Melbourne Sports Museum Critiques

Port Adelaide 'Power' Team Logo

The Port Adelaide 'Power' Team Logo uses a number of design elements and principles to convey the idea of strength, power and indestructibility.
The elements of solid vertical black line across the logo give repetition and stability, the shape of the lightning bolt and fist also give the logo strength and as it is centred within the logo, this also communicates strength and power. The design has only one element of colour, teal, and the rest of the design is monochromatic or grayscale - using only black, white and grey. The teal give the design an element of interest and links to nature being a blue/green colour - the colour most evident in nature. This gives the logo an added sense of strength as nature is a force that is uncontrollable and incredibly powerful. Again this ties in with the shape of the lightening bolt - which is in a example of natures frightening strength.[Image Source: http://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/]

This design, I think, would be well suited to the Russian Constructivism movement. The period was well known for strong simple imagery and the symbol of the fist clenched in the air is well known in relation to the Russian Constructivism movement. If the teal in the logo was red, it would be perfectly fitting!

This also relates to the theme of the logo which is obviously power and strength. The motif of the fist clenched in the air symbolises this and is seen in design often. This cologne bottle design for Diesel uses the motif of the clenched fist and as seen here the name of the cologne is "Only the Brave" which appeals to men who are brave and courageous. [Image Source: http://www.nuochoa.asia/]

I think the Port Adelaide Power Logo is heavily referencing Greek Mythology. Zeus is often depicted clenching a bolt of lightning as he is the ruler of heaven and is seen as strong, wise and all knowing.
I think the logo in this case very clearly communicates the theme of strength and power. The fist and lightening bolt is a common motif seen in design and history that communicates this theme. [Image Source: http://www.scrapetv.com/]

2008 Beijing Olympics Torch Design

The Olympic Torch for the Beijing Olympic games in 2008 uses a number of design elements and principles to create a beautiful and striking design. The concept of the torch design is conveyed through the design and the implementation of the design.

Firstly, the colour red has a great impact and evokes a feeling of passion. Along with the silver background colour is gives the design a modern feel. The organic thick curving lines create a feeling of harmony within people and nature - and as the design is for the Beijing Olympics the design heavily references the Chinese culture of spirituality and harmony.

The logo design is symbolic of the phoenix which is represented by fire in the five elements, and as the phoenix dies and then is reborn from its ashes it represents the spirit of man striving for sucess. This idea is repeated throughout the design of the torch. The design incorporates pattern and rhythm to create a flowing eye catching application.
[Image Source: http://torchrelay.beijing2008.cn/en/ ]

This style of design is quite basic in it's nature as it is a repeated circular pattern and because of this I think it's well suited the Primitivism movement which goes back to the basic elements of art and design, for example Wassily Kandinsky who created simplistic but interesting abstract art. [Image Source: http://www.art-in-print.com/modern_prints.html]

The motif of the repeating pattern is seen throughout the application of this design and is similiar to the Greek Meander pattern which is often seen on vases and artwork from Ancient Greece. I think the design is effective in describing the concept of harmony, the spirit of man and the phoenix .

SOURCES:

http://torchrelay.beijing2008.cn/en/image/corepatterns/

http://torchrelay.beijing2008.cn/en/image/torchdesign/index.shtml

Critiquing Tools

ART VOCABULARY LIST

Mood - a feeling evoked by design/art often created by colour or imagery

Positive Space - is an area filled by the design elements

Negative Space - is the area that is left empty within the design

Transparent - see through, or allowing light to pass through

Proportion - whether the elements are balanced within relation to each other

ADJECTIVE LIST

Geometric - square; hard lines; straight edges

Organic - curvilinear; flowing round

Contrast - juxtaposition of opposing elements

Smooth - even, level, flat - referring to texture

Tactile - when referring to texture tactile is something you can feel.

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

Stability - strength given often by centred vertical elements

Dynamics - movement within design conveyed by diagonal elements

Rhythm - movement created by repetition

Scale - size of elements in relation to each other

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

Line - This image has organic, flowing, sensitive line

Colour - Colour is used effectively to draw attention to the arm and parts of the hair

Texture - Texture is seen through the watercolour paint used

Shape - is seen with the imagery along the arm

Form - form is given the hair with the highlights and shadows

Images:

www.ffffound.com

Style Timeline - Images

Alphonse Mucha

Charles Rennie Mackintosh

William Morris

Rob Ryan

Beci Orpin

The Jezabels album cover - heavily referencing Rene Magritte's work

Rene Magritte

Lucien Rudaux

Chelsley Bonestell

Ay-O

Mondrian

Frank Stella

momentica on deviantart.com

Victor Timofeev

Kelly Goeller

Space Invader

Patricia Piccinini

Ron Mueck

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Nouveau

http://www.muchafoundation.org/MHome.asp

http://www.gustavklimtcollection.com/

http://www.charlesrenniemac.co.uk/

http://www.morrissociety.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arts_and_Crafts_Movement

www.beciorpin.com
www.misterrob.co.uk

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/René_Magritte

http://www.magritte.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvador_Dal%C3%AD

http://www.dali-gallery.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_art

http://www.bonestell.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucien_Rudaux

http://iaaa.org/gallery/rudaux/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluxus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ay-O

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoko_Ono

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piet_Mondrian

http://www.frankstella.net/

http://www.viktortimofeev.com/

http://laughingsquid.com/pixel-pour-by-kelly-goeller/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invader_(artist)

www.patriciapiccinini.net

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/artworks/galleries/2010/2807818/

Style Time Line

Art Nouveau: 1890 - 1905
Art Nouveau is an arts movement that developed during the turn of the 20th century. The name translates from the French language and means “New Art.” The style of Art Nouveau is characterized by organic, especially floral and other plant-inspired motifs, as well as highly stylized, flowing curvilinear forms. Two very well known artists of the time contributed greatly to the art style and they were Alphonse Mucha and Gustav Klimt.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Nouveau

http://www.muchafoundation.org/MHome.asp

http://www.gustavklimtcollection.com/

Arts & Crafts Movement: 1880 - 1910
The Arts & Crafts movement originated in England and was instigated by the writer and artist William Morris. The movement advocated truth to materials and traditional craftsmanship using simple forms and often medieval, romantic or folk styles of decoration. It also proposed economic and social reform and has been seen as essentially anti-industrial. Both William Morris and Charles Rennie Mackintosh were strong influences on the Arts & Crafts Movement.

Sources:

http://www.charlesrenniemac.co.uk/

http://www.morrissociety.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arts_and_Crafts_Movement

Folk Art: late 1800's - Today
Folk art encompasses art produced from an indigenous culture or by peasants or other laboring tradespeople. In contrast to fine art, folk art is primarily decorative rather than purely aesthetic. The nature of folk art is specific to its particular culture. The varied geographical and temporal prevalence and diversity of folk art make it difficult to describe as a whole, though some patterns have been demonstrated. It's difficult to track down well known folk artists at the time the movement began, however in today's society you can clearly see influences from this period of art. Some modern examples I've found include the Melbourne artist Beci Orpin and the UK artist Rob Ryan who creates beautiful paper cut artworks.

Sources:

www.beciorpin.com
www.misterrob.co.uk

Surrealism: 1920's
Surrealist works feature the element of surprise, unexpected juxtapositions and non sequitur; however, many Surrealist artists and writers regard their work as an expression of the philosophical movement first and foremost, with the works being an artefact. Leader André Breton was explicit in his assertion that Surrealism was above all a revolutionary movement. Surrealism developed out of the Dada activities of World War I and the most important center of the movement was Paris. From the 1920s onward, the movement spread around the globe, eventually affecting the visual arts, literature, film and music of many countries and languages, as well as political thought and practice, philosophy and social theory. Two very influential artists during this time were Rene Magritte and Salvador Dali.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/René_Magritte

http://www.magritte.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvador_Dal%C3%AD

http://www.dali-gallery.com/

Space Art: 1920 - 1930
Space art is a general term for art emerging from knowledge and ideas associated with outer space, both as a source of inspiration and as a means for visualizing and promoting space travel. Whatever the stylistic path, the artist is generally attempting to communicate ideas somehow related to space, often including appreciation of the infinite variety and vastness which surrounds us. In some cases, artists who consider themselves space artists use more than illustration and painting to communicate scientific discoveries or works depicting space; a new breed of space artists work directly with space flight technology and scientists as an opportunity to expand the arts, humanities and cultural expression relative to space exploration. Some influential artists during this period were Lucien Rudaux and Chelsley Bonestell.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_art

http://www.bonestell.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucien_Rudaux

http://iaaa.org/gallery/rudaux/

Fluxus: 1960's
Fluxus—a name taken from a Latin word meaning “to flow”—is an international network of artists, composers and designers noted for blending different artistic media and disciplines in the 1960s. They have been active in Neo-Dada noise music and visual art as well as literature, urban planning, architecture, and design. Fluxus is sometimes described as intermedia. Amazingly Yoko Ono was a member of the Fluxus movement, and another influential artist was called Ay-O and he created artwork called the Tactile Box.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluxus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ay-O

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoko_Ono

Minimalism: 1960's - 1970's
Minimalism describes movements in various forms of art and design, especially visual art and music, where the work is stripped down to its most fundamental features. As a specific movement in the arts it is identified with developments in post-World War II Western Art, most strongly with American visual arts in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The term minimalism is also used to describe a trend in design and architecture where in the subject is reduced to its necessary elements. Minimalist design has been highly influenced by Japanese traditional design and architecture. In addition, the work of De Stijl artists is a major source of reference for this kind of work. De Stijl expanded the ideas that could be expressed by using basic elements such as lines and planes organized in very particular manners. Frank Stella was a significant figure in the minimalist movement. As De Stijl was a heavy influence on the minimalism movement, I have included Mondrian’s work.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piet_Mondrian

http://www.frankstella.net/

Deconstructivism: 1980's
Deconstructivism is a development of postmodern architecture that began in the late 1980s. It is characterized by ideas of fragmentation, an interest in manipulating ideas of a structure’s surface or skin, non-rectilinear shapes which serve to distort and dislocate some of the elements of architecture, such as structure and envelope. The finished visual appearance of buildings that exhibit the many deconstructivist “styles” is characterized by a stimulating unpredictability and a controlled chaos. A more modern and current artist that I believe represents this period of art is called Viktor Timofeev.

Sources:

http://www.viktortimofeev.com/

Pixel Art: 1972 - Today
Pixel art is a form of digital art, created through the use of raster graphics software, where images are edited on the pixel level. Graphics in most old (or relatively limited) computer and video games, graphing calculator games, and many mobile phone games are mostly pixel art. The pixel art movement kicked off after Richard Shoup developed the Super Paint System by Xerox in 1972 at the Palo Alto Research Centre.

Pixel art has particularly inspired street artists across the world including "Space Invader" the French street artist whose name comes from the 80's game that pixel art is heavily influenced from. Another street artist whose installations can be seen in New York City is Kelly Goeller, and in 2008 she installed a piece called "Pixel Pour"

Sources:

http://laughingsquid.com/pixel-pour-by-kelly-goeller/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invader_(artist)

YouTube Video of Bomb IT - Street Artist Space Invader

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPbIs40rxmQ

Hyperrealism: Early 2000's - Today
Hyperrealism is a genre of painting and sculpture resembling a high-resolution photograph. Hyperrealism is a fully fledged school of art and can be considered an advancement of Photorealism by the methods used to create the resulting paintings or sculptures. The term is primarily applied to an independent art movement and art style in the United States and Europe that has developed since the early 2000s. Patricia Piccinini creates unusual yet intimate and intriguing sculptures that plays with the adult's ability to access their childlike thoughts and ideas. Ron Mueck also creates these highly realistic sculptures, however he plays with scale and shock imagery.

Sources:
www.patriciapiccinini.net

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/artworks/galleries/2010/2807818/

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