Medium of the Art/ Technique of Artist- In a studio, it is almost impossible to photograph a work of art in a way that fully does the piece justice. I first spotted Katsumata’s sculpture Coral, from across the room. As I approached the piece, the intricate life-like detail stunned me. The lighting casted down created rich dark shadows that added to the effect of seeing the piece in person. The sculpture, made of clay, looked like a real piece of coral taken directly from the sea. Having taken many pottery classes, even one here at UF, I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been to make such a work of art. The piece, of one white color, evokes a somber feeling as it resembles our dying coral reefs. When coral dies, it goes through a process called bleaching and loses all of its color/ life. It communicates the importance of protecting our oceans and environment.
Design of the Museum- I found the Asian sculpture wing appealing for many reasons. This space’s use of wood detail paneling from the entrance to the window led the eyes immediately to the asian looking garden that lied outside. The garden looks like one that would contain koi fish or a buddha garden stone. The architecture on the inside also embodied asian characteristics and tranquility. The lighting poured in from the big windows to the outside all while not being too harsh or bright. The Art lies around the exteriors of the room allowing the eyes to enjoy only two sculptures and lots of free space in the center. The free space in the center allows the viewer to see the room itself as a piece of art by taking in the architecture. The exhibit makes me feel like I don’t want to leave in addition to not want to knock something over.
Art and Core Values- Salgado’s photograph titled Three Girls Holding Hands immediately evoked feeling upon looking at it. To me, friendship is everything. Friendship with siblings, parents, and pals is a vital necessity in life and what I believe is the Good Life. When I see this photo, I think of not just two other friends, but rather every one of my friends and the memories and fun times we’ve shared. Friends that have changed my life for the better and are responsible for the person I’ve grown into today. Friends such as my brother who have made me strong and tough. Friends like my parents who are always there for me. And one friend in particular, my schoolmate who was lost in a car accident whose story constantly reminds me to be grateful and cherish the connections I am lucky enough to share with others. All in all, this photo instills gratitude inside me and helps me see the importance relationships can have in life.
Art and the Good Life- Giovanni Battista Piranesi’s collection of over 12 pieces surrounds around a map. The map alone (pictured above) is what I chose to resemble the good life. The collection revolves around a map in which certain areas are circled in red. Around the map are etchings of the various locations circled on the map. This piece of art shows the worldliness one can gain by traveling. My good life is one of knowledge attained through travel, one of living in a place that never gets old exploring, and one of living with a person that makes any place feel like home. To me this artwork is more than just a map. It is a life map in which every individual has the power to circle their own destinations in red. The windings of roads show the different paths life takes. Meanwhile, the intersections highlight the interactions with other people. Everyone can navigate their own personal map as they pursue their own good life.