The Cave Dwellers from the February 2014 Smithsonian Magazine

Read the article to learn more about ancient Italy. The interiors of the caves contain dramatic frescoes that are relatively well preserved.

The community of Matera is not unfamiliar to the world as it was used in Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, as well as other movies, as a stand-in for Jerusalem. According to the article, "In other Italian cities ... history is a black hole that sucks everything into it...[making] innovation difficult. [Matera] never had a golden age. The Renaissance, the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution - they all passed Matera by. There was nothing but poverty and exploitation."

The article describes the fascinating history of this community and its modern renewal. It is truly a location where time has stood still.

Discussion Questions on turnitin.com

Ch 20 Review: due 2-28
Select four examples that illustrate the Northern European desire to place religious scenes in contemporary settings. Explain your selections.

Ch 21 Review: due 3-4
Using at least five artists, explain why 15th-century Italian art and architecture are frequently called experimental. Cite specific examples in your answer.

Ch 22 Review: due 3-7
Explain why 16th-century Italian architecture is described as sculptural. Cite specific examples in your answer.

Ch 23 Review: due 3-10
How does allegory appear in the work of Pieter Aertsen and Pieter Bruegel? Cite specific examples in your answer.

Ch 23 Review #2: due 3-13
You have been asked to assemble an exhibition of paintings that illustrate economic conditions in Italy and Northern Europe in the 16th century. Identify the six paintings you will include and explain your selections.

YOUNG CONTEMPORARY ARTIST

Kieron Williamson is worth mentioning as part of our APAH class. Take a moment to check out his website!

This young artist is sophisticated in his skills. His use of color and perspective are advanced beyond his years.

His work is exhibited in galleries and is selling worldwide...

He is currently 9 years of age. The media has dubbed him "the next Picasso".

Steven and William Ladd's Exhibition at the Mingei Museum

The class will stop back in at the Mingei on May 1st when we go to the San Diego Museum of Art. We will see the current exhibition of the Ladd brother's titles Function + Fantasy.

This exhibition will give us an opportunity to look at THE PURPOSE for which an object was made, THE FUNCTION of an object, THE MATERIALS used to make an object, and the role of the PATRON.We will be able to connect this CURRENT WORK with PAST CULTURES.

Before the trip to the museum, check out their website so you can ask the docents questions and be prepared to make AP Connections...the test will be a FEW days after our visit!


The Artists' Website

New Technology Makes its Way into Art Museums

David Datuna has become the first artist in the world to integrate public art with GOOGLE GLASS. Viewers can see this revolutionary work where technology enhances art by visiting the National Portrait Gallery.

His artwork reflects not only his past experience working in an eyeglass store, but also his patriotism.

"Portrait of America" is a mixed media work. The background is red, white, and blue. Numerous pairs of glasses are attached to the work and images of significant figures in history lie under the glasses.

Viewers wear Google Glass to go deeper into the artwork. According to the artist, "when a viewer slips on Google Glass, and directs his gaze at a particular part of the flag, the device begins to play one of more than 50 video or audio clips". The technology also works in reverse. The artist explains, "these multimedia features are meant to provoke a reaction from the audience—one that is then recorded and shared in a live stream on the artist's personal website."

This revolutionary work may be the start of a trend...it will be exciting to see where other artists go with this idea!

Follow the link to read more!

Visit THE STUART COLLECTION at UCSD

to see contemporary site specific sculpture. The assignment is linked to the homepage of the class website and SOTW. It will be due MONDAY 4-28-14. It is a LONG TIME away...giving you plenty of time to get there...including Spring Break!

For more information, refer the the pamphlet I gave you in class or look on the Stuart Collection's

Website.

Duomo

The Florence Cathedral is what many art historians refer to as the beginning of the Renaissance. It is with this building that artists began to specialize, rather than remain "jacks of all trades". The dome of the cathedral is an engineering marvel.

Read the February 2014 National Geographic to learn more about the construction of the cathedral and the amazing marvel that is the dome.

Art Daily also has detailed information about Brunelleschi's Dome.

Proto Renaissance to the Renaissance (Chapters 19-24) and Artists Reports

I am working on a FIELD TRIP for this semester...

What I do have planned for February:

Renaissance Unit:
Submit the following to turnitin.com:
CH 19 DQ 1, 3 due Friday 2-7-14
CH 20 DQ 2,4 due Tuesday 2-11-14
Ch 21 DQ 2 due Thursday 2-13-14
CH 21 DQ 7 due Saturday 2-15-14
CH 21 DQ 9 due Thursday 2-20-14
Ch 22 DQ 7 due Friday 2-21-14
CH 22 DQ 10 due Monday 2-24-14

TEST + Museum Catalog ... each chapter's MC is on the each of the Chapter Pages on the class website ... 4 separate MC's so you can work on one at a time if you wish
Thursday 2-27-14, Friday 3-7-14

Additional Assignments:
Harlem Renaissance Artists Project due Tuesday 2-18-14
Chapter 23 Workbook due Monday March 3, 2014
Chapter 24/25 Workbook due Thursday 3-6-14

Chapter 23-24-25 Workbook Pages in correspond to our text chapters 23 and 24
complete the following from WKBK 25:
DQ 2, 4 due 3-18-14
DQ 5,6 due 3-20-14

TEST Chapter 23/24 and MC (rubrics posted on Ch. 23 & Ch. 24 pages of class website) on 3-27-14

UPCOMING:
March Artist/Architect Reports - (1314ClassArtistReport document linked to homepage...same rubric for each report) due March 14 and 28
April Artist/Architect Reports - due April 3 and 14
May Artist/Architect Reports - due May 1

Semester Two Bonus Opportunities

Attend Monuments Men movie
Bring your movie ticket stub to class for an assignment

Attend a program at San Diego Museum of Art or the Museum of Contemporary Art
1. Bring your admission Ticket signed by an employee
2. Take a picture of yourself at the event
3. Bring artifacts from event to the next class period (notes, art made, etc).
The SDMART brochure is also in the classroom
***Always contact the museum via phone to make sure the published event is still on schedule!

DISCOUNTED San Diego Museum of Art admission Feb 7th-March 15th with Monuments Men ticket stub...you can view TWO artworks that were part of the efforts detailed in the movie!

For more information on San Diego Museum of Arts events look under Programs and Events tab on their home page
For more information on the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego...look at Events tab on their homepage

*** The Museum of Contemporary Art has FREE THIRD THURSDAYS .... look for those dates
*** San Diego Museum of Art has Resident Free Tuesdays