Ian

"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious" - Albert Einstein

Category: ABSTRACTION (page 1 of 2)

Presenting Notes

The depth anatomy the triptych is hoping to create is ‘anxiety.’ The word ‘anxiety’ comes to mind when technology takes over civic participation, and the human role in society, and humans are in such a rush in their daily lives, forgetting the minor values and aesthetics of life. Today, human society only continues to lose its humanity and values, while humans’ jealousy and egotistic psychology ruin the value of nature and their surroundings.

Aaron Siskind’s abstract photography influenced me. Aaron Siskind used formal elements in art like monochrome, close-up, texture, lines, value, and abstract shapes to symbolize themes ranging from loneliness to regeneration. As the theme of my triptych is “anxiety,” I believe Aaron Siskind’s photograph’s loneliness and sense of decay symbolize how anxiety is thwarting the modernization of humans and causing worry about the future.

As the photographer, I believed the words fading and blandness reflected anxiety. Since technology only continues to take over civic participation and the human role in society, humans feel worried and hopeless. I showed this in my photographs by purposely taking close-up pictures to reflect the little imperfections of human life. The rough textures on the mural bring to mind many connections and form a contrast, creating tension and warning; the contrast creates isolation, forming loneliness and a sense of fading. The photographs have good focus, but the curvy lines and abstract shapes form abstractness and mystery of what is beyond the frame. The patterns formed by abstract shapes, like squares and circles, reflect humans. The monochrome colors, like black, grey, and white, form nostalgia and loss; I purposely used colors like black, grey, and white to grab attention to the small details of the pictures rather than overwhelming them with bright colors. I also added a juxtaposition between the words and the drawing on the mural, which Aaron Siskind’s photographs don’t have.

I hope the viewers understand how humans are depressed from trying to keep up with societal expectations and requirements and how social media causes anxiety in teenagers through manipulating disinformation.

Next time, I could have done better by making my triptych more diverse. My three photographs were all taken on the same mural to show the connection. Still, it was missing the multifaceted nature of art, meaning it was hard for the viewers to see the contrast and difference between the photographs. Also, I want to take abstract pictures of objects rather than murals. In 798, most of the arts were in the form of a mural. It would be fun to photograph objects because they have distinct shapes, and based on the angle, we can change the value of the objects. Not only that, it can also be closed-up and cropped, meaning it can have formal elements of art like texture, pattern, contrast, and colors.

798 Photographs

12 Photograph: The photographs are all monochrome. The intention was to let the viewers imagine the original subject’s colors. The pictures have rough and silky textures, and the black and white contrast makes the image look 3D and pop-out. Influenced by Aaron Siskind, the curvy and unpredictable lines form abstract objects.

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9 Photograph: I realized that some of the mural photographs were too obvious to define rather than being an abstract photograph. Even though the mural photographs may have trends and stunning visuals, they do not satisfy the word “anxiety” as the lines, shapes, textures, and colors have a clear symbol in contrast to abstractness. In other words, it has a story but lacks the uniqueness and components of an abstract photograph: shapes, textures, and lines.

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Final 3 Photograph: The photographs had curvy lines, bland but rough textures, mysterious shapes, and juxtaposition of words; it is pure beauty. The photos and juxtaposition of words tell a story but cannot be defined. The photographs perfectly reflect the word “anxiety” as the rough textures on a smooth surface and the curvy lines moving in any direction from abstractness, mess, and wonder, reflecting the fast-paced society and how humans don’t have the chance to reflect on their daily lives.

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Blog Post 9- Select and Analyze an artist and their work

The photographs have abstraction because of the curvy lines pointing all the way, making abstract shapes and the rough texture and pattern of the abstract shapes make the picture look like it is moving. Further on, even though the picture’s overall tone may be dark, the abstract shapes cause distinct contrasts. Also, the objects have a connection, but the blandness of the edges builds mood-like fading. The photograph’s angles are primarily from a horizon view but also very closed up, showing small details like the formal art element. The pictures have colors like white, black, and grey, grabbing attention to the small details of the pictures rather than overwhelming them with bright colors. Most pictures have a darker color in the center and get more colorful on the edges, building wonder like what may be beyond the things taken in the image.

I believe the word fading and blandness reflect the word anxiety. Since technology only continues to take over civic participation and the human role in society, humans continue to feel worried and hopeless. Aaron Siskind shows that by using bland values and movement, showing how human society is rapid and we forget key values of our daily lives. Also, the small patterns created by the curvy lines, abstract shapes, and rough textures create small circles and squares, reflecting humans. The colors black, white, and grey reflect a mood of loss and hopelessness, showing how human society has lost its values and goals.

Fully evaluate one photograph.

The contrasting textures bring to mind many connections. The connection between the white objects and the dark surfaces makes the photograph look like a beach shore. Also, the rough and sketchy textures of the object and the silky surfaces build a sense of fading, as if leaves are decaying from the autumn dusk. The photograph’s close-up helps us see the white objects have small dots, showing patterns. The line’s directions are heading all ways, forming mysterious shapes between the lines. A rough texture surrounds the lines, creating value and moods like smokiness. The colors and shapes of the white objects are different, making it look like there is movement. There is a contrast between the surface and the white object,  making it look like a geographical territory viewed from the horizon. The texture of the surface looks smooth and silky, but the small cracks on the white objects give the mood of an earth. The photography sets a mood of sadness because the color is grey and bland, and loneliness because of the connection and isolation between white objects and the dark surfaces.

Gauvin, Jean-Baptiste. “Aaron Siskind : The Life of Traces.” The Eye of Photography Magazine, L’Œil de la Photographie, 28 Nov. 2018, loeildelaphotographie.com/en/aaron-siskind-the-life-of-traces-bb/. Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.

‌Mooly. “Aaron Siskind.” Pinterest, 21 June 2020, uk.pinterest.com/pin/60798663708016326/. Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.

de, L’Œil. “Aaron Siskind, a Painter’s Photographer.” The Eye of Photography Magazine, L’Œil de la Photographie, 11 Sept. 2017, loeildelaphotographie.com/en/aaron-siskind-a-painters-photographer/. Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.

‌“Aaron Siskind.” Meer, Meer.com, 11 Oct. 2017, www.meer.com/en/31401-aaron-siskind. Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.

‌Intern. “Aaron Siskind: A Painter’s Photographer and Works on Paper by BMC Artists – Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center.” Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center, 9 Nov. 2018, www.blackmountaincollege.org/aaron-siskind/. Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.

‌“Aaron Siskind Viewpoint on Magma — Cercle.” Cercle, 2019, www.cerclemagazine.com/en/magazine/articles-magazine/aaron-siskind-viewpoint-on-magma/. Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.

“Lumiere» Blog Archive» Aaron Siskind.” Lumieregallery.net, 2021, lumieregallery.net/202/aaron-siskind/. Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.

‌MartinVorel.com. “Aaron Siskind: A Pioneer of Abstract Photography – MartinVorel.com – Medium.” Medium, 4 Jan. 2024, medium.com/@marvorel/aaron-siskind-a-pioneer-of-abstract-photography-d9f1884c216d. Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.

‌“Aaron Siskind «Stephen Daiter Gallery.” Stephendaitergallery.com, 2025, stephendaitergallery.com/artists/aaron-siskind/. Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.

 

 

Blog Post 8- Statement of intent

The message of my triptych will be to represent the anxious generation. The jealousy and ego of humans and the busy society sometimes make humans forget the value of nature and their surroundings, only becoming depressed from trying to keep up with societal expectations and requirements. Also, Social media causes anxiety in teenagers through manipulating disinformation. I want the audience to gain deeper insight into their life’s highlights, daily routines, and patterns. For inspiration, I will try to find a photographer who explores the abstraction of buzzing streets, buildings, and people to show the missing nature and peace in daily life. I want to find photographs that explore the blurriness that is out of focus. In my opinion, we must understand how the fast pace of life and social media influence is causing anxiety in the community and that we should respect and cherish the nature surrounding us. Anxiety is thwarting the modernization of humans and causing worry about the future.

Blog Post 7- Mind Map

app.popplet.com/#/p/7749570

Blog Post 6: Photo Safari

The photograph represents picture 1. The shadows and the blue surfaces show a distinct contrast. Also, on the bottom right side of the photo, there is a shadow of the phone, adding unique and mysterious vibes. The textures are bumpy and rough, giving a thought of the ocean. Also, if you stare at the photograph, the shadow effect on the left and the light effect on the right make the photograph look like a 3D cuboid or a pool noodle.

The photograph best represents picture 2. To give some context, this picture was meant to capture a greyish-white ceiling with a bright light. But due to the over exposure of light, the color of the ceiling changed from greyish-white to black. The bright light is a square, showing shape. The texture of the photograph is smooth, and the dark color symbolizes mysteriousness. The small white square and dark background set a mood of loss and dystopia, thus an unavoidable feeling.

The photograph best represents picture 3. The sharp edges and coil of the hay represent fuzziness. Not only is the texture of the hay very rough and sketchy, showing the sprinkles in the photograph. Also, the coil of the hay shows that the lines are curly in the photograph, setting a brought texture. The yellow barns and their roughness set a feeling of nature and coldness. Thus, the curls of the lines make the photograph look like a complex and infinite room.

The photograph best represents picture 4. Firstly, the lines are horizontal, and the white and black colors create a visual contrast. Even though the texture of the photograph is smooth, the surface is ragged giving a sense of mountain landscapes. The unequal distribution of black and white colors shows different sizes of rectangles. There is a pattern where the colors are repeatedly white and black, making it look like a wooden floor.

The photograph best represents picture 5. The lines are vertical, and the photograph has 3 colors: Yellow, Silver, and grey. Through the usage of both primary and secondary colors, the picture well represents the contrast between the shapes. The proportion of colors distributed in the photo is uneven, making the grey rectangle overwhelmingly large, and the yellow and silver rectangles thin. The picture conveys many different textures. On the yellow and silver rectangles, the vertical lines make a bumpy texture, representing a landscape. The foggy texture on the grey rectangle represents a cloudy feeling.

The photograph best represents picture 6. The photo of the trash can has a circular hole in the center, and the hole is black due to no light being able to enter the trash can. The color of the trash can is red, meaning the dark hole and red trash can show a clear contrast due to them being primary and secondary colors. The texture is smooth, and the trash can has a reflection of the photographer and lighting.

The photograph best represents picture 7. Due to the 4 photos having colors, patterns, and value, the photograph’s attention is mainly on the 4 photos. However, the white lines and black background show a contrast, and the space between the 4 pictures showing symmetry makes this photograph look like picture 7. The lines and spaces between the 4 photos make the photograph look like the flag of England.

The photograph best represents picture 8. Firstly, there is a repetition of squares, representing a pattern. As the squares are black and the background is white, the two colors show distinctive contrast. Also, the space between the black squares creates an organized feeling. Also, the black squares represent shape. Due to the large white background and small black squares, it gives an illusion of Tetris or a building.

The photograph best represents picture 9. The photograph is blurry and unclear due to the bright light and bad focus, giving nostalgic vibes. In the photograph, some lines are distinctively appealable, while few are vague, giving a wrinkly texture. Also, the repetition of the square blocks shows that the photograph has a pattern. Also, the square blocks show shapeThe redness of the blocks, the shadow, and the light on the blocks create color. The red square blocks, light, and shadow make the photograph look like a townhouse in the middle of a city.

The photograph best represents picture 10. The blue sections of the volleyball are tilted 45 degrees, and the yellow and blue colors are primary and secondary, showing contrast. Due to the photo being closed up, we can obviously observe the texture of the volleyball is smooth but bumpy. Also, the small bumpy circles have repetition, showing a pattern. Also, we can observe the blue section has an oval-looking shape and the color yellow surrounding the blue, which makes it look like a bridge or river.

The photograph best represents picture 11. The photograph represents a t-shirt that was taken reveresly. There is a pizza slice in the center, and the pepperonies show a circular and triangular shape. Also, the pepperoni in the pizza has a repetition of circles, showing a pattern. There is a shape of a dog with a juxtaposition saying “Eat”. This shows the irony of a dog eating pizza. Also, due to the T-shirt being slightly scrunched up, the texture of the photograph is rough.

The photograph best represents picture 12. I believe this photo was well matching with the drawing, this is because both images share a vague but distinctive contrast between the white lines and the darker background in common. Also, the frame of the lines makes a repetitional square, meaning the photograph both has shapes and patterns. Equally, the shabby texture of the white lines adds roughness to the picture.

 

Blog Post 5: Analysis of a Photograph

1.

A. Aaron Siskind purposely takes close-up photographs, meaning the photo has excellent clarity. Through this, we can infer that Aaron Siskind is trying to close on his pictures to enhance the emotions and perspectives towards the picture.

B. Aarons Siskind expresses his abstract photographs through a distinctive contrast, dark tones that provoke awkward and mysterious emotions, and a variety of shapes that cannot be clearly identified.

C. Aaron Siskind may be trying to express themes like sadness and loneliness by using colors like black and grey, which symbolize danger, and the patterns of the object, which provoke a puzzling and intimidating rhythm.

2. As a viewer of this photograph, I believe the suitable name of the photograph is “Broken”. As mentioned, the dark tones provoke dangerous emotions, the shattered object, and cracked surface convey mysterious and awkward feelings, and the rough texture from the cracks and friction of the surface provoke loneliness and separation. These factors contribute to titling the artwork “Broken.”

3. Aaron Siskind expresses his photographs through abstractness. In the image above, the distinctive colors and shapes of the shattered objects show a clear contrast between the grey surface. Aaron Siskind also shows distinctive contrast between objects and surfaces through the shadows and dark lines outlining the objects. The photograph’s tone is dark, setting an unpleasant and dark mood. The colors black and grey symbolize dangerous and lonely emotions, proving that the artist’s intention for the artwork is to provoke depressing emotions. Also, we can identify a rhythm expressed through the black objects and the cracked surface, conveying feelings of mystery and awkwardness. The photograph has a very closed-up perspective on the subject, which helps viewers understand the texture of the black objects. It looks smooth, but the surface looks rough; we can indicate it is rough because the surface has cracks and the surface has high friction. This provokes loneliness and separation.

“Aaron Siskind, Jerome, Arizona 21, 1949.” Bruce Silverstein, 2021, brucesilverstein.com/artists/34-aaron-siskind/series/modern-prints/12004-aaron-siskind-jerome-arizona-21-1949/. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

 

 

Blog Post 4: Formal Elements of Photography

Formal Elements are art’s essential eight visual elements: line, shape, repetition/pattern, texture, value/tone, and focus. Even though the elements may be basic and fundamental, they allow artists to find balance and create dynamic and expressive artworks. In other words, “Without standards, there can be no improvement”.

Lines can be straight, curvy, thin, thick, vertical, horizontalontal, and diagonal. The lines are the base of an artwork, giving a more detailed view of the photograph. Lines can sometimes represent directions or outlines. The lines can be used as movement or energy when the artist wants to show an abstract movement,

Shape is the second most fundamental element. Shapes can be heavy, light, big, small, or intersecting. Some people believe that shapes are only used to recognize objects, but the organic and trendy vibes a shape has can express nature and the intersections with the surroundings.

Repetition/pattern creates a rhythm or pattern through repeating shapes or lines. When looking at a photograph with a pattern, you might see echoes or reflections within the image. Patterns may sometimes exploit a picture’s creative opportunity, but repeating a pattern creates another sense of beauty.

Texture is the feeling of the surface the photograph is representing. The texture of the surface can be inspired by the natural world or the urban environment. Texture can be described as the small details filled in the frame of a photograph, giving a strong sense of design and all-over interest. Texture can be irregular or complex, creating little nooks and crannies. Also, it can identify an artwork’s age, condition, and other qualities.

Value/tone is the range of light and dark; a tone is identified as a color mixture that is not a pure hue. The tone of an artwork sets the mood. The artwork is transformed by what was seen and captured; they do not clearly represent something, meaning they can be abstract.

Focus is the clarity a photograph has. Focus can sometimes help the viewers see the artwork’s purpose while also making it unidentifiable, meaning the picture is detached from a bit of reality on which it had been based. The artist intends to blur a photograph to create an illusional world from reality.

In the picture above, the lines are straight when outlining books and curvy lines when outlining people. The shapes vary from squares, rectangles, circles, and carving to represent a unique and natural setting of a library with people riding on horses. The artwork is full of bumps and ridges, meaning the painting is full of rough texture. The focus is in between being blurry and clear. The bokeh effect on the artwork is probably trying to make the painting appear more tangible and evoke a wide range of motions to viewers.

“Birds.” WAC, 10 Mar. 2023, wac.art/artwork/jamil-molaeb-birds-10/. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

Blog Post 3-Researching The Starting Point

  1. The pictorialism movement is a movement away from commercial trash to intervene objects on camera lenses to make photography a handmade process. Photographs began to look like art, paintings, drawings, and beautiful rich prints. Photographers started to view pictures as having an illusional world with no rules or limits, like a seductive quality. It brought back the nostalgic traditions of handmade art.
  2.  Photographies can capture shapes and forms simply, directly, and with a sharp focus. The modernist movement became merely known as straight photography; it became the aesthetic of the 20s. In other words, taking photos of how they were and not manipulating them. The picture was supposed to look the way it looks in the viewfinder; the camera was supposed to clearly focus. It symbolized people had to face reality, not look around with it. Instead of editing or manipulating the image afterward, straight photos will focus on the photo’s selection and framing.
  3. Edward Weston and Aaron Siskind were influenced by sharp, focused realism photographs, and the camera became an instrument of a new vision. In Aaron Siskind’s artworks, he opens a new generation of abstract paintings, expressing his photographs in an abstract form. For example, he takes photos of a free environment and a natural background. However, the intention of abstract art is an illusional work, so the painting has no exact meaning, and we, as artists, can only infer the depth of meaning of abstract art.
  4. Andreas Gursky is definitely a straight photographer. In his artworks, we artists can infer that his intention is to purely show the natural setting and beautiful surroundings that we forget in our lives. For example, Gursky takes pictures of plain fields and desert roads. Even though he uses a variety of angles in his photographs, his images are well-focused and not manipulated. On the other hand, Uta Barth also takes photos of natural settings like a house or office; however, the images are all blurry, foggy, and out of focus. In other words, she manipulates her pictures, meaning she is a pictorialist photographer. In my opinion, the new generation of photographers tends to take straight photos, trying to show the pure beauty of today and our lives.

Lubow, Arthur. “How Uta Barth’s Art Illuminates.” Nytimes.com, The New York Times, 9 Feb. 2023, www.nytimes.com/2023/02/09/arts/design/uta-barth-light-getty-photography.html. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.

Parkin, Tim. “Andreas Gursky | the Rheine | on Landscape.” Onlandscape.co.uk, 26 Nov. 2011, www.onlandscape.co.uk/2011/11/andreas-gursky-the-rheine/. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.

Definition of “Abstraction”

An abstract photograph represents futurism by creating an illusional and subconscious world of reality, attempting to hallucinate the audience by taking photos that aren’t typically seen in our daily lives.

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