Theme: This exhibited focusing on picturing Niagara Falls and different perspectives that are taken on one of the natural wonders of the world.
Lighting: The exhibit used dimmed lighting that way the oil on the paintings wouldn't fade, but there was a brighter light that was on each piece that way it helped the piece catch the viewers eye.
Colors: The museum used all white walls and didn't really change much for this particular exhibit. There was no reason to change the wall color.
Interior Architecture: There wasn't much interior architecture used by the museum for the exhibit.
Movement: Moving through the gallery was easy and free flowing, but it doesn't really guide you to the exhibit. It was difficult to determine what was part of the exhibit and what wasn't.
Organized: The exhibit is organized by the date of the painting, but began to mix as the paintings got closer to today in year. It was well organized once the viewer determined the layout it was easy to navigate.
Similar: All the pictures show a perspective of Niagara Falls and most were painted on canvas with oil. Most the older paintings were just portraits of the natural wonder.
Differences: Each artist had a different perspective whether it was the Canadian side of the falls, a different set of falls (horseshoe), or the main falls seen on the New York side. One of the paintings used mixed media and combined it with the oil background of the falls and another used oil and created an outline of the chemistry make up of the water within the falls.
Framed: All the framing is different with one using a set of copper piping with actual water shut offs. There were several that actually had no frame for the piece and then there were even some that had extremely elaborate frames. These frames were mostly made out of a wood material and carved with elaborate designs.
Identified and Labeled: Each piece was labeled and identified with a small white box on the left side of the painting. The boxes contained the year it was published, the artist, the medium, and a small blurb of the piece.
Proximity: The art was located about 5 steps from each other and with this length it allows the artist to walk a few steps before being in front of another. But, each painting wasn't located so close to another that the viewer's focus is distracted or taken away from the piece they are viewing.
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1. Frank C. Moore
Niagara, 1994-95
Oil on Canvas
Description: This painting is gorgeous and does a great job outlining colors and the beauty in the little things. I see a man that lived a life of science and saw the falls as a piece of science to research. The viewer can date the painting based on the video camera or camera that is being used. The city can be seen in the background (faded but it's there).
Formal Analysis: Frank Moore definitely takes advantage of uses specific bright colors that are used to catch the viewer's eye. The contrast between the green water and the blues that are used draws eyes to the falls. He uses shapes not only in the mist that can be seen, but the same shapes can be seen in the water that is settling. There are hexagonal shapes that are being used by the artist. The artist also using perspective with the city buildings that can be seen in the background of the image.
Bracketing: The shapes and symbols that are located within the mist reminds me of chemistry and trying to figure out the makeup of something. The copper piping seems like a metaphor for how human's try to dominate natural resources, as if something like the falls can be shut off and controlled.
Interpretation: I feel that the artist was trying to show the chemicals that can be contained within the falls. He has exposed a lot of uncertainties that most don't want to identify are related to the falls, but he has changed perspectives of many peoples and himself especially.
2. Stephen Hannock
The Great Falls at Dawn for Xu Bing, 2013
Polished mixed media on canvas
Description: I see a different perspective for the artist who is trying to bring art into the 21st century and not just create another depiction of the falls. This piece was based of the sunset and is trying to be relatable.
Formal Analysis: The artist uses lines to show the 3-D image that is the falls and the output of the edge. The white writing contrasts with the brown cliffs that are being shown and portrayed through this picture. This stands out to the viewer and allows them to be able to see the point that is trying to be made. The colors also contrast in the sky with the sunset. The reds, oranges, and yellow show the value of the color red from white. It allows the viewer to determine when the painting was painted.
Bracketing: There are a few pictures that are shown within the piece that show a woman walking down a street in a suit and there is writing that symbolizes the 21st century and the ability to relate to the newer generations. I think the pictures symbolize the busy life of the city that contributes to the busy life of the falls.
Interpretation: I think the artist is trying to say that the world around the falls is as busy as the falls themselves. The falls are running 24/7 and don't have the ability to be shut off, but the pictures shown are of people who are still moving and that haven't stopped. Most are busy people, college students, and working life.
3. Harry Fenn
The Horseshoe Fall from the Three Sisters, 1893
Watercolor on paper
Description: I see the horseshoe falls which is also known as the three sisters. This looks as if it was painted from the American side of the falls. It looks extremely realistic and the viewer can definitely tell that the falls were running rapidly.
Formal Analysis: The texture the artist uses focuses on the beauty of the evergreen trees that line the edges of the falls and the rocks that are in the midst of the falls themselves. The space used is extremely important when it comes to the perspective in this painting due to the fact that he is trying to portray three different falls in one image while keeping the natural beauty noticeable. The harmony in this piece is also essential. Everything flows well together and messes with the waves and the natural essence that one can gather from just a simple painting.
Bracketing: This piece doesn't really have anything that stands out or that differs from others. It is a basic portrait of the landscape.
Interpretation: I feel the artists idea was to embody the dangerous allure of the rapids. He wanted to show the beauty of the horseshoe falls at the same time as portraying the dangerousness and temptations that some see when they are in the midst of the natural wonder.
I thought that visiting the gallery to view things from more of the artist and art world type was interesting. I never really focused on the spacing of the paintings or how they were arranged throughout the exhibit. But, to actually be looking for these things in the gallery was actually fun and intriguing. It gave me a different perspective and made me think in a different light.
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