Controversial Art

I believe that art is art no matter what someone might have to say negative about a piece. Controversial art should have the same rights as one of the works that is considered great art. In my opinion, controversial art might not be for my entertainment, but it might be for someone else. I know that there has to be a line drawn between what is just controversial art and what is plain obscenity. As I researched this topic, I found many articles and images of controversial art. I will admit that there may have been one or two websites that I just couldn't look at, but the majority of it didn't make me feel like I was going to be damned for life for looking at it. To me, the most interesting part of controversial art, is getting to know the artist and finding out the reasons for the piece and what the piece is supposed to portray to its audience. Some artists may push the envelope with some works, but what kind of entertain now-a-days doesn't push the envelope. It is hard for me to believe that controversial art can be looked at being so awful, when some video games, movies, and television, in my opinion are worse. Controversial art serves the function just like any other kind of art. It can enhance its audience and hopefully reach its audience in a meaningful way.

Functions of Art / Week 11

Art serves a physical function.: Works of art can be created to be performed.

Art can be a form of self-expression.: An artist can create something that he or she wants to communicate to the audience.

Art can be entertaining.: Pieces of art may be created to be enjoyment for the artist and the viewer.

Art can serve a religious function.

Art can be a way for someone to deal and cope with something that is going on in their lives. It can serve as an escape or retreat for them.

Week 10: Symbolism in Religious Art

I wanted to take full advantage of this assignment. I have never been a very faithful church goer and have never really learned too much of the particulars of my religion. So i decided to take a closer look at the symbolism found in Christianity. Religious symbolism is the use of symbols, including archetypes, acts, artwork, events, or natural phenomena. The symbols help express the moral values of the society, the teachings of the religion, creates a sense of solidarity between religious adherents, or functions as a way to bring an adherent closer to God.
For much of Christian art color plays a main role. Although symbolic colors are rarely used in the Bible.
Black is symbolic of death and is the symbolic color for Good Friday. Black can also represent sin, which results in death. Blue, the color of the sky, is symbolic of heaven. It may also be used to symbolize truth. Brown is the color of spiritual death and degradation. Gray is the color of ash, so is sometimes used to represent repentance and may be used during Lent. Green is the color of plant life, abundant in spring. It is used to represent the triumph of life over death. Purple is the color for penitence and mourning. It is also the color of royalty. Red is the color of blood. It is also the color of fire. White is a symbol of purity, innocence, and holiness. It represents Christmas and Easter seasons. Yellow may be used to represent divinity. However, because yellow light is not pure white, it may also be used to symbolize corruption and degradation.
Each masterpiece of Christian art usually presents symbolism native to that religious sect.
Symbolism is important to any type of art, but in relation to religion, symbolism is vital to the interpretation of the art work.

Creative Asssignment

For this week's assignment I decided to do something creative. My home town's boys basketball team has had a truly great tournament run. I am from Oak Hill, and our boys basketball hasn't been doing well the past five or six years. But this year things have been turned around. Norm Persin became our head coach this year and the boys have been doing great. I have a brother who is a sophomore starter on the team. This week they will be playing in the District Championship. In Oak Hill's school history only two other teams have made it that far in the tournament. We will play Fairland. So for my creative assignment I took part with other mothers and family members, we all made signs and feed the boys steaks. We had a celebration party for them. Balloons, signs, treat bags, games, the whole nine yards. I know my creative activity isn't very elaborate, but it meant the world to me.

Art Review #3/ Film Choice

Art Review #3/ Film Choice

Whitney Hale

Fine Arts 10503



Joseph Campbell first discussed the Mythic and Archetypal principles embedded in the structure of stories. Over many years, these steps of the “Journey” and the characters involved have been adopted into many movie storylines. I believe that these principles can be found in many movies, but I have chosen an excellent film to relate these characters and steps to. The Shawshank Redemption practically goes step by step and has very character archetype incorporated into its storyline.
The Shawshank Redemption is a movie about the integrity of Andy Dufresne, who also plays the Hero in this movie. Andy is an individual of integrity among a host of criminals in a state prison who have very little integrity. Andy goes through this story meeting friends and foes and finds the strength and determination to deal with both. One of the most vital people that Andy meets is Ellis “Red” Redding. Red, who fits the part of the Mentor, proves to be a remarkable companion for Andy.
The Threshold Guardian in The Shawshank Redemption is the poor inmate named Brooks Hatlen. Brooks’ parole gets approved but doesn’t want to leave the prison, so he threatens to kill another inmate in order to stay. Andy convinces him to let the other man go, and Brooks is released. Another important character is Tommy Williams, who plays the part of the Herald. Tommy is the boy who Andy helps get his G.E.D., but Tommy also gives Andy some important information. I believe that this information issues a challenge for Andy and announces some pretty significant events.
The Shapeshifter in this movie would have to be Captain Bryon Hadley. He misleads Andy by beating him up at the beginning, but as the story progresses, Hadley reaches out for Andy’s help. Warden Sam Norton plays the Shadow. Although Norton uses Andy for his expertise, he won’t ever allow him any extra ground. He wants to keep Andy right under his thumb. I believe the Trickster in this movie would have to be Bogs Diamond. He is the bully around the prison and leads the toughest gangs, the “Sisters”.
The Twelve Stages if the Journey that Andy’s passes through are some tough and unbearable situations. Andy’s “Ordinary World” would be when he was at home with his wife and living his life as a banker. But after the discovery of his wife with her lover, Andy begins on his “Call to Adventure”. I believe this stage happens when Andy was on trial for the murders of his wife and her lover. He was in the stage of “Refusal of the Call” when he tries to claim that he is innocent of the charges. In spite of the overwhelming evidence, Andy is sent to prison to serve two life sentences.
The “Meeting with the Mentor” takes place when Andy and Red meet, because of Andy’s need for some contraband. When Andy decides to help Captain Hadley and Warden Norton he has reached the stage of “Crossing the Threshold.” He has realized that by helping them, he would be able to devise a plan of escape. Just as in any other prison. Andy faces tests, encounters allies, and is confronted by enemies. The “Tests, Allies, Enemies” stage happens all throughout the movie when Andy runs across new people who either prove to be his friends or enemies.
Andy’s “Approach to the Inmost Cave” occurs when he starts working for the Warden and starts taking the necessary steps to reach his goal. The “Ordeal” takes place once Andy has officially committed to his escape. He leaves behind the certain things for the Warden to find and starts on his way out of the prison. Seemingly his “Reward” was his successful escape from the prison. Although he had to crawl 500 yards down the sewage pipe, he was successful in freeing himself from the prison.
The “Road Back” for Andy proved to be quite enjoyable. Because of the crooked work done by the Warden and the scheming that Andy had done, Andy was able to go the bank after his escape and receive $370,000 out of the Warden’s accounts. Andy’s “Resurrection” happened as he was able to move to Mexico with all the money and start living his life again. But when he was back in the prison, Andy had told Red that if he ever got out of prison to meet him in Mexico. So Andy’s “Return with the Elixir” would have to be at the end of the movie when Red comes walking down the Mexican beach to meet him. This would definitely Andy’s final reward.