Steel Drums

Steel drum music is actually a fairly new style of music. Each drum is created from an oil-drum, and is carefully hammered to create the dents that are precisely tuned. Each drum has a wide ange of notes, and is capable of produce just about any type of music.

The idea of using the oil-drum as an instrument first came from Trinidad after hand drums and bamboo sticks were ban by the government, but it wasn’t until the 1930s that someone discovered the dents in the drums created a tone. Winston “Spree” Simon is often credited for being the first person to put a note on the steel drum.

When the drums were first used, the top was more dome shaped, unlike the steel drums we see now that are concave (bowl shaped).  Ellie Manette is said to be the person to give steel drums its modern form.

I enjoy listening to steel drum music, because often times they play songs that are upbeat. Every time I listen to steel drum music it makes me want to get up and start dancing. Also, watching the people performing is fun because they give their all, and you can tell they are enjoying the moment.

Sources

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VeaMEiWo-4
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdkG1bZxeH0&feature=related
• http://www.toucans.net/Gallery/aboutPan.html

3 comments November 21, 2009

Installation Art

Installation Art is a style of art that gives off a space-like vibe. Installation Art can be placed both inside and outside. Though this exhibit mainly focuses on Glass Installation Art, there are many other styles including, Paper, metal, light and more.

The first photo is a picture of Mariko Mori’s Dream Temple (1999). This piece of art was the main attraction for the Rooseum exhibition. This piece of art was created to imitate the Temple of Dreams in Horyuji. It symbolizes Energy, meditation, and technology. I like this piece of art because, it reminds me of home, and my culture. It makes me realizes how sacred our traditions are. This piece fits great as an installation art because it gives off a heavenly vibe. Definitely unearthly.

Dream Temple by Mariko Mori

The next photo you see, was also created by Mariko Mori. This is another glass installation art. Wave UFO (2005) was displayed at the Public Art Fund in New York. Viewers are allowed inside the display and look around. It is said that three people can sit inside comfortably. The first thing that attracted me to this piece of art

Wave UFO by Mariko Mori

was the colors. It reminded me of the Aurora.  Also, I liked that it gives UFOs a new perspective, instead of the typical saucer.

Mariko Mori is a Japanese Artist. Graduated from Bunka Fashion College in 1988, then continued to London’s Byam Shaw School of Art and Chelsea College of Art . Her style of art is a mix of pop art and techno.

This next piece of art is a Bead Installation Art. Stacee Kalmanovsky’s Rain (2005) is displayed in Ometti, Lo Spazio. When Kalmanvosky created this piece, she was trying to imitate rain,because raindrops move too fast, and we can

Rain by Stacee Kalmanvosky

never actually see them. She did a great job at accomplishing her goal. I like it because every time I look at the photo I feel like time has stopped, and sometimes, its nice to be able to just escape to our own little world.

Stacee Kalmanvosky was born in Belorussia in 1981 and moved to the US in 1989. She has being involved with art since she was young and to this day, is still pursuing her Artistic Career.

The next piece I would like to introduce to you is Kirsten Hassenfeld’s Paper Installtion Art Dans La Lune (2007) commissioned by Rice University Art Gallery. Hassenfeld is to have an “obsession” with paper art. She often uses non-precious material, such as paper and clear vellum, for her works. She is known for the elegance in her work.

Dans La Lune by Kirsten Hassenfeld

Dans La Lune was made to imitate chandeliers, but it reminded me more of a bird-cage when I first saw it. The lights on the inside makes me think of a mystical creature or something. I personally like the idea of it being a cage because it makes me feel like a little kid, and I would love to escape the craziness in our economy and go back to being a kid.

Bruce Munro’s Field of Light is a great piece of art. Munro thought of putting this piece together 15 years ago, when he was traveling through Australia. Field of Light comprises over 15,000 individual lights, and they change color slowly over time.

I liked this piece because it puts me at peace when I look at it. It reminds me of a nice summer night, which is my favorite season. The light bulbs remind me of fireflies. Growing up, Ive

Field of Light by Bruce Munro

always wanted to run through an open field full of fireflies on a summer night, and I like how it takes me back to the times I was able to be a kid and just fantasize about random things, because I don’t really have th time to do that sort of stuff anymore.

The last piece to be introduced is Chinese artist Zhan Wang’s Urban Landscape (2005) presented in Williams College Museum of Art. In this Piece, Zhan recreated the city of Beijing with all sort of cookware, including dishes, utensils, and even dishwashers, and many more. The thing that I like about this piece is that It reminds me of home. Though my home is in Japan, the image of a big city reminds me of home. Also all the silver makes me think of the future. And it just astonishes me to think that someone actually put that all together without it all crashing all over the place. I know if I were to even attempt to put it together, i wouldnt last for a whole minute with everything falling to the ground.

Urban Landscape by Zhan Wang

Resources

• http://www.staceekalmanovsky.com/Portfolio-Gallery/Installations/index.html
• http://www.publicartfund.org/pafweb/projects/04/metrotech/semprecious_hassenfeld_04.html
• http://www.fieldoflight.co.uk/event.php?event_id=2
• http://www.deitch.com/artists/sub.php?artistId=15
• http://www.wcma.org/press/06/06_ZhangWang.shtml
• http://caliber.ucpress.net/doi/abs/10.1525/gfc.2007.7.2.9?journalCode=gfc

4 comments November 14, 2009

The Ascent of Ethiopia

The Ascent of Ethiopia

The Ascent of Ethiopia, 1932, was painted by Lois Mailou Jones. She was an African-American painter during the Harlem Renaissance.

Dr. Jones has once commented that her contribution to the arts was a “proof of the talent of black artists. The African-American artist is important in the history of art and I have demonstrated it by working and painting here and all over the world.”

At first glance, I liked this painting because the colors are eye-catching and and to me it’s funky and fun. I also liked how the painting doesn’t just represent paintings, but also both  theatre and music.

BUT that is not all this painting is about. This painting actually has a very deep meaning behind it. This painting represents “PRIDE.” Pride of the African-Americans’ accomplishments and achievements of having to make sacrifices in order to make it through the harsh society and life.

Not only did Dr. Jones influence the Harlem Renaissance, but her paintings were empowering to many African-American.

Sources used were…

• Wikipedia
• negroartist.com

3 comments November 4, 2009