Blogging Experience

I really enjoyed being able to keep and art blog because I was constantly looking for new events, artists, and articles to write about. I though it was a great experience because it forced me to see through a journalism lens, and notice information and art that I probably would have overlooked if I was not blogging about it. I also liked it because it gave me opportunities to go to shows and meet artists that I probably would not have otherwise pursued. Although there were periods of time where there was little to blog about, it felt really refreshing to constantly dig for sources and ideas. It’s the hunt of what’s happening next, where is it going to be, and who will be there that makes the job of blogging really exciting and sometimes exhilarating. If I could do some things differently, I would try to focus more time on the blog. Between school, work, and commuting, it was difficult to carve out time to go to different museums and galleries. If I could change anything, I wish I had been able to visit smaller scale galleries. I feel there a certain creative vibe that comes from small galleries, and it is nice to be able to talk to the artist who makes the works. The perspective of a viewer and an artists on art are worlds apart, and it can be fascinating to understand what the artist was thinking or going through when they created certain art pieces. Therefore, if there was anything I could change it would have been to visit local galleries and to have one-on-one face time with the artists. I think that I would continue to blog about art because it is a topic that I’ve always enjoyed learning about and appreciating. Art is expressed in so many different forms from drawing, painting, photography, to sculpting, architecture, and design. The possibilities for art are endless, and art can be used to reflect social and cultural issues. That is probably why art as a topic will never become old or stale for me, and it will be something I will enjoy watching change with time. I never actually got around to sharing my blog with family for friends. I do have several friends in some of the art schools around the area, but I guess I just was not proud of it enough to show it off. There really were not any surprises to speak of as well. I wish I had received some strange comments about my posts here and there, but I have a feeling no one ever read it. I think blogs in general are becoming more and more popular. In the rise of technology and advanced communication, I think people take for granted all of the possibilities that are out there. There can be blogs about virtually anything a person can imagine, which helps make society more knowledgeable and expressive. I think more classes should maintain blogs because students are constantly learning new information to blog about, developing technical skills, and communicating with people in a new medium.

Headdress

I thought this piece was particularly interesting. It looks to be made of gold and silver with intricate designs and patterns flowing throughout the piece. Obviously this would have been worn by one of the highest officials. The headdress is usually indicative of South America.

Buddha

Just as impressive as the sarcophagus, this buddha statue makes a presence known. In many countries in the west, cultures worship and pray to the budda because it is their god. Buddha statues are also a popular collector’s item in the United States; however the beliefs have not become mainstream.

Ruins

This photograph features one of the ruins that still exists in Mexico. You can see how time has aged the structure and the rocks. Although time ahs had its effect, the architecture of the ruin is an art form of creativity and expression. Even architecture can be indicative of the culture.

Cabinet of Jewels

This glass encasement enclosed a variety of artifacts of personal value to the culture. Inside laid a variety of jewelry from earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. On the lower shelf, there is even a jewelry box with an abundance of decorated jewelry coming out. There is a gold plate right above the jewelry box, with clothes and dolls scattered throughout the encasement.

Oriental Clothes

These are authentic oriental clothing for different ages and genders. The first one appears to be for a little boy. It is blue with old highlights and symbols around the coat. The second would obviously be for a female who was a little older. Decorated in pink silk, the owner of these clothes would undoubtedly be from the upper, elite social class in society. The last outfit would probably be for an adult woman, which includes a ivory and pink tunic with a green skirt. It is fairly apparent that the clothes were made out of fine, expensive material that only the elite would have been privileged to.

Wall Hanging

I was not really sure what to make of this artifact. It is a wall hanging that looks like it was seen better days. I wish I could make out the design, but I just do not see it. I guess it can be appreciated for being ancient.

Oriental Woman

This painting is breathtaking in person. The colors are so rich and authentic of art from Asia. Her fashion is also indicative of the culture with her and flowing loose arms. It is also interesting how the artist paints her hat to fall just below the eyes, leaving a mysterious impression of what lays behind the hidden.

Around the World

This Egyptian sarcophagus greets your entrance into the art gallery of artifacts from around the world. Already you can get a sense of an ethnic rich vibe that is getting ready to take over. Each culture caries its own style that is fairly obvious in these foreign treasures.

Greenery

Finally, I’d just like to mention all the green trees and shrubbery that was imported. Without these vital pieces, the experience of Art in the Park would not have been the same. It definitely gave cozy, inviting feelings that are in tuned with art. Now that I think of it, when is art ever outside to be appreciated anyway?

The Masks

This collection was interesting because there were a variety of colored masks that were displayed together. What’s fascinating is that masks are an important part of many cultures. These masks are another extension of art and the variety of forms it’s expressed with. Certain colors, lines, and symbols represent crucial information and is a method of communicating. Although the masks are on display, it stands to represent how crucial art is in a given society.

Man in Park

Instead of a painting; this is actually a real life photograph taken in black and white. The photo reveals an elderly man sitting on a park bench. There are no people around and the only things that accompany the man are the dead leaves on the walkway. Arts in the Park meets old man in the park…ironic?

Colorful Blur

Although the picture did not turn out the greatest, you can still make out the image of the people painted in using colorful blotches. It looks as though there are two adults and a child. Maybe it is just me, but one of the figures looks to be topless. The painting is abstract and even close up, the colors blur together. Instead of straight lines, the artist used a variety of colors to create the fuzzy effect.

Abstract Ribbons

This painting was one of my favorites. I love the whimsical feel of the curved lines and the bright feeling of the different colors. The lines appear to have dimension and are dancing around on a blank canvas. Although the painting is abstract and does not represent anything real; I still think it is a fun piece that can brighten the dullest days.

Landscape Paintings

The first painting is a river bed flowing through an open area of plants. Not only was I impressed by how realistic the painting looked, but also by the concept of the painting all together. That just below the surface of all the plants ran a river down the middle. The second painting is of a beach front. In the background of the picture captures several hilly valleys while a bird soared in the sky. This painting was very pleasant and picturesque, but it felt a little too well planned out.

Geometric Painting

This artist did an amazing job using vibrant colors with dramatic triangular shapes to create the figure of a woman. Cool greens and warm oranges work in harmony to create a balanced portrait. Not only is the color particularly appealing, but also the repeated shapes that seem to be transparent in some areas with the use of color. The painting is very intricate and complex in an aesthetically pleasing way.

Bird Fountain

A little went a long way in creating this bird fountain. A pool was cleverly decorated with fake stones and greener to give it that cozy park feel. Simply add in a few flowers for color, some extra trees, and some grass here and there for an inviting way for art to meet the outside world.

Arts in the Park Banner

The title says it all. Using fake trees, synthetic grass, and bird fountains, Northeastern really brought the picturesque utopia indoors. Not only is there a cozy, relaxing atmosphere to lounge in, but also there is amazing artwork to appreciate.

Husky Pride

Even the traditional husky was painted and dressed up in an artistic manner. Although from the picture the husky looks to be painted with a variety of colors, a close examination will reveal that the husky is actually painted with a mosaic of peoples pictures. The entire husky is covered in colorful pictures. He even sports a pair of shades, and will bark on cue (push of a button).

College of Engineering

Much like the College of Computer and Informational Sciences, the College of Engineering had a very mechanical type of feel, which is very fitting in representing engineering. The husky was part dog, and part machine. With metal legs and a metal apparatus on his back, he represents engineering mechanics at its finest. The husky even is equipped with mechanical head gear that is attached to the apparatus. He represents the College of Engineering in artistic manner by being like a machine and displaying the mechanics of engineering.

Bouve College of Health Sciences

The College of Health Sciences really impressed me with their version of the husky. Encased in a glass lid, the health sciences husky was displayed like a diorama in which certain sections are marked off and labeled. The husky represented a very medical perspective which represents the College of Health Sciences to a tee. Up close, this husky gave off a Frankenstein type of quality, which is a creative and artistic way to represent health.

College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences had a lot of expectations to uphold. Being the College of Arts and Sciences, they really had to create something that went above and beyond the artistic expectations. The college successfully did that by covering their entire husky in beads and sequences. From head to toe, there is not one part of this husky that us left uncovered. Not only was it very creative and original, they went above the expectation while representing the fundamentals of what the college represents. The representation is that when art and science meet, the creation is a beautiful, creative expression of the essence of the college.

College of Computer and Informational Sciences

This could have been another flog, but the College of Computer and Informational Sciences really pulled off a good representation of the husky. Their version of the husky mascot was a robotic husky equipped with a battery pack for power. Wrapped in metal and wires, this husky was probably assembled with genuine computer parts, which makes him one of the best representations of a husky by a college so far. The sense of technology and machine oozes off of this very creative and clever version of computer and informational sciences.

College of Continued and Professional Studies

Another husky display that I just did not understand was the College of Continued and Professional Studies. Granted, this college has a much harder image to represent; because what does continued and professional studies look like anyway? However, putting a husky in a block of blue isn't really the image that I had in mind. Although there is a transparent image of the outline of the world in the block, the husky just did not represent the college that well. If I had to design a husky for the College of Continued and Professional Studies, I would have designed an elderly husky. Maybe give him some gray hair and glasses.

School of Law

I think the School of Law could have been planned better. Criminal justice did such a great job, that the School of Law just couldn't come up with anything better. The School of Law glued different colored books all over their husky. I did not think their presentation of what their school represents was very original. Having the law on your side, there could have been many more creative outlets they could have taken. I would have liked to see one a police husky, and the other one getting arrested. That would have been a much better attention grabber and a better representation of what the school means...other than books.

College of Criminal Justice

The College of Criminal Justice did a great job with their version of the husky mascot. Painted in black and white with a star badge on his chest, his husky sits proudly on top of the world. Holding the scales of law and justice, this husky sits as a watch dog to uphold the law. This husky represents much of what the College of Criminal Justice stands for. It is very creative and artistic to have the dog sitting on the world, holding the scales, with the law on his side.

Northeastern Illuminated

President Joesph Aoun was recently inaugurated as President of Northeastern University. During that week, there were many events around Northeastern to showcase and display art. In the Curry Student Center each college created their own version of the husky mascot and fashioned it in their college's style. Not only were there artistic huskies, but also part of the student center was transformed into an artistic retreat featuring synthetic grass, benches around displayed artwork, and even a flamingo fountain. After retreating in a calming retreat, simply walk over to the artists gallery to get a view and perspective of art from around the world. The scene was very impressive and nothing has ever been done like it before.