Project 3 Images
Project 3 Thesis
In my sculpture project, I aim to explore the intricate relationship between the scarab beetle and the sun, delving into the profound symbolism embedded in ancient Egyptian culture. The scarab beetle, revered for its role in rolling dung into spherical shapes, becomes a metaphor for transformation, mirroring the sun’s journey across the sky and the cycle of life and rebirth. Through the sculpture, I seek to capture the essence of the scarab beetle’s intelligence, as it aligns with the celestial patterns and embodies the enduring connection between earthly existence and cosmic forces.
Animal Intelligence Writing Assignment
I chose to read the article “Inside the Minds of Animals” by Jeffrey Kluger.
The article delves into the evolving understanding of animal intelligence, challenging long-held assumptions about the cognitive abilities of non-human species. From Kanzi, the bonobo proficient in symbolic language, to crows exhibiting problem-solving skills, the piece explores the breadth of animal intellect. It questions the hierarchy of intelligence based on brain size, showcasing instances where birds and mammals outperform expectations. The discussion extends beyond mere cognitive capacity, touching on empathy and social dynamics among animals.
The piece also raises ethical considerations, emphasizing the need to reassess how we treat domesticated animals. As scientific knowledge expands, the article advocates for a more humane approach, citing examples like the European Union’s animal welfare policies. It acknowledges that while certain uses of animals may be unavoidable, such as drug testing, there’s room for improvement, particularly in industries like cosmetics and entertainment.
Ultimately, the article prompts readers to reconsider their perspectives on animal intelligence, challenging preconceived notions and advocating for a more compassionate and informed relationship between humans and the animal kingdom.
Radiolarian Maquette
Zoha Nadeer artsXpose #4
Title of Event: Holmes Hall Student Drawing Exhibition
Date & Time of Event: December 1st 4pm
Location of Event: Holmes Hall Exhibition Space
Type of event: Art visitation
Zoha Nadeer artsXpose #3
Title of Event: Downtown Samek Museum
Date & Time of Event: November 15 4pm
Location of Event: Downtown Samek Art Gallery
Type of event: Art visitation
ARTD150 Project 2 Writing Assignment
Zoha Nadeer
The article talks about animal intelligence and the capacity for animals to think, feel, and communicate. It starts off talking about Kanzi, a bonobo who has been raised with spoken and symbolic language as part of his daily life. Kanzi uses a glossary of symbols to communicate. It further explains the changing perspectives on animal intelligence and consciousness and highlights that animals, even those with smaller brains, display varying levels of cognitive abilities. It suggests that intelligence isn’t solely determined by brain size but also by brain structure and social interactions. It also touches on animals’ ability to grasp abstract concepts and the notion of empathy and compassion in animals.
The main ideas that stood out to me from this material is that intelligence and cognitive abilities in animals are not solely determined by brain size but also by brain structure and social interactions. Some animals, such as elephants and apes, show signs of empathy and compassion, raising questions about the ethical treatment of animals. The European Union’s animal welfare policies emphasize the need to treat animals as sentient beings and call for humane conditions on farms and in transportation. The article advocates for a reevaluation of practices like factory farming, animal testing, and animal entertainment for the sake of animal welfare. The article suggests that the richness of animals’ lives, as demonstrated by Kanzi’s glossary, should be taken into account when considering how humans treat animals.
Project 2 writing assignment
An important moment in my life is when my grandmother continued the important cultural tradition of passing down jewelry that has been collected over the years to me. In my South Asian culture, our jewelry is a major point of pride and prestige and it is important that the women in the family pass it down the generations. These pieces have been carefully preserved for generations. She gently placed the intricate, gold headpiece on me and I felt an overwhelming surge of nostalgia and pride. The piece was adorned with intricate filigree work, embedded with vibrant gemstones that glistened in the warm light. Its rich history and craftsmanship were tangible, a testament to our South Asian heritage.
The moment was profoundly sentimental, evoking a deep sense of connection to my roots and family. I marveled at the delicate craftsmanship, the way the piece caught the light, and the exquisite detail that reflected the dedication of generations before me. My fingers traced the ornate design as I absorbed the emotions of reverence, love, and belonging. The weight of the headpiece, both literal and metaphorical, anchored me to my cultural identity in a foreign land.
(Apologies for the late submission, I went to double check that all my materials had been submitted before filling out the self-eval form and realized that this didn’t upload onto the website.)
Keywords:
Identity
Heirloom
Jewelry
Nostalgia
Pride
Filigree
Gemstones
Sentimental
Connection
Reverence
Belonging
Cultural Identity
Heritage
Bonded
Tradition
Zoha Nadeer artsXpose #2
Title of Event: Kress Gallery Samek
Date & Time of Event: Thursday October 5 4pm
Location of Event: Samek Art Gallery
Type of event: Art visitation
Zoha Nadeer artsXpose #1
Title of Event: Shepard Fairey Artist Reception
Date & Time of Event: Thursday August 24th 7pm
Location of Event: Samek Art Gallery
Type of event: Artist reception
Zoha Nadeer
collages
Zoha Nadeer, Kitchen
Liza Lou, “Kitchen” (1991-1996)
Immediate Response
This piece was very appealing to me because of all the color and whimsical detailing, and I tend to use a lot of color in my personal work so I was very drawn to this. Immediately I can tell there is an immense amount of meticulous craftsmanship that went into making this. I love all the patterns on the walls and the floor, and it makes me feel as if I’ve stepped into a kitchen from ‘Alice in Wonderland’. It has a very surreal and dreamlike quality to it and I really enjoy just admiring the piece and all the little details that Liza Lou put into it.
Objective Description
The sculpture portrays a life-like kitchen with a very surreal quality to it. It is bright and colorful and the entire kitchen is covered in patterns. It features an array of everyday kitchen objects, pots, pans, branded food items, etc. The color palette is vibrant and the piece almost seems to shimmer as the light reflects on the glass bead mosaics. The patterns are stunning and the piece with the variety of colors and shapes in it almost camouflages itself. Every aspect of the kitchen seems to be magnified, with oversized cutlery and plates. The use of colors, glass beads, and light transforms a mundane kitchen into a visually immersive experience.
Technical Descriptions
The choice of materials is primarily colorful glass beads and wire. The use of these glass beads allows for a very mesmerizing effect that makes it seem almost luminous when the light reflects. The composition of the piece itself is a meticulously constructed kitchen. Lou’s attention to detail in replicating the everyday objects found in a kitchen is extraordinary. Each individual glass bead is placed with precision and care and the meticulous craftsmanship has deepened my appreciation for this work. The title itself does not provide much context for the work as it is very obvious, but it directs the viewer’s attention and underscores the ordinary, domestic setting.
The Work in the World
The choice of commonplace kitchen objects can resonate with viewers because of the familiarity, and these objects often go unnoticed, but seeing them meticulously crafted in this piece prompts us to think about their place in our lives. The attention to detail and use of individual glass beads can serve as a reminder that craftsmanship and artistry once permeated everyday life, but may have been overshadowed by modern conveniences. This piece also parallels other hyper-realism pieces where artists meticulously recreate everyday objects to challenge our perceptions. It is reminiscent of artists like Claes Oldenburg, who is known for his oversized sculptures of everyday objects like typewriters and hamburgers, and shares a conceptual kinship with Lou in their exploration of the ordinary.
The Story it Tells
Liza Lou’s “Kitchen” sculpture can serve as a compelling argument for the dignity of labor. This labor is intimately tied to gender roles, especially considering that crafts and kitchen work have historically been associated with women. By meticulously crafting everyday kitchen objects, “Kitchen” elevates the labor traditionally associated with women—cooking, cleaning, and caring for the home. Additionally, the artwork can also be seen as a commentary on American life and the American dream as it incorporates familiar products like Lays and Tide, symbolizing consumerism and commercialism as integral to the American experience.
Proteus Film Writing Assignment
The film “Proteus” highlights the intricate and complex nature of radiolarians, which are single-celled microorganisms with intricate silica skeletons. It talks about the significance of the radiolarians as both scientific discovery and artistic inspiration as their elegance and visual captivity embodies the unity of science and art. Ernst Haeckel’s role as both a scientist and an artist is interesting because at first glance the radiolarians look like they were drawn by a talented artist, but Haeckel’s ability to merge scientific accuracy with creativity in these illustrations is very impressive. His illustrations serve both scientific and artistic purposes and blur the boundaries between both these disciplines. This prompted me to rethink the traditional separation of the two and think about their dual role instead. Proteus discusses a lot of issues related to Haeckel’s inquiries aside from radiolarians. Haeckel possessed a large collection of biological specimens from various regions, including colonial expeditions, and this, to me, raises questions about cultural appropriation and the ethical treatment of indigenous knowledge and artifacts. Haeckel’s actions could be seen as exploitative if not conducted with proper respect. It is also important to note that a lot of this research was taking place at a time when ethical standards for scientists were evolving continuously and new discoveries were consistent. Creating our own sculptures of the radiolarians recorded in Haeckel’s drawings is interesting because it’s an exploration of how human creativity can be reimagined and how we can reinterpret our own scientific observations to connect the past with the present, and science with art.