You have been assigned ONE of the following works of art. Your assigned artwork is listed directly ABOVE your name.
Alexander Calder Flamingo, 1974
Evelyn, Nacima, Dalal, Jennifer, Keegan, Digna
Marc Chagall Four Seasons, 1974
Courtney, Lorraine, Toweeka, Katelin, Leah, Denise
Pablo Picasso Untitled, 1967 (also referred to as: “The Chicago Picasso”)
Franko, Stacey, Jaylah, Rachel, Jamie, Kessia, Maria
Anish Kapoor Cloud Gate, 2006 (also referred to as: “The Bean”)
Mark, Jabri, Adelina, Katlyn, Deana, Persephone, Briana
Jaume Plensa Crown Fountain, 2004
Paul, Yunai, Charles (Trey), Kunal, Mia, Aida
Alexander Calder’s “Flamingo” is a sculpture created in 1974 by the American artist. Known for his mobiles and stabiles, Calder’s work often featured abstract forms and bright colors. “Flamingo” is a prime example of his style, featuring a large, red flamingo-like shape made of sheet metal and painted in bold hues. The sculpture is known for its playful and dynamic form, and its ability to capture the essence of the animal it depicts.
“Four Seasons” is a painting created by Marc Chagall in 1974. Chagall was a Russian-French artist known for his dreamlike and fantastical imagery. “Four Seasons” is a prime example of his style, featuring a whimsical depiction of the four seasons in a single painting, with each season represented by a different figure. The painting is known for its use of bright colors, and its ability to convey a sense of joy and wonder.
Pablo Picasso’s “Untitled” or “The Chicago Picasso” is a sculpture created in 1967 by the Spanish artist. Picasso is one of the most famous and influential artists of the 20th century, and is known for his contributions to the development of cubism. “Untitled” is a prime example of his abstract style, featuring a large, abstract form made of steel. The sculpture is known for its bold geometric shapes, and its ability to convey a sense of movement and energy.
Anish Kapoor’s “Cloud Gate” or “The Bean”, is a sculpture created in 2006 by the Indian-British artist. Kapoor is known for his large-scale, abstract sculptures that often feature polished surfaces. “Cloud Gate” is a prime example of his style, featuring a large, bean-shaped sculpture made of stainless steel. The sculpture is known for its highly reflective surface, which creates a distorted and disorienting view of the surrounding area.
“Crown Fountain” is a sculpture created by Jaume Plensa in 2004. Plensa is a Spanish artist known for creating sculptures that often feature human figures. “Crown Fountain” is a prime example of his style, featuring two large glass towers that display the faces of people from Chicago, the fountain is located in Millennium Park and creates a interactive environment for visitors. The sculpture is known for its ability to create an immersive experience that encourages people to engage with it.
In your initial post, imagine you are a tour guide leading a tour of your assigned artwork in downtown Chicago. Write a script of what you would say when you visit the work of art. You will need to do research in order to answer your questions and create your script. In your script, make sure to:
Describe the work of art in detail: What does it look like? What is the medium? Where is it located?
Describe and discuss the context: How does the historical, social, personal/narrative, political and/or scientific context impact how you understand the work of art? Make sure to use your textbook (Chapter 5) to support you with your discussion of context.
Describe and discuss its connection to our lives: What purpose best describes this work of art: Expression? Unification/exclusion? Communication? Protest/shock? Celebration/commemoration? Worship? Information/education/inspiration?
Ask a question: Pose a question that you would like your classmates to consider in their response to your post.
Properly cite any sources you consulted to help you understand the artwork and its context at the end of your post
Around 250 words
Each of your answers should be written using your own words. Do not copy and paste from your textbook or an Internet source. Ensure you cite your work and add reference(s) at the end of your journal. These should be the sources you are citing in your work. You should not need to do research from additional resources unless the question specifically asks you to do so;
Think about world history; imagine hundreds of years ago. What did communities do without the local police? Who protected people from harm?
Who was Alan Pinkerton and what did he create? Provide a brief overview of some of his accomplishments.
What do you think are the major differences between local police and private security personnel? Do they work well together? Provide an example.
What types of jobs are available for a person seeking an entry-level private security position?
What responsibilities, as a leader, should you be demonstrating as part of your duties?
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Hello everyone, welcome to our tour of “Cloud Gate,” also known as “The Bean,” by Anish Kapoor. This work of art is located in Millennium Park, in the heart of downtown Chicago.
“Cloud Gate” is a 110-ton sculpture made of stainless steel. It’s a large, kidney bean-shaped object that reflects the surrounding city skyline and visitors can walk underneath and around it. The sculpture’s surface is highly polished, creating a mirror-like effect.
From a historical perspective, “Cloud Gate” was unveiled in 2006 as part of the grand opening of Millennium Park. It quickly became one of Chicago’s most popular tourist attractions and a symbol of the city. Kapoor’s sculpture was inspired by liquid mercury and the sculpture’s shape and surface reflect that inspiration.
In terms of its social context, “Cloud Gate” is a work of public art that serves to unite people through its reflective surface, which creates a collective experience for visitors. It is a place where people gather to take photos, relax and enjoy the view. Additionally, the sculpture serves as a representation of the city and its diversity.
In terms of its purpose, this work of art can be seen as a celebration and commemoration of the city of Chicago, a source of inspiration and a form of expression of the artist’s ideas. It also serves to educate and inform the public about contemporary art and its role in shaping our urban environments.
For further research and reflection, my question for you all is: How does the artist’s background and cultural influences impact the interpretation of the work of art?
