Mandala (Tibetan Sand Painting)

(Western Connecticut State university Monday, Oct. 15, 2012)

The Mandala (Tibetan sand painting) is an art form that is practiced by Tibetan Buddhists. The word mandala is a word of Sanskrit origin that means “world in harmony”; mandalas themselves are 3-D drawings that are done with sand. For Tibetan Buddhists, a mandala is an imaginary place that is thought of during meditation and each object has significance. Painting with colored sand is considered exquisite, often made from ground rocks or ground herbs. For example, rubies would be used for red sand. All mandals have an outer, inner, and secret meaning to them. On the outer level, they represent the world in its divine fore. In the inner level, they represent a map by which the human mind changes into an enlightened mind. On the secret level, the mandalas predict the balance of energies of the bodies and the clear light dimension of the mind. It was hard to find pieces through a source that were completed in foreign countries, likely because many places that practice this (monasteries) do not use possessions like cameras.

Mandalas begin with an opening ceremony. Monks bless the site and call the forces of good through chanting, flutes, drums, and cymbals, The construction begins with the drawing of the design on the base. In the following days, millions of grains of sand are laid into place with a funnel called a “chakpur.” Mandalas are constructed whenever there is a need for healing of the environment. Once finished, the sands are swept up and poured into a river or stream. For more information on the construction process, visit: http://www.gomang.org/mandala.html

 

These pictures were taken at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library in October 9-13, 2010. This is a group of Tibetan Monks from the Drepung Loseling Phukhang Monastery who were trying to spread the message of world peace. This is an example of a tradition Mandala.

This was done in October 2007 by the Tharlam Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. Masters of ceremony assist His Holinesss Dagchen Rinpoche- holding the bell and praying while the circle is closed.

There are many videos of this, but here is one that is a time lapse showing how it is done from the beginning:

 

Works Cited:

“Mandala.” The Sacred Art of Sand Mandalas. The Tibetan Monks of Drepung Gomang Monastery, n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. <http://www.gomang.org/mandala.html&gt;.

Miller, Robert. “Sand Painting Sacred to Tibetan Monks.” Connecticut Post. CtPost, 15 Oct. 2012. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. <http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Sand-painting-sacred-to-Tibetan-monks-3951324.php#photo-3596889&gt;.

Sumitra. “Tibetan Sand Mandals – The Sacred Art of Painting with Colored Sand | Oddity Central – Collecting Oddities.” Oddity Central Collecting Oddities. N.p., 15 Jan. 2013. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. <http://www.odditycentral.com/pics/tibetan-sand-mandals-the-sacred-art-of-painting-with-colored-sand.html&gt;.

Exhibit- Gothic Works

I chose to do a modern Gothic theme for my exhibit. The first artist I chose is Tim Burton. He was born in Burbank, California in 1958. He studied at the California Institute of the Arts then went on to work at Walt Disney Studios before branching out on his own. Since then he has produced many well-known films such as “James and the Giant Peach” and “Batman Returns.”

The second artist I chose is Jhonen Vasquez, a comic book writer, cartoonist and music video director. He was born in 1974 in San Jose, California. He attended De Anza College as a film student. Some of his more popular works include the TV show “Invader Zim” as well as album artwork for the band Mindless Self Indulgence.

Tim Burton works:

Untitled (Edward Scissorhands), 1990, pen and ink, private collection- was on an exhibit at LACMA

This work is a character from a movie Burton produced “Edward Scissorhands.” The work appears to be a rough sketch, but involved the gothic aspect of the exhibit because it shows a distressed character with knives for hands. This sketch is a little different from the actor Johnny Depp who played the character; but I think the work depicts the character well.

Untitled (Romeo and Juliet), 1981-1984, pen and ink/marker/colored pencil on paper- LACMA

Like Burton’s other work it looks like a sketch. The painting depicts a skyline atop a creature made of earth, and another made of the sea- almost mermaid-like. This artwork is less gothic, but it is still weird because of certain characteristics like the land creatures mouth. I like this artwork because it personalizes something as stable as a city sky-line.

Untitled (The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories), 1998, pen and ink/watercolor on paper, private collection- LACMA

This is sketch involving watercolor, and it is very plain. The artwork shows a sketch of one of the characters of Burton’s stories. The character looks distraught and in pain, with dark bags under his eyes and a disproportionate body. I like the simplicity of this work.

 

Jhonen Vasquez’s works:

The Sisters, 2009, digital work

This is a more modern or digital looking work because it was completed in 2011 for a popular videogame Bioshock 2. This work is different from Burton’s works because it is far from a sketch, but it shows many elements of the Gothic style. The painting shows a big sister looking over a little sister. This piece looks post-apocalyptic and rather creepy with the girl having blood on her hands. Only 500 of this special edition signed print were released at the San Diego Comic-Con.

The front cover of Vasquez’s comic book Johnny the Homicidal Maniac #1, published 1995-1997

The comic book is about Johnny who is a serial killer that is driven to kill by forces- eventually in the comics Johnny meets God in Heaven and visits Hell. The cover depicts Gothic themes by the way Johnny dresses, and his dark thoughts. The knives on the cover and Johnny’s facial expression depicts his mental stability, or lack-there-of. I enjoy these comics, my favorite character is a small boy who is neglected by his parents and befriends Johnny- not knowing he is a killer. I like the way Johnny is drawn on the cover because it shows he is crazy, but he almost does not look harmless.

The front cover of Squee’s Wonderful Big Giant Book of Unspeakable Horrors, published in 1998

This comic book depicts the boy that friends Johnny, Squee. The young boy is neglected by his parents, and this comic goes through Squee’s unpleasant adventures. This cover looks more like a sketch than Johnny the Homicidal l Maniac. The little boy looks terrified, and the cover is dark in color. Squee is one of my favorite characters in the series, and I enjoy seeing him done in color. The character is genuinely traumatized and generally sacred so this covers his character well.

 

Works Cited:

“Jhonen Vasquez.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Apr. 2014. Web. 23 Apr. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhonen_Vasquez&gt;.

“Jhonen Vasquez Draws Some Freaky Little Sisters.” Destructoid. Destructoid, 17 July 2009. Web. 23 Apr. 2014. <http://www.destructoid.com/jhonen-vasquez-draws-some-freaky-little-sisters-140270.phtml&gt;.

“Johnny the Homicidal Maniac.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Apr. 2014. Web. 23 Apr. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_the_Homicidal_Maniac&gt;.

“Squee’s Wonderful Big Giant Book of Unspeakable Horrors.” Goodreads. Goodreads, 2014. Web. 23 Apr. 2014. <http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/157313.Squee_s_Wonderful_Big_Giant_Book_of_Unspeakable_Horrors&gt;.

“Tim Burton.” IMDb. IMDb.com, 2014. Web. 22 Apr. 2014. <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000318/&gt;.

“Tim Burton.” Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Los Angelos County Musuem of Art, 2011. Web. 23 Apr. 2014. <http://www.lacma.org/art/exhibition/tim-burton&gt;.

Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem Renaissance started first as a literary movement, began around the end of World War I. This movement was fueled by African Americans that had been freed of slavery, but had yet to be given equal rights. Between the years 1900-1920, the number of African Americans in Harlem doubled- as with the population in many Northern cities (Jackson).Migrations to the North were also spurred because of the job opportunities that were available, and the African American community was able to get a foot-hold in the middle-class. Even though the civil war had granted African Americans their freedom, it was not the ideal place. The South still had many ways of segregating African Americans; among the most well-known is the Jim Crow law that allowed segregation in the south until the 1960’s. Although the Harlem Renaissance did not do much to eradicate these laws, it did provide a sense of pride for the African American. However, because of the stock market crash in 1929 the renaissance, like many other things during that time, decreased (Jackson).

The Harlem Renaissance, art-wise, was very different. The works were not detailed, but often bright in color. One can see how this art spurred out of the time period because it is similar to Expressionism works. Much like Impression works, the Harlem Renaissance works were meant to create pride and express the hardships their people had gone through.

The first work of art I chose is Drawing in Two Colors by Winold Reiss. The work was done between the years 1915-1920 in New York- likely around the Harlem movement. This particular piece is not rich in color, but the colors that are used are contrasting. There is not intense detail, yet the painting creates the urge to join the gentlemen in dancing. This piece resembles Expressive works because of the fluid, free lines and the emotion that the painting invokes. This painting looks like it takes place in a dance club, likely one of the many that Harlem housed during this time.

The second piece of art I chose is Negro Masks by Malvin Gray Johnson in 1932. While this painting was done towards the end of the Harlem Renaissance, I think it is a great representative piece because it shows how artists looked towards their roots during this time. This work, like the one above, does not have definitive lines. It is not bright in colors or extremely emotional, however it shows where the artist feels he came from.

The final piece I chose is The Janitor Who Paints done by Palmer Hayden in 1930. This piece currently resides in the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Hayden resided in Virginia, but his works still contain Harlem Renaissance themes. The Oklahoma City Museum of Art remarks that this piece was based on Hayden’s friend who was referred to as a janitor, not an artist (Pg. 11). This piece, unlike the other two, has more line definition. Decorations in the home can be made out, but there is still a fluidness of the lines and how they blur together. I feel this painting embodies the working middle-class African Americans and their struggle to create their own culture that was celebrated for years.

 

Works Cited

Amick, Alison. “Harlem Renaissance.” The Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 19 Apr. 2009. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. <http://www.okcmoa.com/wp-content/uploads/Harlem_Docent_Educator_Resource_Guide_web.pdf&gt;.

Jackson, Caroline. “Harlem Renaissance: Pivotal Period in the Development of Afro-American Culture.” 78.02.03: Harlem Renaissance: Pivotal Period in the Development of Afro-American Culture. Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute, 2014. Web. 09 Apr. 2014. <http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1978/2/78.02.03.x.html&gt;.

McMillian, Angela. “A Guide to Harlem Renaissance Materials.” Harlem Renaissance Resources (Virtual Programs & Services, Library of Congress). The Library of Congress, 17 July 2012. Web. 11 Apr. 2014. <http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/harlem/harlem.ht

Romantic Era (Impressionism vs. Classical Works)

The National Gallery in London explains that Impressionist paintings as a rejected style that was at first “used as an insult in response to an exhibition of new paintings in Paris in 1874.” Although Impressionist works started out rocky, the style contains some of the most famous painters in history; among these painters are Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Edouard Manet. Impressionist paintings are fairly easy to recognize especially compared to previous styles. A piece on Impressionism done through the University of Central Florida explains that in this style “the artist captures the image of an object as someone would see it if they just caught a glimpse of it.” Impressionist paintings often contain bright and pure colors. Opposed to subjects of styles before Impressionist works, these paintings often portrayed landscapes that were often painted outside. Another topic was everyday objects; however, in contrast with works of the Baroque period, the paintings were not common people performing tasks but the actual object itself. Impressionism artwork appears splotchy, and the focus is on the overall view rather than details as in the past. Even though these works started out as a rebellion, “Impressionist paintings are some of the best-known and best-loved in the collection. It takes a leap of imagination for us to realise how radical the movement was considered in its day” (National Gallery).

The picture above is Monet’s The Water-Lily Pond painted in 1899. At first glance, it does not show the vibrant colors often associated with Impressionism. In the second picture, a close-up view of Monet’s painting, it is shown that there are splashes of pink and blue hues in the water. The colors are basic, but contrasting to the other colors. The painting is dotted, or splotchy looking to show the view at a first-glance perspective. The painting, being done later in the Impressionism period, was more accepted at the time. The pond is a small pond that was near Monet’s house, and there are ten paintings of this pond in different lighting done by Monet (National Gallery).

 

Impressionism is a style that is largely famous, and it lead way to Post-Impressionism which houses its fair share of famous painters and artworks. However, without jumping ahead of the times, I prefer the artwork of the Neo-classical era. Neo-Classical artwork portrays subjects from the past, usually emotionally hard or tragic scenes. The works were meant to be rational and depict scenes of heroism.

This piece is The Oath of the Horatii by Jacques-Louis David was painted in 1784 and currently resides at the Louvre Museum at Paris. In accordance with the American and French Revolutions during this time, many war-scenes from the past were brought up. Around the time of the American Revolution, this painting depicting a period of war between Rome and Alba was painted. Boston College marks that during this Roman war time, the cities were to settle the dispute by combat of two groups of three champions each. Of course, with Roman drama, there are relationship ties that make this scene more dramatic than it is; note the women apparently grieving in the background. The distress of the women is not because of war, but because the warriors from the two different cities are married to women from the opposing city. Alas, the warriors are ordered to fight, and they do so willingly. (Information on the fight taken from the Boston College article cited below).

 

The reason I choose Neo-Classical artworks over Impressionists artwork is simple: Neo-Classical style painting have more depth to them. I feel that Neo-Classical works take old subjects and revamp them. The works take tragic scenes and portray them to show the heroism displayed by the ancient warriors. Often times these warriors lose or hurt their family for the sake of their country. Coincidentally, that was exactly what was going on during the time of Neo-Classical works with the American and French Revolutions. I feel when I look at the works of the Neo-Classical era that I get much more emotion, depth and feeling than from an Impressionist work of art. Impressionism is beautiful, and ground-breaking for styles after it, but I would much rather look at a heart-wrenching scene of war than a vibrant landscape.

 

Works Cited

“Guide to Impressionism.” The National Gallery, London. The National Gallery, n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2014. <http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/learn-about-art/guide-to-impressionism/guide-to-impressionism&gt;.

Khan, Annie, Kasey Allen, and Jessica Conte. “Impressionism.” Impressionism. University of Central Florida: Computer Science Division, n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. <http://www.cs.ucf.edu/~MidLink/Impress.html&gt;.

“The Oath of the Horatii, – Jacques-Louis David.” The Oath of the Horatii – Jacques-Louis David. Boston College, n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2014. <http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/his/CoreArt/art/neocl_dav_oath.html&gt;.

Neoclassical

 

I chose the revolution and art for my topic. I find war-time works to be interesting. In normal times, artwork reveals peaceful images such as landscape. However, in war-time, artworks can be gory. I also appreciate the dramatic colors and intensity artists portray during these times of distress. During the classical period, Rococo style art was prominent. Around the late 1700’s, there was a clear switch to the Neoclassical style. Coincidentally, the American and French Revolutions were around the late 1700’s as well. The British Library Online dates the American Revolution running from 1763 with the Treaty of Paris, to 1878 with America beating the British and adopting the American constitution. The University of Nevada Las Vegas shows the French Revolution starting in 1878 with the First Assembly of Notables trying to raise taxes, and ending in 1799 with a new French constitution.  Traits of Neoclassicism are moral virtue, patriotic self-sacrifice, and good deeds. These traits can also be attributed to war-time feelings. Roman ideals and stores of Romans displaying virtuous behaviors is a common topic for Neoclassical art. The artwork of the Neoclassicism period also appears somber, much like feelings of a country at war.

The first piece of art selected is Napoleon at St. Bernard by Jacques-Louis David around 1800. The painting depicts the French leader Napoleon on a horse. The horse has two feet lifted, indicating that the rider died in battle. Napoleon died in 1821 while in exile (National Geographic), so the painting likely indicated that he was in battle around this time. The work is majestic, but not bright. Napoleon does wield a sword, and there are soldiers and wheels of what appears to be a cannon in the background. David was a supporter of the French Revolution and likely painted this piece to glorify Napoleon. The second piece chosen is Hector Taking Leave of Andromache by Angelica Kauffman. The date on this piece is not known, but her work was prominent during the late 1700’s and she died in 1807 (BBC). This piece, rather than depicting a hero at that time, shows a Roman hero, Hector. Hector was a part of the Trojan War and this painting portrays the scene of the last time he saw his family. Hector went to battle and sent his family to safety knowing that he would not come out as a winner. After his death, his body was drug around in the dirt, which was taken very seriously during this time. Angelica’s paintings often included Roman themes to them. The final work is The Death of General Wolfe by the American artists Benjamin West in 1770. This painting screams war-time. The painting itself has wonderfully contrasting colors. Most of the painting is somber, but the general dying is in bright red. The other figure that sticks out is the Indian warrior crouching next to the group of men fighting. All of the men look worried, but the Indian warrior looks smug. This painting is a little before the American Revolution, but the Indian looks as if he is laughing because the men that stole his country are now sitting in turmoil. General Wolfe shows glorification of a leader fallen.

Works Cited

“A Timeline of the American Revolution from 1763 – 1787.” The American Revolution. Britsh Library, n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2014. <http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/features/americanrevolution/timeline.html&gt;.

Brown, Gregory. “1787.” French Revolution Chronology. Univeristy of Nevada: Las Vegas History Department, n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2014. <http://faculty.unlv.edu/gbrown/hist462/resources/chrono.htm&gt;.

Chamberlain, Ted. “Napoleon Death Mystery Solved, Experts Say.” National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 17 Jan. 2007. Web. 10 Mar. 2014. <http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/01/070117-napoleon_2.html&gt;.

Ed Ian Chilvers. “Kauffmann, Angelica” The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. Oxford University Press 2009 Oxford Reference Online. Web. 10 Mar. 2014.

< http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/artists/angelica-kauffman&gt;

“Neo-Classical: David.” Neo-Classical:David. Boston College, n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2014. <http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/his/CoreArt/art/neocl_dav.html&gt;.

Pioch, Nicolas. “West, Benjamin.” WebMuseum:. Webmuseum, Paris, 14 Oct. 2002. Web. 10 Mar. 2014. <http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/west/&gt;.

Renaissance- “The Last Judgement”

This artwork is called “The Last Judgment” and is in the Vatican church the Sistine Chapel. The work was painted by Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni known as Michelangelo. According to the Vatican web page, the Sistine Chapel is named after Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere. In 1477-1480 Pope Sixtus IV had the church renovated including false drapes, the Stories of Moses and the portraits of the Popes. Near the end of the year 1553 Clement VII de Medici entrusted Michelangelo with the task of painting the “Last Judgment” on the altar wall. This piece of work replaced one of the works done under Pope Sixtus IV.

In The Last Judgment, there are different levels. As the Vatican page describes, there is a level with angels, a level with Christ, a level where angels and demons fight over the fallen, and a level where the dammed are being taken to Hell. The first level contains angels; on one side the angels have crowns with thorns and on the other side the angels have spears soaked in vinegar, both representing the Passion of Christ. In the next level there is Christ, the Virgin Mary and Saints around them all awaiting the judgment. Mary’s head is turned showing that she can no longer influence the decision. All of the saints are holding items that make them recognizable. The next tier shows angels awakening the dead with trumpets, angels fighting with demons to ensure the damned fall to Hell, and the risen recover their bodies and make their way to Heave.  At the bottom it shows Charon with devils taking the damned to the infernal judge Minos. Minos is wrapped in the coils of a snake as a reference to Dante’s Inferno. The attention to detail shows the influence of humanism in this work. The National Gallery of Art describes “humanism focused attention on man and human perception.” This can be shown through Michelangelo’s work because in “The Last Judgment” there are details on those in the painting, like the saints whom carry items to identify themselves, that brings focus to the individuals in the painting. The National Gallery of Art also describes that humanism “encompasses the viewer to make him part of the sacred events depicted, bringing him into the same sphere with the holy figures of Jesus, Mary, and the saints.” In “The Last Judgment” Michelangelo makes the viewers feel as if they are in the judgment day. The viewers ponder whether they would go to Heaven or Hell on their judgment day.

Personally I find the piece to be interesting. During its time the piece was quite controversial. The Vatican quotes one person as saying “it was most dishonest in such an honoured place to have painted so many nude figures who so dishonestly show their shame” (Master of Ceremonies Biago da Cesena). The Vatican also marks that during the Council of Trent in 1564 the congregation voted to have the more obscene parts covered. I find it interesting that since the Bible does include gory scenes people would get so upset about naked figures in a church. The Bible is encompassed with stories of death, rape, and even castration.  I like the work of art because it expresses so much emotion and portrays many figures in the Bible.

Sources Cited:

“NGA – The Early Renaissance in Florence.” The Early Renaissance in Florence. National Gallery of Art, 2014. Web. 14 Feb. 2014. <http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/gg4/gg4-over1.html>.

“The Last Judgement.” The Last Judgement. Vatican Museums, n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2014. <http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/x-Schede/CSNs/CSNs_G_Giud.html>.

“The Last Judgement (Michelangelo).” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 8 Feb. 2014. Web. 14 Feb. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Judgment_%28Michelangelo%29>.

“The Sistine Chapel.” The Sistine Chapel. Vatican Museums, n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2014. <http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/CSN/CSN_Storia.html>.

Introduction :)

Hello everyone! My name is Anna and I am 20 years old. I am currently in Fairbanks because my husband is stationed at Ft. Wainwright. We have been here about one and a half years, but I am from Alabama. I am majoring in Wildlife Biology and Conservation. I was super excited when we moved up here for the Wildlife program because we do not have many of those in Alabama; although we do have plenty of reservations and parks. I have two wonderful dogs: a husky named Bear and a boxer named Duke.

I have a love-hate relationship with art. I have played the clarinet for about nine years, and I love it. I love being able to read music and make beautiful noise with air. However, I cannot draw to save my life and I hate that. I think art is the most inspiring way to express personality. I have been to several museums around the world, but my favorite was the Louvre in Paris, France. I will never forget my mother and I went down one corridor with paintings of heads cut off and on silver platters. The art was from war time, but I had never seen anything like it. Ever since I was little I have gone to musicals; a few that I have seen include Rent, Cats, Mary Poppins, and Wicked (some more than once). The picture I included is a work of Salvador Dali. I remember learning about him in my art class in elementary school and his art has always intrigued me.