https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0 Environmental Impact of Human artistic expression from a material perspective. en-us 2022-12-09 01:41:11 UTC 2025-12-07 11:50:53 UTC hello@padlet.com goff_cat https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416448143 Before looking into how paint has developed over time, we first need to understand its components and how it's created. Paint is typically made up of three parts, pigment, binder, and solvent. Pigments give the paint its color and can be of organic or mineral origin. Synthetic pigments have replaced many lethal natural pigments, such as lead white. Mineral or organic pigments must be processed to remove impurities and grind them into powder. Binder is what allows the paint to be manipulated on a surface. The pigment is suspended in the binder, not dissolved. Examples of binders throughout history would be tree sap or oil. Solvents such as turpentine are used to thin out the paint. This allows the paint to be used at different weights. Heavy body paints create impasto or texture when applied. Soft body paint is much creamier and leaves less texture when used.

Citations
Curnow, Katie. “4 Places to Get Artsy in Flint & Genesee.” Flint & Genesee Group, 31 Oct. 2016, www.flintandgenesee.org/4-places-get-artsy-flint-genesee/.

Janson, Jonathan. “The Anatomy of Paint: Pigment and Binder.” Vermeer's Palette: The Anatomy of Pigment and Binder, www.essentialvermeer.com/palette/palette_anatomy_of_paint.html#.VieiDCvQO6I. ]]> 2022-12-10 17:07:01 UTC https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416448143 goff_cat https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416459015 Prehistoric pigments were derived from minerals and organic materials. The most common colors used by Prehistoric artists were black and red. Black pigments were typically charcoal or manganese oxides. Red pigments were mostly iron oxide, either natural hematite or heated goethite. Another standard pigment was made from ochre, which naturally had either a yellow or brown hue. Archeologists have excavated pieces of ochre from the Upper Paleolithic that were shaped into a "crayon." These pieces of ochre were thought to be used like a pencil to draw on cave walls. Ochre deposits have been found on other artifacts, such as grindstones. These finds have led archeologists to theorize about the process of extracting the pigments from their natural form. During the Middle Paleolithic period, a new method for pigment extraction was discovered. The minerals and organic materials could be heated to change the color of the pigment. Yellow ochre was heated to create a red pigment. After the grinding process, pigments were purified by mixing them with water. Large granules of quartz would sink to the bottom while the pigment would stay suspended. After heating the liquid to evaporate the water, they were left with an ochre pigment residue.

Citations
“Prehistoric Pigments.” RSC Education, 1 Oct. 2015, edu.rsc.org/resources/prehistoric-pigments/1540.article. 

]]> 2022-12-10 17:36:30 UTC https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416459015 goff_cat https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416475591 While they may be beautiful, some colors are deadly to humans—Manganese, a common pigment in Prehistoric art to achieve a black color. However, manganese is toxic to humans when ingested. Hand stencils are a prevalent subject matter for cave art. There are two types of hand stencils, positive and negative. Negative hand stencils were slightly more complex than positive stencils. The artists used "prehistoric spray paint" by placing the pigment into their mouths and then spraying the paint around their hands. This is when the issue of manganese being toxic comes into play. It did not take the artists long to figure out that only charcoal pigments should be used for black negative hand stencils. Another toxic pigment is lead white, which unlike manganese, is toxic from the beginning of the process. This starts with the grinding process, which creates toxic dust particles. From this point on, any contact with the substance can affect the artist. With prolonged exposure, artists would develop "Painter's Colic," which is now known to be lead poisoning. Lead white was used up until the 1970s, when it was banned.

Citations
Ruiz, Ada. “Poisonous Pigments: Lead White - Los Angeles Art College: Fine Art: Concept Art: Degrees: Community Classes.” Los Angeles Art College | Fine Art | Concept Art | Degrees | Community Classes, Ada Ruiz Https://Laafa.edu/Wp-Content/Uploads/2017/07/NewLogo52217.Png, 16 July 2019, laafa.edu/poisonous-pigments-lead-white/.

Jacobs, Justin M. “Paleolithic Cave Art of Spain and France .” Iconic Monuments in World History . ]]> 2022-12-10 18:15:36 UTC https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416475591 goff_cat https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416482027 Today, when an artist wishes to use oil paint, all they have to do is purchase tubes of premixed oil paint. This cuts out hours of work of grinding and mixing their own. This also allows them to easily keep the same colors and consistency throughout their work. Before the 19th century, when brands such as Winsor & Newton mass-produced oil paint, artists would have to hand-make all of their paint. This process would be done daily to produce fresh paint and require extensive knowledge of the materials. Everything from how finely the pigment is ground to what properties a stain had been necessary to know to reproduce the same color and consistency. The industrial revolution opened the doors to new methods of oil paint creation. This allowed brands such as the fore mentioned Winsor & Newton to mass-produce oil paint that had consistent color and consistency.

Citations
“Oil Painting.” Oil Painting: History, Famous Paintings in Oils, www.visual-arts-cork.com/oil-painting.htm.

Www.buddhagraphics.com, Buddhagraphics::enlightened Interactive Design -. Egg Tempera Workshop :: The Artist's Tools, www.temperaworkshop.com/tools/index.htm. ]]> 2022-12-10 18:32:15 UTC https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416482027 goff_cat https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416490226 The Industrial Revolution was a technological boom that took place in 1820 - 1840. This technological advancement specifically involved the manufacturing process, relying heavily on fossil fuel combustion. It was a massive contribution to carbon dioxide emissions and still has an impact on today's world. The Industrial Revolution allowed brands such as Winsor & Newton, founded by Scientist William Winsor and artist Henry Newton, to start the mass production of art materials. The Industrial Revolution had intense, long-term effects, likely permanent, on the earth's environmental health. It is for this reason that the start date of the Anthropocene most likely begins with the Industrial Revolution.

Citations
“Our History.” Winsor & Newton - North America, 26 Mar. 2020, www.winsornewton.com/na/heritage/our-history/.

“Industrial Revolution.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/event/Industrial-Revolution. ]]> 2022-12-10 18:53:29 UTC https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416490226 goff_cat https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416490424 Put simply. Contemporary art is produced in the second half of the 20th and 21st centuries. Contemporary art also opens the door to many more mediums, like digital photography and video art. Contemporary art lines up with the creation of acrylic paint. This art movement lacks the structure other movements have, such as the Impressionist movement. This lack of system plays directly into what Contemporary art is about. Contemporary art explores cultural identity, personal identity, and nationality. It also capitalizes on modern technology, which some belief is the death of creativity.

Citations
“Moma Learning.” MoMA, www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/andy-warhol-campbells-soup-cans-1962/. ]]> 2022-12-10 18:54:02 UTC https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416490424 goff_cat https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416490481 Acrylic paint was a significant invention in the art world. This new kind of paint was first invented in 1934 but wasn't widely used until the 1960s. Acrylic paint became such a popular medium as it was water-soluble when wet but dry and water-resistant. They also dry considerably faster than oil paint because they dry with evaporation instead of oxidation. Acrylic paints are also less toxic and much cheaper than other paints. Acrylic paint binder is an acrylic polymer emulsion. Acrylic paint gets its name from the use of acrylic resin, which is a thermoplastic substance. Thermoplastic substances are made from acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. Acrylic paints are often labeled as nontoxic, which creates the illusion that they are perfectly safe; unfortunately, this is untrue. When exposed to extreme heat, they produce several toxic chemicals such as acetal, ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, and acrolein. All of these chemicals can cause severe adverse effects on humans and the environment. Liquitex, founded in 1955, is one of the most popular acrylic paint companies. After looking at their safety data sheet, which is only accessible as a downloadable PDF, they clearly state, "Harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects."

Citations
Media, Snapwire. “Snapwire Custom Photos, Detail, Fragment, Painting, Wetpaint, Acrylic, Acrylicpaint, Art, Artsy, Create, Texture, Background, Abstract, Flowers, Colors, Brush, Oil, Technic by Julia Gaevskaya.” Snapwire Custom Photos, community.snapwire.co/photo/detail/56a00447ff44fdbb102a7897.

Wolfe, Shira. “Agents of Change: Acrylic Paint.” Artland Magazine, 16 Nov. 2022, magazine.artland.com/agents-of-change-acrylic-paint/.

“Pigments in Acrylics.” Pigments through the Ages - Pigments in Acrylics, www.webexhibits.org/pigments/intro/acrylic.html.

“What Is an Acrylic Polymer Emulsion?” Gellner Industrial LLC, 26 June 2018, www.gellnerindustrial.com/acrylic-polymer-emulsion/.

“Homepage.” Liquitex, 17 Nov. 2022, www.liquitex.com/us/.

World, Author Our Endangered. “Is Acrylic Paint Bad for the Environment?” Our Endangered World, 28 Nov. 2022, www.ourendangeredworld.com/eco/is-acrylic-paint-bad-for-the-environment/. 


]]> 2022-12-10 18:54:13 UTC https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416490481 goff_cat https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416495970 Raft for László is a collaborative project between Andy Holtin and Samantha Sethi for the LIGHT+WEIGHT exhibition. The piece was created using single use plastic floating on water and is continuously spinning. An LED impeded in the center of year plastic pile projects the shadows of the plastic on the walls around them. "LIGHT+WEIGHT is a rumination on the lives of materials, prompted by the artists’ attempt to understand and reconcile the disparate frames of time in which objects and our experiences with them exist." This piece was a commentary on how single use plastic is something we might interact with for only a moment but will be on this earth for thousands of years.

Citations
“Raft for László.” Samantha Sethi, samanthasethi.com/section/488505-Raft-for-L-szl.html. ]]> 2022-12-10 19:11:29 UTC https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416495970 goff_cat https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416496627 Solar Power/ Solar System is a collaborative installation by Andy Holtin and Samantha Sethi. The work explores how humans view our natural world from inside our technology-dominated world. This piece brings back a part of our natural world using the tools and technology that contributed to our distance from it. Solar Power/ Solar System uses solar panels to collect power throughout the day, then power the LED bulbs. These bulbs shine through the panel with the exact constellation in the sky above it. This piece was installed in Baltimore, Maryland, which like most cities, suffers from extreme light pollution.

Citations
“Solar Power / Solar System.” Samantha Sethi, samanthasethi.com/section/469178-Solar-Power-Solar-System.html. ]]> 2022-12-10 19:13:36 UTC https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416496627 goff_cat https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416498183 Art is seen as being free from all limitations and barriers. The freedom to use any materials to express one's personal identity and creativity is a highly coveted aspect of art. However, this means that art waste can be anything, from metal to wood to glass and all things in between. Art also requires lots of experimentation and trials, which can create even more waste. Some materials are highly hazardous if disposed of incorrectly. Many materials, such as resin, are highly flammable and should not be disposed of as ordinary trash. Proper waste disposal education must be a core part of art education. Kelly Olshan, the artist behind the "Artistic Waste" series, states, "People should pay more attention [to] what they pursue artistically with a conscious mind to do good things to the environment." Kelly Olshan collects waste and leftover materials from previous projects to create an artifact of the creative process.

Citations
Dani, Jiaxin Li. “‘Artistic Waste’- the Other Side of the Art-Making Process.” Medium, Medium, 10 Mar. 2016, medium.com/@Daniljx/artistic-waste-c4829734a267.

“Artistic Waste.” Kelly Olshan Art, www.kellyolshan.com/artistic-waste.html. ]]> 2022-12-10 19:18:45 UTC https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416498183 goff_cat https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416502368 In ancient times blue was a highly coveted color. Unlike red, black, or yellow, blue is not necessarily an earth color. While the color blue is found naturally, it is relatively rare. It is for this reason that Lapis Lazuli was a rather expensive pigment. In fact, at one point, it cost more than gold. This semi-precious lime stone rock originated from Afghanistan and made its way to Europe through the Silk Road trade. During the Italian Renaissance, Ultramarine Blue became incredibly popular in Europe. This color came from Lapis Lazuli and required a very detailed purification process. If the pigment was ground too finely, it would become a dull grey, very different than the vibrant blue it is meant to be.

Citations
“Colour in Art: A Brief History of Blue Pigment.” Colour in Art: a Brief History of Blue Pigment | Art UK, artuk.org/discover/stories/colour-in-art-a-brief-history-of-blue-pigment.

“Lapis Lazuli Quality Factors.” Gemological Institute Of America, www.gia.edu/lapis-lazuli-quality-factors. ]]> 2022-12-10 19:32:06 UTC https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416502368 goff_cat https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416503541 "The true artists see the world, the colors, the sounds, feel the heartbeat and the emotions in a different way than most of us do. They can paint, write, hear things that we can't." Art can be one of the most effective ways to bring attention to issues in our world. Scholarly articles filled with facts and academic jargon have difficulty reaching people as it feels like a very sterile medium. Art, whether that be visual art, music, or writing, connects with people on a much deeper level. Art has the ability to make people feel real, strong, and personal emotions about world issues that might not affect their daily lives. Artists often have a personal perspective on issues that connect them to real people and tell their stories.

Citations
Davenport, Rob. “Do Artists ‘See’ Differently than Other People?” Rob, 26 Mar. 2020, www.robdavenport-artist.com/single-post/do-artists-see-differently-than-other-people. 

Morning in a Pine Forest, Ivan Shishkin, Konstantin Savitsky, 1889, Oil on Canvas, 139 cm x 213 cm, Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow ]]> 2022-12-10 19:35:36 UTC https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416503541 goff_cat https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416504513 The technology boom in the last few decades has affected the art world greatly. Whether that effect is positive or negative is up for debate. Technology has brought about new ways for artists to express themselves. This can easily be seen through the use of electronics such as small compact LEDs and motors. Other mediums, such as digital art, have become much more accessible, which allows more people to dip their toes into the art world. However, these innovations have also had a negative impact on the creative process. The world has become so over-saturated with art as people can now crank out more work much faster than in the past. Technology has also created shortcuts in the creation process, which many people feel is stunting the growth of artists. For example, the ability to trace and project an image eliminates the step of drawing it by hand. However, this isn't a new technique unique to contemporary art since the 16th-century camera obscuras have been used to project an image for artists to trace the subjects.

Citations
Tate. “6 Artists Who Use Technology in Their Work.” Tate, www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/e/experiments-art-and-technology-eat/6-artists-who-use-technology-their-work.

Keener, Katherine. “A Lesson on the Camera Obscura.” Art Critique, 2 Mar. 2020, www.art-critique.com/en/2020/03/a-lesson-on-the-camera-obscura/.

Schreurs, Davey. “Technology Is Killing Art, Right?” Medium, DESIGN x INNOVATION, 22 Mar. 2017, medium.com/design-x-innovation/technology-is-killing-art-right-fc87f0fe5bd7.  ]]> 2022-12-10 19:38:52 UTC https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416504513 goff_cat https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416506497 With the help of technology, art is becoming more and more accessible to everyday people. Sadly, even though art is meant to be a field with no walls or limitations, many people wish to exclude those who don't fit their narrative. Debates on the definition of art and what qualifies as art have been circulating for years. However, once we create a line, art itself loses all meaning. No person can say that something is not art. You can, however, have an opinion of not finding it appealing. One of my art professors once said that he hates 97% of art, but that 3% is so vast that he decided to make it his career. People don't have to appreciate all works ever created, but we must respect the fact that it is art in its own right. The art world is messy, but many masterpieces are born from that mess. The future of the art world is impossible to predict, especially now. While art's impact on the environment might not be the most significant contributor, we all must stay vigilant and do our part. Every little bit counts in trying to save our planet.

Citations
Dmitry. “The Detail and Variety in This Futuristic Concept Art Is Mind-Blowing.” Design You Trust, 20 Jan. 2019, designyoutrust.com/2019/01/the-detail-and-variety-in-this-futuristic-concept-art-is-mind-blowing/. ]]> 2022-12-10 19:45:50 UTC https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416506497 goff_cat https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416537342 White - Introduction 
Red- Human Origins [Pre-Anthropocene]
Orange - Issues in the Anthropocene
Green - Humans in Cultural Relation with the Non-Human World
Blue - Taking Action 
Purple - Questions for the Future of Humanity

]]> 2022-12-10 21:34:43 UTC https://padlet.com/goff_cat/uafpzkg9qe5dzkb0/wish/2416537342