Week Three Reflection

• What was the venue like for each of these events? (Include the food-related events as well.) How did the architecture/design of the spaces make you feel, and how did that affect your experiences?

For the first painting workshop we did with Steven Wright we were placed in a rather dull room.  However, once we pasted our paintings to the wall it made it less formal and more fun.  The paintings acted as a humanizing agent to the fairly sterile room.  You could feel and see the personalities radiating from the collage.  Our next workshop was in a different area, it resembled a lobby.  This was a little bit more colorful due to a large abstract painting.  It could be a combination of a more informal setting or the fact that we all were a little less nervous about creating art, but everyone had a strong creative flow on the second day.  When we showed up to Steven’s House of Dreams there was nothing formal about it.  Plastered everywhere, from floor to ceiling and in between, were items dripping in memories.  Everything in his house is artistically arranged because they have some sentimental aspect.  Because of this, I felt as if I was stepping into someone’s personal journal.  It felt intimate, emotional, and full of life.  Later that day we went to the Parisian cafe Le Quecumbar.  I felt like I had stepped back in time…to 1930’s Paris to be exact.  It was a very cozy cafe, stuffed to the brim with decor, and lots of warm crimson colors.  Lights were strung everywhere, and the lights were slightly dimmed.  The gypsy swing music also added to a very “vintage” vibe.  This unique setting made me feel very relaxed and ready to enjoy the music with a glass of wine.  The Victorian & Albert Museum’s exhibit for Balenciaga was so well done.  The rarity of the dresses preserved behind glass displays added to the elegance of luxury of the exhibit.  I thought that the airy, spacious, and white upstairs area symbolized the inspiration and innovation that Balenciaga caused amongst other aspiring designers.  It felt optimistic; like there are unlimited ideas for the next creation.  The Macbeth play we saw was mesmerizing, and I felt like I was enveloped in a whole new world.  It was set outside, and inside a church with handmade looking costumes.  It was so creative, and it made me want to make my own paper mache  mask.  It was a creativity inducing environment.

• Did you find some of the events challenging? Entertaining? Surprising? Off-putting? Was that response based on the content or on the form of the art?

At first, the painting workshop was a challenge, because I wanted my paper to look pleasing to me.  I wanted my handwriting to be neat, but then Steven directed me to write with my other hand.  I was hesitant at first, but it actually made it better.  It gave it more character, and added a human aspect to it.  Once I realized that really really experimenting in ways I’d never thought of before (namely using techniques that don’t allow control) could lead to self and artistic improvement I was all in.  It was very freeing to just be able to not worry about ruining paper.  Often times I am nervous to mess up because I don’t want to waste the art supplies that I buy with my own money.

• Did you find some of the events more “creative” or “artistic” than others? Why or why not?

I don’t think you can measure creativity.  Each art form is creative in its own right whether it’s a house of memories, a tulip-shaped evening gown, or a play.  Seeing such varying art forms makes me so amazed at humans.  It’s evident that somewhere inside us there is a need to create.  Whether it’s art is up to the viewer.  Everything I experienced this week I consider to be art.

• What is the most memorable moment from each of the events? What did you feel in those moments? What did you think about?

The most memorable part of the painting workshop was when we all were putting our costumes on.  Everyone was having a great time, and you could see each personality shine through each piece.  Everyone was comfortable.  At the House of Dreams I read some of Steven’s writing and it was relatable.  Some things I read about his partner passing away sort of happened when my family was spending time with my great grandma who was in the hospital.  It made me question how I should approach the concept of death.  Obviously, my culture back home doesn’t like to talk much about it, and often it’s very somber.  I, personally, believe it should be a celebration of someone’s life.  To me, it’s interesting because death is so personal and serious.  There is art acknowledging this.  However, there is also art that I like that has a morbid sense of humor about death.  My favorite thing about Le Quecumbar was when the jam included a violinist.  It was amazing to see a bunch of different people with a love for music collaborate together.  It’s inspiring and motivating, and I wanted to get back to my sketchbook so I could feel that creative “feeling.”  I really enjoyed the opportunity to wear a skirt/cape/sack at the Balenciaga exhibit.  I do believe that is the closest I will get to actually wearing a Balenciaga.  I loved the weird sisters at Macbeth.  Their costumes were amazing, and, frankly, the black feathered one looked like a Balenciaga.

• Did those memorable moments – good or bad – affect how you feel about that kind of art in general? Do you think you would actively pursue (or avoid) this kind of art in the future?

Le Quecumbar opened me up to a whole new genre, and I would love to experience more.  I hope that it becomes more popular in the States.  I also plan on trying to find some good jazz bars back home.  The weird thing about Macbeth was that it made me want to try getting back to some sculpture.  I’d like to branch out and make some weird clay statues when I get back.  Their costumes and props were just too cool.

• Did any of those memorable moments change how you feel about, think about, or experience some element of life beyond your relationship to art? Did the experience change you in any way? (Those are big ideas – but we’ll be doing some pretty amazing things!)

I think it has made me realize that I don’t need to stick to just painting and drawing alone.  Plenty of artist like Louise Bourgeois and Steven Wright don’t stick to one medium.  I think that working in multiple mediums might help me grow and experiment in my art.  It would be a good creative process, too. I would like to make some of the creatures and characters I draw.  I would be interesting to see them in a three dimensional form.  It might also give them more personality and stories.  I plan on being really loose with it and not striving to make them perfect and smooth.