Yuan's Acient Exhibition

I choose ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman and near Eastern art in my exhibition because I love antique and those countries have long history in the world. Actually, antique show its value not only in price but also in historical value. Through antiques, we can know how the ancient people lived. Moreover, antique shows how smart the ancient are because they use simple and crude tools to make great arts. Especially, small pieces show intelligence in a even better fashion. I appreciate them, so I collect many small antiques in my exhibition.

Figurine of a womam and child

Egyptian Dynasty 1 (ca. 3100-2900 B.C)

This art work is made in Egyptian dynasty 1. It may be the earliest sculpture representation of a mother holding her children. The surface of sculpture is a little bit rough, but the sculpt is clear. In the picture, it seems bigger than reality. As a matter of fact, it is smaller than one palm. In addition, I like this sculpture because it shows that mothers love and protect children, which are a very important thought in ancient Egypt.

Bronze foot in the form of a sphinx

Greek, ca.600 B.C.

This art work is from ancient Greek. The head of art work are human beings, but the body of the art work is birds. It looks like angels, so it means pure and virginal. Birds can freely fly in the sky. Perhaps, people in ancient Greek were eager for freedom. Through this art work, we can easily be aware of the lives of the ancient Greek.

Figure of an ibex

southwestern Arabia, 5th century B.C.

This art work is called “Figure of an Ibex”. It was made by casting. Compared to the first art work, this art work were better and made by more advanced technology. The details in the ibex were handled very well, and this ibex was totally copied and reduced by the real ibexes. This art work present that the southwestern Arabia explored the nature.

Sometimes, art works present not just themselves, it also stand for a culture, history or civilization. Via those three pieces of are works, I emulate a lot about ancient lives. The ancients disappeared in the world, but what they created and the art work they made will exist forever. Everybody can know the ancients’ lives by antique art works.

Jar in the form of an elephant's-head
Egyptian,Probably Naqada 2rd (ca. 3650-3300 B.C.)

Elephant's-head amulet
Egyptian,Probably Naqada 2rd (ca. 3650-3300 B.C.)

Frog-shaped jar
Egyptian,Probably Naqada  1st- early Naqada 2rd ( ca.3700-3450)

Jar in the the shape of a frog
Egyptian,Naqada 2rd ( ca. 3400-3300 B.C.)

Bronze head of a griffin
Greek, third quarter of the 7th century B.C.

Bronze standing male figure
Greek, 7th century B.C.

Faience applique in the form of a horned lion
East Greek, late 6th century B.C.

Three glass core-formed perfume vases
Eastern Meiterranean, late 6th-5th century B.C.

Textiles fragment
Syria, excavated at Dura-Eupopos 3rd century A.D.

Gazelle pendants
Syria, excavated at Dura-Eupopos 3rd century A.D.




 

Chelsea Galleries Reaction

The streets seem to be lined with art galleries and many building have multiple floors of galleries. Chelsea art district is one of the most important and influential art districts in the world, and many tourists add it on the list that should be visited in New York. The art works exhibited in the galleries are planning to sell. When I visited the galleries, I found one work I like and will be happy to buy it. In addition, I found one work I don’t like.

First and foremost, I intend to introduce the art I like.  I found it in the Tanya Bonakdar Gallery. The art works displayed at that day were all made of wool yarn.  The art work shows in the following picture is my favorite.  He makes use of wool yarn to form a passageway that is very colorful. In addition, he suspends some little bells and shells at the end of fabrics. When people pass through, it will produce a sound that is pleasant to hear. If I have enough money, I will buy and hang it right behind the entrance.
 

Gallery: Tanya Bonakdar Gallery

Location: 521 West 21^st St.

Artist(s) on Display: Ernesto Neto

However, there was one work that I would never buy and set up it in my house. It was found in Barbara Gladstone Gallery. It was made from concretes. The reason that I don’t like it is its color and volume. The artist did not put any color to his art except gray that are nature color of concretes. Personally, I prefer colorful art. Second, it took too much space.  My house is not very big. If I put it in my house, it will be inconvenient for my families to come and go. Although I believe that it is a good work, it is unsuitable for my house.

Gallery: Barbara Gladstone Gallery

Location: 515 West 24^th St.

Artist(s) on Display: Anish Kapoor

Every art work I saw was special and fantastic; I know that artists throw themselves into the artwork. I had an enjoyable time.

Sculpture Center Reaction

Installation art describes an artistic genre of three-dimensional works that are often site-specific and designed to transform the perception of a space. It means that artists who exhibit there need to consider how their work interacts with the surroundings. In the Sculpture Center, there are three art works that interact with surroundings pretty well which attract my attention.

The first art work is called “Rope Piece”. It consists of two ropes that are parallel to each other. Half of them are fixed on the wall, and the other half are connected to the wall and to floor. This art work seems very simple. However, its shadow cooperated with the art work well under the light. The scene that consists of art work and its shadow is charming and attractive. This artist takes a good advantage of surroundings to form his work.

The second piece is called “Water Pipe”. It looks like a common water pipe in our ordinary lives and nothing special. In this art work, the artist leaned the art work against the wall. It gives the art work more spatiality. I like this work because the artist really has eye on the creation. The artist can use a usual thing and create something that is different.

The last piece of work is named “Boston Common”. It is made of steel barrels, rubber hoses, and water. There are 7 rubber hoses on the top forming a shape that looks like flowers, and the water reflects the scene formed by rubbery hoses. In addition, the Sculpture Center that presents the work is decorated in gray color. The wall and ceiling of the Sculpture Center are covered by gray cottons. Therefore, the Sculpture Center looks like a little bit gloomy. Actually, the color of the art work are black and blue, which seems interact with surroundings’ color. The reason why I love this art work is that this art work interacts with its surrounding very well.

Installation is not only about art works but also interacting. It can be applied in many areas. For example, decoration needs the theory of installation. People need to buy the furniture that fits their house rather than expensive ones. I like installation because I believe that it can help me a lot in the future.

Rope Piece 2011

 

Waterpipe 1970

 Marzona Collection

Boston Common 2012