Rice University Gallery and ArtBabble

Check out this link for some inspiring art work and artist presentations.  http://www.artbabble.org/

Artist Documentation Program

http://adp.menil.org/
This link is a fantastic resource for hearing first-hand accounts of the artist's intentions and use of materials.  After creating a log-in, you can watch interviews conducted "to gain a better understanding of their materials, working techniques, and intent for conservation of their works. All interviews are conducted by conservators in a museum or studio setting".
I haven't watched them all, but so far my favorite interviews are with artists:
Tim Hawkinson 
John Currin
Jasper Johns
Dario Robleto
http://adp.menil.org/

Saatchi Gallery Online

Saatchi gallery is currently featuring an initiative called 100 Curators 100 Days. Check back daily to see exciting, contemporary art from around the globe.  http://www.saatchionline.com/100curators

Here's a sample, from the MANY that caught my eye:

no title  Drawing by Ana Vujovic

VIC The Lurcher

Sculpture by Gaynor Ostinelli

A Silver Lining

assemblage/collage by Charles Wilkin

Haircut 1 (with Andrew Tamlyn)

assemblage/collage  by Erin Case

Pereda - art and mischievousness

Odds are that you've heard me promote the Art21.org series before, because there is such a range of great stuff on their website, videos and blog. I particularly enjoyed this energetic, positive, 9 minute video about the artist Alejandro Almanza Pereda. Check out this amusing slice-o-life on what it is like to be an artist in New York City.

http://www.alejandroalmanzapereda.com/index.php?/selected-works/just-give-me-a-place-to-stand/
More information on the following images can be found at alejandroalmanzapereda.com

If I understood correctly, this image (above) was created with one 9B pencil.

Thank you Art21 for being such a rich art resource!!

When our objects own us. . . and the "life" they contain.

Artist Mark Fox started with simple drawings and the idea of clutter to create his Dust installation. The work considers the current human situation, as it relates to our many possessions. On the Rice Gallery link below, there is a video of Fox explaining his purpose and process - good insight for how you might discuss your own work.

http://www.ricegallery.org/new/exhibition/dust.html

In his 2010 exhibition, he investigated text, creating word wallpaper.  The below images are from his gallery site.

http://www.larissagoldston.com/exhibitions/foxuntitled/index.aspx

Inspirational documentary of Basquiat

The film called Radient Child by Tamra Davis is an inspiring documentary of Jean-Michel Basquiat, with actual footage from an exciting period of the NYC art scene. The movie begins with rare footage of a friend interviewing Basquiat just two years before he died. http://youtu.be/wuZZ3gY2_9I

Here is the webpage for the documentary http://www.jean-michelbasquiattheradiantchild.com/
The film is worth a watch particularly because of the way it provides a glimpse into the artistic process, even if you don't care for Basquiat's urban, expressive, bold style. Basquiat is an excellent artist to look at for ideas on how to naturally inform your artwork through your own interests (to fulfill the historical/cultural assessment criteria).

Jean-Michel Basquiat in his studio, 1985. Photograph © Lizzie Himmel

For more information see the official Basquiat website http://basquiat.com/

Presenting your research in the IWB

Below are examples of workbook pages that creatively present research. Notice how in the examples below the titles and backgrounds are artistic. This should never be pointless decoration, but rather a compliment to the style of the work you are presenting.*(see "warning" below)

A quote relating to the style of work or directly from the artist, is a great way to introduce us to the concepts.

Plenty of images and your own study of the work make for a visually diverse page.

 

A timeline is a great way to concisely provide a context for the artist and their work. A timeline allows you to reference what else was going on in the world, without taking up valuable writing space used for your analysis.

Last but not least, when completing research pages, your sources should always be thoroughly referenced, both for information and images. Citing your source is part of the requirement, but you must also provide a "credit line" for any visuals used. A credit line contains at least: the artist name, title of work, scale, year completed and medium. If the entire page is on one artist, you can leave off the artist's name. *A word of warning, some students become very involved with backgrounds and spend far too much time making "pretty" pages. If you find that you really enjoy spending time on backgrounds, perhaps consider using that motivation to create an abstract, color-field paintng on canvas instead. That way you get to enjoy the same process but it counts as a final!