INDEPENDENT RESEARCH

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT..... THIS ASSIGNMENT IS ABOUT INDEPENDENT RESEARCH AND IS DUE FRIDAY, MARCH 16th BY 6pm.

THIS WEEK YOUR ASSIGNMENT IS TO GO TO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES:

• SOCIETY OF AMERICAN MOSAIC ARTISTS: http://www.americanmosaics.org/wp/index.php/?page_id=1098
• HANDMADE TILE ASSOCIATION: http://www.handmadetileassociation.org/handmade-tile-artists-map.htm     
• JOY OF SHARDS: http://www.thejoyofshards.co.uk/artists.shtml

ROAM AROUND ON THE WEBSITES ABOVE - LOOK AT A VARIETY OF TILE ARTISTS.

INTRODUCE US TO THE TILE ARTIST YOU LOVE BEST.

FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS BELOW AND ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS THOROUGHLY.

YOUR RESPONSE MUST BE A MINIMUM OF 10 SENTENCES AND ANSWER ALL THE BULLET POINT QUESTIONS!

DIRECTIONS:

• Copy and paste the link to the tile artist's website
• Describe the type of tiles this artist creates – Press mold tiles, Picture Mosaics, shard or traditional mosaics (tiny tiles).
• Describe one tile piece in detail - subject matter, medium (what kind of clay it is made of), size, texture, colors, etc.
• Describe this artist's reason for creating artwork - what is it that the artist is trying to communicate through his or her tiles. If nothing is written about the artist, make your best guess.
• Tell us why you appreciate this artist's tile artwork.
• Tell us what if there is anything you have learned by looking at this tile artist's work - how has it affected how you look at your own tiles?
• If you wanted someone who has never seen this artist’s tiles to appreciate this artist as much as you do, what would you tell them that would encourage that person to go to the artist’s website and see the tiles for themselves?

TITLES

READ THE INFORMATION BELOW ABOUT TITLES. RESPOND TO TWO OF THE FOLLOWING PROMPTS BY FRIDAY, MARCH 9th AT 6:00 PM.

MAKE SURE YOUR RESPONSES ARE AT LEAST 5 SENTENCES LONG AND ANSWER ALL THE BULLET-POINT QUESTIONS TO RECEIVE FULL CREDIT!!

REMEMBER - THIS IS A HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT - NO TEXT-LANGUAGE, PLEASE.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU WRITE YOUR NAME IN YOUR RESPONSE!!! 


TITLES

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet."

                            Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet, II, ii, 1-2


The right title makes a difference as to how a work is seen and understood. Not only are titles a bridge to the viewer, they are also part of the art.

There are several kinds of titles. For example:

• Sentimental (example: Love of My Life)
• Numerical (example: Still Life #3)
• Factual (example: Still Life with Apples and Oranges)
• Mysterious (example: The Rotating Sentiment)

Consider the implications of your proposed titles and how they might add or subtract from your purposes. Titles serve to confirm what's seen but also to add knowledge, insight, and a glimpse into the author's mind-set. On the other hand, art titling is often used to obfuscate or evoke irony.

Abstract art can present titling challenges. The formal values of the work itself may be mentioned--e.g., Red on Blue.

Titling can also give viewers a clue that might help them on a voyage of imagination and discovery--e.g., Talisman. Sometimes, in this direction, you don't want to say too much. Brevity is enigmatic.

Adapted from: http://www.painterskeys.com/clickbacks/painting-title.asp


PROMPT #1

• Choose a piece of artwork from ANY of the tiles on the right.
• Create five new possible titles for the tile.
• Explain why you chose each new title.

PROMPT #2

• Think about the tile piece you upon which you are currently working.
• Briefly describe your tile design (size, subject matter, intended colors and textures).
• Create two possible titles for your tiles
• Explain why you chose each title.

PROMPT #3

• Go online and look up a tile artist whose work you enjoy (hint – look back through previous blog posts for links to artists or go to the Society of American Mosaic Artists member gallery and roam around: http://www.americanmosaics.org/wp/index.php/?page_id=1219).
• Paste the link to the artist’s website into your response.
• Describe one piece of artwork in specific detail by this artist and tell us the title.
• Would you change the title if you were the artist?
• Why or why not?

PROMPT #4

• Go to: http://arf.noemata.net/pa/titlegen/ - Random Titles – it is a free service on the internet. It simply generates titles which can be used to title a piece of artwork or serve as inspiration for a piece of artwork.
• Click on the title generator.
• Choose a title that intrigues you.
• Describe a piece of tile artwork that you could make if you were to begin with this title.
• Describe the type of tiles you would use, the size of the artwork, colors, textures and subject matter you would use in your artwork.

HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER AND THE MORAVIAN TILEWORKS

READ THE INFORMATION BELOW ABOUT HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER AND THE MORAVIAN TILEWORKS.  RESPOND TO TWO OF THE FOLLOWING PROMPTS BY FRIDAY, MARCH 2nd AT 6:00 PM.

MAKE SURE YOUR RESPONSES ARE AT LEAST 5 SENTENCES LONG AND ANSWER ALL THE BULLET POINT QUESTIONS TO RECEIVE FULL CREDIT!!

REMEMBER - THIS IS A HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT - NO TEXT-LANGUAGE, PLEASE.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU WRITE YOUR NAME IN YOUR RESPONSE!!! 

 HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER

Henry Mercer set out to revive the native Bucks County craft of pottery-making in the late 1800's. His attempts failed, he was a mediocre potter at best - but he turned his attention to hand-crafted tiles instead and became a leader of the Arts and Crafts movement of the early 20th century. Henry Mercer's Moravian Pottery and Tile Works, completed in 1912, produced tiles and mosaics for floors, walls and ceilings. Mercer's artistry and abilities produced floor tiles for the rotunda and halls of the Pennsylvania State Capitol, depicting 400 scenes in the Commonwealth's history. His tiles adorn buildings throughout the United States and the world.

The subject of many of Mercer’s tiles was based on his personal interests in early US history (Native Americans and their lives, the journey of Columbus, the lives of early settlers, etc.). The Moravian Pottery & Tile Works operates as a living history museum today, making reproductions of Mercer's original line of tiles in a manner similar to how Mercer made his tiles in the 1800's.

PROMPT #1

Go to the Moravian Pottery and Tileworks website and look at several of the tiles. http://www.buckscounty.org/government/departments/tileworks/catalogue.aspx  http://www.tiles.org/pages/mptw/mercer.htm

• Looking at the subject matter in Mercer's tiles, which appeals to you most?
• Which types of tiles appeal to you most in terms of their subject matter?
• The press mold tiles?
• Tiles that are irregularly shaped or square tiles?
• Fireplace tiles? 
• Why?
• Which tiles' subject matter does not appeal to you?
• Why?

PROMPT #2

The subject matter of a piece of artwork is key to its success. Often, artists develop the subject matter for their artwork based upon their own interests and experiences. Mercer loved US history and the tales of cooperation between Native Americans and early European settlers. He also had loved images of people plying their trades: Farmers, blacksmiths, bakers, etc. and images of local wildlife: Cranes, cardinals, squirrels, frogs, etc. - he used all of these subjects for the tiles he created. Luckily for him, people loved his tiles with these types of subject matter and they purchased his tiles in such quantities that he built a thriving business.

• If you were going to create artwork (not necessarily tiles) based on a subject you love, what would it be?
• How would you expand upon the subject matter? For example, Mercer was interested in early US history so he used the tales of Columbus, the first Thanksgiving, and other interactions with Native Americans to create his tiles. He was able to take a general interest and create several specific images.
• How many different images could you create out of one area of interest?
• Give specific examples.

PROMPT #3

• If you were an artist who created many well-loved pieces of artwork over the years (that sold enormously well) how comfortable would you be changing the focus/subject matter of your artwork
• Would you be reluctant to change your subject matter because it sold well?
• What would you do if the purchasing public did not like (or purchase) your new work because it was dramatically different than your old work?
• Relate this to albums by musicians - do you know of any musicians who have created the same music over and over and over simply because the public keeps buying it?
• Conversely, do you know of any musicians who put out a new album and it doesn't do well because it is a huge artistic change for the musicians?

PROMPT #4

Mercer died in 1930. His business, the Moravian Pottery and Tileworks has been turned into a "working museum." Copies of his original tiles are still made today using techniques we learned in class. You can purchase these tiles online or you can go to the Tileworks and purchase the tiles in person. All proceeds go to the upkeep of the Tileworks.

• Do you think that it is ethical to recreate and sell art of an artist who has died?
• All of the proceeds from the sales of the tiles go to the upkeep of the Tileworks - which runs tours for the public. Would your opinion of the ethics change if the proceeds from the sales of the tiles went to a private company?
• Compare this practice to the practice of musicians; after a musician dies, if his/her family continues to sell the musician's music, is this an ethical practice?
• Where would you draw the line?

COMPOSITION - DIRECTION AND EMPHASIS

READ THE INFORMATION ABOUT COMPOSITION – DIRECTION AND EMPHASIS - BELOW. RESPOND TO TWO OF THE FOLLOWING PROMPTS BY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24th AT 6:00 PM.

MAKE SURE YOUR NAME IS IN YOUR RESPONSE.

PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR RESPONSES ARE EACH AT LEAST 5 SENTENCES LONG AND ANSWER ALL THE BULLET-POINT QUESTIONS TO RECEIVE FULL CREDIT!

REMEMBER - THIS IS A HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT - DO NOT USE TEXT LANGUAGE – CHECK YOUR SPELLING, GRAMMAR AND USE PROPER CAPITALIZATION!!

COMPOSITION: The plan, placement or arrangement of the elements of art in a work.

Once you have decided upon the subject matter of your second tile project, you need to begin designing the composition. Think of a composition almost like a musical composition – a collection of sounds that are placed next to, behind, over and under each other in a way that is aesthetically pleasing.

In a visual composition, the job of the artist is to arrange the Elements of Design: Color, Shapes, Textures, Pattern, Space, Direction, Line, and Value. The elements are arranged according to the Principles of Design: Proportion, Balance (symmetry and asymmetry), Rhythm (movement), Emphasis, Variety, Contrast and Unity.

In this week’s blog, we’re going to focus on the Element of Direction and the Principle of Emphasis.

When thinking about Direction, consider how an artist manipulates you into looking around an entire piece of artwork by directing your eyes around the composition. The artist does this by using angles, lines, colors, shapes and textures which move your eyes around the image. Human beings naturally look for patterns and our eyes will follow similar colors around a design.

When thinking about Emphasis, consider how the artist manipulates you into looking at one part of the composition first by making it stand out by making it larger, darker, brighter, more textured, closer to the viewer, etc.

PROMPT #1

• Look at the picture mosaic tiles on the right (they are the same images from last week!). Choose one piece of artwork and think about the composition of that image. Focus on the Element of Direction in that piece. Describe how your eyes move across the composition. Be specific.
• For example: When I look at the tile, “Yosemite Falls”, my eye is first drawn to the upper right-hand tile where the waterfall begins. I look there first because it is a smooth, light-colored area surrounded by a darker, more textured rocky area. The waterfall also creates a tall triangle that points to the area where the waterfall first comes through the rocky cliff. From the waterfall’s origin point, the waterfall draws my eyes straight down on the right side of the image. The water widens out and then comes back to a small point which pulls my eyes from the right side of the picture to the lower left-hand side of the image where the waterfall hits the rocks on the bottom. From there, my eyes are drawn back up the left-hand side of the image along the lines of the rocky cliffs. The greenery on the rocks kind of “swoops” up the sides of the rocks; I follow those lines and colors up the side of the cliff until my eyes reach the top. Then I follow the light green swath of grass from left to right until I reach the waterfall again and then I repeat the process.
   

PROMPT #2

• Look at the picture mosaic tiles on the right. Choose five pieces of artwork and think about the composition of that image. Focus on the Principle of Emphasis in that piece. Describe what you look at first in each of the five compositions and WHY. Be specific.
• For example: When I look at the tile, “Yosemite Falls”, my eye is first drawn to the upper right-hand tile where the waterfall begins. I look there first because it is a smooth, light-colored area surrounded by a darker, more textured rocky area.

PROMPT # 3

• Describe the design of your current project. Be specific – describe the entire design.
• Describe how you intend to:
• Create Emphasis – what will you do to draw the viewer’s eyes into the image – what will the viewer look at first?
• Create Direction – what will you do to move the viewer’s eyes around the entire image?
   

TEXTURE AND DIMENSION

READ THE INFORMATION ABOUT TEXTURE AND DIMENSION BELOW. RESPOND TO TWO OF THE FOLLOWING PROMPTS BY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17th AT 6:00 PM.

MAKE SURE YOUR NAME IS IN YOUR RESPONSE.
PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR RESPONSES ARE EACH AT LEAST 5 SENTENCES LONG AND ANSWER ALL THE BULLET-POINT QUESTIONS TO RECEIVE FULL CREDIT!

REMEMBER - THIS IS A HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT - DO NOT USE TEXT LANGUAGE – CHECK YOUR SPELLING, GRAMMAR AND USE PROPER CAPITALIZATION!!

TEXTURE AND DIMENSION

TEXTURE refers to how something feels or looks like it feels. Clay has the delightful property of being able to capture a myriad of textures simply by pressing objects into the clay. Clay may be made to look like stone, bark, lace, burlap, leather, whipped cream or icing, terry cloth, metal or made as smooth as glass. The number of textures that you can create in clay are infinite.

DIMENSION refers to the depth that you create by building up your tiles or carving them down. Your tiles may be perfectly flat, have raised areas and/or have areas that are carved into the clay.

PROMPT #1

• Look at the tile pieces on the right.
• Choose your favorite tile piece.
• If you had to change the texture of this piece of artwork, how would you change it?
• Why would you make those changes and how would the changes improve the overall image?

PROMPT #2

• Look at the tiles on the right.
• Only a few of the tiles have any dimension to them.
• Choose one of the tiles that is very flat and describe how you would improve the image by creating dimension (raising areas by building up the clay or lowering areas by carving into the clay) in the tile piece.
• In what way would this improve the tile you chose?

PROMPT #3

• Think about the tiles that you are creating.
• How do you plan to use texture in your tiles (remember - smooth is a texture...) to create areas of contrast/emphasis?
• Explain your choices.
• How do you plan to use dimension in your tiles?
• Explain your choices.

PROMPT #4

• Think about the tiles another student's tiles from the class.
• What suggestions would you have to help this student improve his/her tiles in terms of their use of texture?
• What suggestions would you have to help this student improve his/her tiles in terms of their use of dimension?
• How comfortable would you be giving another student positive feedback/suggestions about their artwork during class?
• How comfortable would you be accepting positive feedback/suggestions about your artwork from another student during class?

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IMAGE CREATION

RESPOND TO TWO OF THREE OF THE FOLLOWING PROMPTS BY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10th AT 6:00 PM.

MAKE SURE YOUR NAME IS IN YOUR RESPONSE.

PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR RESPONSES ARE EACH AT LEAST 5 SENTENCES LONG AND ANSWER ALL THE BULLET-POINT QUESTIONS TO RECEIVE FULL CREDIT!

REMEMBER - THIS IS A HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT - DO NOT USE TEXT LANGUAGE – CHECK YOUR SPELLING, GRAMMAR AND USE PROPER CAPITALIZATION!!


IMAGE CREATION

Often, the most difficult part of creating a piece of artwork is coming up with the subject matter - what the piece of artwork is about. The writing prompts below are designed to help you come up with some ideas for your first tile project.


PROMPT #1

• Look at the mosaic tiles on the right. Think about the subject matter of each piece of artwork.
• Make up a story about one of the mosaics and write it for us.
• Why do you think the artist choose to create that specific image?
• Do you think the image was from something important that happened in the artist’s life?
• Be as detailed as possible and use your imagination!!

PROMPT #2

• Look at the tiles on the right. Some of the images are broken into square tiles and others are broken into more organic shapes that work with the picture. Think about the plans for your tile project.
• How do you want to break your image into the individual tiles?
• Will you use the traditional square shape or will you use shapes that work “with” your image?
• Why are you making this choice? Be specific.

PROMPT #3

• Often artists create images that are symbolic. Think about the things that interest, intrigue, enrage, or baffle you…..think about things that are important to you on a level that is not superficial – what are your thoughts and feelings about personal and global issues? Topics that you may want to explore include (but are absolutely not limited to): life, death, religion, spirituality, relationships, love, divorce, fear, courage, the relationship of humans to nature, global warming, money, wealth, poverty, racial relations, stress, anxiety, cell phones/IM communications, etc.
• You may want to explore personal issues; for example, you may have had something happen to you, your family or your friends that has been a defining moment in your life.
• Write a minimum of 5 sentences about what you may want to explore in your first tile project.

MORE IMAGES BELOW! SCROLL DOWN!!