December/January Museum Exhibits

I have been wanting to blog about the two exhibits that I viewed over break for a month! Maybe I will blame the delay on the constant snow we have been getting... I guess the digital world does not find that to be an acceptable excuse. :-)

The BODY WORLDS 2 exhibit at the Franklin Institute was amazing. To be able to see the organs sitting out on a table, for exhibition, was frighting and awe-inspiring at the same time. My sister did not believe at first that they were "real organs." The preservation of the organs mass was incredible. As well as the layout of the exhibition. It started with the brain, the powerhouse of your body on display. Then it went into the bones, then the muscles, next the nerves and so on and so forth. Throught out the exhibit there are these full bodies of athletes, which were fascinating to view, but I enjoyed the information on the individual organs more.

I did get the headset, and extra 6 dollars, and thought it was not necessary. Don't get them! The labeling on the organs was more than sufficient. I have gone to many exhibits at the Franklin Institute and this one was my favorite by far!

The second exhibit, at the New Museum in New York City. Urs Fischer: Marguerite de Ponty. For his first large-scale solo presentation in an American museum, Urs Fischer has taken over all three of the New Museum’s gallery floors to create a series of immersive installations and hallucinatory environments.

The exhibit was spread out upon 3 floors and demonstrated several different sides of his work. The most interesting to me, was the "melting lamp posts and piano." They had a surreal, Dali-like feel. Overall, it felt like he was still a bit scattered and not concentrated on a style or niche yet. Read More Here

Urs Fisher: Marguerite de Ponty Images

The Lost Symbol

Usually, I can read books at an exuberant pace, but Dan Brown's Lost Symbol was surprisingly not a quick read. Besides the consistent cat and mouse chases throughout, the artwork and architecture was so dense that I found a notepad and laptop were a necessary tool in understanding this book.

Starting the with ceiling of the Capital Building, The Apotheosis of Washington, that references mythology and political figures (such as George Washington) trying to reach "God-like" status. Of course this fiction book is not filled with cited facts, but it does leave an interesting perceptive to be questioned.

Near the end of the book, there is anothing interesting piece of art called the Kryptos Sculpture. The copper and iron sculpture is the in the courtyard of the CIA building. The statue, created by Jim Sanborn, has been confirmed to have encryptic messages embedded within the alphebetic sequence cut into it. Personally, I enjoyed Dan's Brown's description of the cryptic sculpture in the CIA building.

Overall, the book had an enjoyable twist ending and shared a lot of knowledge of art and architecture of Washington DC. Though, I would not consider this "light-reading," it was thought-provoking and perfectly plotted out.

Student Contests

This semester the students have been involved with local and national businesses. The first challenge, my first year students tackled was designing the Mayfair poster. Mayfair is a local festival that celebrates art, music and community.

http://www.mayfairfestival.org/

Here are some of the student's work:

http://www.dannelldesigns.com/2010mayfair

Exhibit Opening!

Sedso Design Group put together an exhibition called Place Your Art Here that is featuring 50 different designers from a variety of backgrounds. Dannell MacIlwraith, adjunct professor in the art department at Northampton Community College, has three pieces within the upcoming show, which is opening Sept. 4th at Sedso Design Group Gallery - Space 75 at The Piazza 1050 North Hancock Street, Philadelphia, Pa 19146.

Links:
http://www.placeyourarthere.com
http://www.sedsodesign.com

Spiderman in Chicago

Chicago 2009

When I tell my friends that I went to Chicago, the first question is "Why??" The answer is because it is an amazing well designed city! I am a city person at heart, which caused me to fall in love with Chicago. It's beautiful architecture and well thought out city planning (thanks to Burnham.) My favorite was Millinium Park- a true wonder to city life. The huge sculptures throughout are completely interactive day and night. To view more photos click here!

New Business Cards Printed!

Talking Bird

One of my favorite CDs is Death Cab for Cutie's, "Narrow Stairs." This was based off the song, "Talking Bird." I created the below small (7 inches by 7 inches) drawing illustrating the song. This mixed media is on watercolor paper.  I printed typography from an inkjet printer and hand drew the bird within the cage.  

Lyrics to Song:

Oh, my talking bird
Though you know so few words
They're on infinite repeat
Like your brain can't keep up with your beak

And you're kept in an open cage
So you're free to leave or stay
And sometimes you get confused
Like there is a hint that I'm trying to give you

And the longer you think
The less you know what to do

It's hard to see your way out
When you live in a house in a house
'Cause you don't realize
That the windows were open the whole time

But oh, my talking bird
Though your feathers are tattered and furled
I'll love you all your days
'Til the breath leaves your delicate frame

It's all here for you
As long as you choose to stay
It's all here for you
As long as you don't fly away

Student Logo Project

To begin Adobe Illustrator, every semester, my class counts off into groups and designs an identity package.  The class begins by creating a logo; next the entire identity package, including business card, stationary and envelope.

This semester we decided to redesign the Starbucks Coffee logo.  

Background on Starbucks

Starbucks was founded in 1971 across from Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington.

The logo  was a brown and white "twin-tailed siren." A siren is Greek mythology creature.  They are mermaid like creatures that live in the sea. The term "siren song" refers to an appeal that is hard to resist but that, if heeded, will lead to a bad result.  It is said that they would sing to mariners at sea, drawing them into the ocean to be lead to death.  Early in mythology, sirens were represented by bird bodies, women's heads and lions mane; but later they pictorial depiction changed to a mermaid.

Slowly the "twin-tailed siren" became censored in the Starbucks logo.  In the 15th century sketch of the siren, her breasts and her naval is exposed (only natural since she is a mermaid.) Her breasts were the first to get covered up... next her navel...and then recently her stomach has been cropped out of the logo.  (Honestly, I never knew she was a mermaid.)  Below, is a diagram of the evolution of Starbucks logo.

The students were directed to conduct research on the company. The four groups of 3 to 4 students worked well together.  They advised each other on technical and aesthetic advice. I enjoy the group project because they learn from each other well.  The students are required to hand in an identity binder.  This includes the identity package, as well as a page which determines the fonts used, CMYK and RGB breakdown of the colors. Below is the student's interpretation Starbucks redesign.

FLW and Legos

This is my third post about legos. Which is odd because I do not play with legos in my spare time. BUT. I might now that this came out!

My former student, Lauren Doyle, emailed me this link.

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/05/frank-lloyd-wright-lego-sets/

In my curriculum, the computer graphics students create an "Architectural Illustration." I discuss Frank Lloyd Wright, Michael Graves and Zaha Hadid. After the students create beautiful illustrations. :-)

Lego sets of FLW Falling Water and Guggenheim Museum can now be bought! Amazing.