HMF ART200

  Modern Peruvian Art Paracas: La Noche by Fernando de Szyszlo (2011)     Fernando de Szyszlo's artwork, although abstract, reflects the pre-Colombian Peruvian culture. Many of his paintings contain abstract depictions of traditional ceremonial objects. Others, like this one, use shapes and colors that are reminiscent of traditional Peruvian culture. The large round circle in this painting reminds me of a vibrant sunset. De Szyszlo used extremely bright, warm colors like those that are found in other artwork from this region. I enjoy the red and purple colors in this painting. Lots of red can often feel alarming, but here it feels warm and comforting. My favorite thing about this painting is how balanced it feels. It is not sporadic and free-flowing like some abstract art. It is organized and carefully calculated. The small circles form three straight lines. A vertical line can be drawn through the middle of the large circle and the small orange shape below it. Another horizontal l

  Environmentalism in Post-Modern Art      With increased knowledge and awareness about the impact that humans have on the environment, many artists have begun to create art that reflects the relationship people have to the environment. Environmental a rt comes in many forms. It can be a celebration of the natural world. It can be art made from the environment itself. It can be a statement on the effect of humans on the natural world, or any combination of these. The environmental art movement began between 1960 and 1970, but has continued to evolve into the post-modern works we see today. In the post-modern era, environmental art became much more conceptual and is of ten integrated into the environment itself.  Christo and Jeanne-Claude Wrapped Trees  Foundation Beyeler and Berower Park, Switzerland (1997-1998)      Although the husband and wife team Christo and Jeanne-Claude did not actually create this work, they were responsible for designing and funding the idea to wrap over one h

  Art of the Great Depression      During the tragedy and bloodshed of World War One, art shifted from works that elicit positive emotions such as peace and joy to art that more accurately portrayed the feelings of the time. This trend continued into the Great Depression. Artists who were struggling to get by were funded by the Works Progress Administration to create art. Art often portrayed what people wanted the world to be like rather than the poverty and sorrow surrounding them. This era also brought forth abstract art that focused on the emotions behind the art rather than the actual content of the paintings. Themes of Great Depression art include loneliness and isolation.   Fall Plowing  by Grant Wood (1931) This painting was created in the artist's hometown of Viola, Iowa. It is a style of Great Depression era art known as Regionalism. This style focused on Midwest agriculture. Regionalist artists saw the industrialization of America and desired a return to America's agr