week 15:maureen: npr on museums

npr started a series discussiong museums in the 21st century.
it's aired during "all things considered" on mondays or you
you can check out the first and second segments online.
first segment url: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97377145
the first segment talks about the misconception by some
that museums are boring. museums are doing alot to
change that. la county's natural history museum used
to have sleep overs in the pre-historic section. lacma
does teen social events with live bands. getty has various
programs as well. one of the more "unique" experiences
is the museum of jurasic technology in venice... not your
typical museum.

Week.13- Joon.s. Lee: Standard of a Beauty

I just gathered some images which have name of Venus and put together to compare the changes a standard of a beauty from the past. As I mentioned, the name of all women figures are venus except for first woman who wears deep red silky dress. She is a famous actress in Korea and now she is working at  popular women underwear brand "Venus" as a main model. In Korea, most people no doubt of her body line is a trend of a beauty now. Not only Korean, but also other country people may agree with the standard of beauty. Personally, I think most of visual objective standard must be pretty same regardless of country, race or culture even in the very past time. So, that's the main point I am just asking a question to our ancestor about artworks about a woman made in the past. Why did they make sculpture like willendolf? Why did they paint body shape of venus like a aunty a next door?  

Week 12: Mackenzie: The Garden of Earthly Delights

Viewing The Garden of Earthly Delights is both an overwhelming and exciting experience. There is so much to look at that each individual viewer focuses on not only different panels of the triptych but different scenes/objects within each panel--possibly explaining why there are so many different interpretations of what exactly each panel signifies. The significance of the left panel seems pretty obvious and seems to start off the left-to-right chronological "reading" of the triptych. The left panel simply depicts God presenting Eve to Adam, starting off a series of events. The central panel displays a chaotic array of nudes engaging in various acts and seems to have a lot of energy and sexual charge. The right panel is a representation of hell and perhaps the consequences of whatever occurred in the time between when Eve was presented to Adam and the actual depiction of hell. This is what sparks the most controversy between various critics of this piece. Some argue that the middle panel represents sin because it is what leads from the presentation of Eve to Adam directly of hell--therefore it must signify a sort of warning against committing sins. Anyone who knows the biblical story of the Garden of Eden would say that the central panel represents the forbidden fruit and when Eve tasted the forbidden fruit, leading to original sin. The central panel is the focus of the triptych, as it gives it it's name--The Garden of Earthly Delights. The chaos of the central panel is appealing to me. The various figures seem to be engaging in whatever activities they want--there are no rules. I think this seems dangerous and fun and exciting. It is as if all of the figures are not afraid of whatever consequences must come their way. They seem to be unaware that their interactions could possibly be sinful and inappropriate, leading to the right column of hell. There is a sort of naivety and innocence in all of the figures--whether human or animal--that seems joyous and free-spirited. Whether the figures are more sexual or just carefree and playing in the water, they all seem to be enjoying themselves. Some interpret this central column as a celebration of a life lived without the realization that consequences exist, and others seem to think it represents the tasting of the forbidden fruit. I think that the final, conclusive message is that whether you taste the "forbidden fruit" (whatever that might be) or whether you live your life without a sense of right/wrong, there are consequences and a price to pay (as depicted in the right column). However, if this is the case and the message of the central column is true, I prefer the interpretation that those figures in the central column are living a carefree, joyous and somewhat dangerous lifestyle (since they are not concerned with rules or consequences). I think this interpretation of the central column seems more fun and less ominous, although the final message is the same. 

Week 12 Daphne- " The garden of early delights."

When i first reviewed this picture my eyes could not stop wondering around because there is so much going on at once! This portrait is known as a " triptych" because it has 3 folds. The more and more I gazed at the triptych, i could not figure out why it had to be so complex and "busy". It appears that the left panel depicts the story of adam and eve while the middle panel is focusing on the idea of nudity which seems to be the main idea/focus after adam and eve commit their first sin- the eating of the forbidden fruit. I also noticed that there is some interaction with humans and animals throughout the triptych. The right panel seems to show the consequences after eating the apple. I believe that the figures to the right symbolizing demonds, insinuating that man has fallen short of God's promise to eternal paradise. When first looking at the triptych i was overwhelmed and unsure of what i should have been focusing on, but after breaking it down section by section it was all clear and easier to understand the overall message or theme.

Week 12: The Garden of Earthly Delights (Lindley Wren)

There is a lot of imagery going on in this depiction of lively figures--both animals and people. The picture is very animated as each person and animal in the image seems to be demonstrating some form of movement. The importance of nature is noted as a result of the vast greenery, bodies of water, mountains, and sky.. It is as if the image is embracing creation and the idea of life. Each character--both animal and human--is brightly noted due to (for the most part) it's bright ivory color and once again, the depiction of movement. The entire image suggests a closeness in community and the notion that every creation serves a role or holds a certain place in the greater society. 

Week 12: Jenny: The Garden of Earthly Delights

The Garden of Earthly Delights is a very eccentric piece of artwork. The first thing that caught my attention is the human devoured by a clam carried by another naked figure as if it is a coffin. I do not understand how this would fit in the middle panel which is supposed to depict earthly pleasures. Another thing i noticed in the middle panel is that the animals seem to be overpowering the naked figures. For instance, the head of the owl is resting on the shoulders of the two figures and they are feeding it with apples, which is the forbidden fruit. On the bottom of the panel, there are dark figures that seem out of place and should be placed in the left panel. Over all, I find this painting confusing with too many details that seem out of the ordinary.

WEEK 12 DECARLIS . aka I Love Pasta!

It makes sense that The Garden of Earthly Delights is Bosch's most well-known piece of art. It's grand scale allows for an in depth integration of detailing in both its content and method of construction. From the exterior to the interior Bosch has constructed the peace in such a way where from an observer's perspective he makes apparent the idea of chronology in his representation of ideas.
On the outside, when the two side panels are closed we see an encased world. This world is void of life both literally and figuratively. When we think of the idea of time it is very possible that Bosch's placement of this sort of globe-like and desolate world takes place before the scenes followed by it on the interior panels. Since its not on the back of the triptych we can eliminate any Armageddon scenarios that Bosch may be alluding to.
When we open the piece we see a depiction of Adam and Eve on the left. By the way Eve's hand is holding God's it is possible that this is her first time meeting Adam. The center panel is particularly interesting in that is appears to be where the vividness and soul of the piece originates. It is not likely that Bosch attempted to make it appear as though a humongous orgy was taking place. Nonetheless, those were my first thoughts when peering eyes on it. If nothing else it is surly a celebration of some sort.
The last panel on the right brings together all the scenes. The depiction of damnation here reverberates the idea of chronological order and the idea of bringing things full circle.
Overall the piece may ultimately serve as a premonition: a kind warning of what life can turn into...