Art and Design Commons^™

James Tissot: The Prussian Flag, Philipp Malzl, Dr. Martha Peacock

Journal of Undergraduate Research

James Tissot was a French nineteenth-century painter who spent a great deal of his creative life in London. During those years he repeatedly chose to make the Prussian flag a somewhat conceiled, central motive in several of his paintings. The Ball on Shipboard (1874) is the most obvious example. What makes this practice peculiar is the fact that Prussia had overwhelmingly defeated France in the Franco-Prussian war only four years earlier. Thus, the pivotal question for my research was why Tissot would honor the victor over his homeland with this gesture.

Mukono Town Academy, Paul Nielson, Joseph Ostraff

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Computers and the arts are increasingly finding their place together today. In fact, the line between what is art has also changed amid this technological age. With the advent and user capability of computers it is now possible for artist and programmers to come together. The multimedia program here at BYU is in its infancy, however, we do see the different fields like Theater Media Arts, Industrial Design and Visual Art pulling their heads and their pockets together. This is not all. The media arts in the working world have crossed over boarders. For instance, the National Association of Broadcasting …

Experimental Wood Sculpture, Will Mahoney, Brian Christensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Wood is a sculpting medium that possesses a natural beauty, a beauty which can be enhanced by manipulation. Wood facilitates much creativity in form, has inherent strength, but can also exhibit construction limitations. One of the objectives driving this research project was to broaden the usage of wood in the field of sculpture.

Rafaela Dallapozza (My Mother’S Austria), Michael John Kelly, Dr. Mark Magleby

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This past summer I made art in Innsbruck Austria, the city where my mother grew up. When I planned the trip I intended to make art that would help me to better understand my heritage.

Building Purpose: Architectural Validation Of Sir Lawrence Alma- Tadema’S Spring, Jessica R. Weiss, Dr. Heather Belnap-Jensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema’s 1894 work Spring depicts a typical Mayday festival, in which young girls go out into the country to gather flowers. However, instead of rendering the splendors of Victorian London, he portrays the scene as a traditional Roman festival. Alma Tadema has placed great importance on the architectural aspects of his work, as is proved by its prevalence in the composition. The Romans took great pride in building design evidenced by modern ruins that have withstood generations; buildings were carefully constructed to worship the Gods or house athletic competition. At the time the painting was produced, Roman culture …

Animated Short Of The Children’S Story Ballet Is Not For Girls!, Merrilee Allred Liddiard, Kelly Loosli

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The opportunities within the world of art, particularly animation and illustration are wonderfully endless. Truly there is no limit to how far one can take an idea, character or story. This marvelous principle is one that I personally discovered while working on the making of the animated short, “Ballet is NOT for Girls!”

Brazil Field Studies, Janelle Celia Wride, Peter Everett

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Often artists are asked to explain their art: How do you make it? Why do you make it? Who is it for? What are you saying? How do you justify it? In other words, artists are asked to take responsibility for their work.

The Purpose Of My Project Is To Create Images That Combine The Strengths Of Photographic And Painted Imagery. Many Contemporary Artists Combine Painted And Photographic Elements In Their Work, However, Rarely Are The Two Distinct Visual Languages Unified. Most Often Any Viewer Can Readily Distinguish Between The Photograph And Paint. It Is My Challenge To Visually Bridge That Gap., Trenton Reynolds, Bruce Smith

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of my project is to create images that combine the strengths of photographic and painted imagery. Many contemporary artists combine painted and photographic elements in their work, however, rarely are the two distinct visual languages unified. Most often any viewer can readily distinguish between the photograph and paint. It is my challenge to visually bridge that gap.

Frederic, Lord Leighton: A Look At The Development Of An Important Artist, Angela Swanson Jones, Dr. Mark Magleby

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Understanding the education of an artist has always been a major focus in the study of the history of art. Asking and answering questions about an artist’s development helps historians to interpret the artist’s message, ability, and influence upon his or her contemporaries. For these reasons I became interested in the teacher-pupil relationship of one of the greatest artists of the Victorian age, Frederic Lord Leighton (1830-1886) and his Nazarene instructor Edward von Steinle (1810-1886). Leighton’s style underwent a dramatic change from 1850 to 1852 when he was a student of Steinle in Frankfurt. The impact that this master had …

Hieronymus Bosch’S Saint Giles Within The Hermit Saints Triptych, Kirsten Kakadelas

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The mystery of Hieronymus Bosch’s intent has been debated for centuries. The iconography of his works poses many different questions and problems in determining his intent, meaning, and symbolism as an artist. Bosch encountered many different influences that had an effect and impact on his style and work. I set out to research the iconography of the panel of Saint Giles within the triptych of Hermit Saints by Hieronymus Bosch in the Ducal Palace in Venice. This research is helping my search in determining Bosch’s intent, meaning, symbolism, and influences in this panel.

Distortions, Isaac Howard, Gary Barton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The technological shifts in digital media have empowered individuals to create quality multimedia productions on a relatively limited budget. With the help of ORCA, I have been able to take a new direction with my art using digital sound and videotechnologies. I have spent the last year trying to learn how to use the new equipment in order to produce the art I have envisioned.

The Symbolic Significance Of The Angel Gabriel’S Wings In Van Eyck’S Annunciation, Krisanne Hastings, Dr. Martha Peacock

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Jan Van Eyck’s Annunciation is rich with religious symbolism. The iconographic program of this Northern Renaissance masterpiece delves deeply into intellectual Christian motifs, referencing the royalty of the Virgin and Christ child, offering up a varied repertoire of Old and New Testament allusions, and alluding to Christ’s role on earth. Numerous scholars have addressed Van Eyck’s iconographic presentation, paying most specific attention to elements such as the architectural structure wherein the annunciation is taking place and the representation of biblical scenes. Despite the past intense investigation of Van Eyck’s piece, no scholar has mentioned the possible symbolism associated with the …

Symbols Of Heaven: An Analysis Of Iconographic Programs In Gothic Western Facades, Gerald Hansen Iii, Dr. Mark Johnson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Gothic churches are vivid expressions of Catholic doctrine and local culture. Doctrinally churches have a similar basic purpose—to unite members of the community for the teaching of church doctrine and for the celebration of religious sacraments or holidays. However, each church often has additional unique functions based on religious, political, economic, or other factors of the era and region. One of the most important means by which a church illustrates these purposes is through the symbolic art and architecture decorating its interior and exterior. This church iconography is meant to communicate to the community the Catholic plan of salvation and …

Mi Buenos Aires Querido, John Gordon, Linda Sullivan

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The project Mi Buenos Aires Querido was a wonderful opportunity for me to begin my work on a professional level as a graphic designer and artist. The project explores cross cultural design as well as experiential communication and the marginalization of Latin America. I never intended to exhibit a photo essay, presenting glossy photos glamorizing Buenos Aires. Doing so would make people think the city is beautiful, and while it is the beauty is not superficial. I wanted to communicate the beauty and struggle of everyday life in the neighborhood of La Boca. La Boca was chosen because it once …

Velocity, Collin Bradford, Peter Everett

Journal of Undergraduate Research

As citizens of contemporary Western culture, we have inherited a set of ideas about the nature of human life. A large part of our understanding of the world is based in the ideas of the Modern era. Though the majority of the populace may be unaware of the influence that the past has on our contemporary lives we cannot escape our modernist heritage. A large part of the worldview that we inherited is the linearity of time. There is an interesting contradiction between modernism’s linear time and the Cartesian idea of God as the master clockmaker. A clock functions based …

A Symbolic Study Of Van Eyck’S Annunciation, David Amott, Dr. Martha Peacock

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The Northern Renaissance artist who best understood iconography’s potential in painting was Jan van Eyck (1390-1441), whose Annunciation (1434) is a masterpiece of Netherlandish art and one of the most important paintings of the Northern Renaissance. Integrated into this work is symbolism that refers to the Trinity, the Old and New Testament, and events leading up to the birth of Christ. Outside of the painting’s major symbolic cycle, however, are a number of other details that add further meaning to the scene. Among these are the rainbow colored wings of the Archangel Gabriel embellished with peacock feathers. These details are …

Non-Toxic Intaglio Printmaking, Todd Chilton, Gary Barton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Intaglio printmaking is a process that carries with it a tradition of hazardous chemicals and solvents that is not only dangerous for artists and students, but also for the environment. As an artist, I am concerned with the negative effects of working with these substances. In our day of increased health and safety awareness, as well as environmental consciousness, certain traditional methods of printmaking are being replaced with safer, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly processes. Traditional techniques are expensive, and it is difficult to continue working with these processes outside of a university with a well-equipped shop. The dangers and …

Acclimation, Rory Dlugos

Art Journal

In fragmenting the human figure, I hope to express loss of control or the inability to know one’s future. On a daily basis, I am bombarded with this anxiety-ridden dilemma. In my work, this struggle manifests itself in the figures’ expressions and poses. The seamless integration of figures into the background can be seen as their successful ability to merge with their changing environment; in other words, a positive adaptation of self.

At other times, the figure-background dichotomy represents the struggle to adapt to change and maintain a constantly evolving, healthy self. In some works, the figures are rooted in …

60, Casey Cullen

Art Journal

Through my body of work, 60, I aim to convey my confusion of learning a new style of photography along with the uncertainty of identity. The confusion of what is going on in the photograph coincides with the unfamiliarity of the camera and the more general disorientation of everyday life. My photographs question different methods of photography through the use of an old process while also questioning the term “portrait.” Working with a camera that has been surpassed and forgotten about has allowed me to keep the process alive. A large format camera enables me to have more freedom in …

Memory Tokens, Julia Christ

Art Journal

My work deals with memory and the affliction of forgetfulness. Memories start out vivid and get washed over, dulled. New experiences cover up those of the past, and the authority of our memories is called into question. Like most humans, I collect memories compulsively; like souvenirs in a hoarder’s obsessive sanctuary, those memories start to pile up. They become indistinguishable and forgotten. These collected memory tokens, whether or not they are consciously acknowledged, trigger different emotional responses and forever influence my identity.

When I revisit a place, I am brought back to events that previously occurred there; multitudes of past …