1. After reading this chapter in your own words, define Postmodern Art?
Postmodernism is more conceptual and abstract. There is no clear meaning to the work, and it is often very aesthetic.

2. Why is Feminism or Feminist Art considered Post Modern?
The poststructuralists refused to accept them in the art world because they thought it was impossible and horrible to make women's essence essential. They thought it was very unappealing... They were put into the postmodern category because they were really pushing different views and not conforming to the old ways.

3. Pick one of the following artists: Cindy Sherman, Lorna Simpson or Paul McCarthy. Describe their artwork and then give reasons why it is Post Modern.
They are postmodern because they are all centered around a concept or idea, but it is very abstracted. It's all about subjects or conditions that no one really wants to talk about. They are very taboo in a way. They were probably all looked down upon when it come to poststructuralists.

4. Find an artist on The Drawing Center’s Viewing Program Web site that relates to your drawing for this project. How does there art relate to your concept, subject and style.
I love how Jason D. Watson combines his sketches from life with designs that remind me of comics and graffiti at the same time. There is also a sketchy unfinished quality to his work that I have always loved... it's done, but not done and that's what gives it such beauty. I would like to do something like this for my final project to collage everything together. Mixed media is the way to go.

a. In your own words how would you define Formalism?
Formalism is a type of art that tries to eliminate all ties to direct content or symbolism. It is purely design and the focus is how the shapes, angles, colors and lines work together and coexist in the same space. It is purely aesthetic and can stand alone without a true purpose.

b. Kadinsky, Mondrian, and Malevich are all considered to be early Morn Abstractionists. After looking at their art which artist do you think best fits into your own definition of Formalism and why?
I believe that Mondrian was the true formalist out of the three. He took away anything and everything that could hint at a recognizable concept or point. He purely used line and color on the most basic, yet intriguing level. It moves your eye, and it makes definitely makes me go back to the basics of art. The primary colors, and learning how to make straight lines... I like it.

c. Pick one of these artists and discuss how their artwork fits into Formalism?
Kandinsky is my favorite artist from this movement. He uses color in a way that no one ever had before. At least not to this exaggerated extent. He shows complete control over the colors he uses, with absolutely no regards to realism. His more abstract paintings show a flow and movement that makes you feel like you're looking at music instead of hearing it. There is nothing that makes sense visually that points you to that conclusion. It is purely through color and line that he accomplishes this feat. This definitely qualifies him as a great formalist.

d. Find an artist on The Drawing Center’s Viewing Program Web site that relates to your drawing for this project. How does there art relate to your concept, subject and style?
Julie Graham is probably the closest to what I'll be doing. I want to use simple marks to convey motion, and she swells all of these small marks into waves that carry themselves from place to place conveying movement and time. I like her work.

a. What is the difference between Expressionism and Cognitivisim? To answer this question you must define each word first.

Expressionism is more about feeling and teaching the audience, may, or may not happen. Cognitivism is much more factual. The art has more of a fixed goal when it comes to educating an audience on a certain matter. They are both about sharing emotion, but Cognitivism is more focused on a certain point that the artist wishes to convey.

b. Without quoting Tolstoy, what is his definition of art?

Art is a way to convey feelings or past experiences without using words. With just one glance, the feelings are understood in some way. Not everyone perceives it the same, but the general feeling should be transferred to the audience.

c. What is the role of the viewer in Collingwood’s definition of art?

The viewer is supposed to be actively thinking and participating while they view the art. The artist attempts to communicate their feelings, and in response, the viewer must attempt to decipher those same feelings in a way that makes sense and has meaning to them as well.

d. Discuss the use of metaphor in Louis Bourgeois and Kiki Smith’s art?

For Bourgeois, the use of a metaphoric idea is more abstract. The work, Cell XXV (The View of the World of the Jealous Wife), really makes sense. The wife is stuck with the thoughts of her and the other woman, they just go round and round in her head, with no escape. then when it comes to Kiki Smith's work, Daughter, She shows what the charactor could have been like. Everyone has a little bit of wolf in them, she could even be using this phenomenon to bring a certain childhood story to mind.

e. Find an artist on The Drawing Center’s Viewing Program Web site that relates to your drawing for this project. How does there art relate to your concept, subject and style?

Anna Fidlers work really appeals to me. I love all of the detail and color she places in her paintings. She focuses on the unseen energies of the world. I love the stippling she does to represent this. I plan on including many of her properties in my art, although, my initial inspiration for this project came from Kay Nielsen... Fidlers really reminds me of her in some ways though, when it comes to her mark making.

Week 3-6, Chapter 2

a. In your own words define realistic art.
Realistic art is characterized by being easily recognizable and the representation very obvious.

b. How does Plato define good art?
Plato believes that there should be a good balance of beauty and unity, he believes that all beautiful things share certain characteristics. Most importantly, he believes that good art should project higher values such as truth and good behavior.

d. In your own words, how would Aristotle define good art?
Aristotle believes that good art is proportionate, or has perfect form. he then links this form to function. Both working together is what he finds beautiful. Functional beauty, perfectly proportioned. He doesn't focus on meaning as strongly as Plato.

e. In your personal philosophy is “obscene" art a contradiction of terms? Why or why not? On a technical level, no. Art is supposed to communicate emotion. If lust is being communicated, that is a legitimate emotion. However, I do not believe that meaningless sex acts are beautiful, or artistic. They are purely for carnage and emotionally detached sexual acts. There is no emotion in that for me, personally.

f. Are vivid sexual images more obscene that vivid images of violence, poverty, display of extreme wealth or sickness?
Images of hardship are meant to convey a point or principle, even a problem in society vivid sexual images could be used that way if displayed properly, although, more often than not they are displayed for very petty reasons. That is the sole difference.

g. Find an artist on The Drawing Center’s Viewing Program Web site that relates to your drawing for this project. How does there art relate to your concept, subject and style?
Simone Haack has a style similar to mine. They are very emotional. For this project I am also the same technique, coming out of the gloom, unrest, and violent confusion. I like how dark and emotional these pieces are. They contrast nicely with the goal I have for my project.

Figure Drawings

This was a pose that lasted around 45 minutes. I rubbed chalk pastel over the paper creating the green hue. I then erased to draw. I love reversing my thinking like this.

This is one of my favorite pieces. I love to portray the peace that one feels during slumber. I believe that this is the most vulnerable situation people experience. The reason for sleep is still argued to this day, and remains clouded in mystery. This fascinates me, for no one knows what happens while in this state, even the dreamer. Therefore, I draw this to ponder...