Picasso and cubism unit

In this unit, we investigated Picasso and his famous style of painting, Cubism. Cubism is a painting style which expresses emotion by exaggerating shapes and placement of shapes and forms in a model. Our assessment for this unit was to first create a cubist drawing/painting based on a model, and another  painting/drawing based on our own imagination. Since we didn't have as much time as expected, few people were able to finish their second painting/drawing.

The model we were using to base our first drawing on, were several different objects such as a guitar and a mannequin. To make a cubist drawing, we first divided our page into panels. As we were copying the model, we were to change the shape and direction of the object between each panel. We were also advised to mostly watch the model while we were drawing. The results were quite peculiar. We then used collage from newspapers to fill in some of the panels. Finally, we gave the drawing some depth by using  multicolored chalk. The result was interesting. I couldn't really tell how well or bad I did, as the purpose of the exercise was not necessarily to make the most "attractive" drawing, but rather a drawing which demonstrates cubism.

For the second drawing we used the same method as before, only working from our own imagination. I ended up drawing random shapes and figures that came to my mind.

Tessellation unit: Feedback

In this lesson, while some of us were finishing the paintings, others were given feedback on their painting.

My general feedback was that the painting looked good, despite being a little rough. They liked the use of red and black as color scheme. I didn't get much criticism.

Personally, after looking at the tools I had at my disposal, I think that my painting turned out successful.

Tessellation unit: Painting

As I was finished cutting out the linoleum, I was able to start painting. I decided to use the color scheme of black and red, as they contrasted  each other in a way that I felt fit my design. I had to use a regular brush to paint the surface of the cut out, which ended up making the painting look really rough. I didn't really min this though, as it would have been hard to align the the outlines to a point where accuracy was crucial. I was generally pleased with the result of the painting, despite it's roughness.

Tessellation unit: Finished cut out

After the last three lessons, I finally finished the cut out. I had a few problems while doing this. When I finished the cut out the first time, it had disappeared the next lesson, which led me to starting the process all over again. There was also a great lack of knives to use, so I had to use a scissor when cutting out the design the second time. I was not pleased with the result when using a scissor, so I had redo the process again. When I was finally finished, I carved the desired pattern onto the linoleum.

Tessellation unit: Cut out

As I had made the design of the object for my tessellation in the previous lesson, I was able to proceed with cutting out the design out go linoleum. We were then going to paint the surface of the cut out, and print it onto a sheet of A3 paper. To cut out my design from the linoleum, I first had to trace the outline of the design, and then cut it out using a scissor or knife. After trying both methods, the knife gave a more accurate result, while the scissors made the process faster. I decided to use the knife, as my cut out would contain several small and thin parts, which would need accuracy.

Tessellation unit: Introduction

In this lesson, we were mostly brainstorming and experimenting in different ways how our objects for our tessellation might look. We had been given a method to cut out a pattern from one of the sides f a square, and then stick it onto the parallel side. From this, I was able to make some kind of a bat shape. I found a way to make space between the legs, which would look like horns on the opposite end. I was pleased that I was able to come up with a reasonably good design so quickly, which would make me able to proceed in the next lesson.

Finished with Assassination of Osama bin Laden Sketch

We are now finished with the Osama bin Laden sketch. I was generally pleased with the result exempt from some problems with the green screen which made the finished product look very blurry.  The only scene we are missing now is the Ghadaffi assassination sketch. We will try to keep it short on footage as we only have half a lesson next week.

Finished with the Japan earthquake Sketch

We are now finished with everything up to the Japan earthquake sketch. I was very pleased with the result, especially with the voiceover of Floyd. The next sketch will be the assignation of Osama bin Laden Sketch.

Stop motion project log: Making models an objects in plasticine.

We have decided for our group project to make a stop motion film using plasticine models and objects. My group consists of myself, Simen, Roman and Floyd. Our main guideline for the project is to make a movie regarding events happening in 2011. We are covering these events:

• Winter VM in Holmenkollen
• Assassination of Osama Bin Laden
• The fall of Muammar Gadaffi
• Japan earthquake

I have assigned myself the task of making the plasticine objects.

Evaluation feedback: Time and clocks unit

Piotr: "It's nice, even though the eyes are a bit weird. Make me visualize old times".

Andreas: "Very nice. Wings are well-developed. Hat is nice. diversion of eyes is cool. Could have prevented paint stains on back".

Markus: "Components are connected in a nice way".

Simen "The masterpiece created by sander is one that is impressive. One can argue that it is meant to be ornithologically oriented and that it is very educational in this way though others might argue that this is for entertainment purposes".

Roman:"My personal opinion  stat this sculpture could be used for many different things.

• It could be  a clock
• It could serve as a ornament
• It could possibly be used for pleasuring purposes
• It could be used to kill people (some people have a fright phobia for birds)"

Note: Everything Simen and Roman wrote was written entirely by themselves.

From this feedback I can see that the structure of the sculpture is good, even though I could work a little more to prevent careless mistakes like paint stains. According to Simen and Roman, the sculpture could also serve different purposes. The general feedback suggests my sculpture was successful.

Time and clocks assignment: Relation to an artwork

‘Lechku & Nechku’ relation to clocks and time

By Sander. H. Hjallen

Origins

The artwork known as ‘Lechku & Nechku’ was originally created for the game ‘Okami’, made for the Playstation 2 by Clover Studios. Clover Studios was closed some years ago, so the original artist is unknown. The game ‘Okami’, is based of Japanese mythology, and the whole art direction is ancient Japanese art style. The artwork ‘Lechku & Nechku’ is also drawn in Japanese art-style. The characters Lechku and Nechku, in the game, are two demonic twin owls with the power to control time. Their names and appearance aren’t directly based off Japanese mythology, even though owls in Japan can be acknowledged as a symbol of negative qualities.

An interesting detail about these figures is their physical appearance. Both the owl have an industrial theme to them, even though the story is set in ancient Japan. This suggest that these figures are not affected by the current setting of time and are indeed “timeless”. I have chosen the time of the artwork to be “stopped”, not because of the characters themselves, but because of how the picture is drawn. The way the two owls just stands with their neutral looks on their faces and how their piercing stares creeps you out, suggest that their current position is fixed. I think that the artist(s) who drew this wanted to create this effect, and were highly successful. 

Even thought the two owls are highly similar, their details contradicts each other. The color of the the left owl (Lechku) is gold, while the color of the right owl (Nechku) is silver. The top hat of Lechku is bent, while the top hat of Nechku is completely straight. Lechku has a beard, while Nechku has a mustache Lechku’s cane is hinged, while Nechku’s cane is not.  Lechku has ears, while Nechku has no ears. Lechku has a regular-style clock with roman numerals on his chest, while Nechku has a clock which could resemble a digital clock with japanese numbers. These differences may symbolize different versions, ways of perceiving, or ways of understanding time. It could also just be a way to differentiate the two owls. Since both the owls are demons, they may also symbolize the cruel/evil parts of time.

I think this piece of artwork symbolizes time in an interesting way, prior of it not being a painting of an official artist. Even though the artwork does not directly connect to time, I believe the characters behind the painting does so in a unique manner.

Creating the sculpture: Part 04

It had gone several weeks since we were able to work on the sculpture, due to trip to cinema, christmas concert rehearsal etc. We had gotten the whole day to work on the the sculpture. We worked at MYP, so we had to go and get our stuff at PYP first. I weren't able to get all the stuff I needed, because a lesson was in session at the room we usually use for ART.

 I started with cutting out the wings of the owl out of cardboard, as engraving them into the sculpture turned out to be a bad idea. I painted them with a blend between black and silver, which created an interesting shining dark color. I painted the entire clay part of the sculpture with silver paint, to add a mechanical feel to the sculpture. I then made the top hat of the owl by cutting out 2 circles of cardboard, gluing them together and paint them black.

 The next step was to glue all the pieces together. I started with the gluing the clock into the frame I had created at first. As the clay sculpture had dried, the frame was made more hallow, which made it more challenging. However, with the help of Roman and Tollak I was able to glue it together successfully. I did not feel like adding  a way to remove the clock, as it would not be appropriate to my chosen type of sculpture, which is also why I didn't add a battery. I then glued the top hat to the head, and the wings on it's back.

I then painted Roman Numerals onto the background of the clock, because I think it added more sophistication, even though the numerals were poorly drawn. I then glued on the top hat, and the wings. I used a cut out piece of a clock hand as an eye, and a metal ring symbolizing a monocle.

Creating the sculpture: Part 03

The following lesson I worked on the details of the sculpture. I had some problems with engraving the wings onto the sculpture, so I decided to scrap it. Since we this was the second to last lesson we were able to work on the sculpture, I decided to make the rest of the sculpture out of cardboard and other materials, as the clay needed one week to dry.

Creating the sculpture: Part 02

In the second lesson I was able to work with the sculpture, I continued modeling the body of the owl, as I had finished the frame of the clock. I used clay to build around the frame, to make it into one sculpture altogether. By the end of the lesson, I had finished the main structure and was ready to proceed to the details.

Creating the sculpture: Part 01

The first thing I had to do when creating the sculpture was to create the background of the clock. I did this by cutting out an appropriate sized circle out of cardboard and then painting it with silver paint. Then I proceeded to create frame to insert the clock in. This was going to be the stomach of the owl. My initial thought was to add gears to the sculpture, but since the classroom lacked that component, I was not able to.

Clock design

I have now made a design of the clock I am planning to make. I will cover a clock with some kind of material, most likely clay. I will also probably include some other accessories, to make it not just look like a statue. The sculpture will be of a robotic owl.

Clock ideas

Last lesson we were introduced to out new unit, where we work with time and clocks. The assignment of this unit is to create a clock or another form of sculpture that represents time. I am thinking of designing my clock to look like an owl, because it reminds me of some characters from the video game Okami, which had a very interesting concept to it.

Evaluation feedback

Aj: ''Good, but could have included more black on the dark side''.

Roman: ''Likes the purple color on the dark side''.

The general feedback from the class was that my painting was good, and very symbolic, even though some people were surprised I had a ''dark side''.

   

Progression update

Last lesson I painted the half of my painting. I focused on the dark side, because I am going to paint with different kinds of methods on each side. The next lesson I will finish the painting by painting the light side.

Self portrait artist.

I choose the self portrait artist Gustave Courbet, because I believe the emotions he tried to show really reflected the painting.