Blog #6

I have always had an appreciation for art. Although it was not until I took this class I understood its past and development at all. Like all things, knowing how art got to where it is today helps understand it further. What I am interested in is what will people read about when our time passes (if we make it over this summer :P). What will be considered "great?" Will there be an artist of our time that no one knows of, but gets discovered in 30 years, whos work is seen as the pinnacle of 20th/21st century art? Will the books simply skip over this century, as it does so often with others. Seeing the art being created so long ago is very humbling. It really has all been done before. Seeing the church commissions inspire abstract art decades later was probably the most interesting part for me. The way each previous century influences the next, building a pyramid of art that slowly morphs into modern day works.

Blog #3

Art today is used as propaganda in every extreme. In countries with corrupt governments, extreme propaganda is very prominent. Although you don't need a socialist government to have propaganda. In the recent presidential election, the famous image created by Frank Fairey was very prominent. Aside from the notable relation in style with those old Russian Socialist posters, (not saying Obama is) it also simply says, "Hope," showing a very direct message. Propaganda does not always have a negative connotation, as I feel most people make it out to be. It can reinforce a positive message, instead of a person with a bad one. Propaganda can be especially influential, mostly when it is the only thing someone has heard about a person or cause.

Blog #2

The term "genius" is thrown around often, and in the art world, and most people hand it out to those who they consider the best. However no one can be labeled the best in anything, especially art. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and to try and dictate a general frame for something as complex as beauty is fruitless. There are individuals who do go above and beyond others and are not only skilled in their craft, but are highly innovative. For example, in the guitar world, you have many different branches in playing. There are hot-shot, fast-as-hell, music-theory bookworm guitarists, who to many, are "genius." (Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, etc.) However there are men going back to the 1920's, who with nothing but an acoustic guitar and three chords, created an entire wave of new music. (Robert Johnson, Blind Boy Fuller, etc.) Which one was more of a "Genius," the more technically talented one, or the innovator? Genius is such a vague word, and in the end, an individual can only be considered a "genius" in opinion.

Blog #1

Is art and religion relevant today?

Absolutely. I feel as long as one exists, it will be relevant. The main reason being that they have already had such an incomprehensible impact on our world. Religion is and always has been a prominent force in human existence. Even if you are not religious, you undoubtedly know someone who is. It affects so much of the population, and finds its way into everything it seems: Politics, music, fashion, television, and most other popular culture themes. In the popular childrens show "Veggie Tales," the seemingly innocent talking vegetables sing songs of sharing, exercise, and god watching over all of us. So long as religious people practice, it will be relevant.

While there are many ties with religion and art, both can stand independently. With the internet and digital editing programs, art has evolved to a whole new level. It is accessible to almost everyone, and the possibility for creation is greater than it has ever been. I would say art is more relevant today than it was in the past century. The amount of photographers, musicians, painters, and graphic designers is higher than it has ever been. While there are not as many gems it would seem, our generation has chosen quantity over quality. However, we are all striving to purify our expression, just as those who moved art forward in the past did. Art today is just as alive as it was yesterday, and every day before that.

The beach today, expression, and one other thing

Today i went to the beach..it was probably the most relaxing thing ive done in a longgggggggggggggg time.. traffic was a little rough getting there, but once we were there, i just sat back, put a towel over my face to shield the sun, and played sum geetar for like, 2 hours. To me, that is the most relaxing, mind clearing, zen set of activities out there.

Something about the beach manages to clear my mind of anything thats on it, whether its good or bad. its as if the waves wash away the thoughts in my head..and if you combine that with a nice sun/breeze and guitar, its quite possibly the most relaxing thing i could imagine.


A few days ago i went to the county honor band performance at gunn highschool..I dont know what it is, but when i see live orchestral/band music i just become enthralled with the conductor..when i see his/her passion something just lights up inside me and i can't help but smile..he was just spilling his emotions into the room through his conducting..that was really inspiring for me to see a person do that..and when he began to talk about music being part of the human experience i thought it couldnt get any better..he hit the nail on the head in my book..he seemed to have such a love for all the music in the world..some people say he was boring or cheesy, but i loved hearing him tell us about the peices and music to him..truly inspiring..

recently i've found my taste in music/art is fairly unchanging..however, i feel as if i can appreciate all types of music, in any form, so long as it was made with honest emotion..if the creater believes in what theyre creating as an extention of thier feelings, theres no way i can not like it a little bit..granted i might not love to listen to something, but thats simply my taste..i can certainly appreciate anything thats made with an honest heart. the person could be clinically insane, but if they created a mad piece of artwork with all thier insanity thrown across the canvas or something, i would still have an admiration for it, because its so pure.


one other thing..listen to this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKaLqATmm3g