Introduction

On Wednesday, February 8th, 2017 I traveled alone to the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, where I found different exhibits and artwork that incorporated core values, striking techniques, and artwork that coveys the Good Life. In this spark story, I will include four main components: Medium of the Art/Technique of the Artist, Design of the Museum, Art and Core Values, and Art and the Good Life.

Medium of the Art/Technique of the Artist

When I first walked into the museum, I immediately was curious about this piece of artwork by John Chamberlain called, "Untitled" because of its unique shape and texture. The ability to see this piece in person helped me better understand and appreciate this piece of artwork because I was able to completely walk around the entire piece and analyze every detail. I found the technique of the artist so shocking because of the texture of this piece. It amazed me how Chamberlain took the concept of crushed cars and transformed it into a masterpiece. This technique was unique to any other piece of artwork I've seen because Chamberlain used industrial-weight aluminum foil and began his work out of spontaneity. This piece communicated to me all the lives that were once present in these crushed cars. It made me take a moment to reflect on what specific events caused these crushed cars and were used as motivation for Chamberlain. This artwork made me feel appreciated. I am thankful that I have never been in a car accident and I am healthy. This artwork allowed for me to digest all I am grateful for when looking at this crushed piece of art. I am not crushed, I am in fact a blossoming young, freshman student at the University of Florida. Ironically, looking at this smashed piece of artwork made me feel tall. This work made me feel appreciative for the life I am living.

Design of the Museum

The most appealing wing in this museum was the African exhibit. The reason I was so fascinated with this exhibit was because I am currently enrolled in a class called, Geography of Africa, so since I am already learning about this subject I was immediately intrigued to observe certain African art. The most unique feature that appealed to me was the usage of the space. As shown in one of my photos above, there was a blank white wall and with the help of a protector, the video of African dance was being played continuously. This set the mood before I completely indulged myself into the exhibit. The arrangement of the art also played a role in my complete appreciation for this exhibit because of the large variety of artwork. There were multiple large sculptures, followed by simple paintings and a great combination between black and white and color. The exhibit made me feel as if I were in a different era. As I walked around and viewed such unique cultural aspects of Africa, for a slight moment it did not feel as if I was still in America. Since I have never been out of the country, it was nice being exposed to so much diversity all at once.

Art and Core Values

This painting by Friedrich Capelari titled, "Woman Before A Mirror" appeals to the core value of desire. Capelari describes a young beautiful Japanese woman glancing over her shoulder and viewing the world behind her. I believe this painting captures the value of desire because this woman is looking beyond the mirror, and instead of viewing herself she has a desire to seek her outer surroundings. This painting better helps me appreciate this core value because it expresses the simplicity that in order to create a desire for something in your life, this can only be achieved by the individual person. In this painting, I loved how it focalized only on the woman and her own motivations. This painting better helped me understand that if I truly have a goal I desire to achieve, that it is my responsibility to make the first step in that direction. The emotion this painting instilled in me is fear. This emotion better helps me cherish the core value of desire because fear causes us humans to continuing persevering. The power of knowing you determine your own fate makes me fearful, but this fear is translated into more desire for me to achieve my set goals. There is fear of the unknown but my potential as a person must be foreseen. In relation to the painting, this woman looked past herself physically, and began looking at the world. I admire this quality and will now begin taking my future into my own hands.

Art and the Good Life

This painting by George Wesley Bellows titled, "Jim Twadell's Place" is portraying the simple life Jim Twadell lives as a horse trainer. The theme this painting exhibits is the importance of finding confidence in yourself and translating it into living a charismatic, relaxed, calm lifestyle. In class, we discussed the strong influence of body image using the character Barbie as an example. We determined society emphasizes its focal points on individual flaws rather than their beauty. In this painting, none of those body features are being distinguished because in reality, life is far more precious than the number you see on a scale. This painting communicates the Good Life theme because instead it looks beyond Jim Twadell's individual characteristics and focuses on the location, the nature and the home in which Jim Twadell lives. In order to obtain the Good Life, we must shift our attention to our surrounding environment because this plays a significant influence on our wellness. This painting adds to my appreciation for this theme because it makes me stop and reflect on my life right now. I am a highly stressed college student and currently being challenged academically more than I ever have been in my life between all the upcoming exams and midterms. I need to get back to the big picture; I must set aside time to relax and collect my thoughts. Life is much more enjoyable when it is simpler and less complex. This painting acts as a motivation to achieve this lifestyle and helps me appreciate our beautiful world we live in. I am grateful to be attending the University of Florida and need to stop focusing on my flaws and everything I can't do. The Good Life is about living in the moment and prioritizing what truly matters, and I believe this painting of "Jim Twadell's Place" is interpreting it beautifully.