Tour of the Harn IUF1000 Lorea Jackson

Medium of the Art/Technique of the Artist (I took these pictures)

When I first saw Manhattan by George Grosz, I thought it appeared rather dull and dreary, but otherwise not particularly noteworthy. However, it was not until I actually saw this painting up close and in person that I realized that Grosz had actually overlapped all of the buildings of Manhattan, not painted them individually like I had originally thought. By overlapping the outlines of the buildings, it blends all of them together and gives the painting a dizzying effect. I originally interpreted this work to reflect my personal opinion about New York City: I don't particularly care for it; to me, the metropolis is dirty and dreary and overwhelming, and the painting demonstrates that. Just looking at the landscape makes me want to leave. However, when I read the description, I learned that Grosz immigrated to the US from Berlin during World War II, and painted Manhattan to reflect the majesty of his new home. However, the drab color palette and disorienting overlapping technique led me to interpret the painting in a much different way.

Design of the Museum: This picture I took shows the transition from the Frida Kahlo/Modern Art section (carpeted) to the ceramics section (hardwood flooring). (I took this picture)

I found the flow from the Modern Collection into the Asian Collection, especially with the Ceramics: Avenues of Exchange section, aesthetically pleasing. In the Modern Collection, and earlier the Mirror Mirror: Frida Kahlo section, the gallery was carpeted with the gray-blue walls visible in the photo. The dullness of the surroundings made the paintings and photographs hung in the gallery the obvious focal points of that section. When the ceramics part of the gallery started, the flooring changed to dark, shiny hardwood flooring with a matching display case for the pottery (visible in the photo). I loved this display for the ceramics--the geometry and right angles of the display case juxtaposed the colorful, curved pots and vases inside.

Art and Core Values (I took these pictures)

This sculpture, entitled Uma-Mahesvara, encompasses one of my core values. The two large figures are the Hindu gods Shiva and Uma, and together, the two of them "symbolize the ultimate creative power of the universe," according to the sculpture's description in the museum. Creativity is a very important value to me. As someone interested in both art and science, I am always striving to be creative in some way--whether it's to solve a problem or finish a painting. Furthermore, Shiva and Uma are surrounded by many other deities and characters, which could represent how their creativity is helping all of the others around them. To be able to use my creativity to help other people is one of my goals in life, and therefore creativity is a very important core value to me.

Art and the Good Life (I took this picture)

This statue of Dancing Ganesh, and all that it represents, reflects my interpretation of the "good life." Ganesh, who is described as "jolly" and a "solver of problems" by the museum description, is portrayed with a benevolent expression and is frozen mid-dance. This depiction of Ganesh communicates the good life by not only helping others, but also living joyously. To me, that would be the ultimate goal: to live a life with creative problem solving to help others, and to always be happy enough to dance, like Ganesh.

Credits:

All photos were taken by me.

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