Labyrinth

Labyrinth
[http://adsoftheworld.com/files/
images/skodaLabyrinth.jpg]

Labyrinth is a complicated series of paths, which it is difficult to find your way through. In Greek mythology, Labyrinth was an elaborate structure designed and built by Daedalus. The function of it is to hold the mythical creature, Minotaur. [Labyrinth, Wikipedia]

Theseus Minotaur Ramey Tuileries
[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/
9/9b/Theseus_Minotaur_Ramey_Tuileries.jpg]

Generally, Labyrinth also known as maze. There are many Labyrinth in the ancient times which have functions of their own. Modern Labyrinth involves in architecture and entertainment. The idea of Labyrinth had influence the designs of buildings as well. For example the Labyrinth on floor of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco and Labyrinth on the Chartres Cathedral's floor.

Labyrinth on floor of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco
[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/
commons/f/f5/Labyrinth.JPG]

Labyrinth on the Chartres Cathedral's floor
[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/
68/Labyrinth_at_Chartres_Cathedral.JPG]

The photos above shows that Christian's building in the ancient time have influence of the idea of Labyrinth. Besides that, Labyrinth also serve symbolism. Labyrinth has many cultural meanings during the ancient times. Prehistoric Labyrinth are known as traps for malevolent spirits. In medieval tines, Labyrinth symbolized a hard path to God and birth.

Some examples of Labyrinth as ideas in buildings, designs, games and movies.

Labyrinth in landscaping
[http://www.angelobell.com/wordpress/
wp-content/uploads/labyrinth3.jpg]

Labyrinth in the Pacman Game
[http://www.kawaiikakkoiisugoi.com/wp-content/
uploads/2011/03/pacman-screen.jpg]

Idea of Labyrinth in the Zuma Deluxe game
[http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/
678/678831/zuma-20060104035256588.jpg]

Labyrinth in the movie "Pan's Labyrinth" in 2006
[http://cf1.imgobject.com/backdrops/553/4be12ce4017a3c35b9000553/
el-laberinto-del-fauno-original.jpg]

Print Screen of Japanese Anime "Naruto Shippuden" from You Tube.
A closed Labyrinth as Orochimaru's lair.
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UobwqYgCXrI]

Reference:

Labyrinth. (n.d.). Retrieved 24 August, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labyrinth

Kitsch

What I understand from the word "kitsch" is works of art and objects that are popular but they are considered to have no artistic value and tasteless. For example, the artworks are sentimental and as an creativity. Besides, kitsch also can be humorous and theatrical.

Kitsch is a concept that applied to artworks that response to the 19th century art with aesthetics. Aesthetics is a part of philosophy related to the nature of beauty, art, taste, and with the creation and appreciation of beauty. [Aesthetics, Wikipedia] So, kitsch is a sentimental art.

After I studied kitsch, I looked around my desk and found a ruler holder which can be considered as kitsch. The ruler holder was made by me when I was 16. I got a cupboard tube from my neighbour, and I cut the tube about 7 inches. I used a marker pen and started to draw designs on it.

I was in a random mood when I drew the designs. There is no fix lines or patterns taken from references. I drew the designs with emotions and that is what made the object become a kitsch art, a sentimental art. I have captured the photos of my ruler holder in 4 different angle to show the overall design.

Photo taken by Wong Boon Pin

Photo taken by Wong Boon Pin

Photo taken by Wong Boon Pin

Photo taken by Wong Boon Pin

References:

Kitsch. (n.d.). Retrieved 22 August, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitsch

Aesthetics. (n.d.). Retrieved 22 August, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesthetics

Claude Monet - Water Lilies

Claude Monet
[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/
Claude_Monet_1899_Nadar_crop.jpg]

Claude Monet is one of my favourite artist in the 19th century. His full name was Oscar Claude Monet. Monet was born on 14th November 1840. He was a founder of French impressionist painting and expert in study of people's perception towards nature. [Claude Monet, Wikipedia] One of his famous artwork, the Impression, Sunrise has brought a new painting style to the era which is impressionism.

Water Lilies is a series of around 250 oil paintings by Monet. The paintings captured Monet's flower garden at Giverny and focus mainly on his artistic production in his last thirty years in life. Many of the artworks were painted by Monet while he suffered from difficulties of eyesight, Cataracts.

In the paintings, short and thin brush strokes were used to quickly capture the the essence of the water lilies, and they are not much in details. The paintings are applied with impasto where riots of colours on the paintings can be observed. With all these techniques, the Water Lilies are considered as impressionism style.

By Wong Boon Pin

Claude Monet, Water Lilies, 1916
[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/
commons/5/5d/Monet_Water_Lilies_1916.jpg]

When I was 13, I tried to paint one of the Water Lilies using poster colours. I found it a challenge to imitate the colours in the original painting which are applied freely and randomly. Today I discovered that Monet painted the Water Lilies with colours that he saw from the scene. What he called most of his paintings are "pochade", sketches. He gave the characteristic of impressionist painting in the Water Lilies by applying the techniques, colours and experimetal brush strokes. Although the Water Lilies are not in details, but it accurately shows the light effects of passage of time, created common and ordinary look of the water lilies, simple with many colours. Most importantly, the unusual visual angle of the painting lead a perception and experience to audiences, telling them what the painting is, Water Lilies.

I have found some audio files from the web which are from a promotion of an exhibition of Monet's Water Lilies. It describes the life of Claude Monet and his Water Lilies which are now display in places all over the world. So, check it out!

Introduction to the exhibition Monet's Water Lilies

http://moma.org/explore/multimedia/audios/169/1870

Claude Monet. Water Lilies (single panel). 1914-26

http://moma.org/explore/multimedia/audios/169/1873

Claude Monet. Water Lilies. 1914-26

http://moma.org/explore/multimedia/audios/169/1875

Claude Monet. Water Lilies (triptych). 1914-26

http://moma.org/explore/multimedia/audios/169/1876

History of Monet's Water Lilies

http://moma.org/explore/multimedia/audios/169/1877

References: 

Claude Monet. (n.d.). Retrieved 21 August, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Monet

Water Lilies. (n.d.). Retrieved 21 August, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_Lilies

Impressionism. (n.d.). Retrieved 21 August, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impressionism

Exhibition: Monet's Water Lilies. Retrieved 21 August, 2011, from: http://moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/963