Episode 34: Arts in the Arts (Part II- Literature)

The relationship between the written word and pictures has been around for ages. There are artists inspired by literature and books that use images to help support their work. Many children's books are written and illustrated by the same person. Believe it or not, there was even a time adult novels commonly had illustrations. The Pre-Raphealite Brotherhood were an early group of fan artists (something that Harry Potter brought back with a fervor) and modern films are using the images made for Lord of the Rings to recreate The Shire and Middle Earth.

Frederic Dorr Steele was an early illustrator of the Sherlock Holmes novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. His deerstalker cap and pipe have become iconic with the world's favorite detective, regardless of the fact that the description is nowhere to be found in the novels.

Many series of books have been perpetuated because of the images associated with them. Alan Lee is the man responsible not only for creating illustrations for the Lord of the Rings series, but in Peter Jackson's visual vision when the films were made in the past decade. The movies were specifically attempting to mimic the majesty in his beautiful illustrations.

And then, of course, there's this book:

Listening to fans of hist other books, Scott Westerfeld did something innovative by using the illustrator (Keith Thompson) while he was writing, instead of creating images afterwards. Here are some of his great images, included in the series:

Marie has even started her own photographic-illustration project:

This is one example of a few where she is writing and creating the photographs. You can check out the story on her blog.

I can't imagine there is anyone who doesn't like good pictures in their books! Who are your favorite illustrators?

Episode 32: The Medicis

Have you ever waken up one morning and thought "I'd really like to rule the world today." Well we have the perfect family for you to follow if this is what you'd like to do! (Everyone needs a good mentor after all.)

Step 1: Specialize in a needed field of work. (i.e. Banking)
Step 2: Marry off your women to important figures, politicians, and, ideally, Kings of France.
Step 3: Become patrons to important artists that will make sure your name goes down in the history books!

Giovanna Medici-- he started it all

This is one of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany, Cosimo I. There were also a few Medici who held the papal throne in Rome, becoming popes and prominent figures in the church.

Catherine de Medici: wife, mother, queen... glove poisoner.

Marie de Medici was a more beloved queen, but had some of the same political pull as Catherine.

For more details, listen to the podcast. Good luck and arrivederci!

A Baffling Series of Events: Kenna Likes Art History!

Don't get me wrong, world history is great. All those cultures and wars and politics and whatnot. I've taken a fair amount of history classes in my day, I've watched a fair amount of historical documentaries, I've even read books on the subject. And I've quite thoroughly enjoyed all of it. It's great, really.

But here's the thing: if you were to ask me for a sampling of my historical off-hand knowledge, I wouldn't be able to tell you diddly-squat. Zilch. Nada.

But why not?(as you may be asking yourself) If you really are as well-read as you claim to be, surely you could at least give us the cliff-notes version of what started WWI? Or a summary of the USSR? What about the Mongols? Tell us about the Mongols...

I'd love to, but no-can-do, friends. I read it, listen to it, study it, and none of it sticks. Names, dates, places...none of it sticks in my brain no matter how hard I try. My brain is like Teflon when it comes to world history.

And then I took my first Art History class. And everything changed... (*insert magical harp music*)

Now I find myself looking at paintings and recognizing things like chiaroscuro, contraposto, and tenebrism. Not only recognizing them, but remembering and understanding what those words mean and where they come from.

Now, much to my surprise, you could pick a random year and if I can think of a work of art or artist from that decade, I can extrapolate and tell you what was going on in the culture at that time, the socio-political structures being questioned, and innovations that were being made.

This all sounds very strange...why Art History and not History in general? (as you may be wondering)

Well I'll tell you!

(*insert crickets chirping*)

I really don't know.

As much as I would love to be able to impress people with random tidbits of information concerning the general history or our planet at dinner parties, I will have to settle for being the nerdy gal at the table whose only conversational contributions revolve around art (and sometimes in desperately obscure ways, I confess).

I have taken the time to theorize on this phenomenon, and here are my conclusions:

• Perhaps I gravitate to Art History because of the visual aspect. Being able to look at a picture, an image, and break it down to it's formal qualities and then relating those qualities to a time period, seems like an easier way to memorize dates and places.

• Perhaps it has to do with the creative aspect. I love drawing and painting and have great appreciation for literature. Studying the history of the evolution of human beings' creativity possibly sparks a part of my brain, inspires it to retain information, in a way that the history of The American Civil War simply does not.

• My final theory is that art provides a more vivid look into the minds of the people belonging to a certain time period. Their art provides us with insight as to what they were concerned about, the issues they were fighting over or defending, their hopes and fears and even examples of their every day lives. The art they've left us is a visual representation of their psyche, their imagination, their emotional state.

What other subject of study can give you that?

I'm interested to know if you are interested in Art History for the same reasons, or if you have reasons of your own. Why do we care about Art History, of all things? Totally open forum here. Let's discuss!

~Kenna

Episode 28: History of Animation with Aaron Bristow

It all started with photography, as all good things do. Eadweard Muybridge was brought in to settle a bet: did a horse pick up all four hooves while running? It was the first time in history that motion that the eye can't see could be captured and reveal the mysteries of motion.

Not long after, people got this idea in their head to create all sorts of fun characters, such as Gertie the Dinosaur, or using animation in documentary format.

Humorous Phases of Funny Faces

Gertie the Dinosaur

Sinking of the Lusitania

Of course we can't forget the leader in animation, from Steamboat Willie, the first full length feature animation, Disney!

And with the groundbreaking film Toy Story Pixar is taking the newest form of 3D animation (CGI) to Infinity... and BEYOND!

One last treat, make sure you watch Aaron Bristow's Darned Little Devil--a UVU student production-- and check out his YouTube page or blog at www.aaronshardwork.blogspot.com.

What are your favorite animations?

Episode 24: Art Nouveau

To listen to this episode on archive.org click here.

Art Nouveau is a style that was popular between 1890 and 1910 (though it still has great influence on artists today). It came from the British art movement called the Arts and Crafts movement, which praised traditional craftsmanship over mass-produced items of the industrial revolution. 

Tassel House, Belgium by Victor Horta

Gaudi, Barcelona, Spain

Tiffany Lamps

Example of Art Nouveau jewelry

Metro Entrance, Paris

Klimt, The Kiss, 1907-08

Art Nouveau is a highly decorative style and spans across all kinds of mediums including architecture, graphic arts, jewelry, clothing, and home furnishings. Art Nouveau travelled across Europe as a movement, and because of this each country/region has a slightly different take on the style, reflecting their own culture and history in their applications. Wherever you go, though, Art Nouveau tends to be very flowery, decorative, using many curved and organic lines. 

Mucha was Sarah Bernhardt's primary artist

One of the best examples of Art Nouveau, as well as one of the most iconic artists for this artistic movement, is Alphonse Mucha. His work is generally made up of the female figure usually set with a decorative, usually circular, background. His pictures are full of grace and whimsical organic forms, and they continue to influence contemporary artists today.

A'shop, Our Lady of Grace, 2011

Episode 23: What you'll see at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Located on the Mall in Washington, D.C., the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden hosts some of the best examples of modern art in the United States. Mary and Kenna talk about what can be seen there, both permanent pieces and rotating exhibits.

The ignominious "donut" building.

View of the Hirshhorn from the center ground level, much prettier

Rodin's Burghers of Calais

Finished Blue Nude on the left, which the sculpture on the right used as a reference. 

Both by Henri Matisse

Giacometti's Walking Man I

Moore's Family Group

Dan Flavin's "untilted (to Helga and Carlo, with respect and affection)" (1974) 

Nira Pereg 67 Bows

Andy Warhol Shadows

Episode 18: Interior Design and the International Style

We had Paige Bennet, UVU's Interior Design extraordinaire with us for this episode.

Farnsworth House

Walter Gropius house in Lincoln, MA

Grand Confort Chair, Le Corbusier

Pony Chaise, Le Corbusier

Barcelona Chair, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

If you have topics in art history you're just itching to hear more about, leave us a comment or email us at: uvu.artsandfacts@gmail.com.

Episode 15: Caravaggio

Caravaggio was as fascinating a character as his paintings are masterpieces.

Conversion of Saint Paul

Calling of Saint Matthew

Calling of Saint Matthew is one of the more well-known pieces by Caravaggio. It has all of his typical stylistic qualities: tenebrism and the pulling of the audience into the painting. 

Judith and Holofernes

While most of Caravaggio's work is religious he has the occasional painting of other stories that his contemporaries painted as well.

David and Goliath

Goliath's head in this image is a self-portrait of Caravaggio himself. Many accounts believe that while he had a rather turbulent temper and life, he was apologetic to many that he offended towards the end of his short life.

To hear more stories about Caravaggio and his work, use the player on the right or go download the episode on iTunes U.

If you have topics in art history you're just itching to hear more about, leave us a comment or email us at: uvu.artsandfacts@gmail.com.

Episode 010: Van Gogh and the Ear Incident

In this episode, Kenna and Marie talk about Van Gogh: the man he was, and the legend we've made him out to be.

Potato Eaters

Potato Eaters is one of Van Gogh's earliest works. He was interested most in the everyday person, but the critics didn't like the images that came during this time. Van Gogh decided after this time to receive more training.

Self Portrait

 Throughout his relatively short career as an artist, Van Gogh painted many self portraits, making himself a subject as much as anything else. This one was done before he lost his ear.

Starry Night

Night Cafe

Starry Night and The Night Cafe are two great examples of Van Gogh's most well known work--the work he created while struggling with his mental stability. Starry Night was actually painted while looking out the window of his room at the asylum where he was being treated.

Sunflowers

Irises

Van Gogh loved to paint en plair or on location and in nature. You can find Irises at the Getty Museum in Los Angles, California. Keep a lookout for our upcoming video about Arts and Facts visit to the Getty this last November!

If you have topics in art history you're just itching to hear more about, leave us a comment or email us at: uvu.artsandfact@gmail.com.

Episode 007: The Next Big Thing-- Modern Movements in the 20th Century

We have a treat for everyone! Courtney Davis has come to the podcast (our first *ahem* celebrity). As usual, here are the images you can enjoy seeing as you listen.

Night Cafe Van Gogh: Post Impressionism

The Red Room Matisse: Fauvism

Madmoiselles d'Avignon Picasso: Analytical Cubism

Chair Canning Picasso: Synthetic Cubism

Armored Train Severini: Futurism

The Fountain Duchamp: Dada

L.H.O.O.Q. Duchamp: Dada

Persistence of Memory Dali: Surrealism

Marylin  Warhol: Pop Art

Campbell Soup Can Warhol: Pop Art

Free Ride Tony Smith: Minimalism

Don't forget to check out UVU's International Study Programs. There are Art History and Photography programs going to London, Paris, and Barcelona as well as a study abroad focused on Renaissance and Baroque art in Italy. Start looking now to enhance your education and see the world!



If you have topics in art history you're just itching to hear more about, leave us a comment or email us at: uvu.artsandfacts@gmail.com.