Discussion Board and Blog Postings
Information about Your Written Assignments
THIS IS NOT A COMPLETE LISTING OF COURSEWORK! Complete information about your quizzes, lectures, etc. will be found under the "Coursework" button. This area is only for clarification of your Discussion Board and Blog postings.
"Early Birds" (before the course is open), please click HERE instead.
Couple of Notes:
You ought to SUBSCRIBE to your own posts so that you can know when someone responds to something you wrote. You can subscribe by checking the box when you create the post.
Your Check In and Introduction - Blog Posting
This lets me know you're enrolled, and tells us a bit about yourself. It is NOT just a "check in". Your instructor will reply to your post.
Visit the class BLOG (in the list on the left side while you are in the Art 100 area) and post a paragraph (about 150 words) about yourself. See the example provided by your instructor under the Course Info - Samples of Excellent Work. Please state that you have taken the policies and procedures quiz, and mention anything you would like other class members to know, perhaps including comments about your educational goals, your job and family, why you're taking the course, and anything else of interest. These posts generally set the tone of the class--some classes are warm and chatty, others are very business-like.
Respond to others for maximum points.
You are encouraged to attach or include images with your posting.
IMPORTANT: You must post an introduction within TWO DAYS from the beginning date of the course or you will be dropped from the class to add Wait-Listed students.
This is a very popular course and many students will be happy to take your place!
A Discussion of Your Personal Taste - Worth 30 Points
The goal of this assignment is to take time to consider and write about your personal taste and experience with art before starting this class. In a 250 (or more) word essay, describe your personal taste in art. Please be frank and thoughful as you write.
You may want to use following list of topics to help guide you as you write, but don't use it as if each is an essay question. Write full paragraphs, connecting your ideas:
- Your definitions of words such as beautiful, ugly, inspiring, or shocking with examples from the art world (everyone knows a car crash is shocking).
- What's your "style"? Keith Richards, White Stripes, Paris Hilton or Middle America, or....?
- Have you had life experiences which have shaped your taste in art?
- How has your family, your friends or personal travel experiences shaped your taste in art?
- Have you ever seen a work of art that deeply moved you? If so, tell us more about it.
- Are you conservative or are you open-minded about art and taste?
- Do you have a favorite artist or style of art, and some you can't stand?
You will need to start a new thread in the Discussion Forum for this assignment. Starting a new thread is how all of your postings occur when you submit an assignment. If you wish to comment on another's posting, just read it and press the "reply" button.
Respond to others for maximum points.
When you do this assignment, please NOTE:
You may NOT duplicate another's choice!!!
"What's Going On in Art Right Now" Forum Posting - Special Instructions
To begin this course, you'll need to expand your view about art in general, and become aware of current art happenings. When you post to the forum, be sure to write the subject in as directed below. Choose one of the following three topics for your Discussion Forum posting:
1. Current Art News.
- This link will take you to a web site that compiles art articles from throughout the world, updated daily, related to art. Choose one of the articles and report back on it, posting the relevant summarized facts, related images (you may have to search elsewhere to find the images), and YOUR OPINIONS and reactions about the article. Subject Line of your Posting: The Article's Title (for example, "Horse Manure Sculpture Sells for 2.4 million".
2. Current Art Preservation Challenges:
- Interested in the preservation of historic works of art? This link to Art Watch International's web site will take you on a journey into the ongoing battle to preserve and protect art in our ever-changing world. You'll need to sign up for a free account, which I recommend you do during the course. Report back on what's going on right now, and your reactions to it, with the Subject Line of your Posting: Art Watch (then name the artwork).
3. Current LOCAL Exhibitions in Galleries and Museums: Would you like to know what kinds of art exhibitions are going on in Southern California (and other areas of the country) during the time you take this class? If you plan to take field trips, this posting can help you decide what you would like to see.
Arts Central Websites - A list of Southern California galleries and museums with interactive maps to locations. Web site links are given, although information about their exhibitions is not. For example, the Irvine Museum specializes in California Impressionism. But if you didn't know that, you'd probably pass it by. If you have a specific art interest, using Google and then going to the Arts Central Website might be the way to go.
Southern California Art Galleries (no Museums) - This link takes you to Art-Collecting.com, which is not just for people who want to buy art, but also for folks such as yourselves desiring to learn what the art world thinks is important right now. Organized by location, this is a good way to get direct links to galleries in various cities.
You can also browse this list, provided by your instructor.
- The Subject Line of your posting MUST be the name of the gallery or museum (not the exhibition). NO EXCEPTIONS! This is how other students will know that you have chosen this museum or gallery.
- You may not duplicate another student's choice of museum or gallery! It's a good idea to go deep into either your instructor's list or the other two links, and choose your museum or gallery from it. Posting early guarantees you the most choices! (Exception: Postings that are made close to one another will be allowed if they are the same. If the time stamp for posting is within one hour, your instructor will consider your posting as valid.) These are for Southern California venues only.
- Give the title, exhibition dates and a brief description of at least one exhibition being held. Use your own writing style--please do not cut and paste. Describe at least one work mentioned or pictured on the exhibition website, and post it if possible.
- Tell whether or not this exhibition is of interest to you, and mention if you plan to see it.
Remember, respond to others for maximum points.
Georgia O'Keeffe, Painter - Sites to Surf
Take at least an hour to go to these sites. Read about Georgia O'Keeffe and her art:Discussion Group Posting: O'Keeffe Discussion Forum Postings
In a Message Posted in the Forum for "O'Keeffe Discussion Forum Postings":
1. Briefly describe the favorite work you found by O'Keeffe.
2. Describe the elements in your favorite work (such as colors, form, content) and tell how you respond to them. How do you feel that O'Keeffe's work demonstrates that she was able to see the forms of nature in new and powerful ways?
3. Think about the culture that saw her art, and how you think people of that time responded to her work. Write your opinon about whether her work would it be received different today, and why.
See "Tech Tips" and learn how to add a link or image to/within your post. Full points most probable on Discussion Group postings with link or image and with responses to others' postings.
Chapter 3 and 4 Internet Project
Go to your textbook's Chapter Three Internet Projects or Chapter Four Internet Projects. Click on "Explore" and then on "Internet Projects". Pick one only from either of those two chapters, and explore the site link completely. Return and write aobut your findings, the art there, and your opinions about what you discovered. Add images and quotes for maximum points, and be sure to convey what you learned in regards to the project.
Here's the week where you show your opinions! Look at the Basquiat sites first and get an idea about who Basquiat was, and what his work looked like. If you have Netflix, you can rent this 2010 documentary!
Then read what Robert Hughes has to say about Basquiat. Finally, read what our own Department Chair for the Menifee Campus Art Department (Professor John Seed) has to say.
For your writing in the forum, tell what you think of Basquiat and his work, and mention whether you think you agree more with Hughes or Seed, and back it up with reasons. Base your reasons upon your culture, your generation, or your experiences. Strong opinions are welcome! YOU CAN EVEN SHOUT!!
You are encouraged to respond to other student's views and add additional posts to keep the discusion going as long as you are interested. Respond to others for maximum points.
German Expressionism in Prints
Artists of Brucke: Themes in German Expressionist Prints
The above link to the Artists of the Brucke will take you to a fully online exhibit presented by the Museum of Modern Art in New York. It will familiarize you with German artists and the themes of their prints in the early 20th Century. Take about an hour to surf this site and explore the many prints, methods and themes in their work.
Note: This site opens through a pop-up window, so you need to turn of any pop-up blocker used in your Internet browser to view the site.
For your writing, please discuss and describe at least TWO works by an artist or artists from the exhibition, and also mention at least one of the themes that applies to the artist's work.
Since the book's chapter is about printmaking, also discuss what print medium the artist used, and tell something about the printmaking method used.
Again, respond to others' posts for maximum points.
Media Art Choice - Projects on the Web or UCR Photography Museum
Choose between the two options below, and for your writing, please describe ONE of these online exhibitions, tell what you thought of it, how you interacted with it, and how it connects to today's culture. For maximum points provide a URL or imagery so that other curious students can enjoy it, too.
1. Choose: If you like Photography: Surf the UCR California Museum of Photography
Surf and explore the permanent collection and exhibitions presented on the site. Then choose an image that you find of particular interest and describe it in depth. Make sure to mention:
a) The name of the photographer (or collection if it is anonymous)
b) Your description of the image and its subject matter, the purpose for which it was taken (if not listed, then use your imagination and offer a reason), and some information about the collection or exhibition in which it is included. Attach an image of the photograph if at all possible. You may need to search outside UCR to find out more about it.
c) Discuss the times and culture that is represented, and your thinking about why it was taken, and connections that this image may have to that culture or sub-culture.
2. Or Choose: If You Like Web Art: View and Interact with one of the Projects by Artists Created specifically for the World Wide Web
These projects tend to be avant-garde, very intriging and...well, odd. You instructor advises you to sample several projects in these sites and then decide which one is most interesting and go back and explore it more. They are VERY diverse!
IMPORTANT: Most of these projects work best with high speed internet
The Dia Art Center: Artist's Web Projects
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art e Space
Art Center College of Design
Respond to others for maximum points on this assignment.
Logos
Did you know that logos drive our culture today? Everybody's displaying them. Look around you, and then use Google or Yahoo to find a product or products that you use. Once you have found your logo, write some commentary about:
1) How or why the logo is connected to you, and how does it represent a company, product or service. Why did you choose it?
2) Discuss and describe the color and design elements it uses. Discuss its history and changes it has gone through (if you can find that info).
3) Give the URL of the site which includes the logo at the end of your post. For example, if you like the Quiksilver company logo you would copy the following URL from the address bar of the site: http://www.quiksilver.com/ Adding that complete URL will give an instant link so other students can visit the site of the company and see the logo that you have discussed. For full points, you'll need that link or image and responses to others for maximum points.
The Stuart Collection - Sculpture
Surf the following site thoroughly:
The Stuart Collection: Sculpture at UC San Diego
In the Discussion Group, discuss and describe two or more works from the Stuart Collection that invoked a response from you. This collection consists of site-specific, contemporary sculpture. Feel free to comment on how you like or dislike the works of art and their settings. Again, art is subjective, and strong opinions are welcome! For maximum points, search online for other art pieces by your chosen artists and attach another image, discussing their similarity or difference.
Respond to others for maximum points.
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Fiber, Clay, Glass, Wood - Art from Different Media
Look over these different media based upon your chapter reading. Pick your favorite, and then...
Browse the following sites and choose ONE of the following artists and his/her work for your report:
Voulkos.com (Peter Voulkos, Ceramic Artist)
Dale Chihuly.com (Dale Chihuly, Glass Artist)
Maloof on Maloof NEW LINK (fixed) (Sam Maloof, furniture maker and woodworking)
Faith Ringgold.com (Faith Ringgold, Painter, Quilter, Textile Artist)
Beatrice Wood (Ceramic Artist, Potter)
For your Discussion Forum Postings posting on the Discussion board, choose ONE of the artists above, and surf their site completely. Then, please post some commentary which includes information about their background, some general information about their work, and some comments about any works that made a strong impression on you. Be sure to state why this artist is considered an icon of their times and whether or not they could be where they are today. Include links and/or images for maximum credit, and respond to others' posts.
First 500-Word Written Paper
Choose, complete and submit any ONE of the following to earn up to 50 points. Click on each to find out specific information.
1. Museum or Gallery Visit (or a Surf and Research only if you cannot do a Museum/Gallery Visit!
2. Movie Report
3. Period and Style of Interest to You
You do not have to respond to others in this forum for maximum points.
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Comparing and Contrasting Architecture as Art - Then and Now
Please visit the sites below:
Midieval architecture:
Amiens Cathedral (Website by Columbia University) working intermittently right now, so try this one: Amiens Alternate Virual Tour (it's in French, but easy to navigate--just look for the arrows.)
As an alternate to the Amiens, you can also visit this cathedral, especially if you're liking the Amiens:
Chartres Tour (Images only) #2
Contemporary architecture:
The Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao Spain (has virtual tour)
Second Link for the Guggenheim (Great Buildings Site)
(Architect, Frank Gehry)
Posting to the Discussion Forum: For your Discussion Forum Postings, compare and contrast these two buildings, one of them Medieval, and the other less than ten years old. Talk about what impresses you about each building, and tell how each represents the possibilities of architecture in the era it was made. Look into the contstruction methods and how buildings are built both today and in the Middle Ages to understand what went on to construct these edifices.
Also, tell which building you think is a greater work of architecture, and why. Try to be specific in your response. Respond to others for maximum points.
| Chapter 14 - Early Human Culture |  |
| Chapter 15 - Greece, Rome and the Middle Ages |  |
Finding Art that Matters for YOU, from history.
For this assignment, look over Chapters 14 and 15. Then write about and describe a work of art or architecture mentioned in the chapter you have chosen, and discuss the culture that created it. Please pick something that became a discovery for you, rather than the "usual suspects".
- Once you have chosen a work to write about you should surf the web and find additional information to help you understand the work and the culture in depth. Try and choose a work that you truly find interesting or beautiful and not one that you've already seen in your life.
- After you describe the work, compare it to two other works from the same region, or from other cultures in existence at the same time elsewhere in the world. Describe the similarities and any connection it may have.
- Include your first image as an attachment, and then provide links to the other two images.
- Respond to others for maximum points.
I'd like to add that there is a very rich history behind the "why" of a lot of the art during these periods. Happy Hunting!
| Chapter 16 - The Renaissance |  |
Tibetan Art |
Chinese Art |
Islamic Art |
African Art |
Native American Art |
Going Outside the Familiar Western Culture.
Visit ONE online exhitibition which corresponds your week's reading and your interest. Again, pick something new that you discovered, rather than something with which you're already comfortable.
Himalayan Art in these Regions (New Site)
Bhutan
China
India
Kashmir
Mongolia
Nepal
Pakistan
Tibet
OR
Splendors of Imperial China (Asian Art)
OR
Islamic Art, presented by the LA County Museum of Art
OR
The National Museum of African Art, presented by the Smithsonian Institution
OR
The National Museum of the American Indian, collections of American Indian Art
Post a report to the Discussion Board that includes the following:
1) A brief overview of the type of art you studied this week based upon the chapter.
2) A brief description of the site you visited, sharing the journey through the exhibits. Include the time period of the art you viewed and some of the culture in which it was created.
3) A description of at least one work of art from that exhibition, including the URL of an image, or attach/include the image with your post.
Respond to others for maximum points.
One Artist's Vision from Another Time
Please visit the Manet and the Sea Online Exhibition
Manet was an outstanding early Impressionist artist, and this special exhibition shows how he and other 19th century artists painted the ocean. Please allow up to one hour to surf this very beautiful exhibition site.
Make sure that you look through the entire sketchbook section of the site.
3. Post to the appropriate Discussion Forum a report that includes:
- Your overall reaction to the exhibition
- A description of your favorite Manet painting with image or link
- Comments about the sketchbook and the way Manet used it to create his paintings
- What you have learned about the artist's style and interest in the sea.
- Respond to others for maximum points.
Virtually Visiting one of the top Museums, located in New York City!
The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
Visit the collection highlights section of the Museum of Modern Art, New York website (this link is jus the collections and exhibitions). This site is HUGE, so in your virtual visit, see if you can narrow down your looking to areas of special interest to you.
Plan to spend at least one hour surfing the collection highlights on the MOMA site, and have a look at the architecture, drawings, painting, sculpture and photography highlights.
Post a written paper which includes the following:
- Your overall impression of the MOMA collection
- Mention, and briefly discuss at least three works from the collection, preferably in different media (for example one photo, one drawing, one painting, one sculpture.)
Please include links or attach images to the items you have discussed as part of your assignment for full credit.
Respond to others for maximum points.
Second 500 Word Written Paper
Choose, complete and submit any ONE of the following to earn up to 50 points. Click on each to find out specific information. You may not duplicate the topic you picked for your first 500 word paper, unless you did a different gallery/museum visit (you can do two of those!).
1. Museum or Gallery Visit (or a Surf and Research only if you cannot do a Museum/Gallery Visit!
2. Movie Report
3. Period or Style of Art of Interest to You
You do not need to reply to others in this forum for maximum points.
So Who's Doing What in Today's Culture?
Surf a living artist's personal website. (Dead artists need not apply!)
Using a search engine, find a personal website of a living artist whose work you find interesting. One way to do this might be to use a site such as Yahoo! that has directories of artist's personal sites, or google the name of an artist or the type of art, such as "California impressionism", "Best Anime" or you can use links from galleries that are showing an artist's work. Once you start surfing you will very likely be amazed by the variety, quality and diversity of the sites and artwork that are available.
On the Discussion Board: Submit a brief (150 words) report including the following:
- The URL (web address starting with http://) of the site
- A paragraph describing the artist's work overall
- Information about the medium and materials used by the artist
- Brief personal information about the artist and their background
- A paragraph discussing why and what you appreciate about the work presented.
NOTE: Don't feel like surfing? Here are a few outstanding artist sites that you could use:
Respond to others for maximum points.
Third Big Paper:
A Virtual Visit to a Huge Art Museum, interpreting and Sharing How Your Mind Has Expanded and Changed!
Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City--"The Met" on a Virtual Tour and write about how your taste and expanded and changed because of Art 100 experiences. This hefty report will be how you interpret the art you see there, not just the facts on display.
This is a special opportunity to go and enjoy your course. The Met has the most extensive collections of art from all periods, and with their web site, you'll find yourself immersed in their collections in no time!
What to do: The Collection Database is a searchable database of artworks and related materials from the permanent collection at the Met. Find, enjoy and explore your favorite pieces and areas of art history! Then write about those pieces/areas with your new knowledge gained from the course. Become a mini-tour guide for the rest of us, letting us know why you enjoy these pieces or this area of the museum and its exhibits. Be SURE your opinions are in there!
It's all about how the course has changed what you see in a museum (of this caliber).
You can also go to their current exhibitions and make new discoveries. The Met is an incredible museum, and I hope you'll spend some time there.
Be personal in your writing, and for maximum credit, this report should be over 250 words. Please respond to others' posts for maximum points.
- Same as the other two Big Papers in length.
- Due on the Discussion Board right after you visit the Met and before your Final.
Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?
Critique the Course
On the forum for it in Blackboard, post a 150 word paragraph on your opinion of the course. What did you enjoy most? Was there anything missing that ought to be added? What can be improved? Did you have any "AHA" moments? Help future students enjoy their Art 100, because your opinioins are VERY important to me (guess you figured that out by now). Even if you were disappointed, you will still get full points for 150 words filled with your specific opinions and ideas to improve the course.
You do not need to reply to others in this forum.
Final - Yes, There is One.
For information about your final, click here.