The first unit in UWA is about Ancient Greece. Athens in classical times was a dominant power. It led the way in arts, learning and philosophy. Unfortunately visual arts from this period are not very well preserved. We have examples of architecture, pottery and sculpture; but paintings, textiles and wood carvings have not survived. Much of our knowledge is dependent on written sources and Roman copies.
Here are 5 facts that I didn't know about Ancient Greece:- The columns in the Parthenon are not equally spaced or perfectly straight. The architects used optical refinements to compensate how our eyes view the structure from the hillside.
The Parthenon, Acropolis, Athens, Greece c.447-432 BC- Inside the Parthenon was a huge sculpture of Athena created by Phidias. Records describe it as being made from gold and ivory, reaching forty feet tall. It was occasionally taken outside the building for festivities!
- Although we see the statues as plain marble or brass, they would have been colourfully painted. Copper inlays were used on the lips and nipples, silver as eyelashes and glass inlaid for eyes.
Detail of the Delphi Charioteer c.470 BC
- A statue of Aphrodite of Cnidus by Praxiteles is thought to be the very first life-size nude female sculpture in Greek culture. Her coy posture, concealing her groin with her hand, created an image of a the female nude that was to continue for centuries in Western art.
- The word 'barbarian' comes from Ancient Greek. To Greek ears anyone who didn't speak the same language apparently made a bar, bar sound (probably like our blah, blah today) and was therefore given the term a barbarian!
My research so far has been from A World History of Art by Hugh Honour and John Flemming, Greek Art by John Boardman, and a trip to the Burrell collection to see some pieces firsthand. One of my favourite pieces at the Burrell was a jug for pouring wine, with grazing deer circling round. It is amazing to think that this has survived whole.
Today I am sharing samples that I wasn't initially happy with. Having been cast aside for a while, I tried adding something to them. Hopefully a change for the better. For once, less isn't more. Firstly green painted tyvek (a remnant from this), changed to blue and then metallic paints added.
After a quick iron, I think it has transformed into a moth.
A red and yellow silk painting sample, was machine stitched, and then black oil pastel, red ink and metallic paint added. Has it become a short circuit?
A chocolate brown flower card, tries to become bronze with the help of acrylic paint.
An ink sample, is covered with oil pastels, scratched into, flooded with red ink, and then the pastel removed. An alternative flag?
It hasn't just been samples today, I have been in search of some Greek Art for UWA, more of that tomorrow. But for now, here is a friend I made on the way!
Yesterday was the fourth episode of The Genius of British Art on channel 4. Sir Roy Strong introduced landscape art, and discussed how land (and its ownership) is important in the English psyche. After all, an Englishman's home is his castle. I can understand this notion, as an English person living in Scotland, living in a flat is lovely, but I do dream of one day having my own flight of stairs and little garden (though probably not the white picket fence).
The program introduced me to Samuel Palmer (1805-1881), who was heavily influenced by Blake.
Early Morning - Samuel Palmer
The Magic Apple Tree - Samuel Palmer
The Flock and Star - Samuel Palmer
Long ago I went to Powell's. Powell's is a maze of rooms stacked high with books, situated in an entire block in Portland. You can (and we did) spend hours in Powells, justifying any excess baggage allowance that we may face. One of my purchases there was The Guerrilla Girls' Bedside Companion to the History of Western Art. A perfect introduction to UWA (albeit one that isn't on the syllabus).
Women have been largely written out of art history, so it was great to read a book that actually celebrates women who have pushed boundaries within art. The book has some jarring quotations, such as the following from Renoir: "The woman artist is merely ridiculous, but I am in favour of the female singer and dancer". Check out the Guerrilla Girls website for how to get involved. Reading these horrors made me quite angry. I used a page in my sketchbook as an outlet for my rage.
Today another trip across to the capital. Firstly stop was Paws Here, a pet rescue centre in Morningside. Today was their open day, which meant we got to handle some very energetic rats, stroke a few rabbits and cuddle a gorgeous lady guinea pig (don't tell the boyz!). I did my good deed and donated a dozen guinea pig Christmas tree decorations to help with their fundraising. Who wouldn't want a gp on their tree at Xmas?
Yarn lovers take note, Paws Here are having a on-line raffle with some great prizes: see ravelry. Lunch was spent surrounded by some pretty cool birdy prints from Pigeon Industries.
At the City Art Centre there are currently two photography exhibitions, the first is from William Wegman. Family Combinations is all about his weimeraners, these silky dogs trust Wegman enough to allow him to contort and pose them for the camera. The pictures are comical, sometimes absurd and the films (including some made for Sesame Street) are hilarious. But then you wonder how these dogs were trained? Do they ever rebel against their master? And isn't it slightly odd to be dressing a dog in a dress?
The other exhibition is from Edward Weston. Weston used powerful black and white photography to give new ways of viewing things. These bold images distorted my initial comprehension. What I thought was a bronze statue turned out to be a pepper, engineering parts were actually shells and steps were in fact sand dunes.
Wandering along the Royal Mile you can not help but notice the amazing buildings surrounding you. The light was still good enough to catch a couple of pictures.
Back at home, a quick practice at free motion embroidery. Using a scrap of lace that I had dyed, backed on felt, I attempted to outline the flowers, interestingly I think I prefer the back - though mind the birds nests!
The Parthenon, Acropolis, Athens, Greece c.447-432 BC
Detail of the Delphi Charioteer c.470 BC
My research so far has been from A World History of Art by Hugh Honour and John Flemming, Greek Art by John Boardman, and a trip to the Burrell collection to see some pieces firsthand. One of my favourite pieces at the Burrell was a jug for pouring wine, with grazing deer circling round. It is amazing to think that this has survived whole.
