Project 3 Sketches – Anna Barrios
Anna Barrios – ArtXPose #3
Anna Barrios – ArtsXPose #2
Anna Barrios – Project 3 Thesis
Throughout my research, animal intelligence has proved itself to be similar to human intelligence in the problem solving abilities posed by many animals. Animals have the ability to solve complex problems, complete tasks that require critical thinking, and even learn games. This shows a huge link between humans and animals, as problem solving can oftentimes be a measure of intelligence in the two.
Anna Barrios – Project 3 Writing Assignment
Overall, in the videos I watched, I learned about animal intelligence in a variety of animals, including dogs, dolphins, monkeys, etc. In these videos, researchers in one test dolphins to see if they can recognize themselves in a mirror. Their change of behavior suggests that they understand they are looking at a reflection of themselves. Another talks about how certain animals, including dogs and monkeys, will deceive humans and other animals. This suggests that not only are they capable of complex thoughts, but that they understand others have complex thoughts as well. Another video talks about how worms are similar to humans in that they will test a number of different ways to get a leaf into a hole in the group, similar to how a human may try to fit a couch through a doorway. Another video talks about how one species of crows has the same intelligence of a 7 year old. All of these videos taught me that animals are much more intelligent than I had previously thought. They are able to analyze and solve complex problems, along with recognizing other animals and their own reflection. It was very interesting to see comparisons and similarities between how animals act and solve problems to how humans do.
Anna Barrios – Project 3 Writing Assignment
Overall, in the videos I watched, I learned about animal intelligence in a variety of animals, including dogs, dolphins, monkeys, etc. In these videos, researchers in one test dolphins to see if they can recognize themselves in a mirror. Their change of behavior suggests that they understand they are looking at a reflection of themselves. Another talks about how certain animals, including dogs and monkeys, will deceive humans and other animals. This suggests that not only are they capable of complex thoughts, but that they understand others have complex thoughts as well. Another video talks about how worms are similar to humans in that they will test a number of different ways to get a leaf into a hole in the group, similar to how a human may try to fit a couch through a doorway. Another video talks about how one species of crows has the same intelligence of a 7 year old. All of these videos taught me that animals are much more intelligent than I had previously thought. They are able to analyze and solve complex problems, along with recognizing other animals and their own reflection. It was very interesting to see comparisons and similarities between how animals act and solve problems to how humans do.
Anna Barrios – Artxpose 2
Artxpose #1 – Anna Barrios
Project 2 Writing Assignment – Anna Barrios
My personal experience that I want to incorporate into my sculpture is biking across the United States, from Astoria, OR to Boston, MA. When I think back to my trip, I think of all the trees and forests that I bike through, and biking through empty tree-lined roads through the mountains of the western United States, especially in Colorado. The country was beautiful, and the scenery was so unique spending on the region I was in. Sometimes there were green trees, yellow cornfields, foggy mornings, and at times freezing and windy conditions. The trip was also physically demanding and was the most difficult thing I have ever done. It required great physical and mental strength and has changed my perspective on how I view challenges in front of me. Since then, I have told myself that if I can bike across the country I can do anything. I at times felt exhausted, but also extremely proud of what I had accomplished. When I reflect back, I feel extremely happy about my trip, as I remember how joyous I was throughout, and how happy it made me. It was such a unique experience to be able to see the United States by bike and to experience it on such an intimate level.
Words:
- Determination
- Beautiful Scenery
- Exhausted
- Joyous
- Fulfilled
- Calm/simple life
- Windy
- Reflection
- Happy
- Paniers
- Biking
Anna Barrios, Alice Aycock
This art report is done on Alice Aycock’s piece called Park Avenue Paper Chase done in 2014.
Immediate Response
When I first looked at this piece, I was very interested in how the entire piece was installed in different locations as you go down the street. I was also intrigued by how large each piece was. I thought about walking down the street and continuing to see parts of the installation at different blocks. What stood out to me was how the pieces all seemed to swirl around each other, and the materials made them very aesthetically pleasing to look at. At first glance, it made me think of a tornado or large gust of wind that can make leaves on the sidewalk swirl around, especially in the fall.
Objective Description
This piece is made up of large sculptures placed at different locations down a street, in the grass areas between both sides of the road. Each is made out of large white pieces of metal that are either long and skinny, or shorter and wide, but each piece is very flat. All the pieces of metal create a swirl, similar to looking at the pedals of a rose, but as if it was made out of paper. Each piece has a bunch or bunches of ‘swirls’ or ‘roses’ that are then placed together. Some are much looser than others, almost as though air could pass through each piece of metal, while some are more tightly placed.
Technical Decisions
This sculpture is made out of large white sheets of metal. By making each piece the same white color, it creates a piece that stands out in the busy city, and likely creates a glare from the sun, making them bright to look at. It creates a uniform look down the street and makes it easy to know what pieces go together down the street where it is located. The location of the piece makes it hard to miss because someone walking down the street would continue to see pieces of the art, making it easy to remember. The swirls in the piece convey a feeling of wind and movement, as it looks like paper is being swirled around.
The Work in the World
I think one way the piece of artwork relates to the item in the real world is by looking similar to paper or a flower. The large white pieces that make up the piece make it look as though the sculpture is a representation of paper being carried in the wind. The title ‘Park Avenue Paper Chase’ hints at the idea that it is meant to show a piece of paper being carried by the wind down the street. Some of the sculptures also look similar to flower petals, which conveys a sense of beauty in the pieces.
The Story It Tells
Having analyzed this piece, to me it seems like this piece could represent what New York City represents, that being millions of people chasing their careers, and chasing advancements in their careers. The sculpture seems to represent paper, and as the paper is taken down Park Avenue, it may represent people running down the street chasing a piece of paper, similar to how people can chase promotion to the next job, always waiting for the next best thing. I think the placement of NYC is also intentional, as it is a massive city that is home to thousands of companies, including Wall Street, which helps manage the world’s economy.
Proteus Movie Reflection – Anna Barrios
One thing I learned about radiolarians is that there are over 4,000 different types of them. There seem to be too many to fully understand, so it was interesting when they never really stopped discovering more. I also thought the aspect of Haeckel’s life that interested me most was his sudden change and fascination with art and painting. He hadn’t dedicated any of his life previously to painting, but after moving to study marine life, he painted landscapes for the rest of his life, and at points wanted to abandon science to devote his life to art. This film made me think differently about the relationship between art and science because you can find art in almost all things related to science, such as in these radiolarians. I think one issue mentioned in his work was that there was no separation between God, spirit, and nature. I don’t think it was wrong of him to believe this, but I think that he may have been wrong in being so firm on this belief, especially today when fewer people have devoted their lives to God. I think creating these radiolarians, will allow us to have a better understanding of the type of nature out there, and how it can be so unique, such as these that all look different.