Search Source

http://www.moma.org/collection/search.php

This is a great link, look through the MOMA collection.

You can narrow your search with:
Work
Department
Decade
Artist
Art Terms

Looks like a great resource for if you need some artist work to include in your lesson plans.

WTTW article...

This is a video about FunQuilts designers Bill Kerr and Weeks Ringle. Bill was my professor at Dominican University, and his wife Weeks lectured for out ArtFolk DU club. I love them both, and this is an excellent piece about just one of the many great things they're doing for the community.

Just a quick share if anyone is interested...

I <3 Sarah Haskins.

Thank you Caitlin for introducing me to Sarah Haskins. I love her. Honestly, she is awesome.



The segment on 'Jennifer' is outrageous. America is out of control.

What do you think???

For our lesson in Screen Printing, Katie found this Freire, and I added text...

My video project:

Apparently when I upload my video to YouTube, the sound/photos are off a bit.

If you're super curious as to just how awesome this 3 minute video really was, email me (mnolan1@saic.edu) and I will send it to you.

!?! Next week?? How about now!

Okay, I forgot that I need not just the one but TWO lovely posts for each week.

So I will put up a little piece of the art I am looking at for my thesis....

First up, Laurie Simmons, "The Instant Decorator, Yellow Kitchen"


Check out the interview with Simmons, she discusses her interiors and inspirations. The likes of HGTV and the insane ideals that America dreams of attaining are mentioned... I like her.

Next up, Ida Applebroog -Boots.

I interpret this as a commentary on growing up too quickly, being overpowered by a symbol of beauty; the boots represent being a woman. They are sophisticated boots on a crude little figure. Interesting juxtaposition.



I really don't have anywhere to go with this, I am beginning my lesson plans for thesis, which so far are really not what I had in mind... hope this is a good direction. I'm not worried though, because I only have to present it in its' entirety on Wednesday. That leaves, like, two whole days. Cake!

Good luck, all!

CACA... oops CACO

Chicago Artists' Coalition Online

Within a few minutes of navigating the site, I am very aware that I am not a member. That is the one thing most clear, and sort of difficult to review. Even a previous copy of their newsletter (which one might want to PREview before purchasing) is for members only.


I am a litle creeped out at the extreme secrecy... yet intrigued enough to keep digging.

• I like the layout of the text, the tabs to click are straightforward, and the design looks (surprisingly?) like an artist may have had something to do with it.
  
• I am concerned that CAC is too close to CACA for idiots like myself to not make the joke.
• I like the gallery pages, you can actually SEE those! That's nice. I'm always wondering what those Chicago Artists are up to, and some of these look really strong.
  

Also, how had I not heard about this until I saw it on the site???? Thanks CACO! I will definitely pencil that in. Oh wait. It's 2008. Disappointed... Missed it...


I guess there's always next (this) year. At any rate, I am sort of in a lunatic mode, with a lot of strange energy I am not sure where to throw, so I am back to thesis. Until next week kids... until next week.

-Molly

Working material....

If I had seen this any earlier, my project could have been a whole lot better. Just kidding, probably not... but this is the coolest music video of all time.

Happy Easter Doll!

So in my random browsing... I discovered a network of people who communicate by use of... the doll?

I'm not really sure how this works, but I am completely and totally fascinated. After hearing the crazy Aussie sing karaoke in second life, I just can't imagine the internet being used for anything cooler. Until now.

Just google happiness, and I'm sure this will come up.

-Molly

Advertising at its best.

Classes for the fall...ELECTIVES! WHAT?!

Hey all four of my followers---

So I've been a little bit stressed about what classes I should take this fall. It seems strange/sad that finally getting some real art making classes should be stressful... but I can't quite figure out what will benefit my teaching most. Here are my (tentative) plans:

Monday 9-4: Intro to Fiber/Material Studies
Wednesday 9-4: Foundry: Transformed Objects (Sculpture)

And then the 2 required classes I have:
Tuesday 9-6: Fieldwork (Hopefully with Patricia)
Wednesday 6-9: Cultural Approaches to Production

Any comments/Suggestions... let me know.

Andrew McMahon --Hammers and Strings

This is one of my favorite songs of all time. It's long, but open a new tab and let it play in the background. You won't be disappointed. Andrew McMahon, lead singer for Jack's Mannequin wrote it about giving away his piano (formerly of Something Corporate). It's an odd thing that it makes me feel.... Anyway, click PlaY!

-Molly

Street Level Youth Media

Hello, hello---
Doing my homework early for once! On top of things for today....

I posted this image first, because I am really interested in the programming Street Level Youth Media is doing that relates 100% to my thesis. That is always a good thing for me... Click on the image to see the full movie.

As far as the website for Street Level Youth Media goes, I am feeling pretty confidant that people will all find it very user-friendly. The labels are clear, the homepage is accessible, and the site overall works for me.


The one thing that confused me (before I dug a little deeper) was the mission statement. I think that should be on the TOP of the About Us section. It's a great mission statement, although I still never know what 'urban' means... but that's another story entirely. At any rate, I don't think that the mission statement should be on the side bar, move it right up front. The history of the site is pretty cool too. It starts with modest intentions and curiosities and ends with a great program.

I also noticed that the FreeLance Artists who work there include Matt Woods, who I saw speak at the MCA. He was awesome, and gave a really great presentation on media literacy in the arts programming for teachers. I can see why the media they produce turns out really well.

The site is accessible, easy to use, and I like the design style/layout. I give it a GO!

-Molly

You're or Your. Marty Knows.

This is always something I have been bothered by... I hope you're going to enjoy this.

Art Bistro

In my random browsing of things that are not in any way, shape or form tied to any of the homework I need to be doing right now, I came across this: ArtBistro.

Image below is from this morning:

Brücke: Startling and Raw Emotion at New York’s Neue Galerie

The site overall is sort of a mish mash of things, about becoming an artist, living as an artist and general info about artists (kind of funny). However, the main page is full of all things going on in the art world. It's pretty sweet.

Enjoy if you need a little break from thesis/work/life/etc.
-Molly

Let me critique the web for you....

• Chicago Art Department:

This site has various levels of information, but looks really tight. I like the videos on the page grabbing some attention, and as I dug in, I really think the classes look like they'd be worthwhile. For my interest/attention span ability, this looks awesome:
MAKE AND SHOW WORKSHOP: Need a quick art fix? In this new series of monthly workshops, a guest artist will create a project for you to make art and create an exhibition in one day. The Make and’ Show workshops is a fun way to meet interesting emerging Chicago artists while also learning and making art. Art from these workshops will be included in our monthly exhibitions. Perhaps I should go, and then make something so fricken awesome they'd give me my own show. Haha. That's the real artist in me escaping... Moooving ON.

• Pros Arts Studio:

I'm already annoyed with the site, because of the lack of separation in their text bodies... I know thats nit-picky, but I like bulleted lists and not long paragraphs I barely read. Front page --> The image of the pots, then the idea that if I head over there I get to take one home after class is loverly. I really enjoy that this is neighborhood made... the neighborhood thing is very Chicago, and in my opinion its always good for building a community to begin with your neighbors. For this site, my personal choice class would be:

Drama Integration with Literacy engages grades 1-5 in an ambitious curriculum weaving together drama and language arts, with an added inter-grade mentorship component in its third year at Cooper Dual Language Academy funded in part by the Fry Foundation.

If I could get kids involved in acting, literacy and art, their whole look at art education would be so much different, and valued... wow, that might be a great educational philosophy.

• Last, but not least---MeSS HaLL

Okay, first things first, I have been DYING to get over there. And now I feel like I should take this opportunity to make an official plea to all of you to get together and go.

I love the idea of Mess Hall, exhibiting work, art, found objects, etc in every which way possible. I love that everything is free. (Free! Yay!)
I love the accompanying blog. (Photos, short links, and general info is good good)
I love the the website is simple, clear, and keeps it quick. (I'm busy within this visual culture)

I'm hoping to get in the door in April. My calendar won't load... so I hope there is something interesting coming up. I've added myself to the info list, so I will post again if there is something sweet we should see.

This photo is from their Valentine's Day party... which looked like a good time, and will hopefully brighten up this uuber long post.

MCA response....

I am not sure if I should be posting this, or if I will present this in class. Alas, here it is.

I couldn't make it to the MCA last week, I was sick and quite possibly delirious. Luckily, I went two weeks ago and am making a response based on what I saw (loved) of their technology.

Attached is the artist's link at the MCA, her name is Fiona Tan and she uses large projected images of 'portraits' where people stand there for 30 seconds and look into the camera like they were having their portrait taken. It was pretty intense with a circular room of these projectors. I think there were about 6 total, and it was really cool... she was commenting on the prison system in her images... mine is more or less a couple of times throughout my day. Not exactly prison, but sometimes being an MAT does feel that way...

My visual response is a similar thing of three times of day for me. I believe it loops.. but I am new to this sort of final cut pro thing.

-Molly

A lonely Irishmen on St. Patrick's Day.

This is just a little note for the heartbreaking fact, that I am sick.

I love St. Patrick's Day. I mean, really love it. Celebrate. From the time I was very small and Sharon (my mom) would put a scrunchie in my hair with shamrocks all over it, I knew that this day was more special for me than the other kids in my class.

Normally I wear green, drink Smithwick's and my typical Jameson's; and generally enjoy the hell out of St. Patrick's. Not this year. It's not even really here yet, and I am sad to say I am lame and sickly...

So that's my whiny post for the week. It's becoming a habit (uh-o), I think it must be the emo-blogger in me.

MCA... love you MCA love you.

Well, well, well.

I hate to say it, but the MCA's site is no good.

IT makes me sad, because the MCA is SO good. I mean, honestly my favorite place in the city. I don't even really appreciate contemporary art that much. The building, the smell, the feel, the sleek sleek place is so appealing to me.

And then there is the website. I'm not feelin' the blue blocks in the background. I don't know why they're there, as they aren't exactly a great design point... and they definitely don't feel like the museum does. I mean, even the member card for the MCA was fantastically designed!

One thing I have always found comical about this site, is how awesome the MCA Store site is. I mean, totally different, everything is right there for you to see and buy. It's clear, it's great, and it is nothing like the rest of the site.

It's a shame, because the MCA has so much to offer teachers, but you'd have to dig and dig to find it. I am surprised by the lack of design, and with such a rich content (buried away), its difficult to understand why the MCA is hiding it?

Three Walls....

Hello, hello---

Happy St. Paddy's to you all. Apologies for the late response, I have been a bit under the weather. And sadly, not because of too much green beer. I wish that had been the case. At any rate, here goes, a little web critique of ThreeWalls:


The first part of the site I would like to comment on is the ABOUT section. Which for the first time (admittedly, yes) I read the entire thing. It's clear, it's to the point, it's up to date! I'm thrilled with it.

Also, the salons, talks & symposia sounds like a great thing. I know at the MCA both the salons I have been to this year have been fantastic, and I can't picture these being any less such. My one concern with that area is that there is a name and date without any further description. And in this easily googled day and age, I know I can right click on it and know who they are in 5 seconds. But I'd like a sentence, or image, or anything on the actual site. Just helpful.

I love the layout, the wood lined side panel (<-) is explicitly easy to use, the fonts are nice, and I don't really have any negatives. It's a great site, and I'm feelin' the mood!

Experimental Sound Studio

So... If I understand correctly, this is similar to Itunes-U, only directed in Chicago and all about the arts. Sounds great! I wish these were up-loadable, for use in the classroom, but to make an appointment and listen up seems pretty painless.


I'm really interested in the underground aspect as well... I feel like most of these tapings/transfers were not widely known publicly. It's like heading back in time to actually be there, which is always cool.

The site is a bit confusing to me, but I like the education section; if I had $125 I would totally sign up for some workshop time. Too bad. Overall, I am not sure what to do with the site other than see what I could do if I went there/ had money? It's pretty cool that we're taking strides to document the history of Chicago art, but sad that I am broke and can't fully appreciate.

Area-Chicago

Hello, hello ---

I'm thinking AREA is the same publication that some of us received in John Ploof's class last semester. Annnd it is! I am glad to see the past issues link --I definitely wanted to read up on issue 6, and it wasn't available to us when our guest speaker came in.

So far, I really like the clear black and white setup of the site. It's simple, clean, clear. I would always like an additional photo (or 20) but I guess this is pretty minimal. The text-setup with the blocks of text is a little distracting... I'd prefer things to be horizontal columns, the vertical throws my eye a bit.

Content --is awesome. There are so many resources here. I like the survey capability, and wonder if there is a way to post the survey I will use for my thesis? Perhaps creating a survey for the public would be a good way to get some informal research...

Ahh, somehow I relate everything to thesis! Okay, moving on ---my favorite article so far is Odelay Yonquero! It's interesting to read about the various ongoings in Chicago --and in terms of educators, this is a resource to end all resources! It's stuff you can use for class, for inspiration, I really like it.

Killing Us Softly

...reading for thesis. Coming across this (it's kind of long at 6min. for YouTube, sorry) makes me take a minute to stop and think about my own actions.

Embarrassing, but tragic.

It is embarrassing to admit that I have a serious passion... for a store. But when Loehmann's got sneaky and emailed me in the middle of the night that my favorite place in the world (The Orland Park store) was closing, I have to say it has shocked me.

I seriously hope that this is the worst post I ever have, but I can't imagine the strain this is going to put on my wallet and wardrobe. Loehmann's is the most fantastic store on earth, if you haven't been there please, PLEASE, go and support them!

I am not joking at all folks, I burst into tears after reading the email. That is true love.

-Molly.

RIP Loehmann's Store # 15830.

Better late than never? I hope so...

Seeing comes before words. The child looks and recognizes before it can speak. But there is also another sense in which seeing comes before words. It is seeing which establishes our place in the surrounding world; we explain that world with words, but words can never undo the fact that we are surrounded by it (Berger, Ways of Seeing 7).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sorry to all (the 2 followers I have) -- I have been out of my mind lately. Completely slipped my mind to do the web critique for Community Art Network. So, here goes!


First impression --love the mix of graphics and words with organization as soon as I enter. To the left I can see disciplines, and look to what I am most interested in. To the right I can read recent blog posts. I love it already.

I have a feeling this page will come in serious handy when I am looking for more specific thesis related articles (thank God). My most excited tab-findings is the elders section. First off, I really love the elderly community. And second of all, I think this is a seriously under-served area of interest! I am hoping to work with the elderly at some point in my career. Be it through Saturday morning classes, or working one on one, I just love 'em.

The second part of the page that I really enjoyed digging through was in the education link.
I found this article particularly interesting: Young People's Art Works Toward Social Change: Performing Visions of Utopia. The author talks about "voice" and the way we read artwork, for meaning, etc. I also appreciate the John Berger quote at the beginning (See above), I am finding his words everywhere, and always connecting well for me.

At any rate- -if you are looking for some more thesis sources, I highly highly recommend this site. Especially for those of you (MAT's) interested in place-based education, and how its changed our learning...

Inspiration...

In all of this art making (or lack there of) I am feeling rather torn. I want to make things, I want to write lesson plans that I would actually use, I want to feel successful. Sadly, I am not feeling inspired to do these things. I am feeling the need to get my sh*t together and finally sleep.



New thought-- I am starting an inspiration board. Possibly two. The first will be things I want to paint, photograph, create, whatever comes to me in a random moment that I don't currently have the time (or motivation) to complete.

The second is a maybe- - a visual think board for my thesis? I need to get excited about thesis, and I'm finding that rather difficult. Hope that's not a bad sign my first couple weeks into the research (crap).

Stockyard Institute

Immediately entering this site I am irritated by the lack of browsing options in the 'what's new' section. I really enjoy a clear side bar with the various links available.

First tiff aside --the site has some really interesting articles/reviews. The Whats New section quickly lead me to some delicious links, as well as the reviews of the latest MCA shows. An operation dedicated to 'issues of experimental learning and pedagogy, public art and life in the city' has so much potential, I'm interested as to why this is the first I am hearing of the Institute?

The site itself is not what I would call 'user friendly'. For several reasons, the first being that the overall design of the site feels cold to me. A place looking to help under served youth is warm and inviting in my mind, not splotchy and green. One other reason that the user-friendly aspect goes down is in the 'get involved' tab, which consists of ways to send a check.

The Projects tab was by far the best for my liking/interests. I enjoy that there is an actual ARTIST'S VOICE guiding you through not only the site, but the ideas behind what this group is about. This seems all too obvious, that this would be a natural device used by most people. However, my biggest complaint about most 'art' sites is the lack of artists. For all of the wonderful art at the Art Institute or even the MCA, there is no artist's presence felt on any of the pages. Sad.

Overall --I think this is a great program, and the newness of pedagogy to my life (the last year has been an overwhelming crash course) seems to be old news to them. Stockyard Institute seems to have a been very considerate of the people they serve, as well as the artists who can do this.

Happy Valentine's Day!

What a weekend it has already been-- start with Friday the 13th, Add a little Valentine's Day, and what happens to people in one weekend is a bizarre occurrence. I have always been a fan of full-moon, Friday the 13th kind of creepiness that tends to go on. Yesterday was somewhat uneventful, but I did see my fair share of crazy throughout the day. I had an mri on my wrist and the hospital was packed chock full of crazy... I suppose that's everyday, but it seemed especially busy yesterday.

As for Valentine's Day, also strange, I will be spending it on the farm... I am posting this link to a piglet born with heart-shape-spots just a few days ago.. haha, seemed appropriate.

Portal Me Up!

The SAIC portal. Wow. A piece of glorious web confusion.

I have so many complaints about this site I'm going to begin with things I like, so that I don't annoy myself with my whining. I really like that there is a 'personal note' and 'public note' that gives me updates of what my teachers/clubs/art ed folks are needing me to see; the public piece about what's going on in the school and museum each day has also been helpful many times. I must say however, that almost everything below my little email box has been completely ignored. The weather is there? Really? Never had any clue.

As far as usability, I'd give it a C. It's all there --the portal links to everything SAIC you could need.. the real trick is finding it! I dislike the lack of a smooth transition between tabs. Not a fan of the Courses Tab that you have to backtrack home to the courses tab each time you want to look to another class. It seems as if there would be an easier way.

For the go.artic.edu site, I am more than a little irritated by the setup for logging in. I don't like that after 10 minutes or so logged on your email no longer shows up 'session timed out'. With my other school address (which oddly I still use), as I type in the link, there is a box that pops up while the page is loading with user name and password, so there is no separate page to log-in. Also, while you're logged in, you are for the entire time the browser is open. It's quite nice for someone with a personal computer, but I assume SAIC does this so you don't have to log into the computers in school.

For the rest of the go.artic.edu page, there is a generall quality/feeling of helpfulness. But my skeptical mind thinks this is a front. Perhaps I should read the 'tips' section to try to figure out how to put my SAIC mail on my iGoogle page, and never look at it again.

Okay --I just gave myself a little heart attack with all that whining.

Give me a feeling --Frustration.

So the past two days have been a sort of blur of teaching experiences... Yesterday was really frustrating. I felt the day was set up in a rather disorganized and hectic way, when it really could have gone much more smoothly.

At any rate... Today was much better. I observed at Proviso East High School for a few hours with a woman I met at the MCA Educator's Salon. She seemed familiar for some reason, so I asked if she wouldn't mind my visiting her classroom.

I have heard a lot of interesting things about Proviso --it's not exactly in the best neighborhood, there are lots of fights, and I know that there is an issue with attendence, violence, etc... I guess it is a blessing that I'm not really familiar with that kind of drama, but today there was no shortage of it!

I was really impressed with the way everything was handled, but there were a couple of fights that broke out in the short couple hours I was there. Glad to be done with part of my observation, and looking forward to going back in a couple weeks, but it has definitely been a strange couple of days.

Makes me curious as to where I will end up teaching for the long haul....

Hyde Park Art Center...

As I am sitting IN the Hyde Park Art Center (obviously well-prepared in doing my hw), I notice that the site does not have quite the same smooth feel of the building.

When you enter the building, the first thing that hit me was the smell of art. It smells like new walls, like people creating something... It has that art-smell I am so fond of.

The site however-- doesn't quite match that art-smell. I appreciate the exhibition schedule being right up front -the first thing I look for in an art-site, what's there! I also like the colored headings, but the gallery and the brightness of the cafe have a much different vibe that I would like to see matched in the website.

I also enjoy the "Get Involved" tab being so open and applicable. That is something that while generally encouraged, is usually hidden.

--Molly

Web Critique

http://www.cps.edu/Pages/home.aspx
The Chicago Public Schools site is user-friendly and offers various text sizing, which I appreciate. However, I found it a bit dead-ended. I'm not sure if they are in the process of an update, but I found that most links lead to nothing of interest. For example, the section for "I want to help" leads to a dead-end HR site. The design is great, the way each would-be user is set up with several options is excellent. Overall, I would say excellent design and usability, but lacking content.

http://www.artic.edu/aic/
The newly updated site contains a plethora of content. The site is clear user-friendly, and the design on the new logo is great. The throw-back to the original writing on the outside of the museum shows that even in this move-forward time with the modern-wing, the tradition of the museum is in tact. I like the design of the site with the crisp white backdrop, and the slide show of images on each of the pages is a nice additional touch.

http://www.naea-reston.org
I like the design of the site, the colors are soothing and work well together (I wouldn't expect anything less from a community of artists). In the community section, the student artwork (ArtSonia) is a great show of work, as well as a good way to communicate what educators are working on now. The usability of the site is good as well, the links are clear and the photos are visually interesting and relevant. I really like the updated site.

Cyberpedagogy

Hello all---
After taking a break from blogging for about a month, I am continuing with this blog for the Cyberpedagogy class at SAIC.

Looking forward to connecting with everyone and hearing all of your ideas.

-Molly