Message Board Topic: Abstraction & Realism

In this project you are being asked to combine abstraction with realism. These two forms of art are often seen as opposites or at odds with one another. Explain the difficulties you are having with this conceptually. Where are you struggling? Why do you think it is difficult? What have you decided so far and how can you push this further?

Censorship & Obscenity

Over time, throughout art history and the media, art and ideas have been censored. Most new media and fads start out uncensored with a lot of freedom. Then, societies, groups and other forums go in and try to reel it back in. A great example was the first movies – you can actually find movies from the 20’s and 30’s which are more “racy” and more “off color” than you can in the “50’s” and “60’s.”

Art goes through similar issues. Over the past few decades artists continually push the envelope. What is the difference between obscenity and art? When does it go too far?

What about the internet? Right now it is a truly free medium without censorship. Do you think an agency or group will try and censor it? Why or why not?

Message Board Topic: S-Curves, Why or Why Not?

S-Curves are elusive, interesting and eye-catching. Why? What is it about the S-Curve that draws the attention of the viewer? Furthermore, why are s-curves so intimately tied to the female form?

For the most part, art historians and artists have identified the s-curve in the female form, but not in the male. Is this a bias of a male-dominated discipline for centuries and centuries? Is it because males establish the rules and are (for the most part) attracted to the female form? Or is there something inherent in the female/s-curve that is beautiful?

Think of examples of non-female s-curves. The fact that non-feminine s-curves exist; does this prove that there is an inherent beauty not tied a previously male-dominated field?