(Chen Chek Seng) 's cube

The cube i designed is all about me. It represent, interpret, and identify my personalities.

My first class:

I was just informed about this assignment and totally lost from my first step. Then, i answered questions given by my tutor Miss Chiok. Among all the questions i answered only one and made it a mind map for my future progression. The chosen question is "What type of girl i like". I answered this question in mind map

This is my source of idea

The next step: I decide to move slightly out of this direction to the others and ask myself Among these requirement about the girls i like . What about me? And i realise its all about me. The concept of my box is "mask"  People have their own invisible mask that covers up the things they want to hide when interact with people, so what is the thing behind the mask ? I have my own mask that covers my emotion, different mask represent different situation and atttitude.

So , the craft and methods of the box are inspired by the musical instrument above. It has a flexibility to expand and close up again. 

Form and function: My cube are basically in shape of a present box. It has illustrated mask surround and each  

represent different meaning depends on audience perspective. The cap of the cube has 4 mask , it can cover in 4 ways to the 4 faces on the cube below, And follow by the 2 of the faces can be expand to see the inner faces and true emotion of my personalities . The smiley face outside with a sad face inside indicate  the contrast of emotion against reality. and so on vice versa.

Below are the progression:

Sculpture in Greek and Rome

 Artwork



The Doryphoros, 450-440 B.C.E, Polykleitos
(image from http://www.oneonta.edu/faculty/farberas/arth/ARTH209/Doyphoros.html) 









Nike , from the Balustrade of the Temple of Athena Nike, 410-407 B.C.E
(image from http://www.brynmawr.edu/library/visualresources/lanterns/athensnike.html)





The Laocoon Group , Roman copy, perhaps after agesander , Athernodorus, and Polydorus of Rhodes, 1st century C.E
(Image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Laocoon_Pio-Clementino_Inv1059-1064-1067.jpg)

Kitsch

Kitsch is a form that artist that is middle or lower class , that their artwork is either copy and redraw or they paint themselves and nobody will go appreciate it . Kitsch also can refer as type of art that is aesthetically deficient , it make creative gestures which merely imitate the superficial appearances of art through repeated conventions .


example of kitsch artwork , which copy and edit 
(image from http://endlessboredom.wordpress.com/)




Malaysia also have kitsch 



Chinese temple
(image from  http://chineseidentityinaustralia-gem.blogspot.com/2010/03/chinese-religion-buddhism.html)









housing in Malaysia
(image from http://condo.com.my/tag/house/page/674/)



Kuala lumpur Train station
(image from http://www.keretapi.com/the-kuala-lumpur-railway-station.html)


I feel that we live in a country that consist of 3 races we also being conquer by British and we pick up their design and implied in our culture , yet is also not original from out country . It also helps our country in a way that it show the beauty of the design .

The Egyptian Civilization

The palette of king Narmer , Hierakonpolis, Upper Egypt 3000B.C.E
(image from http://www.oneonta.edu/faculty/farberas/arth/arth109/arth109_sl2.html) 


This palette is Egyptian earliest hieroglyphic inscriptions ever found , it show the upper and lower Egypt under the King Narmer. One side of the palette the king is depicted with bulbed white crown of upper Egypt (Southern) , and the other side the king depicts the wearing red crown of lower Egypt (Northern). The palette show many of classic conventions of Egyptian art which must already have been formalized by the time of the palette's creation. the Egyptologist has referred to the Narmer Palette as "the first historical document in the world"

The palette was discovered by British archeologists James E. Quibell and Frederick W. Green , they called the Main Deposit in the Temple of Horus at Hierakonpolis, during the dig season in 1897-1898. They think that this palette is donation made to the temple. Palettes were use as grinding cosmetics, but in this case it was too large and heavy to been created for personal use, this palette probably is use for ritual or votive object. Another theory is that it was used to grind cosmetics to adorn the statues of the gods.

In the ancient Egyptian culture , they cherished the idea of order , stability , and endurance. they also believe the people who pass away will got to a better place , and the soul or spirit is call Ka , as for the pharaoh they will make a tomb with decorated with painting and do Mummification- that is preservation of the body by treating with chemical it in linen and place the body in a coffin , they also will remove the internal organ and place it in the jar of god statues .


The process of mummification 
(image from http://library.thinkquest.org/28209/mummification.htm)







The jar that put the organ of the pharaoh 
(image from http://library.thinkquest.org/C0116484/english/simple/science001.htm)





Tomb of the Pharaoh
(image from http://education.ezinemark.com/exhibition-of-pharaoh-tutankhamuns-tomb-and-treasures-77366bc0581d.html)

The Sumerian Culture

Worshippers and deities from the Abu Temple, Iraq, 2900-2600 B.C.E

(image from http://www.uned.es/geo-1-historia-antigua-universal/new%20website/IRAK/Tesoros_Irak_17_INANNA.htm)

Before Sumerian appeared on the land, it had been run by a non-Semitic people, also known as Ubaidians. In  ancient Mesopotamia, irrigation was important for farming. The Sumerians take a great task of building embankments to control the flood of water to the Euphrates River.The rich soil produced abundant crops of barley , emmer(a kind of wheat) , beans , olives, grapes , and flax.

Sumerians built their villages on artificial mounds to protect them from floods. They learned how to make brick in molds and dry them in the sun . Their village is surrounded by a wall of protection. And each of their god had the task of pleading the case of particular community with the other gods, their god have each specific role , that each of them control each element of nature, example wind , rain , and more. As in the picture the tallest figure is Abu , the Sumerian god of vegetation .next to him is a mother goddess. the smaller statues represent worshippers .



Abu god of vegetation
(image from http://www.crystalinks.com/sumerart.html)







The city of Sumerians culture 
(image from http://www.crystalinks.com/sumerart.html)

Through

Ai weiwei, Through , 2007 ,  Iron Wood(tieli wood), Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 

table, parts of beams and pillars from dismantled temples of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)

(image from http://www.sherman-scaf.org.au/exhibitions/ai_weiwei_under_construction1/)

Description

The name of the artwork is Through by Ai Weiwei.  The year it was made was approximately from 2007 to 2008. The material used in this artwork is a wood called Iron Wood, which has tones of dark brown colour. The artwork takes a dimension of 400x800x1340mm.

Pillars and tables from dismantled temples belonging to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) are the subject matters of this artwork. There are 10 tables in the artwork and around 25 to 30 pillars are used. The sides of the tables and top of the pillars have geometrical and floral carvings and patterns. The tables and pillars appear to be intersecting each other, connecting and joining in diagonal orientations therefore creating a very active and angular presence.

The elements of art applied in Through are lines, shapes, texture and colour. Horizontal lines can be seen on the table tops. Vertical lines are formed by the table legs. The most interesting elements are the diagonal lines. They are apparent in the way the mately 30° and 45° and this creates a highly angular appearance. The shapes that can be seen are squares of the pillars, beams and tables intersect each other. The meeting points of these intersections forms angles of approxitabletops, cylinders of the pillars, and also the implications of triangles due to the intersecting pillars and the floor. Actual textures can be felt in the artwork which is the texture of wood with its carvings and cracks on the pillars.

Analysis

Through has portrayed principles of organisation including rhythm, balance, and unity. Rhythm is achieved as we can see a lot of lines of beams and pillars travelling up and down diagonally throughout the artwork, forming triangular rhythms. The entire artwork is also asymmetrically balanced.  There is not a main focus point as the subject matters are arranged randomly and because of this, it attracts the viewer to focus in the whole artwork instead of individual parts. Unity and similarity can be seen in this artwork, the subject matters of the artwork are similar, which are pillars and tables with similar colour of dark brown. Cylindrical pillars and square tables are repeated throughout the artwork, intersecting each other angularly and geometrically, forming geometric shapes of squares and mostly triangles.

            Through is the last piece of a series of similar artworks.  The time spent in creating this artwork spanned two years. However, Ai had utilised almost 11 years understanding antique and working with craftsmen on the series.  About 10-15 Chinese craftsmen who are best in Chinese joinery are employed to work on this artwork.  No nails are applied in the technique. Holes were cut into the tables and connected to the pillars and beams through Chinese joinery. Pillars and beams are also intersected using wood joints.

            This artwork appears to be very chaotic and messy because of the arrangement of tables and pillars. It seems that the pillars are fighting and forcing themselves through tables and this gives a very active, aggressive and angry feel. The artwork has a traditional feel, however contrasted with the very flamboyant design.

Judgement

Ai’s artwork could be a propaganda tool and a medium to speak up against the Chinese government, which is a communist country yet authoritarian.  Ai who is famous for his pro-democracy activities uses this artwork to educate us to break out of traditions, revolt against systems that have been the norm but not necessarily good. This is interpreted by how he used old traditional dismantled materials which already have a function, and recreated something new, contemporary and beautiful.

            This is supported by the usage of materials from the Qing Dynasty. Qing Dynasty is the last dynasty in China, before the country turned into a republic due to the XinHai Revolution. This could be the reason why Ai used Qing Dynasty materials, because it shows a fallen system that has ruled for thousands of years and a birth of a new one.

Ai also applied formalism in this artwork. The aggressiveness, flamboyance and dynamism of the artwork are created by using diagonal pillars and tables intersecting each other. The formations seemed random but it created something of high aesthetic value. Using wood to create such effects also plays a role as we are not used to seeing wood designed in such a manner. Together with the large scale of this artwork, it poses quite an uncomfortable feeling. The scale of the artwork probably shows that it takes effort of a huge scale, to change something.

Audience

This artwork is commissioned by the Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation in Sydney. The audience of this artwork includes the youth of China, as they are the one who still have time to respond to the message. Also, the Chinese government, who are keeping keen eyes on Ai’s actions. Democracy and freedom fighters would also appreciate this artwork, especially with what is happening around the Middle East. Artists and people in the art industry would appreciate this. Educators use this artwork to spread a message, and students learn about the current affairs of China through this artwork. Kitsch artists could also enjoy this work of art.

Reference

1.      Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation (SCAF). (n.d.).  Ai Weiwei: Under Construction. Retrieved July 5, 2011, from http://www.sherman-scaf.org.au/exhibitions/ai_weiwei_under_construction1/

2.      Galerie Urs Meile. (n.d.) Artist: Exhibition Views: Ai Weiwei. Retrieved July 9, 2011, from http://www.galerieursmeile.com/artists/artists/ai-weiwei//exhibitions.html

3.      Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art. (n.d.) Ai Weiwei: Pillar through round table 2005-05. Retrieved July 9, 2011, from http://qag.qld.gov.au/exhibitions/current/ai_weiwei_pillar_through_round_table

4.      [Review] Art Stage Singapore 2011. (2011, January 19). Retrieved July 9, 2011, from http://jusdeananas.wordpress.com/2011/01/19/review-art-stage-singapore-2011/

5.      Art Almanac. (2008). Ai Weiwei Under Construction.  Retrieved July 9, 2011, from http://www.art-almanac.com.au/page.php?page=87/

6.      Artvalue.com. (2010, September 15). Qing Dynasty, 1644-1911 (China). Retrieved July 9, 2011, from http://www.artvalue.com/auctionresult--qing-dynasty-1644-1911-china-a-fine-and-rare-imperial-zitan-2740973.htm/

7.      Gluckman, R. (n.d.). Ai Weiwei – China’s Revolutionary Artist. Retrieved July 5, 2011, from http://www.gluckman.com/Ai%20weiwei.html/

8.      Qing Dynasty. (n.d.). Retrieved  July 18, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qing_Dynasty/

The Creation of Adam

The Creation of Adam , Michelangelo di Lodovico buonarroti Simoni ,

 1511 , Sistine Chapel, Rome

(image from http://www.hawaiipoliticalinfo.org/node/2298)

Description

The name of the artwork is The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo di lodovico buonarroti simoni. The year it was painted was 1511 to 1512 . The medium was used is fresco . Beside that , the artwork was paint on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel ,Rome .

The painting show the left side figure is adam and he is lying on the with his upper body face outward , his left hand is lifted up with his index finger slightly lifted  and reaching out to God and his face looking at the God . Beside that , adam right leg is stretch out same position as God did  . Other than that , the right hand side the one who wearing a milky color robe is God , God right hand is also reaching out to adam with fully extend of his index finger and his left hand putting on the shoulder of a woman is known as Eve , and his hand on a baby . The God is surrounded by angels, all the angels face look angry and fierce except for the woman and the baby that touch by the God.

The element of art applied in The creation of adam are shape , texture , line , and color. Organic line can be seen on the body figure , robe of God , earth , red scarf alike surrounding angels and God. The red scarf look alike in the background of God form the shape of oval . The painting consist of stimulated texture , that can found in the body , cloth and scarf. The color used in this paint consist of warm and cold  , the warm is red , brown and yellow which is the background of God and the skin tone the background of adam  . The cold is green , and blue which is the background of adam the earth and the mountain and also a scarf from one of the angels .

Analysis

The creation of Adam has consist of Principle of Organisation that is balance , emphasize , unity and line. In this painting u can find balance that form by the horizontal line that God and adam body figure shown and also their hand also show the horizontal line. Balance also can be found with the background of each side that is the earth and the number of angels form a balance in the painting . Emphasize is achieved by the value of this painting , it form a contrast by using the color more darker tone in the background God and using more bright on God ,  also adam skin tone is contrast with the background color . Unity is found in this painting that is similarity , the skin tone and the body figure of God and adam is similar and this form a unity and both figure proportion is almost the same. Beside that, implied line also achieved in this painting , the hand of the God and adam form a implied line and also the eye of God and adam .

The Creation of Adam is one of the most famous artwork of Michelangelo and the type of painting he used on this is fresco,  he learn his fresco technique from his first master call , il Ghirlandaio, in Florence. He painting this while he was lying and he have to paint quickly because fresco is a paint that easily dry up .

This artwork appear to be spiritual as in , it show that the beginning of man and God created adam with the image of himself. You can see the excited expression of God , because he saw creation from his own image. The expression is from the more energetic action from God hand. Beside that , you can see the humble expression of adam to meet his own creator , and the slightly lifted index finger show his hasten to meet God. Those angels surrounding the God seem very angry and fierce faces, maybe it show that God shouldn’t create man or just the angels are jealous that the God create a man as his own image.

Judgement

Michelangelo’s artwork is from the holy bible from the Christian and one of the chapter that is Genesis. The story of this bible didn’t mention a lot about the creation of adam , just a fragment of the story. Yet Michelangelo painted so well by using his own imagination . This show that in each of us , God in  our mind is different than others. Through our religion we have our own perspective , for Michelangelo  his a Christian and he believe in that God creation adam through his own image , God is the almighty creator and the one who give life.

Michelangelo even dough never really see God in real figure, he used man figure and painted as same as a man, it show that man created from his image. Also the background of adam is show the earth that we live in now is also create by God before man is created. Through this painting a lot of people come to visit Sistine Chapel just to see it and study it.

In the time of Michelangelo, a lot of people don’t have the money to study so they can’t read. Michelangelo used this chance to let people to understand more about the story through the painting because a picture is worth a thousand words. Christian people would believe more about the bible and also understand more about it. This painting is also a greatest gift to the Sistine Chapel.

Michelangelo paint The Creation of Adam in a way such beauty , people would see that God give birth to man , also the world around  us is also created by God. He painted the background red in color mix with the angels , it show that the angels are angry. God wearing a milky white robe , show his purity and almighty because , his God and creator of everything and also the light itself. Michelangelo painted adam nude because he wanted to show that God created human in it purest form and also the beginning.

Audience

The artwork is commissioned by Pope Julius II .Pope Julius II, also demand that Michelangelo have to paint the painting as fast as possible. And Michelangelo did the impossible , he painted as fast as no other fresco painter would have succeed in such short period of time and with such beauty painting.  The people who appreciate this artwork are art student, they would come and visit and critic it and learn the how did Michelangelo painted this artwork. Architecture people would also come and learn how the building and painting would mix together and form so unity. The Christian believer would also come and appreciation as they would let their children to see and know more about the story.