Essays About the Arts
1
Drowning Girl
Isabel Tragos
This piece of art I chose for this assignment is called Drowning
Girl, done by Roy Lichenstein in 1963. The original piece is done with
oil paint on canvas, and can be cited as one of the most famous pieces
of pop art from its time. The layered colors and gorgeous detail that
helps humanize the women’s face (using small dots) gives this piece a
signature aesthetic and recognizable look that certainly Lichtenstein
helped pioneer. He became known for his pop-art works with several
different pieces to follow like “Crying Girl” which would later become
known as the “tragic girl series.” He sought inspiration from 1940s and
1950s comics, hence the speech bubble that reads, “I don’t care! I’d
rather sink than call Brad for help!” The painting style was also used
to reflect comics, as it is meant to look as if it were fresh off the
printing press. His work can be closely exclaimed next to Andy Warhrol,
who also drew inspiration from comics and silkscreen printing.
Melodrama and tragicness were common themes that Lichtenstein integrated into his work, and though the narrative text seems dramatic, the imagery to match truly does depict distress, which is the central emotion that this piece has been argued to depict. The piece has actually been described as a “masterpiece of melodrama” which inflicts different types of human emotion in everyone, but thus, also sparks some interesting interpretations and conversations as a result.
There have been several different interpretations on what exactly Lichtenstein could’ve been trying to depict (or trying to reflect) in this piece, and I have enjoyed reading what critics, experts and commentators guessed. It can be said that because she is drowning, she is nearing death. However some may say that she could be quite literally “drowning in her sorrows” like the phrase and ocean background suggests. But it is almost universally agreed that the piece is related to heartbreak.
I think it’s important to me to write about this piece because it’s one of the earliest pieces of art I remember seeing at the MOMA in New York City. I have a vivid memory of walking through the museum with my mom and her friend, Tom, who is an artist and designer himself. Though I was young and could not resonate directly with this woman's clear misery and sadness, soon after enduring the anxiety of adulthood I became more attached to it. Hence, when it came time for me to decorate my own apartment (a process I greatly enjoy) I chose to buy a copy of it, frame it, and design the rest of my room around it.
Art (particularly art you stare at everyday) I believe subconsciously engrains itself into your life. I think this piece means a lot to me because I grew up to resonate with it and remember my original reaction to seeing it. It reminds me of my youth as well, because in early stages of learning to read, my father implored us to read both graphic novels and comics. This has given me an affinity for comic books, particularly of the ‘60’s, which led to my interest in both pop and contemporary art. Though “distress” is not a particularly spoken about human emotion, there have been several instances in my adulthood that have inflicted distress in me. Sometimes I have felt like “Drowning Girl.” Not as a result of heartbreak per say but rather, as in over my head or out of control. These feelings are what allow me to resonate with it, and why it means something to me. I remember it, I framed it, and I have felt it.
I would use this piece to demonstrate Language Arts. I would ask students to interpret what the text in the photo means. Then, I would ask them to try and think of a time where they felt helpless like this drowning woman. I would craft a lesson that would allow students to use their creativity and imagination while also connecting with their feelings. I would also ask them, how does this painting make you feel? Because children learn color association early on (warm colors typically conveying happy emotions, cold colors typically conveying sad emotions). I would ask why the artist may have chosen certain color choices - were they strategic? Were they not? I then would ask students to explain a time where they felt distressed, out of control, or sad. Then, I would encourage them to write about it.
Teaching students how to effectively state their observations and express their feelings through writing is one of the most important ways to develop early writers. I think this piece would be a great thought starter and great bait for an essay or short writing assignments. Ideally, I would hope this piece would spark some type of emotion within the students the way it did for me when I was younger.
2
Legally Blonde
Jessica Colon
Legally Blonde the Musical is from 2007 filled with fun songs, humor, and drama. This musical is based on Amanda Brown's novel and the 2001 film. It was originally published in 2001. There are several characters including Elle Woods, the main character of the story and many others that make up the plot. The main plot of this musical is Elle Woods has broken up with her boyfriend who is going to Harvard Law School. Elle decided to work hard so she is able to get into Harvard as well and be with her ex-boyfriend. After meeting new individuals she realizes her worth and goes on to do so many great things with her new passion for Law.
This piece is important piece to me because of how powerful and uplifting it is to individuals. Elle Woods was broken up with/by the boyfriend because he believed she was not class and she did not fit the type he needed to be with him. At first, she was trying to win him back but she ended up proving him wrong by getting into Harvard, winning her first case, and becoming top of her class. I chose this piece and not any others because. nowadays there are not many empowering - fun pieces of work like this musical. It is important to continue having positive uplifting musicals and other pieces for the next generation.
I would use Legally Blonde the musical to teach other subjects such as Language Arts, History, Science, and Math by many reasons. When it comes to Language Arts, students can decipher moments in the story that may not be directly said. Students can analyze the material and learn the meaning as they do with other movies or books. For history, we can think about the long history of males taking on roles when woman were not allowed to do. We question and compare the different eras. Here, Elle Woods is doing an amazing job working with other males and defeating the gender stereotype. Science and math, we analyze the information by tests on percentages of males and woman at these Ivy League schools.
3
Imitative Realism
Paige Accetta
For my essay, I have decided to use the floral piece by Georgia O’Keeffe from 1928, titled “Oriental Poppies.” This painting was declared a ground-breaking art masterpiece upon its release. She revolutionized the tradition of flower painting by making the large format paintings of enlarged flowers. By being so large and adamant, it draws the viewer in and you can observe detail at great lengths. She became proficient at imitative realism, the approach to image making that formed the basis of all standard art-school curriculum at the time.
Personally, when I thought of a piece that was so important to me, I immediately remembered Georgia O’Keeffe’s name. I was first introduced to her work at a very young age, perhaps in 2nd grade by my art teacher, Mrs. White. I’ll never forget this moment because the image of the flowers stuck out to me in my mind for all this time. The way she presented this piece was for us, her students, to recreate it as best we could. Being 2nd grades we just knew to paint large flowers on our canvases. Little did we know, how groundbreaking it was for her to even begin painting these gorgeous, large flowers on her canvases. I even remember my piece was a sunflower with a large blue background that stuck out to me. I think it was very important to present this pieces to students of such a young age to emphasize the importance of art.
I would probably use this piece to present in a similar way that I was presented it, however I would emphasize the importance of Georgia O’Keeffe painting such large canvases during her time. I would teach this in an arts class for a younger grade such as anywhere from kindergarten to 2nd grade. I would introduce this piece by presenting it to the class and allowing them to illustrate their own choice of flower on a large piece of paper or canvas. I would allow them to have freedom with any flower and design that they would like. Then at the end of class, I would allow the children to share their pieces with each other and be inspired by each other’s artistic abilities. I would then discuss the importance of Georgia O’Keffee and being able to think outside the box and not afraid to explore different techniques and abilities in the face of what’s the “norm.”
4
Ratatouille
Sofia Serres
The art piece I have chosen to write about is a movie I have been consistently watching throughout my life. Ratatouille, is an 2007 Pixar movie that was written and produced by Brad Bird. The film features a rat who, despite the disapproval of his father, has a love for cooking and the delicious flavors he creates. The rat, Remy, accidentally finds himself in the kitchen of what once was the best restaurant in Paris. After seeing the busboy, Alfredo Linguini, mess up the soup in the kitchen, Remy decides to take matters into his own hands and fixes the soup, only to be discovered by Linguini. The two form an unconventional friendship in which Remy controls Linguini’s every move in the kitchen, causing the restaurant he works for to be restored to its former glory of one of the best restaurants in Paris. While at the surface this movie seems to be just about a cooking rat, what it really represents is following your dreams no matter how crazy they may seem.
I chose to write about this movie because this was one of the first movies I fell in love with as a child. Watching movies, especially re-watching movies, has become a staple in my life as something that soothes me and makes reality disappear. I can confidently say I force everyone in my life to watch this movie with me at least once, but my roommates have been forced to endure this movie all too often. I think incorporating the concept of cooking is what really draws me to this movie. Cooking in itself can be an art form and I have developed a love for it myself. I am never happier than when I am cooking in the kitchen, especially for the ones I love.
I could use this movie to teach a variety of subjects to my students. One application of this movie could be in a home economics class during a cooking lesson. There are parts of the movie that explain how different flavors go together and I think that would be a great introduction to cooking. Additionally, while this isn’t a specific subject I believe this movie can be an inspiration to students to follow their dreams. As a class activity after watching the movie I would like to have children draw themselves as following their dreams, whatever it may be. This will allow them to visualize themselves doing what they love.
5
MLK," I have a Dream" Speech
Dylan Barron
I chose a piece of art that speaks to me personally it has a big impact on my education. When I was first taught about Martin Luther king Junior, it was in the sense that he was a hero and his actions were for the better of the United States. As I got older I realized how brave and strong MLK was to do what he had to do. During the 60s, racism was extremely high and prevalent anywhere in the United States, therefore the bravery that Martin Luther King had to go into a speech in front of hundreds of thousands, showed his dedication and bravery for what he believed was right.
Looking into the context of the speech MLK uses repetition which shows his repetitive behaviors to ensure that everyone was free. The use of repetition allowed people to remember his speech and pieces of it especially, 'I have a dream.' Now looking back on the speech in 2022, it is amazing to see how we still show the speech in classrooms today. And I agree with that because of the power and pressure the speech put on the United States. The tone of the speech is also very stern yet not loud. When listening to Dr. King speak we hear the calm and his voice and the collective thoughts he has to be able to go onto such a massive platform.
In my own classroom I would use Martin Luther King's speech as a way to educate my students using the principles of history and English. I would use the rhetorical patterns in his speech and the historical impact of the speech and had on the United States. An activity I would have to do with my kids is looking at the issues that we face in the United States now, and see what the current future has for a dream.
6
Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular
Sari Adler
The art installation piece I have chosen to write about is actually a performance and is the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular performance at Radio City Music Hall in NYC. I have gone probably between 10-15 times in my life, and it has become a special tradition between me and my mom to go see the show each year at Christmas, whenever we can. A little bit of history about the performance: The Christmas Spectacular featuring the Radio City Rockettes is an annual show presented around the Christmas/ holiday season. It is a 90 minute show with over 140 performers and all original numbers including original music, singing, and dancing. The first show was in 1933 and ever since it has become a tradition for not only myself, but a tradition in the city of Manhattan as well. The show is known for the main talent- the Rockettes. The show was created by the Music Hall's stage producer Leon Leonidoff and designer Vincente Minnelli. The show has since been updated a number of times. In 2014, Julie Branam was hired as director and choreographer of the Christmas Spectacular.
This piece is really important to me because it is a tradition for me to go see the show every year, and it has been cool to see how the show has evolved, as well as what as stayed the same, over the years. I feel like in a way it is sort of like a metaphor with my life because while my core values and certain qualities about me haven’t drastically changes throughout my life, I am constantly evolving and growing as a person and it is important to recognize that change is a good thing. I have always been a very anxious person, especially when I was younger and I was someone who got very uncomfortable with change. I remember when I saw the first “updated” version of the show and it was slightly different than the version I remembered and I was so upset. I thought that because it was different, it couldn’t be a tradition anymore. However, throughout my life experiences that I have gone through since (including my parents getting divorced after I graduated from high school) I have realized that change can be an amazing thing and it is needed in order to grow as a person. I will always cherish my memories going to the show as a little kid, with the version I remember, just as I will always cherish all the memories of my family all together throughout my entire childhood. These are amazing memories to have and I am so grateful that I have this new perspective on change, as it has really opened my eyes to the many possibilities that are out there- and just because something is the “way it has always been” does not mean that it needs to stay that way.
I would use this piece in my classroom, to teach various subjects such as History, Music, and Performing Arts. However, it does depend on the school curriculum/what type of school. Because the show does have a slight religious aspect, with the show centering around Christmas and the last scene being a nativity scene, I believe this is an especially good piece to bring into Catholic schools or those areas in which Catholicism is more present. I believe the holiday time can be a sensitive time for some kids, as a lot of kids might feel left out for not celebrating Christmas- and I would never want a child to feel left out in my classroom. However, I remember watching and learning about the history of the show when I went to Catholic middle school, and I believed it was an amazing way to visualize and learn about the history of Christmas specifically. While today kids often only focus on the “Santa” and “present” aspects of Christmas, I think it’s extremely important for children to understand the root of where all holiday’s come from - not just Christmas- and incorporate this into the teaching curriculum. I believe this can be incorporated in non- catholic schooling systems as well- as it can be combined into a lesson encompassing all religious holidays and where they stem from and the Christmas Spectacular show can be used to teach the Christmas portion. I also believe this material can be studied in Music and performing arts subjects because it does consist of sort of “iconic” sheet music and dance numbers that can be recreated. I remember in 3rd or 4th grade I had a tap performance, a take on the wooden soldier routine and at the end we did the iconic “wooden solder fall” where it is a domino effect of falling soldiers slowly one by one. I remember this took a lot of practice but it was such a cool experience and I will remember it forever. I am excited to carry on this tradition and bring my own kids to the show as well when I am older.
7
Colorful Solitude
Rachel Wojtowicz
The piece of artwork I chose is by Hailey Herrera. It is titled Colorful Solitude. It is a watercolor painting of Cannon Beach in Oregon. When we were told this assignment I wasn't sure what I was gonna choose, but after doing some research I came across this one and I really liked it. As a past art student, I've always loved beach and ocean painting, especially water colors. I think water color paintings of these landscapes always capture the setting well. With water colors you use water to blend the colors together by layering the colors over each other.
Living near the beach my whole life and then in college being near the beach Ive always had an appreciation for the sun, beach and ocean. This painting stood out because of the colors used. It is an extreme sunset but I love it. The paintings use colors that remind me of happiness and calmness. The piece is important to me because of how it makes me feel and what it reminds me of. It reminds me of summer and being happy.
You could use this piece to teach language arts. The lesson you could use for this painting would be to find the meaning of the painting. Language arts often are about extracting a deeper meaning from what is right in front of you. The first lesson you could do with this is catered towards older grades like high school. With this you could teach that by having the students find the meaning behind this painting and what the painting is trying to portray. You can also use this painting to show how to mix colors together. This lesson would be catered to younger grades like first grade. With this you can show students which colors mix well with others and which don't. You can teach primary colors and secondary ones.
8
Guernica
Devin Martinez
For my final essay, I have chosen to write about the Guernica by Picasso. It was completed in June of 1937 and is an oil painting on canvas. The title of the painting is after a small town in northern Spain. Originally, Picasso was contacted while he was living in Paris to complete a large mural paining for the 1937 Paris International Exposition. He got inspiration for the painting after hearing of the attack on the small town of Guernica on April 26th in 1937 by the Nazi’s. Once the Guernica was completed, it was presented at the Spanish display in the Paris International Exposition, along with other popular venues around the globe. The purpose of this touring exposition of the Guernica was to raise money for the Spanish war relief. This painting gained attention and became widely famous, and overtime brought much needed attention worldwide to the Spanish Civil War. This painting represented Picasso’s outrage for the genocide that is committed during war and has become a symbol of protest and anti-war. This painting shows the tragedy and the suffering of innocent civilians. This piece was one of Picasso’s most known works, and it is exhibited in the Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid, Spain.
I decided to focus on this piece by Picasso because it has always been one of my father’s favorite paintings and we have a replica painting in my home. My father and his parents are from Cuba, but my distant relatives are originally from Spain. A few years ago, my family and I vacationed in Spain and I visited the Museo Reina Sofía, and was able to see the original. I feel that the meaning behind this painting sends an amazing message, for its anti-war symbol and its hatred for violence. I had an amazing experience visiting Barcelona and Madrid and had such an appreciation for the beautiful art and architecture that I saw.
This painting can be used to teach history, as it was completed two years before World War II, and resembled an act of Nazi violence. World War II was a pivotal moment in the history of the United States, and everyone learns about it through their years of schooling as it is necessary to learn about. I could use this painting to teach the impact of war, and how innocent lives are ruined and lost by the violent acts that take place while war is occurring. This painting is a symbol of anti-war and can be used to showcase and promote peace.
9
Wicked
Emily Berwall
For this final essay I have chosen to write about the musical film "Wicked." Wicked had its world premiere in 2003 after Stephen Schwartz read the original novel and decided that it had to be produced into a musical. This musical tells the story of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch before they become who they are in the well-known film "The Wizard of Oz." Ultimately, this musical serves as the prequel to The Wizard of Oz. The plot focuses on the idea of two unlikely friends whose relationship struggles through their opposing personalities and viewpoints, same love interests, reactions to the government, and more. This musical is one of the most famous productions on Broadway to date, and not just due to the plot. The songs are even well known to those who have never seen the musical themselves; "Defying Gravity" and "For Good" are even staples at many graduation ceremonies.
Growing up, I loved the Wizard of Oz. I was fascinated with the concept and fell in love with the characters, specifically Dorothy (I even dressed up as her for Halloween when I was younger). I was ecstatic when I learned about Wicked and how it was a sequel to the original film that had impacted me so much. The plot was also something that really resonated with me growing up. The idea of two friends who are completely different but still being able to figure out their differences and get along relates a lot to growing up. So many times in our life we meet people who are extremely different to us, but it is important to work to get along and form that very unlikely friendship that you may end up benefiting from in the long run.
This musical could very easily be used to teach a class lesson. As I mentioned above, the theme and plot gives lessons and messages that students would benefit from learning more about and understanding. It could also be taught in language arts as the musical originated as a book. Students would be able to read the book first, finish assignments and discussions based off of it, and then watch the musical. They would then have the opportunity to compare the musical and book and see how the author and director chose to differentiate the two productions.
10
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Girl With A Balloon
Rose Satriale
Banksy’s “Girl With A Balloon” is a 2002-started London series of stencil murals created with the graffiti stencil technique. The black and white mural depicts a young girl reaching out her hand to a fly-away balloon. The picture is minimalistic as there is no scenic view behind the girl. The centralizes the girl in the dress and adds a pop of red color to the heart-shaped balloon. The little background detail gives the girl the main focus of the piece, which emphasizes her detachment with the red balloon as a dramatic scene. The vibrant color of red represents hope for those who are struggling with loss. Bansky created the piece in black and white to symbolize the darkness and suffering associated with life. The pop of red in the heart-shaped balloon represents the “glimmer of hope” life may present to look to in times of desperation. Bansky depicted the little girl as a figment of childhood dreams fading away as we grow to be adults. This metaphor shows that no matter how life may begin to dull with age, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, or in this case, a bright red heart. Regardless of how we naturally outgrow our innocence, the imagination, creativity, and excitement that fills our lives as children should be held in our hearts forever.
As I am graduating from college in a few weeks and transitioning into adulthood, this picture acts as a reminder to continuously embrace the freedom of childhood no matter where I am in life. Balloons signify celebration, which is a way to look at graduation. It is a coming-of-age ceremony that pushes us forward to a new chapter. The picture symbolizes letting go of who we once were while sustaining the hope of positivity and love in our future. I look at this mural as a representation of my life, as I am learning to let go of my college years without losing the fun, brilliance, and spontaneity of my youth. This piece of art is a powerful message to those who may feel lost in the upcoming years of change and growth. Although some of my friends will move away and I will be getting a job, I will always have the happy memories to push me forward and remind me to live unapologetically.
Teaching subjects such as history and language arts
utilizes a lot of interpretation and application of imagination. The
piece is a perfect example that gives students the right amount of room
for interpretation. In language arts, I would have my students write a
personal story from what they understand of the art. It would give the
students a way to express their emotions while delving into their
imagination and creativity. Using a piece of art as a muse for
storytelling is very beneficial to breaking writer's block and
stimulating imagery used in writing. In teaching history, I would have
students find a time period the picture reminds them of and find other
historical works of art that resemble the same message. This will
develop students' research abilities, which are critical in learning
certain history. Although history requires hefty reading, it also
presents many opportunities to discover artifacts and use the visual
appeal of the eye. For example, it is difficult to learn about a time
period without seeing the architecture, paintings, and artifacts from
that time. Lastly, if I were to use this image to teach mathematics, I
would use the balloon as a counting tool. Mathematics is another subject
that requires storytelling and using tangible things.
11
John Lennon Wall in Prague
Chloe Glennon
The piece of art I will be discussing is the John Lennon Wall in Prague. This photo is me standing in front of the John Lennon Wall with one of my good friends, Caroline, while we were studying abroad in Rome. One weekend we decided to go to Prague and we had an amazing experience in the city because we saw so many important and historical figures. One that stood out the most to me is the John Lennon Wall especially because I learned that this wall symbolizes freedom of speech and the non-violent resistance of the Czech youth. After John Lennon died in December 1980, a Czech artist made a piece of graffiti dedicated to John Lennon on this wall, however many other people around the city and around the world came to add graffiti and add their own pieces of artwork to show support for John Lennon and all of his songs and his symbolism and wishes for world peace.
I think this wall is still prevalent in a time like today when there’s so much political and economic turmoil in the world, and seeing the wall and all the positive messages made me extremely happy because it united people from around the world with their own quotes and spins on John Lennon‘s goal to create peace and unity among different nations and people in the world. I was drawn to this entire wall because I feel like it adds so many different peoples perspectives and I feel really blessed to have had the experience to be able to visit it which makes it really special to me.
I think that you could use this piece of art to teach any type of class because you could incorporate the importance and meaning of world peace and creating sentiments of positivity and love as John Lennon was famous for. Even though it is highly unlikely that every class would get the chance to go to Prague and actually see the wall, as a teacher, I would have everyone take out a piece of paper and be able to express themselves creatively through positive sentiments and maybe even pass the paper around and people could add to each others to really create that unifying feeling between different people and their thoughts and beliefs.
12
West Side Story / 2021
Madison Rucolas
The
musical film that I have chosen to discuss for my final assignment is the
recently released musical film version of the very famous and acclaimed musical
West Side Story. West Side Story was originally written by Jerome Robbins in
1957 as a Broadway production. This musical went on to win six Tony awards and
was one of the longest running shows on Broadway. In 2021 the musical was
adapted into a film and was directed by Seven Spielberg. Inspired by the
Shakespeare play, Romeo and Juliet, the story takes place in the Upper West
side of Manhattan in a multiracial neighborhood. The film explores the rivalry
between two street gangs, one from Puerto Rico and the other a white gang,
referred to as the Jets and the Sharks. Tony, a member of the jets and best friend
of the gang’s leader ends up falling in love with Maria, the younger sister of
Bernardo, the sharks leader. This tragic love story is filled with wonderful
music, dance numbers and focuses on important social problems at the same time.
I decided to write about this
musical film because growing up this was always my favorite musical and today
is now my favorite film. Growing up, I used to dance and my first ever
performance was to the song, “America,” which is one of the most famous songs
from the musical and again from the reprised film. When dancing to that song, I
felt empowered and very confident and ever since the first time I heard that
song I fell absolutely in love with the music and storyline of West Side Story.
The film is special to me because since West Side Story is now off Broadway, I
had no way of watching it, but now that the musical has been turned into a
film, I can watch it whenever I want to.
Learning about West Side Story in school would not only teach students a more modern version of Romeo and Juliet but also teach students about inclusivity and the importance of it. If someone is different than you, that does mean you cannot get along with them. Overall, I think West Side Story is a wonderful story, musical and now thankfully a film, that everyone should watch at one point in their lives.
13
Look Within Your Heart
Shoshanah Bicky
The
piece I have chosen to share is a three-dimensional sculpture created by artist, David Kracov. Titled “Look Within Your Heart”, this wall
sculpture uses three layers of metal to give off its desired effect. The
piece consists of a number of small hearts painted with bright colors,
whimsical patterns, and pop references. Each heart is unique. The
positioning of the hearts creates an overall view of a larger heart, the
true subject of the work. The message of this piece is to convey love
and positivity. The artist wants the viewer to feel all of their
emotions. When commenting on the work Kracov said:
"Close your eyes. Now think of what makes you happy, sad, angry, excited, aroused, depressed, anxious, whatever emotions are intense to you. Only then can you truly look within your heart and see what makes you."
David Kracov is known for his playful pop art. He has created multiple versions of this heart and has also done similar work using butterflies instead of hearts as well.
What draws me to this piece is how whimsical it is. I love the colors and the playfulness of this sculpture. I also enjoy that there is so much to examine with this piece. There is just so much to look at and it is all in incredible fun. Even in a picture you do not get to see everything because of the layered aspect. I also love the symbolism behind this piece. When you think about who we are as people, there are so many different parts to us. Each heart in the piece can be compared to a different trait we exhibit. Some are sillier than others, some are darker, some are lighter, some more fun, and some are more boring, but each is a part of us. The layered aspect to the piece is also symbolic that we as people are layered in many ways. As mentioned above, there are some hearts you cannot see in the photo because of the piece is multi-layered. Similar to people, there are certain things that cannot see just on the surface. Lastly, I have a personal connection to this piece. My family actually owns this artwork and has it hanging up in our home’s family room. This piece brings so much joy and light to my family’s home and is one of my personal favorites.
In a classroom setting, I would incorporate this artwork into an English lesson. I would introduce the lesson and give some background about the artist and the motivation behind the work. Next, I would have the student examine the phone and try to choose three of the hearts in the sculpture that speak to them and write a few sentences each explaining why they chose those three. I think it would be really interesting to see which hearts the students gravitated towards and why. This lesson would be best suited for students in grades 3rd- 5th. If a teacher wanted to take this piece a step further, this artwork can also be incorporated into a science/ engineering lesson, given its 3D design. The teacher can explain and show how one might go about making a 3D piece of art and have students create their own.
14
Mona Lisa
Haley James
The piece I chose to talk about is a piece I saw in person over spring break called the Mona Lisa. The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci in about 1503, and it was still in his studio when he died in 1519. He most likely worked on it over the course of several years, putting multiple layers of thin oil glazes at various times. The painting is widely considered to be the best example of portrait art ever created, as well as one of the greatest Renaissance paintings of the 15th and 16th centuries.
The Mona Lisa is a half-length picture painted in oil on a white Lombardy poplar panel of Lisa Gherardini, who was said to be Francesco del Giocondo's wife. In Italy, Leonardo da Vinci was commissioned to paint the work. He started working on it in Italy and finished it in France. It was later purchased by King Francis I of France and became the property of the French Republic. It has been on exhibit at one of the world's most famous museums, the Louvre in Paris, since 1797.
For many years, the expression on her face has been a source of contention. Her expression is mainly neutral, but there has been speculation that she is delighted, disgusted, afraid, or enraged. It is known as one of the first pieces to depict a portrait in front of an imaginary landscape. Leonardo da Vinci was the first to use this perspective now known as aerial perspective to give his paintings more depth.
The reason I chose this piece in particular is because I have always been amazed by it growing up. When I was in high school I took AP Art History and got to study the piece in depth. I knew I always wanted to travel to Paris and visit the Louvre so that I could see it in real life. This past March I had the opportunity to go to Paris and explore the Louvre and all it has to offer, especially the Mona Lisa.
Just like me, most people were at the Lourve to see the Mona Lisa which is why they had signs set up to point in the direction of where it was and lead us to the 30 minute line we had to wait in to get in front and get a clear picture. I was amazed as to how small it really was in person as I had imagined it to be bigger. I will always remember seeing it in person and hope I get the chance to go back.
I think you could use the Mona Lisa to teach math for kids in middle school. Not only will kids practice geometry but also learn about and analyze a painting. Ask kids to draw a circle that runs between her lips and around the borders of her eyes using copies of the paintings and a compass. Then ask them to draw another circle spanning the line of the chin and the top of the head, or ask them to double the radius of that circle mathematically. Students will notice that, as in most of Da Vinci's portraits, the second circle is exactly twice the diameter of the first.
15
Serenity in the Jungle
Sabrina Snyder
The piece of art I will be discussing is an oil painting I made called Serenity in the Jungle. Last semester I took an oil painting class and one of the assignments was to paint a jungle inspired by the artist Henri Rousseau. Rousseau was a post-impressionism French painter who was famous for his jungle paintings. He never traveled outside of France, so he sought inspiration from children's books and gardens in Paris. I created my own jungle taking inspiration from Rousseau and putting my own personal touch to it. I used many different shades of green, like Rousseau, but used the colors purple, orange, pink, and blue throughout the flowers and insects. I used a soft brush stroke throughout the painting along with happy colors to create a peaceful feeling. The sleeping cheetahs over the waterfall also create a tranquil effect as if the jungle is a peaceful and safe place.
This piece is special to me because it is my favorite works of art I have ever created. I have been painting for a few years now in school, and I put my whole heart into this painting. I spent a lot of attention to detail, and put in hours upon hours of work, to make my vision come to life. I have a deep appreciation for nature and love for animals which is why this painting is so important to me. I feel like I was able to incorporate my own personality into the painting. The painting shows a moment in time, a peaceful environment, where animals, insects and nature are one with each other.
I could use this piece of art to teach science class. My lesson would be on how these beautiful plants could not survive without insects and animals. I would create a visual representation of how insects pollinate flowers by moving from plant to plant. I would show a video or create slides that show when insects land on plants looking for food, pollen grains stick to them, so when they travel to another plant the pollen grains are transferred. In addition to this visual learning lesson, I would teach the students how animals help plant reproduction through pollination, seed dispersal, and plant fertilization. The objective of the lesson would be to teach the students how plants rely on animals and insects to survive.
16
Unnamed Artist
Olivia Babice
In this video from 2015, we are witnessing an unnamed artist on the streets of New York City create a piece of art using spray paint. The artist is painting the piece live for an audience of people that may have been walking by on the street. He uses ordinary objects as tools, including container lids as stencils, newspapers to create texture, and a chisel to etch a city skyline into the wet paint on the page. He works with quick, swift movements, and he also uses his fingers to flick the paint onto the paper. At the end, we see the final result, and it is a cosmic-like piece depicting the city in the foreground with outer space and planets behind.
The artwork includes lots of colors, some of which form beams of light in space that appear to be glowing. As for the piece's meaning, I believe that is up for the viewer’s interpretation. I think that this piece may portray how even being in one of the biggest cities in the world, we are all just part of one small piece of an infinite universe.
I was drawn to write about this piece because I have witnessed art like this in New York City myself. Ever since I was young, I would visit the city quite often with my family and friends, so art like this reminds me of those times and the unexpected joy I had stumbling upon one of these artists for the first time and witnessing the magic they create out of ordinary supplies. I even have a few pieces like this one back at home in New Jersey. With this piece in particular, I really like the colors that were used and its essence of outer space, which is something that has always fascinated me. In summary, I find it extremely fascinating how the artist creates a work of art not just by explicitly drawing or painting the design, but by using different tools, techniques, and mechanisms to form shapes and lines that come together to create an overall picture of something beautiful.
Furthermore, I think that this piece could be used to teach other subjects and lessons, one being science, particularly astronomy. In a classroom setting, perhaps a teacher could use a piece of art like this one that accurately depicts the solar system in a lesson about the planets, stars, etc. Also, a teacher could even have students create their own versions of a piece like this, where students could paint a particular planet based on what they have learned about it in class. Teachers would have to use a different type of paint due to the hazards of spray paint, but the concept of this artwork is still possible in a class setting. This kind of art does not require a lot or expensive materials, as we see demonstrated in the video. It does not have to take a lot to teach students different topics in a new, exciting, and engaging way.
17
Retrospective
Jamie Decker
The piece that I have chosen to write about is by Peter Max. This painting is titled “Retrospective” and is part of a bigger collection of pieces which once resided in Nashville, Tennessee. Peter Max is a German-American artist who is known for using bright colors in his work. Peter Max is often associated with the visual and creative arts of the 1960s. Peter Max is a renowned artist and has even been commissioned to paint pieces of celebrities including Lionel Richie, David Bowie, and Taylor Swift. His paintings are psychedelic, consisting of a vibrant palette that is still very popular today. He often paints to music in a studio and chooses colors based off the sounds he hears from the music. It is his way of creating new art even when he thinks he has done it all.
I have chosen to write about this piece because ever since I was young, Peter Max’s work has been in my home. Growing up, my mom always had the final say in decorating the house. However, my dad always wanted to incorporate these vibrant pieces into our home. Finally, after much persuasion, my mom granted my dad the ability to decorate the basement walls however he wanted. From then on, Peter Max’s work has been incorporated into my home. Growing up, I remember my dad would get so excited when he would get a new piece to display. Whenever I visit home and see them on the walls, it brings me back to my childhood, always admiring the crazy colors of the paintings. I chose this specific piece because my dad has similar ones in our house. He has always been a musician, so he always made sure that was reflected in some aspect of the pieces. Peter Max’s work really brings back so many childhood memories of all the fun we had growing up.
I would use this piece to teach other subjects, specifically, I would use it to teach some history lessons. Oftentimes, whenever we are growing up, our history textbooks only cover major events such as laws being passed or major movements that were created. The arts of that time period are ignored and not appreciated, even though they are a big part of the culture at that point in time. I would use this to teach history by incorporating it into our lesson. For example, this piece would be from the 1960s. Amongst all the major events that happened then, art was a huge aspect of this time period. I would show a bunch of the art from this time period to show off the color palettes of the time period. An activity I would do with my students would be for them to first pick any painting that they liked, except it must be in black and white. Then in class, together we would “repaint” this art piece using only the psychedelic colors that we see artists like Peter Max use. I feel that through this way, students would find a deeper appreciation for the art culture in this time period and feel an understanding of what time was like then.
18
Cryptic Contemplation
Ashley Caserta
This painting is called “Cryptic Contemplation” by my brother, Jack Caserta. It is an expressionist piece with a style inspired by Basquiat. This painting is meant to make the audience think. There is an element of obscurity surrounding what is taking place in the painting. Viewers are drawn to the figure in the piece, as it stands out against the dark background. Many questions arise when looking at this piece. What is this person thinking about? What happened to them? These questions lead the audience to the true meaning. My brother stands firm in his belief that he is not meant to share the meaning behind his paintings, it is the audience that creates their own meaning. Rather than push his thoughts onto other people, he’d rather his audience create their own narrative, one that is meaningful to them. As one processes this piece, questions it, they come to create their own story that resonates to their life and personal experiences.
I’ve seen hundreds of paintings done by my brother but this piece remains one of my favorites. I, like many others, have found that art can explain emotions far better than words. To me, this piece depicts a universal experience. This isn’t just contemplation, but being lost in your mind. There is a certain pain that arises when one becomes lost in their thoughts and memories. The worries of today, the memories of a time you wish you could go back to, the regret of the past… this pain is seen here in this painting. I believe it is incredibly important to create art that represents moments like these. Some may argue that it is not a beautiful moment, but it is a human moment, one we all have had at some point, which makes it powerful.
I would use this piece, and pieces like this to teach language arts. I would show my students this piece and give no background or opinions on the meaning. I would then ask my students to create their own narrative on what is going on in the piece, drawing from personal experience. I would then ask them what it means to them without having them discuss it with their classmates. I believe exercises like this can be very therapeutic in a sneaky way. You can tap into one’s unconscious thoughts by asking what a piece like this means to them. Not only would it build their writing skills, but it would also allow me to create closer relationships with my students. I would finish the lesson by having a seminar where students share their thoughts and build off of their peers' opinions. Seeing art in different perspectives is also incredibly important. This lesson is meant to draw emotions out of students as that is crucial in fictional writing. Good books tell a story, but great books make you feel something. To be able to translate emotions into words is a critical skill to have as a fiction writer.
19
Building Bridges: Lorenzo Quinn for the Venice Biennale
(Costruendo Ponti) is the name of the work presented by sculptor Lorenzo Quinn, fifth son of famous actor Anthony Quinn, at the Arsenale Nord in Venice, a location that is part of the implementation of the Biennale's exhibition area. There are six bridges 15 meters high and 20 meters long, revisited in the form of hands. Each sculpture represents one of the universal values of the human being: friendship, wisdom, help, faith, hope, and love.
I chose this bridge because it is a symbol of peace. At a time when the international situation is chaotic, with war going on between Russia and the Ukraine, building bridges makes sense. It is obvious that people are suffering. Only when war becomes irreversibly damaging, will we find how important peace is.
I would use the bridge concept as shown in this piece, to teach students Language Arts. The concept is a symbol of friendship, two hands gently touch, but they are a strong contact-form, a symmetrical image. They expressed trust and support. The use of veteran and young hands, arouse the idea of knowledge from one generation to the next. Helped by two linked hands, according to a symbol of empathy and understanding, in the body, a state of emotional and moral support allows building lasting relationships.
There can be seen also concept of faith as represented by grasping a small hand and grasping a parent's finger in blind faith. This reminds us of our responsibility to nurture our young generation to grow in confidence and self-worth and reliability while hope is represented by the initial connection of crossed fingers. This represents optimism for the future. Finally, love is expressed through the tightly linked fingers, which implies the intensity of passionate devotion; A physical manifestation of a state of being that matters to us all.
20
‘Love is in the Bin’
Ben Lewis
I find Banksy to be on of the most incredible social commentator of our generation. I was first introduced to Banksy my senior year of high school, in 2018. I took an elective class on street art and obviously Banksy was a central topic of discussion. I love that his style of art adds alternative dimensions. A Picasso, for example, made phenomenal abstract paintings that were visually appealing and displayed in proper settings. While on the other hand, Banksy adds elements of risk, upset, an mystique.
What I love most about Banksy’s work is the element of surprise. He finds ordinary and heavily trafficked areas to disrupt with is work. In addition to the shocking medium, his stencils are almost always ironic. They are the opposite of what you would expect to be happening with the given context. For example, ‘Love is in the Air’ depicts a protester seemingly throwing a Molotov Cocktail but has a bouquet of flowers instead. ‘Kissing Coppers’ depicts two English police officers in uniforms leaned up against a wall kissing. ‘Dismaland: Bemusement Park’ is a satirical amusement park poking fun at Disneyland, with the purpose of leaving. This counterintuitive surprise that he always includes in his popup art captures my attention.
One of my favorite pieces by the anonymous artist is ‘Love is in the Bin.” This piece is the epitome of Banksy’s devious habits. An original painting of ‘Girl with a Balloon’ was being auctioned off for about 1.3 million dollars. Banksy somehow installed a remote-controlled paper shredder into the picture frame. After he snuck into the auction house undetected, he activated the shredder as everyone watched. However, it stopped shredding halfway through. After the chaos died down in the auction room, frantic bids were being placed running the final sale price up to about 18 million dollars.
He released a video of the spectacle on his Instagram account, hiding in plain sight. He later came out with a statement saying the shredder malfunctioned and it was meant to fully destroy his print. To me, art is the entire physical work along with the intangible aspects that go along with it such as conversation and message surrounding. ‘Love is in the Bin’ goes further beyond the canvas than any other work I have seen. The shredding of the million-dollar painting was an illustration of how worthless the tangible is compared to the message it conveys. He was trying to prove that people get too focused on the monetary value of something instead of seeing it for what it truly is: a plea to change.
Since the shredder stopped and it was not fully destroyed, it is ironic that what was meant to become worthless became worth 10x more. I know this was the opposite effect Banksy intended, but similarly highlights how obsessive the art collectors are with the investment more than the message. I just find the whole situation so intricate, humorous, and powerful. Below is the video Baksy, himself, posted to Instagram following the stunt
21
Broken Soul
Beatriz Sadala
This modern piece is called Broken Soul by an illustrator artist, John Holcroft. It illustrates a child and what I interpreted to be his mother putting pieces together to what looks like a man making him whole again. Art to me has always been an incredible way to connect with others, understand others in a deeper manner, and to further understand your own experiences and emotions as it is one of the only outlets where we can create something visually and tangible that expresses our inner thoughts. Art is one of the most impactful tools we have as people to further expand on the complexity that is the human experience.
I chose this piece because it illustrates the concept of mental health, which is a topic I am very passionate about. In the current state of the US and the rest of the world, the teenage and young adult generation have never been this depressed and anxious according to multiple articles written in the NY Times and other news outlets over the past two years. Specifically, the accessibility of mental health treatment for the youth is also a global issue I am strongly committed to. Further, this piece speaks to the experience and feeling of individuals in our society feeling lost, deconstructed, and internally broken by society while our inner child and an adult figure in our lives whether that may be a parent, sibling, teacher, or mentor wishes and tries to piece us back together, even if it feels impossible.
To me, this art piece also shines a light on the experience of feeling confused and unsure of what to make of ourselves. I believe many of us, especially during our young adult phase, have a difficult and confusing time trying to understand our self-worth and how we are portrayed by others. We build our self-worth and self-image based on what others say. Almost as we don't recognize ourselves in the midst of the complex, modern world we all battle to survive in. This art piece describes just that under my interpretation.
I would use this piece in English class with older students in particularly traditionally hard periods of our lifetime. 8th grade, sophomore year, senior year of high school, and even college students. Specifically in transition periods. I would show this piece to my students and prompt a creative essay assignment to promote the skill of critical thinking, self-awareness, the importance of self-worth, and creating your own image and understanding of yourself based on your beliefs and not what others say. I would also use this piece to talk about the mental health issue in our country and the resources our school has to offer. I would also prompt a discussion asking students to share their interpretations because you can learn a lot about a person based on their interpretation of art.
22
"Galloping Horse"
Guodong Niu
The name of this picture is "Galloping Horse." It is a color painting on paper created by Chinese painter Xu Beihong in 1941. It is now stored in Xu Beihong memorial Hall. "Galloping Horse" depicts a horse galloping from far to near. The painter uses a large angle perspective technique to show the speed of a galloping horse with a flying hind leg and crossed front legs. Strong brushwork, light color, strong lines, have a happy dripping, chic and romantic concept.
This galloping horse is emaciated, but the painter's brushstrokes are powerful and penetrating. The scimitar-like back, the elastic mane, the stretched legs and the horse's head have a strong, calm and courageous impact on the viewer. Xu Beihong also integrated the anatomy and perspective of Western painting into the modeling of Chinese brush and ink.
I chose this work of art because of its context. Galloping Horse was created in the autumn of 1941 during the Battle of Changsha, which was a very important war during the Japanese invasion of China. At this time, the War of Resistance against Japan was in the phase of power stalemate between the enemy and us. The Japanese army wanted to completely defeat China and make the Kuomintang government bow down before launching the Pacific War. Therefore, they tried their best to launch the Battle of Changsha repeatedly in an attempt to open up ChongQing city.
In the second battle, China was defeated and Changsha was occupied by the Japanese aggressors. Xu Beihong heard the national disaster, and anxious, he painted " Galloping Horse." Through it, he expressed his concerns. The horse in the painting is soaring into the air, with his head held high and his mane flying. Xu Beihong used the spirit of the horse in the painting to inspire the defeated Chinese people to cheer up and resist the Japanese invaders, giving them moral support. I remember studying the Japanese invasion of China during World War II, so this painting is very important to me.
I will use this artwork to teach students about the history of World War II and understand the integration of war and art. I would let them know that many artists were born in the midst of war. For example, I will explain the background of this painting and the author, and introduce the life story of the author. I would let them be familiar with the feelings of the author at that time and the emotions and ideas he wanted to express through his art work.
23
A Streetcar Named Desire
Catherine Koennecke
For this essay, the art piece I decided to write about is the play A Streetcar Named Desire written by Tennessee Williams. This play premiered in December of 1947 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York City. This story follows Blanche DuBois, the daughter of an aristocratic Mississippi family, as she goes to visit her sister Stella, who earlier escaped to New Orleans to avoid World War II’s inevitable destruction of the family land, wealth, and social status. Blanche shows up at Stella’s and her blue-collar husband Stanley’s small apartment, under the pretense that she lost their family estate when their remaining relatives died and that she was given a leave of absence from teaching because of her nerves. Immediately, Blanche is shocked to see the conditions of the apartment in which they are living, the unrefined and brutish mannerisms Stanley portrays, and the passionate, yet volatile and antagonistic relationship between Stella and Stanley.
Relatively early on, Stanley believes Blanche is withholding the truth about her situation and is determined to find out the truth. The situation of his marriage’s conflict is further complicated by Blanche’s attraction to Stanley’s friend Mitch, as well as the fact that Stella finds out she is pregnant, and despite this Stanley’s outbursts escalate into full blown violence. Throughout the story, the truth of Blanche’s shortcomings and the tumultuous nature of Stella’s relationship begin to unravel, revealing dark and painful struggles. I chose this piece because A Streetcar Named Desire is one of Tennessee Williams’ most notable plays as he created plots and characters based on the complexities of his own life and used structural techniques to revolutionize theatre.
Despite the characters’ complexities, the audience could relate to their pain, their struggles and their need to escape reality. Williams used passionate, emotion-driven dialogue, intensely specific stage directions and elements of plastic theatre, which solidified his reputation as one of the best playwrights of the century. I also chose this piece specifically because when it debuted, it shocked the theatre world by being one of the first plays to expose audiences, on such a tremendous scale, to the pain of lost days gone by, alcoholism, homosexuality, and even rape. Williams’ play had a profound impact on audiences, performers, and the theatre world stage because despite the harsh frankness of the plot, A Streetcar Named Desire’s dialogue somehow remained rhythmic and flowing seamlessly. Williams’ fearlessly pioneered plots that depicted the brutal realities in life associated with sexual behavior, addiction, rape, and violence at a time when it was socially unacceptable to talk of such conditions, let alone write about them and stage them.
Despite this, Williams delivered them in a way that touched the audience, and they were somehow relatable. He wanted the audience to experience theatre in ways they had not ever before and to go beyond seeing and hearing the characters, but rather to feel, know, and come closer to understanding all that surrounded them. I think this piece is of profound importance as it entertained, challenged, and made people think, even if by frightening them with exposure to the realities of life.
Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire changed theatre prolifically and structurally, setting the stage for other playwrights to come. Although the material of this play might only be suitable for students in high school, I would definitely say it can be used for Language Arts/English classes. Theme is a fundamental and universal idea explored in literary work, and here, one theme of great emphasis is the inability to overcome reality. You can guide the students to explore the ways in which Blanche lies to herself and others in an attempt to deny the life that fate has given her by making her life appear as it “should” be. Further, Blanche attempts to propagate this idea in the hopes of not only getting her life back to normal, but also in the hopes of saving Stella from a life with Stanley.
However, their lives prove to be permeable to the greater reality surrounding them, and thus emphasizing the theme of being unable to overcome reality through means of fantasy. This is just one example of how themes can be extracted from such a conflict rich piece of writing. Further, through analysis of setting, style and/or tone, students can be taught to derive symbolism and motifs from recurring ideas or literary devices. A Streetcar Named Desire has an abundance of repeated ideas and elements that can be examined more thoroughly to form a deeper understanding of Tennessee Williams’ lessons and abstract concepts. I think this play is full of meaning, both overt and less obvious, using topics that were not used frequently in literature of the time, ultimately reinventing theatre and leaving audiences and readers astounded.
24
“The Last Supper”
Jordan Miller
This piece is named “The Last Supper” and the author is Leonardo DaVinci. Leonardo used a Tempera style when painting this work. The work depicts the walls of the monasteries and convents in 15th century Italy, where nuns and monks were allowed to have their meals in the presence of Jesus in his final repast. Leonardo’s version is arranged where Jesus is at the pinnacle of it all and the apostles to his left and right. Most argue that even though Jesus doesn’t seem to have a noticeable halo, the background of the sun setting is the halo. Some say that the missing halo simply means that Jesus is still human. The picture depicts the reactions of the surrounding apostles after he announces his betrayal. The apostle to his right that depicts the same action as him is known as Judas who reaches for the same dish as him. This subtle action is also a hint at her betrayal as well.
The reason I feel that it is important to me to write about this piece and no other is because I feel that I connect deeply with the actions and meaning behind this painting like no other. I also like Leonardo da Vinci as an artist. This painting shows that no matter who you are and what you may have done for people, if some people feel a certain way towards an action that you make even if it may be for the betterment of yourself, they will still show negativity towards it before even asking questions which in the end will hurt you more than they ever thought. My family has this painting hanging behind the end chair of the dinner table. This is to show that anything that is talked about while at dinner is between us and us only. At the end of the day the only people whose opinion matters is that of your family and that’s what I get from the painting.
25
Untitled
Keyshawn Smith
A piece of art that I like is not necessarily just one piece, but I like it when I’m driving, and I see graffiti on the walls. It’s everywhere you see it everywhere on the street on the highways and parks and the way some people's minds work. They have beautiful art, but some people use their creativity and vandalize personal property.
It is important to me because I like graffiti and if I were to do any type of art or try to learn how to draw, I would try to do graffiti. I like graffiti because it is a freestyle type of art. Whatever comes to mind you put it and I feel like that’s how I live my life a freestyle you only live once so you live it while you can.
I will teach this in class by giving students huge pieces of papers and markers. I will teach them how to graffiti using markers. I will be teaching them the right way to use graffiti. Finally, I will teach them how to take care of public property like walls, stores, and alleyways.
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