Differentiating between characteristics of regions in art history, identifying the details of a work of art significant to the characteristics of the region, explaining how a work of art is reflective of the movement and yet unique to its region. We will focus on the Baroque time period in your textbook (ch.19&20) and you will also use the Contents in the front of the book to find information on topics you choose. You MUST take the quiz before you can answer the discussion questions!

My thoughts:

Here's a helpful link for researching the Baroque era: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/monarchy-enlightenment/baroque-art1

Previously, we discussed how one can see the life and times of an artist reflected in their work. This week we will go more in depth with that idea and discuss how one can see the place reflected in the work. Artists that live during the same time may have similar experiences, but their experience can certainly be affected by where they live. Certain styles and subject matter will prevail in a certain area for example. An artist's way of life may be reflected in their work and often times that is an indication of the place they lived.

One example of an artist whose work has a strong connection to the place he creates it is Andy Goldsworthy. He is a contemporary artist who creates nature installations outdoors and photographs them.

"During the one persistently cold period that I have had to work with in Britain I was able to pursue ideas only hinted at in previous winters. It is difficult to predict where good ice and icicles will form. In summer I saw potential in the dripping walls and small pools at Glenmarlin Falls on the River Scaur in Dumfriessire." (Goldsworthy, 1990, Introduction)

As an artist working outdoors, his work is most assuredly affected by the place in which he creates it. This example is easy to understand. There are examples that are less obvious though. Take for example, the Art Nouveau movement. Art Nouveau was a movement that spanned the early 1880s to the start of World War I and occurred in both Europe and America. The style can be described as ornamental, nature based, modern, and focused on fine craftsmanship. Those characteristics seem broad, but there are simple clues that can tell us where a particular piece was made. During this era, some Art Nouveau artists in England were focused on the art of the book while other Art Nouveau artists in France were focused on the emerging art form of posters (Sternau, 2007). Knowing this, if we saw an Art Nouveau book cover illustration or a poster, we could take a guess where the art was created.

Style is also an indication of the place an artwork was created during a particular era. Another example from the Art Nouveau period is the unique style of the Glasgow School which is known by "clean geometries of form, combined with curvilinear surface decoration (Sternau, 2007, p.99)."

Here's an example of the Glasgow School style which is also Art Nouveau:

http://thebluelantern.blogspot.com/2011/10/in-vienna-glasgow-school.html

As we dig deeper into art, it becomes clearer that art and life are tied together in many ways. An artist creates work that reflects their experience of the world.

References:

Goldsworthy, Andy. A Collaboration with Nature (1990), Abrams INC. New York.

Sternau, Susan. Art Nouveau (2007), New Line Books Limited, Singapore.

Assignments:

Quiz. Complete the quiz on the assigned readings for the week. You must take the quiz before participating in this week's discussion posts. You will need to score 7 out of 10 to move on. You may leave the quiz open for 12 hours before submitting it.

Discussions for the week:

Discussion 1:

1. Read about the Baroque time period or movement in your book. The movement occurred in Italy, Spain, and Northern Europe.

2. What are some key similarities and differences between the three regions in terms of media (materials), methods, and subjects? Why might these differences between regions exist? Use terms that you have learned so far in the course.

Cite sources and respond substantively to 2 classmates.

Discussion 2:

1. Choose two works, each from different regions within the same time period and movement (other than the Baroque movement).
Below are some examples of regions to explore within a particular movement (choose two regions):

a. Italy
b. France
c. Northern Europe
d. Spain
e. United States

2. What similarities and differences do you see in terms of the media (materials), methods, and subjects between these two works? Explain how each work of art is reflective of the movement, yet unique to its region.

Cite artworks and sources and respond substantively to two classmates