Module 11: Art Gallery Visit #2

Step 1: The Exhibition

Questions about the exhibit:
1. What is the title of the exhibit?

The Artists Among Us

2. What is the theme of the exhibition?

WNY Art and Artists

Step 2: The Gallery

Questions about the physical space:
1. What type of lighting is used?

When looking at the lighting I realized two things.  There is lighting on the ceiling around all artwork, but what I noticed was some lighting was directed on the artwork and some were directed on the floor right next to the artwork.  The lighting that was directed on the floor was then bounced off of the floor and lit about the pieces.  I thought this was a unique way of showing off the artwork.

2. What colors are used on the walls?

Throughout the gallery the majority of the walls were either white in color or a light grey.  I feel that they chose to use more neutral colors so it wouldn’t take away from the pieces.  With crazy painted walls our focus would leave the artwork and be directed elsewhere.

3. What materials are used in the interior architecture of the space?

I noticed the architecture to be simpler.  The bottom floor had wooden floors and a high ceiling.  There was a lot of lighting as each individual piece had its own source of lighting. 

4. How is the movement of the viewer through the gallery space?

The movement of the viewer was done by splitting the gallery up in sections.  Each section was themed as it had similar artwork in each section.  One portion showed law enforcement and you were able to easily see where it started and ended.  At all times you knew when you were going to be looking at a different exhibit with a new topic.  I never felt that I missed something and needed to turn back.  Overall I thought the gallery was very organized and moved me through all the exhibits the way it was set up.

Step 3: The Artwork

Questions about the artwork:

1. How are the artworks organized?

The artwork is organized by topic and by artist.  They are also organized by medium used.  All of   
the photographs were all grouped in a similar area.

2. How are the artworks similar?
The artworks are similar as they were all created by WNY artists.  Some artists even went to Buffalo State which I thought was really cool.  In my opinion the gallery portrayed more realistic art.  I saw actual buildings, outside scenery, weather, and emphasis of human faces.  I would say this is where the artworks are similar.

3. How are the artworks different?
The artworks are different when it comes to subject matter and the mediums used.  Also although the lower floor shows more realistic art, the upper floor (Ellen Steinfeld exhibit) showed more abstract art.  Her pieces were bright in color and showed different objects and shapes.

4. How are the artworks framed?

I noticed that the majority of the artwork on the main floor had a white border around the pieces and than a black frame.  I feel that it drew your eye more to the piece being bordered in white and then framed in a dark color.  I also noticed in different exhibits some were framed in brassy metals, some were wooden, and some didn’t even have a frame.  It was definitely apparent that there was a reason behind the choice of frames in relation to the artwork.

5. How are the artworks identified and labeled?

The artwork was labeled with a white plaque to the right of the artwork.  It first would list the name of the artist, the title, and then the location and date.  Each exhibit was also labeled as soon as you walked in, in big letters higher up on the wall.

6. What is the proximity of the artwork to each other?

I had recognized that the majority of the artwork was spaced out about two feet in between each other.  Something else that I had noticed is that the pieces with almost the same subject matter were closer to each other. 

 

Artist:  Bruce Jackson

Title of work:  St. Mary’s-on-the-Hill Episcopal Church, Niagara and Vermont Streets

Media:  Photograph

Date:  2010

Size:  N/A- Unknown

Source of picture:  Photograph taken at Burchfield Penny Art Gallery

Description – This photograph captures the unique architecture of the church and shows the clearest of blue skies.   

Formal analysis –

Texture:  The stone looking bricks of the church show a definite texture as they all are protruding in and out in different areas.
Color:  The skies are not just an ordinary blue but the brightest blue a sky could be.  The artist was fortunate enough to capture the beauty of the skies color.

Bracketing – This photograph reminds me of the most relaxing and beautiful days.  A lot of the time’s people become consumed with work and other things that they don’t get the opportunity to take in the world’s simplest beauties.  This photograph ultimately reminds me of the days where I have nowhere to be and can just sit on my porch and enjoy the outside.  When I see this photo I see beauty, relaxation, and peacefulness.

Interpretation – I feel that the artist was trying to capture the beauty in the architecture of the church and the beauty of the sky.  I also feel that the artist was trying to convey his appreciation of the church and sky and also gave a sense of peacefulness with the combination of the two. 

 

Artist:  Ellen Steinfeld

Title of work:  Bolero
Media:  Watercolor on Paper
Date:  2012
Size:  N/A- Unknown
Source of picture:  Photograph taken at Burchfield Penny Art Gallery

Description – This watercolor painting is vibrant in the use of colors of the different sizes and shapes of objects.

Formal analysis –

Color:  The artist definitely favors bright and vibrant colors.  Within all her pieces in the exhibit she uses similar colors.  The variety of colors makes this piece very appealing to the eye.
Shape:  The shapes in this painting vary.  There are smaller squares, circles, ovals and other shapes. 
Line:  There are outlines on the objects as well as squiggly and curved lines in this painting

Bracketing – This painting reminds me of when I was younger when my art teacher had us create a piece using different shapes and colors.  We had full reign to make the piece however we wanted to as long as it met those guidelines.  To accurately say what the feeling the photo represents it would be childhood meets sophistication. 

Interpretation – I feel that the artist as I said before loves vibrant colors.  There is not a piece in her exhibit that had dull or muddy colors.  Her piece exudes happiness in her use of bright colors and creativity.  I feel that she wanted people to look at her pieces and feel cheerful and remember the child that will always be in us.

 

 

Artist:  Charles Burchfield
Title of work:  The Evening Star
Media:  Oil on Board
Date:  1994
Size:  N/A- Unknown
Source of picture:  Photograph taken at Burchfield Penny Art Gallery

Description – This painting uses darker and muddy colors.  It should also be noted that there is one lonely star up in the sky.  The reflection of the sky is shown on the pond which than emphasizes the deer.

Formal analysis –
Movement:  The artist definitely had put the tree in the position it is for a reason.  As we follow the trunk of the tree and to the oddly shaped branch that is going straight up, we can see that the branch is indirectly pointing to the lone star. 
Emphasis:  As the sky reflects onto the pond it is one of the lightest portions of the painting.  The artist put emphasis on the deer as he positioned them right in front of the glowing pond.

Bracketing – This painting reminds me of going camping to Allegany.  When going in the woods I remember the beautiful scenery just as it was getting dark.  There’s deer throughout Allegany but I remember seeing the baby deer sticking close to their parent as they walked through. 

Interpretation – I feel that the artist Charles Burchfield was trying to show a close relationship through a parent and a child through the use of the deer.  I believe this painting was used to show the relationship between himself and his child.  The lone star makes me believe that he viewed his child as his one and only star.  It is apparent that he was trying to relay that his child meant the world to him and was the only thing that mattered in his eyes.

Photo of Gallery Above


What did you think of visiting the Gallery and purposefully looking at the exhibition from a different perspective - the physical space, the architecture, theme, etc.?

I felt that going to the gallery with the questions given I was able to analyze and appreciate the gallery more.  If I would normally go to a gallery I would walk through it quiet quickly and not realize a lot of the galleries aspects.  This time I noticed how the lighting was positioned, how the artwork was displayed, the connection the pieces had with eachother and understand why the artist created the piece that they did.  In all honestly this class has given me an eye opening experience and a new appreciation not only for art but the galleries that display the art.