Close up view of Turtles and Transitions by Adrian Arleo

Turtles and Transtions

Adrian Arleo

2008

 Sculptor Adrian Arlo's "Turtles and Transitions" is a touching depiction of two turtles transporting a baby and old man on their respective journeys.  The hands motif used on the turtles communicate "loving care" or comfort for the riders.

Fall / Transitions with John Everett Millais

Autumn Leaves

Sir John Everett Millais (1829-96)

1855-56I found "Autumn Leaves" by John Everett Millais to be a rich painting in terms of symbolism: dried leaves, smoke and partially eaten apple, which represent just how brief and fleeting our earthly existence really is. As a reuslt, a feeling of melancholy may envelop the viewer.

Fall / Transitions

Andy Goldsworthy

Another composition in nature by Andy Goldsworthy.  It can be interpreted in so many ways.  What do you think of or feel when you look at this artwork?

Mr. Exner



Andy Goldsworhty and fall leaves

Andy Goldsworthy, Rowan leaves and hole

I immediately thought of Andy Goldsworthy, an artist from the United Kingdom, when we decided on Fall / Transitions as one of our themes. I have great respect and admiration for the way Andy Goldsworthy is able to engage us in a deeper dialgoue with nature.  He makes the viewer more aware and hopefully more appreciative of nature and how interact with it on multple levels.

"Andy Goldsworthy carves, melts, or otherwise shapes various natural elements into impressive, often temporary works of art around the globe in what is known as "land art." The British visionary uses only snow, stone, wood, water, mud, flower petals, or even his own saliva to construct his works, which have ranged from frozen arches at the North Pole to a seven-foot-long chain of red poppy petals."

From: Andy Goldsworthy Biography - children, story, school, son, old, born, college, time, Career, Sidelights - Newsmakers Cumulation http://www.notablebiographies.com/newsmakers2/2007-Co-Lh/Goldsworthy-Andy.html#ixzz28MDtVSOJ

Mr. Exner

Fall / Transitions

Fall /Transitions

Our next Studio Art theme is “Fall / Transitions”, which seems pretty appropriate given this time of year.  Having grown up in the Midwest, southeastern Wisconsin to be more specific, I have always enjoyed the changes each new season would bring.  But, my favorite season has always been fall/autumn for a number of reasons. 

First, early fall affords everyone the opportunity to still enjoy a favorite sport or activity, from camping, swimming, canoeing, boating, hiking, biking, and running, to baseball, soccer, football, basketball, tennis, rock climbing or fishing before things get really cold.  The weather is still warm during the day, but it starts to cool off more at night (great sleeping weather). 

Second, as fall progresses, the changes in the weather and in the natural environment are conducive for spending some time reflecting on the nature of life in general.  Consider the bountiful harvests of assorted crops, and then preparing the fields for a long dormant winter, and yet another hopeful spring planting.  The cycle of life may come into sharper focus for us because of all of these transitions.

Third, I simply marvel at the awesome autumn beauty all around me. Sensual pleasures abound!  The myriad colors of the leaves offer kaleidoscopic viewing experiences, and the way the dry leaves feel underfoot as I wind my way through the woods on a long run gives me the sensation of dancing on cornflakes.

But more importantly, what comes to mind for you when you think about fall /transitions?  We (Miss Dulkinys, Mr. Bustamante and Mr. Exner), are asking you to give this new theme some serious thought.  Transitions can come in countless ways:

·         leaves changing colors

·         anything alive that ages

·         maturing

·         ripening

·         school---advancing to the next grade/level

·         morphing

·         melding

·         increasing awareness

·         deterioration

·         crumpling infrastructure

·         reality-fantasy link

·         past-present-future time considerations

·         going from school to the “real world of work”

the list is endless….

Looking forward to your ideas!

Peace,
Mr. Exner

Being a Ceramics teacher you know I have to include some clay for you. :)  These two cups, titled Boys, are by Tammy Marinuzzi.  She is a contemporary ceramic artist, as well as a teacher, who is inspired by peoples' facial expressions, body language and human imperfections.  I have included her here because when she builds she actually likes for the seams or "transitions" from one clay piece to the next to show on the outside.  Normally you would blend these in, but she chooses to leave them showing as a way to get at that idea of imperfection that she likes.  Can you see them?  Can you see how she incorporates the seams into the overall design of her pieces?  I think they have a unique charm to them.