Message Board Topic: Happy Accidents

The “Happy Accident” refers to a serendipitous moment artist’s often experience – meaning something happens in their work which they had not expected or planned for. Often these kinds of moments produce some of the most wonderful pieces. However, there is in an argument that these “happy accidents” are not really in the control of the artist – they just happen (hence, serendipity). Do you think Happy Accidents are good things? Do you think the artist should take credit for them? Or do you think the artist should throw away works that do not bare their original intention?

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?

Message Board Topic: Art & Technology

There are some who would argue that technology ruins the experience of the artist and prevents the artist from being connected to his/her craft. Some will even go as far to say, that an artist that uses technology is no longer an artist but practices in the technical fields (information tech, drafting etc.).

How would you respond to someone who says this?

Do you agree or disagree? Why?

Message Board Topic: Ethics of Editing

With the uses of Photoshop and editing becoming more and more realistic, there is a moral dilemma concerning "what is too much editing?" Here are some examples of how editing has changed reality/history: 1) the Postal Service removed cigarettes from artist Jackson Pollock and Blues guitarist Robert Johnson portraits to align the stamps with the Federal Government's no-smoking policy, 2) airbrushing changes the figures of women in magazines (incresing bust size, decreasing waste line, altering shape etc.) and 3) changing the colors of galactic/stellar pictures to what "scientists believe are the correct colors."

What do you think? What are the ethical problems of editing photos? Is there a line we should not cross?

Message Board Topic: Website Magazine

Please subscribe to http://www.websitemagazine.com/content/. This informative and interactive magazine covers trends in design and website design. Review this month's edition and pay close attention to the web ads. Also look at the article entitled: Principles of Design. Think about these 4 Principles and how they impact not just web design, but all forms of 2D Design including Photography.

Write a short reaction to this webzine - what do you think of webzines vs. traditional magazines? How affective are the ads? Do you think interactive articles are more appealing?