blog #4: cantor arts center

Last Saturday, I went to the Cantor Arts Center. It's funny since I have been to Stanford a couple many times growing up, but have never known there was a museum nearby with FREE entrance! (that's why i chose this one over the ones in san francisco) When I first entered, the first thing I saw was a Venus statue which reminded me of the Greek statues in our textbook. It was quite remarkable, not much taller than us. In the pictures, the power and force of the greek statues would have us imagine it being more enormous in real life. I loved how I got to be so up close and actually see the texture of something that was created so long ago, long before I, or any of my great great grandparents were born. As I entered on, there were many portrait and family paintings of the 1800's, who I believe were the famous founders of Standford University, the Leeland family.
To the left, is a painting of scattered jewlery, very decadent and ornamental, much more extravagant compared to today's more everyday functional jewelry. This painting above is what I was talking about in my blog #3 entry. in comparision to The Unswept Floor. I really like this picture i took of my sister as she was looking at some ancient silverware. I thought the light reflection was cool & how her face is cut off but you see the reflection.
This sketch reminded me of my friend's very first project for his Architectural Rendering class. The main objective of the project was not a layout of a building or anything, but to display different textures and shades. And this sketch did just that. It has an abstract geometrical black and white aspect to it.
This either illustration or engraving, I thought had both a regal and etheral feel to it. The old man above reminds me of the typical wise wizard characters found in so many Medevial stories, except he has a crown which provides a sense of power and authority; and he doesn't seem so friendly as the cartoon wizards I grew up with.
The young girl with wings and a halo surrounding her head, made me think of angels, but the proportion of her scale seemed so much smaller than of the man, possibly showing her less significance. It was interesting to think about, was this trying to symbolize the mortal man's higher power over a young girl of divine status?
I loved the lighting and shades of depth of this engraving. It was called the Treachery of...something. It seemed like a chaotic scene where a crime might have happened, like a stolen jewl or a secret love affair. I could imagine this taking place on a pirate ship.
The downstairs of the Cantor museum had a whole row of black and white engravings that reminded me of Childrens' stories, not for the younger toddlers, but the chapter books based on fairytales. They had a similarity like of the Abbey Church of Saint Riquier drawing. I guess fairytales became popular within Medevial times. (if that's the right time frame of the engravings)
This painting, (sorry the lightings makes it not so clear) had a storyline where the guy on the left held an audition for the woman he would paint. When I first saw it, I thought the colors and play of light was beautiful and it caught my attention amist the rows of black and white engravings and simple leaf illustrations. But when I read the print, I thought it was a bit superficial. Real event or not, I didn't like how the man in orange and a red robe had to hold an audition and give many women the message: oh you're not beautiful enough. (notice the blonde on the right weeping against her friend)
Why can't he fall in love with one woman & believe she is just soo beautiful, that he just HAD to paint her? Now that story line, I would have loved.

After going upstairs, my sister and I came upon more recent art works, including the famous pop culture changer, Andy Warhol. Above, is my sister against a much modern, geometrical piece. When I saw it, I told her to go against the white since she was wearing a black blazer. It's what i believe is called figure ground. This piece by Andy Warhol, I really liked since I thought it had portrayed this woman quite well. I don't remember who she was, but she seems like a beautiful woman possibly of hispanic descent. Her face and the hairstyle reminded me of West Side Story, and the vivid red background & magenta lips brought out the passion which contrasted with the cool blue of her eye shadow.

Outside was truly beautiful; the landscape reminded me of the animated film, Hercules. The tall pointy trees, stair steps, naked scuptures...it's where Megan was singing the "I won't say I'm in love" s2 that song :)
I wished I could have stayed longer but it was closing. I hope to visit there again someday but make a day out of it! Enjoy all that Standford has to offer... go for a bike ride, have a picnic, visit the Standford shopping center & visit the museum again!

Well it was a great winter session guys! :) I have enjoyed reading your thoughts on art and learning something about yourselves. Take Care! C=

xox Diana Nguyen