Depictions of Design through the Years

The theme of my exhibit is going to showcase the variations of design throughout the years, “Decades of Design”. Whether it be the design of fashion, architecture and interior design, I believe it is just as interesting if not more. Rather than glimpsing at a painting on a wall, design allows you to interact with your art. Fashion design allows you to wear your art, while architecture and interior allow you to explore and create an atmosphere that reflects your mood, personality or interests. Design, especially fashion and interior, can also depict other works of art on its canvas.
During my visit to the Met, The American Wing proved to be a very interesting gallery. Its works, although many of them are from another time, made me feel as though I was home. “Library Table” was amongst my favorite pieces. The clunky Rosewood and the pearl detail on its sides, reminded me of the furniture used in many book room in wealthy Manhattan apartments. It wasn't to much of a surprise when i found that the table had been made in New York, by the Herter brothers who also lived in New York.
Walking through the Egyptian Art gallery, I couldn't help but stare at “Floral collar from Tutankhamun's Embalming Cache”. It brought to my attention that fashion trends over the last several centuries hasn’t changed very much, or it likes to repeat itself. With the exception of the replacement of papyrus, olive leaves, persea leaves and nightshade berries for diamonds, pearls, beads and jewels the design on the necklace is exactly the same, in fact I own a few myself.

Within the Medieval Art and The Cloisters gallery the piece I found most interesting was the “Window Frame”. The details on the windows frame seemed very personal. The architecture of today although i can be very unique, there isn't very much thought put into personable details like carvings and printed glass.

The works of art in my exhibition were mostly chosen from The Costume Institute gallery. They depict fashion trends throughout the decades. While chosing these works I often put myself in the time period and imagined myself in the clothes, it is my wish that viewers will do the same.


Herter Brothers
"Library Table"
1882


"Floral collar from Tutankhamun's Embalming Cache"
ca. 1336–1327 B.C.


Jacques Seligmann
"Window Frame"
15th century


"The Souper Dress"
1966–67



Gianni Versace
"Dress, Evening"
spring/summer 1991


House of Worth
"Court Presentation Dress"
ca. 1885


House of Dior
"Maria-Luisa"
spring/summer 1998


"Moulin à Vent"
House of Dior (French, founded 1947)
fall/winter 1949–50


Dress (Ball Gown)
ca. 1842


Dress, Evening
1925


"Dress, Evening"
Travis Banton
1934


"Ensemble, Evening"
Charles Frederick Wort
1887


Claire McCardell
"Dress, Evening"
1945


"Court Dress"
ca. 1750


"Apollo of Versailles"
Elsa Schiaparelli
winter 1938–39

Brooklyn Museum Reaction

Walking through the “Youth and Beauty: Art of the American Twenties” exhibit, there was only one peice in particular that caught my attention, Nickolas Murray's "Gloria Swanson" photograph. Although I admit I have seen this photograph before I have never seen it on display. I admit I am quite obsessed with the 1920's era, its fashion, dancing, Jazz and not to mention the level of elegance and sophistication many women of that time seemed to posses. From the placement of her hands, to the sultry way she gazes at the camera lens, to her choice of attire and even the black and white print. I believe this photograph of Gloria did a phenominal job of capturing the cultural identity of the mid 1920's.


Sanford Biggers is quite notorious for exhibiting works of art that relate to his African American ancestry. As I am myself an African American there are many of his works I feel immediately connect with. Biggers "Lotus" sculpture is by far his best work in my opinion. However the sculpture that demanded everyone’s (including mine) attention was "Blossom". A bodhi tree growing up and through a piano, in my opinion symbolizes how music is meant to be so much more than just a source of entertainment. Music is one of the very very few things that everyone has in common, no matter what genre you prefer. music has the ability to bring us together, to enlighten us. This particular sculpture defined both personal and a variety of cultural identities. While the piano may be an instrument widely used in Jazz (originating in the U.S), the bodhi tree can only be found in India and is sacred.


The "Timothy Greenfield Sanders: The Latino List" was a very interesting exhibition. The surrounding white cloths brought the notion that the artists wanted the viewer to be completely focused on the photographs alone. In them, were a wide range of celebrities who were of Latino descent. In my opinion the exhibits display of cultural and personal identity was fairly obvious. However, what I did notice was that the artist was not particular about whom he photographed there were actors, actresses, entertainers, businessman and educators, all whom seemed to be very successful in their chosen careers.

Sculpture Center Reaction

The Sculpture Center in Long island City, is unlike any museum I've ever been to. Standing just on the corner of the block the museum is located, i didn't feel as though I was in a place that would house anything of my interest. However to my surprise, when entering through The Sculpture Centers front doors, i admit I was surprised. There just goes to show you should never judge a book by its cover. The sculpture center with its very spacious opening allowed myself and other viewers the ability to really appreciate each exhibit with out being distracted by others.
Upon walking through the Sculpture Center's front door you can't help but to notice the rather large red sculpture across the room. "A Joia Do Orixa" which looks like a giant red doll with a grass skirt, hidden behind a colorful Vail was in my opinion the most visually attention grabbing sculpture in the entire museum. The height of the ceiling and the wide open area allowed me to view the sculpture from all different angles. The audio from a near-by work complimented the work rather well, giving us a deeper insight to the vision the artist was trying to create. Whether or not this particular sculpture would have had the same effect in a different type of space would depend. I believe that it would have done just as well if not better in a more colorful and festive atmosphere, but as far as the amount of space i believe where it currently resides is the best place for it.

Another visually attention grabbing work were the reflection of star shaped broken glass mirrors called "Constellation 6.0". Although I'm not exactly sure that the artist was trying to portray much, it does mean something to me. I'm not very good at analyzing art, but I believe star shapes represent "stars" as in famous people. The glass being shattered represents the fact that these "stars" for whatever reason are broken, whether that means that they are no longer able to do the things that made them stars in the first place or if it means that they have broken spirits. The reflection on the walls are there to remind us that those"stars" are what inspired the "stars" of today.

The third and last instillation "Backend Trick" was actually my least favorite. Of all the other attention drawing works this particular work failed to do so. I understand that it would only make sense to have a trapeze swinging overhead, but I believe more could have been done to incorporate this instillation with the others in the exhibit. It wasn't until I was on my way to the downstairs exhibit that I heard a drum roll and noticed the spotlight placed on the swinging ropes. However the high ceilings and spacious room that the Sculpture Center provides, serves the instillation well. It also compliments the theme of the exhibit, but this work (in my opinion) did not add nor did it take away from the exhibit making it rather useless.

Sanford Biggers
"A Jóia Do Orixá"
2011

Sanford Biggers
"Constellation 6.0"
2011

Sanford Biggers
"Backend Trick"
2011

Narrative Digital Collage

This photo represents my fantasy dinner party. The image background and table was taken from DaVinci's famous "The Last Supper" painting, however the banners and candles represent The Great Hall in the Harry Potter films. The people that I'm having supper with are a number of different celebrities and icons whom I admire. Including Seth Rogen and Rupert Grint (on my left and right) who are both my husbands and Taylor Lautner (laying on the ground) is my gigalo. The animals are pets, and the food is a combination of a few of my favorites. Shrimp, smoothies, cookie dough ice cream etc. I call it "The Fabulous Supper!"

Candy-Coated Bacon

This is an original recipe I created a few months ago. This recipe combines two of my favorite ingredients that are equally delicious on their own, but together make a surprisingly tasty snack. The crunchy bacon, covered with the chocolate and M&M's mixed together make a salty sweet desert. This desert isn't calorie conscious and is best served with any juice or soft drink.

Ingredients:
-4 slices, Oscar Meyer thick cut bacon
-1 cup, Baker's chocolate chunks
-1 bag, plain M&M's
-Wooden skewer sticks

Directions: 1)Place bacon strips flat in frying pan. 2)When bacon has cooked, quickly slide bacon on to wooden skewer sticks. 3)Bring 3cups of water to a boil. 4)Pour 1cup of chocolate chunks into glass bowl and set in boiling pan. 5)Stir continually until chocolate is fully melted and smooth.6)Poor chocolate over bacon. 7) Place M&M's on top of chocolate while it is still warm. 8) Place in refrigerator for 30mins or until chocolate hardens.

Art and World Events Reaction

The events of Septemebr 11th have greatly affected the world as well as myself. Although at the time I was only 8 years old, i remember like it was yesterday. Sitting in a fourth grade class room in Springfield Queens, I was fortunate enough not to be anywhere near the World Trade Center. But the same couldnt be said for my mother who worked construction just a few blocks away, luckily she was on break at a cafe even further away. the events on that day have opened my eyes to the notion that anything is possible, never believe that you're untouchable...invincible. You can't control the beliefs and actions of other people.
The first work of art I will discuss only proves that there are many different opinions on the events of 9/11 and the mindset of people from different persuasions. The 9/11 terrorist attacks left many Americans hurt and confused causing many of them to point blame at Muslims. Walking through LAGCC's 9/11 exhibit I couldn't help but notice Serhat Tanylacar's "Kiss", a combination of a collection of New York Times articles and the American flag fused with jubbahs (muslim clothing). To me the sculpture has brought to light the harsh discrimination towards Muslims since that day. The "all muslims are trerrorist" stereotype has grown tremendously throught our country. It alsoreminds us that Americans werent the only ones affected by 9/11, so were muslims and that news papers should take into consideration that dozens Muslim Americans were also murdered.

Roger Hiorns's "Untitled (2008)" at MoMA PS1 in my opinion also reflects the events of 9/11. The sculpture displays a heap of grey and black ashes from a atomized passenger aircraft engine. Although the dicription said nothing about the terrorist attacks, watching the pile of ashes on the floor I couldnt help but think about the planes that struck the towers. What was left of the actual plane, its parts and the people aboard it? I thought dozens of human bodies and an airplane that probably weighed tons, all it was now was a pile of dust.
On display only feet away from Roger Hiorns sculpture was George Segal's "Woman on a Park Bench". As the woman sit elegantly with her legs crossed staring at the ground, I wondered if she was staring at the ahses. That thought sprung another, what if she were thinking the same thing I was thinking. Septemeber 11, 2001 started out like any other day for everyday New Yorkers. The woman looked as if she were doing what she did everyday, sitting on a park bench enjoying her morning, taking a moment to collect her self before starting the day. I imagined her shocked at the turn of events that day, staring down at the ground in disbelief as I would If she were me.
The Exhibits at both MoMA PS1 and LAGCC has allowed me to experience the many different views from people of all different religions. It has given me the chance to see things I havent payed attention to in the past. I makes me think. But above all it has kept the memory of the people that lost thire lives on that day alive, and reminds us that it should never be forgotten.

Serhat Tanylacar
"Kiss"
2011


Roger Hiorns
"Untitled"
2008

Geroge Segal
"Woman on a Park Bench"
1998

Good Art Bad Art

Good art to me is the ability to take some thing fictional or imaginary and bring it to life. The kind of art that brings the possiblity that everything is true, fairy-tale creatures and horror story monsters.It even more extrodinary when an artist takes an imaginary figure like a unicorn or mermaids and gives them very realistic features.I love debating with myself over whether something is possible. Everyone wants to believe in magic.

Bad Art in my opinion can be a lot of different things, but one I consider especially bad are still life paintings of random objects. To be able to paint what you see exactly as is is a great talent, but not one I feel people can relate to. There isn't much thought or imagination put into painting a bowl of fruit. But i know from personal experience that inspiration can come from anything, every artists has thier reason.