Project Blog

Step 1: The Exhibition

Questions about the exhibit:

1. What is the title of the exhibit? The title of the exhibition was Forty: Sabres in the NHL.

2. What is the theme of the exhibition? The theme of this exhibit is the forty years that the NHL has been in buffalo with teams such as the Sabres.

Step 2: The Gallery

Questions about the physical space:

1. What type of lighting is used?

The lighting that is used in this exhibit is low lighting, but the pictures are highlighted by spot lights.

2. What colors are used on the walls?

The colors used on the walls are beige or tan color. They are plain neutral colors. However a few of the walls are blue and used as accents to the white. They are the color of the Sabres.

3. What materials are used in the interior architecture of the space?

The materials used in the interior’s architecture are marble and concrete. These materials are used in the flooring and also in the columns. Also wood and drywall is found in the walls and other architectural structures, along with glass.

4. How is the movement of the viewer through the gallery space?

 The movement of the viewer through the galley is linear with paths branching off to the left and right. These paths lead to more linear paths that the viewers follow.

 Step 3: The Artwork

 Questions about the artwork:

1. How are the artworks organized?

The art works are placed on the walls in columns of 3 or rows of 3. Some of the works are placed on a wall around the logo for the exhibit. There is a far back room that has the NHL 360 exhibit, and at the corners of each room are TVs playing videos relating to the Sabres.

2. How are the artworks similar?

The artworks are similar because they are all Buffalo hockey themed. They are also all framed the same way and are photographed in the same style.

3. How are the artworks different?

The artworks are different because some are photographs from different time periods. Some are in black and white while others are in color. There are also works of different media such a photography and video.

4. How are the artworks framed?

Most of the artworks are framed with a simple black frame.

5. How are the artworks identified and labeled?

The art works are labeled by photographer. These labels are in the bottom right corner of the photos.

6. What is the proximity of the artwork to each other?

The artworks are placed very close together. There is not much spacing between the artworks.

Step 4: Art Criticism Exercise

Select three of the artworks from the show and use the Art Criticism worksheet to describe, analyze, bracket and interpret the work using the 5-step Art Criticism Process described.

Take pictures of the images you are interpreting. If this is not allowed, make quick sketches of the pieces.

 Analysis:

Description: This piece is 3 photos that show the reactions of a family to a hockey game. The main man in the photos is angry about a play and as the pictures progress we see how the mans reactions change. In the last picture the man looks very defeated.

 Formal Analysis: The elements and principles found in this piece are emphasis, value, and balance. Emphasis is found because the main character of the piece is the man and he is emphasized by being placed in the middle. Value is found in the piece because it is in black and white and you can see the darks and lights of the piece. Balance is found because the piece is very balanced with things evenly placed around the piece.

Bracketing: This piece reminds me of the reactions of many people durring a hockey game. When attending a game you see the reactions people have to the game, and how people feel. This picture is and example of this.

Interpretation: My interpretation of this piece is that it is of a man and his family and their reactions to a hockey game. The man is frustrated and then eventually defeated. The family as a whole is excited for the action that is taking place, and at the end the wife finds the husband's frustration amusing.

 Analysis:

Description: These 3 photos are of a fight that occurred. There are people everywhere and it shows the scale of the fight. The photos how the fight progresses and the actions of all the people.

 Formal Analysis: The elements and principles found in this piece are variety, value, and movement. Variety is found because there are so many people and things going on in the piece. Value is found because the black and white photo shows the lights and darks of the piece. Movement is found in the way the people are standing and the way this portrays movement.

Bracketing: This piece reminds me of a fight that took place in an Ottawa vs. Sabres game a few years ago.

Interpretation: I interpret this piece as a fight that took place between the Sabres and Another hockey team. It was a big game and many people were involved. This shows how the people involved and the people at the arena reacted. It shows alot of excitement and action.

 Analysis:

Description: This is a photograph by Bill Wippert. The picture is of Ryan Miller the sabres current goal tender. Ryan is in his goalie equipment and there is a light source coming from the left. This casts a shadow on the wall.

 Formal Analysis: The elements and principles that are present in this work are value, balance, line, and repetition. Repetition is present on the pattern of the wall. The work is balanced with miller on the left and his shadow on the right. Value is present in the shadow, and line can also be found in the pattern on the wall and on the wall moving. 

Bracketing: When i look at this work i am reminded of an advertisement poster for a star wars movie. The movie has young Anakin with his shadow on a wall. The shadow is of his self when he is older. This is what i am reminded of when i see this picture. 

Interpretation: The interpretation that i get from this picture is the two sides of Miller. The person and the goalie. The shadow is his other side ready to play the game, while miller with his eyes closed is himself trying to ready himself to become who is projected on the wall.

What did you think of visiting the Gallery and purposefully looking at the exhibition from a different perspective - the physical space, the architecture, theme, etc.?

I liked the process of looking at the gallery and its exhibits from a different perspective. It was very interesting to look at things in a different light. I also like interpreting the art from the different clues found using the steps given in this project.