Blog #5

I really enjoyed reading about the different styles of architecture, specifically architecture and sculpture in Rome. When I was in Italy a few years ago, I was able to visit the Vatican and experience Gianlorenzo Bernini's Baldacchino first hand. It was completed in 1633 and stands almost 100 feet high. This piece is unique because it combines architecture and sculpture. Visiting the Vatican can be quite crowded, so it was difficult to really understand the history and thought that went into the Baldacchino, therefore reading about the symbolism behind the work gives it new meaning. The twisted columns symbolize the union of the Old and New Testaments. The orb and cross symbolize the universe and the reign of Christ. There is a lot of symbolism behind this work that marks the site of the tomb of Saint Peter and serves as a monument to Urban VIII and his family. The Baldacchino provides a dramatic focus on the high altar of Saint Peter's and is truly a master piece.

Blog #4

I found the portion of the text discussing Leonardo da Vinci especially interesting because I have seen the Mona Lisa in person. My mother used to work for American Airlines, so I was fortunate enough to travel a lot as a child. When I saw the Mona Lisa, I didn't really understand the significance of the painting, but after learning about the feminine & masculine sides of the portrait I have come to realize how unique this work of art truly is. There are many facets of the portrait that are left unexplained, but one theory is that the Mona Lisa is actually a self portrait of Leonardo, therefore explaining the androgynous nature. Another is that the portrait was made for a bankers wife, Mona translating to mean "My Lady" and Lisa being the name of the wife. Whatever the case may be, it is clear that this unique work of art provokes thought & leaves an open ending to different interpretations. Hopefully, I will be able to visit the Louvre again to take a second look at this mysterious painting.

Blog # 3

I found if very interesting to read about the history and architecture of the Dome of Florence Cathedral. I have traveled to Florence and spent some time at the Duomo. It is truly a work of art, with all the intricate details on the exterior as well as the frescos inside. There are several marble statues tucked into arches and corners on the outside of the Cathedral. I am sure that when I visited the Duomo, they provided some back history, but I did not realize all the work that went into constructing the Dome. Seeing that I work for a Structural Engineering company, I found this revolutionary feat of engineering to be amazing as well as informative. Brunelleschi revolutionized the way structures were built with this project, by creating a double shell of masonry 138 feet across supported by 24 ribs or rafters. Brunelleschi also devised a system where tempory wooden supports were cantilevered out of the drum, allowing him to move these supports up as the building progressed, allowing each portion of the structure to reinforce the next one. Thanks to this new form of architecture/engineering, when completed, the unit required no external support to keep it standing.

Relating Ch. 18 to My Life

While reading Chapter 18, I really connected with the section discussing Graphic Arts. I found the explanation of The Buxheim Saint Christopher to be particularly interesting because it discussed the initial process of single sheets. When the text talked about the artist and cutter varying the widths of the lines to strengthen major forms, I was able to compare this technique with the AutoCAD drafting I do at work. I use different line widths & types in order to highlight or point out major structural requirements on the plans. For example, bold thick lines could be used to indicate major support beams while light thin lines are used to show existing conditions. Similarly, the single sheet process used delicate lines for inner modeling & facial features and short parallel lines to indicate shadows. This early process of single-sheet prints has evolved over the centuries and created a variety of techniques & professions in the graphic arts industry.

Blog #1

I have always considered myself to be a connoisseur of the arts and thrive on creativity. I chose Salvador Dali's, Galatea of the Spheres as a representation of my personality because I feel that the spheres signify the many facets of my life. The spheres are unique in size, spacing, color, and direction, and when combined together, they create the face of a woman who is calm in demeanor. I feel that this reflects my personality because I am well-rounded and open too new ideas and ventures. I am a laid back person who likes to go with the flow. I can also be very outgoing and passionate about my beliefs & interests which led me to choose Andy Warhol's, Sunset, circa 1960. This painting represents my love of the outdoors and of the ocean. I am a certified scuba diver and have traveled all over to explore the depths of the ocean. I love to travel and to take photographs of sunsets & waves in order to gain inspiration for my own works of art. There is something so beautiful about this simplistic piece, which helps to convey my motto that less is more. Finally, I chose Pablo Picasso's, Mediterranean Landscape, to portay my fascination with structures and architecture. The abstraction in this painting is similar to what I do for a living in that I am an AutoCAD drafter for a structural engineering company. I combine a series of lines & shapes in order to layout the structure of a home or commercial property, thus creating a figure of the components needed to build or modify a property.