My guiding and underlying question is: How do I use traditional paintings with newer forms of art/pop culture in order to reflect a more culturally relevant set of ideas?

Through looking at this question, I also want to focus on these sub-questions:

• How do I demonstrate the development and growth of art/society throughout the years?
• How can I grow as an artist, student, and person (explore new techniques, get out of my comfort zone)?
• How can I gain a deeper understanding of historical paintings?

Throughout both middle and high school, I have found a deep interest in art. While art gives me the opportunity to relax, it also allows me to explore a range of various, and meaningful, topics. In James’ Art class, I have developed in executing new art techniques, understanding history, analyzing works, critical thinking, communicating, being creative, expressing myself, collaborating, and more. Through a single activity, which I personally really enjoy, I am able to develop as both a student and a person. With this senior project, I intend to use my art, as well as others’, to continue to learn, as well as teach.

I want to find a way to help people appreciate older pieces of art, while also demonstrating a change of time. My plan for my senior project would be to collect images of famous historical pieces of art and look at them through a modern lens. The pieces that I am interested in are all from various time periods, as well as artists. In today’s society, I think that many factors have changed the world of art (for example social media, memes, etc). Through studying various pieces of historical art, and recontextualizing the old ones using various forms of pop culture/modern art, I can gain a deeper understanding of the development of art and society. I think that it will be a chance to help myself and others perceive the new world that we live in today.

This project will challenge me personally, academically, and creatively. I am not usually one to get out of my comfort zone, or explore new things, but this project forces me to push myself academically and artistically. While I will have to conduct meaningful research regarding history (in relation to time and art). I will also push myself to explore new art techniques, patterns, and styles. Through this project, I will be putting myself outside of my comfort zone, but also get the opportunity to develop as an artist, student, and person. I am also challenging myself to create work that is good enough to teach others.

For my project, it is most necessary to have access to art materials. I would need supplies to make at least 3 pieces of art (that is the lowest number I am aiming for. I really would like to push for as many as I can complete. Though, I do not want to make art pieces for the sole purpose of just making art pieces). In terms of timing, I do not want to rush any of the art that I create. Some pieces of art come out best when they are completed quickly, but I do not want to limit the time I have for any specific pieces (however, I will obviously get them finished in time to present).

A lot of the art that I plan to make will be created using different kinds of art materials (and maybe the computer). I plan to write about my findings of historical pieces of artwork (what do they represent, what is the artist’s message, is time period significant?) as well as the meaning behind my recontextualization of them (how did I change them, their meaning, what am I now representing?). I am thinking of posting my work on a website/blog for others to view. 

Thanks to James’ Art class, I am familiar with many different art materials (including graphite, charcoal, acrylic paint, watercolor, ink, linoleum, colored pencil, pastels, and more). I also have some knowledge about famous artists and their pieces. These are a few that I might focus on.

• Possible Artists: Picasso, van Gogh, Monet, da Vinci, Edward Hopper, René Magritte, and more.
• Possible Pieces: Mona Lisa (1503), The Sistine Chapel Ceiling (1508), The Treachery of Images (1929), Nighthawks (1942), “The Japanese Footbridge and the Water Lily Pool, Giverny” (1899).

I hope to spend the majority of my time during Senior Project creating my pieces of art. While I am not immersed in the art room, I will be spending my time doing my research on famous historical paintings, as well as modern art/pop culture. I plan to do this through online research, time at museums (which are open – with social distancing), and art books. 

In terms of scheduling and feasibility, James has offered me the opportunity to use his studio space at school, as well as mentor me through my Senior Project process. When James is not having a class, or is available, I plan to go to LREI and work (assuming that it is still open). If he busy one day or school is not open, I have a good amount of art materials, technology, and art books, available for me at home. Working at my desk is a very feasible option. I plan to work 5 days a week on my project (similar to a school schedule), whether it is at home or LREI. I plan to use a majority of my time creating the art, but also am devoting a good chunk of time to research and analysis. 

Before getting to the painting/creating physical artwork, I want to pick out the pieces of art that I want to work with and focus on first. I plan on creating a solid list of paintings that I am interested in doing research on and working with. 

The products that I will produce would be completed pieces of art (paintings, drawings, etc). Through this experience, I hope to learn more about myself as an artist, the history/meaning behind various works of historical art, and modern art/society. I also want to continue to practice the various skills that I have gotten exposure to in the past few years of high school (specifically in the art room). 

My experience will address my question by comparing and understanding works of art/media through time. While reflecting on the process of recontextualizing older pieces of art, as well as educating myself on the art that I’m working with, I hope to find an answer to my question, as well as learn. I do not think there is a solid answer to my question, but multiple instead. 

I plan to tell my story through a blog and the physical art pieces that I create. I am assuming we will present online, so I think that writing my thoughts and findings regarding art history/the meaning behind my recontextualized art would be good to display on a blog – that way it is organized and available for others to look at. 

My next steps are to solidify a list of artists, paintings, and materials that I want to focus on. I also want to look at events in history/over time that I want to explore for this project.

Action Items:

• Action Item Area (Timeline/Materials/Space/Connections/Budget/Research/Other):  I have multiple ideas as to what kind of paintings I want to work with, but my biggest goal for the next few weeks is to solidify the art pieces that I want to reference. 
• Reason for Item: Narrowing down which pieces of art I want to reference will give me a better understanding of what I will be analyzing and what materials I will be using.
• Notes:
• Resolution: I have found 6 famous paintings that I want to work with: Mona Lisa, Nighthawks, The Treachery of Images, …, …, …,

 

• Action Item Area (Timeline/Materials/Space/Connections/Budget/Research/Other):  I want to focus on solidifying which kinds of art materials to use.

• Reason for Item: Finding out which art materials I plan to work with will make my project much simpler.
• Notes:
• Resolution: I plan to use acrylic, oil paint, paper, pencil, maybe ink.

 

• Action Item Area (Timeline/Materials/Space/Connections/Budget/Research/Other):  I want to focus on setting up (a) solid space/spaces to work in.
• Reason for Item: Finding (a) space/spaces to work in will help me have a better understanding of my schedule and will allow me to be the most productive I can be.
• Notes: I’ve discussed with James about working in the studio art room, as well as have a  space at home that will work.
• Resolution: I still need to talk to James about availability times. 

One thing that emerged while I was working on my action plan is that I should meet with James as soon as I can. It is important to figure out which times he may be available in the 3rd trimester, as well as create a solid schedule. After, I can then continue to work on my Learning Goals & General Work Plan, and Documentation Plan post. Other things that came up while I was working on my action plan is that I should work on finding pieces and their art materials, to get a better understanding of what I will be working with, in the 3rd trimester. By doing this, I will be much more organized and prepared.

Learning Goals:

• Expand on and improve my artistic skills/techniques
• Expand on and improve my knowledge of art and their backgrounds
• Learn how to send a message with my art, use them in a new context

General Work Outline:

I plan to complete my project using a similar schedule to school, however, hours would likely be different (meaning not 8:00 to 3:00). My hours will depend on when James’ art studio is available. I will continue to account for soccer as an after-school activity.

Week 1: Complete 1st piece of art and analysis.

Week 2: Complete 2nd piece of art and analysis.

Week 3: Complete 3rd piece of art and analysis.

Week 4: Complete 4th piece of art and analysis.

Week 5: Complete 5th piece of art and analysis.

Week 6: Finalize the website/social media platform I am posting on, and complete the 7th piece of art and analysis.

Documentation Plan: I plan on writing on a website, as well as posting comparison photos on social media (which demonstrates the change in time my project is going for). I will be writing an analysis of the original paintings I am working with – for example, the original artist, techniques used, materials used, intentions, meaning, etc. Next to the analysis will be a description of what my painting is reflecting, what materials I used, techniques, etc. I will post both photos next to each other so the viewer can compare and contrast them. I will continue to speak to James about books to read and use credible online sources to help me with my study.