Logos

I picked this logo, not only because it's humorous but because it is the perfect example of an image that is designed to be easily recognized. It takes an image we are all familiar with and then puts it in its simplest form, making it instantly recognizable.
Sign- Indicates something, conveys a message
Symbol- Represents something. Usually something historic.
Logo- Represents a product or company.
Icon- Representation of an image.

(http://cuzoogle.wordpress.com/2007/03/19/trojan-sales-drop-in-texas/ : 10/18/07)

Oh My Love Gasoline

I found listening about Duchamp and viewing his art interesting. The fact that he finds it important to combine words and images gives him more dimension then other artists. Most artist speak through their pieces, giving no other explanation for viewers, making it a little odd that Duchamp felt the need to give his viewers a play by play instruction booklet on his piece. The picture, however, is so abstract that it was nice to have such deep insight to what it is representing (but is it really abstract then if you know what it is about?). I find Duchamp a lot less pertinacious then I would have without an explanation. Abstract paintings are like inside jokes; you want to like them and get them but don't and end up just finding them slightly irritating. Having an explanation let me in on the joke and helped me appreciate the piece more. I liked The Bride more with the commentary. There is so much humor and satire in the picture that would be lost without Duchamp's explanation, and would be a shame. On a whole, I find that there is more depth in this picture once it is explained. Although, I did not like how in his explanation he included plans and ideas which he did not use in the piece; it was confusing. Once explained I found the mechanical representation of men and women, marriage in general, very entertaining and smart. Ducham emphasized the importance of veiwer interaction, which, with the combination of words and visuals he achieves.

Better Late then Never With Gestalt

"ge·stalt: A physical, biological, psychological, or symbolic configuration or pattern of elements so unified as a whole that its properties cannot be derived from a simple summation of its parts" (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gestalt).
Above is the deffinition of 'Gestalt' from dictionary.com. In laymen terms, what I think they are saying is that a gestalt is an image-physical, biological, psychological, symbolic..anything really- in which the pattern is so unified that one can only see it as a whole, not the individual pieces of said pattern or image. Maybe upon closer inspection they could but at first glance can not.

Pretty, Pretty Structures

What do floor tiles, wall coverings fabric prints and Islamic architecture have to do with each other? A lot more then one would think... All of those decorations mentioned above are inspired from islamic architecture and design. "Distinguishing motifs of Islamic architecture have always been ordered repetition, radiating structures, and rhythmic, metric patterns. In this respect, fractal geometry has been a key utility, especially for mosques and palaces" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_architecture). When I looked up floor tiles I saw an extreme similarity between the tiles placed in Mosques and other holy Islamic structures and the floor tiles themselves. The tiles were geometric shapes, usually squares or rectangles, which were put into some form of pattern. Usually they had a pattern within themselves which incorporated organic shapes and lines, swirling or flowing. The floor tiles are not used to decorate important places and are not as grand but more simple, unlike the ones in Islamic culture. Wall coverings and fabric prints are very influenced from the designs found in Islamic architecture. They have geometric and organic shapes-sometimes a combination of both-which are repetitive and can form a pattern. They also display the use of symmetry, both elements found within Islamic designs and rugs. The difference between the inside decoration of Islamic mosques and other holy buildings compared to European churches and holy buildings is interesting. Unlike the historical decoration and in your face religiousness of European churches, Islamic mosques have decoration which focuses on repetitiveness and circular motions, more medativefashioned much like mendala's, probably influenced from Asia. I had the opportunity to see this type of architecture in person when I visited India and went to the Red Fortress in Agra. The style incorporates geometric shaped structures with patterned organic and or geometric shapes decorating it. One of the main elements of their style is repetitiveness.
(Images are mine.)

Adventures in Illustrator Land

I actually did this project. Using Illustrator at home and out of the stressful classroom enviorment helped me get the concept a lot easier. While creating my image I was learning how to really work the pen tool. The entire key to me figuring out how to use and make things was learning that you could double click on the anchor point and create a straight non curved line. Once I understood that double clicking concept it became much easier to control where my lines went. Every now and then I would try using the curved shape part of the tool. The shape climbs up towards the left hand side with a combination of organic and geometric shapes but it's rather contained, as a whole, toward the center of the paper. The free floating shapes were added to balance out negative space.

"Life is like a Kaleidoscope"

Description: This piece, by Peter Max, is very eye catching and pops out at you. It has bright colors with lots of positive space and can be viewed from any angle; vertically, horizontally, upside down, right side up... There is one main shape which holds all of the other colors and shapes within it and is surrounded by a white background which can be viewed as different shapes when the eye is relaxed. The shapes found within the larger rounded four sided shape include organic and geometric shapes combined, often molding into one another: circles (many), squares and thick bubble like lines that start pointed at one end and end rounded at the other. The size and positioning of the different shapes gives it the illusion of being farther way and then getting closer...like a kaleidoscope.

Interpretation: The artist wanted the viewers eyes to be pulled into the center of the piece right away. The trail of circles and other small shapes leads the eyes in but also out of the center connecting it with the flowers on the outside corners of the main shape. The artist seemed to want to draw the viewers eye to the immediate center of the picture and then lead them out toward the edges. The colors used in this painting are light shades of bright colors. The use of non bright colors helps it from giving off a to chaotic feeling, and instead a warm light feeling.

Evaluation: The perspective feeling of being pulled into the painting and then finding your way out of it is what appeals to me most. The use of the color white for the background and negative space is not very flattering to the piece. It is filled with many light colors to begin with, having another one, white non the less, makes it to light. Dark blue or black might have served it better. While on the topic of colors, I'm not crazy about all the ones used. I like the fact that they're light so it's easy to see what shapes are where but it includes to much orange. The colors seem to be randomly picked and thrown together. Even though the color is a big part of a painting, I have to admit that over all I it. Max's modern day take on ancient mendalla's is very cool and hip.

Max, Peter. Carousel Mindflowers, 1967. Owner/City N/A.
http://www.gasolinealleyantiques.com/potpourr.htm