art and design

In order to get a better understanding of art and design, and also to find a more effective way to word my thoughts, I decided to do a little bit of research on the topic. I was not aware of the popularity of this discussion and was excited to gain an understanding of other peoples' perspective.  
I found two points that seemed very interesting: 

So, according to a great number of people, art and design each have their specific purposes. Art starts with a blank slate and is created in order to evoke emotions and feelings within the viewer. Artists create so that their audience will feel. In contrast, design starts with a specific point, a purpose and is created in order to carry a message based on a symbol, an image, words, etc. Designers create to communicate something that already exists, but in a different fashion. 

Although I agree with some of the points above, I feel that art and design are much more deeply connected. That is why I entitled this post "art and design" and not "art vs design". Art and design are both used to convey messages and get responses (whether physical, emotional or spiritual) from their audiences. Art and design are both a way to create aesthetic experiences for people. 

As I was walking through the HFAC and soaking in all of the amazing artwork put on by the students at BYU, several thoughts came to my mind. To start off, I was truly blown away by the talent that is present at our institution. Rarely do I see so many inspiring artworks covering the walls of buildings on campus, it felt like a breath of fresh creative air! I could have walked through the halls and exhibits for hours. Second, our original assignment was to get a grasp on the differences between art and design and I felt that the more I paced the halls, the more the line blurred. I am not sure if it was due to everything being presented in close proximity or whether they all meant the same to me; an aesthetic and pleasing experience. 

Combining my short research period and my personal experience at the HFAC I feel that art and design are both meant to initially please the viewer and to carry a message. Although their purposes may be a little different, they are both tools that are used for people to make connections, with the artwork itself or a concept being presented. 

Information found at: http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/09/the-difference-between-art-and-design/

modern art and modernism

Modernism critizes art from the inside, whereas many other approaches criticize art from the outside. Rather than having a strong focus on color and composition, my take on Modernim is its focus on the process that the artist went through to reach the final product. In relation to painting: accentuation of brush strokes, placement of paint, movement of the artist's body, size of the canvas, and other art-making components are all important aspects of modern art, more so than a representation or an impression of something specific.
Clement Greenberg explains that Modernism uses art to call attention to art, which I love. I feel that Modernism gives way for the motion and movement that occurs during art-making. Greenberg also says, "The immediate aims of Modernist artists remain individual before anything else, and the truth and success of their work is individual before it is anything else."
So.
My take on Modernism is the importance of what an artist does personally to reach the final product.

In a small way, Modernism reminds me of the short video we watched at the start of the semester. In "The Gap" it is said that we are never truly pleased with our artwork. What we produce will never completely represent what we compose in our mind. In order to feel successful one must try again and again and again. Quit. Start over. Go with something different. Try a different angle. Repeat. Quit. Try again. This pull towards repetition refines our artworks (according to what we personally feel to be successful) yet also pushes us to pay closer attention to our approach, the process we go through to reach the final product. We begin to pay closer attention to how we create versus what we are creating. To me Modernism works in that way because, once again, the focus is on the process.

syncopation

"...a rhythm that disturbs our

perception of time as a regular flow, producing the feeling that time may be coming

out of joint.”

Syncopation causes us to suspend

our original inclinations or reactions to certain stimuli.

This is very representative of

contemporary art, as it pushes us to

rethink

what

we

deem

normal

or

expected.

There is often immense pleasure

found in syncopation.

Contemporary art can thus have two purposes, and this is just Amandine

drawing conclusions.

It can disturb us,

knock us off balance,

and bother us.

However, it can also make us feel complete,

 and fulfill the urge for change.

the gap

What do these two pieces suggest to you about the education of the artist? How have you experienced any of these ideas in your own creative life? 

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/04/movies/mike-birbiglias-6-tips-for-making-it-small-in-hollywood-or-anywhere.html?_r=1

https://vimeo.com/85040589

     The education of the artist takes time. I took comfort in the video because it reminded me of the importance to fail. Through practice we learn that failure is important, and is what gets us to where we want to be. It was mentioned that our art production will take a lifetime to properly represent what goes on in our mind. I find that to be so true! When I sit myself down and try to create something, I feel that it seldom represents what was in my mind's eye. But that is a cool concept! It pushes me to try again and again. It pushes me to revisit my expectations and be open to imperfect outcomes. 

     Using an educational approach, it is important for children to understand that in a sense, a perfect artwork won't happen right away...It takes time and practice and appreciation for the PROCESS of creating something before we can truly appreciate our own art. 

aesthetic biography