Memorial Park

            Memorial Park 

                As a class, my professor took us to Memorial Park for a visit to what used to be the Twin Towers. In this place near Wall Street, they’ve created a memorable visit. A place where many that died on September 11 tragedy, are honored. In this park there are many trees that were planted, its walk way is of tile/stone like. There are also two great enormous pools. They are both nicely framed, on these frames the names of the people that died are engraved. Inside these pools, there is water running down, like a waterfall, very impressive, and pleasant to the eye.

            It is very interesting to the architects creation, and way of thinking. I believe the pools are both shaped in a square like shape because that was the shape of the twin towers. Four walled buildings. The reason for the waterfall, I believe it is representing all the tears shed for those people and the disaster that truly changed America. When you look in the pool, and just gaze, you start thinking so many things. It becomes peaceful and a sense of sadness fills the air. When you hear the waterfall, you start picturing that day, and what you can imagine it was like. Not a very nice thought, but it’s reality, and what happened. There are also relatives of the people that died that go visit the park, so it’s best that you pay your respects, because they could be standing right next to you!

            It’s sad, but a reality, and I believe the memorial park was a great idea and a great way to honor the people that lost their lives on September 11, 2001. It was a great experience, but not only can people reflect on the past but can see the future, on how America is slowing raising, healing, and finding ways for closure to move on honorably.  

David Smith@Whitney

David Smith@Whitney

            David Smith at Whitney displays many sculptures involving cubes and anarchy. In which he involves many geometric shapes that make his sculpting look very balanced. His composition is very skilled and creative. I like how he uses his imagination. He also has a Hudson River Landscape in which his design is very abstract. He knows how to develop something not seen in other places he, creates new things, and sees outside of the box. He sees more to something so simple. David Smith is an amazing sculptor.

               He puts different things together and creates something new. It amazes me because it’s hard for me to come up with something out of nothing. And even though I am not a professional artist, I can only imagine these things coming natural to him. That’s when you know you’re a true professional, when things, ideas, creations just come naturally to you.  I believe there is only so much you can know. But if you apply what you know and what you learned, great art comes out of it.

            His work displayed at the Whitney museum was phenomenal. I believe art is what you make it. There are no wrongs or rights. It is what it is, it is what you make it. Whether it’ s a standing stick or a collage, the meaning and outlook on that image and what it means to you, can create a true masterpiece, and later can makes others see what you see. That is Art. 

Final Project

Scott Sternbach

Director of Photography in LaGuardia Community College

Room – B336
Website: www.scottsternbach.com

Final Project

Jessi nessi

December. 15, 2011

Final Project

Scott Sternbach

            Scott Sternbach, director of LaGuardia’s Community College photography department was granted by the National Science Foundation to photograph Antarctic Landscape. When asked if he ever thought he would ever get this far he responded, “ I don’t know if this is a bit arrogant to say, but I always knew I would get it.” Sternbach is a highly motivated and dedicated photographer. He grew up in New Jersey, where his parents used to take him to galleries and exhibitions. His inspiration he said was just looking at photographs. Although he did state that an advantage he had was that his grandfather and great grandfather used to take photographs and they kind of got him started. He stated that he started taking photographs when he was ten to eleven years old; he had his camera set and everything. Sternbach attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, then transferred to New school for research, and later finished school at City College. When asked why he decided to join the LaGuardia staff, he answered “ Never really planned it, in the 90’s I had an exhibition here in LaGuardia and they were impressed with what they saw, and they offered me a position here. I’ve been here since 2000, it’s been eleven years.” Sternbach’s future goals are to continue the LaGuardia program, and to continue to make it grow not in size but in quality. He also plans to go back to Antarctic and Alaska. He said “ I also want to go to hot places after; I like to go to the extreme. Maybe after that I’d go to the equator. Later make a big exhibition of Survival in both extreme cold and hot places.” Sternbach is an interesting and unique photograph, and one can only admired his outlook of life in the beauty of his pictures. Favorite scenes he said he likes to photograph are “ places found compelling [that tell stories], like beauty at the edge of great difficulty. That’s why I chose polar places, expressive places; anyone that can survive in such harsh environments and situations is interesting. Where there is human spirit, to see how people react when under pressure.” Some of Sternbach’s great work is being displayed now at the American Museum of Natural History in the “Race to the end of the world” exhibition! 

Final Project

Scott Sternbach

Is photography what you always wanted to pursue?

“Yes, I started when I was 10-11 years old; I had a camera set and everything.”

2. Did you ever think you would get this far?

“Yes, one thing about me is I always thought I could be the best. An advantage I had was that my Grandfather and by Great Grandfather used to take photographs; they are the ones who got me started. I grew up in New Jersey and my parents supported, they used to take me to galleries and exhibitions.”

3. Granted by the National Science Foundation to photograph breath taking Antarctic, landscape, what was your first thought?

“I was screaming. Had a bottle of champagne, going there is beyond anyone meets. You’re not allowed to go there unless you doing some type of research or are granted to do so. I don’t know if this a bit arrogant to say, but I always knew I would get it.” The first time I applied, I didn’t get it, the second time, I did.”   

4. What do you like to photograph the most? What is your favorite scene?

“Something that tells stories, places found compelling. Like beauty at the edge of great difficulty. That’s why I chose polar places, expressive places; anyone that can survive in such harsh environments and situations is interesting. Where there is human spirit, to see how people react when under pressure.”  

5. Who inspired you?

“Just looking at photographs inspired me.”

6. Stereotypically photographers are viewed as really laid back people, that don’t do very much, is this true?

“Complete Opposite I would say. Pushing to get published, it’s been a journey. Room for being lazy, doesn’t come into the picture. People always tell me “I don’t know how you do it” I always have a lot of energy.”

7. At what age did you start taking pictures?

“I started when I was ten to eleven years old.”  

8. What has been your educational career? Where did you go to school?

“I went to Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, then I transferred to New School for research, and then I finished at City College.”  

9. Does this have anything to do with the new polar movie coming out in theatres soon?

“What movie? No, not at all... Although I am working on a movie of Alaska, a documentary on Artic Natural Life.”

10. What are your future goals?

“Continue LaGuardia program, and continue to make it grow not in size, but in quality. I am also planning on going back to Antarctic and Alaska. I also want to go to hot places after; I like to go to the extreme. Maybe after that I’d go to the equator. Later make a big exhibition of Survival in both extreme cold and hot places.”  

11. Why did you decide to join the LaGuardia staff?

“Never planned it, in the 90’s I had an exhibition here in LaGuardia and they were impressed with what they saw. They offered me a position here. I’ve been here since 2000, it’s been 11 years.”  

12. Why did you take the job? (Professor in LaGuardia)

“Natural opportunity, I also wanted to pass on what I learned, and continue learning. Students can keep you on your feet.”  

13. Anything you would like to add about yourself?

“I just wished I lived closer, I have to drive here all the way from New Jersey.”

14. One word you would say describes you?

“Ambitious.”

"Bad Drawing"

Deformation of the Figure 
This is a picture of my classmate Jeremiah who I sketched as a
deformation of the face by making one eye larger than the other
and making his ears very pointy!

Non-art resource 
This is a sketch I drew of a pair of headphones i have
in my house.

Art Resource 
This is a sketch of a designer I found online, in which
my Professor confessed that is was better than the
designer! ;) Thank you! 

Fantastic Content
This is a sketch of a mermaid. 

Visit to the METropolitan Museum

When I visited the Metropolitan Museum with my class, I came into visual contact with an extraordinary piece of art, in the Arms and Armor section. This is Ceremonial Armor, which is made out of steel, copper, gold, silk, and metallic thread chinese. It was beautiful. It also included the buddhist prayer. These piece was composed of a very beautiful silk aqua blue color, and filled with gold ornaments, and everything else. I really enjoyed going back in time for a bit and seeing old artifacts and how different everything was, including the ways of viewing life and style which differ with time.