The MAN Blog is going to go on a little vacation here for a while. It is July, after all, and the beach is calling. Better yet, friends and family are taking advantage of MAN West's Sonoma Valley location and coming for visits. In lieu of the "new" on the blog we're going to replay some posts from days gone by that were either fan faves or MAN faves.
Enjoy -- Nancie
P.S. Don't forget the deadline for the 2011 Exhibition in Print -- October 1st, 2010. Several of last year's winners have been featured in major art and design blogs and one is now part of the Crocker Art Museum's collection. The Prospectus is available in English, Italian, French, Spanish and Portuguese. Here is the link: http://www.mosaicartnow.com/Exhibition.aspx
This post first appeared August 21, 2009
Exploring the Universal Appeal of Rhythm, Repetition and Novelty
In a recent edition of his "Twice-Weekly Newsletter", artist, traveler, writer and teacher Robert Genn referenced a book by Daniel J. Levitin, This is Your Brain on Music. Genn took a major concept from the book -- the universal appeal of rhythm, repetition and novelty in music -- and looked at the place these three elements hold in visual art.
We thought it might be interesting to explore these concepts from a mosaic perspective , so we went to the 2009 edition of our magazine to look for illustrations. To say the least, it was a very interesting exercise. Not surprising, we found that all of our examples contained at least two of these concepts, if not all three. Take a look yourself and tell us what you think. We welcome your feedback and perspectives.
The quotes are all Genn's. More on him and his treasure trove of artful inspiration at the end of this post. Our brief observations are in italic.
REPITITION
"Premonitions (of a Luna Moth Caterpillar)" Maylee Christie
90 cm x 80 cm x 80 cm
Smalti, stained glass, semi precious stones, gold
http://www.mayleemosaics.com/
It was intriguing to find that in this work it is intricate pattern that is the repetition that attracts, holds, and delights us.
"Truth and Beauty Series #2" Rachel Sagar 24" x 12"
Smalti, gold smalti, copper wire.
http://www.rachelsagermosaics.com/
Repetition creates a powerful and strong elegance in this work that is enormously appealing.
"We" Jacqueline Iskander 15" x 22"
24kt gold smalti, marble, porcelain, glass, quartz, mother of pearl, pearls, selenite, Swarovski crystals, 22 kt gold seed beads, wood.
http://www.jiskander.com/
We felt both "We" and Lynn Moor's "Black in Blue" are perfect examples of "repetition on which higher themes may fly". In this case, it is the backgrounds, intricate in themselves, that provide the grounding for higher themes.
NOVELTY
"Patricia at Rest" Brooks Tower 11" x 12.5"
Travertine, onyx, marble, glass, bone, twigs, gold foil, ammonites, plastic straw, beach stone, ceramic, tumbled stone bits.
http://www.brooks-tower.com/
Brooks Tower trades in the novel -- pushing mosaic boundaries
and emotional buttons in every work.
"Pelican" Conny van der Wende 45 cm x 30 cm
Smalti, glass fusion, ceramic elements
http://www.tilesandtools.eu/
It is all about that eye, isn't it?
"La voie des Songes" Iule Amado-Fischgrund 35cm x 60 cm
Marble, granite, smalti, glass paste, glazed ceramic, copper, feathers.
http://www.brikezolces.com/
Feathers artfully coexisting with stone and granite?
The juxtaposition is not only novel, it works.
"All Alone Against All" Piotr Czapracki 101 cm x 90 cm
Hand-made ceramic tesserae.
http://www.ardea-arte.pl/
A joyful child against an impact-cracked background.
What could be a greater "jolt out of the normal"?
To subscribe to Genn's Newsletter and communicate with artists around the world, click here http://www.painterskeys.com/
For daily updates and links to art info, ideas, inspiration as well as "unmitigated creative fun" click here http://painterspost.com/
We'd love to hear from you on Rhythm, Repetition and Novelty in mosaics. Talk back, why don't you?
Enjoy -- Nancie
We thought it might be interesting to explore these concepts from a mosaic perspective , so we went to the 2009 edition of our magazine to look for illustrations. To say the least, it was a very interesting exercise. Not surprising, we found that all of our examples contained at least two of these concepts, if not all three. Take a look yourself and tell us what you think. We welcome your feedback and perspectives.
The quotes are all Genn's. More on him and his treasure trove of artful inspiration at the end of this post. Our brief observations are in italic.
RHYTHM
"Rhythm is an elemental force in human nature. In visual art the moving brush and the wandering eye are directed toward harmonious cycles and shapes that amuse and satisfy. This rhythm is between curves and flats, protrusions and recessions, crudeness and delicacy, patterns and amorphousness, lines and forms. As in music, the list goes on."
"Risorgiva" Giulio Menossi. 98 cm x 72 cm 7 10 cm
Smalti, glass Stones
http://www.menossimosaici.com/
What's not rhythmical about this work? Protrusions, recessions, crudeness and delicacy -- it's all there.
Smalti, glass Stones
http://www.menossimosaici.com/
What's not rhythmical about this work? Protrusions, recessions, crudeness and delicacy -- it's all there.
"Three Graces" Irina Charny. 48" x 24"
Stone, gold, glass, beads pearls.
http://icmosaics.com/
(photo by Ben Charney)
Can't you just feel the rhythm of their dance? Every line provides a beat and flow to the eye -- from the overall form of the image to whole sections of hair and textiles.
Stone, gold, glass, beads pearls.
http://icmosaics.com/
(photo by Ben Charney)
Can't you just feel the rhythm of their dance? Every line provides a beat and flow to the eye -- from the overall form of the image to whole sections of hair and textiles.
Your eye just can't stop wandering in "Concentration". Try to focus on just one area. You can't. The rhythm of the andamento carries you away.
REPITITION
"Repetition is one of those strangely satisfying curiosities that somehow helps us feel rewarded and secure. Repeated motifs, themes and stylistic peculiarities give a 'beat' to visual art that seduces the eye and brings it back for more. Far from being boring, repetition is the grid on which higher themes may fly."
"Premonitions (of a Luna Moth Caterpillar)" Maylee Christie90 cm x 80 cm x 80 cm
Smalti, stained glass, semi precious stones, gold
http://www.mayleemosaics.com/
It was intriguing to find that in this work it is intricate pattern that is the repetition that attracts, holds, and delights us.
"Truth and Beauty Series #2" Rachel Sagar 24" x 12"Smalti, gold smalti, copper wire.
http://www.rachelsagermosaics.com/
Repetition creates a powerful and strong elegance in this work that is enormously appealing.
"We" Jacqueline Iskander 15" x 22"
24kt gold smalti, marble, porcelain, glass, quartz, mother of pearl, pearls, selenite, Swarovski crystals, 22 kt gold seed beads, wood.
http://www.jiskander.com/
We felt both "We" and Lynn Moor's "Black in Blue" are perfect examples of "repetition on which higher themes may fly". In this case, it is the backgrounds, intricate in themselves, that provide the grounding for higher themes.
"Black in Blue" Lynn Moor 11" x 11"
NOVELTY
"At the same time, the human brain and eye love novelty. Something new around the corner -- a surprise, a jolt out of the normal -- arrests our flow and gives a sudden flush of wonder and joy. In the evenness that describes so much of life, humanity craves the bump of novelty."
"Patricia at Rest" Brooks Tower 11" x 12.5"Travertine, onyx, marble, glass, bone, twigs, gold foil, ammonites, plastic straw, beach stone, ceramic, tumbled stone bits.
http://www.brooks-tower.com/
Brooks Tower trades in the novel -- pushing mosaic boundaries
and emotional buttons in every work.
"Pelican" Conny van der Wende 45 cm x 30 cmSmalti, glass fusion, ceramic elements
http://www.tilesandtools.eu/
It is all about that eye, isn't it?
"La voie des Songes" Iule Amado-Fischgrund 35cm x 60 cmMarble, granite, smalti, glass paste, glazed ceramic, copper, feathers.
http://www.brikezolces.com/
Feathers artfully coexisting with stone and granite?
The juxtaposition is not only novel, it works.
"All Alone Against All" Piotr Czapracki 101 cm x 90 cmHand-made ceramic tesserae.
http://www.ardea-arte.pl/
A joyful child against an impact-cracked background.
What could be a greater "jolt out of the normal"?
On another note, Genn also provides an invaluable peak into the juryroom that is definitely food for thought this "submission season."
"Coincidentally, on recent (art) jury duty I was paying attention to the choices of my fellow jurors. For the most part, they chose art that was not necessarily technically competent or perfectly rendered. What held the juror's attention and received the highest number of votes was work that appeared to me to overflow with rhythm, repetition and novelty."Huge thanks to Robert Genn for allowing us to play around with one of his thought-provoking Twice-Weekly Newsletters. We highly recommend all of his communications streams. They are informative, inspirational and just plain fun.
To subscribe to Genn's Newsletter and communicate with artists around the world, click here http://www.painterskeys.com/
For daily updates and links to art info, ideas, inspiration as well as "unmitigated creative fun" click here http://painterspost.com/
We'd love to hear from you on Rhythm, Repetition and Novelty in mosaics. Talk back, why don't you?
Enjoy -- Nancie
Enjoy your holidays Nancy!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great show of sites.
ReplyDeleteHave fun!