Museum Visit

I chose to visit the De Young museum in San Francisco. I have been to museums all over the world so I was not expecting anything great. After going to the Van Gough museum I figured nothing could ever top that! However, I was pleasently suprised. The first section I visited had some of the greatest statues I have ever seen. This was not my favortie part of the museum but it was still pretty impressive. One of the statues that first caught my eye was the male figure from the New Guinea art. The statue is suppossed to represent a mythological giant who was the protector of the tribe. Its funny to me because the expression on his face hardly looks like a protector. He is smiling and just kind of has a goofy looking face. After seeing some of the greek statues, he almost seems the opposite of authoritative or powerful. Either way though I really liked the overall look to the statue. Another section that I loved was the glass blown section. I am bummed I did not get any pictures of it because they were truely amazing. There was a huge glass blown sculpture of fruit that was particularly interesting to me. Usually you only see fruit in still life paintings so that was cool to see. Also there was this cathedral that was built out of old guns and shell casings which was extremely interesting. Just building a model is hard enough but only using old pieces of guns and bullets is quite impressive. It reminded me of the scene in Saving Private Ryan where they are blowing up all of the churches. Overall I really liked the museum and would love to go back again!

Blog #3

The Flavian ampitheater or "the colosseum" is something that has always interested me.  I went there 4 summers ago and I instintly fell in love.  It may seem large in pictures but in person it is unbelieveable!  When you are actually inside of it you can almost feel the craziness that went on there.  I was most impressed with the underground cages.  You would not believe it but the cages where  they kept the live animals were huge.  My entire family fit in just one cell with room to spare.  It is hard to believe what actually went on in the ampitheatre.  People gave there lives to entertain the audiance and challenge the unknown.    When I was there I got the weirdest feeling.  I  cannot imagine people going against live animals (basically doomed for death) and people cheering them on.  If there was anything like that today people would not know what to do.  I can not stress anymore the magnitude of the colosseum it will blow your mind.  I traveled all around Europe and the colosseum was by far the most impressive.  Everything I read in the book about the colosseum does not do it justice.  I suggest if you are ever near it to check it out...I promise it is worth it!!  I guess i could compare the colosseum to todays UFC fighting but it does not seem the same.  They are both fighting to win but one is life or death.  They seem similar in the sense that you have to be crazy to do either one, but I feel that the events that occurred in the colosseum were far worse!

Undirected blog #2

A piece of art that really interested me was the funerary mask of Tutankhamun.  I have seen it once before in a book that I was reading for a class.  I love intricate the design is on it and the detail that was put in to it.  The facial expression seems very peaceful and serene to me.  I am glad that it does not give off a scary or over powerful feel.  Considering he was a the most important figure at the time and ruled the land, it easily could have had a more stern facial expression.  Although they are very different, it made me think of the Lincoln Memorial.  The same is true with the facial expression of Abraham Lincoln.  He was a very powerful man and changed history forever.  His face reminds me of a calm person who had much authority.  Neither of the two give off the impression of people who abused their power.  Just like the statue in the voice thread; both are able to give off an authoritative feel simple by the way they were made.  After reading about the mask and the background behind it, I have a new found interest in Egyptian art.  Now I really want to go to Egypt and check out all of the pyramids!

Undirected Blog #1

Daric, or the first coin minted under Darius I of Persia, first caught my eye. It is very similar to the coins, or currency, that we currently use today. The U.S. quarter, holds the face of George Washington; much like the Daric which shows a picture of Darius I. Both of these works of art have pictures representing an important figure of each society or culture. This can be seen on any of the U.S. coins including the dime, the nickel, or the penny. The Daric and all of the U.S. coins are used as a means of economic standards. However, all of the U.S. coins are used simply as a means of currency; whereas the Daric was used for propaganda. Since the coins we use today all have pictures of former presidents on them, it can not be used as propaganda. I find it very interesting that we are still using the same form of currency that people used back then. Although there are a few differnces now in the value of those coins, they are still relatively the same. It almost makes me feel connected to those people. Even in such drastically different times, its nice to know that there are some things that are the same.

About Me

The first piece of art that I felt immediately connected to was the Woman from Brassempouy. I feel like it can represent me in two different ways. The Woman from Brassempouy is said to be called the "memory image", which is seen as the basic elements of a human head. This is how I see myself. When it comes to my apperance I am very simple and plain. I do not like to wear anything or do anything out of the ordinary when it comes to my apperance. According to the book, "This image is an absrtaction: the reduction of of shapes and apperances to basic yet recognizable forms..." (Stokstad 6). Aside from relating to its simplicity I also feel like my apperance is one that is clearly recognizable with the female form. Much like the Woman from Brassempouy, I am someone that is simple, basic and easily associated with the female form.

The second piece of art I feel represents me is Stonehenge. Stonehenge is one the biggest mysterys known to man. It seems very basic in its apperance; however, it is much more complex than it seems. This represents me because on the surface I look very simple and plain; however, on the inside I am full of mystery and complexity. It is not for certain why Stonehenge was built the way it was, but everyone has their own opinion as to why. Stonehenge truely brings out peoples imaginations, which is something I can relate to. I do certain things that people may not be able to understand, but I do it to get them to think. I love taping into peoples imaginations. Being mysterious and complex is something that stonehenge and I both share.