What is Art?

Ok, so as my first college semester comes to a close here in December my mind goes back to those very first weeks of class where in my English class my professor asked me to write an in class response to this question “What is Art?” All I remember is me sitting in my desk confused as to what to say, trying to carefully formulate a complicated yet sophisticated answer for my first submission of any writing in my college career. I sat attempting to come with the answer I thought would be impressive and valid from her perspective instead of formulating my own unique untainted response.  So here is my best and most honest attempt to explain what my answer should have been that morning with that assignment.

What is Art? A phrase so generic it’s almost confusing has rung vivid in my mind since one moment in ninth grade. My awkward ninth grade English teacher for the first time all year managed to get one murmur out of our class for the first time that year when he broke our loud discussions as we walked in the room with a deliberate throw of a chair. We all stared, I remember thinking “Wow this guy is literally insane.” He stood in front of the class asking “is this art?”, “do you think this is art?”

At the time just beginning my “own” life as a teenager ready to take on the world I didn’t quite know how to respond. Throughout school since kindergarten and elementary school and middle school we were always given a black and white answer. We always had a right and wrong answer and we always knew when we didn’t quite understand a topic. At this moment my mind was blank. 

Art? What is it? Well it’s art. Art is something with no limits no boundaries per say unless someone’s impressions or views are applied to it.  Art is based on perspective which makes sense because that is what art thrives off of.  This very moment as I write this I realize that the question ““What is Art?” doesn’t even have a grey answer. If it isn’t black white or grey what is it? I guess it’s whatever color you choose to make it right?

Art can be found everywhere it just depends on what angle (mentally and physically) you chose to view the world at. Art is what you make of it. Plain and simple, and I guess sometimes feeling like there isn’t quite the clearest answer needs to be okay. When I wrote “ Art is something that evokes emotion.” In my reflection in class that day in September I never thought that maybe just maybe art could be something that sets of a lack of emotion. I never thought to look from a new perspective. Art has an infinite number of possible perspectives, to understand “art”  you just have to find whatever perspective exists in your mind frame. Maybe you haven’t even found it yet. But all I know for now is the term “Art” is what we make of it. “Art” is one of the most diverse, open ended words we have in the English language.  

                                  Which one of these is art to you?

 

 

                                 

 

Vs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These pictures were found at these websites if you want to take a look:

 http://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/3d-sidewalk-art-kurt-wenner.jpg

http://yourartlinks.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/coffee-art.jpg

Blog Comment Postings

Week 1:  http://quirkyconfessional.blogspot.com/2012/09/affirmative-action.html?showComment=1347588505012#c51005016370731959

Week 2:  http://daniellegordonmartin.blogspot.com/2012/09/sarah-bernhardt.html?showComment=1348269701348#c7086322391287472893

Week 3: http://contemplationsoacck.blogspot.com/2012/09/backyard-wonderland.html#comment-form

Week 4: http://dcbornandraised.blogspot.com/2012/09/arboretum-adventures.html?showComment=1349545783149#c7133115574980775625

Week 5: http://morgannsays.blogspot.com/2012/10/good-will-hunting-movie-review.html?showComment=1350265793612#c8904247619851708846

Week 6: http://the1meltingpot.blogspot.com/2012/10/movie-review.html#comment-form

Week 7: http://jspellman94.blogspot.com/2012/10/good-good-will-hunting.html?showComment=1351044389726#c8088532947304326687

Week 8: http://articulatingtheartsatpennstate.blogspot.com/2012/10/good-will-hunting-movie-review.html?showComment=1352055879246#c7586813353761851253

Week 9:  http://imporvedartsmarts.blogspot.com/2012/10/social-network.html?showComment=1352057088757#c3173594925431115590

Week 10: http://daniellegordonmartin.blogspot.com/2012/10/scream-2-movie-review.html?showComment=1352864592584#c743696267836197662

Week 11: http://haileyhere.blogspot.com/2012/11/in-red-and-brown-water.html#comment-form

3.  "Hi Ms. S, I completed my SRTEs!" 


"Rocky Horror"

 

 

http://www.firehousetheatre.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/rhps-lips.jpg

October 26^th my older sister and I went out on a limb and accepted our coworkers request for us to come see his show “Rocky Horror Picture Show” with his very own shadow cast at the state theater. The State theater, what in my mind had always had a school association soon progressed to not just a place where I have class, but a place where people can have an interesting unique artistic experience.

Just off the edge of the Penn State University Park is the State Theater, some people may know it as a part of the campus considering the fact that the theater offers its facilities to a number of film study  classes during the day ( including the course I am currently taking called Communications 150). Now before my sister and I went to see this show we had next to no idea what we were getting ourselves into, the most we experienced was the “Glee” episode remaking the film in a theatrical show (which is yet another medium the film is expressed).  So basically we had no idea. We attempted to ask around and see what it would be about but no one quite gave us a proper definition.

As we walked up to the state theater around midnight again the night of the 26^th by sister and I were a little apprehensive. As we walked up to the entrance of the state theater we were graced with the view of the shadow cast,  a group of men and women in fish nets high heels  and tons of makeup. Feeling a bit out of our element we tried to escape into the theater without pulling any attention to ourselves. After buying our cherry coke, large popcorn and small package of twizzler’s my sister and I looked to find a comfortable yet private spot to sit.  

As the film began and my sister and I attempted to watch the movie we found it hard to concentrate! While attempting to watch the shadows cast and watch the movie that audience would yell and then break out in laughter over and over! This really was not something I was accustom too! I was used to the audience who shut off their phone and whispered to their friend!  “Rocky Horror” apparently to my surprise is a type of call and response and relies on the audience interaction, which is what made it so iconic and different then the other films during the time. After struggling to hear the movie the audience began throwing things toward the stage for example toilet paper by the rolls was thrown and unraveled until it reached the actors on stage.   Even though at the beginning of the experience I felt extremely uncomfortable by the end of the film when everyone stood up and danced while throwing confetti at the end of the film I gladly stood up a joined.

What I learned from this experience is always google what you don’t understand hahaha! Always find a way to inform yourself on what you are headed to be because you may actually have a chance to enjoy the event more! That night was a blast and extremely fun even though I was outside of my comfort zone. I’ve learned from that that art of any form can open your horizon to new things and different experiences that you may find interesting! So open up and allow yourself to discover those events. Now I need to actually watch “Rocky Horror” on my own to hear the story line so maybe I wont be quite as confused :P and maybe some of the comments I heard shouted at the screen will make some kind of sense :P who knows ?

Art of the Unseen

 

 

Ever since my English class in 12^th grade I have vowed to love and appreciate the little things in life. It all started when we had to go around that room and say something about ourselves. Me being a girl born and raised in State College, being one of a family of seven and never having left the country never quite had the most interesting to say. So this time, this time I sat in my chair as people spout off about their trip to Rome over the summer, or their family vacations to the beach. I sat and wondered what I could talk about my summer simply consisted of television most days with my routine morning schedule of    Wheel of Fortune then the Fresh Prince of Bel Air and then about mid afternoon I went to work at Giant, I really used that as an escape.  As the flow of voices stopped I realized it was my turn to share.  I found myself talking about the plethora of candy I bought and enjoyed and my different work experiences. Sure my discussion of candy and my embarrassing work stories defiantly interested me however I didn’t quit get the ideal reaction from my audience.

 

Much of the art the world has to offer goes unnoticed, unappreciated and undiscovered and my goal from now on is to make the undiscovered seen by not only myself but by the masses. Just by becoming more aware of our surroundings along with being a part of your surroundings you can see a lot more beauty in the world. Looking at such obvious beauty like the Arboretum this year proves to me that the same amount of beauty can be found in the simplest way it’s just a matter of your eyes being open to truly see what’s in front of you.

One dark Friday afternoon I sluggishly left my political science class walking down the same road down towards the hub. My head bent tiredly towards the pavement and my eyes were caught in the beautiful fall pattern of the pathways. I asked myself “How have you never seen this before?” After that first moment of recognition I find the mosaic of leaves caught in my train of thought and caught in my heart. I’ve learned slowly but surely to appreciate the beauty of the pathways that so consciously lead me to my class even if I am not quite conscious myself.

 

It's the subtle art that captures my heart. It’s the subtle are that carries our environments beauty every day. The unseen art allows us to breathe in fresh air and relax when stress consumes our mind. My perception of art is no longer restricted to the art in museums or the places entitled with regard and wonder. My heart has taken a liking to the simple wonders of the world.  I’m reminded how a simple cup of hot chocolate can make my evening, how looking out the winder with a nice winter frost can be cozy and refreshing. How a simple flower with missing petals if given to you by the one you love can hold so much meaning and love. The simple things even though they are not quite profound mean the most to me and hold the utmost respect and appreciation in my heart.  So I’ll leave you with a simple question. Take a look at your surroundings and where you are sitting, does anything catch your eye?

* Sorry pictures worked for a while and stopped working hahaha im not quite sure what happened...hrmm

In the Red and Brown Water

          

         " Oya, Oya in the air," repeated in one of the first scenes of the play as Oya ( the main character) dreamed and her peer characters Mama Moja, Aunt Elegua, Nia and Shun stood above her illuminated in light and warned the audience of her tale. Oya a teenager from the Louisiana Bayou, fanscinated with running and full of life seemed to have everything going for her. Recruited by a coach with the possibility to go to college at a state university with a full ride. Oya loved by many of her fellow towns people took the fancy of multiple boys. Shango, a cool suave man who never wanted to commit unless it was absolutely the only solution. Ogun, a responsible yet "safe" man in Oya's eyes who at the beginning of the play struggles to conquer a stutter. And Elegba, and young niave boy who acts like a younger brother to Oya.

       Oya's character loves to run, she is always running she is always beat the other girls and held her spot when put agains the boys. No one would stop her from running. "A man from state" also known as what we call today a scout came and offered her a position on the track team at his college for the upcoming fall semester. She refused in fear that her mother might die while she was away at college, Oya knew she wouldn't be able to live with herself if something happened to her mother while she was away. Oya full of hope told the scout that she would get stronger and faster and keep running in hopes of trying again the next year. The scout warned that there may not be a spot, Oya as always was still hopeful.

       As the year went on Oya's mother passed away. As everyone visits Oya on her front porch ( a setting so commonly used throughout the play) Oya sulked for a few moments and then remolded into her rightful position as other towns peoples rock. Elegba visits her, instead of offering consolment he begs and pesters for her to offer some to him. At this point, when Oya was at her low in life Shango enters her mind. Shango came to visit her holding her in complete respect due to the death of her mother. This scene marked the beginning of their fatal relationship. Becoming one of a series of "suave" and charming porch visits he would have with her throughout the play, of course until her started staying with her and their relationship progressed. One day Shongo appears infront of the very porch Oya always sits on dressed in an army uniform. He was deployed.

       As time passed again and no word or visit from Shongo happened Oya was visited on the porch by Ogun. A man highly respectable, a man who had an ordinary life and a man who has loved her since he saw her. He begged and pleaded for her to let him take care of her. He promised her a family. As time slowly dragged on Oya found herself more and more unhappy with her safe Ogun choice. She thought the relationship lacked the spark she had with Shong, it did. Slowly but surely Oya pushed Ogun away, as girls in the town got pregnant and started raising a family of their own Oya sank into a deep depression.

        One day a girl named Shun from the town accompanied by her friend Nia approached Oya and told her she was carrying Shongo's baby. At  this moment Oya realized she would never have a family no matter how much she begged and needed one. She would not find the happiness others had. The man from state returned again to tell Oya that there was no place for her. Shongo returns from war again stands outside Oya's porch while she gets his present inside the house. She cut of her ear. The ear he always caressed, the ear the represented their love. He left her bleeding on the ground  near her porch, alone.


         Oya spent her life living for other people. She at first rejected the man from state to live with her mom and see her everyday until her end. When she should have gone and become the track star she had the potential to be. Then she waited on her porch for Shongo. Night after night when her body and who she was with in her life has moved on and changed. The most important thing I took from this play is dont get stuck. Whether it means physically stuck or mentally stuck just dont allow yourself to feel this way. Live your life for you, live your life the way you want go where you want because if you get stuck everyone else will move on without you and you'll be alone. When you put your goals on the backburner you wont be able to turn around and heat them up again.

       

          This performance of In the Red and Brown Water is not only an intriguing unique story but also held some unique and talented preformers. One aspect of this preformance that I relly loved was the singing. Not just the casts and ensembles regurgitation of the music written in the original score but the way they brought it to life. The beginning dream like scene enhansed by the chorus humming together tunes that would soon be reflected by main songs throughout the play. One of my favorite sceens being the church seen not only did the actor Phil Young, playing Ogun give an impressive onstage preformance of his gospel capabilities he somehow captured my attention and encouraged my to clap along him and his cast members. And I did, which is an impressive feet to begin with. The acting in this play was also very intriguing we didn't see actors simply acting the story out on stage.

         However one thing continued to bother me throughout the play. The setting. Yes I knew the play was to take place in Louisiana current day everytime I looked at the stage it did not evoke that to me. With this undefined, frustrating issue I had with setting I also found the costumes to cause the same type of confusion. Yes I knew that it was hot out. But why were some of the characters not wearing shirts and just wear strips of cloth overthemselves? I at some moments found myself confused as too why Elegba would momentarily be wearing a modern hat or or why Shongo was wearing a military uniform. The setting and the costumes I felt needed work. But overall did not impact my over all satisfaction with the performance and story line of the play.
   
         I have been involved in many different theater productions myself. Both being in a show, on a tech crew, being producer, and even in a pitt orchestra. I know that these types of performances take A LOT of work and time out of the participants. To get a show to that level of performance perfection and complicated choreography I expect it took too many hours too count. Overall I thought it was a very nice show. It made me think, it was different and it was thoughtful every step of the way. Sure I would need to see it a second time to make more sense of some areas of the play. But who knows maybe I just might! :D


      

* Photos of Penn State Univeristy Production of In the Red and Brown Water
All photos recieved from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pennstatelive

Mona Lisa Smile




           

http://userserve-ak.last.fm

 



http://.bp.blogspot.com

       







          
 
          Would you choose to be a “loving mother and wife” instead of joining the elite at Harvard Law School? What would your mother do? What would your grandmother decide? Set in the 1950’s Mona Lisa Smile challenges not only the values of its Diegetic world but those of the audience. It questions the idea of stereotypes.  I, a woman immersed within the current college generation am looking at this old fashioned depiction of college. Maybe time is not as definite as we all define it to be?

            Held to such high social standards, young women were expected to hold a high place even in education. Mona Lisa Smile specifically highlights the lives of “high class women” attending the most elite college strictly used to mold women, Wellesley. These girls with brilliance, beauty and grace were required to continue higher education until they got married. Katherine Watson (Julia Roberts), 30 years old and a recent graduate of UCLA eagerly applies for an open position in the Art History department at Wellesley College, she receives the position. Eager to transform the brightest female minds in America, she in the beginning of her new position struggles to challenge the minds of her class. Instinctively ignoring the studies of traditional art – the girls already knew these ideas- she opened their eyes to a life they did not know existed, creativity, intelligence and independence. Intermixed with her passion and career we follow the lives of some of her key students, Betty Warren ( Kirsten Dunst), Joan Brandwyn( Julia Styles) , Giselle Levy ( Maggie Gyllenhaal) and Connie Baker (Gennifer Goodwin).

            Instead of purely focusing on Watson’s “anti-house wife” motives within the film we saw perspectives from all sides of the argument. Joan Brandwyn, one of Watson’s best students asks for help to apply to Harvard Law School. Watson makes it her quest to do everything to make sure Joan goes, especially once she was indeed accepted to the program with a full scholarship. At one point of the Film Watson approaches Joan trying to convince her that she can be both a wife ( to her boyfriend of many years) and have a successful career Joan says this, “Sure you did. You always do. You stand in class and tell us to look beyond the image, but you don't. To you a housewife is someone who sold her soul for a center hall colonial. She has no depth, no intellect, no interests. You're the one who said I could do anything I wanted. This is what I want.”  This scene not only fuels the fire of the sexist stereotypes of the 1950’s but forces Watson to rethink her approach. She will inspire but not pressure.

http://.bp.blogspot.com

               This college film unexpectedly focuses on the teacher –student relationship at a transitional point of life and history. It accurately depicts the sturdy, strict control of women during the 1950’s. Refreshingly this film addresses the party aspect of college in a realistic light way. The girls thought under extreme supervision found outlets to drink and smoke with their friends, however this by no means played its usual excessive role in the film.

            Even though this film was not quite “action packed” or dramatic it was nice to watch a film about college that was not over the top, unrealistic and vulgar. Mike Newell, director of  Mona Lisa Smile (2003) directed other well known films including Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005), Love in the Time of Cholera (2007) and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010). Newell, conceptually within Mona Lisa Smile fought the ideas of stereotypes, yet his characters seemed to play the “stereotypical” personalities found in every typical film about school. The whore ( Giselle Levy), the uptight conservative who does not budge from tradition    ( Betty Warren), the pure nice academic ( Joan Brandwyn) and the eccentric flamboyant bunch of the group ( Connie Baker). Newell assuming this “dynamic” group of friends would stand out proved to be inaccurate. This was the “cliché” aspect of the film I could have done without. It was “nice” but not an out of the ordinary strategy within the film industry. However the flaws within their friendship, the fights, the manipulation, and guilt trips added a smidge of realism to this overdone, manmade relationship. Realism is also boosted by the authentic 1950’s characters wardrobe as well as captured by the beautiful imager y of the fall season.  Mona Lisa Smile artistically allows the audience to be a part of the characters story instead of watching the story.

            Sure Mona Lisa Smile on the surface of the plot represents college life for women in the 1950’s, however I found it enticing, different and thought provoking. Surprisingly I had an initial lack of enthusiasm going to see this film, but walked out of the theater reflective and conscious of my own life and what my future holds.  Who knows maybe more school is in my future. Maybe I will travel across the world with only a backpack full of my favorite kind of candy. It doesn’t matter because Mona Lisa Smile showed me that it’s all up to me and what I want.

 

 

 

 

References:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001565/

.bp.blogspothttp://.com

"Bed of Roses" ~Bon Jovi

The Arboretum

 

           









     
             So, as you may know yes I am a towny ( and if you didn't read my "About Me" page :P ). "The Arboretum" is almost legendary to me. In high school everyone talked about it I'd hear "Oh we need to take pictures at The Arboretum," I'd shrug it off. I drove by that beautiful architectural fountain almost everyday of my life. I remember wondering what that fountain was, it evoked a sort of curiosity and adventure but I never brought myself to go. I've see Prom pictures by the hundreds on facebook, but I never consciously understood that behind them was this beautiful treasure right here in State College. I honestly never knew where The Arboretum was until this year, the morning I moved into East Halls at Penn State. The fountain, caught in my memory, enticed me to go to it. The first night I was close to the gardens was with my friend Taliya.
 

         We earlier that day picked up audition forms for one of the accapella groups at Penn State. We were anxious to practice. But where could we go at 9 o'clock at night and sing our lungs out without  hurting others ears? I suggested the fountain. Granted it was quite the walk, but once I stood in front of the it, I was speechless. I stood completely still staring at it for probably a good 2 minutes. Which is along time for me to be speechless :P. It had some kind of beauty, some kind of wonder and it was in my reach. I was tempted to jump in, sadly with one dip of my foot I realized the water was too cold. As we focused and searched for the perfect songs we sat around the illuminated fountain when, a couple, dressed nicely walked around the water holding hands. We quickly stopped our loud singing and tried to not act embarrassed of the singing they heard. Like a typical nosy teenage I veered around the fountain to see what they were up too. The man slowly released the grip of his hand from hers. And quickly wrapped his left arm around her waste and brought his right hand up to meet her left. With a slow rocking back and forth, they smiled and looked into each others eyes. OK, so this may seem alittle creepy, I promise I didn't mean to be watching so much! But this moment is caught in my mind, this garden to me holds an element of fantasy and romance. 

         

          So basically before this past trip I'd only ever been to the fountain once. I went on Saturday this past weekend. This was the first weekend in five weeks I got to spend time with my boyfriend Justin (who goes to school in Pittsburgh). The weather that day was slightly grey, and cold. But the romance of the garden still gripped my being. From the breath taking flowers, to the slightly strange, peculiar flowers, to the bushes and trees and interesting architecture The Arboretum is absolutely perfect. I have never spent so much time looking at nature. Understanding nature and loving nature. One good point Justin had brought up as we were walking was the perfect symmetry of the flowers. It's amazing that something can be so perfect. Every single petal molded and constructed to match. Granted nature can have its flaws just as anything can. But people hold nature and flowers to such a standard, one of perfection and beauty. It was interesting to see flowers that had little wrinkles , creases and imperfections. The abundance of flowers was impressive but the variety of the flowers impressed me more. The colors of flowers pop with such brilliance and beauty. They are bold and beautiful and yet extremely delicate.

 

 

 

        As Justin and I walked through the Arboretum it began to rain, so of course we ran for cover. We sat on the pebbled ground under the beautiful entrance canopy spot. Not one made of  flowers but one with beautiful, white curtains. We looked at the view of the land stretched out in front of us. He said " This is what I miss the most." The amount of beauty that is around us State Collegians every single day is so enormous :P . Going there has made me appreciate the beauty of my surroundings more. It gives me chills. It makes me fall in love with nature, the colors, the smells, the symmetry, the beauty and ultimately life. I hope people appreciate it as much as I have and will for the rest of my life.
 

 







    



" Night at the Museum "

Harunobu Suzuki

Japanese Woodblock Printing (1725- 1770)

                Before exploring this piece in particular I thought I'd give you some background information on this classic Japanese art form. Woodblock Printing is actually renowned for being extremely challenging to complete. The production of these pieces usually includes the help and work of multiple people. To achieve the finished beautiful ending product the artists and specialists would have to first undergo multiple steps to finalize production. The first roles of the publisher and the artist and the crucial roles of the project. The artist runs every step by the publisher, the artist also sketches the first preliminary outline for the woodblock pattern and then traces it in black and white ink just to solidify the outlines of the image then he passes it on the the carver. The carvers role in this process is to put the white mountain cherry wood ( one specifically chosen so it would no warp) underneath the outlined paper (with the image), once the wood was underneath the image the carver would then apply some kind of oil to reveal the desired black lines of the design made by the artist. Once the e first block for the black ink was done, one block had to be made for every other color remaining color of the design ( this step of the process takes days to complete). After the carver finished extensive work on the piece the printers would handle the finishing touches. The printers actually made the ink (homemade!) for every printing after this they would use the ink they made and apply it to the block with brushes. Keep in mind these printers are the ones who gave depth and shading to the art.

                   After this extensive artistic process is finished much of the art comes out as pristine examples of the Japanese culture. With delicate colors and fine black lines these Woodblock Printings become representations of their culture, the artists and society as a whole during the era they were made. One example of this artistic for is the Woodblock Printing that caught my eye at the Palmer Museum ( towards the west end of Penn State Campus) its title is Ishiyamadera Shugetsu. This particular Woodblock representation caught my eye amidst a room fully devoted to Japanese Woodblock Printing. This printing is a depiction of a Japanese writer Marasoni Shikibu sitting in the temple Ishiyama to write the famous and classic Japanese romance The Tale of Genji. This tale not only is renowned for its complex story line and language,  but it is also considered the worlds first legitimate novel and by many people the worlds first psychological novel. Marasoni Shikibu during her time a thousand years ago as a lady of Heian Court of Japan used and adapted the complex language and the poetic conversation of the time for the story's main purpose was to entertain the court. During Shikibu's time Japanese literature mostly consisted of collections of poetry maybe including some select memoirs of the time.
                    During the ear of the Heian Court ( A.D. 794-1185) the so called "courtiers" of the court system were never seen or heard from. They were allowed to be seen by two people in their lives their father and their husband. However on normal days where the men would carry on duties for the court the women were kept in confined rooms away from society and unseen by the public. For very much of their lives the courtiers of this era had no idea what was going on within their own society. These women were judged on their script, writing of poetry and breeding potential. So as these women were kept from society and kept from the "living" aspect of life they found escapes through novels, through stories and poetry about crazy romance where the woman was literally swept away by  her night in shining armour through the bleak and cold nights. These stories of passion and life would keep them from struggles within their own life. Who doesn't like a good story once in a while to distract you from your life? Everyone uses novels such as this one to forget the unforgettable for at least a few minutes of our day.
                       So now today we have this representation of Shikibu sitting and beginning her novel. A woman who once within society was shielded from the public, not see by anyone is now seen by thousands ( probably even more) people around the world every single year. This piece to me represents this unfolding of Japanese courtier women onto society. These rare gems ( women ) were once kept from society and hidden not allowed to show their true beauty or collect their worth. This block printing represents the times changing, women are today becoming gradually equal members of society, we are able to hold our own. This piece marks the beginning of a change and the beginning of influential women in history.  
              This piece's claim for me as a woman of the twenty first century plays on both logos and pathos. This printing displays logos because it historically in known as the beginning of influential women in history and the first defiance of ones "status quo" position. This is the start of a very long timeline for women around the world not only in Asia. This crucial moment in history has been kept from my mind my entire life until this very day. Personally I feel inspired that a woman of a sexist court about a thousand years ago wrote what has come to be known as the first psychological novel written. The most interesting part of this Woodblock printing in particular for my eyes was the soft peach color pallet and the dark wash green. It set itself apart from the other printings (that were harsh and bright in color). That coincides with the statement it secretly makes, women can be soft and pretty, women can be pleasant to the eye, women can stand out and women can also go down in history. Even through the outlines of the painting are faint and hard to see the image remains credible (it isn't supposed to be an exact portrait of the writer). This classic printing's message will clearly and boldly go down in history for many years to come.
             The Palmer Museum is and interesting place to look at art. It's a culture mixed of residents of State College (that probably make a ritual visit every week), new Penn State students just finding something to fill their time between classes and devoted Art viewers from across the country. The atmosphere is nice and calm and quiet. The paintings are as grand and pottery as diverse as they would get in say a New York museum or ones in Philadelphia with no cost to the appreciative audience. Of course I'd go again! This was one of many visits of mine! I remember in seventh grade going on a field trip to the Plamer to sketch the museums architecture to learn about landscape and perspective(then of course we took a look inside the museum as well)! All in all I'd say this little quaint museum has its perks its easy and low key to enjoy. My personal favorite aspect of the museum is the collection of pottery from around the world and throughout different eras. For me these "unknown artist" works have a sort of romance to them. You can imagine these vases in someones living room full of bloomed flowers they just picked from their own garden. Or heavy and full of all the grain they have for the rest of the season. My point is they are relatable, they are examples of real art that has lived, they are imaginable in your own kitchen back home, or on a shelf in your grandmothers living room. That's the art I truly appreciate and that's what the Plamer can give me. Sure the huge paintings are beautiful and breath taking but I'll I think when I see them is "Fudge I'd never be able to paint that even if my life depended on it!" Sure once in a while seeing some bigger then life portraits of some old man with a really strange mustache is just what I need but who finds that extremely relatable?
 



References:

http://mercury.lcs.mit.edu/~jnc/prints/process.html
http://www.taleofgenji.org/background.html



 

"Lets Get it Started"- Black Eyed Peas

Title: The title of my blog "Sweet Concoctions" is more versatile then people think of at first glance. Originally I had intended for it to represent my love for sugar of any kind. As I continued to think of other titles I discovered more meaning within this title, the one I originally started with. According to dictionary.com the word "Concoction" is a synonym for the words “medley, mixture and blend”. This title not only represents what I love but it also represents the subject this blog will address, the arts at Penn State. A mixture of art will be expressed and analyzed throughout this blog. There will be a concoction of thoughts, responses and emotions intermixed during my exploration of the university. The definition of a Blog to me is now defined as a “concoction”. The word “sweet” within my title reflects my personal outlook on the arts. The arts as a whole are very much a part of my life and always will be. Over time I have found the arts to be low pressure, expressive, distressing and very fun. Therefore “Sweet Concoctions” is the exact translation of “The Arts at Penn State” in my mind, and continues to define every day of my life.  

 
Font: The font of my blog varies according to the spot you are looking at. The font of my title and my page titles is called “Pacific”. It is a bold, thick and swirly font that portrays the “Sweet” aspect of my blog with a bold kick. This font shows my opinion of the arts positive influence on society and my belief of the arts impact on society. The thickness of the font (because I did bold it) is to show the reader that I am making bold, blunt and clear points about the arts within my posts, just as art does everyday within t he community. The font of my posts is black with a white blog post background. I first did this for contrast as you can see my background it pretty busy so I needed to simplify an area so the reader can see the posts clearly. Along with this idea I thought a white background would pop against the intense color allow my writing to stand out even more. The font of the posts is called “Verdana” it is clean, easy to read and very straight forward for the reader.


Template/ Background: The template and arrangement of my blog was simply strategic with the reader in mind. You can clearly see the pages of my blog on the right side of the screen (and they are white so they are also easily located!). The middle section is for my posts, leaving the center of the page for the most important aspect of my blog ( will draw peoples attention to the center of the page). I placed my title in the upper left hand corner of the page so the readers can clearly identify the title and what my blog may contain. The background of my blog is actually a picture I took myself. It's not only a photograph of beautifully concocted fireworks and colors, it represents a concoction of community efforts. It’s a picture of the local and annual State College Fourth Fest fireworks. Rightfully one of the best fireworks shows in the country. I have been born and raised in this very town and seen it through thick and thin. When I hear the words “State College” my brain doesn’t automatically think of Penn State or the Nittany Lions or Sandusky, I simply think of the word home. These fireworks I have seen every single year since I was three years old, sitting in my dad’s lap fidgeting and eating a pop-sickle. Now see I didn’t know how much work went into the Fourth Fest, how many people get involved in it and how many people came from across the country to spend their holiday weekend here in my State College until two years ago. Two years ago I started volunteered to help out with face painting at a children’s booth at the Fourth Fest. As my day at the fest went on I slowly learned about the Penn State community's involvement in the renound community celebration. Students and organizations specifically came back to State College to help out run the Fest. I didn’t realize how much Penn State was a part of my community until then, later that night as I layed in the grass of the V.I.P. section, front row I got chills as fireworks exploded in the air above my head. For the first time in my heart I clumped the phrase Penn State with State College and my home. These fire works are what I consider to be my first exposure to the very diverse very interest world of arts and Penn State University.


Color: The colors of my font and text are white and black to keep things clean and nice and easy to read. The background colors and specifically the colors of the fireworks (red, white and blue) instill pride in my blog and reflect the pride I have for my community.  


Miscellaneous: The extra page I added called “Fun Fact of the Day” is to expand the mind of my audience, well also I love to look up fun facts so I figured why not share my hobby with the world? The purpose of this blog is to expand my audience’s mind, to show the reader a variety of point of views. The fun facts will first of all be a fun read for my followers and will also expand their knowledge of things that may be deemed as “insignificant” or “random”. Maybe after reading these fun facts these topics will not be seen in such a light, maybe by reading my posts and my fun facts my audience will gradually realize the important role small, random and quote “insignificant” things can play in their life. Maybe just maybe society’s view of the arts will sway maybe society will realize the importance of art within a person, a childhood, a community and even a university.