Stuart Collection at UCSD

Visit the Stuart Collection at UCSD. The newest of the 18 installation is Fallen Star by Do Ho Suh. Each site specific work add to the beautiful Eucalyptus lined campus.

Site specific installations are intriguing. Knowing they were created for the location in which they are placed and you get to view them, allows the viewer to get into the mind of the artist. When I encounter site specific artwork I start to think about what the artist must have been thinking in the creative process. I wonder if I am taking away from the artwork what the artist wished me to take away after my viewing experience.I wonder if I REALLY saw what I was supposed to see or if I overlooked something? I wonder if I over analyzed and was just to have experienced rather than thought about it.

Many cities have site specific sculptures located in public parks, downtown office buildings, and in airports. Next time you see one, don;t just walk by ... encounter it!


Class Assignment linked to the homepage of the class website - due no later than 4-15-13.

Class Monthly Artist Presentations/Report

I attached the rubric for the Class Artist Presentations on the HOMEPAGE of the class website.

The due date is the FIRST day of class for MARCH, APRIL, and MAY

Illuminated Manuscripts

Illuminated Manuscripts are made in great abundance during the Middle Ages and Early Renaissance. These texts provided an opportunity for the faithful to connect with the messages of the gospels. The images allowed those who were illiterate to remember the stories they heard. The manuscripts also allowed the faithful who came to Mass to sing the same hymns and follow along, unifying the people in attendance.

The BBC created a great Series on Illuminated Manuscripts and puts them in cultural contest. Watch the video to see the rich color of the images and go back in time to the era in which they were made. Watch a second BBC video about the Private Lives of Medieval Kings ... a story told through Illuminated Manuscripts.

The links are on the Ch. 20 Page of the class website.

Complete Discussion Board Response on Turnitin.com by 3-4-13

Test Chapters 19 and 20

The MC for EACH chapter is located on the Chapter's Page of the class website

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

TEST... Block Day 2-28-13
*** You may also use your workbooks on the test ***

Altneuschul in Prague

Prague's Altnueschul (Old-New Synagogue) is the oldest functioning synagogue in Europe. The building from the late 13th century reflects the geometric regularity that was a cornerstone of GOTHIC CONSTRUCTION. This is an adaptation of the GOTHIC HALL church for a non-Christian purpose. It differs from Christian churches as it does not "Seek Height and Light". The vaults are of equal height.

The schematic design shows the compartmentalization of the building. There was a central focal point to house th4e TORAH and an elevated platform for the rabbi to read from it. The building was considered a place for PRAYER as well as a COMMUNAL gathering place for learning. There was ONE entrance, opposite the wall that faced Jerusalem. Candles and 12 windows lit the way around the building.

Look at Sacred Destinations

for more about the building.

San Diego de Alcala by Pedro de Mena

The San Diego Museum of Art recently acquired the sculpture by the Spanish Baroque master. As of February 9th it will be on view in the European Galleries of the San Diego Museum of Art.

A lecture about this piece will be held at 10:30 AM on 2-9-13.

Attend this lecture to learn more about the acquisition of the sculpture from the

curators!

February and March BONUS Opportunities

As always...call the museum to confirm the programs are still being held as planned...

San Diego Museum of Art

Saturday 2-9-13 1:00 PM
Second Saturday Workshop: Landscape Painting

Free educator led Family Workshops in JOURNEY THROUGH THE CITY every Saturday and Sunday
Drop-in schedule: Saturday 1-2:30 and 3:30-5:00, Sunday 3:30-5:00
Workshop Theme: Transporting the Public

Journey Through the City: Building for Participation (current issues in urban planning will be discussed in relation to to this exhibit)
Wednesday 2-13-13
6:30 PM Reception
7:00 Lecture

Drawing in the Gallerias
Temple, Palace, Mosque Friday 2-15-13 2:00-4:00
Art of East Asia Friday 3-1-13 2:00-4:00

Teen Art Cafe
Wednesday 2-13-13
6:00-8:00 PM
Journeying Through the City

MINGEI Museum...
Film: Walking in the Shadows of Bill Traylor
Monday 2-11-13 6:00-7:30

Upcoming Assignments in February

Read Chapter 19 for Monday 2-11-13
Complete Discussion Questions (turnitin.com) #1 and 5

Read Chapter 20 for Thursday 2-14-13
Complete Discussion Questions (turnitin.com) #3, #7

Read Chapter 21 for Tuesday 2-19-13
Complete Discussion Questions (turnitin.com) #2, #5, #9

Read Chapter 22 for Monday 2-25-13
Complete Discussion Questions (turnitin.com) #1, #2, #3, and #6

The rest of teh month will be finalized here by Thursday 2-7-13

The Garden of Earthly Delights

Today we watched a BBC videoo (if you were in class we left off at 47 minutes). If you missed class, come by to get the WS ... the assignment is due no later than Friday.

FYI - BET Presentations will be Thursday!

In order to appreciate this work of art as it was intended to be appreciated, one must take themselves back to the era in which it was created. We CANNOT interpret it from a 2013 lens and do the artwork justice. Although Bosch did not date many of his paintings, this work has been attributed to the early 1500s...just prior to the Counter Reformation. The artwork contains images that defy reason. The symbolism is a moralizing tale that challenges the viewer to make choices...after being shown visual examples of VICES in action. He lets the viewer decide which path to follow...with scenes of The Garden of Eden and Hell flanking the center section displaying chaos and abnormality.

Detailed images of this enigmatic work can be found on The Hieronymous Bosch The Complete Works website.

Follow this link if you wish to read more about the symbolism of the artwork and the life of the artist.

Frank Gehry's Museum of Biodiversity in Panama: Panama Bridge of Life

Frank Gehry is one of the most innovative architects working today. His Museum of Biodiversity in Panama is one if his current innovative designs.

The building is Gehry's first project in Latin America reflecting 13 years of design and construction. It will open in 2013.

The building continues the style of Deconstructivism for which he is best known. Here he again uses a variety of materials to create organized chaos and a visually compelling exterior. The building itself IS a work of art.

Follow the link for more information about the Museum of Biodiversity.

Images of the interior of the museum can be found on the Bruse Mau Design site.

An article in the Panama Online Magazine

about the building.

Semester 2 Begins ....

Tuesday 2-5-13 we will watch a video

BLOCK DAY we will have student presentations based on the Beyond the European Tradition chapters you became an EXPERT on during Intersession

Friday we'll tie up loose ends from BET and move on to the EARLY RENAISSANCE next week.