everyone around the globe during 2020.

Remote Sensing

ntra2070 — 2025-03-03 03:05:49 UTC

Remote Sensing is a series of artworks made by Suzanne Anker, an American visual artist. The Remote Sensing series is a group of 3D printer sculptures in glass petri dishes and meant to showcase "micro-landscapes." The series is based on Anker's other collection called the Vanitas (in a Petri Dish) Series which are photographs of small environments within Petri dishes which come from the Dutch genre, still-life. The Vanitas series takes real life objects from the physical environment such as fish eggs, seashells, butterflies, and more and sets them up to create eye-catching mini environments. Remote Sensing takes from that and makes unique words out of plaster and resin, showcasing life through "displacement mapping." The artwork of both collections showcases the intricacy Anker puts in and the beauty of life that is conveyed. While it is true that Remote Sensing is based on the Vanitas series, Remote Sensing by itself is unique and takes on a new meaning as it displays the mix of technology and science through modern art. It most definitely shows how not only technology is evolving but as well as modern art which is constantly changing with new ways to create art such as Anker’s use of 3D printing.

2025-03-03 03:33:50 UTC

"DNA Double Helix" by Chester Fields refers to a contemporary sculpture, often called "Ribbon of Life," which artistically represents the structure of a DNA double helix, capturing its complex yet elegant design as a symbol of life's fundamental building block; it is created by the bronze casting company Chester Fields Bronzes Inc. / I chose this beautiful piece because I feel like it is so elegant and at the same time explains how our DNA is composed of a double helix. Such a wonderful way to capture the small particle in a very impressive and elegant way.

gzapatatorres — 2025-03-03 03:36:46 UTC

Theo Jansen’s Strandbeests are absolutely mind-blowing! The way he’s basically created these wind-powered “living” sculptures that move across beaches like some kind of mechanical creatures is just insane. It’s wild how they’re built out of simple PVC pipes, yet they walk so fluidly, almost like they have their own instincts. And the fact that they don’t need motors or electricity, just the power of the wind, makes them feel almost alive in a way. Jansen even talks about evolving them over time, almost like a new species—it's like science, engineering, and art all wrapped into one.

Alma Thomas- Starry Night and Astronauts

2025-03-03 04:30:07 UTC

I chose this piece because I love the abstract nature of this artist's style. It is nostalgic in a way, and very signature to Alma's most popular pieces. In this piece, Thomas uses short and concise brush strokes to create a gradient sky that inevitably lures your eye to the colorful warm adornment of color in the top right on the piece. Although she never flew, Thomas described the perspective of this piece as one would "looking down and out while in the sky". Alma is a great representation of her philosophy in Art "color is life, and light is the mother of color."

The Ghostly Crew of the Andrea Gail

2025-03-03 04:30:58 UTC

For this week, I want to share about Nathalie Miebach. She's like a detective of nature, but instead of using a magnifying glass, she uses art to uncover the secrets of science! I picked "The Ghostly Crew of the Andrea Gail" because it's about a storm, the "Perfect Storm" of 1991. Through her artwork, she has successfully caught the essence of the storm to create art that illustrates nature's powerful beauty. To obtain her impressive 3D sculptures, she transforms scientific measurements such as temperature readings and wind speeds. Science encompasses more than quantitative information, according to Monica Botero, because it also includes designs, hues, and narratives. Musical notes, together with basket weaving, serve as her creative way to visualize data innovatively. Through her work, she managed to develop a fresh method of converting scientific information into a unique language system. The artistic presentation provides students with fresh perspectives to understand science better. The experience teaches students that scientific exploration extends beyond academic environments because it happens throughout our entire environment. Nature reserves its secrets within the sculptures produced by Nathalie Miebach. These sculptures generate interest in the connections between everything in the world. Through her words, she invites us to experience both the world and new perspectives as she does.

Week 5: Art and Science

2025-03-03 05:58:42 UTC

For this week's Padlet discussion I chose an art piece by Jenn Stark. Their piece Inside Out displays a colorful wormhole. She is known to combine science and nature by gathering inspiration from nature, microscopic patterns, and split anatomy pieces. This contemporary piece captured my interest because of the vibrant colors, lines, and how she plays with perception in her pieces. What Stark tried to communicate with the viewer is to display little details in our day to day that we might not pay attention to if they are not on display right in front of us.

Mirror Moon by Luke Jerram

arob3840 — 2025-03-03 13:20:42 UTC

One artwork that resonates deeply with me is "Mirror Moon" by Luke Jerram. This stunning four-meter-wide sculpture of the moon is crafted from intricate layers of glass and polished metals. Its reflective surface captures the beauty of the moon’s natural appearance while allowing viewers to see themselves within it, creating a unique interaction. The way light dances across its surface casts enchanting reflections, evoking a sense of wonder that encourages contemplation of our relationship with the cosmos. I chose "Mirror Moon" because it beautifully embodies the intersection of art and science while inviting personal reflection. As people gaze into the artwork, they cannot help but consider their dreams, aspirations, and the interconnectedness of humanity under the same sky. It serves as a poignant reminder of the vastness of the universe and our small, yet significant, place within it. Luke Jerram's artistic style blends installation art, sculpture, and scientific exploration. In his artist’s statement, he emphasizes his intent to provoke curiosity and inspire conversations around scientific phenomena. With works like "Mirror Moon," Jerram invites us to appreciate the beauty of our surroundings and engage with deeper existential questions, celebrating our shared experiences as humans.

Art and Political Leaders

atra8930 — 2025-03-03 14:08:57 UTC

The artwork that I chose for this week is called Napoleon I on his throne, created by the artist Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres in 1806. The portrait shows Napoleon in his coronation not only as the emperor, but almost implies him as a divine ruler. Napoleon is seen wearing heavy attire, scepters, and sitting on a golden throne. Furthermore, Ingres utilized furniture, attire, and setting to depict him from a mere mortal to a powerful God. Another fact about this portrait was that it was modeled by the figure of God the Father on the Ghent Altarpiece by Jan van Eyck. What drew me to this portrait was because of how Napoleon looked huge (no offense) wearing heavy attire, which was common for political leaders during this time period I believe. The art style that Ingres used was Neo-classicism style. Although he mostly used paint and a sharped graphite pencil to create his portraits, we must realize how extraordinary people thought it was to have these art supplies during this time period. Ingres’ message given in this portrait and how Napoleon is viewed as a divine ruler and omnipotent immortal.

dayanmendez — 2025-03-03 15:21:40 UTC

This week I chose an artwork by Roberto Lugo an artist as well as a political activist. In this artwork there is an image of Martin Luther king Jr. and on the other side is Barack Obama. The tea pot was created in 2017 alongside other tea pots that feature political activists and leaders as well as musicians. Roberto Lugo is known for his work to be thought provoking as well as activism since he features a lot of people of color in his ceramics. Specifically, he specializes in classical styles of pottery and ceramics but mixes it with culture of minorities. As Lugo is Puerto Rican himself and grew up in Kensington, Philadelphia that has a large population of black and Latino people. He tries to speak out about injustices people of color face by putting them front in center of his work. As well Lugo is trying to subvert what pottery and ceramics look like by making minorities the center of attention. His work is really beautiful and full of so much detail. I absolutely love how he mixes styles to create something completely new.

Napoleon Crossing the Alps

ntra2070 — 2025-03-05 13:50:24 UTC

For this week, I chose a painting of Napoleon Bonaparte, a famous French general and later the Emperor of France. After thinking of possible art relating to political leaders, I thought of this since the topic piqued my interest. The painting is an oil on canvas by the French artist Jacques-Louis David which painted various other paintings of Napoleon as his political views aligned with him. The artwork depicts Napoleon on a horse crossing the Alps which was a real place that he and his army traversed. The background shows the mountainous terrain of the Alps as well as men in Napoleon's army that are making their way up the mountain with artillery. In the foreground, the names "NAPOLEON," "HANNIBAL," and "KAROLVS MAGNVS IMP" are engraved in the rocks. I learned the names are famous victorious generals who had crossed the Alps with their armies. In addition, Napoleon himself is wearing a cloak with a saber and pointing toward the right. The coloring of certain details such as the horse and cloak are different among the five versions of the painting, but the details themselves remain the same. The various works, especially this one made by Jacques-Louis David and his style for Napoleon are something unique and intriguing.

szac7060 — 2025-03-05 14:48:03 UTC

The artist that I chose for this week's prompt is Nelson Shanks, who is known for his paintings of royalties, celebrities, and political leaders. The piece of art that I chose is his painting of the former president, Bill Clinton. He created this portrait in 2005 for the National Portrait gallery. I specifically chose this piece of art due to the hidden meaning found within it. At first glance, one might think that this is simply just a painting of the prior president, but there is a not-so-obvious reference within it. On the left hand side of the painting we can see that there is a shadow of a female figure. The artist placed this in the picture to showcase the scandalous infidelity that the president had partaken in with Monica Lewinsky, one of his interns at the white house. I really like this painting because of its subtle hinting at the shameful affair. The artist's style of classical realism truly showcases the hidden meaning in the president's official painting.

The Dictator

carolineruthannwelch — 2025-03-05 21:56:24 UTC

This photograph/collage was done by Erwin Blumenfeld in 1933. Blumenfeld was a Jewish artist whose fashion career was interrupted by the Second World War. This portrayal of Hitler was done to show how Blumenfeld viewed him as the embodiment of death. He would escape the war alive and continued to pursue photography and art.

Ancient Egypt

andrea99infante — 2025-03-06 05:41:25 UTC

For this week's Padlet discussion, I chose a painting that depicts the Eye of Horus. I have always been drawn to the Eye of Horus since I was little because of how the eye seems to follow you as you move around it. From what I remember, it was described to be an all-seeing eye, but upon further research, its meaning has changed for me. It is supposed to signify healing, wisdom, and protection, as well as restoration, as depicted in a story involving Toth. This particular piece piqued my interest because of its vibrancy despite being a relatively old artwork. The eye seems to be held by some kind of bird-like animal, which was deemed to be highly spiritual and renowned in ancient Egypt. Overall, I picked this piece not only because of the intrcacies but because of the meaning it has for who I used to be as a little kid.

In response to Sarah Zachariah

andrea99infante — 2025-03-06 05:50:26 UTC

I also find that certain Egyptian artwork draws me in because of the eyes depicted. Through your post, I come to find that the eyes in the artworks have a different significance based on the purpose of the object in which they are drawn on to. The false door is a cool touch as Egyptians believed in the afterlife.

In response to Ahmed Alkhalily

andrea99infante — 2025-03-06 05:54:33 UTC

I absolutely love the idea of art being created through technology by showcasing a heartbeat's pulse. This makes the artwork and experiencing the artwork itself a lot more personal as you mentioned. It connects us through the artwork being showcased without having to explain verbally.

2025-03-06 13:43:47 UTC

The artwork I chose is the Four Holy Gospels created by Makoto Fujimura. He is a leading contemporary artist who explores and highlights the ideas of healing, hope, and spirituality. Fujimura's artwork receives great recognition for his unique way of connecting art with faith. His art displays the beauty of using traditional Japanese materials and techniques that provoke that sense of spirituality. The artwork I chose to talk about stood out to me is the visual impact created when it meets the eye. Additionally, to have this completed artwork all four pieces must be displayed to express the message. Fujimura's artistic style is inspired by his Christian faith and was inspired to create these pieces to share the transformative power of the Gospel's message. The Four Holy Gospels capture his beliefs and personal expression of his religion. With vibrant colors and intricate textures, he invites the viewer to engage reflectively and it creates space to connect it with their spiritual journey.

2025-03-06 14:13:05 UTC

The Narmer Palette was a ceremonial object used to celebrate unification, honor their gods, and donate to a temple as a votive offering. These specific Palettes are only able to offer information about Egypt under the rule of King Narmar; hence the name. Many confuse these palettes with the cosmetic palettes that were used for makeup but the Narmer Palettes were specifically made as an offering to the gods. This Egyptian archeological find contains very unique features that help modern society understand the Egyptian lifestyle. The palette contains the earliest hieroglyphic inscriptions which is significant because they serve as the earliest forms of writing under a king. These inscriptions contain historical events that conveyed the importance of the king in those times. Egyptians created the writing and images by using tools such as chisels and used natural pigments to add color to the engravings. A variety of Narmer Palettes have been found in archaeological sites in Egypt. Through these art pieces, it has given us insight into an ancient civilization.

2025-03-06 14:35:11 UTC

Fabian Oefner is a Swiss photographer who creates dynamic, exciting images using scientific properties. His work merges art and science intending to bring attention to the beauty of the natural world. The specific artwork I chose is the Millefiori, which instantly creates a captivating effect on the viewer. Oefner used watercolor with ferrofluid to create hyper-vibrant shapes. Ferrofluid is a unique substance that is attracted to the poles of a magnet and the black fluid allows separation to be visible when color is added. He expressed how he typically gets his inspiration from science magazines and when he finds a piece of technology slightly interesting he will experiment with it. Aside from creating art, he uses photography and science to create alluring pieces of artwork. I like this artwork because it shows how you can use a variety of your interests to produce unique and inspiring work for others.

HM King Charles III

ulisrodriguez — 2025-03-07 16:44:00 UTC

This week I chose to explore Jonathan Yeo's "HM King Charles III." This portrait really stood out to me because its harsh brush strokes and the contrasting details between the face and the rest of the painting, which Yeo intentionally created in order to place focus on the character and essence of the person rather than highlightin the literal physical appearance. The color also creates an eery and ominous feeling. Although at first I believed it to be a criticism of the monarch, the portrait was actually commissioned by the palace and is officially not a critique rather a celebration.

Since 1977

akiyah_dotson — 2025-03-08 04:55:52 UTC

I chose this piece by Vincent Valdez as a part of the collection called "Since 1977". He creates large-scale, representational paintings that draw inspiration from the grand tradition of history painting, mural art, and cinema. By blending these classical influences with modern themes, he captures his observations and experiences of American identity. His work produces striking and thought-provoking portrayals of American identity. I chose this artwork because of the expression shown on President Clintons face. He looks ashamed and frustrated. Some may even say flustered. To me this correlates with the cheating scandal that occurred in 1995.

week 6

thinhutran — 2025-03-08 08:17:06 UTC

For this week, I want to highlight the work of Glenn Ligon, a contemporary American artist known for exploring themes of race, identity, and power. One of his standout pieces, Untitled (I Feel Most Colored When I Am Thrown Against a Sharp White Background), deeply resonates with me. The artwork features bold text that captures the experience of being Black in America, especially the tension between Black identity and the dominant white culture.

Ligon draws inspiration from a James Baldwin quote, using this phrase to emphasize how race is often defined in contrast to whiteness. This makes a powerful statement about marginalization. His artistic style blends text and imagery to spark deep reflection, pushing viewers to rethink their ideas about identity, race, and history.

Ligon’s work invites us to examine the societal structures that shape how we see ourselves and others. By using language as a key element in his art, he opens up important conversations about personal identity and political realities. This particular piece stands out because of its direct engagement with race and power, making a lasting impact.

Vladimir Putin

vrobles1226 — 2025-03-09 04:21:51 UTC

I chose "Vladimir Putin" (2008) by Eduardo Relero because it offers a strong critique of how political leaders, especially authoritarian ones like Putin, create powerful public images to maintain control. In this artwork, Relero exaggerates Putin's features, showing him with a muscular physique and dominant presence. This visual exaggeration symbolizes how leaders often try to present themselves as invincible or all-powerful. This piece stood out to me because it reflects how leaders, particularly in autocratic regimes, use their public image to stay in power, even if their true leadership is more complicated. Eduardo Relero is a contemporary artist known for using humor, satire, and caricature to challenge how we see political figures. His style often mixes exaggerated features with serious social and political messages. In this piece, Relero uses these exaggerated features to show how leaders like Putin shape their public image to control how people see them. The artwork points out the gap between the public persona a leader creates and the reality of their leadership. Relero's work asks us to think about how political power is often built through media and image rather than through genuine leadership qualities.

Ai Weiwei's "Remembering" and Political Accountability

thitran20 — 2025-03-09 22:07:48 UTC

I chose Ai Weiwei because his art makes powerful political statements about human rights and government oppression. One of his works that really stands out to me is "Remembering" (2009). This piece was created in response to the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, where thousands of children died due to poorly constructed schools. Ai Weiwei used 9,000 colorful backpacks to spell out the sentence “She lived happily for seven years” in Chinese, a quote from a grieving mother. I picked this artwork because it’s both visually striking and emotionally powerful. The bright colors of the backpacks symbolize childhood and innocence, while the massive scale of the installation reflects the huge loss of life. Ai Weiwei’s style is direct and confrontational, he often uses large-scale installations to highlight social and political issues. In his artist statement, he talks about using art to expose injustice and challenge those in power. What I admire most about Ai Weiwei’s work is how he combines simple materials with deep political messages. "Remembering" is a reminder of how art can give a voice to those who are often ignored.

Felipe VI

kristenbirt1997 — 2025-03-09 23:10:01 UTC

This street art translates to "Refugees Welcome". This along with with the portrait of the King of Spain, with a big red over drawn smile, like the Joker. The artist is a street artist Emerson Caceres, also known as Cacerolo. He is from Columbia and most of his art works display this joker smile as a symbol of love. Although in art, the message really comes from the viewers a lot of the time. This is a controversial piece because in many countries, the topic of immigration and refugees is a hot one. So for the Spanish King to be allowing refugees into his country and then this street art to go up. One may easily piece together the sense of frustration that some of these citizens are feeling. This art work really stood out to me because it has such a unique aspect to it. The portrait is so detailed of the king and the gold hue feature behind him really pops with the red in that oversized joker smile.

gzapatatorres — 2025-03-10 03:36:01 UTC

A contemporary artist known for creating politically charged portraits of world leaders is Shepard Fairey. His most famous work is the "Hope" (2008) poster of Barack Obama.

This iconic artwork became a defining image of Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. Using a bold red, white, and blue color palette, Fairey portrayed Obama in a stylized stencil-like manner, conveying optimism and change. The word "HOPE" at the bottom emphasized the aspirational tone of his campaign. The piece was so influential that it became a symbol of the era, sparking discussions about the intersection of art and politics.

Fairey’s work frequently critiques power structures, depicting figures like George Orwell, Angela Davis, and Vladimir Putin to explore themes of propaganda, control, and resistance. His blend of street art and political commentary continues to challenge viewers to think critically about leadership and societal issues.

reply to andrew huynh

gzapatatorres — 2025-03-10 03:37:44 UTC

Art like this is a bold way to challenge power. It highlights issues like censorship and LGBTQ+ rights in Russia, where these topics are often suppressed. Some see it as humor, others as a serious statement—but either way, it sparks conversation about freedom and politics.

reply to valery robles

gzapatatorres — 2025-03-10 03:39:03 UTC

Edwin's The Dictator is a striking piece that critiques authoritarian power. Through bold imagery, it highlights themes of control, propaganda, and oppression. The exaggerated portrayal of the leader reflects how dictators manipulate their image to maintain authority. This kind of art sparks important conversations about political power and the impact of dictatorship on society.

Prince Harry and Prince William

2025-03-10 03:40:05 UTC

For this week, I want to share about Elizabeth Peyton. She is an artist who aims to present authentic portraits of prominent figures to society. The artwork titled "Prince Harry" by Elizabeth Peyton demonstrates a personal picture of the notable figure while showing it to public audiences. The artist brought forth little character traits of Prince Harry through her paintings, creating a refined artwork that revealed human elements beneath celebrity status. When creating her artwork, Peyton uses a temporary emotional approach and loose brushstrokes throughout her image-making process. Through her artistic approach, Elizabeth Peyton demonstrates that artwork exceeds formal official presentations in ways that demonstrate her creative style. Obtaining fundamental characteristics of a person makes up the basic method in art portrayal. Her artistic approach enables Peyton to prioritize individuals for painting because she wants to create romantic artwork about them. The method she employed in her artistic creation led to a distinctive way of presenting well-known personalities. Through distinctive visual arrangements intended for public figures, Peyton creates innovative methods that help audiences better understand well-known characters. The portrayal of political figures in art needs more than standard official portraits since it must reveal genuine human characteristics. People become more interested to notice personal character traits in famous subjects through the artwork of this artist. Through his creative approach, Peyton allows us to view famous individuals while feeling more acquainted with them in novel ways.

Nicole Toral

2025-03-10 03:56:09 UTC

This week's artwork I chose is Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama, created by the contemporary artist Amy Sherald in 2018. Sherald's style is very distinctive, so I found her work most intriguing. She uses a grayscale technique for skin tones and vibrant backgrounds to create a striking contrast in her portraits. Amy rose to fame when Former First Lady Michelle Obama hand-picked her to paint her official portrait. When creating her Michelle Obama portrait Sherald wanted to convert the First Lady's strength, elegance, and approachability. This specific artwork breaks away from traditional and formal portraits of political figures. This is a way to honor her uniqueness and diverse experiences as an African American. Sherald's overall goal with her artwork is to represent and highlight the beauty and depth of African Americans. Her artwork makes a strong political statement of equality by capturing emotions, history, and culture in her paintings. Today, she is one of the best-known Black American artists.

Art and Political Leaders

andrea99infante — 2025-03-10 04:19:33 UTC

For this week’s Padlet post I chose Portrait of Hitler by Erwin Blumenfeld. Erwin Blumenfeld was a famous photographer born in Germany. His works were most notably famous in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar magazines. Although this political leader was not one to make an homage to, the superimposed skull on Hitler’s face conveys the message that this is not indeed a good person. With this image, Blumenfeld depicts Hitler as a symbol of death in a time where Germany was at war with the world. Blumenfeld’s work peaked my interest as I at some point was fairly invested in the Holocaust for one of my papers. The massacre left a lot of questions to be answered for me and seeing art from that time period gives insight to what people might have felt at the time.

Kehinde Wiley

henrypaniaguacruz — 2025-03-10 04:58:52 UTC

The contemporary artist I chose for this week is Kehinde Wiley. One of the art pieces I chose is the portrait of Barack Obama. I enjoyed this artwork because of the vibrant green leaves in the background and the picture of President Barack Obama who has played an important role in our country.

This artwork is important to the theme of political leaders because it shows the portrait of the first African American president of the United States. Wiley is someone who wants to show representation within his art. Furthermore, Wiley's message is to show that race has a role in art and society. He wanted to shine light upon African Americans being represented; to have a sense of belonging. Kehinde wants to show that there will be hope and representation in the present and future, he also indicates that there should be a representation of diversity therefore everyone will be included in this society in which they will feel valued and respected. Wiley's style adds a floral background to every portrait and makes his art look realistic such as the use of lighting, for instance, the light hitting Obama's face and hands and the texture of his face and clothing.

We the People

alondrazamarripa67 — 2025-03-11 02:04:02 UTC

The artist I have decided to do this week is Shepard Fairey. The title of this artwork piece is “We The People Are Greater Than Fear,” where it’s an artwork of a Muslim staring at us wearing the American flag. This artwork is a motivational and inspiring reminder that we can use our rights and speak up for ourselves, especially since this artwork piece was meant to protest against Trump back in 2017. I also liked how the colors and the art style of his artwork are like pop art in a way. Also, the color scheme of his artworks is mainly red, white, and blue. In which it represents the colors of America. And this artwork is meaningful as well because it shows the social justice in this artwork. It shows about women, their color, race, and even diversity. This gives us the courage not to let us be silenced and to stand up for ourselves in society like this with Trump. And the fact that he is reelected as president again for this term, this artwork is still meaningful to the people today.

Art and War

dayanmendez — 2025-03-17 15:17:14 UTC

The artists I have chosen this week is LMNOPI an American artist that is also a humanitarian worker, community organizer, and civil disobedient activist. She is known for getting involved in communities and organization. An example of this would be her creating of Domes for Hati that was an effort to create temporary dome houses for orphans in Port Au Prince after the 2010 earthquakes in Hati. LMNOPI has also participated in Direct Action Painters which was a group formed by artist to create banners for action. She also protested against fracking in New York by creating memes. In general, LMNOPI actively uses her platform and art to help organizations get their messages across. As well she uses her art and platform to help those in need from natural disasters like I mentioned with Hati. The artwork I chose of her is part of many art works she has made on the people of Palestine. In this one in particular LMNOPI has drawn Bisan, an active reporter of the ongoing genocide in Palestine. The piece is truly simple but elegant and beautiful. The simple pencil drawing of Bisan, a very loud voice in the Palestinian media, appreciates the hard and dangerous work Bisan is doing as a reporter posting about Palestine as a Palestinian. I actually follow Bisan on social media and keep up with her updates so to see her depicted here by an artist I found randomly is really amazing. I encourage anyone who has not seen her posts to seek her out and watch her videos that she posts on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. As well as to donate to the organizations she amplifies on her pages that help provide water and food for displaced Palestinians.

Art and War

MarianaRosalesMilke — 2025-03-17 18:08:38 UTC

The artist I chose for this week is called Rick Amor. This piece is called "General Cosgrove, Dili, East Timor, 1999" and is a reconstruction from source images from Amor's time as an official war artists. It portrays General Cosgrove as well as his bodyguard Corporal Kirsty Hearn in East Timor. The reason I chose this artwork is because of the way Amor painted this scene. It makes you feel as if the General is walking towards you and that the scene is actually happening right in front of your eyes. Another thing that fascinated me is the fact that you can only really make out the details of General Cosgrove and the Corporal making it stand out who is important in this scene. The artist also included himself in the back in the back of the painting making it so that unless you know he is there, you never actually realize it.

Rage, The Flower Thrower

vrobles1226 — 2025-03-19 04:16:31 UTC

I chose Banksy’s artwork “Rage, The Flower Thrower” because it strongly represents the message “make peace, not war.” This piece, originally painted as a mural in Bethlehem, shows a masked protester in a stance that suggests he is about to throw something violent like a Molotov cocktail or a rock. However, instead of a weapon, he is throwing a bouquet of flowers. This contrast between aggression and peace makes the artwork powerful and thought-provoking. I like this piece because it challenges the idea that conflict must always be met with violence. Instead, it suggests that peaceful resistance can be just as strong, if not stronger, than war. The flowers symbolize hope, love, and nonviolence, offering an alternative to destruction. Banksy’s art is known for its political and social commentary, often using satire and irony to criticize war, capitalism, and government control. His stencil style makes his work simple yet impactful, allowing his messages to be easily understood by people around the world. Through “Rage, the Flower Thrower", Banksy encourages viewers to rethink the way they view protest and conflict. This is why I find this artwork so meaningful it reminds us that peace should always be the goal, not war.

His Bunkie

carolineruthannwelch — 2025-03-19 21:04:25 UTC

I was searching for what I wanted to do for this assignment, and this image made me quite sad. The title is " His Bunkie" and the image shows a soldier standing at the grave of his former bunkmate. The artist is William James Aylward and it was done sometime in 1917. Much of Aylward's art has to do with war, and this drawing is a very sad depiction.

week 7: Art and War

thinhutran — 2025-03-20 22:20:16 UTC

The artists I have chosen this week is Liu Bolin, a Chinese artist known as the "Invisible Man," creates art by painting himself to blend into the background of his scenes. Liu Bolin's "Liberty Leading the People" (2013) is a modern version of the famous painting by Eugène Delacroix. In this artwork, he paints himself into the scene of Delacroix's painting, where the figure of Liberty leads a group of people in a fight for freedom. By hiding himself within this scene, Liu Bolin makes a powerful statement about people who are often ignored or erased in times of war and political struggles. His use of camouflage in this piece shows how individuals can be made invisible or overlooked by oppressive governments or political systems. I chose this artwork because it helps us reflect on who gets to be seen and heard in the fight for freedom, both in history and today. Liu Bolin’s work reminds us that the struggle for liberty is ongoing, and it challenges us to pay attention to those whose voices might be silenced.

“We Take Care of Us” (2023)

esmrivas — 2025-03-21 23:15:27 UTC

The artist of this piece titled "We Take Care of Us," Nicolás González-Medina, reveals his history of feelings towards the immigration raids in the United States. Growing up with undocumented status, he knows what it is like to be afraid of what the future holds when his demographic is being targeted. The image shows the strength in community and the powerful message that immigration raids are not a new threat. The chunky linework and style of this artwork is reflective of the carvings in this woodcut print. Nicolás González-Medina was inspired to do this after he saw former Black Panther Party Minister Emory Douglas use this method to create political art. His pieces are very large, as he wants it to be reflective of the message that he puts out defending and empowering his community. I chose this artwork because it communicates a sense of peace to me as the current political climate can be hateful and scary. Even though the issue of this artwork is about the threat of immigration raids, my chosen interpretation extends to cover everybody as a part of society and tells us that together we can get through anything like we have in the past.

One Spring

kristenbirt1997 — 2025-03-23 01:07:10 UTC

This art piece was created in Holocaust concentration Gurs Camp by two men in collaboration in 1941. Their names were Kurt Conrad Loew and Karl Robert Bodek. Karl was arrested for being Jewish, and ended up drawing stamps while imprisoned that showed the inhumane conditions they were suffering through. He also created this piece during his time there, but was later transfered to another camp. At Camp Les Milles he taught other prisoners how to draw and paint. He also created Murals here, but eventually was transported to another camp where he was murdered.

Kurt was also arrested and imprisoned in Gurs Camp, but he received helped from the International Red Cross in Geneva. They were able to get him transfered to Camp de Rivesaltes, and then he was released in 1942. He later went back home to Vienne and lived life as a artist.

This piece really stood out to me, because immediately you can feel the emotion behind it. You see beautiful sky and this yellow butterfly which has a lightness to it that is contradicted with the gloominess of the bunker houses that these prisoners were in, and the barbwire across the photo. I can't even begin to image what these prisoners lived through, but this photo to me shows a little glimpse of hope with the butterfly. The hope that they can be as free as the butterfly itself during a very dark and traumatic time. It is heavy that in 1942 both met different fates, one freed and one murdered.

Art and War

angelinemyhanhtran — 2025-03-23 04:07:17 UTC

The Artwork that I chose for this week is called Libertat (Liberty in Spanish) that was created by Carles Fontserè for the Spanish Civil War in 1936. The artwork depicts a person with a red neckerchief and his right hand clenched in a fist and holding a sickle. Moreover, the red-black flag that waves behind him states “F.A.I” for the Iberian Anarchist Federation. I was drawn to this artwork because at first glance I thought this was a call to action towards wanting freedom. The colors and drawing makes it stand out among the rest of the artworks I’ve searched. Carles Fontsere’s purpose for creating this artwork was for it to be used as Political Propaganda during Spanish Civil War. This artwork was one of the most influential for their cause and even formed the backbone of Spain’s anarcho-syndicalist movement that stood loyally behind the Republican army during the war.

The Trench, by Otto Dix, 1923

ulisrodriguez — 2025-03-23 07:50:02 UTC

This week I chose to explore the art from Otto Dix. This piece stood out to me especially because of how intense the contrast was. Although at a quick glance the overall image just appears to be harsh lines and maybe a landscape of a castle or mountain but upon closer inspection, the gruesome and gory details appear more evident. Otto Dix was a German artist that lived through both world wars, his work was confiscated and more than likely destroyed under Nazi control of Germany, including this painting.

szac7060 — 2025-03-23 17:52:54 UTC

I chose the South African artist William Kentridge for this week's prompt of "Art and War." Specifically, I chose his art collection, "More Sweetly Play the Dance" (2015). I chose these pieces of art due to the amount of emotion that is displayed through every single image. The art displays the continuous movement of silhouetted figures which move across the screens. It symbolizes the struggle that people endure due to the consequences of war and oppression. The image showcases how war puts society in a cycle of suffering. The figures in the images showcase the different people from different places and different times who had to go through oppression and challenges throughout history. The artwork creates a mournful and resistant mood. The art style that the artist chose to use creates an emotional experience for the viewer due to the fact that it truly displays the persistence of human endurance and suffering.

Daola 29

andrewhuynh955 — 2025-03-23 20:34:04 UTC

I chose this particular piece of artwork because from my point of view it depicts children holding assault riffles and one even holding a RPG. They stand in front of a city that looks torn down. Upon further reading about this artwork it is influenced by the civil wars of the regions within the countries in the African continent. This pieces refers to the figures as "ghoulish" as they resemble skulls alongside the other skulls hidden throughout the image.

Bomb Middle England

2025-03-23 22:20:29 UTC

For this week, I want to share about Banksy. He creates thought-provoking work by doing art rather than storytelling activities which makes him a grand mystery figure to the public. The striking image of bombs hitting peaceful areas in "Bomb Middle England" was the main reason I chose it. The artist uses his work to present war's capacity to damage serene locations. The artist applies his wall and building art through stencil-cut images and spray paint. Banksy demonstrates through his work that art belongs in the streets alike museums according to his artistic style. His work illustrates wrongs occurring throughout the present world. Through images with dark humor and imagination, Banksy delivers his meaning to his audience. He has discovered a method to transform any street into an art gallery which sparks questions from viewers. Through his artistic displays, he presents challenging subjects such as war and politics from new angles that enable viewers to understand them better. Every viewer understands that art serves as an effective method to handle significant matters while pushing people to rethink their understanding. The pursuit of awareness is what Banksy's artistic works deliver. Banksy's artwork makes people question both the world and its present conditions. His artistic work leads viewers to see existing concepts as well as reality through fresh perspectives.

The Third of May 1808

ntra2070 — 2025-03-23 22:34:02 UTC

The artwork, The Third of May 1808 in Madrid, also known as, El tres de mayo de 1808 en Madrid, is a painting created in 1814 by Francisco Goya. The work shoes the brutal execution of Spanish civilians by Napoleon's French soldiers in the Peninsular War between France and Spain. The painting condemns the war and actions of the French by appealing to the audience's emotion with the brutal execution of civilians. It shows the helplessness of those people as they're victims of a war they'd been caught in the middle of. The painting was created as part of a series called the "Disasters of War" and this particular one portrays events long after they'd occurred. The work is not only intended to highlight the massacres caused by war but to shed light on anti-war movements and the implications of war.

Guernica

akiyah_dotson — 2025-03-23 23:43:43 UTC

Guernica by Pablo Picasso, painted in 1937, is one of the most iconic anti-war artworks in history. Created in response to the bombing of the Basque town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War, Picasso’s large mural captures the devastation and suffering caused by aerial warfare. The painting features distorted and anguished figures, including a screaming horse, a grieving mother with her dead child, and a warrior. Picasso uses a palette of black, white, and gray to amplify the emotional intensity and sense of hopelessness. The fractured, cubist style reflects the chaos and destruction of war, while the absence of color underscores the grimness of the tragedy. Guernica transcends the specific event it was created for, becoming a universal symbol of the horrors of conflict and the deep human toll of violence. It remains a powerful reminder of the importance of peace and the devastating impact of war.

Alfredo Jaar

henrypaniaguacruz — 2025-03-24 01:50:09 UTC

This week's contemporary artist that I chose for the theme of art and war is Alfredo Jaar's The Rwanda Project. I enjoy Jaar's work because his presentation is beautifully made but the most critical part is how we are confronted by the pair of eyes which speak thousands of words.

The Rwanda Project is one of the most compelling artworks, it is the representation of the Rwandan Genocide that happened in 1994. Jaar shows the true horrors of this 100-day Rwandan Civil War, how the government failed its people, the United Nations did not intervene, and nothing was done to change this crisis. The only thing that was done was all the bloodshed against the Tutsi. Jaar's message is to use art to shed light upon this genocide, he wants us to feel the suffering that the Tutsis went through, and how inhumane the situation was. The mountain of pictures represents the mountain of bodies/people that were lost. Jaar wants us to realize that this was a true atrocity, therefore we should raise awareness and remember those who have died. Alfredo Jaar's art style is almost as if it were a story that speaks for itself, an artwork that captures our eyes through lighting for instance, the table has the light hitting the pictures meanwhile it sits in a dark silent room.

gzapatatorres — 2025-03-24 04:32:16 UTC

A powerful contemporary artist who explores themes of war and politics is Banksy. Banksy is a mysterious street artist known for his provocative and politically charged graffiti. His works often critique war, government surveillance, and social injustices, using dark humor and irony.

One of his most famous war-themed pieces is "Rage, the Flower Thrower," which depicts a masked protester in a throwing stance, but instead of a Molotov cocktail, he hurls a bouquet of flowers. This piece symbolizes the power of peaceful protest over violence.

Since Banksy's identity remains anonymous, his art speaks louder than the artist himself, challenging political systems and authority through simple yet striking imagery.

gzapatatorres — 2025-03-24 04:34:27 UTC

I really like Rick Amor’s "General Cosgrove" because of its commanding presence and rich depth. The subdued tones and strong composition give it a sense of dignity and weight, perfectly capturing Cosgrove’s leadership. It’s both powerful and introspective—a true tribute to a respected figure.

gzapatatorres — 2025-03-24 04:35:34 UTC

I love how Banksy uses stark contrasts and a stencil style to create immediate impact. The black-and-white figure against the colored flowers makes the message even stronger—turning aggression into beauty. It’s a timeless and bold statement on political conflict and the hope for peaceful solutions.

CND soldiers

arob3840 — 2025-03-24 12:26:22 UTC

"CND soldiers" is a compelling art piece that delves into the themes of peace, conflict, and the implications of nuclear weaponry, drawing from the ethos of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). The artist juxtaposes the imagery of soldiers—symbolizing militarization—with iconic representations of peace, such as doves and olive branches, creating a powerful visual commentary on the stark contrast between war and the aspirations for global harmony.

I chose this piece because it evokes profound reflection on the complexities surrounding military power and disarmament, which remain critically relevant in today’s world. The artist’s style is characterized by bold colors and striking contrasts that capture the viewer's attention, enhancing the emotional resonance of the message. Their artist's statement communicates a strong desire to provoke thought and inspire dialogue about the risks associated with nuclear armament. By portraying the human cost of conflict alongside symbols of hope, the artist challenges viewers to engage with the realities of our geopolitical landscape. Ultimately, their work serves not just as a representation of artists’ views but also as a call to action, urging society to pursue pathways towards peace and understanding in an increasingly fragmented world.

Texas based artists

dayanmendez — 2025-03-31 16:37:21 UTC

This week I have chosen an artist named Kristin Moore, who is originally from Houston, Texas. She is known for her paintings that depict different landscapes, restaurants, and stores. Usually, they have to do with a specific state. Here I have chosen to showcase her painting known as "Wildflower Whataburger" created this year. Moore has been known to say that she misses aspect of her home in Texas when away studying in other states or even just in Dallas. In this painting Moore is reminiscing but also highlighting a Whataburger. I know for me when I see a Whataburger sign, I know I am home. Especially since I visit out of the country to Mexico for long periods of time. When we are entering Texas, seeing a Whataburger advertisement shows me we really are home. I really like how even in other artworks from different states you can still get this sense of home when looking at them. Moore does a wonderful job at instilling a feeling of nostalgia in all her works. She also has amazing technique and style in all her artworks that make them all worth looking at.

Texas Based Artsits

MarianaRosalesMilke — 2025-04-01 12:37:22 UTC

This week I chose the artist Gabo Martinez and her artwork is "Ojos Gentiles". I chose this piece because of the way it looks with its patterns of flowers eyes that make it look a bit like a cactus. This piece also is called "Ojos Gentiles" which translates to Gentle eyes which can be found at the bottom of the artwork. Martinez is an artist born in Mexico that exhibits her artwork most commonly in Texas. In her artworks she reclaims and honors her heritage by using traditional and contemporary design. I really liked the way she uses her heritage in this craft as well as representing a culture she's part of. I really liked this artwork by her because of the way it uses warm tones to draw your eye in, as well as the abstract art and symbols that represent various things. I also liked the way the background color alternates from a deep rich red to a tan orange.

Instructions

amysluis — 2025-04-01 17:18:58 UTC

This week, choose a contemporary artist to share with the class. They should fit the week's theme of Texas-Based artists. Try using this Texas Art website to help you find an artsit!

Your grade is based on the following:

1. Your post meets expectations

2. You comment on a peer's post and share another work

3. You respond to whoever comments on your post.

**If no one has commented on your post, please just jump in and join another conversation.

In total you should have 1 original post, 1 comment to a peer, and 1 response to the comment left on your post.

week 9

thinhutran — 2025-04-02 21:36:27 UTC

For this week, I chose the painting “Bluebonnets at Twilight, near San Antonio” by Robert Julian Onderdonk. Onderdonk, known as the "Father of Texas Painting," was a key figure in capturing the Texas landscape through impressionistic techniques. This painting shows a peaceful view of bluebonnets, the state flower of Texas, at sunset. The colors and soft brushstrokes make it look calm and beautiful. Onderdonk’s style is rooted in Impressionism, using soft brushstrokes and a focus on natural light to capture the ever-changing landscape of Texas. His work often highlights the beauty of the natural world, especially in Texas, with an emphasis on the colors and atmosphere that define the region. Through this painting, Onderdonk invites the viewer to pause and appreciate the simple yet breathtaking moments of nature.

I like this artwork because it reminds me of the beauty in nature, especially in Texas. The vivid blue flowers against the warm glow of the twilight sky create a sense of peace, connection with nature, and make me feel calm. Onderdonk's work shows how important it is to appreciate the small, peaceful moments in nature.

Texas Rain By Erin Hanson

vrobles1226 — 2025-04-04 02:00:07 UTC

I chose "Texas Rain" by Hanson because of its vibrant colors and the way it makes an ordinary scene look special. The painting shows a rainy Texas landscape, but instead of looking dull or gray, it is full of rich, glowing colors. The mix of blues, oranges, and purples makes the scene feel warm and alive. The way the light reflects off the rain gives the painting a peaceful yet exciting feeling. Hanson’s style focuses on color, light, and texture to turn everyday landscapes into something amazing. She loves painting during the golden hour, when the sun creates beautiful colors in the sky and on the land. Her goal is to show the beauty of nature in a unique way. I picked this artwork because it makes me see rain differently. Instead of something gloomy, it looks magical and full of life. Hanson’s work reminds us to find beauty in simple moments.

Rendezvous

kristenbirt1997 — 2025-04-04 03:44:30 UTC

This art work is 'Rendezvous' by Merritt Mauzey. His work specialized in Lithography. He was born in Clifton, Texas later to move to Dallas, Texas. In Dallas is where he began to create some of his more popular artworks that showed the rural plains and cotton fields of Texas. He was very successful in his artworks and now today some of them can be found in high profile museums, and even the Library of Congress. This art piece stood out to me. As a Texan seeing Armadillos is something that still excites me to this day. This particular piece was donated to Smithsonian American Art Museum, that made me kind of view this art work. I wondered if in this depiction of these Armadillos, that maybe he was portraying that family bond that he felt in his life with his family. The shading in this art work also is very expressive in detail. It like you can almost feel the picture by looking at it. That breezy cool air that rolls in after a hot Texas day, and that rough bark that is on the log. I can see how Merritt was able to leave such a lasting impact through his artwork just by absorbing everything in this piece.

Bronc Rider, 2022

esmrivas — 2025-04-04 20:00:08 UTC

The Texas Based Artist that I chose for this discussion is artist Jon Flaming. He is enamored with the vastness and different aspects of Texas life. It comes as no surprise as he was raised at his grandfather's farm. This painting in particular, labeled Bronc Rider, 2022, was inspired by the sport of riding a bucking horse and holding on for dear life. What caught my eye about his art is the style that he uses. Jon Flaming uses bold colors, neat lines and geometry to convey a feeling. Even though they are 2d objects, it feels like a living scene that we took a picture of. The way he fills the space in his paintings is very satisfying. Even within the rigid shapes and bold colors, he includes shadows and textures, making it come to life. It feels like it could be in 3D, perhaps a collage made out of construction paper. Something else I'd like to mention, is that the characters reminded me of the style of the cartoonists that made The Powerpuff Girls, which is a cartoon I grew up with.

Eli Ruhala: Significant Otherness

ulisrodriguez — 2025-04-06 06:52:10 UTC

This week I chose to explore Eli Ruhala, a Texas base artists' "Significant Otherness" His work stood out to me because at first glance it resembled a traditional chinese ink painting in some areas, but the more I inspected, the more each individual scene began to tell a story. This installation explores human relationships while utilizing dogs to deliver a message that most people could relate to while subtly touching on themes of queer love. I think his effort to connect a wide audience towards one issue was truly touching and the overall exhibition utilizng various mediums to create a more immersive experience was quite impressive. This Exhibit is actually still up in houston at Art League Houston through April 11th.

thitran20 — 2025-04-06 17:30:05 UTC

I’d like to share the work of Sheri Jones, a contemporary artist based in Texas. Her painting, "Fiery Sun Light", particularly caught my attention. This 11x14 oil on canvas depicts a vibrant sunrise with rich hues of red, orange, and yellow blending seamlessly into the sky, casting a warm glow over the Texas landscape. The dynamic brushstrokes and vivid colors evoke a sense of energy and renewal, capturing the essence of a new day dawning. Sheri Jones is known for her impressionistic landscapes that often feature the natural beauty of Texas. Her style is characterized by bold color choices and expressive brushwork, aiming to convey the emotion and atmosphere of the scenes she paints. In her artist statement, Jones mentions that her work is inspired by plein air painting experiences, where she immerses herself in the environment to authentically capture its essence. Through her art, she seeks to share the joy and serenity she finds in nature with her audience. I chose this artwork because it beautifully encapsulates the warmth and vibrancy of a Texas sunrise, reminding viewers of the simple yet profound beauty found in everyday moments.

szac7060 — 2025-04-06 17:53:52 UTC

For this week's theme of "Texas Based Artists", I chose the artist Cruz Ortiz. The artist was born and raised in Houston, Texas, in 1972. Specifically, I chose his piece "Hecho Farm Print". I really enjoyed this exhibit due to the bright, vivid colours and its interesting imagery. The art style displayed in the image instantly caught my eye when I first glanced at it. The art shows a strong connection between heritage and identity. In his pieces, you can see the use of both Spanish and English words, showcasing his culture and who he is as an individual. I chose this piece due to its life that is radiated towards the viewer and it truly showcases a story about heritage and culture.

Texan Art

alondrazamarripa67 — 2025-04-06 20:04:41 UTC

This artwork I've decided to share with this discussion was made by David Lloyd. This artwork here shows how it is still a realistic painting even though the colors aren’t really blended. This artwork fits with the discussion since it has the blue bonnets being shown on the ground. Not only that but it also shows the countryside with the fence and an old house where the area seems to be in a small town. With the hills and the mountains being shown it shows the far side of what Texas is. I also liked how the colors are very vibrant but not overpowering and has amazing detailing figures. This area looks to have a savannah type of land giving that texan effect. The artist's method of painting this is nothing too realistic and serious. Of course, it has some sort of realism, but not compared to other artists but the painting still stands out and its own unique way.

Week 9- Evita Tezano

iseraashogar — 2025-04-06 20:59:23 UTC

I chose artist Evita Tezano as my selected Texan Contemporary Artist specializing in Mixed Media.

Currently based in Dallas, but raised in South Texas, Tezano has an uncanny ability to blend her rich childhood memories and impressions into her artwork.

The artwork pictured above is 'Two Girls' by Tezano. While I could not find the artist's explanation of this piece online, I can infer its meaning based on Texaco's Artist mission. I believe this artwork illustrates the divinity of communal feminine nature, which is affirmed by the holding of hands and barefoot track into a lay of water. Tezano seems to be commemorating the bonds of black women and girls, as she has seen and discovered in her own life. She has chosen to depict this in a delicate, silent and beautiful union of the 'Two girls'.

I chose this because as a black woman and artist myself- I have not thought deeply about incorporating my own lived experiences and conditions into my artwork until encountering Tezano's work. I imagine this way of expression is just as healing/affirming for the artist as it is for the audience.

In present day, I see myself in Texaco's artist statement- "Her mixed media depictions of Black women, men, and children are inspired by moments from her own life as well as children's stories. Through her work, Evita seeks to inspire the viewer and bring laughter to the lives of others.' I seek to do the same thing, as a way to stay present and appreciative of the experience of my real life.

Deep In the Heart

ntra2070 — 2025-04-06 23:16:43 UTC

For this week's artists, I chose Gay Gaddis who painted "Deep In the Heart." Gay Gaddis is an entrepreneur who founded advertising business T3 as well as an artist born in Houston, Texas. As the name suggests, the painting is referring to the "heart" of Texas. The painting depicts the beautiful Texas country landscape and scene which was inspired by Gaddis' work on a Texas ranch. The artwork is serene as it offers a unique tranquility that only the countryside offers where there is a lack of bustling urban cities. Specifically, the painting is based on an area between the towns of Marble Falls and Burnet. The variations of purple in the sky showcase the stunning scene created by the setting sun, and the darkness of the landscape shows how the sun has already set. In addition, the orange shows the last trickling parts of light from the sun that lies beyond the horizon. Many pieces of art created by Gaddis are similar in a sense but are distinct works displaying Texas’ beauty.

Thrown, 2022 by Jon Flaming

andrewhuynh955 — 2025-04-06 23:28:43 UTC

I selected this art work after coming across Jon Flaming on another post. I like his art style because, it reminds me of Eric Carle. I found this particular piece interesting because of how little color it uses. It seems to focus on primary colors only. It also have very little lines and shapes. I also like how it tells a story. The cowboy is holding his arm and is crouched down. The artwork is named "Thrown" so it is safe to say that he was bucked off the horse in the background. Also, it is very dark and the circle in the back makes me think it is night time and it represents the moon. Among Jon Flaming's other artwork it fits the Texas theme because of all the cowboys especially since the Rodeo just finished.

Port Neches

akiyah_dotson — 2025-04-07 01:27:30 UTC

This amazing mural was done by Floyd Mendoza. He is a 26 year old self taught muralist from Pasadena, Texas. This is one of his many murals that he has commisioned for companies. This one in particular was done for a riverfront restaurant to represent the heritage and background of Port Neches, Texas. From the visualization of the warrior to the representation of the farm route 366, this artwork did an amazing job of depicting the community it resides in. Alot of Texas artwork, especially artwork done by Mendoza, uses extremely rich colors and hues. Not only does this make the artwork pop, but it also brings it to life in a sense. Furthermore, Mendoza is a truly amazing artist. If you want to have your mind blown, please go check out his instagram @mendoza.creates.

Texas Based Art

angelinemyhanhtran — 2025-04-07 03:05:34 UTC

For this week's artist, I've chosen an artwork called "Banks of Blue" by William A. Slaughter. The artwork details shown above depict a landscape of wildflowers and a River. In addition, an Oak Tree, and along it is a path of Bluebonnets. I've grown to love this painting because it accurately describes the Texan Landscape I see when I go on road trips inside the State. To me, William A. Slaughter's addition of the trail of bluebonnets just gives this art piece an extra flavor of beauty and uniqueness that it deserves. Moreover, his main art style is using oil on canvas to create dense and rich layers of colors. Finally, the message that William A. Slaughter is trying to communicate to us is the beauty of Texas by recreating its landscape and using Bluebonnets, known as the state flower.

Spring Bluebonnets by Erin Hansen

2025-04-07 03:35:16 UTC

For this week, I want to share about Erin Hanson, a Texas artist with a super cool style called "Open Impressionism"! One of my favorite paintings by Erin Hanson is "Spring Bluebonnets" that highlight the cheerful Texas flora along with bluebonnet flowers common in this season throughout Houston areas. This painting perfectly re-creates the wonderful experience of cruising through endless bluebonnet fields in bright sunshine. Open Impressionism is the unique painting style used by Erin Hanson because she creates large sweeping paint strokes which she pairs with multiple vibrant colors. The vibrant brushstrokes within this artwork suggest vividness along with bright illumination and produce an effect that allows viewers to feel they could immerse themselves physically into the depicted field. The painting displays all shades of blue in the bluebonnets whereas sunlight brightens other flowers and turns the green grass vibrant. Through her art Erin Hanson reveals the extraordinary vibrant existence of Texas landscapes to audience visitors. Through her work the artist drives us toward forging a connection with the splendid natural wonders we encounter daily. This painting provides a joyful ode to our state's springtime which generates strong feelings of wanting to absorb the outdoors.

Cassandra Clark

2025-04-07 14:39:57 UTC

Cassandra Clark is an Austin based artist, and likes to paint about the fragility of nature. Much of her art is watercolor, but she also uses pens and ink. She does work for various projects, including illustrating a children's book.

Week 10

dayanmendez — 2025-04-07 17:45:10 UTC

The structure I have chosen for this week is called Hagia Sophia located in Istanbul, Turkey. It was a former church that now functions as a mosque and museum. It was completed in AD 537. Originally, the site was an Eastern rite church from AD 360 to 1453. Eventually becoming a mosque after 1453. But shortly after Hagia Sophia became a mosque, it was turned into a museum. Then funnily enough it was redesignated into a mosque in 2020. In 2024, the upper floor of the mosque was turned into a museum. Hagia Sophia holds a lot of culture, architecture feats, and religious symbolism. One of my favorite features it has is the Loge of the Empress. This is an area that was once used for the Empress to watch proceedings. The columns of the arch are made of green Thessalian stone. There is even a marker, in a disc shape of verd antique, that marks where the throne of the empress used to be. This fascinating detail and many others like the wishing column, that was known to cure any illness if you touched the moisture in the column, are what made me chose this structure for this week. I love the long history of Hagia Sophia as well as the beautiful art inside that it holds and exhibits.

Hagia Irene

ntra2070 — 2025-04-08 12:44:12 UTC

The Church of Saint Irene, also known as, the Hagia Irene was a Byzantine church with an Eastern Orthodox denomination. It is the oldest known church in Istanbul and one of the only Byzantine churches not converted to a mosque. Before the church, the site was home to a pre-Christian temple and smaller church which were demolished during Emperor Constantine I’s reign to make way for the Hagia Irene. The Hagia Irene would serve as the cathedral of Constantinople until the Hagia Sophia was established in 360. Over time the church was damaged and rebuilt several times under the rule of many emperors such as Constatine V. In 1453, Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Empire, and the church was enclosed within the walls of the Topkapi palace but never converted into a mosque. After that, the church was utilized as an arsenal by Janissaries from the Ottoman Empire until 1826. Today, the church still stands and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site by the United Nations based on cultural significance in 1985.

St. Sophia's Cathedral

iseraashogar — 2025-04-08 15:28:36 UTC

I chose the St. Sophia's Cathedral because I recently learned about minarets, and the various styles of minarets caught my eye. I like it because its architecture and interior design is stunning! Being built in the 11th century Byzantine period, The initial construction was ordered by Prince Yaroslav the Wise. This cathedral was very important to fusing Orthodox Christianity into Ukrainian culture by serving as a designated holy place for both pilgrims and visitors. Today, it now serves as a UNESCO World Heritage Site to preserve its physical and spiritual importance.

My favorite feature of this cathedral is located in the interior; the giant archways that lead to a single mosaic of 'The Virgin Orans'. You can tell that this temple was built with thorough intentionality that required collaboration between the architects and artists involved. I admire that.

Nicole Toral

2025-04-08 19:24:46 UTC

The artist I chose is Paolo Uccello, who was an Italian Renaissance painter and mathematician from Florence. He painted The Battle of San Romano, which depicts the 1432 battle between Florence and Siena. This artwork showcases Uccello's unique perspective on this historic event. It translates exceptionally on the panel and highlights how he used his Gothic and Renaissance styles. When viewed carefully, many details like the sharp spears, colorful armor, and animals make this painting appealing. With all the chaos seen, this panel is just one of three paintings that celebrate the victory of the Florentine forces over the Sienese troops. The specific colors that were chosen create a contrasting yet aesthetically pleasing combination that captivates the viewer. Uccello, despite having other interests he decided to celebrate the war victory by making a remarkable piece of artwork to not only show his respect but to make a statement.

Abramovic- Rest Energy

iseraashogar — 2025-04-08 19:29:33 UTC

My chosen political artist is Marina Abramovic. She is a Serbian-American artist who has embraced intense and abstract performance art. Her mission is to avoid conventional artistic mediums and inspire intimacy with her audience by using her body as the medium.

The artwork I chose is a still frame from her live (and recorded) performance of 'Rest Energy' with Ulay.

I first saw this performance on my Instagram feed a few months ago, and was reminded of it while preparing for this Padlet post.

While Abramovic's work is usually not conventionally political, her artwork delves into the more intimate interactions that are influenced by the political climate we find ourselves in.

I immediately was drawn to 'Rest Energy' because to me, it shines a light on one aspect of a historical gender role struggle in largely (hetero) relationships.

'Rest Energy' is about the extreme fragility between life and death, and increasingly so when relational trust is involved. In the motion picture, you can see Abramovic lean back while holding the bow (& arrow) to her chest as she is 'resting' into this dynamic; while Ulay continues to hold the arrow and serving as the string is tightened by her shift in balance. This could be seen to portray the unbalanced power dynamic that we have seen between women and men over the course of time, where much of the emotional labor/consequences may have been automatically assigned to the feminine in a relationship. I came to this conclusion because there is not a reciprocal 'bow and arrow' for Abramovic to harness back to Ulay.

Ulay also has the power to harm Abramovic as she 'leans' on their relationship, which could empathetically highlight the pressure placed on men to protect their lover/loved ones despite being just an individual themselves.

In the video, you can hear the heartbeats quicken and amplify through a lapel mic clipped to each individual, yet neither lets go.

I chose this artwork because I think it is an interesting depiction of the complicated gendered variables that have been enforced by the patriarchy overtime- that takes into account the sacrificial call that has historically been placed on women, and can often feel and look like a dangerous tug and pull of trust, that unfortunately has resulted in death for some. Considering that history has changed immensely since 1980, I am hopeful that society will accept a more wholistic and equitable relationship between men and women- no matter the type of dynamic.

Margaret Elizabeth

murivez — 2025-04-09 12:23:58 UTC

The church I have chosen is St. Margaret's Church in Westminster, London, England. It was built in the 12th century by monks and had a Romanesque style until the 1300's when it had a portion replaced in Perpendicular style. It was in the 15th century that the church needed nearly a complete reconstruction. Construction finally ended and the church was consecrated in April 9, 1523. Restorations and maintenance have been done throughout the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries on the church, but the structure pretty much remains the same. There is a mixture of art within the church walls, from the stained glass on the East Window which commemorates the wedding of Henry VIII to Catherine of Aragon, to the marble and alabaster monument that pays tribute to Blanche Parry, lady in waiting to Elizabeth I. In addition to the East Window, there are many others panes of stained glass within the church that tell a history of its past. The image I chose for this church hardly does it any justice. The reason I chose this specific image is because you are able to see the clock tower in the background. Most refer to the tower as Big Ben, which is actually the name of the bell. The real name of the building, which was changed in 2012, is Elizabeth Tower. The name change was a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee. So with St. Margaret's in the foreground and Elizabeth tower in the background you have Margaret and Elizabeth, which happens to be my first and middle name :)

szac7060 — 2025-04-09 14:58:52 UTC

I chose the church St. Mark's Basilica of Venice, Italy. I picked this church due to its gorgeous exterior and interior. The church is often called the "Church of Gold" because of the golden mosaics that showcase Venice's power and prosperity. The mosaics depict many biblical scenes and feature aspects of St. Mark's life. This famous structure was initially built in 828 CE to hold the relics of St. Mark. The original structure was burned down in 976 CE due to an uprising. The construction of the current build of the church began in 1063 and was finally accomplished in 1094. The structure was represented with strong Byzantine influences. Until the 19th century, the chapel was reserved only for the Doge of Venice. However, in 1807, the church was open for all due to the fall of the Venetian Republic. St. Mark's Basilica is still a symbol of Venetian culture, religion, and power even to this day.

Cathedral of Notre-Dame

MarianaRosalesMilke — 2025-04-09 15:01:21 UTC

For my medieval church I chose the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, France and I like it both because of its intricate architecture and the fact it survived such a massive fire. The cathedral was built between the 12th and 14th centuries and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. My favorite feature from the site is The Crown of Thorns, which is a Christian Relic that was worn by Jesus in his Crucifixion and is very important to me because it is proof that Christ did die for us and our sins. The Cathedral of Norte--Dame caught on fire in 2019 but construction efforts have repaired it. I specially chose this Cathedral not only for its history but also because I have seen it myself and it is an amazing building that even though wasn't completely rebuilt at the time, you could still feel awed by it. The Cathedral reopened in December of 2024 and has been restored to what it looked like before.

Cologne Cathedral

atra8930 — 2025-04-09 16:09:14 UTC

The structure that I have chosen for this week is the Cologne Cathedral located in Cologne, Germany. The Cologne Cathedral is considered the tallest two spiral church in the world. It was known for its Gothic architecture and town towers, and even becoming Germany’s most visited landmark. The Cathedral began its construction during the Medieval time in 1248 but was stopped in 1550. It wasn’t until 1814 that they resumed its construction and completed the original plan in 1880. The reason I chose this site is because of its impressive Gothic architecture and for its long periods of construction of 632 years. My favorite feature of the cathedral are the twin towers, as it easily makes it one of the tallest churches in the world. Furthermore, its original plan was for the cathedral to house the relics of the three kings. Despite being left unfinished for 3 centuries, the Cathedral had become a symbol of their persistence and a powerful testimony in Christian belief.

Nicole Toral

2025-04-10 03:23:54 UTC

The Texas based artist I chose is Julian Onderdonk. He is widely known as "the father of Texas painting" and well known for his Bluebonnet landscapes. With the use of vivid colors, attention to detail, and harmonious elements creates a lifelike feel. This particular piece of artwork is an oil painting that highlights Texas and its state flower. He was deeply moved and inspired to create this art piece by the beauty of nature in Texas. He used colors that would capture that essence of a scenic afternoon while ensuring that the Bluebonnets were the main focus. Most of his pieces create a stunning visual for Texas, while captivating landscapes for different seasons and setting. This painting is now collected by the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum. Demonstrating that his work was greatly appreciated by locals and made people from other states fall in love with Texas.

St. Mary's Church

carolineruthannwelch — 2025-04-10 17:48:59 UTC

This church is located in Woolpit England, and was built in the 1500s. However, much of the church has needed repairs, which were done in 1870. Specifically the spire needed to be replaced, as it had been struck by lightning in 1852. The plot of land has been thought to have been used for other churches. One built in 1087, and select parts of the interior, building, and surrounding land were made in the 14th century.

Church: Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

thitran20 — 2025-04-11 00:03:20 UTC

Church: Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

I chose the Hagia Sophia because it’s one of the most famous churches from the Byzantine Empire. I really like how big and beautiful it looks, especially the large dome in the middle. It was built in 537 AD during the reign of Emperor Justinian I and was originally a Christian church. Later on, it became a mosque, then a museum, and now it is a mosque again. Even though its purpose has changed, the building still keeps a lot of its original Christian art and design. One of my favorite features is the big dome, it looks like it’s floating and makes the whole space inside feel open and full of light. I also love the mosaics inside the church, especially the ones of Jesus and Mary. They’re really detailed and colorful, and it’s amazing they’ve lasted so long. I picked this site because it shows how powerful and creative the Byzantine Empire was, and it’s cool to see how one place can have so much history.

week 10

thinhutran — 2025-04-11 04:41:10 UTC

The Church of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy, is one of the most beautiful examples of Byzantine architecture in Western Europe. Built in the 6th century, during the time of Emperor Justinian, this church is famous for its colorful mosaics and unique octagonal shape. I chose this site because the artwork inside is breathtaking and full of history. My favorite part is the mosaic of Emperor Justinian and his court, which shows the power and religious importance of the emperor. The church combines Roman and Byzantine styles, showing how two cultures came together during this time. I like how the mosaics tell stories without using words. The gold backgrounds and small glass pieces make the walls shine in the light. I also found it interesting that this church was one of the few that survived the fall of the Western Roman Empire. It reminds us of the lasting power of art, faith, and architecture.

The Monastery of Daphni

esmrivas — 2025-04-11 16:22:09 UTC

This Monastery was initially established sometimes in the 6th century AD in Chaidari, Greece. After its abandonment in the 7th or 8th century, it was reconstructed during the 11th century to satisfy growing Byzantine establishment. The once classical basilica shaped building was turned into a cross-in-square based building with an octagonal exterior and a dome at the top. Most of the art within the building comprises of mosaics of heavenly scenes with golden backgrounds, including imagery of Christ inside the dome. This is one of my favorite types of artforms of this time because the meticulousness of inlaying each piece of glass or stone to create such detailed artwork is not lost on me. Unfortunately this building suffered much damage during an earthquake in 1999, however many efforts have been made to restore it.

Westminster Abbey

kristenbirt1997 — 2025-04-13 03:39:49 UTC

I chose the Medieval Church, Westminster Abbey. This Church is located in London, UK and has been used since 1066 famously as the place for Royal events. But, Originally is was built for the purpose of being used as a monastery for Monks, but then became a site for royal coronations and has been for over 1000 years. I have always been fascinated in Royal weddings, so that is why this place has stood out to me. But it is definitely much more than that. The architecture is so beautiful and my favorite part is the black and white tiles on the floor. What I learned that was so interesting, was that people are actually buried inside the Abbey. Over 3,000 people of significance (even Stephen Hawkins). So many that there is no longer any space left and that is why Queen Elizabeth was not able to be buried inside. My favorite art work inside the Westminster Abbey is the painted shields on the Nave wall. The Nave is the location of many of the graves, and these Shields were commissioned at the hand of Henry III. They were representative of many of his relatives. The shields themselves take you back in time, and place you in that medieval era.

Church of the Pantanassa, Mistra

ulisrodriguez — 2025-04-13 04:17:26 UTC

This week I chose to explore the Church of the Pantanassa, as its achitecture was truly striking to me. Although being a monestary, it looked a lot more like a modern day vacation house which contradicted my understanding of worship sites during ancient times. Rather than a large, extravagent building, I was met with a rather familiar building. This led me to want to explore further its interior which was filled with intricate paintings and architechture mixing wood, metal and brick. The monestary is one of the last monestaries that is still being inhabited. Overall, the monestary is truly beautiful and welcoming from its architecture to its people.

Nea Moni of Chios

andrewhuynh955 — 2025-04-13 13:53:43 UTC

"Nea Moni" is Greek for New Monastery. This church is located in Greece near the town of Chios. This location was chosen because a vision of the Virgin Mary was seen. The emperor at the time, Constantine IX, built this church after promising he would after a vision was revealed to him that he would be emperor one day. The church was completed after his death in 1055. This particular building was damaged and stormed several times throughout history and was managed by monks. As of 2001 census, it serves as a covenant for three nuns.

I picked this church because of the aerial shot shown that gives the entire shot of the different sections that now make part of the church. I particularly enjoy the domed look of a church. When I think of domed churches, mosques come to mind. I don't really care for the pointy cathedrals with crosses at the points. Also, the brick wall around the perimeter makes it look like a fort, it reminds me of the Alamo.

Church of Saint Nicholas Orphanos

henrypaniaguacruz — 2025-04-13 16:39:33 UTC

The structure/church I have chosen for this week is the Church of Saint Nicholas Orphanos located in the city of Thessaloniki, Greece. Built in the 14th century, and founded by the Serbian King Milutin, The Church of Saint Nicholas Orphanos is in the district of Ano Poli, Thessaloniki. There are many traditional houses and historic monuments in the city, but the church that caught my eye has an exterior that is not too flashy, it was meant to be hidden, a small and simple building, but as one goes in, they are hit with the well structured interior, the pillars lead you to the center where the art that is well preserved after so many years, amongst the podium/chapel, the life of Christ, His Crucifixion and His Resurrection were painted. There are paintings in the well-crafted arched walls, they are beautifully painted frescoes reaching out to the entrance. I enjoy the building of this church because it is simple yet the inside of it is so decorative and well sculpted it is, it looks and feels special, its history speaks to us.

Week 10

alondrazamarripa67 — 2025-04-13 22:44:13 UTC

For this weeks discussion post, Ive decided to do is the Hagia Sophia Church. I’ve decided to do this church because it is part of the byzantine empire. The name “Hagia Sophia” means the holy wisdom in Greek. This church was built in Constantinople between 532 and 537 AD. This church was remarkably built in a short time of six years. Though later on in 1453, it became a mosque after the ottoman conquest. This church was served to be the main church for the eastern orthodox church for nearly one-thousand years. Also inside of Hagia Sophia, there are art being shown that is form the byzantine empire around the building. Though in 1935, the Hagia Sophia was turned into a museum. But it ended up changing the church into a mosque in 2020 and it is still a mosque to this day today. I also liked the structure of the building that was made with the art pieces being to be visible inside of the building.

Hagia Sophia – Istanbul, Turkey (Byzantine Empire)

vrobles1226 — 2025-04-14 01:39:27 UTC

I chose the Hagia Sophia because it is one of the most famous churches from the Byzantine Empire. It is located in Istanbul, Turkey, and was built in the year 537 by Emperor Justinian I. For many years, it was the largest church in the world. At first, it was a Christian church, then it became a mosque, and today it is both a museum and a mosque. This shows how it has been important to different religions over time.

My favorite part of the Hagia Sophia is its huge dome. It looks like it is floating in the air and fills the inside with light. I also love the gold mosaics inside the building. One beautiful mosaic shows the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus. These artworks were used to teach people about religion.

I picked this church because it is beautiful, full of history, and shows the amazing art of the Byzantine time.

Church of Saint George, Lalibela Ethopia

akiyah_dotson — 2025-04-14 02:46:06 UTC

The Church of Saint George was built in the Medieval era. Construction started to take place during the late 12th century and followed into the early 13th century. This immaculate building was carved entirely from 1 single block of volcanic rock. Designed as a pilgrimage site for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, the building was to be used as a safe haven for when travel was dangerous. It turning out to be such a beauty was only a bonus. Furthermore, this was one of the main reasons I chose this building in particular. It had a true purpose to serve and it kept those safe who found sanctuary within its walls. My favorite feature of the Church of Saint George is the shape. From above it resembles a cross with multiple layers cut out to add to the design. On the outside, even though you can see what erosion has taken and added to the structure, the color of the natural rock continues to add a rich feel to the church. The church of Saint George is a building I would like to experience in real life.

The Basilica of San Vitale

2025-04-14 03:57:11 UTC

For this week, I wanted to share about the Basilica of San Vitale. The Basilica of San Vitale stands as a magnificent ancient church in Italy built during the 500s, before most existing contemporary generations came into existence. The outstanding feature of this structure is the numerous intricate artworks featuring colorful elements inside its walls. People used to create artwork through the careful arrangement of numerous tiny stones combined with shiny glass elements. The artisans used this method to create amazing mosaic artworks that now fully decorate the walls. The church walls display biblical tales alongside figures representing royal figures and important rulers who lived back then. The walls sparkle due to their vibrant colors and genuine golden elements. Through the artwork in the San Vitale Basilica, people from the past demonstrated their strong faith through artistic design that blended aesthetics with storytelling in religious spaces. Staring at these glistening images reveals an opportunity to see how people lived thousands of years ago in time. This artistic mastery proves the skill of the artists while showing that their works have persisted for centuries.

2025-04-14 04:09:45 UTC

Great post Nathan, did you know that after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, the church was repurposed as an armory and later as a military museum?

Week 10

andrea99infante — 2025-04-14 04:59:36 UTC

For this week’s Padlet discussion post I chose the Strasbourg Cathedral in Strasbourg, France. i chose this cathedral beca Of the gothic like structures and architecture. This cathedral is home to the Strasbourg Astronomical Clock. What caught my eye were the large glass stained windows throughout the walls of the church and the impressive height.The reddish brown sandstone that makes up the walls give it a haunting beauty that adds to the cathedral’s gothic appeal.

Week 4-Nefertiti Bust

iseraashogar — 2025-04-14 14:06:34 UTC

The Ancient Egyptian artwork I chose is the sculpture 'Nefertiti Bust', sculpted in 1340 BC/BCE by the court sculptor Thutmose.

I like this artwork because of its absolutely stunning! The sculpture was created from limestone and glazed in stucco. Because this bust was discovered in Thutmose's Amarna studio, it is widely believed that this bust was sculpted from the likeness of a model, and not Queen Nefertiti herself. Thutmose likely created this bust to have a reference of the queen's likeness to aid him in designing other royal portraits.

I chose this piece because it is awe-inspiring. To know that this beautiful and intricate art was created in a time before digital resources, and primitive tools just goes to show the wonder that is creativity when committed & expressed.

Week 5- The Next Space Race

iseraashogar — 2025-04-14 15:00:13 UTC

My choice for Art and Science is 'The Next Space' by Alessandro Gottardo for TIME Magazine. I like this piece because of its vibrancy and subtle propogandist art style.

This illustration depicts the 21st century's rediscovered fascination (and competition) towards space exploration. The four astronauts each have different suits, to represent either a powerful nation or private sector company. Although none seem to be on the same team, they are all running towards the same destination/goal- the Moon. The lack of other celestial stars could indicate the extreme tunnel vision that powerful entities employ to achieve their goals no matter the cost or variables. Overall, this illustration shows the modern competition among global society to 'conquer' space. Upon further research, this illustration was commissioned to pay homage to its artistic predecessor- "Race for the Moon" from TIME's 1968 cover.

Alessandro Gottardo (aka Shout)

was born in Pordenone in 1977. He studied art in Venice and illustration at the Istituto Europeo del Design in Milan, Italy.
He works and lives in Milan. "The Next Space Race" exemplifies Shout's artistic style and mission by illustrating an aspect of the human condition with a minimalist design and color palette.

Week 6- President Trump Portrait

iseraashogar — 2025-04-14 18:59:19 UTC

My choice of contemporary art is the portrait of President Trump by Sarah Boardman. It was housed in the Colorado Capitol Building for a short time before being removed recently. I chose this piece mostly because of the very interesting Lore it quickly achieved in our own modern political history.

First, I want to highlight Sarah Boardman as an artist and amazing portraitist. Boardman was commissioned for this portrait in 2018. Known for her classical realist style and previous political portraits- Sarah Boardman was selected by Colorado Republicans to capture Trump's likeness. in 2019, The portrait was unveiled and approved for display by the Capitol Building Advisory Committee. They agreed that the portrait depicted Trump with a "serious, thoughtful, and non confrontational" demeanor.

Now this is where it gets interesting. In March 2025, President Trump publicly criticized his portrait... 6 years after its unveiling. He had harsh comments about Boardman's work, describing it as "purposefully distorted" and "truly the worst" depiction of him. To add fuel to this unnecessary fire, the Colorado Republican leaders motioned to remove the portrait from public display after Trump's disparaging remarks.

Sarah Boardman's artist statement reveals her true intentions as an artist; which is simply to "commit to accuracy and impartiality in her work". She defended her work against the claims of critiques, doubling down on her completion of the portrait as "accurately, without 'purposeful distortion,' political bias, or any attempt to caricature the subject." I believe her.

It's unfortunate that such a dramatic and unsavory interaction happened here. A person holding a 'honorable' position as president of the United States who ironically withholds any grace or honor for an individual who poured their effort and talent into immortalizing him through art.

I think that there was certainly a more tactful and private way to handle this situation from the President; but I think it is an incredible example of the political times and climate we find ourselves in as Americans. So for that, Boardman's work achieved a rightful legacy of unveiling the culture surrounding it.

Week 11

dayanmendez — 2025-04-15 15:12:08 UTC

The site that I have chosen is Calakmul, Campeche in Mexico. Specifically, it inhabits the ancient Maya city and the second largest tropical rainforest in the world. In this protected site, remains of the Calakmul Mayan civilization can be found as well as parts of their ancient civilization that have been well preserved. One example is their water management features such as reservoirs and artificially made water ponds. At this site there have also been discoveries of murals, ornaments, body jewelry, and inscriptions that provide more information about Mayan history as well as culture. Outside of ruins and human culture this site is also home to a great abundance of biodiversity. In plants and animals. They are especially resilient as the conditions in the rainforest can be very volatile and arid. Even so endangered species are also found here as well as the majority of mammals found in Mexico. All in all, this is a beautiful site filled with rich culture, history, life, and knowledge. I chose it because of its abundance of life in the present and its connection to life in the past.

Mesa Verde

carolineruthannwelch — 2025-04-15 18:51:15 UTC

My family traveled here a few summers ago and it was a great experience. (We even recreated some photos from when my dad was a boy) The site was formerly the home of a group of people called the Pueblo Indians. It's located in southwest Colorado, and contains nearly 600 homes built into the rock. These homes, given the name cave dwellings, brought a sense of security as the cliff offered natural protection from enemies. Mesa Verde was established as a National Park in 1906, and was the first ever US National Park. The park has a General Management plan, and they watch capacity and the visitors closely. Erosion and wildfires are some of their biggest threats, along with any development close to the property.

Share your Tableau Vivant with your classmates!

amysluis — 2025-04-16 16:52:56 UTC

Please share an image of the original artwork you chose along with your finished work.

In your post, make sure to tell us about your project briefly (200 words or under). Don't forget to comment on your peers' posts too!

Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve

MarianaRosalesMilke — 2025-04-16 23:41:29 UTC

The UNESCO World Heritage Site that I chose is called Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. This site protects where about 70% of the overwintering population of the monarch's butterfly eastern population. This is where the majority of monarch butterflies migrate to for winter times and later take up to 4 generations to go back to Eastern Canada in the spring. This site is also important in terms of research and culture. This site is not only a migratory reserve for monarch butterflies but also holds a broad biodiversity which is valuable to research. In terms of culture, monarch butterflies are considered the souls of the dead. I chose it because I really like animals and this is an area where you get to see millions of butterflies undisturbed. .I also because I think it is important to maintain the areas where migratory species come to in the winter. This site may be at possible risk because of illegal logging as well as public use which can disrupt the environment. To address the logging issues there has been planning and action between federal, state and local agencies for protection. For public use, they are pushing for sustainable public use of this space.

Week 11

thinhutran — 2025-04-17 04:25:44 UTC

Over Spring Break, I visited Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Colorado, and was deeply moved by its rich history and unique architecture. The site is known for its cliff dwellings, especially Cliff Palace, built over 700 years ago by the Ancestral Puebloans. These impressive structures, made from stone, wood, and mortar, were not just homes but part of a larger community where people farmed, raised families, and carried out traditions. Walking through the ruins helped me feel connected to the past and gave me a deeper appreciation for the creativity and strength of the people who once lived there. Mesa Verde faces threats today from wildfires, erosion, and climate change, which put these ancient structures at risk. However, efforts by the National Park Service and UNESCO, including monitoring and preservation work, are helping to protect the site. I chose Mesa Verde because seeing it in person made history feel real and reminded me how important it is to preserve these places for future generations.

Taos Pueblo

murivez — 2025-04-17 23:21:44 UTC

My World Heritage Site is the Taos Pueblo in New Mexico. In 1992 it was admitted to the World Heritage Society and nearly 30 years prior it had been declared a National Landmark. Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community in the United States to hold both titles. Taos Pueblo is about a mile north of modern Taos, New Mexico. The pueblos are over one thousand years old and are the oldest to still inhabit people. The only risk for this site is modernization and preservation of tradition. The pueblos do not have running water or electricity. About 150 people live in the pueblo full time while other families that own a home in part of the pueblo have modern summer homes on other parts of the Pueblo land. To prevent any loss in population and tradition the people are encouraged to remain in Taos and to acknowledge their cultural heritage.

Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan

ulisrodriguez — 2025-04-20 06:19:58 UTC

This week I chose to explore the magnificent city that was Teotihuacan. Once a major city and hot spot for trade and religious practices serving around 200,000 residents. One of the first urban societies in the Americas. Today, it serves as a tourist attraction receiving nearly 4.5 million is heavily at risk of rapid and irreversible deteriation. Currently restrictions and regulations towards monuments are implace however recent viral videos on social media demonstrate tourist neglect towards the restrictions. I chose this site as it held a personal connection to me. Despite never having visited Teotihuacan, seeing the recent surfacing of clips where tourist climb the pyramids despite being restricted, is deeply upsetting. It feels as if its demeaning my heritage and I think thats the importance of UNESCO sites. Preserving the heritage, however distant and removed, of people. Being able to connect with other people through shared heritage helps people find a sense of home regardless of where they migrate to. Researching these sites brought a lot of awe but also a bit of sadness seeing how fast theyve begone to fade in our rapid growing society.

Statue of Liberty

andrewhuynh955 — 2025-04-20 13:47:26 UTC

I chose the Statue of Liberty for this discussion because I was surprised that it was on UNESCO's list. Compared to other sites on this list, they are either natural or really dated, the Statue of Liberty is practically new. The Statue of Liberty was given to the United States in 1886 one year after being built from the country of France. It is a symbol of freedom and hope. The statue was placed on Ellis Island where it greeted several immigrants who arrived from other countries. It became recognized by UNESCO in 1984 for its symbolic value. This site isn’t considered in danger by UNESCO standards but it does face other risks. After hurricane Sandy several upgrades were made to the infrastructure as well as several environmental monitoring including guests and improving flood barriers to the island itself.

Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpa, Peru

kristenbirt1997 — 2025-04-20 21:07:03 UTC

I chose UNESCO protected site in Peru that is the Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpa. This one stood out to me because up until a couple years ago I had no idea that it existed. My boyfriend is from Peru, so when he told me about it, I was shocked. It is mind-boggling to imagine how the creators of these Lines and Geoglyphs were able to create them across the plains and with so much symmetry. These works were said to be scratched into the surfaces that they lay and created as early as 500 BC. The Lines and Geoglyphs are predicted to have been used for astronomical ritual purposes. But they really just intrigue me on the method of creation. They are one of those mysteries like the Pyramids, which Peru also has some of as well. To be a fly on the wall to answer the questions we have no idea of is something I wish I could be. If you haven't looked up these Lines or Geoglyphs you definitely should, there are so many different designs that span across that coastal plain.

Week 11: Ennedi Massif

2025-04-20 23:28:51 UTC

The Ennedi Massif is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in upper northeast Chad.

The Ennedi Plateau (pictured) is part of a group of mountains known as the Ennedi Massif. This mountainous area is made of sandstone that has been weathered by the natural erosion of the Sahara.

This region has housed many communities and generations of people over the course of time; such as hunters and gathers, to the pastoralists and nomadic merchants (all of which occured over 6000 years ago!).

The lasting impact of many of these communities were found on the rocks themselves in thee form of Art! As I was browsing through the art, It was really interesting to see how 'core' art is to the history of mankind. The simple tools to leave a visual story of their lives, which went on to leave a permanent impact on life!

I chose this site because it is located next to my family's country of origin, Sudan. I like that I could use this assignment to learn more about my personal culture.

Yosemite National Park

atra8930 — 2025-04-21 03:15:54 UTC

For this week’s dicussion of UNESCO World Heritage Convention I decided to choose Yosemite National Park. Located in the heart of California, Yosemite National Park is known for its distinctive landscape features, including soaring cliffs, domes, valleys, and free-falling waterfalls. These features were created because of glacial erosion and the granitc bedrock that happened over millions of years. Moreover, these geologic features provide a scenic backdrop for mountain meadows and giant sequoia groves, resulting in a “diverse landscape of exceptional natural and scenic beauty.” I chose this site because I visited Yosemite back in 2023 during the summer and I absolutely adored the landscape. It felt so welcoming and unrealistic, its beauty is remarkable. However, threats to Yosemite National Park have involved man-made and natural disasters. This involves the “loss of natural fire as a process, air pollutants and air-borne contaminants, global climate change, direct impacts to resources from high visitation in some areas of the park such as human-wildlife conflicts, habitat fragmentation from both outside and inside park boundaries, and the invasion of non-native plant and animal species.” The park management is currently taking action towards these threats by trying to control non-native plant and animal species, and taking a ton of resource protection measures.

Los Glaciares National Park

2025-04-21 03:20:47 UTC

For this week, I want to share about the Los Glaciares National Park. The site displays icy blue glaciers from enormous jagged mountains as they drop giant ice pieces into super clear turquoise lakes. The area resembles a movie set reality. The entire protected territory ensures the safety of its glacial wonders together with its giant mountains and forest ecosystem. The Perito Moreno Glacier stands out as the most remarkable glacier in this region because its growth rate makes it unique among all the other glaciers there. Great appreciation runs through centuries of history among both the native Tehuelche people and European first explorers who encountered this location. The landscape carries a strong dramatic force that keeps lasting in your memory. Los Glaciares appeals to me the most because it showcases extraordinary natural power alongside breathtaking beauty. It is mind-blowing to witness massive ice rivers which piece together the land while they shift. The experience teaches us about the remarkable nature of Earth while reinforcing our responsibility to protect such remarkable places. Global warming has become a major challenge for Los Glaciares like numerous other regions located in the Northern Hemisphere. Climate change is warming the place to the extent that glaciers are showing signs of melting which may result in major disturbance to the surrounding environment. Argentina together with science associations puts effort into protecting the Glacier National Park. Scientists and authorities focus their attention on ice observations to grasp the unfolding changes and develop restrictions to shield this park from human damage.

Bale Mountains National Park

akiyah_dotson — 2025-04-21 03:26:12 UTC

Bale Mountains National Park (BMNP) in Ethiopia plays a vital role ecologically and socioeconomically. It protects numerous endemic species, including the Ethiopian Wolf and Mountain Nyala, and encompasses diverse ecosystems like afro-alpine habitats and moist tropical forests. The park is essential for regulating water supply for millions and contributes to carbon sequestration. It also offers local communities resources such as medicinal plants and wild coffee, along with opportunities for eco-tourism.

However, BMNP faces risks from increasing human settlement and agricultural activities, leading to habitat degradation and human-wildlife conflict. Conservation strategies are in place, including legal protection under IUCN Protected Area Category II and community engagement through forums like the Park Community Dialogue Forum (PCDF). Sustainable resource management and a buffer zone around the park aim to enhance protection. A 10-year General Management Plan guides efforts to balance local livelihoods with conservation goals, alongside improving communication and collaboration among stakeholders.

Padlet Discussion Wk 11

andrea99infante — 2025-04-21 03:37:10 UTC

For this week’s discussion post I chose Chiribiquete National Park also known as “The Maloca of the Jaguar” located in Colombia. This world heritage site is in Central America and shares four biogeographical sites. These provinces include the Amazon, Andes, Orinoco, and Guyana. Because of the massive regions it occupies it is compliant to preserving the biodiversity found in this area, “constituting itself as an interaction scenario in which flora and fauna diversity and endemism have flourished,” as stated in the UNESCO website. This is important to us because it is considered sacred as it remains unaltered and the remote civilizations also remain preserved, untouched by outsiders. The kinds of fauna and flora found here are extremely biodiverse and important to the development of other fauna and flora in the near by regions. It also provides insight of how an untouched environment can develop if remained untouched. This area is so important so much so that it is calles a Centre of PlantDiversity, important Bird Area, an Endemic Bird Area, a Key Biodiversity Area, and the only site protecting one of the terrestrial ecoregions of flooded forests. These ecological regions of flooded forests are called “Purus Varze” and are intact considered to be endangered.

Week 11 UNESCO World Heritage Site

andrea99infante — 2025-04-21 03:51:19 UTC

For this week’s discussion post I chose Chiribiquete National Park also known as “The Maloca of the Jaguar” located in Colombia. This world heritage site is in Central America and shares four biogeographical sites. These provinces include the Amazon, Andes, Orinoco, and Guyana. Because of the massive regions it occupies it is compliant to preserving the biodiversity found in this area, “constituting itself as an interaction scenario in which flora and fauna diversity and endemism have flourished,” as stated in the UNESCO website. This is important to us because it is considered sacred as it remains unaltered and the remote civilizations also remain preserved, untouched by outsiders. The kinds of fauna and flora found here are extremely biodiverse and important to the development of other fauna and flora in the near by regions. It also provides insight of how an untouched environment can develop if preserved. This World Heritage Site peaked my interest because it is an important centre of Plants, and Bird diversity, Endemic Bird area and a key biodiversity area.The protected flooded forest, “Purus Varze,” are considered critically endangered.

Great Barrier Reef

ntra2070 — 2025-04-21 04:46:33 UTC

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef located off the coast of Australia and spans over an area about 348,000 sq. km. The reef supports over 9,000 known species including seabirds, coral, fish, sea turtles, and more. The reef is significant due to its biodiversity, economic value, cultural value, and many more. It became part of the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981 due to its Outstanding Universal Value(OUV). This meant that it fit in the OUV criteria due to its exceptional value from a global perspective. Simply, the site's existence makes it a remarkable ecosystem serving the environment and world heritage well deserving of the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.

El Tajin

alondrazamarripa67 — 2025-04-21 13:52:05 UTC

For this week's discussion, I have decided to do El Tajin. El Tajin is seen to be located in Veracruz. It was also at its height from the early 9th to the early 13th century. It became the most important centre in north-east Mesoamerica after the fall of the Teotihuacan Empire. Their cultural influence was also seen to be extended up to the Gulf and into the Maya region and the high plateaux of central Mexico. The most important attributes of El Tajín are the buildings with the decoration of key-patterns, fretworks, niches, cornices, wall paintings, and low reliefs. The reliefs and paintings contain important information on ritual and daily life. But as of today, El Tajin is a protected site and is turned to become a monument for people and tourists to see.

My Project

dayanmendez — 2025-04-23 14:25:27 UTC

For my project I chose to recreate one of Vincent Van Gogh's many sunflower paintings. The first of the paintings was created for decoration at his new home in France. Van Gogh's roommate actually really liked the painting and asked to have one. But because Van Gogh did not want to give it away so easily, so he decided to paint more. To Van Gogh sunflowers represented gratitude, that is why he loved to paint them so much. That is also one of the reasons I chose this artwork for my project. The story behind it is really beautiful and seemingly normal. Anyway, to recreate the painting I used fake sunflowers that I modified to fit the painting. I also had to create a mini set, where I painted a bunch of cardboard as the background and pieces of paper as the foreground. I tried to match the colors in the paintings as close as possible. Finally, I used a little lamp I had that had a lightbulb that gave off yellow light to help it all keep that warm yellow. The actual painting itself was painted using only yellow in different shades. That is what I tried to match in real life.

Antigone

carolineruthannwelch — 2025-04-25 17:06:56 UTC

For my tableau vivant I chose to recreate Antigone by Frederic Leighton. I put on a dress slightly sideways so a hole from the back would be in the front. I draped a navy dress over my shoulder for her cloak, and stuck a gold hair clip in my hair. For the background I hung a black bedsheet over a door.

Mariana Rosales Milke's, Angeline Tran's and Nathan Tran's

MarianaRosalesMilke — 2025-04-25 18:48:17 UTC

For our project we chose this painting made by Édouard Manet called Corner of a Café-Concert. This painting was created because Manet was impressed by the waitresses' skills to hold several beers at a time. Because we worked together as a team, it did take us a while to decide on this artwork.

My Project

kristenbirt1997 — 2025-04-26 19:13:14 UTC

For my project I chose 'Silvia' by Eva Koncekova. I was able to transform my daughter into 'Silvia' for this project. I wasn't able to find the inspiration behind any of the work that Eva created, but I can only assume that it was with the purpose of saving a moment in time. I tried my best to color match the artwork in the background of 'Silvia' to help pull everything together. My daughter had a lot of fun becoming 'living art'.

Tableau Vivant

2025-04-27 12:38:05 UTC

For my tableau vivant I recreated the painting by Jacques-Louis David titled The Death of Marat. Although I did not have the same colored cloths as the painting, I made do with a lot of towels for that layered look. It took a bit of takes because at first I didn’t have anything to support my head so it looked funny to appear dead but still be holding your head up. I wish I had ink and a quill but since I do not own one, I modernized it with some ball point pens. His bathtub is in the middle of a room it seems like because his shadow is cast very softly l, as if onto a distant wall. Unfortunately my tub is attached to a wall which made for more harsh shadows. Overall I feel like I captured the essence and main idea of the painting. Did you have fun like I did?

Tableau Project

andrewhuynh955 — 2025-04-27 16:13:34 UTC

My Tableau Project is based on the artwork, "David Holding the Head of Goliath" by Caravaggio. When I thought about creating my Tableau I pictured it would be easy. Once I started I had trouble with the dark room and the camera. My pictures would not come out as intended. I had to shoot the picture with my lights on and then black out the photo afterwards. I used a white bed sheet to recreated the clothes that covered half of my body. I did not have a sword but a I did use a lightsaber. I had originally thought that with the dark room and the bright lightsaber it would have been enough to illuminate the area but it did not with the effect I wanted. The blue light is still seen in the photo but not how I had originally intended. I broke down this image in two shots. First was the image of David as myself. Then, the second shot was the head of Goliath also myself. I used a white paper across my face to replicate the beard. I currently have my hair dyed grey and white so I thought the white would match my hair dye. In the end it just looks comical compared to the gory painting. I cropped the second shot of my head into the first shot to complete the Tableau.

Tableau Vivant by Sabeeh Ahmed

2025-04-27 23:23:07 UTC

My tableau vivant is based off of the painting The Voice/Summer Night by Edvard Munch. I went to Florida during spring break and went near a shore to take this picture. The photo does look a bit funky but I'm pleased overall with how it turned out since I had a limited time to take it. I had my sister dress up using my thobe, a scarf wrapped around her neck, lipstick, and pose as the woman since she already shared the same hair size. This was a very fun and exciting project! Sad to leave this class next week :(

See No Evil

murivez — 2025-04-28 00:09:09 UTC

Keith Haring was born in 1958 and is from the state of Pennsylvania. At an early age he began his love for drawing, He gained his art skills and inspiration from his father, Walt Disney, Dr Seuss, and pop culture. After high school he attended a local arts school. After a short period of time he dropped out and became an independent artist. In 1978 he had his first solo art exhibition. Later that year he moved to New York and began to thrive in the developing art art community.

See No Evil is part of a series of silk screen prints. The purpose of this series was to create accessible art. It was intended to be viewed by a wider range of audiences. This piece could be considered both political and community based. The message behind this art was in regards to the silencing of the AIDS crisis.

For my project I used some leftover halloween costumes (morph suits) from a few years ago. I thought I had a few that were the same color as the original picture, but I could not find them. So I had to use some filters to change the colors up a bit. I also had to use Canva to edit out the shadows because I had a hard time with the lighting. I also used Canva to put in the movement lines. I originally used some cut out construction paper that I glued to the wall, but it did not look right in the finished image.

This piece is still significant to our contemporary time. The LGBTQ community is under the same pressures to remain silent as when this art was created. If I were to repurpose or restyle this art I would use colors of the images of the transgender community. It could also be used with different shades of brown to represent the Black Lives Matter movement.

Lady Lilith

vrobles1226 — 2025-04-28 00:42:30 UTC

For my project, I chose Lady Lilith by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, created between 1866 and 1868. The painting shows a beautiful woman calmly brushing her long, golden hair while looking in a mirror. Lilith is shown as strong, confident, and completely focused on herself. In old stories, Lilith was a powerful woman who chose her own path and did not follow the rules. Rossetti made her a symbol of beauty, strength, and independence, which was different from how women were usually shown at that time. I chose this artwork because it represents women’s strength and self-confidence. Lilith does not rely on anyone else for her power, and I think that message is still very important today. For my tableau project, I recreated the painting by matching her look with a warm white dress, soft makeup, and a mirror with a red tassel, just like in the artwork. I made sure the lighting focused on my features, just like Rossetti did with Lady Lilith. I wanted to show her beauty, but more importantly, her strength and independence.

My Project

alondrazamarripa67 — 2025-04-28 03:57:44 UTC

For this project, I have decided to do this painting called “Girl With Pearl Earrings” by Johannes Vermeer.

For this artwork here it's function was to showcase Vermeer's technique of light, color, and facial expression to the painting. It was created to show the mystery of the light and beauty to the artwork. With the lighting and facial expressions in this piece shows her soft modeling of the girl's face and the glimmers of light on her lips and the pearl. This painting was meant to be viewed as a "tronie" which is an idealized character. For my process for recreating this artwork piece, I gathered a white top and also a brown leather jacket for this recreation. I also used a blue and yellow for me to put up my hair and have it wrap my hair around. Not only that but I have used a ring light for me to recreate the lighting effects that was being shown in the painting.

The Two Fridas

andrea99infante — 2025-04-28 04:13:39 UTC

For my Tableau Vivant project, I chose "The Two Fridas" by Frida Kahlo. This was harder than expected because I decided to make the anatomical hearts myself. As it turned out, air-dried clay and red paint didn't work very well. Regardless, it was fun to play dress-up as the two versions of Frida. The only thing I couldn't do properly was clasp my own hands together. What originally intrigued me about Frida Kahlo's painting was the message behind it. Frida made this painting shortly after divorcing Diego Rivera, and displayed her inner turmoil throughout her work. The two Frida’s signify two different personalities, or versions of herself. One with more traditional clothing, facing an uphill battle of heartache being in an unhappy marriage and the other Frida in more modern clothing, the version of herself that is more confident and at peace after divorcing her former husband. To me her depiction of the battle within the self is something that is relatable especially in the new age where a relationship status tends to fill the void of lack of identity and her work shows the possibility of still getting to know oneself after being in a relationship.

Section 12

thinhutran — 2025-04-28 04:36:57 UTC

For my tableau vivant, I chose The Portrait of Mademoiselle Caroline Rivière by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. This painting shows Caroline’s youth, beauty, and innocence. Her father, who was an important official under Napoleon, asked Ingres to paint portraits of their family to honor and remember them. Sadly, Caroline passed away shortly after the portrait was finished, which made the painting even more meaningful. It reflects the Neoclassical values of family, beauty, and legacy in early 19th-century France.

After the Bullfight

akiyah_dotson — 2025-04-28 04:59:03 UTC

For this project I decided to After the Bullfight by Mary Cassatt. Cassatt is depicts a Spanish bullfighter in a relaxed setting lighting his cigarette. I gathered everything I could to depict every detail. From a CD, to old shirts, to sides of a shoebox.

Fallen Angel

ulisrodriguez — 2025-04-28 05:17:18 UTC

For my tableu vivant I chose to recreate Alexandre Cabanels' "Fallen Angel" I chose to recreate this [piece specifically because of Lucifers expression in the painting. Cabanel portayed lucifers vanishing from heaven from John Miltons "Paradise Lost", which also happens to be one of my favorite epic poems. The most difficult parts of the project where the wings and surprisingly the pose. I believe the setting recreation was pretty accurate however, the pose, although appearing relaxed, was quite painful. I had to constantly stand to avoid a cramp. The wings also did not turn out the way I wanted, as one can see they are very small and barely noticeable. Originally I did not want the wings to make the image appear cartoonish or too fictional but it backfired. I am also not built like a perfectly muscular angel so that also was not able to be portrayed. Overall the project was really fun and I would like to recreate the painting again but with more resources.

Emiliano Zapata

2025-04-29 03:23:17 UTC

Portrait of Madeline

iseraashogar — 2025-04-30 14:04:31 UTC

Hi all,

My Tableau was dedicated to French Artist Marie-Guillemine Benoist's "Portrait of Madeline" from 1800.

Within my project, I focused on the contextual history that took place during this portrait's completion in order to come to a conclusion about its significance. During the turn of the century 1800s, France was experiencing its first revolution against slavery, making this portrait all the more important. it was extremely uncommon for black individuals to be immortalized in a dignified portrait at the time- so both the Artist Benoist and 'Madeline' were true outliers of their time.

This project was a treat for me to work on, because it was an opportunity to reflect and digest my own history as a black individual, but also the silver linings of some of the darkest moments in our global history, that affect us all to varying degrees.

szac7060 — 2025-05-01 14:27:38 UTC

For the Tableau Vivant Project, I decided to recreate the piece, "Girl with a Pearl Earring," created by the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. I decided to choose this piece due to the emotion that is displayed on the unknown woman's face. Her look displays beauty and innocence. I also chose to replicate this painting due to the fact that this painting isn't a portrait of a woman but rather a "tronie". A tronie is a piece of art that is intended to showcase an expression or feeling. This image was considered one because it wasn't depicting the specific identity of the girl but rather her youth or innocence. In order to recreate the image as the best as I could, I utilized some shawls to make a makeshift head scarf. I made sure that the location of the recreation took place in an area with some light shining on the subject's face to demonstrate the glow, just like in the painting. I made sure to find the largest pearl earring I had to draw the attention of the audience to the piece of jewelry. I really enjoyed this piece since I felt as if the emotions displayed were quite beautiful and intriguing.

2025-05-05 04:10:55 UTC

I chose Texas-based artist Cruz Ortiz for his vibrant and meaningful artwork. His piece “Hecho Farmworker” stood out to me because of its bold colors and powerful message. It honors farmworkers and brings attention to their hard work and importance in our society. I love how he blends Mexican-American culture with modern styles to tell stories that often go unseen. This artwork made me think more deeply about identity and the value of everyday people.

gzapatatorres — 2025-05-05 04:12:36 UTC

Great choice! Judithe Hernández’s work is incredibly powerful and important. I really admire how she uses her art to bring attention to serious issues like femicide and misogyny. Her use of pastel gives the pieces a soft, almost haunting quality that contrasts with the intense themes. It’s inspiring to see an artist use their platform to speak up for women and marginalized communities.

gzapatatorres — 2025-05-05 04:13:20 UTC

Thank you for sharing that! I love how Gabo Martinez blends traditional Mexican designs with a modern touch—her work feels both nostalgic and fresh. Purple Petaled Vessel sounds like a beautiful piece, and I can totally relate to the connection with family and culture through ceramics. It’s so special when art reminds us of home and loved ones. Seeing our culture represented in such a meaningful way is really powerful.

gzapatatorres — 2025-05-05 04:14:58 UTC

Here’s a sample post for your assignment:

Church: Hagia Sophia – Istanbul, Turkey

This week, I chose the Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture built in 537 CE in what is now Istanbul, Turkey. I was amazed by its massive dome, which was a huge architectural achievement for its time and still inspires awe today. Originally built as a Christian cathedral, it later became a mosque, and now it is a museum and cultural site, showing the layers of history and religion in one place. My favorite feature is the stunning gold mosaics, especially the one of Christ Pantocrator, which glows with divine energy and beauty. I chose this site because it represents the blend of art, architecture, and history that defines the Byzantine era.

gzapatatorres — 2025-05-05 04:17:18 UTC

Great post! The Hagia Sophia is such a fascinating example of how architecture can reflect layers of history and culture. I find it amazing how both Christian and Islamic elements coexist in one space, showing the building’s transformation over time. The massive dome is especially impressive for its time and still inspires architects today. It truly captures the essence of Byzantine art and architecture.

gzapatatorres — 2025-05-05 04:18:37 UTC

This week, I chose Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Andes Mountains of Peru. Built in the 15th century by the Inca Empire, it served as a royal estate or sacred religious site for Incan leaders. Hidden high in the mountains and largely untouched by the Spanish conquest, Machu Picchu is one of the best-preserved examples of Inca architecture and engineering. I chose this site because of its breathtaking location, mysterious history, and the incredible stonework that still stands without mortar. Machu Picchu is currently at risk due to tourism, erosion, and environmental changes, but the Peruvian government and UNESCO have partnered to limit visitor numbers and implement preservation efforts to protect this cultural treasure for the future.

gzapatatorres — 2025-05-05 05:01:24 UTC

For my tableaux vivant artwork, I chose to recreate The Son of Man by René Magritte. This surrealist painting features a man in a suit and bowler hat with his face obscured by a floating green apple, symbolizing hidden identity and the idea that we always want to see what is hidden. To recreate it, I focused on finding a dark suit, red tie, white shirt, and a bowler hat, along with positioning a green apple in front of my face, either by holding it or suspending it, and standing against a simple background to match the original composition.

Nicole Toral

2025-05-12 12:43:41 UTC

I chose the Hagia Sophia, located in Istanbul, Turkey. The purpose of this building was to serve as a church, but it later became a mosque. The name itself has a significant meaning, such as "Holy Wisdom," which holds a rich and deep history. This Cathedral was religiously important for the Eastern Orthodox Church. The architecture really stands out to me because of its complex but fascinating look on the outside. The intricate design sparked tourists' interest in later years because of its massive central dome and the fact that it later became a museum. When looking at this mosque, it is very noticeable that it is huge, and the interior of this building is just as detailed as the exterior. The detailing and the way the colors flow are so pleasing to the eye that they make people appreciate the building even more. The history that the Hagia Sophia holds is very interesting, and the fascinating art it holds as well.

rilbrumbaugh — 2025-09-26 21:17:16 UTC

A contemporary artist whose work connects with spirituality is Anselm Kiefer. He often creates large paintings and sculptures that deal with memory, history, and the search for meaning. His art feels very powerful and emotional, as he typically uses natural materials like straw, ash, or clay into surfaces to produce more raw effects. In his artist statement, Kiefer explains that he wants viewers to think about how destruction and renewal are too part of the human spirit as it is in nature. His work is about facing pain and loss but also finding hope along the way. The artwork I chose is Breaking of the Vessels (1990). It is a massive sculpture made of broken glass books stacked on shelves. The piece is based on a Jewish story about how divine light was once present in the vessels that shattered, scattering pieces of the holiness everywhere. For Kiefer, this idea shows both fragility and the possibility of repair. I chose this artwork because I think the glass was a great medium and strongly feels very human. It reminds me that there is still meaning and beauty even when things are broken.

Dr. Amy Sluis-Instructions

amysluis — 2026-01-14 20:01:35 UTC

Hi Everyone! Welcome to Art History! To begin, tell us a little about yourself:

1) What's your name and anticipated major?

2) Why are you taking this class?

3) What are your favorite things to do in your free time?

4) Favorite movies?

5) Do you have any pets? Children? Feel free to share a fun picture of you, or of your pet! Or put your pet in your video!