Candy Chang likes to make cities more comfortable for people. She is a public installation artist, designer, urban planner, TED Fellow, and co-founder of Civic Center in New Orleans".It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget what really matters to you.Before I Die transforms a neglected space into a constructive one where we can learn the hopes and aspirations of the people around us."I think this picture speaks to every one in general, because people have lost so much and have been through rough patches in life and they instantly forget to enjoy living life before they die. I also choose this picture because its located in New Orleans, my hometown.

Even though it does not depict people actually working together, to me this New Deal painting still suggests the sense of unity and cooperation at that particular time in history by having individuals from all walks of life seemingly content, conversing, and sharing a subway car. Whether you were an artist, businessman, or blue collar worker, the desire to work through the hard times together was important. This message may still have meaning today as this need for unity is often forgotten.

Subway by Lily Furedi, 1934

Oil on 39 x 48 1/4 in. (99.1 x 122.6 cm.)
Smithsonian American Art Museum

By: Albert Bender, Chicago Federal Art Project, WPA, ca. 1935

Being a big fan of 'propaganda' I seem to associate posters and the likes to it. This is a - I use the term lightly- propaganda poster for the new deal promoting Roosevelt's plan.

Notice how the man holding a tool, seems to me he's a part of the working class. This poster was use in a sense to appeal to the lower class americans who wanted to know what the new deal would do for them.

P.S.) I figure the flash mob would be for funsies. Haha. Here's my 'assignment.'

FLASH MOBS:

DEFINITION???
1. A large group of people gathered by social media to meet in a public place for the purpose of doing an unusual or entertaining activity for a short duration.
2. A hell of a lot of fun.

How is this 'Public Art' you say?

Rewind and watch again, please.

Given an early example of public art 'moving' and 'interacting' I thought this to be a perfect specimen. In an attempt to escape from the mundane thinking that public art only consists of giant murals in the middle of town squares I give you one of my personal favorite examples of-for lack of a better word- PUBLIC ART. Haha.
a large group of people mobilized by social media to meet in a public place for the purpose of doing an unusual or entertaining activity of short duration
Art being expression mixed in with a dab of creativity and whatnot, a flash mob is classified as both 'ART' as well as being guilty of belonging to the public.

By Grant Wright Christian
Treasury Relief Art Project
National Museum of American Art
1937
Oil on Canvas

While searching for an art work from the New Deal, I discovered that quite a few pieces depict advances in technology or postal services. This piece depicts a more familiar moment- a woman waiting for the mail. While many pieces of this time seem busy, crowded, or "anxious"- I feel that this piece is more relaxing and familiar.

This is called " The wealth of a nation", created by Seymour Fogel. This was painted in tempra in 1938. I believe this painting  represents the roles that everyday citizen played  through this economic downfall. They were the financial backbone of this country, from the warehouse worker to the scientists.

Ray Strong (1905-2006)
Golden Gate Bridge
1934 Oil, 44 1/8 X71 3/4 in.,
Smithsonian American Art Museum,
Transfer from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. 1965





This piece was done by Oregon native Ray Strong. It depicts the early construction of the San Francisco Bay landmark. President Roosevelt admired it so much he hung it in the White House. To me Strong's use of vivid color evokes a light, happy atmosphere expressing the positive steps being taking during this time. Giving the community something other than the depression the focus on.

Ruvolo, Felix. 1940 oil American

He was born in New York in 1912. It was painted around the great depression so I think he was trying to maybe capture the sadness by showing a young woman walking alone on a erie,cold night.

Emily Ware

I couldn't figure out how to comment under the posts themselves, so here are my comments.

Comments:

Skating in Central Park:I really like that even in times of depression peple are still enjoying themselves and that is what this painting shows, that people were still enjoying themselves. I also like how the city in the back looks dreary, making it seem like the city is the place where things are bad, but that there is somewhere you can go to escape it.

Baseball at Night: This painting also makes me think of happiness in a time of dispair. People are still going out and doing American things- since baseball is the American past-time. To me, it seems to say that America can overcome anything that is thrown its way.

Elmer Brown (1909 - 1971), Cleveland Present, 1941. Cleveland State University Student Center, Cleveland, Ohio.

This mural is historical in the sense that it depicts Cleveland's industrial progress towards the end of the Depression era due to the large amounts of new jobs created. Brown was one of a group of painters commissioned by the Works Progress Administration to paint murals depicting this time period. The mural has recently been loosened from its original location, restored, and placed as a centerpiece in Cleveland State University's student center.

Comments:
Baseball at Night: I found it interesting, that of all people to paint such an American past-time type subject, that the artist was Russian and still showed patriotism for the country.
Tenement Flats: It's almost saddening in all honesty, because everyone in the painting seems to be so close-knit and friendly and here I am, not able to even remember the names of most of the people on my street.

Agnes Tait (1894-1981), Skating in Central Park, 1934. Oil on canvas, 33 3/4" x 48." Smithsonian American Art Museum, from the U.S. Department of Labor.

I noticed while looking through the New Deal art that a lot of it consisted of murals with dramatic depictions of manual labor like farming or construction. So, I like this piece because it shows the relaxed environment that people living through the depression needed. With all the hard work and struggles during that decade, simple distractions like ice skating allowed people to come together, take a break, and relieve stress. I think Tait captured an experience on canvas that everyone was searching for and needed.

And for some reason I can't post comments on the other posts so I'll put them here:

Tenement Flats: I like this painting because there's an inviting feel to it. Everyone's doors are open, there's someone hanging out of the window, and you can't tell through the little detailed faces, but the body language suggests a friendly family like environment. Even though they're not all technically family, they've all come outside to socialize with each other as if they were one big family occupying these flats. And while all that's going on, in the background, there's this oldish looking woman all alone walking up to these upscale homes. It seems like a great contrast to depict the separateness of classes even though everyone could have been financially struggling at the time.

14th Street at 6th Avenue: I know zero about NY (is this even a depiction of NY?) so this is all speculation but this looks like a shopping district, and I'm pretty sure that's snow on the ground since everyone appears heavily dressed. It kind of looks like a mixing of classes. I see well dressed women there, possibly to shop, and there are a few lesser dressed individuals and vendors. So I feel like this painting is conveying the same sort of message as the Tenement Flats painting of a distinction between classes that seems sort of silly during a depression. But instead of an obvious separation, here there is a mixing and coming together.

Located at Detroit Institue of Arts in Detroit, MI.
[Tempera and oil emulsion on board. Courtesy oif the Fine Arts Prorams, Public Buildings Service, U.S. General Services Administration with cooperation of Charles E. Terrill and Cathie E. Terrill commissioned through the New Deal Art Project.]
John Sloan painted 14th Street and 6th Aveune in 1934 for the Public Works of Art Project.It depicts a New York City street scene at the time New Deal Art progams were getting under way. I think this painting is really focus on all the chaos during the depression and how hard it was to actually break into the "public art" phase.

Larryian Taylor

Tenement Flats. by Millard Sheets. (1934)
Chosen by President Roosevelt to hang in the White House as a sign of his devotion to the arts and the people of America.
Now in the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

I found this work interesting because it shows that even in a time of great hardship, people are able to do what they do best- spend time together and probably gossip. To me, it shows that humanity can prevail over any problem.

"Baseball at Night"

By Morris Kantor a Russian artist

Location: West Nyack, New York

Year; 1934

I like this painting because I feel it depicts optimism in a time of great depression and anxiety for the people of America. It shows people gathering together in the nocturnal atmosphere to escape the harsh times at home for some camaraderie and both affordable and fun entertainment. The flags flying in the background of the painting show patriotism which gave a sense of hope and pride to the American people.

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"Tenement Flats"

I like this because it shows people socializing and enjoying their neighbors during a very stressful time. I like the bright colors because it gives a feeling of optimism and a relaxed feeling of the woman after an afternoon of chores.

"Skating in Central Park"

This painting was appealing to me because again it shows the skaters enjoying some winter fun during harsh days. I loved the Manhattan skyline in the background and the colors the artist used to create the wintry feeling.

Welcome Art 201! Sorry, our original chosen blog name didn't work out so I've done the best I can.

Here's your first post assignment: Talk about an example of art from the New Deal. Give us as much basic info as you can (artist, location, year, media) and then add your own analysis. Feel free to include relevant links to any sources. Don't forget to comment on posts by at least two of your peers.