Medium of the Art/Techniques of the Artist
Seeing the kore in person is very different that learning about it and the kouros in a video. I am able to see exactly how it stands up and the cylindrical shape it is carved from. Its simplicity is easier to appreciate in person because I can notice every slight curve of the Huffington's kore, a symbol of an ideal female figure. Huffington's take on the Ancient Greek's kore takes in the regality that kore are supposed to represent: young clothed females, and how she represents these females with a simplisticly styled kore evokes their spirits from her statue. This particular kore left me in awe as something so simple could tell me so much about Ancient Greek life and Huffington's interpretation of that life. Whenever I visit the Harn again, this is the first statue I'm going to revisit.
Design of the Museum
aThe Harn Museum's layout is pretty interesting, because I could go in through either entrance and be sent into another world. The one exhibit I found particularly appealing was the Asian Art Exhibit. The twin sets of archways that serve as the entrance were inviting, and having the Infinite Pillars by Wada Akira sealed the deal for me with its aesthetic juxtaposed with the entrance to the exhibit. The exhibit is pretty open spaced, especially in the middle, which is mainly for the two giant artworks on the floor. The windows on the side opposite to the entrance add a sense of tranquility into the exhibit, and the natural sunlight it allows in gives every artwork a different feel than the other exhibits. Overall the Asian Art Exhibit made me feel at home and in a state of serenity because I really like Asian art, like Fujikasa Satoko's Stream here.
Art and Core Values
The staff pick Mr. Garrick in the Character of Richard III by William Hogarth is a piece that resonates with my core values of sensibility and knowing the weight of my actions. Hogarth's piece is about Shakespeare's character Mr. Garrick who had just woken up from a nightmare featuring the ghosts of those he had murdered to claim the throne. His pose here is one of fear and apology to those he had killed and that he is scared for what the grudge the future may hold against him. This visual representation of a Shakespeare scene helps me realize that a wrong move may result in a much larger conflict, and it brings out the fear I have in being involved in verbal and emotional fights. However, Hogarth's piece also eases my soul as it reminds me that I have people who care about me, and that I should cherish that fact.
Art and the Good Life
The artwork here is an Egungun masquerade from Ede, Nigeria taken by Eliot Elisofon back in 1970. This masquerade is for the collective ancestors of the celebrants, who honor the dead and make sure their ancestors have a place among the living. This kind of festival is parallel to the theme of Celebrating the Good Life. It communicates this theme by hosting a celebrating of tradition and joy, in which the picture shows the people of Ede enjoying their time and sharing it with their ancestors. This masquerade adds to my appreciation of Celebrating the Good Life by reminding me of cultural celebrations and how these traditions have their own type of catharsis and joy.
Credits:
All pictures taken by me.