Artwork: Block Print
Exhibition Text
"2019" was inspired by the German Expressionism period and two pieces by the artist Karl Schmidt-Rottluff. The pieces that I drew my ideas from are "Girl with Braids" and "Women's Head". During the movement the art more focused on the mindset of the artist and the time period that they lived in(major events/crisis's/trends of an era/etc.).
Through the use of organic and geometric shapes "2019" is able to convey how life experiences, weather good or bad only play a minor role in shaping a persons outlook. The harsh lines that make up the background highly contrast with the content tired expression on the face. This high contrast plays a major role in conveying the theme behind "2019", the static like background represents all of the negative experiences, such as being apart of a bad environment/self doubt/family issues. The face portrayed in "2019" is meant to represent a sense of hope. Often negative situations are dwelled upon, however it can be learned to focus on the outcome of the situation and what can be learned from it even if it is a difficult situation. This is what the face in "2019" portrays.
Through the use of organic and geometric shapes "2019" is able to convey how life experiences, weather good or bad only play a minor role in shaping a persons outlook. The harsh lines that make up the background highly contrast with the content tired expression on the face. This high contrast plays a major role in conveying the theme behind "2019", the static like background represents all of the negative experiences, such as being apart of a bad environment/self doubt/family issues. The face portrayed in "2019" is meant to represent a sense of hope. Often negative situations are dwelled upon, however it can be learned to focus on the outcome of the situation and what can be learned from it even if it is a difficult situation. This is what the face in "2019" portrays.
Inspiration
Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, (1918), "Girl With Braids"("Mädchen mit Zöpfen"), 21.8 x 15.9 cm
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Karl Schmidt-Rottluff worked in woodcut to create many of his later works, such as "Girl With Braids" and "Woman's Head". His work features geometric and organic shapes, he first began this style in his paintings and because of this he became highly interested in Cubism and African sculpture.
During the time that the Nazis were in power he like many artists were prohibited from painting and printing, as well many works were taken from studios and destroyed. Often the themes of his work would change, for example in 1915 through 1918 many of his prints focused on events he saw while he was in the army, many depicted traumatizing/brutal scenes. Again his theme changed in 1917 through 1919 the main focus of his works became religion. Another common theme seen through his work is nature. When depicting nature Schmidt-Rottluff was able to use the natural state of the wood to enhance his pieces. He was able to use the natural grain as well as the flat smooth surface to his advantage. |
Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, (1920), "Woman's Head", 25.6 x 18 cm
Planning
When creating this first sketch I wanted to focus most on the face. By looking at my inspiration I saw that majority of the facial figures were made up of straight lines(both thick and thin) and organic/geometric shapes, so I wanted to get the technique down.
The next thing that I was drawn to was the date in the lower right hand corner of "Woman's Head", what I like about it is the rough edges and how asymmetrical the numbers looked. When I saw this I thought of the phrase "new year new me" which helped me develop the theme behind "2019", which is looking forward. This is why in this sketch there is the year 2019 in the lower right hand corner. |
My second sketch was more heavily influenced by "Girl With Braids". What I liked about "Girl With Braids" was the contrast of dark and light in the background, all of the lightness is seen around the girls head which draws your attention to the face. I knew that with my piece I wanted there to be a high contrast between the face and background.
As for the face it as well was heavily inspired by "Girl With Braids". In this sketch I wanted to include the over dramatic eyelashes as well as the pattern that appears on both cheeks. In this sketch the pattern is much simpler I decided to do this because I have never worked with block print before and I didn't want to overly complicated. |
With my last sketch I wanted to focus on combining my two inspiration pieces, seeing that the first two sketch were more heavily influenced by "Woman's Head" and "Girl With Braid" separately.
When creating this sketch I tried to mimic the head position of "Woman's Head". I didn't like how this sketch turned out because it doesn't look very human like. This would stray away from my inspiration and make it harder to connect. |
Since a requirement for this project was to create two prints I decided that I liked the first and second sketch the best so those were the ones that I transferred onto the linoleum.
Experimentation
The first part of my experimentation was seeing how the different shaped carving tools worked/cut. This was important because the only time that I ever really used carving tools was when I worked with clay, however with clay if you took to much off you could put it back on. If you take to much off with block print your only option is to start over.
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Rounded Tip: I found that using the rounded tip was best for removing large areas of the linoleum. The size of it made it hard to get a clean line for any outline lines.
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V Tip: I found that using V tip was best for creating outlines. The tool is smaller which means it can easily get into smaller spots in between lines.
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The next part of my experimentation was finding the right balance of ink to use when printing my images. When I was printing I wanted the black to be solid and not have any linoleum showing through in patches. In order to fix this problem I added more ink to the places that this problem was happening to.
The first print I made I didn't like because of the eyes, so I decided that it was the main part of my experimentation. Also when printing my second print the 2019 printed backwards so I decided to completely get rid of it. |
Process
After I had the sketches on the linoleum I began to carve. When doing the carving I mainly only used two carving tools, a large curved one and a smaller V shaped one. I used the V shaped one to make the outlines and used the large rounded one to remove the shaded areas.
When carving the pieces I placed them on a stop block. By using the stop block it prevents injury. When carving the second piece of linoleum I decided to change the position of the 2019 from the right side to the left. I did this because when I sketched the drawing onto the linoleum I didn't leave myself enough room to carve. In the end however I completely got rid of it. |
Reflection
In the end I am happy with my final product. What I liked about this project was having two linoleum plates because it allowed me to get comfortable with the materials. I think that this is important because I never worked with any carving tools except for with clay, in clay if you take to much off you can just add more. With block print if you take to much off you either have to start over or alter the project to incorporate the mistake.
With my final piece I ran into a problem with the 2019 that I wanted to incorporate into the piece. In the end this idea didn't work so I had to get rid of it all together. Even though the piece doesn't have this aspect I think that the final piece still conveys the message behind it, however by looking at the piece there is a lot of white showing, if the 2019 was still on the piece it would have helped break it up.
As well I think that I did a good job of incorporating aspects from both of my inspiration, in the past I feel as though my pieces were heavily influenced by one of my inspirations not both. With my inspirations and my piece side by side you can clearly see what aspects were taken from each piece. The aspects that I chose from my inspiration come together to create a coherent piece which is the most important.
With my final piece I ran into a problem with the 2019 that I wanted to incorporate into the piece. In the end this idea didn't work so I had to get rid of it all together. Even though the piece doesn't have this aspect I think that the final piece still conveys the message behind it, however by looking at the piece there is a lot of white showing, if the 2019 was still on the piece it would have helped break it up.
As well I think that I did a good job of incorporating aspects from both of my inspiration, in the past I feel as though my pieces were heavily influenced by one of my inspirations not both. With my inspirations and my piece side by side you can clearly see what aspects were taken from each piece. The aspects that I chose from my inspiration come together to create a coherent piece which is the most important.
Compare and Contrast
" Girl With Braids" and "2019"
Similarities:
- There is a large contrast between the background and face. The negative space around the face draws more attention to the face.
- The main features of the face are broken down into geometric and organic shapes.
- Both pieces have similar positions of the head which means that the positioning of the facial features are similar.
Differences:
- "Girl With Braids" has more detail in the face, such as the overdrawn eyelashes and pattern on the cheeks.
-The hair in "2019" is inverses to the hair in "Girl With Braids" which furthers the contrast of the background and the face.
"Woman's Head" and "2019"
Similarities:
- Both pieces have simpler facial features, "2019" mimics the nose, hair, and eyes of "Woman's Head".
- In both pieces the hair have lines that mimic the natural position of the hair.
Differences:
- Although "2019" mimics the shape of the nose in "Woman's Head" the size in "2019" is smaller so that the viewers attention is to the face no necessarily one feature of it.
-In "Woman's Head" the neck is more proportional to the size of the head.
- "Woman's Head" has an even amount of negative and positive space in the background where as in "2019" the majority of the background is negative space.
Similarities:
- There is a large contrast between the background and face. The negative space around the face draws more attention to the face.
- The main features of the face are broken down into geometric and organic shapes.
- Both pieces have similar positions of the head which means that the positioning of the facial features are similar.
Differences:
- "Girl With Braids" has more detail in the face, such as the overdrawn eyelashes and pattern on the cheeks.
-The hair in "2019" is inverses to the hair in "Girl With Braids" which furthers the contrast of the background and the face.
"Woman's Head" and "2019"
Similarities:
- Both pieces have simpler facial features, "2019" mimics the nose, hair, and eyes of "Woman's Head".
- In both pieces the hair have lines that mimic the natural position of the hair.
Differences:
- Although "2019" mimics the shape of the nose in "Woman's Head" the size in "2019" is smaller so that the viewers attention is to the face no necessarily one feature of it.
-In "Woman's Head" the neck is more proportional to the size of the head.
- "Woman's Head" has an even amount of negative and positive space in the background where as in "2019" the majority of the background is negative space.
ACT Response
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork?
My inspiration was influenced by the time period they were created in. My artwork uses this same ideas but puts a happier twist on this idea.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Karl Schmidt-Rottluff is a German Expressionist artist, this movement is known for the art to focus on the mindset of the artist and events that affected artists of this time.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I can conclude that not only may personal matters affect how a persons art comes out, but also how the world presides things. Also that it is important to create art that you think best expresses you.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central theme of my research was artist that were influenced by the time period they lived in, and how that transferred into the art they produced.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
An inference that I made was that the world around us has a greater impact on us then we may think. In a way it may form a small part of who we are.
My inspiration was influenced by the time period they were created in. My artwork uses this same ideas but puts a happier twist on this idea.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Karl Schmidt-Rottluff is a German Expressionist artist, this movement is known for the art to focus on the mindset of the artist and events that affected artists of this time.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I can conclude that not only may personal matters affect how a persons art comes out, but also how the world presides things. Also that it is important to create art that you think best expresses you.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central theme of my research was artist that were influenced by the time period they lived in, and how that transferred into the art they produced.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
An inference that I made was that the world around us has a greater impact on us then we may think. In a way it may form a small part of who we are.
Bibliography
“Karl Schmidt-Rottluff. Woman's Head (Plate 22) from the Illustrated Book Deutsche Graphiker Der Gegenwart (German Printmakers of Our Time). 1920 (Print Executed in 1916).” Lee Bontecou. Untitled. 1959 | MoMA, www.moma.org/s/ge/collection_ge/artist/artist_id-5242_role-1_sov_page-21.html.
Schmidt-Rottluff, Karl. “Karl Schmidt-Rottluff. Girl with Braids (Mädchen Mit Zöpfen) (Plate, Loose Leaf) from the Periodical Das Kunstblatt, Vol. 2, No. 2 (Feb 1918). 1918 (Executed 1917) | MoMA.” Lee Bontecou. Untitled. 1959 | MoMA, www.moma.org/collection/works/73064.
Schmidt-Rottluff, Karl. “Karl Schmidt-Rottluff. Mother (Mutter) from the Portfolio Ten Woodcuts by Schmidt-Rottluff (Zehn Holzschnitte Von Schmidt-Rottluff). (1916), Published 1919 | MoMA.” Lee Bontecou. Untitled. 1959 | MoMA, www.moma.org/collection/works/59886.
“Research Guides: German Expressionism Collection: About German Expressionism.” Home - Slavery & Freedom in Maryland - LibGuides at University of Maryland Libraries, lib.guides.umd.edu/c.php?g=326833&p=2194181.
“Various Artists with Paul Klee, Max Beckmann, Karl Caspar, Conrad Felixmüller, Erich Heckel, René Beeh, Heinrich Campendonk, Lovis Corinth, August Gaul, Ernst Barlach, George Grosz, Max Unold, Käthe Kollwitz, Alfred Kubin, Max Liebermann, Ludwig Meidner, Otto Mueller, Max Pechstein, Adolf Ferdinand Schinnerer, Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, Richard Seewald, Rudolf Grossmann, Lyonel Feininger. Deutsche Graphiker Der Gegenwart (German Printmakers of Our Time) (1920).” Lee Bontecou. Untitled. 1959 | MoMA, www.moma.org/s/ge/collection_ge/object/object_objid-9022.html.
Schmidt-Rottluff, Karl. “Karl Schmidt-Rottluff. Girl with Braids (Mädchen Mit Zöpfen) (Plate, Loose Leaf) from the Periodical Das Kunstblatt, Vol. 2, No. 2 (Feb 1918). 1918 (Executed 1917) | MoMA.” Lee Bontecou. Untitled. 1959 | MoMA, www.moma.org/collection/works/73064.
Schmidt-Rottluff, Karl. “Karl Schmidt-Rottluff. Mother (Mutter) from the Portfolio Ten Woodcuts by Schmidt-Rottluff (Zehn Holzschnitte Von Schmidt-Rottluff). (1916), Published 1919 | MoMA.” Lee Bontecou. Untitled. 1959 | MoMA, www.moma.org/collection/works/59886.
“Research Guides: German Expressionism Collection: About German Expressionism.” Home - Slavery & Freedom in Maryland - LibGuides at University of Maryland Libraries, lib.guides.umd.edu/c.php?g=326833&p=2194181.
“Various Artists with Paul Klee, Max Beckmann, Karl Caspar, Conrad Felixmüller, Erich Heckel, René Beeh, Heinrich Campendonk, Lovis Corinth, August Gaul, Ernst Barlach, George Grosz, Max Unold, Käthe Kollwitz, Alfred Kubin, Max Liebermann, Ludwig Meidner, Otto Mueller, Max Pechstein, Adolf Ferdinand Schinnerer, Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, Richard Seewald, Rudolf Grossmann, Lyonel Feininger. Deutsche Graphiker Der Gegenwart (German Printmakers of Our Time) (1920).” Lee Bontecou. Untitled. 1959 | MoMA, www.moma.org/s/ge/collection_ge/object/object_objid-9022.html.