Ciao Stephanie September 4, 2009
Posted by leskanturek in Art History, Pinocchio, Student Blog posts, Student Post, Studying abroad.Tags: Pinocchio in Florence, Stephanie Tartick, Studying in Italy
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Stephanie Tartick is studying abroad in Italy this semester. She sent this update from Florence (home of Pinocchio author Carlo Collodi).
Space
Hi Les,
I am in Florence, Italy now! Didn’t start classes yet. We have intensive Italian all week and I start classes next week with Painting, Figure Drawing, Quattrocento (14th century), Italian and Black and White Photography. The past three days I have been exploring the city of Florence as much as I can since my apartment is right in the city. On the street I have been taking to school the past three days there is a toy store with a bunch of Pinocchio toys in it. Carlo Collodi was from Florence! I took two pictures of the store front and thought I’d share them with you and the Illustration department.
My school is very small but reminds me of the illustration department. Only 48 students and all majoring in different things, not just fine art. Most of the students are from the United States, in fact 5 of all my roommates are from San Antonio. Hope the semester started off well.
Best,
Stephanie T
Hi Les,
Studying abroad is a fantastic opportunity. Just traveling to the Toronto International Airport I saw a Richard Serra sculpture. It reminded me of the amazing world of art and the reason why I chose to leave the country for four months. It’s a pretty big decision and an even bigger change. Any place in the rest of the world will be completely different than the young United States. In Florence there is ancient art in any old street corner. Frescoes are on the ceiling of my apartment building and the outside of the building I see out my window. Famous architecture you read in textbooks is located every two blocks in this city. Three thousand students come to study in Florence every semester and five thousand to Rome. If anyone is looking for a small English speaking school in the heart of the city of Florence, contact me about Santa Reparata International School of Art. www.santareparata.org
Posting to the Class Blog/Students April 20, 2009
Posted by leskanturek in Class Assignments, Student Blog posts, Student Post.Tags: Student blog post guidelines
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Due dates for your posts are listed in the syllabus. I will do the actually posting so don’t worry about the technical side. I will also be acting as your editor.
Your post should be about something visual. I am not expecting it to be a term paper. Think short, 175-250 words. You can write a longer or shorter post it really depends on your subject and how clear and succinct you can be in your writing.
Subject Matter
- An artist you think is noteworthy. A neglected/forgotten artist who is relevant today
- Your take on a visual trend. (Is this really the first time this trend has appeared?)
- An aspect of art history.
- A collection of things you’ve seen or have (as long as it has a wider audience).
- An event. You can report on going to Comic con, MoCCA, etc.
- Interview an artist, designer, art director etc.on a project they’re working on.
- An illustrated book, the art of a movie (animated or not).
- How to create/construct something (talk about this with me first).
Almost everything is fair game. This is a class blog though , not your personal blog, so while I applaud your enthusiasm… keep “…Dudes!, this shit is the bomb, you have to check out…..” to a minimum please.
Do Not
- Write a post about your own artwork. Something you’re involved in might be okay, (Run it past me).
- Don’t post about another blog. If you find something interesting somewhere write about the original source material. Add new information to what is already out there, or a new viewpoint.
Things to Keep in Mind:
- Lists can be great on a blog, they’re short and to the point, but make sure you also comment on your choices. Why did you select them? What is the common thread? Compare and contrast images and content.
- Think short sentences. Make your main points as clear as possible.
- Do some research. I can’t stress this enough. It will lead you to never before uncovered stuff. Be original
- Come up with a A good title.
- Provide some links.
- Respect the copyrights of others. Attribute works to their authors. If a source you’re posting an image from asks you to e-mail for permission, then please do so. Just because another site does not list the artist’s name or title of the piece it doesn’t mean you don’t have to.
- Explain who or what you are taking about. Don’t assume the reader knows. ex. instead of writing “…his work looks like Thomas Hart Benton’s” Explain who Benton is. ex. “…his work looks similar to 20th century American muralist Thomas Hart Benton”.
Include
- A list of key words and categories for me to include in the post.
- Images as examples (we’ll cover the specs in class)
- Captions with your images, names and dates, some identifying sentence…
Subway Station Assignment/Public Art February 25, 2009
Posted by leskanturek in Class Assignments, Public art, Visually Cool & Relevant.Tags: MTA, Subway art
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Sketches due: March 2nd
Comp due:
Finish due:
…The MTA Arts for transit commissions’ site –specific permanent artwork for subway stations. Public art that is seen by hundreds of thousands visitors who use the subway. Arts for Transit’s projects create links to neighborhoods with art that echoes the architectural history and design context of the individual stations. Both well-established and emerging artists add to a growing collection of works created in the materials of the system — mosaic, ceramic, tile, bronze, steel, and faceted glass. The art can be seen in the miles of walls within the system and in the gates, windscreens, plazas, and architecture. Through the permanent art program, Arts for Transit works closely with the architects and engineers at MTA New York City Transit, MTA Long Island Rail Road, and MTA Metro-North Railroad to determine the parameters and sites for the artwork that is to be incorporated into each station scheduled for renovation. Artists are chosen through a competitive process that uses selection panels, comprised of visual arts professionals and community representatives, which review and select artists. Depending upon the project, artists may be considered through an Open Call or Invitational process.
(excerpted from the MTA site http://www.mta.info/mta/aft/permanentart/)
(above) On the N, R, W lines the 59th Street/Lexington Avenue street station (connecting tunnel) Blooming by Elizabeth Murray. (above left) is a detail from an adjacent wall.
Your next assignment is to propose art for a train station of your choosing.
• Research your station
• Propose your project/sketches
• Finished art, including your images/project in place in the station (via Photoshop)
- Pick a station. Research the history of the area/subway stop. The stops for Chinatown, Coney Island, Wall Street etc. might seem to have an obvious history, but was Wall Street always the financial district? Some smaller less famous stations serve very interesting communities rich in history and events,(some quirky) so don’t overlook them. Did you know there are a large number of abandoned stations?
- Go to the station, take lots of pictures for reference, as well as to use later when you place your art in the station via photoshop. Here is a link info on the legalities of Photography in the subway http://www.nycsubway.org/faq/photopermits.html
- Think about a concept, a theme, that will tie your images together for your station vs. a single image that is scaled up.Remember, your art should address the community and reference it’s history, and social culture. The subway station you choose is not simply a canvas for your own art. Your art is serving/celebrating/commenting on the station’s population.
- How will your concept be integrated with the architecture of the station. For an example; Is there a long hallway that might add to your concept? Stairs? Lots of niches? What about the floor or ceiling? Several station artists have made use of the railings and grill work of gates. Look at A Gathering by Walter Martin and Paloma Munoz on the A line at Canal street.
- Graffiti- No graffiti as a solution to this assignment. I agree that there are some phenomenal work being done out there. Graffiti is a part of the subways history. It can also be a cliche. Use it for another assignment. If you want to talk about this come see me.
(above) On the A line, the 14thSt. station. Life Underground by Tom Otterness. Bronze sculpture on railings, beams, and columns throughout station.
Links:
A complete guide of all the art at stations: http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/artwork
This commissioning process:http://www.mta.info/mta/aft/permanentart/
The photos above are from the MTA Arts for Transit website
(above) On the N line, our class at the Canal St. station. Looking at the Ceramic Tiles by Bing Lee, titled ” Empress Voyage” .
(above) The class in front of Blooming by Elizabeth Murray. (59th Street/Lex)
Analogy Assignment January 26, 2009
Posted by leskanturek in Analogy, Analogy Assignment, Class Assignments.Tags: Analogy Homework, NPR This American life
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For your next assignment you are going to create an analogy for one or more of the following stories (audio) from NPR’s This American life:
18: Liars (11.01.2002) http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=18
143: Sentencing (10.22.1999) http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=143
Bring in at least five different sketches, on separate sheets of paper, not in your sketchbook, either Horz. or vertical (base it on 8 X 10) . Each of these audio episodes contains a few stories so either pick one story or the overall theme. Your finish will be in color.
I would like you to write notes. What is this story really about? Create a list of adjectives to describe characters and themes in the story. Some questions to ask yourself to get started:
- Try sketching using the 3 different types of analogies we talked about in class; logical analogy, affective analogy and a paradoxical analogy.
- If this story involved animals what kind of animals would they be?
- As a machine/object what kind would it be? A fairy tale /fable?
- Look at something totally unrelated and force yourself to have it conform to your story like the xerox sheets we did in class.
Research, Research, and Research
Class Puppets on Display At HERE Nov. 6th, 7th & 8th October 24, 2008
Posted by leskanturek in 3-D work, Class Assignments, Frankenstein, Puppets, Student work, Visually Cool & Relevant.Tags: Carnival of Samhain, DOW, Puppets
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The Frankenstein puppets created for class (see the post “Assignment of Frankenstein! 10/13/08) will be on display through the good graces of gretchen Van Lente, during the 7th ANNUAL CARNIVAL OF SAMHAIN which is presented by Drama of Works at:
145 6th Ave, (between Spring and Broome streets) NYC
November 6th, 7th & 8th at 7pm, $15
“…Drama of Works will once again extend the Halloween holiday, terrorizing unsuspecting New Yorkers with puppet pieces (an emphasis placed on variety), as well as dance, magic, burlesque and much, much more!!!
AND of course Bone Daddy (Jonny ClockWorks) will be hosting the bash with spooky songs, puppets! Puppets: hosts Drama of Works present their new rendition of Poe’s The Black Cat told with a devilish hand puppet and overhead magic, Z. Lindsey Briggs shows a new spooky piece, Evolve Company bring you the new black light show Becoming and just in time for the ELECTION – Puppet State Players take us to Mothra Memorial Junior High for a special Halloween class election.
Foreign films: the award-winning film “Dead Boyfriends” comes to us from Canada and a new stop-motion
film entitled “Charon” from London native Chiara Ambrosio.
The Carnival of Samhain is Frankenstein endorsed.
Dance, Burlesque, Comedy & More: arial artist Amy Chen will perform a death-defying dance swinging from the rafters, Nasty Canasta – burlesque superstar – performs “Mummy’s Curves” (*not 11/8), magician Will Randall will seriously freak you out, the comedic stylings of Puppet Junction bring you big comedy in an even-bigger costume and more!
Assignment of Frankenstein! October 13, 2008
Posted by leskanturek in 3-D work, Class Assignments, Frankenstein, Student work.Tags: Frankenstein puppets, Student work
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The second assignment for the fall 2008 class was to select a scene from Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein and create a puppet based on a character from the story along with an appropriate environment. There was some great work done, and the finish for the assignment coincided with a visit from Gretchen Van Lente, the artistic director/founder of Drama of Works, a puppet company located in Brooklyn. ( More on that in another post). Here are the finishes:
(Above) The Bride of Frankenstein in Her Kitchen, By Paula Searing
(Above) The Creature in the Arctic, By Julia Weinmann
(Above) Vegetarian Frankenstein’s Creature , By Alex Iezzi
(Above) The Creature , By Ali Stackpole
(Above) William Frankenstein Being Strangled by the Creature, By Gigi Gray
(Above) The Creature in the Arctic, By Julian Uribe
(Above) The Creation of Frankenstein’s Creature , By Julie Pinzur
(Above) Frankenstein Views the Creature in the Window, By Lisa Corporan
(Above) Victor Frankenstein Disposes of Body Parts Out on the Lake, By Stephanie Tartick
P.O.V Assignment/Fall ‘08 September 8, 2008
Posted by leskanturek in Class Assignments, Class Topics, P.O.V., Point of View.Tags: Fall '08 Hw assignment, Point of View
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Sketches due: 9/15
Finish due: 9/22
For the finish you will be handing in 1 Color illustration.
The heart of this assignment is to consider and change the point of view you would normally take when illustrating.
• Select a simple story one that everyone is familiar with that has multiple characters.
• Imagine yourself as a character in a story and draw from that perspective, both emotionally and physically. It can be a minor character that you are exploring. It doesn’t even have to be human.
What/who are you looking at and from where? Remember, you are now in the scene, not just a viewer/audience member. Try a range of viewpoints including an extreme POV and see what happens in your sketches. Keep in mind that your point of view encompasses not only a physical perspective but also a mental one. ie: Would the wicked witch of the west see Dorothy differently through her point of view? Think about the slides we saw in class of a child’s point of view, there was the physical (under the table or being baptized), but also the the children’s drawing of the WTC on 9-11.
Do your research. Act out the scene with some friends. Take pictures. Research your subject. Don’t take anything for granted. What would you really experience or see if you were that character. Think of the story you selected as a beginning point. Should the story take place in a different locale or time period? That’s up to you.
Your finished illustration should be roughly 11” X 17” either horizontal or vertical. I’d like at least 6 sketches from different points of view. Not done in your sketchbook. You can do more than 6 and you can include ideas other than POV just as long as you have 6 POV sketches.
Your sketches do not have to be 11 X 17. As long as they are proportionate to a rectangle. They don’t have to be in color but you might want to indicate what colors will be in the sketch.
Welcome/First Class July 22, 2008
Posted by leskanturek in Class Assignments, First Class, Welcome.Tags: First Class, Les' e-mail, questionaire
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Welcome to class everyone,
Hope your first week of school went well. My name is Les, I’m your sophomore concepts teacher for this semester. During the first week of class I’d like you to e-mail me at :
kanturel@newschool.edu
It’s important that I have your correct e-mail address, If the time or location of a class trip has changed, if I have a question/comment about your project, or if I can’t make it to class I should be able to get in touch with you. E-mail me with any problems or questions or just to let me know about something cool you’ve done or seen. Include “Concepts…” in your subject line.
You also need to have the address of another student in class. If you miss a class and need the assignment I should not be your only source .
At the end of this post are some questions I’d like you to answer (in an e-mail) so we can start talking about your work and what you do. Please use an e-mail address that you check on a regular basis.
This isn’t a test and there aren’t any right or wrong answers. Please answer as frankly as possible.
- Why did you choose illustration as your major? What excites you about being an illustrator/artist? Any concerns?
- Who are your favorite illustrators/artists? Include a url if you have one.
- What medium do you like to work in? What do you like to draw/paint/fabricate outside of school?
- Any place I can see your work online?
- What are areas that you feel you could improve artistically? ie: I have trouble working in color, I’d like to paint better, I procrastinate. etc.
- What areas do you feel are your artistic strong points?
- Anything else I should know about you?
Such as; I’m in the animation program or I’m in another department, English is my second language, or I thought “Glitter” with Mariah Carey was the best movie ever made. (Okay, I probably don’t want to know that about you. But I’ll find some way to deal with it). I love to weld, or sew…
Last question: If you had to choose between the super powers of Flight or Invisibility, which would you pick? You cannot choose both and you must choose one.
See you on Monday. Bring your sketchbook (you should bring it to every class) and of course a pen/pencil.
-Les-
Final Project Proposal July 3, 2008
Posted by leskanturek in Class Assignments, Final project.add a comment
You are going to submit a proposal for a final project. This is an independent project for this class.
The project can be about any subject, in any medium.
Pick something that you are really psyched about, Don’t propose something simply because you think it’s traditional illustration, or what you think I want to see, unless it coincides with something you’re excited about.
It should challenge you and give you room to creatively stretch. It should comprise more than one piece of work. All your pieces should explore a common theme.
The number of pieces depends on the size of your work ( ie; 8.5 X 11” approx. 4 pieces if they’re 18 X 24 approx. 3 pieces) and the complexity, this is an estimate not a science.
We will be meeting individually in class to discuss your project at least twice during the semester. Once near the beginning of the semester an again past mid-semester at the half way mark. I’ll give you the date of these meetings in class.
Please type your proposals neatly and include the following info:
- The topic/theme (title?)
- What medium are you going to work in? Any particular materials? What kind of research will you be doing?
- Size of works, and the amount.
- What aspect of this project is an exploration for you.
- Include any sketches you need to explain your project
- If you’re written a story please include a copy.
A large part of this assignment is the formulation of a project, writing a proposal and following through with a finish. Don’t short change this part of the process. If you come in the last day of class and present a project we have not discussed I will not accept it. Your final project will also count as a larger part of your grade than regular assignments.
If you need help selecting a topic, let me know as soon as possible and we’ll discuss some possibilities.
