Chinese Paper Cuts in Contemporary Art-The Alchemy from creating the paper cuts

Year of the Snake paper cut out

Sonia Romero- Los Angeles based artist

"Sacred Heart"- Sonia Romero

Leigh Salgado- Los Angeles based artist

 Leigh Salgado- gloves

Leigh Salgado- Lingerie

Chinese Paper-Cuts

-Paper-cut is a distinctive Chinese handicraft. It originated in the 6th century when women used gold and silver foil cuttings to decorate their hair at the temples.  Men used them for sacred rituals. Now they are used for festivals to decorate windows, gates etc.

-The main cutting tools are scissors or engraving knives.  In contemporary art the e-xacto knive is used.  Additionally, lasers are used today to expediate the art form.

-Newlyweds have red paper with "Xi" (happiness), for birthdays "Shou: represents longevity, a plump child cuddling a fish signifies that every year they will be abundant in wealth.

 

Paper Cutting and the use of paper as an art form is unfolding into a ubiquitous experience. With the use of recycled paper, more artists are motivated to use repurposed materials. Also the availability of new forms of paper materials, the need for more insulary and introspective art forms has contributed to various contemporary artists focusing on paper as an art medium.

 

This kind of labor intensive art forms allows for meditation and introspective.  These concepts can be attributed to Carl Jung's (psychiatrist l875-1961) concept of alchemy in art and the focus on the unconscious.

 

(Alchemy- transmutation, transformation, the ability to turn base metals into noble metals (gold, silver), the elixir of life (lapis) -Philosopher's stone - universal curative medicines (panacea)

 

Astrology, signs and symbols, parts of the body-chemistry

 

(ie: Chinese creation of black powder used for fireworks that turned into gun powder)

 

Leigh Salgado-youtube video "There's No Crying in Baseball"

 

How is the notion of alchemy a strong force in the creation of Salgado's paper cut pieces

 

1. "Getting your mind out of the way"-a direct path to the unconscious and the unknown to create artwork-non-verbal part of the brain-

 

`metaphors of baseball and art (baseball cut and dry-you are in or you are out-consistency  vs

  art -unknown

 

-shadows and dimensions- the importance of "shadows" in our existence

 

-time travel (using imagery from different time periods)

 

-masculine vs feminine (lingerie associated with men's desire vs. women's wardrobe and beauty and design)

 

-what is beauty

 

 

 

 

 

The Cheshire Cat as a Color Wheel

Illustrations by British illustrator and political cartoonist Sir John Tenniel (1820-1914 London)

Alice in Wonderland tells the story of a girl named Alice who falls down a rabbit hole into a fantasy world populated by unusual characters.

Anthropomorphic-creatures having human traits in animals, and forces of nature.  This trait is specially used in fables and children's stories to get the message across in a palatable way.

Personification-Giving an actual personality to an abstraction, animal, object

Hyperbole-exaggeration used to emphasize, or affect something-to exaggerate

Cheshire Cat Drawing as a Color Wheel and Dada Poem

"How fine you look when dressed in rage. Your enemies are fortunate your condition is not permanent. You're lucky too.  Red eyes suit so few." (directed to Alice)

primary colors

secondary colors

Drawing of a Cheshire Cat with primary and secondary colors

CHANCE POETRY (Dada Poetry-Dadaism) Early 1916 Zurich, Switzerland spreading to Berlin and later to New York. (Marcel Duchamp) 

-CREATE A POEM ALONG A PAINTING BASED ON THE WORDS FROM THE CONVERSATION WITH ALICE AND THE CHESHIRE CAT ABOUT "MADNESS".

THERE ARE 7 HEAVENLY VIRTUES IN THE CATHOLIC CATECHISM:

-Chastity: purity, knowledge, honesty, abstain from sexual conduct, practice courtly love, cleanliness (ant.: lust)

-Temperance-self-control, justice, honor, abstention, restraint, constant mindfulness, moderation, deffered gratification (ant.: gluttony-piggy)

-Clarity- will, generousity , benevolence, sacrifice, love with unlimited kindness, "infused with the soul" (ant:, greed)

-Diligence, persistence, effort, ethics, fortitude, not giving up ( ant: sloth,lazy)

-Patience-peace, mercy, sufferance, endurance through moderation, resolving conflicts peacefully,

(ant.: wrath, big hate)

-Kindness-satisfaction, loyalty, compassion, integrity, charity, friendship for its own sake, unselfish love, positive outlook (ant.: envy, jealousy)

-Humility-bravery, modesty, reverence, altruism, selflessness, giving respect, reverence for those that have wisdom, willing to take on difficult tasks graciously and to accept sacrifices that are involved.  Giving credit where credit is due. (ant.: pride)

Assignment:

Choose four (4) virtues that describe the Cheshire Cat.  These are positive attributes and back up your statements. (40 pts)

Complementary Colors-Van Gogh Post Impressionism/ Impressionism

 

1853-1890

Van Gogh Portraits and Chair

 

 

 

MONET- WATERLILIES

 

 

Monet's Haystacks (The colors are those he saw from the fluid in his eyes refracting the sun.  \)

"Mouches Volantes"-flying flies- refractive degrees with the eye's vitreous humour (thick fluid /gel that fills the eye) "Floaters" -spots, threads, cobweb fragments that appear with the eye's vitreous homour.  Changes occur with age and degeneration of the eye.

Monet's Waterlilies

 

 

MILLET -HAYSTACKS

 

 

MILLET- THE GLEANERS

 

MANET- LUNCHEON ON THE GRASS

 

MANET -LEMON



Impressionists artists opened the door to a new world of modern art.  The Post-Impressionists wanted to continue to stretch the boundaries.  The Post Impressionists began with a new group of artists that lasted between l885-l910.  They learned about using light, shadows and colors in their art from the Impressionists.  Their own ideas began by using new subjects, techniques, perspectives and shapes to express their thoughts and emotions in art. 

Impressionism began around l873 with artists like Monet, Degas, Cezanne and Morisot. Impressionism as a new generaton of artists began using lighter brush strokes, brighter colors and less attention to details, emphasis on landscapes and everyday life.   They were thought they eccentrics.

 

 

COMPLEMENTARY COLORS ARE COLORS ACROSS EACHOTHER FROM THE COLOR WHEEL.

 

PRIMARY COLORS: RED, BLUE, YELLOW

 

SECONDARY COLORS;  PURPLE, ORANGE, GREEN

 

 

COMPLEMENTARY; RED & GREEN,  ORANGE & BLUE,  YELLOW & PURPLE

 

 

 



Van Gogh 1889*

1.VAN GOGH'S SELF PORTRAIT- WHAT ARE SOME OF HIS THOUGHTS AS HE POSES FOR THIS PICTURE? IT WAS A SELF-PORTRAIT SO HE MUST HAVE USED A MIRROR TO PORTRAY HIMSELF. WHAT DO HIS BODY LANGUAGE TRANSFER ON THE CANVAS? (COLD WEATHER, ILLNESS,...)

 

 

PAUL GAUGIN -SELF PORTRAIT 1889

 

2. GAUGIN WAS A FRIEND OF VAN GOGH'S AND WORK WITH HIM UNDER THE REQUEST OF VAN GOGH'S BROTHER THEO.  WHAT ARE THE OBIVIOUS DIFFERENCES BETWEEN VAN GOGH'S PORTRAIT AND GAUGINS? (background information).  WHY DO YOU THINK GAUGIN HAS A PAINTING OF JESUS IN THE BACKGROUND?  THE PAINTING WAS PROBABLY ONE OF HIS OWN? WHAT DOES GAUGIN'S BODY LANGUAGE PORTRAY?

 

 

 MILLET'S HAYSTACKS 1873 (Realism)

 

 

 

MONET'S HAYSTACKS 1890's Impressionism

 

3. DISCUSS THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN MILLET'S AND MONET'S HAYSTACKS. (FORM, COLOR, LIGHT SOURCE)

WHAT ARE SOME OF DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE PAINTINGS? (content, mood, information being portrayed)

 

 

 

Dia de Los Muertos/Day of the Dead /Drawing Project

 

Drawings on black drawing paper -combining 2 sheets of 9"x12" paper.

Create a drawing by combining skulls and flowers from different images.

Use color pencils focusing on pastel colors and white pencil.

 

 

 

JOSE GUADALUPE POSADA (1852-1913) Mexican cartoonist and illustrator whose art work has influenced Latin Artists.  Much of his work is incorporated with the Day of Dead -Dia de Los Muertos festivals.  Posada was born in Augascalientes, on February 2, l852.  His brother Cirilo, was a school teacher that helped him with his education as well as drawing. 

 

The images of the calaveras are meant to satirize the life of the uppe

 

r class during Posada's life.  In addition to his protest of the government during the reign of Porfirio Diaz. (President for 3 decades and seven teerms. Considered a dictator during his reign.  Repression by the goverment caused people to rebel.

 

 

 

DAY OF THE DEAD FACTS;

1. Dia de los Muertos originiated many centuries ago in Mexico where it is still celebrated.  America especially in the southwest, has adopted the custom especially Mexican immigrants living in California, Arizona, and Texas.  In other parts of the world a "hybrid" of the holiday is celebrated. The holiday combines Pre-Hispanic indigneous beliefs and Spanish Catholic beliefs.

 

2.DIA DE LOS MUERTOS IS A HOLIDAY FOR REMEMBERING AND HONORING OUR LOVED ONES THAT HAVE PASSED AWAY.  IT IS A FESTIVE, JOYOUS HOLIDAY.

 

3. DIA DE LOS MUERTOS FALLS ON NOVEMBER 1 AND 2 OF EACH YEAR WHICH COINCIDES WITH THE CATHOLIC HOLIDAYS OF ALL SAINTS DAY AND ALL SOUL'S DAY.

 

THE OFFICIAL DAY IS NOVEMBER 2 BUT MANY BEGIN CELEBRATING OCTOBER 31 AND NOV. 2.  TRADITIONALLY, NOVEMBER 1 IS THE DAY FOR HONORING DEAD CHILDREN AND INFANTS AND NOVEMBER 2 IS THE DAY OF HONORING ADULTS.

 

4. DIA DE LOS MUERTOS IS CELEBRATED IN BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PLACES.  USUALLY IN HOMES AND GRAVEYARDS.  THE HOMES HAVE ALTARS WITH PICTURES OF LOVED ONES, AND OFFERINGS OF FOOD, DRINK AND FLOWERS.

 

IN THE GRAVEYARDS, FAMILIES CLEAN THE GRAVES OF THEIR LOVED ONES AND BRING OFFERINGS.  ALSO PEOPLE WILL STAY ALL NIGHT AND SOCIALIZE, TELLING ANECDOTES ABOUT THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.

 

5. DIA DE LOS MUERTOS ALLOWS THE DEAD TO LIVE AGAIN AND REVISIT THEIR HOMES AND LOVED ONES.  IT IS A WAY TO STAY CONNECTED WITH THOSE THAT HAVE PASSED AWAY.  MOST PEOPLE CELEBRATE OUT OF COMMITTMENT AND LOVE BUT ALSO SOME CELEBRATE OUT OF FEAR.  SOME FOLKTALES SPEAK OF ANCESTORS' VENEGANCE FOR BEING NEGELECTED.

 

CEMPASUCHIL, THE MARIGOLD OF THE DAY OF DEAD

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE MARIGOLD IS A FLOWER FROM THE AZTEC WORLD WHICH IS USED IN MAJOR CEREMONIES OF THE DEPARTED.  ORIGINALLY THE MARIGOLD WAS USED FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSES SUCH AS STOMACH ACHES, PARASITES, DIARRHEA, LIVER ILLNESSES, TOOTHACHE AND VOMITING.  THE FLOWER IS STILL USED FOR MANY CURES.  TEA IS MADE FROM THE FLOWERS, IT IS ALSO EATEN AND WORN AROUND THE NECK IN A POUCH.

 

1. DESCRIBE WHAT KIND OF IMPRESSION THIS CHARACTER IS REPRESENTING.  WHAT WAS POSADA TRYING TO EXPRESS WITH THIS FIGURE? WHY IS THE FIGURE WEARING ONLY ONE SHOE?

 

2. IF YOU HAVE BEEN PART OF A DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CELEBRATION, DESCRIBE YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE CEREMONY? WHAT WAS SIGNIFICANT FOR YOU REGARDING THE CEREMONY?  IF YOU NEVER HAVE CELEBRATED, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD DO IF YOU WERE INVITED TO A CEREMONY? (EX; BRING FOOD, FLOWERS, MUSIC)

 

3. HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED SEEING OR FEELING OR HEARING A SPIRIT? DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE.  IF YOU HAVEN'T HAD A PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE, WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS REGARDING THE AFTERLIVE.?

 

4. DOES YOUR FAMILY USE NATURAL MEDICINES, SUCH AS THE USE OF THE MARIGOLD FOR STOMACH ACHES, ETC.  DESCRIBE SOMETHING THAT IS USED IN YOUR HOME THAT IS UNORTHODOX BY TRADITIONAL MEDICINE.

 

Christo Self Portraits

CHRISTO- SELF PORTRAIT

Art history students were given the assignment of creating their own self portraits based on Christo's self portrait.

Emphasis on "the purity of form", "Conceptual Art", "Performance Art"

The students used "edmodo" a student/teacher based website for lessons/student work.

As a teacher, I created an example in class along with a student.  We also went to three classrooms to extend the idea of "Performance and Conceptual Art"

The students received 100 points for their contributions.



Teacher self- portrait

Teacher and student self-portrait examples