Week 2 Reflections

To be honest, I have learned more this week about art than I think I have in my entire life. I mean, anyone can look at a picture and say it is a pretty drawing. But in this class, we learn how to not just look at art, but really see it, see what is beneath its surface, understand its true meaning. This week we learned about the difference between form and content. I always thought that they were the same thing. But sometimes artwork is not always seen by the artist and the audience in the same way.



For example, Judy Chicago's Pasadena Lifesavers to me looked like candy, almost like a picture you would see in a daycare. But I read Chapter Two, and to her, the picture is a symbol a feminism. I read the explanation and it made sense after that, but I never would have put that together on my own.



I think that learning the difference between representational and non-representational art has been the most meaningful for me so far. To me, this allows us to put art into two categories: things we would see in the real world and that which we normally wouldn't. I can process a pice of art better if I can label art as one of the two. And then abstrct art; well, thats its own category, isn't it. I will definately say that abstract artwork, though it is not my favorite, is by far the most interesting and thought provoking.



What I am liking the most so far is what I have always liked: the landscape artwork, Monet and Bierdstat. The abstract art is challenging to me...I guess I need to get used to using my right brain more

About Me!

Hi classmates! My name is Kathleen and I am 20 years old. I am a Nursing major and for the past three years since high school, I have bounced back and forth between Sacramento State and Sierra finishing my Nursing pre-reqs and my general education classes. At this point, I have finish all classes I need except for one: an Art class! So here I am in Art Appreciation with the rest of you. I wanted to take it with Michelle because I have heard wonderful things about her and really enjoyed her presentation in the Theater last Spring for Love Your Body week.



I actually am looking forward to this class: it is a nice change from all the science classes us pre-nurses need to take. I want to learn how to analyze art and how to see the intentions of the artist. Art is such a huge and beautiful part of the history of humans, and I think it is something we all need to value. I look forward to the next 16 weeks with each of you as we learn how to appreciate art.