The beautiful cameos on the Gemma Augetea combines the heroic figures from Greek art with recognizable Roman faces.The Wedgwood company still uses similar techniques today when making their Jasperware products. Their vases, and cups, and plates, display many different styalized classical scenes.
The statue of the Discus Thrower celebrates the olympic athletes victorious deeds. This is an example of how a great athlete was commerated for centuries to come, and has became the idealized athlete for hundreds of years. The Olympics are not just about sport, but the pursuit of the ideal, both in physical being, and in unity of cultures. Attention is focused on the individual human beings who seem able to surpass even their own abilities and limits, all to reach this ellusive "ideal"
Today on the campus of SJSU stands the statue commerating another set of athletes, finally praised for their actions in striving for the "ideal." 1968 Olympic Medal Winners Tommie Smith and John Carlos have been honored with a statue commerating their famous salute. As with the Olympic athletes of old, both men were physically strong and won medals for their country, but had the courage to pursue the idea of equallity. In a moment where all attention was on them, and in a moment the many take as their own, these athletes, representing the best of the best, took it upon themselves to further a cause greater then themselves. Just as the Olympians of old, the winners' deeds were celebrated by poets long after their victories; today's Olympians have their stories recorded in magazines and on TV, bu there is something to be said about being imortalized in art.
In case you are not familiar with the aformentioned story....
"It was the most popular medal ceremony of all time. The photographs of two black American sprinters standing on the medal podium with heads bowed and fists raised at the Mexico City Games in 1968 not only represent one of the most memorable moments in Olympic history but a milestone in America's civil rights movement.
The two men were Tommie Smith and John Carlos. Teammates at San Jose State University, Smith and Carlos were stirred by the suggestion of a young sociologist friend Harry Edwards, who asked them and all the other black American athletes to join together and boycott the games. The protest, Edwards hoped, would bring attention to the fact that America's civil rights movement had not gone far enough to eliminate the injustices black Americans were facing. Edwards' group, the Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR), gained support from several world-class athletes and civil rights leaders but the all-out boycott never materialized.
Still impassioned by Edwards' words, Smith and Carlos secretly planned a non-violent protest in the manner of Martin Luther King, Jr. In the 200-meter race, Smith won the gold medal and Carlos the bronze. As the American flag rose and the Star-Spangled Banner played, the two closed their eyes, bowed their heads, and began their protest.
Smith later told the media that he raised his right, black-glove-covered fist in the air to represent black power in America while Carlos' left, black-covered fist represented unity in black America. Together they formed an arch of unity and power. The black scarf around Smith's neck stood for black pride and their black socks (and no shoes) represented black poverty in racist America.
While the protest seems relatively tame by today's standards, the actions of Smith and Carlos were met with such outrage that they were suspended from their national team and banned from the Olympic Village, the athletes' home during the games.
A lot of people thought that political statements had no place in the supposedly apolitical Olympic Games. Those that opposed the protest cried out that the actions were militant and disgraced Americans. Supporters, on the other hand, were moved by the duo's actions and praised them for their bravery. The protest had lingering effects for both men, the most serious of which were death threats against them and their families.
Smith and Carlos, who both now coach high school track teams, were honored in 1998 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of their protest.
An interesting side note to the protest was that the 200m silver medallist in 1968, Peter Norman of Australia (who is white), participated in the protest that evening by wearing a OPHR badge."
The Vapheio Cup is so names because it was found in a large tomb at Vapheio, on the Greek mainland south of Sparta. The Minoan metalsmiths were highly trained artists, whose work was greatly sought after. The relief design was made by hammering from the back of the sheet of metal. This technique is called repousse.
The cup is very striking but what catches my attention is that something like the Vapheio Cup was sought after by others not just because it was a gold cup, but because it made by a highly prized metalsmith. This is similar to the way someone would seek after a piece of Jewlery, or to link a more specific example a baby cup from a rewnound "metalsmith" of this century, lets say Tiffany & Co.
This sterling silver baby cup was made by Tiffany & Co. circa 1891-1902. It is 3 1/2 inces tall, and there is an engraving on the bottom that gives us an estimate on teh date, it reads: "Katharine Smith FROM Commadore W. H. Starbuck, Oct 18 1894". This baby's cup recently sold at auction for $3,700.00. This goes to show that fine metal craftsmanship, no matter what the century will always be highly sought after.
This is Queen Hatshepsut's funerary temple at Deir El-Bahri (1473-1458 BC). Although this building was not intended to be her tomb, it is still an impressive structure, showing the simple grandeur that was accomplished across most of ancient Egypt. Rather that be on top of the cliff, or have the cliff leveled, the temple is beautifully tucked right up to the cliffs, almost as an extension of the natural landscape. Imagine the alternating levels filled with living fragrant gardens, and the architectural details just rising up from the shrubs and then disappearing into the clifs, as if the winds themselves had carved the temple.
In today's architecture and design, it is not uncommon to see architects and Interior designers pushing to make buildings and spaces more in harmony with their natural surroundings, instead of appearing to have "conquered" their surroundings. However, in antiquity, this unusual union of man with nature is a rare but exciting picture into the, even at that time, forward thinking minds.
Fast forward to the 20th century, and meet architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who spent most of his life looking to integrate His buildings and structures into the natural landscapes of their surroundings. To truly be in harmony with the land rather that dominate it. The pictures should clearly demonstrate that attention to how his structures fit into the landscape with as little intrusion as possible, seeming to "grow" from within the hills and trees, and having a life of their own.
Falling Water:: I love how this home relates to the same vertical and horizontal feeling of trees springing from a crevice in a rock. The horizontal cantilevers also resemble water rushing over rocks to the falls.
Marin County Civic Center:: Talk about civic architecture blending in with its surroundings! The building practically blends in with the contours of the hills that it is nestled in.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
These votive figures are images dedicated to the gods, and date back to somewhere between 2900-2600 BCE. They were found in the Diyala River Valley in Iraq. The worshiper would commission a statue and have inscribed on it something they accomplished in that god's honor. Or the statue might simply be identified by what they are doing, ie. "one who offers prayer." This figure would represent the worshiper to the god. The physical form of these figures represents the conventions of Sumerian art, and show us today something about how they viewed beauty and the human form; just as the saint statues below epitomize art and what the human form in art had evolved to at the height of the Catholic church.
These statues of the saints that top the peristyle/collonade at St. Peters in Rome offer another idea of intercessory prayer. Each "patron" saint represents a different group of people (St. Christopher for travelers, St. Lawrence for cooks, etc.) The patron saint of a particular group of people is a saint who will pay special attention to, protect and love the members of a particular group. Prayers by members of a group are more likely to be answered by their patron saint. Some consider it a special devotion to God by displaying humility in asking a saint for intercession rather than expecting to be answered themselves, calling to mind Job 42:8, which implies God's favor to the virtuous.
This is a picture of the aptly titled "Hall of Bulls" from the caves at Lascauz. At first glance its kind of strange to see paintings on the ceiling, then once that hurtle is crossed, it is hard for some to see these as art. I think no matter what one thinks of the subject, it can be generally acknowledged that they are regardless its amazing that they have survived through time. Even at the beginnings of our humanly existance we were fascinated with capturing the full energy of the "life" around us in something more permenant that just mere memory. I can imagine lying on the ground and looking up at the scene almost as it trying to sleep and my dreams were escaping to join the creatures up above. These delicate images, with their whispy outlines, manage to show the great power of its subjects.
Seeing a painted ceiling evokes memories of the Cistine Chapel, and looking at the simplistic, but carefully planned strokes, brings to mind the many grafiti pictures in cities across the nation. But more that those, the bright color from the "Hall of Bulls" ceiling, and the energy it creates, brings forward to my mind another modern master- Dale Chiluly.
This is his instalation at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and it titled the Persian Seafoam Ceiling.
When thinking of ceiling installations many people think of the lobby ceiling in the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas Nevada, but I think this instalation relates better to the "Hall of Bulls" above. This series title-Persian Seafoam Ceiling- hints different ancient glass styles and reflects the fusion of East and West. Chihuly worked at the Venini factory in Venice and historically, Venice showed an assimilation of Persian, Byzantine, and eastern ideas. His awareness of these historical ties and stylistic influences in Venetian art grew. Persians glass design highlights gently fluted edges, which are delicate and powerful, plus their jewel-like colors and sensuous curving forms make them stand out as some of Chihuly's most amazing work.
Pictured above is Mike Wilkins (born 1959) "Preamble" 1987, painted metal (real official state license plates) on vinyl and wood, 96 x 96 in.
This piece demonstrates the immense pride that I have for being an American. I love my European ancestral heritage, but I feel very honored to be an American-through good and bad times. As much fun as it is to travel outside this country to historic sites and places of unbelievable beauty, I want to discover the uncontested beauty of my own country first so when I go abroad I can truly appreciate these new landscapes, but always know my home holds the most beauty ever. This land is something special, the land reflects the people, who in turn reflect the land, and at just the right times the people and the land are in harmony and the many values and virtues of both become one- e pluribus unum.
Pictured to the left is "Snap the Whip" by Winslow Homer. Like the energy the painting shows, I love to have fun and hang out with my friends; goofing around, or just sitting and enjoying conversation. I value people, and the effect they have on others. Without friends or people to interact with, life can't be lived to the fullest. You can have all the knowledge, culture or money in the world, but without someone to share it with, it is pointless.
I love architecture, standing in building both old and new, large and small gives me an amazing feeling. The detail of older buildings, like these below, from the Panama Pacific Exposition of 1915 in San Francisco, is just incredible, and shows the dedication of the designers and the great technical ability of the craftsman and artists who built them. Buildings remind me of my passion for art and design.
Spirituality is an important aspect of my life, and these two spaces, the Chapel at the National Air Force Academy, and the Washington National Cathedral, are two religious spaces that I have enjoyed worshiping in. To me Christianity is not just a religion, it is a relationship, and how the journey of that relationship with Christ. That relationship helps define me as a person, and guides me in my daily life. I don't have all the answers about life or where I am headed, but I have faith in someone who has had a plan for me since before I was born. "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).
This last video speaks to my love of music. Music is an artform that is an integral part of my life. I see music as something that can transcend all conflicts and speak where words would cause problems. Instrumental music can enhance the written word to add another dimension and give deeper meaning. For me music is an outlet in which I can create and work with others. As you see in the video, no matter what happens, music will keep on livin'!
"Keep in mind that many people have died for their beliefs; it's actually quite common. The real courage is in living and suffering for what you believe in."
What can I say, I am a California boy through and through. Sun and being at the beach; California is perfect, and San Jose is great! Where else can you ice skate out doors during the winter, under palm trees? I love fall in California and Washington DC during Cherry Blossom season.
I love to meet different people. A lot of my life revolves around my friends, and hanging and going out and doing things. I like to sit outside in late summer/early fall, and listen as the crisp air fills the warm end of summer night. Its about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. The sun still hasn't set, and there is slight cloud cover in the sky. All is perfect. Life friends, everything. Utopia for a moment in time.
The Wedgwood company still uses similar techniques today when making their Jasperware products. Their vases, and cups, and plates, display many different styalized classical scenes.
The Vapheio Cup is so names because it was found in a large tomb at Vapheio, on the Greek mainland south of Sparta. The Minoan metalsmiths were highly trained artists, whose work was greatly sought after. The relief design was made by hammering from the back of the sheet of metal. This technique is called repousse. 
This sterling silver baby cup was made by Tiffany & Co. circa 1891-1902. It is 3 1/2 inces tall, and there is an engraving on the bottom that gives us an estimate on teh date, it reads: "Katharine Smith FROM Commadore W. H. Starbuck, Oct 18 1894". This baby's cup recently sold at auction for $3,700.00. This goes to show that fine metal craftsmanship, no matter what the century will always be highly sought after.
These statues of the saints that top the peristyle/collonade at St. Peters in Rome offer another idea of intercessory prayer. Each "patron" saint represents a different group of people (St. Christopher for travelers, St. Lawrence for cooks, etc.) The patron saint of a particular group of people is a saint who will pay special attention to, protect and love the members of a particular group. Prayers by members of a group are more likely to be answered by their patron saint. Some consider it a special devotion to God by displaying humility in asking a saint for intercession rather than expecting to be answered themselves, calling to mind Job 42:8, which implies God's favor to the virtuous.
Seeing a painted ceiling evokes memories of the Cistine Chapel, and looking at the simplistic, but carefully planned strokes, brings to mind the many grafiti pictures in cities across the nation. But more that those, the bright color from the "Hall of Bulls" ceiling, and the energy it creates, brings forward to my mind another modern master- Dale Chiluly. 
Pictured to the left is "Snap the Whip" by Winslow Homer. Like the energy the painting shows, I love to have fun and hang out with my friends; goofing around, or just sitting and enjoying conversation. I value people, and the effect they have on others. Without friends or people to interact with, life can't be lived to the fullest. You can have all the knowledge, culture or money in the world, but without someone to share it with, it is pointless.
