isabella-gliatta

[isabella-gliatta]

#forfurtherstudy

Sarah Sze

“Hidden Relief” Mixed Media, 168 x 60 x 12 inches, Installation, Asia Society, New York 2001-2004

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEjegKJwI0M - Sze recaps her journey through artistic discovery. She explains how she uses mass-produced, everyday objects to make unique works of art with movement, motion, and energy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN8hDXUTKZY - Sze shows her studio. She describes its evolution/expansion, and her artistic processes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaGB5vx1wpw - Sze discusses her piece “Measuring Stick” which explores the “measurement of time and space through the moving image.” She describes her inspiration, artistic process, materials, etc.

[isabella-gliatta]

Studio Project #2

“Art Day”

The process around this piece was simply to have fun. I had an idea of what I wanted but just winged it. I saved random items throughout the semester, such as tinsel my roommate had on her birthday, all those sticks that were part of a mat we used during wet felting, round cardboard from the packaging in my sister’s pots and pan set, etc. Going through the dollar tree, I shoved in my cart anything reminiscent of my childhood. As things started to come together, I realized what this piece made me feel and I dove head first into it. This piece is meant to represent “art days” I would have with my mom and my sister. We would cover the table and our chairs with towels (because I was a messy child) and bring out whatever supplies we had: watercolor, acrylic, brushes, pallets, paper, construction paper of all colors, scissors, scissors with fun edges, hot glue, glitter, foam, felt, beads.

Sarah Sze’s pieces cross media: moving projections, revoking pieces, pathways through and around. Her art is experience. To try and capture that, I added movement, sound, and smell. 

Movement - A revolving fan blows around string, feathers, hanging lenticular stickers (whose images move while they are blown about), and mirror shards (that shine speckled light and clatter against each other). 

Scent - The strings, fabric, sticks, and cardboard are doused in two fresh, comforting air fresheners; the sent is further spread via the fan. 

Sound - The mirror shards jingle as they bump against each other. In the background I softly played pivotal songs from my childhood (which were surprisingly recognized by many classmates).

[isabella-gliatta]

Studio Project #1

“Shirdal: the Sandal Shirt”

Crochet: the straps on the foots sandal along with the vines are crocheted. They are simple chains.

Something I already know: I used tape casting for the foot. I also sewed the fabric on the sandals and a magnet to the shirt; I’ve been sewing for years.

Something new: I’ve wanted to learn embroidery for years, but have never spent enough time trying. I tried a bit of embroidery for the action lines/grass on the shirt. I left my hoop at home, so I made a one out of a roll of tape and a rubber band. Turns out (hoop or no hoop), I am bad at embroidery.

Inspiration #1: “shoulder pals”. These are a relatively new type of toy/merchandise. It consists of a small stuffed animal with a magnet in its booty sold with a separate metal pad. The metal pad goes underneath your shirt and the stuffed animal is placed over the shirt. The magnet sticks to the metal pad, giving the illusion the plushie is sitting on you. I bought one of these at Disneyland of a cute porg (a creature from Star Wars). For this project, I needed a better way to attach the foot since the crochet chain and the piece of fabric wouldn’t be enough to hole it up while it is being worn. While racking my brain, I saw my little porg sitting on my desk. So I sewed a magnet to the inside of the shirt and taped one on the bottom of the foot.

Inspiration #2: The forest spirit from ‘Princess Mononoke’. This is a gorgeous animated movie that I’ve talked about at least 100 times in this class. There is a character who is, you guessed it, the spirit of the forest. He governs life and death. There’s a great shot of him walking where each step spawns life, but leaves death in its wake. I wanted to incorporate that here. The foot has vines and flowers hanging off of it and sprouts grass around its step. But there are several dark “dead” vines hanging off the bottom of the shirt - the death left behind.

I had a lot of fun with this project! I just don’t know what to do with this shirt now…

[isabella-gliatta]

~ P A P E R M A C H E ~

I am so sad! I had made a cute pink and white cup, but I hadn’t taken any pictures of it and I lost it in my move back home. (for proof that I participated) If you look at the far left of this picture taken in class, you can see my hand… rip my project

[isabella-gliatta]

~ C A S T I N G ~

a foot.

my art show piece

[isabella-gliatta]

~ F E L T ~

I made a Stegosaurus, a bird, a mushroom, and a fox. They are all friends :)

My wet felt. You can see the thinner areas where the light passes through

[isabella-gliatta]

~ C R O C H E T ~

some squares (can you tell which one was my first attempt at crocheting?)

ooooo look at how round that circle is

*gasp* it says a word! that’s so cool

i haven’t clue what this is, but it has a seam

[isabella-gliatta]

1.) To capture an overall feeling and atmosphere, not capture a scene with details. It can give a painting a better sense of motion, whimsy, and energy. It also can allow for more extreme/wonderfully inaccurate colors, lighting, proportion, etc.

2.) It means a lot! I do my best work in a stress free environment; this means a clean and open work area, all my supplies laid out for me to see and use, clear organization, care of supplies, etc. Clutter can really stress me out! When everythin is in its place, I feel like I can breathe. I have the freedom to move (myself, my art, and my supplies) around the space. I think its also important because I can’t sit still. I can’t move around in a cramped space!

I also want an aesthetically pleasing space the inspires me. Having nice decor better allows me to connect with my artistic side. Like how I feel more connected in certain churches: the difference between the cement walls and black rows of seat in a contemporary Christian church versus the beautiful Catholic churches I was raised in. Stain glass, statues, wooden pews, murals, tiles, candles, altars, banners and flower arrangements, gardens, etc.

Questions of the Week:

What’s abstraction good for? Describe some of the reasons why artists might employ abstraction in their work. 

What does having a physical space to make art in mean for your process and how do you make your space work for you?

[isabella-gliatta]

1.) Location can be very intentional. Putting a controversial piece in a location it’s in response to can evoke lots of emotion (ie. a statue of an assassinated figure in the location they were killed). And context provides further information to the viewer that can allow to better understanding (mentally and emotionally). For example, understanding the historical context behind a Depression era song can entirely change the lyrics and make the seemingly upbeat song x100 more emotional.

2.) Lots of doodles! I don’t know if I do this every day, but any moment I’m sitting down bored, I’ll sketch a little lizard or princess.

I also like to study light and shadows along with color wherever I’m at. Color is something I struggle capturing properly. If I see a fun shade or a color acting strange in certain context (ie a gray wall appearing different colors throughout the day’s sunlight), I try to rack my brain as to how I would mix that on a palette.

Questions of the Week

How does the location or context of a work of art affect its meaning?

Are there any particular activities you do everyday as an artist?

[isabella-gliatta]

1.) I consume art! Nothing gets me more revved up to create than a Studio Ghibli movie marathon! Or maybe watching Swan Lake or Tales of Hoffman on YouTube! Or maybe looking through my books on artists like Van Gogh or Di Vinci! I can quickly lose motivation, but revisiting what inspires me while always reignite my passion.

2.) Absolutely! Individual and personal change is what first comes to mind. There are many pieces that inspire messages and ideas in people and can truly change someone’s perspective. For example, I chose to analyze the lyrics of “There’s Nowhere to Go But Up” from Mary Poppins Returns for an English assignment; the lyrics have stuck with me since. They are very inspiring and moving, and anytime I’m in deep struggle, I blast that song and sing along! 

This effect can be seen on the larger scale and on the societal level. If a piece catches enough people’s attention and has a challenging enough subject matter, a society’s outlook can be entirely shifted. For example, “How the Other Half Lives” by Jacob Riis was a collection of photographs documenting the slums of New York in the late Victorian Era. It was a very, VERY stark contrast to the upper class living in the “Gilded Age” just blocks away. Riis was able to widely expose this truth to many people who were unaware of this issue. His work is still cited and referenced today as it remains very relevant.

Questions of the Week

What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work?

Can art provoke change or transform our way of thinking? How?

[isabella-gliatta]

1.) I feel like art materials have had a similar journey as food: as time goes by, it becomes more processed and man-made. Paints were once simply pigments from natural materials (ie berries). Now, I wouldn’t be able to read (or more specifically pronounce) an acrylic paint bottle’s contents aloud.

2.) Media, specifically social media, has had a mixed impact on my art.

Pros: 

regular/consistent exposure to many forms of art

other artists post their art, their techniques, speedpaints, recommended supplies, etc. I use this information as inspiration, advice, etc.

people may recommend/talk about other artists, art movements, films, music, etc. This opens up new doors for me and introduces me to new worlds I’ve never even heard of

find other like minded artists with similar interests and style

ability to share my own art

social media platforms can be used as a portfolio or just a way to share with friends

allows for exposure and constructive criticism

allows for connections and collaborations

I’ve become good friends with an artist (specifically film) in Oklahoma via TikTok. He is working on several projects (one of which might become a Netflix series) and has started a non-profit organization to encourage the arts in his city.

Cons:

distraction

social media can “suck me in” and I waste hours on it, rather than spending hours on my practice

makes me compare

its common for people to negatively compare themselves to others on social media

this can cause me to be discouraged from making new art and have a low self-esteem as an artist

Questions of the Week

How have the tools and materials of artists changed over time?

What impact do you think commercialism and the media have had on your work? Is this good or bad?

[isabella-gliatta]

1.)  Within society, art has many different roles.  Whether its a graphic t-shirt or a billboard on the highway, art is everywhere.  One main role of this everyday art is to grab our attention.  This can be utilized in advertising, store fonts/signs, product aesthetics, etc.  Society uses art to attract customers/an audience.  Within the church, art has historically been a way to depict events of the Bible.  This helps people, especially the lower class in previous centuries who did not have regular exposure to pieces of art, visualize the people and events preached about in church.  It also creates a spiritual atmosphere within the church (ie. stained glass windows).

2.) I’ve struggled with the idea of “being remembered” for a while. Sometimes, people who crave fame equate legacy to worth.  However, a very, very small percentage of people who have lived on this earth are remembered today; the world’s population isn’t without worth just because they aren’t remembered by their great-great-great-second-cousin-in-law-nephew. As an artist, the idea of a legacy seems even more important since our job, livelihood, and passion can be preserved throughout time. However, an artist must be a very important figure in history to actually be remember throughout time. For example, many female artists have been looked over throughout history; the first female artist to make a living in art (Artemisia Gentileschi) is not well remembered by our society at all. Even still, being remembered does not guarantee success or happiness. Van Gogh, who’s been a household name for over 100 years, was not successful in his lifetime, which was a catalyst for his suicide. 

In conclusion, being remembered means nothing. My children’s children's children, alongside the rest of society, will have no idea who I am unless I reinvent art (which I’m certainly not going to do). Instead of stressing to ensure my hypothetical immortality through my art, I am just going to do what makes me happy and die peacefully when the Lord plans it.

Questions of the Week

What role does art play in our society? What role does art play in the church?

How do you want people to remember your work?

[isabella-gliatta]

1.) Most important skill? Hmmm... The ability to envision? No, Glen Keane has aphantasia. Heightened senses? No, Beethoven was deaf when he wrote Symphony No. 9. Well rounded skill? No, my mom is a spectacular digital artist but doesn’t paint, doesn’t sculpt, and has such difficulty drawing. 

I think the most important skill is dedication! Practice may not make perfect, but it makes opportunity for learning and improvement. Without constant creating, there would be no creations. Without constant experimentation, there would be no improvement. Without constant exposure, there would be no exploration.

2.) I think the biggest risk I’ve taken in my art is expression of personal struggles and illnesses. The main consequence of this is criticism from loved ones; they have expressed concern that something this personal shouldn’t be shared. While I disagree with their logic, I have respected their wishes and “censored” (if you will) my art since.

Questions of the Week

What are the most important skills an artist can have?

What risks have you taken in your work and what has been at stake?

[isabella-gliatta]

1.) Many shifts have occurred throughout my life; it usually depends on what I’m “into” at the time. It could be animals (and I'll make realistic portraits of birds and cows and lizards), or anime (and I’ll draw and animate anime), or vintage fashion (and I’ll draw old movie stars or sew things), or video game soundtracks (and I’ll write music on the piano), and so on and so forth. It might be my ADHD, but I jump from hyperfixation to hyperfixation in a very passionate and timely manner. Keep in mine, I never loose these interests - they just continue to pile up and I don’t know what to do with all of them.

2.) An artist may express their relations and standings (or lack thereof) in their work. For example, artists called to act during the civil rights movement created art relating to their experiences in their society. Artists in high class Victorian Era England often had subjects who were also of high class or high political standing. A bored child in school (perhaps age 7 and perhaps with the name Onfim) may daydream and draw himself becoming an honorable warrior.

Questions of the Week

What shifts have occurred in your work?

How do the social identities of the artist relate to the work of art they create?

[isabella-gliatta]

1.) Yes! You Tina! Until taking one of your classes, I only viewed traditional art as “real art.” I even struggled to respect Picasso's work. And while I still don’t like Picasso’s art, I have a much better understanding of his work - and I do view it as art now. You have helped me open my field of vision to a wide range of possibilities, both as the viewer and as the artist. I have come to appreciate and celebrate forms of art I would once scoff at. I have come to create pieces of art I would never have thought of. My new exploration into 3-d art has been so much fun! I thoroughly enjoy creating these pieces; its seriously a blast. I just sit down and create whatever my hands what to create.

2.) I believe craft is a form of visual art. Visual because you can see it, and art because of the many possibilities through which one can express themselves and can create different aesthetics and appearances. What separates craft from different forms of visual art (such as illustrations and painting) is the process in which it is created and the 3-dimensional nature of the object. Crafts are very “hands on”; there is need for movement, a variety of tools, and change (ie sitting up and sitting down, changing materials and tools, moving to different locations) throughout the process. Sewing is something that comes to mind; to make a piece you will use lots of tools (patterns, chalk, scissors, pins, pin cushion, needle, thread, sewing machine, bobbin, fabric, buttons, ribbons, zippers, seam rippers, etc.), different settings (fabric store, your sewing machine, maybe your favorite chair to sit and hand sew certain pieces), and there is lots of movement (standing up at a table to cut out and lay out your pattern, threading the machine, moving the pedal and wheel on the machine, lots of moving throughout the space for different materials/tools, putting the piece on and off of a dress form, etc.). While forms of art like painting also require steps and tools (specific brushes, paint thinners, canvas, etc.), general the process remains stagnant (sitting in one place) and the tools will be consistent throughout (paints, brushes, and thinner).

Questions of the Week

Has there been a person or experience that has steered your work in new or significant directions?

What distinguishes visual art from craft?

[isabella-gliatta]

1.) My work has gone through quite the evolution. First, cartoons and copies of my favorite artists. Next, observations of the world. Next, glorifying God by looking into my inner being and personal struggles. Currently, I just want to have fun! This class has allowed to me just make whatever my hands decide. I have no clear and precise plan going into a piece; it changes and grows along the way. I just do what feels natural and right. I believe this comes from my Acting 1 class; some of the main lessons I learned in that class have been applied to so many areas of my life. For example, to act on first instinct: don’t overthink your actions and just commit to what your body naturally wants to do.

2.) Materials can the feeling of a work. For example, oil paints give a traditional and elegant feel to a piece. Oil paints are expensive and historically used by famous, traditional painters. Everyday items give a feeling of familiarity and accessibility. Sarah Sze uses items such as toothpicks, painters tape, and paper.

Questions of the Week

How would you describe your subject matter or the content of your work?

How do the materials used to make art influence the meaning of the work?

[isabella-gliatta]

1.) I can definitely see my work as being autobiographical. I have made many pieces that are inspired by or in direct response to my personal struggles. I believe every art piece I’ve made for Jessup art shows are an example of this. I like to use art as a visual representation of feelings and memories I can’t put words to.

2.) I find the historical context of a piece of art to be very fascinating and important. Understanding the historical context can change the entire feeling and message of a piece. For example, the song “Just a Bowl of Cherries” seems like a happy-go-lucky jazz song about staying optimistic. However, this song was written during the Great Depression as a way to cheer and inspire hope in audiences, as many artist do in times of struggle (ie Great Depression art, WWII art, etc.). Also, the most famous version of this song was sung by Rudy Vallee, a comedic singer who was very prominent in the Great Depression; he sometimes did take serious tones in his work, such as “Brother Can You Spare Me a Dime?”  This was just an initial example that came to mind when understanding how historical context changes the meaning of a piece to modern audiences.

Questions of the Week

Do you see your work as autobiographical at all?

How do history and the passage of time affect the meaning of an artwork?