Arts Explorer #3: Fine Art Critique

Art word of the week: Space

     Space is "determined by the size of the canvas, and the arrangement of elements which includes how many shapes and symbols will be used, and how much room or blank space will be left" (Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009, p. 143). In discussing space there are two types- positive and negative. Positive space is essentially the space taken up by subject matter and negative space is the space left between the subject matter. As we will see space is a critical element of art and aesthetics as it furthers the mood represented and reinforced within the piece.

     As part of our CLD 215 class, we were all lucky enough to travel to the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) to learn more about the fabulous and intriguing world of art, and more importantly creativity!  Walking into the various rooms of art- filled masterpieces was awing and captivating. I ventured into the "Clash of Styles" room where I was completely drawn to this piece...

artmagick.com

     This painting is called "Ever Open Door" or "The Open Door" by Sigismund Christian Hubert Goetze and is an "allegorical religious picture". In describing this piece I see two "ghosts" or "spirits" intruding on a group of people. Terror, distraught, and fearfulness are all emotions seen among the citizens. I notice the aspects of both life and death in this painting as well. Death is seen within  the body laying on the ground and also within those in the presence of the spirits. Life is seen among the colourful flowers and the children who are purposefully given a sense of innocence and purity. 

     I think that what the artist is trying to say is there is life and death among everything in the world. Goetze might also be trying to suggest life and death is a continuous cycle- that is, things are born to die. 

     To be completely honest, although I do not fully understand this painting I absolutely love it. I love the meaning (the one I am placing on it) behind the work. When I first saw this piece I stood in front of it trying to come up with some explanation for what it means. The fact that there are so many stories being told from just one painting is intriguing at the least. I think I also love this painting because it puts things into perspective. Instead of being all positive or all negative, this painting combines both aspects which is what life is essentially all about. 

     I also enjoy how Goetze used his sense of space. The piece of artwork itself was large and I love how there is no negative space. I feel like this is the type of artwork you could just stare at forever, continually picking up new details and creating a new story every time. 

Although I am not completely sure about the background information behind this painting I love using my creativity and imagination in thinking of what it could mean...
     In inviting children to visit an art gallery, educators and teachers alike have the ability to learn more about their emotional and social development. Encouraging children to explain how they feel when looking at different pieces of artwork also creates the ability to let children open up and talk about feelings- a hard task to do at such a young age. Children should also be encouraged to engage in their own forms of art- drawing things that have special meanings to them such as going for a picnic, or spending time with their families. Letting children express their emotions through art is a skill that will be very important as they grow up and mature in society as well- learning to do constructive things with their energy and not deconstructive things is essential. 

"All things are subject to interpretation whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth."

- Friedrich Nietzsche


Schirrmacher, R. , & Englebright Fox, J. . (2009). Art & creative development for young children. Belmont, California : Delmar Cengage Learning.

Arts Explorer #2: Instant Sculpture with Found Objects

 Art word of the week: Colour

pocketburgers.com

     Colour! When I hear this word I am always reminded of the great ROY G. BIV. Colour provides a beautiful background for our daily lives and has the ability to turn any "dark" atmosphere into a sunny, happy, and cheerful one. I like to think of colour as being an automatic mood changer. Consider, for example how people choose wall colours in their rooms to enhance a specific mood they want achieve. A light blue bedroom (like the one I have) is supposed to create a calming and soothing feeling among homeowners while a red kitchen is supposed to release all of the tasteful and mouthwatering sensations a person is to feel when cooking and eating.

     Colour  is "based on the passage of light, comes from the sun and creates responses of feeling" (Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009, p. 136) within each of us and can be categorized within the following categories: primary, secondary, intermediate, complementary, neutral, hue, value, intensity, tint, and shade.

When reflecting on my instant sculpture it is quite clear what kind of emotion it tugs at because of my "colour" choices.

     As I was thinking about what to create for my instant sculpture I knew two things. The first? I wanted it to reflect me and my personality. Secondly, I knew I wanted it to reflect the items I love. With this being said, my instant sculpture was a "Balloon Bouquet". My personality, or so I have been told, has always been explained as happy, cheerful, and carefree so what  better way to depict these traits than using colourful, free- flowing balloons?

     My love for balloons is still as prominent as it was before when I was younger as I STILL ask for helium- filled balloons on my birthday. I never get them because I'm supposedly too old, but it just goes to show how happy balloons can still make a 20 year old. Another item I absolutely love are flowers. Flowers to me never get old as their varieties, colours, shapes, and unique beauty always seem to captivate me. Maybe the uniqueness and versatility of both objects is why I gravitate towards them so much. 

     Surprisingly this Arts Explorer was difficult to start. Every time I thought I had an idea I would knock it down, believing I was going to think of something bigger and better! It wasn't until I raided my cabinets and saw the various flowers displayed around my home until the light bulb went of. When looking back at the experience I feel good about it because my sculpture not only represents me, it represents my life. Being an optimistic, happy,and open person are all qualities I wish to continue to instill in myself and in the children who I have, and are going to work with. It's all about perspective, creativity and a positive- outlook! 

     This Arts Explorer would be an amazing activity to incorporate into an early childhood setting. In setting up a play space where children have the ability to use whatever materials they see to make whatever they want, they have the ability to use their creative juices. Children will be able to portray their likes, dislikes, personalities etc. within a unique creation. Children's cognitive and social domains of development will also be fostered through the use of open- ended questions, discussions, and reflections of what they have just created. 

"Ninety- nine dreams I have had

And every one a red balloon

It's all over, and I'm standing pretty

In the dust that was a city

I could find a souvenir

Just to prove the world was here

Here it is, a red balloon

I think of you and let it go"

- Goldfinger

99 Red Balloons

Schirrmacher, R. , & Englebright Fox, J. . (2009). Art & creative development for young children. Belmont, California : Delmar Cengage Learning.

Arts and Creativity in ECE

I was recently going through my Twitter page and came across this great link tweeted by AECEO (Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario). 
It's coincidently part of an online blog called Arts and Creativity in Early Childhood Education that believes in art and creativity as a means to opening a child's senses and development. This particular post is talking about "Reggio Inspired Use of Liquid Watercolor". The paintings themselves are beautiful and inspiring. Take a look!

http://artandcreativity.blogspot.com/2011/01/i-just-had-good-fortune-to-attend.html

Arts Explorer #1: My Creative Inspiration

What does creativity mean to me...

     When thinking about the word creativity I tend to associate it to expression. Expression and creativity seem to go hand- in- hand as they both value the "no boundaries" mindset that I personally have a passion for. Thinking outside of the box and making ties between the real life world and the imaginative one are also modes of creativity I believe in. Anything and everything is possible with a little creativity! 

theradicalantfarm.blogspot.com

     I also believe creativity is how we express ourselves everyday and within every activity we do. It is not simply just seen within a painting or heard within a song. It is how we look at everything we and others do. For example, looking at a painting I may see something but you, looking at the same painting may see something else. In saying this, I believe creativity is also about perspective. When looking at this piece of "Hello Kitty" graffiti, what do you see? Through my imagination and perspective I see a harsh version of the usual happy cartoon character. It may be a boring expression to some, but to me it represents a darker, almost hypocritical view of of the fun- loving character I'm sure we all know. 

     In thinking about my own life I can see various examples of how I am creative. Throughout my childhood, I loved painting in school and decorating my whole driveway with chalk- filled flowers, hearts and dogs. As I grew older my passion for the "arts" side of creativity left me as I constantly compared my works to the works of my friends who were clearly (or so I thought) much more creative. However I proudly transferred my creativity into other aspects of my life. When I was about 10 years old I started to play softball. I was switched around from position to position until I found my calling- being a pitcher. The thrill alone of standing in the middle of the diamond was what I loved but looking back now my creativity also thrived. Creating the perfect windup, holding the ball at different seams and essentially playing "mind games" with the batters are all examples of how I was creative. 

     I am also creative through my organizational skills. From my room to my book bag I organize everything! I guess I can thank my perfectionist, "everything has a place" mindset. My room is organized in terms of my shelving, drawers and overall look. I love cleaning my room and my drawers as it makes me think about how I can better organize my "stuff". For example this passed summer I bought plastic containers with about 15 smaller sections within them which are supposed to be used for sewing materials or buttons. I used my "creativity" to convert that into a jewelery holder as it separates all items and prevents the ever- annoying knots in necklaces. 

     In demonstrating just these two examples it is clear to see EVERYONE can be creative. Creativity can be seen within the most natural and normal sets of activities which is why creativity in itself is universal.

     To conclude I would like to end with a quote and 2 pictures of John Lennon's "Imagine" Memorial, in Central Park, NY. I ventured to New York in grade 11 and was lucky enough to visit the memorial. When I first saw it I was blown away- the ways in which people can decorate and express their emotions through placing different objects around the boarder was beautiful and captivating and again, instills the notion that creativity is within everyone and is found everywhere! 

flickr.com

flickr.com

"You may say that I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

and the world will be as one"

- John Lennon

Imagine

Welcome!

Hello Readers!
My name is Candice and this is my first official blog! Through this blog I will be discussing creativity among different aspects. I will be talking about what creativity means to me, how I am creative and how creativity can be seen within the field of Early Childhood Education. 
Creativity does not just simply mean the act of engaging in or creating art; it means reflecting, interpreting, and  analyzing every piece of material we come into contact with on a day- to- day basis. Whether listening to a song, reading a book, or analyzing a piece of artwork, our creative juices are always flowing and we all have the potential to be creative in different ways!
A few notes about me to start my first blog off right: I am 20 years old and am a second year ECE student. Teaching and caring for the children of our future has been a passion of mine for many years as I have worked with toddler, preschool, and school age children. I am a neat freak/ perfectionist and I consider that to be one of my best "creative" traits. I have always been known for my organizing, colour coding and matching skills (haha). I love to shop, bake and spend time with family and friends. I hope that through this blog you will learn more about me, what the word "creative" encompasses, and the world of ECE through my perspective. Enjoy! :)