My name is Jenna Weind. I am a first-year transfer student at Capilano University studying within the IDEA Program. I’ve attended 2 university institutes prior to my time at Capilano. I have studied creative industries at Ryerson University and art history/visual studies at the University of Victoria. These experiences combined with my interest in visual culture and media lead me to my decision to study design at Capilano. I am very passionate about all forms of visual expression, and I want to explore this further. I am not defined in exactly what I want to achieve with the completion of my program, but I am drawn to illustration and branding specifically product packaging. I’ve kept myself busy with working alongside my education. The most memorable was working in a dog daycare, and as a cook in two restaurants.

This is a summary for ENGL 100 on the importance of urban forests: why money really does grow on trees” by Amy Fleming.

Amy Fleming discusses “the importance of urban forests: [and] why money really does grow on trees” in her 2016 article published by the Guardian. The article explores the vast benefits of forestry and outdoor space and how we can utilize them to enrich our mental health, improve our living conditions, and pose as a viable way of creating a positive economic impact. She outlines that “trees can cool cities by between 2c and 8c” as well they can cut air conditioning by 30% if they are planted near buildings (Fleming, 1). This means that they not only absorb pollutants from our environment but also are effective ways of reducing energy costs, contrary to the belief that forestry is a waste of municipal budgets. Fleming also argues for the benefits of nature on individuals’ mental health as those who get out more deal with less “anxiety and depression” in reference to walking or being in proximity to nature (Fleming, 4). Finally, she outlines that there is a connection between decreased violence in areas that have more tree cover (Fleming, 4). She defines that trees are a key element in our external environment and that the benefits of tree and nature cover are worth being incorporated into our urban environments regardless of the negative perceived costs associated with it (Fleming, 2016). 

Fleming, Amy. “The importance of urban forests: why money really does grow on trees.” The Guardian, 12 October 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/oct/12/ importance-urban-forests-money-grow-trees.

I wanted to create my own version of a ukiyo-e print for the historical artifact project. I choose to depict a wolf and a geisha in the typical Japanese style. I used fine liners and watercolors to create my image. Ukiyo-e prints are traditionally done using wood block printing by carving out each element. I choose to use a simpler method as I don’t have any of those tools available to me. I wanted to focus on replicating the art style and main components of the subject matter instead. I spend around 6.5 hours on this project. I would give myself a 9/10 as I think I was able to create my own print in the traditional style that fits with the time period. I also choose to photograph it as thought it was hanging on someones wall, including the museum tag with the Japanese kanji for “ukiyo-e print” with it. I think I could’ve improved on making the colors flatter in the piece to match it closer to the original look. I also could’ve used a sepia or yellow wash over the paper and museum label to make it look like it was from that time period.

I used many different reference photos to create my image. I specifically looked into Utagawa Kuniteru, Kamada Matahachi and Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s work as inspiration for this project. Below are some of these reference photos. I drew upon the colour palate, subject matter and dynamic flow of the composition to create my piece.

Works cited:

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “ukiyo-e”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Dec. 2013, https://www.britannica.com/art/ukiyo-e. Accessed 11 November 2021.

Gustave Moreau was born on April 6 1826 in Paris. He was a symbolist painter, his work is characterized by his exceptional detail and fantastical content. His work typically depicted erotic paintings of mythological and religious subjects (Brittaniaca,2021).

He began his art education at École des Beaux-Arts then he continued on as an apprentice. He had one strong influence on his work which was Theodore Chasseriau his master. Chasseriau was known for his portraiture and religious paintings. Moreau respected his master highly and exercised what he learned from him in his work (Britannica,2021).

Moreau’s work used heavy impasto and he painted incredibly intricate and ornamental scenes. He also played with vibrant colours and beautiful lighting in his work. He seemed to include a few ‘favorite’ colours in his work, one being a vibrant blue-green accent colour which he used in a lot of his pieces.

Gustave Moreau has said this about his work- “But I am less concerned with expressing the motions of the soul and mind than to render visible, the inner flashes of intuition which have something divine in their apparent insignificance and reveal magic, even divine horizons, when they are transposed into the marvelous effects of pure plastic art.” I think he represents his work well, his work is an offering of his insight and perception of whatever he is painting (Art Net, n.d). It ties well with his themes of mythological and fantastical subjects, he’s revealing his inner imagination.

As I was looking through different artists I thought I had settled on one until I decided to look up one final name, Gustave Moreau. I was instantly attracted to his work. The detail in his work is immense, I love feeling overwhelmed by looking at his work. It is so intricate and delicate that I never fully take in the image whenever I look at his work. I love his use of colour especially the sea blue-green that seems to appear in multiple pieces of his work. I respect artwork that details a story and his work definitely expresses this. 

Works cited:

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Gustave Moreau”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Apr. 2021, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gustave-Moreau. Accessed 2 November 2021.

http://www.artnet.com/artists/gustave-moreau/the-conquest-1c0EUuF0vP7UD1Bx6D2Bbw2

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gustave-Moreau

Japanese Ukiyo-e Prints – Origins

Ukiyo-e means “pictures of the floating world”. This is a style of art that was popularized with the development of woodblock printing. This style of artwork had a range of subjects but commonly depicted people of the court, prostitutes, kabuki actors and scenes, and erotica (Britannica,n.d). The subject matter then shifted to the urban everyday scenes as the style developed.

Hishikawa Moronobu – The first Ukiyo-e Artist

Hishikawa Moronbu is regarded as the father of ukiyo-e artworks. He was originally an embroiderer but became an illustrator for books. This was during the time when woodblock printing became accessible. This made mass printing of images available to all. With this new printing medium, he began to depict urban and domestic scenes of the Edo people (Britannica, n.d).

Development of Woodblock prining and Ukiyo-e Style

Woodblock printing and ukiyo-e prints developed hand in hand. Woodblock prints were initially used to create replicas of Buddhist and religious scripts. It was only used for text printing and not imagery in its initial conception. However, in 1765 it was discovered that they could use it to print color and imagery. The first version of full colour printed images were used for calendars or Nishiki-e (Moma, n.d). Woodcut prints became popular not only for the ease of duplication and mass production but for their content. A lot of pornographic imagery was printed this way and this was popular with the wealthy population boosting the demand.

Polychrome Prints:

In contrast to regular woodblock print, this method had individual “stamps” for each part of the piece that was of a different color. This allowed them to make full-color prints called polychrome prints. This also created flat imagery which was a key element to this style of artwork.

Impact of Ukiyo-e on Western Art

These ukiyo-e Prints had a major impact on Western art. Since there was an influx of them in Japan and they were readily available. As trade opened up with the West the prints were used as wrapping paper for objects being sent to Western areas. As the West was exposed to this artwork it began to influence many artists of this time, one of them being Van Goh.

Works cited:

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “ukiyo-e”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Dec. 2013, https://www.britannica.com/art/ukiyo-e. Accessed 28 October 2021.

Metmuseum.org. 2021. Woodblock Prints in the Ukiyo-e Style. [online] Available at: <https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/ukiy/hd_ukiy.htm> [Accessed 28 October 2021].

Images from:

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/37358

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hishikawa_Moronobu

I choose to do my zine on El Lissitzky. He was not only a famous typographer but also a designer. I choose to create artwork inspired by his illustration and typography work in the zine. He used a minimal color palette of red, black, and white which I followed in my zine. His work is also geometric and minimal so this is why I choose to include this imagery in the zine. His typography was very free and did not adhere to a consistent or structured format. This is why I have text all over the page and facing different directions. He would ofter arrange his text like this in his own work. Finally, his typography was usually bold, this is why I choose to have thick lines on some of the main content in the zine. 

I give myself a 9/10. I think that I was able to create a zine that reflected his style and provided interesting information about his work and typography. I spend 2.75 hours on this project.

Fede Galiza was born in 1578 in Milan Italy. She was the daughter of an established painter, Annunzio Galiza. Annunzio was a miniature painter and was thought to have taught her how to paint. Fede is regarded as one of the earliest still-life painters in Italy (Encyclopedia, 2021).

She received early recognition for her talents at the age of 12. By the time she was a teenager, she had gained international acknowledgment as a portraitist. Her medium for most of her work is oil. One of her works as a portraitist is the double portrait of Jacopo Menochio and Margherita Candiani (image 3). Although she was well known while she was alive, her work was “hidden” as male artists were dominating the art scene. There has been a lot of research into authenticating her paintings and very few are actually attributed to her (London Art Week, n.d). The images that I have compiled are authenticated works of hers.

In her work, she was known for her extensive attention to detail, her handling of lighting and composition. She was able to create intimate still-life scenes that draw the eye into her artwork. This is why I choose to look into her work. Specifically, Cherries in a Silver Compote (Image 4) was a work that drew me to her. I love her handling of the medium, it looks as if the cherries are real and the composition with the varying elements draws your eye around the piece. It invites you to look at it, and the detail allows you to notice something new every time. It almost creates an atmosphere of looking at something you shouldn’t be.

Works cited:

Images collected from:

http://art-now-and-then.blogspot.com/2017/05/fede-galizia.html

https://www.sothebys.com/en/artists/fede-galizia

” Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia. . Encyclopedia.com. 22 Sep. 2021 .” Encyclopedia.com, Encyclopedia.com, 17 Oct. 2021, https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/galizia-fede-1578-1630.

“Lavinia Fontana and Fede Galizia.” Lavinia Fontana and Fede Galizia – London Art Week, https://londonartweek.co.uk/fontanaandgalizia/.

The Rococo period style was introduced by Louis XV and Mne de Pompoudor. In France, they began to obsess over lavish things which helped develop this style. The Rococo period was said to have been the last aristocratic style of France. Rococo was not limited to fashion but architecture, art, and theatre as well (Muscato, 2019). France was extremely divided during this time, this separation was caused from the imbalance of wealth. There was an exceptionally wealthy ruling class and the extremely impoverished lower class (Muscato, 2019).

Rococo aroise from the Baroque period. The Baroque period was characterized by supreme ornamentation and emphasis on high dignity. The Rococo style left behind the dignity associated with the style but continued holding high value on wealth and decor (Muscato, 2019). Many aristocrats were no longer required in court so they spent a lot of time hosting parties and enjoying their wealthy lifestyle. Their fashion began to reflect this. For example, in women’s clothes, their robes became looser and more comfortable to reflect the life of relaxation that they possessed (Hisour, n.d). The early development of Rococo fashion was loose and more informal but as the style developed more detail and ordamentation became a part of the style.

Before Rococo the style consisted of rich dark fabrics and heavy designs. This was contrasted in the Rococo period. The Rococo fashion became characterized by ornate and intricate patterns. The fabrics were typical of light and pastel colours. The materials of silk, lace, and satin were heavily utilized during this time. The fashion was light and flowy in comparison to the period before it (Hisour, n.d). One specific element that characterized women’s dresses during this time was the Watteau pleat.

The Watteau pleat extended the hips by utilizing a hoop worn under the skirts. This combined with the pastel colours and light fabric represented the fashion Rococo period. In conclusion, the Rococo Period had an extravagant and exuberant fashion style that was the result of the rich and lavish lifestyle of the aristocrats.

Works Cited:

Images:

https://zakheath.com/fashion/f/rococo-fashion-and-its-influence-on-neoclassical-style

https://funthinkers.livejournal.com/263857.html

https://fashion.fandom.com/wiki/Rococo

Muscato, Christopher. “Take Online Courses. Earn College Credit. Research Schools, Degrees & Careers.”

Study.com | Take Online Courses. Earn College Credit. Research Schools, Degrees & Careers, 2019, https://study.com/academy/lesson/rococo-fashion-history-period-terms.html.

I enjoyed the mood board project. I thought that it was really interesting to choose and learn about topics of interest across all of the timelines. I choose three topics that I was most interested in learning more about which were Playing cards, Albrecht Duer’s Apocalypse Illustrations, and Grimms Fairytales. I choose to do Print & Storytelling as the overarching topic for my project. I started my project with Albrecht Duer’s apocalypse as I was always interested in his illustrations of the four horsemen. I learned about the control the church had on the output of artists and the religious subject material for his work. I emphasized this point of religious control by including a photo of the Cologne church that is dark, menacing, and overbearing. I learned the most about playing cards from this exercise, I had no idea that the cards were different all over the world and weren’t standardized until France created suits that were made standard through mass printing. This is why I chose to include three images of different cards from different countries to showcase the different designs they each had, and the final suits that were the result of this standarization. Grimms Fairytales were initially popular in Germany but were made available to the masses through the use of the printing press. I choose to include Arthur Rackhams illustrations of Grimms fairytales as he placed high value on ornate books and illustrations which I thought linked with the demand for books and ornate objects during this time. I found that the three elements were all heavily linked to the introduction of the printing press and the demand for luxury artistic work.

I think that I would give myself an 8/10 as I think I had strong research and for the similarities that I had found between the different events. I also think I was able to link three events that don’t seem to go together in a way that was cohesive. I spend around 6 hours researching and developing this project. 

https://projects.invisionapp.com/boards/5742Y6A9FP6/

I was immediately drawn to Andrea Mantegna’s work after seeing Palazzo Ducale Oculus. This is what attracted me to investigate his career and contributions to art during this period. I choose 5 pieces of his work that resonated with me, not only his most famous works.

The Palazzo Ducale Oculus was painted on the ceiling of the Camera Delgi Sposi in Mantua Italy (Image 1). His handling of realism and perspective in this piece was very influential during this period and many artists began replicating and studying his use of perspective (Britannica,2021).

Mantegna was known for his execution of foreshortening in his work as well as using roman architecture and statues within his artwork (Art in Tuscany, n.d). His foreshortening is especially prominent in his piece The Lamentation over the Dead Christ (Image 2).

This self-portrait is titled “Grotesque Self-portrait”. It is hidden on the décor on the pillars in the Camera Delgi Sposi. He was well known for his handling and technique with the use of fresco (Brittanica, 2021).

This is Minerva Expelling the Vices from the Garden of Virtue, painted in 1500-02. I loved the color and softness that he achieved in this piece.

Finally, the Madonna of the Victory is a beautiful altarpiece from 1496. Mantegna’s handling of color and composition in this piece is highly regarded. His use of foreshortening and perspective in fresco was studied and used in ceiling decor for 3 centuries after his work was completed (Britannica, 2021).

Works cited:

“Andrea Mantegna, the Lamentation over the Dead Christ: Art in Tuscany: Podere Santa Pia, Holiday House in the South of Tuscany.” Andrea Mantegna, The Lamentation over the Dead Christ | Art in Tuscany | Podere Santa Pia, Holiday House in the South of Tuscany, Art In Tuscany, http://www.travelingintuscany.com/art/andreamantegna/lamentation.htm.

Sheard, Wendy Stedman. “Andrea Mantegna”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Sep. 2021, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Andrea-Mantegna. Accessed 4 October 2021.

“Grotesque Self-Portrait.” Web Gallery of Art, https://www.wga.hu/html_m/m/mantegna/07/2sposi112.html.

Books of the dead are ancient Egyptian texts that are designed to protect and aid the deceased through the afterlife. There are multiple different versions such as Coffin texts, pyramid texts, and many more. These books were traditionally buried with the deceased and originally thought to represent their worthiness to enter paradise. The earliest found record of these texts dates back to 2400 BCE (Britannica, n.d).

The Book of the Dead is a papyrus scroll that is intended to attain immortality (Gala, 0:025-0:035). These books of the dead were traditionally reserved for pharos and those of high standing called pyramid texts. The texts were thought to depict their royalty and status to prove they are worthy to enter paradise. However, it became common practice and it was thought that regular people could also make it to the afterlife if they could pay and successfully navigate the underworld. The books that non-royalty possessed were called coffin texts (Warren, n.d).

Coffin texts are spells and incantations contained in a scroll. They are a version of the book of the dead, one that was for non-royalty. These spell books were put inside their tombs and were thought to be able to assist them in navigating and passing all of the tests of the afterlife. An individual can use these tools to help persuade the gods to let them into paradise. There is a series of tests that one must pass to achieve entrance to paradise. The book of the dead is intended to aid their passing of these tests and help them pass judgment (Warren, n.d). A famous recorded example of this journey is that of Ani.

The video by Tejal Gala offered an engaging visual for the story of Ani and his book of the dead. It outlined the story of Ani and his descent into the afterlife. Ani uses his scroll of the dead to navigate the underworld and convince the gods that he is worthy to enter paradise. Equipped with the scroll he is able to pass all of the tests of the afterlife, such as proving to 42 accessor gods that he has lived a righteous life (Gala, 2:21-2:30). Ani’s path finally leads to him weighing his heart against a feather (Refer to image 2). If his heart weighs heavier than that of the feather, he would be devoured by Ammit.

Ammit is a part hippo, part crocodile, and part leopard creature. It is a creature that devours the soul of the individual if their heart is too heavy with sins from their lifetime.  Finally, after passing this final test and avoiding being eaten by Ammit, Ani is allowed to enter paradise where he will cultivate a plot of land for the rest of his time and be reunited with his deceased family (Gala, 3:41-3:55).

Works Cited:

Image 3: “Ammit & Thoth Await the Judgement of a Soul.” World History Encyclopedia, UNESCO Archives, https://www.worldhistory.org/image/12848/ammit–thoth-await-the-judgement-of-a-soul/.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Book of the Dead”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2017, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Book-of-the-Dead-ancient-Egyptian-text. Accessed 30 September 2021.

Gala, Tejal, director. The Egyptian Book of the Dead: A Guidebook for the Underworld, Youtube, 31 Oct. 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yv_MXNYbAo.

Image 1 & 2: Warren, Kellie. “Book of the Dead: A Guidebook to the Afterlife.” ARCE, American Research Center in Egypt, https://www.arce.org/resource/book-dead-guidebook-afterlife.