Week 4 Assignment

The human body captivates beauty in the sense that it can make art, produce art, hear and see art, and, ultimately, it is art.  For centuries, people have been using the human body as forms of art work.  One source claims, “From paintings to sculpture, body art to performing art, the body has figured prominently in the creative expression of nearly all cultures from the beginning of civilization.  Through art, the body come becomes a site for defining individual identity, constructing sex and gender ideals, negotiating power, and experimenting with the nature of representation itself” (Learner.org).  

My favorite form of anatomy in art would have to be sculpture.  I love the idea of a body in an artificial material, imitating certain figures or people.  Sculpture does a terrific job of exemplifying how the artist wants a certain type of human or specific person perceived at that point in history.  Here, Rob Mueck uses his craftsman skills to portray very real sculptures.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2514500/Are-life-like-sculptures-produced-Artist-creates-hyper-realistic-models-humans.html

http://learner.org/courses/globalart/work/138/index.html

As mentioned in the lecture, the Human Genome Project is absolutely enthralling.  The race to discover the genetics and DNA systems of the body proves to be nearly as exhilarating as the famous ‘Space Race’ between the US and the Soviet Union in the1960s (Genome.gov).  

http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2013/05/24/3766923.htm

Lastly, jewelry takes skills and pristine precision, proving as one of the more intricate forms of art.  Not only is jewelry worn on the body, but it can also be used in context with parts of the body.  This specific piece pictured below illustrates a hand on what looks like would be the jewel of a necklace.  This is a riveting example of mixing the body and art, as you see the body in art and then the art on the body.  Personally, this interests me because of the irony and dynamics of this concept.

http://www.metalemily.com/portfolio/PortfolioEnamelBTLE.html

Sources:

 "All About The Human Genome Project (HGP)." All About The Human Genome Project (HGP). N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. <http://www.genome.gov/10001772#al-2>.

 "Emily Watson | Metal & Enamel Jewelry | Enamel Jewelry | beyond the Lover's Eye | Anatomical | Anatomy." Emily Watson | Metal & Enamel Jewelry | Enamel Jewelry | beyond the Lover's Eye | Anatomical | Anatomy. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. <http://www.metalemily.com/portfolio/PortfolioEnamelBTLE.html>.

"MoMA Learning." MoMA. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. <http://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/themes/investigating-identity/the-body-in-art>.

 Reilly, Jill. "Are These the Most Life-like Sculptures Ever Produced? Artist Creates Hyper-realistic Models of Humans." Mail Online. Associated Newspapers, 27 Dec. 2013. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2514500/Are-life-like-sculptures-produced-Artist-creates-hyper-realistic-models-humans.html>.

"13 / The Body." Art Through Time: A Global View. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. <http://learner.org/courses/globalart/theme/13/index.html>.

Event Blog #1

Griffith Park

Griffith Park Observatory has been one of my favorite go-to locations since coming to school in Los Angeles.  I am from the east coast, which makes me want to explore and adventure this new scenery.  The park includes the observatory itself, the Greek Theater, the pony rides, the hiking trails, and much more.  I have been to the observatory during the day and the night, as well as hiked the trails as far as the Hollywood sign.

This photo was taken the first week of my time in Los Angeles.  I made this one of my list destinations, as I craved to see the LA city lights under the stars.

Due to the fact that it was right after move-in day, I had the privilege of bringing my parents along to see the beautiful views and observe some of the exhibits.

During Winter Quarter, my best friend Emily came to visit me for a few days.  I made sure to show her my favorite view of one of my favorite cities (after New York of course)!  Emily appreciated the opportunity to see the city from on of the best angles possible... the top.

Upon receiving this assignment, I asked my friends to come with me to visit one more time to see the observatory throughout the afternoon, as opposed to after dark.  We had a great time walking alongside the horses as we hiked to the Hollywood sign.  Thanks to a selfie stick, we got the best pictures around!

This is me attempting to take a selfie with a badged employee.  He previously had said no to me when I properly and politely asked for a photo.  

You See LA!! Get it?

I am very blessed and grateful that I have the opportunity to live out in Los Angeles and get to see this part of the world.  I love the essence of this city, which I believe Griffith Park does a great job at exemplifying.  The park includes many great attractions that most other cities don't offer, such as horse rides on a canyon overlooking the whole county.  I believe that a diverse park, such as Griffith, belongs in every city in order to give locals and tourists a holistic experience.  If anyone has the chance to observe the observatory, I greatly encourage it!

Week 3 Assignment

Society responds to dramatic changes in dramatic ways, especially those changes involving the economy.  Ultimately, money plays a huge role into the wellbeing of one and the way in which he or she lives.  Therefore, when something such as the economy fluctuates, people begin to spend more, spend less, or quit spending completely.  Industrialization made the people of America spend more.  Industrialization refers to “the process of converting to a socioeconomic order in which industry is dominant” (Britannica.com).  

http://peterbianchi.com/?p=635

Booming advancements in technology, as well as the intelligence of the people, contribute to this new era of an industrialized society.  Although, people began to rely on the industrialized technology compared to the essence of simple living.  For example, Walter Benjamin mentions the significance of paintings being depreciated as now people can use photography.  Ultimately, Benjamin discusses the dependence on technology in society today and how that negatively effects the skills and appreciate of the people.

http://www.thebigdatainsightgroup.com/site/article/lack-skills-highlighted-survey

Something that comes along with so much socioeconomic change is the exaggerated faults that scare people.  While everything becomes more industrialized, such as the development of skyscrapers, automobiles, electricity, etc., even mechanical humans made their way into society.  In the 21st century, robots started to become a more prominent idea and revolution.  Robots have use in advancing human’s daily lives; for example, they move cameras on movie sets, act as operators on mass communication phone lines, and act as toys that children obsess over.  On top of that, major motion pictures exemplify the potential catastrophes that could happen due to robots.  In the Will Smith movie iRobot, the protagonist is forced to fight off an army of robots.  This movie evidently led people to be scared of the advancement of technology, specifically robots, after seeing what could potentially occur.  Although the movie is primarily fiction, society reacted in a sobering way.

http://truedemocracyparty.net/2013/12/googlebots-google-buys-terminator-equals-irobot-google-buys-fleet-of-darpa-military-robots-nbc-newsextremetech-google-is-darpa/

iRobot clip

Sources: 

Davis, Douglas. JSTOR. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/1576221?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents>.

"I, Robot." IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015. <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0343818/>.

"Industrialization." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/287204/industrialization>.

"Lack of Skills Highlighted in Survey." Lack of Skills Highlighted in Survey. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015. <http://www.thebigdatainsightgroup.com/site/article/lack-skills-highlighted-survey>.

"The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction." Walter Benjamin. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015. <https://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/works/ge/benjamin.htm>.

Week 2 Assignment

Mathematics is much more influential than art-enthusiasts would ever give it credit for.  It is clear that almost no work of art could be produced without some form of number or calculation.  Better yet, shapes even fall into a division of math: geometry.  In the lecture, the professor mentions perspective.  I found her words on vanishing point rather insightful.  Looking at the road, one can observe the shape of a pyramid creating by the width of the pavement.  Moving up the picture, the width shrinks, thus creating a vanishing point.

http://mrbobradioblog.com/tag/vanishing-point/

M.C. Escher discusses tessellations, highlighting the idea of multiple shapes forming into a tile formation in order to create one image.  The shapes contribute to how the picture looks.  It only looks certain ways depending on the calculations it takes to measure the width, length, and area in order to make the combination of the shapes work.  

http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/tess/triex.htm

Robert J. Lang elucidates the mathematics that origami requires.  Origami pieces appear as beautiful mini sculptures worthy of creative notability.  In reality, the folding of paper in such ways require more mental activity that just a few hand motions.  For example, angle quintisection is a geometric theory that explains how certain folds create certain shapes and figures.  

http://www.langorigami.com/articles/miscarticles/truth/truth_p2.php

In the image above, it appears as if the ten dollar bill folded in a certain way actually creates an image of two towers.  This angle quintisection folding technique shows art on a piece of currency.  Although this is not the most ideal image that one would necessarily consider "art", the concept and the folds exemplify the idea of math creating art.

Art and science requires the use of math, as do most everyday tasks.  Math becomes obvious when one starts to notice its influence on the world at large.  Basically, math creates art and science and provides opportunities for more technical innovations.  The juxtaposition of math, art, and science can be explained by the fact that all three sectors need each other in order to thrive.  Also, extraordinary innovations and technologies can be explained by the combination of the three of them.  For example, a skyscraper requires the art of design, the math of shapes and calculations, as well as the science of physics so that it can sustain itself on the earth.  Ultimately, the three subjects depend on each other in order to let the world develop at a higher rate.

Sources: 

"Angle Quintisection." Angle Quintisection. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://www.langorigami.com/science/math/quintisection/quintisection.php>.

"Examples of Tessellations - Triangular Grid." Examples of Tessellations - Triangular Grid. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/tess/triex.htm>.

"The Mathematical Art of M.C. Escher." The Mathematical Art of M.C. Escher. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://platonicrealms.com/minitexts/Mathematical-Art-Of-M-C-Escher/>.

 "Mr Bob Radio Blog." Mr Bob Radio Blog. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://mrbobradioblog.com/tag/vanishing-point/>.

 "The Truth That Even Truthers Deny! Page 2." The Truth That Even Truthers Deny! Page 2. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://www.langorigami.com/articles/miscarticles/truth/truth_p2.php>.

Week 1 Assignment

The "two cultures" idea seen throughout society is exemplified, displayed, and reenforced on a daily basis at UCLA.  The idea of "north" and "south" campus not only gets mentioned as a geography reference but as a point to identify a certain student's way of thinking.  Personally, I thrive in the world of arts and literacy.  I would be the prime candidate for a north campus spokesperson.  Despite that, I find myself interesting in several concepts and classes below the Ackerman border.  

http://www.mcmurraystern.com/press-release-mcmurray-stern-to-exhibit-at-ucla-small-business-resource-fair/

Growing up, I was always forced to take general classes associated with both cultures, and I was expected to do exceedingly well no matter the subject.  This caused me to develop my intellectual and creative sides.  Like Snow describes in The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution, I also surrounded myself with diverse people from several different ways of thinking and creating.  Specifically, my mother works as a banker on Wall Street, while my father enjoys writing, painting, and music.  Due to these two influences in my everyday life growing up, I understand the difference of the two cultures and how prominent they truly can be. 

Personal Photo

This great divide socially constructs that there are only two types of thinkers in the world.  Although some, like myself, function much better in one sector, there are several people that can think in both ways.  This could perhaps be a "third culture" of those that fall into neither or both categories.  I believe in the third culture due to the fact that both of my brothers fall into this category.  They are engineers that can play guitar.  One even likes to paint and do glassblowing, while the other takes on management roles in his business.  The divide of the cultures may be possible, but it is not guaranteed.  I believe that classes such as DESMA 9 allow students that fit into this third culture to truly experience their nature, and the people that think specifically "north" or "south" can use this class as a swift transition to comprehend the opposing sector.  I feel that I will benefit from the style of the class as a "third culture" experience.

http://www.academicentertainment.com/blog/stem-vs-steam-do-you-know-difference

Sources: 

Bohm, D. "On Creativity." JSTOR. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Oct. 2013.

Kelly, Kevin. "The Third Culture." The Third Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. Feb. 1998.

Snow, C. P. The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution. New York: Cambridge UP, 1959. Print.

Vesna, Victoria. "Toward a Third Culture: Being In Between." Leonardo. 34 (2001): 121-125. Print.

Wilson, Stephen D. “Myths and Confusions in Thinking about Art/Science/Technology.” College Art Association Meetings. New York, New York, 2000. Print