History of Art, Architecture, and Archaeology Commons^™

Aspects Of Light In Photography, Christopher Seiberling

Art & Art History ETDs

Light is not only a basic condition for photographic process but also a versatile tool for photographic image-making and a metaphorical agent for photographic expression. In a cross-cultural context, there are universal but complex religious interpretations of light phenomena; light has been associated with mystical experience and alchemical process and has been symbolic of enlightenment or salvation. In literature light implies many ideas, e.g. the "colorless all-color of atheism" (Helville) and the "inexplicable" human condition (Beckett). Current attitudes toward light, generated by advances in technology, dominate fading religious concerns.

Among twentieth century photographers, C.H. White and George Seeley used light …

The Creative Thought Process In Scientific And Artistic Problem Solving, James Michael Scott

Art & Art History ETDs

Herein is a discussion of creative thinking as it is manifested in scientific and artistic inquiry. Specifically, creativity is treated as a special kind of problem solving and is discussed as a mental process rather than an isolated event. The process consists of three phases: 1) preparation, 2) subconscious work, and 3) evaluation. These three periods are seen as essential characteristics of creative problem solving. The creative process consists of both conscious and unconscious mental activity. Primarily, the conscious work is carried on during the periods of preparation and evaluation, and the unconscious mental functions occur during the period referred …

Gold Disks From The Sacred Cenote At Chichen Itza, Yucatán: Stylistic Analysis And Ethnohistorical Interpretation, Merideth Daniel Paxton

Art & Art History ETDs

During 1904-1911, Edward H. Thompson recovered some gold disks which have repousse designs showing military encounters from the Sacred Cenote at Chichen Itza. In addition, there have survived numerous carvings and frescoes at the site which depict scenes of armed conflict and surrender. The disks, frescoes, and carvings have been interpreted as events pertaining to the conquest of the Chichen Mayans by invading forces from the Toltec city of Tula in central Mexico. However, in recent years, influences from Mesoamerican sites other than Tula have been recognized in the art style of Chichen, and it is known that Toltec features …

A Report On The Image Construction And Presentation Processes And Their Implications Within My Work, Kent T. Rush

Art & Art History ETDs

I have recently defined for myself methods of creating and presenting images. These methods became useful to me intuitively. Now, they have become consciously evident to me as procedures to which I can apply my creative efforts. Examination of these processes is an effort to economize and minimize wasted energies. My recent artistic activities have centered around the use of collage and printmaking. My sensitivity to these processes was directed toward inherent qualities which complimented the content of my images. Though I have always used collage, I had considered its use frivolous. I recognize now that it provides me with …

Wet Grounds, John Stascak

Art & Art History ETDs

This thesis is dealing with information about trying to extend sculptural possibilities. Sculpture is one of the most flexible areas in art today because it is moving from object ornamentation to situation of the mind. We are eliminating concerns for physical styles and are re-examining our thought process as artists. The thesis also explains two environmental art works which have been completed over the past two years. They are explained in three areas: Primal. Settings, Devices, and Communications.

An Analysis Of The Creative Process: From Metal Imagery To Enigmatic Form, Virginia Mae Crompton

Art & Art History ETDs

It is my purpose to create visual imagery of enigmatic, obscure, and mystical content through the development of clarity of form. I attribute the pursuit of three-dimensional form, first to the mysterious and lustrous qualities of metal as a medium of expression (or communication) and secondly, to a personal need to gain insight into the basic structural essence of the visual world. Extensive analysis of both man-made and natural organic form has provided a visual vocabulary from which to work. More importantly such an analysis has led to the discovery that form is not only composed of structure and a …

A Report On A Thesis In Painting Entitled "Discussion On Recent Work", Jane Grace Cole

Art & Art History ETDs

The work has been mainly in two media, oil and watercolour. Initially, there was difficulty finding an approach that would treat vegetative themes similarly in either medium. The watercolour paintings had several strong qualities that were not present in the oils. These strengths were the watercolour's great luminosity and dense design of transparent brush strokes, whose rhythmic structure was separate from the pictorial image. Therefore a series of experiments was made in the oil medium, to try and solve the problems of luminosity, transparency and brush stroke pattern which had arisen in the transferring of an idea from watercolour to …

The Resonant Environment, Frank Joseph Rolla

Art & Art History ETDs

An environment is defined by the energies introduced or naturally occuring in its space, and I intend to show that the energy of sound has the capacity to develop and control space as effectively as any visual element. Sound and environment are described in the opening sections of the paper as are certain ways in which sound may function in a physical manner. These descriptions are further supported by consideration of the components of sound, like vibration, and by presenting various activities of sound I have discovered in my musical devices. These activities are resonant conduction, contact vibration, and sympathetic …