Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Rain
Since I've gotten back to Pittsburgh, it has rained every day. The forecast predicts more continuous rain. I'm going to make quick drawings during the time that it is not raining, but the rain has definitely thrown a bit of a wrench in my plans to do the majority of my artwork outside. I've been working on various indoor activities though, such as finalizing my IRB permission request and abstract.
What is Plein Air Painting? What is Oral History?
Plein Air Painting means painting done outside in open air. Plein Air paintings are done from direct observation of the subject. They are usually small because they have to be completed relatively quickly. The lighting could change or something could move. Plein Air paintings are usually done in one sitting. However, one can use the smaller paintings as studies for a larger painting, or return to a location many times to complete a more complicated work.
For my project, I'm going to be making many drawings, sketches, and studies in addition to plein air paintings and larger paintings. Preliminary work is neccessary to make larger final pieces. At the same time, the on site work is often very fresh and lively. I will use both as I work on my project.
Oral History is different from the history one finds in a textbook. Researching Oral History means listening to people's first person memories and stories. History is a fixed construct, while memories are more fluid. Each person will have unique personal memories. Oral History tells us how people experience and relate to places and events.
For my project, I'm using both plein air painting and oral history research to reach a better understanding of a place, and to pass on that experience to the viewer.
For my project, I'm going to be making many drawings, sketches, and studies in addition to plein air paintings and larger paintings. Preliminary work is neccessary to make larger final pieces. At the same time, the on site work is often very fresh and lively. I will use both as I work on my project.
Oral History is different from the history one finds in a textbook. Researching Oral History means listening to people's first person memories and stories. History is a fixed construct, while memories are more fluid. Each person will have unique personal memories. Oral History tells us how people experience and relate to places and events.
For my project, I'm using both plein air painting and oral history research to reach a better understanding of a place, and to pass on that experience to the viewer.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Abstract
For my Diamond Scholars Project, I've been working on an abstract. This is the state my abstract is in now. As I'm working on the project, it may change and evolve.
"Paintings and Memories are similar. Both are based on subjective experiences and each one is different. My project will use paintings and memories to attain a more holistic and specific understanding of a place and the relationships people have with that place. I will be looking at the borough of Swissvale Pennsylvania, where people have lived for generations and have seen many changes and events in the area. By researching oral history and creating plein air paintings, I will explore the relationships between Swissvale and the people who live there over a wide segment of time. My paintings of what I’m observing in the present will be informed by people’s memories of the past. Time passes inevitably, and this project will approach the present, recent past, and distant past equally without a bias of one being inherently better than another. As time passes, what become valuable are not the objects or locations themselves but rather the relationships people have with those places. My project will use the fact that memories and experiences are what give a place value to someone. Different people will have different memories of a place. My challenge will be to create paintings that many people can relate to their own experiences, so that my project will truly portray Swissvale in an honest, specific, and in depth way. I will exhibit the paintings and the oral history together so that they will complement each other and work together to give the viewer an understanding of the borough that they would not have otherwise."
"Paintings and Memories are similar. Both are based on subjective experiences and each one is different. My project will use paintings and memories to attain a more holistic and specific understanding of a place and the relationships people have with that place. I will be looking at the borough of Swissvale Pennsylvania, where people have lived for generations and have seen many changes and events in the area. By researching oral history and creating plein air paintings, I will explore the relationships between Swissvale and the people who live there over a wide segment of time. My paintings of what I’m observing in the present will be informed by people’s memories of the past. Time passes inevitably, and this project will approach the present, recent past, and distant past equally without a bias of one being inherently better than another. As time passes, what become valuable are not the objects or locations themselves but rather the relationships people have with those places. My project will use the fact that memories and experiences are what give a place value to someone. Different people will have different memories of a place. My challenge will be to create paintings that many people can relate to their own experiences, so that my project will truly portray Swissvale in an honest, specific, and in depth way. I will exhibit the paintings and the oral history together so that they will complement each other and work together to give the viewer an understanding of the borough that they would not have otherwise."
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