Art.

Why study Art?
Because it is the centre of everything!
Because it is from the heart which is also the above!
Because it is history, it is the future, it is culture which is also the two things above!

How joyous it is to be in a culture that places their art in the centre of their capital city. Musee Du Louvre is on an Island in the centre of Paris housed in a massive and extravagant 13th Centrury Palace. While searching for the ‘Mona Lisa’ I was hoping for the same feeling I got when I saw Picasso’s weeping woman up close but came away disappointed as it’s completely enclosed by glass and a three metre barrier. Also the hoards of tourist’s lining up to have it behind them was off putting. Trop de touristes!
However the vast colletion of French, Italian 13th to 19th Century masterpieces was profound. I was engulfed by Art and it’s purpose. I saw the significance of an artwork before computers, camera’s and print ‘reproduction’. I felt the importance of changes of style and art movements. I was changed by Art.
I reflected that another culture, much closer to home, places such significance on Art – our Aboriginal culture. In fact this has been recognized in the Musee du Quai Branly commissioned by the last PM of France who has filled this celebration of indigenous art with Australian Aboriginal artists.
Is there something modern & Western in dismissing the significance of Art?


An assignment came to mind:

In photoshop and/or illustrator create an artwork (you could scan drawings/paintings) that references early 13th to 16th Century French and Italian Painting artworks such as portraiture and formal group poses. Note the stylized placement and concentration on form. You could choose a historical moment; modern and/or current history that would be as significant as those chosen in this period of history. You may need to ask your friends to pose.. How can you represent the oil painting technique and colours?
Consider the impact your painting will have – there is no TV, ipod’s, internet. How can you make it significant?
Aim for a larger than A4 size. Think BIG. Some of the artworks from this time were 2/3 metres square with heavy gold frames.
Due: when I return...