Interesting Blogs

I would like to share with you guys some blogs, that to my mind are extremely interesting.

The first one is by Nika: http://guerillaandbuzzmarketing.blogspot.com/ she writes about guerrilla marketing and it's effects on society. There were many things I learned from reading her blog and I found it extremely interesting  how much there is, that I didn't actually know yet, as for example Ikea's promotion on facebook. SHOCKING :)

Secondly Karo's blog: http://theproductplacementblog.blogspot.com/ was such a pleasure reading, as I could really notice how much she is interested in the topic of product placement in the media. She gives great examples of how it works today and the issues she discusses are extremely interesting as well.  I especially liked her post about the cigarette production placement  in the series "sex and the city", as it is a controversial topic in the media.

Also, Jules blog: http://bollywoodtakesoverhollywood.blogspot.com/ about Hollywood and Bollywood brings great joy to me when I read it, as there are so many facts that I never even realized before. Myself, I am not a big fan of Bollywood, but lately I hear more and more about it, there is hardly any escape. Reading her blog was not only informational, but also fun, as she has such a great style of sharing her passion. Maybe I will actually begin to like Bollywood production after all, as she inspired me quite a bit with her great examples.

Mark's blog: http://newmediaandstudents.blogspot.com/ is also something I definitely want to share with you. He discusses what impacts the new media has on students and I found it truly shocking how for example facebook changed so many aspects today. It is a good question whether internet dumbs us down or educates us, but merely I think it all depends on each individual. Great topic Mark :)

Last but not least Tisha's blog: http://mediainfluenceon2012.blogspot.com/ to me was very amusing. She wrote about the influences media has on the apocalypse in 2012 and how the media deals with this believe. To my mind this is a very interesting topic, as we are soon to enter the year 2012 and I would never think that  just because the Mayan's believed the world would end the, it will really happen. See for yourself and make up your mind, whether the world is coming to an end or not.

ART ART ART!

To many people Art does not really seem like it is too important. In fact many people take art for granted and do not realize how much effort really lies behind it. Art has had so much influence in society, that not too many people actually realize how important it is. To some it helps them learn simple methods such as coordinating ones hands and arm, others learn to express themselves freely, where as others again simply use art as a form of communication. Throughout history the meaning of art has changed, art was used for practical reasons such as maybe painting someone to keep them in memory, or show ones status and then again today, art is used more to provoke society and have them think about their lives or the world we are living in today. Either way, a world without art would hardly be possible and through the development of art, people were more able to express themselves.
In this blog you can follow on the different events and occasions that art has made a difference in peoples lives and prove how important it is to realize that art really does make a difference and can help others.

Works Cited

" Art Education Project for the Mentally Disabled." Chinadaily US Edition. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 May 2011. <http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/video/2009-08/19/content_8589424.htm#>.

Finocchiaro, Daniel . "KODAK: Education - Lesson Plan ." KODAK Digital Cameras, Printers, Digital Video Cameras & more. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 May 2011. <http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/education/lessonPlans/lessonPlan134.shtml>.

Russo, Sharilynn M. . "KODAK: Education - Lesson Plan ." KODAK Digital Cameras, Printers, Digital Video Cameras & more. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 May 2011. <http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/education/lessonPlans/lessonPlan130.shtml>.

Art is for everyone

One more point I would like to discuss is how art can help the disabled.
In many cases the disabled are not capable to express what they are thinking or feeling the same way others do. It is hard for them to be accepted by society and often they feel left out and "different". Through painting, they are able to express themselves and share with the rest of the world what they believe in. Art helps them to get educated, as they learn how to complete something they created by them self. It gives the artist a rewarding feeling once one has accomplished one's own artwork and helps to deal with other problems simultaneously.
Art makes it easier for the disabled to learn simple things, such as reading a map. What seems common sense to most of us, is hard work for them. By learning to draw and making maps, at the same time they learn how to read a map and become more independent. Furthermore, learning the different colors also helps them identify different objects or situations. For example a red light will indicate to them that there might be a dangerous or alarming situation, where as green indicates that it is safe. To many people again, this is something we do not even think about anymore and comes naturally, to them it is a proses they have to learn.

Art and Education

Sometimes people wonder whether art is necessary for children in their early education. In fact, art is one of the most important fields in a child's education, as it "can help to develop the fine motor skills that most adults have" (Elementary Education) and furthermore also positively stimulate observation (Elementary Education). This means, it is essential for children to learn how to hold a pen or pencil correctly, so their coordination of movement develops faster, as it is not natural for children to learn this automatically. The earlier children learn to paint, they associate holding a pencil with something rather more positive, as painting is usually done in their free time and once they have to learn how to write, at first there is normally no problem to motivate them. This is all a simple method to keep children interested and inspired for the future ahead of them. Art is inspiring to children and should be taught as early as possible, so they learn to express their emotions and feelings and at the same time also teach them fine motor skills. 

Works Cited

"Early Childhood Art Education - Elementary Education - Many Perspectives." Elementary Education - Many Perspectives. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 May 2011. <http://www.a-elementaryeducation.com/early-childhood-art-education.php>.

Smith, Fran. "Why Arts Education Is Crucial, and Who's Doing It Best | Edutopia." K-12 Education & Learning Innovations with Proven Strategies that Work | Edutopia. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 May 2011. <http://www.edutopia.org/arts-music-curriculum-child-development>.

Read more!

Of course there are many different opinions about what art really means and what impact it has to society, but generally art is considered as something free. There is no "right" or "wrong" when it comes to art, because there are no rules. This can make it difficult for some, but easier for others. Art influences people in many ways, without them sometimes noticing. Just browsing through the internet one is bombarded with all kinds of art, some more positive, others of course more negative. I found some interesting websites, where authors express their opinions about what art means to them. In the first one for example http://arthistory.about.com/cs/reference/f/what_is_art.htm, Shelley Esaak, a portrait artist, freelance illustrator and graphic designer, writer and educator writes about her personal opinion what art means to her. When I read this, I fully agreed with it and thought it is impressive how easy she made it for me to understand what she was talking about. Furthermore Anthony Bond, who's website: http://www.artinfluence.com/whyartmatters.html explains why art matters to him and how art can change the way one looks at the world. He gives a different perspective on art and how one can observe it. Every country has a different way of seeing art and sometimes art to one culture can be something completely different to another. He discusses the differences and describes how to observe art according to their origin.
Last but not least, I really enjoyed reading Marc Vallen's web-page, as he speaks about the artist's role in society. He shares his own experiences he made, when traveling through the world and learning about the different styles there are. He also speaks about what keeps him going on as an artist and what inspired him in today's society. Read more on his web-page:http://art-for-a-change.com/blog/2005/03/artists-role-in-social-change.html .

Yes, Art does change!

1840, Coquelicots, environs d'Argenteuil by Monet

As mentioned in my other postings, art has gone through many changes. In today's society there are so many different styles and categories, it is difficult to define what art really is. Many people do not even realize what a great impact art has on one's lives, just imagine what life would be like if there was not art! That is as good as impossible, because art has been around ever since one can remember. Art gives one the possibility to be more creative and express ones feelings and emotions in different ways than perhaps writing. The style of art changed so much, that today it is nearly impossible to really clarify what art is. To some people a trashcan which was painted in different colors, ripped apart and stuck back together can be considered art, but to others it could simply look like junk. So how can one tell the difference? Why is something like that art in today's society, but let's say 100 years ago not? Because of the development society went through and the historical periods, art changes constantly. Paintings were used to capture a moment in time, to hold on to a moment in history and also portrait status. It was important to paint so exact, that it could have been reality. But once the camera was invented, this was no longer necessary. Now the artists have free hand to paint in what ever style they preferred.

Bansky in Sweeden

 One example is Impressionism. It was formed in 1860 by a group of french artists and was the new "realistic way of painting" (The Impressionist Movement and it's greatest Painters) and broke off from the traditional European painting techniques. At first it was considered "avant-garde", which means it is "significantly ahead of the majority in its technique, subject matter, or application." (Avant-Garde Art) and the artists were not interested to paint in details, but rather more focus on the colors they saw. Edouard Manet, who was one of the members of the original group that formed Impressionism once said: "I paint what i see, and not what other like to see" (Impressionniste). From this time on, many further styles in art developed. At first the new styles have always been rejected by society, but with time, more and more people begin to accept and love it. Impressionism today is considered as one of the most romantic styles and found all over France. Artists such as Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Paul Cezanne and Pierre-Auguste Renoir are known worldwide for their beautiful paintings, but to their time, not considered as real artists.

1632-1675, The girl with the pearl earring

 Today we have the same problem, there are so many things we do not consider being art, because it brakes off of the traditional ways of painting. But does that mean it isn't art? Maybe 100 years into the future, what ever now is considered "not to be art" will be so valuable one day. Who knows what the future will hold. Art should not have to be used against people, rather more to express feelings and thoughts. Everyone has different ways to show this, might it be Modern Art, Dadaism, Impressionism, Cartoons or even Street Art. There should not be any hate towards the artists, just because they did not paint according to your preferences.


  

Works Cited

"Avant-Garde Art: Definition, Meaning, History: Experimental Artists, Painting, Sculpture, Installations, Conceptualism." Art Encyclopedia: Visual Arts Guide To European, Irish, American Painting & Sculpture: Greatest Artists, Best Museums, History of Art Movements, Renaissance. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 May 2011. <http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/definitions/avant-garde-art.htm>.

"Impressionism - Biography of Edouard MANET." L'Impressionnisme et les peintres impressionnistes. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 May 2011. <http://www.impressionniste.net/manet_edouard.htm>.

"Impressionism and Impressionist Painters ." L'Impressionnisme et les peintres impressionnistes. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 May 2011. <http://www.impressionniste.net/impressionism_history.htm>.

Period, Time. "Impressionism: Art and Modernity | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art." The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York: metmuseum.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 May 2011. <http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/imml/hd_imml.htm>.
 

Creature Comforts USA - Art

What is Street Art?

 Today art can nearly be described as anything. Art has so many different categories and is full of variety, how is one supposed to know if it is really worth anything. Does art always have to have a money value? Can one create art just for the basic point of wanting to share ones talent or ideas with others?
Many people criticize street art of not being art, but rather more a different form of graffiti, which is usually seen as vandalism. Others on the other hand consider street art to be a form of expressing ones opinion in public. In the recent years, Street Art has become more and more popular amongst young people, probably because of it's provocative and usually illegal agenda. Art does not always only have to be something beautiful to admire and to be "hung up to someones living-room wall". Today art is shocking and provoking what what better place to publish art than openly on the streets? Anyone should be able to express themselves, if it does not harm anyone.
Ever payed real close attention to the traffic lights when walking around in Prague in 2007? Czech street artist David Brudnak, also known as Roman Tyc, decided to "decorate" traffic lights and put them up all around the city. He changed the ordinary sign of a man on the traffic light, to different pictures as for example a woman with a child or maybe more provocative, a man peeing. He was arrested and fined 2400 euros for violating the cities properties. Of course many people argue that one can not consider this art, but then again, it is something he created and got peoples attention from it. He made something ordinary different and gave it a personal touch. Did it hurt anyone? No, so why should this be much of a problem?
Art changes all the time and Street Art is becoming more and more popular around the world today. People spot their favorite artists around the world and post it for instance on their facebook wall, only to wait for a comment of one of their friends "liking" it. This is all part of art in today's society.

Tony Orrico: Penwald: 1: one circle in color 2009