ART 21 Response: Jeff Koons

 

Jeff Koons - Art Historian and Artist: https://art21.org/watch/extended-play/jeff-koons-art-history-short/ 

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQMUQzHtK3A

Words for his work: "Dynamic dialogues between subject matters," "emotional," "abstract" and "artists tend to collaborate with each other." Koons' work reflected his lack of expertise on art as a child. He wanted to create art to change his knowledge and experience as an artist. He was not afraid to seek help from artists around the world through past and current references. 

Popham, Peter. “So What Is It about Jeff Koons That Has so Captured Art World’s.” The Independent, November 15, 2013. https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/so-what-is-it-about-jeff-koons-that-has-so-captured-art-world-s-imagination-as-balloon-dog-sells-for-record-58m-8943284.html.

Element of Design: Color - the color value is what is emphasized to the viewer. The color's contrast in comparison to the background of the image is what catches the viewer's eye to the sculpture. 

Observations and Thoughts: The dog has four notable elements and principles that are easy to observe: shape, unity, value, and proportion. The shapes are the same throughout the form. However, the proportion sizes are different to define the realistic outlook of the form. The shapes create a unity to define the form as a dog by the attachment of balloons. Value is an important observation due to the material choices that were used. Balloons are reflective of value ranges and space in the surrounding atmospheres. The value ranges could define the transparency and good personality of the dog. The values are defined by the transition joints between the balloon shapes. Lastly, the work was created to combine abstract ideas with realistic principles. The abstract is the kitsch version of the dog. The realistic is the dog having three-dimensional forms that define a realistic dog's appearance.    

Wainwright, L. S.. "Jeff Koons." Encyclopedia Britannica, January 17, 2023. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jeff-Koons.

Principle: Balance - All of the balloons show equal importance to the viewer's attention due to its equal proportion size and length. 

Observations and Thoughts: The four elements and principles of design that were easy to observe were form, value, balance, and pattern. The forms look the same when the viewer observes them. Each of the objects seems to create a unified shape of a realistic balloon. The values are defined by the material used to create the forms. The materials allow for a value range to depend on the surrounding atmosphere. The balance principle is concerned when you look at all of the balloons. The balloons have equal importance to the viewer due to the forms' unchanging characteristics. The only difference in the forms is the lines and colors that define the balloons. The patterns of the balloons are defined by the unchanging qualities of each form. The unchanging qualities are additionally defined by the consistent proportion sizes of the balloons. However, the color pattern is not consistent due to a lack of rhythm or movement created in the unification of the forms. Lastly, this piece is a combination of abstracts and realism. The abstract qualities are defined by the methods and outcomes of the forms - the consistent color of the line and balloon. However, the realistic qualities are defined by the lines and balloon shapes that create the qualities of a balloon. 

 

Timothy Stanley Exhibit Experience

 

Artist Exhibit - Artist Timothy Stanley and I at the Crisp Ellert Art Museum

Thoughts: I enjoyed Stanley's conversation on "time" as a definition. "You should take the opportunity to perceive how other events or humans react in 'time'" means that humans have the capability to predict time as a mission and dynamic force. I asked Stanley what it takes to be a beginner artist. He stated: "always take your time" (Stanley). His perspective on time and advice connect the perspective of time's definition to how art is created in for a long-term period. Also, he stated that his inspiration came from creative storytelling through writing experience. However, his storytelling with art was the opposite of words. He conveyed a creative story "without words" (Stanley). Art is a world that is defined through visual communication. Stanley's perspective of words without syntactic expression changed my understanding of art versus writing and time versus quality.

Thank you, Mr. Stanley, for coming to the Crisp Ellert Art Museum!   

Elements and Principles of Art

 

Josh Artiga: "Temples"

Link: http://foundations3ddesign.blogspot.com/

Elements and Principles of Design shown in this art piece:

Repetition: Demonstrated with the forms outlining the structure

Shape and Form: Demonstrated with the three forms within the shape outline

Asymmetry and Scale: Shown through the proportion size of the vertical and horizontal scale - vertical canvas

Texture: Shown in the pyramid cube - ripple/plastic texture

Actual Texture: Shown in the whole forms - wood

Color: Shown with the beige color of the wood

Balance: shown with the importance of all three forms located inside the canvas

"Personal Photo (Art piece) - 'Mood Montage'" 

Elements and Principles of Design:

Repetition: Shown with the pattern sequence of the consistent faces 

Balance: Shown by the equal importance of the faces

Unity: Demonstrated by the faces showing emotions equally to the viewer

Color: Defined by the distinctions from the faces

Shape/Form: Shown by the figures in each Warhol hemisphere

Movement: Shown by the expressions in sequential order

Pattern: Shown by the themes expressed in each row - happier on the top; confused in the middle; and unhappy on the bottom

Value: Demonstrated by the photographed angles, highlights, shadows, mid-tones, and light from each figure.  

A Few of my Favorite Things

3D Clay Smiley Face: The smiley face is a personal interpellation to encourage me to be happy. Painted in a clay shop, I chose this object to encourage positive attitudes toward everyone!

Washington Nationals Teddy Bear: The Washington Nationals are my favorite sports team. I enjoy teddy bears as well. The combination of both items makes me feel happy about a passion I have.

Buc-ee's Doll: Buc-ee's is a happy place for me! I love the beaver, the doll, Buc-ee's' merchandise, and everything about its gas station/store. Buc-ee's makes me proud to be a St. Augustine resident.

Bucket Sea Shells:  Sea shells encourage me to think of a relaxing state at the beach. Sea shells allow me to think of the value and importance of life and healthiness. 

Sea Otter: I have had my IKEA baby sea otter doll for a long time. The otter doll encourages me to think about durability and strength. The sea otter's strength and durability encourage the heart to have a passion for success. 

Claymation Figure of Myself: I made my claymation figure in an animation class a few years ago. My claymation figure is a form that defines my characteristics as a cartoon person. The cartoon character shows how I shine as a caring and healthy person.  

Back Rest: My backrest is supposed to show how I relax. When I read or go to bed, I sometimes use the backrest to relax my mind from a long day. I do like it as a motivation to help me stay healthy and rest my body.  

Creativity I Admire

 

Christian Vergner - "The Tree in Me:" Ebert, Grace. “Art.” Colossal, January 17, 2023. https://www.thisiscolossal.com/category/art/.

Thoughts: The posture of the figure demonstrates how children develop and learn through maturity. The tree routes remind me of different parts of the brain developing and learning mental concepts due to their placements on the figure's head. The subject stepping out of the plant pot shows how the kid takes new steps due to his love for nature. The wood and leaves describe how the form performs happy characteristics to connect to the audience.   

Tillman Meyer-Faje - "Game Over, 2020:" Meyer-Faje, Tilmann. “Tilmann Meyer-Faje.” Ceramics Now, September 17, 2021. https://www.ceramicsnow.org/artists/tilmann-meyer-faje/.

Thoughts: I enjoy the nuanced details shown on the forms. The clay forms create distinctions that unify elements of war or battle. The battleship placements create a composition that demonstrates how war should be led by teamwork. The shapes converge to unify realistic forms of a mission by the navy. The only problem was the grey floor. There was no ocean or colors showing bloodbaths, waves, or ripples. 

Nari Ward - "Still Lives with Step Ladders:" Whitney, Kay. “Like a Rock: A Conversation with Nari Ward.” Sculpture, May 27, 2022. https://sculpturemagazine.art/like-a-rock-a-conversation-with-nari-ward/.

Thoughts: The semiotics shown by the text provide a giveaway to the viewer. The beer bottle quality seems consistent to an audience who may have less opportunity. The compositional placements and material choices seem to explain how a construction site may be used to help people in need. The surrounding area may be where prettiness and opportunity are located. The ladders and square groups may show how the less opportune people climb for help. Perhaps this piece could signify the qualities of life in a city versus the outside world. Cities cover up small spaces, while the world is larger.  

Louis Masai - "MEAT My Friends:" Louis Masai, “Juxtapoz Magazine - Louis Masai: MEAT My Friends @ Vertical Gallery, Chicago,” www.juxtapoz.com, May 1, 2021, https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/painting/louis-masai-meat-my-friends-vertical-gallery-chicago/.

Thoughts: The chicken shown in the foreground seems worried about where he is. The chickens are probably trapped in a boarding room. There is a monochromatic color scheme shown in the photograph that demonstrates the emotions chickens face in a sticky situation. However, the monochromatic idea does not focus on the subject matter strongly enough. The artists should have focused on the foreground chicken by blurring the background and mid-ground.