The word 'Art' is most commonly associated with pieces of work in a gallery or museum, whether it’s a painting from the Renaissance or a modern sculpture. However, there is so much more to art than what you see displayed in galleries.

The truth is, without being aware of it, we are surrounded by art and use it on a continual basis. Most people don’t realize how much of a role art plays in our lives and just how much we rely on art in all of its forms in our everyday lives.

Tuesday, December 03, 2024

The Joy of Art

You may be wondering why all of these things are so important to our daily lives and that you could probably survive just fine with essential items that were non-artistic. That is just the reason why art is so valuable! While art may not be vital to fulfill our basic needs, it does make life joyful. When you look at a painting or poster you’ve chosen to hang on your living room wall, you feel happy. The sculpture or figurines on the kitchen windowsill create a sense of joy. These varieties of art forms that we are surrounded by all come together to create the atmosphere that we want to live in.

Art and Music

The importance of art in our daily lives is very similar to that of music. Just like art, music can make life extremely joyful and can have a huge effect on our mood. In the workplace in particular, music is something that can help people set the mood for what they are about to do. If you have something hard or difficult to work on or are feeling tired, an energetic song will likely wake you up and add some enthusiasm to the situation. Similarly, when stress is high, many people find that relaxing to calming music is something that eases the mind.

Inspirational Art

Inspirational art, such as posters are often found in work spaces to encourage employees to continue being productive. There is now an increasing amount of companies using art in their offices, as well as playing background music, as it is proven to actually work in making end results far better quality. There may be a piece of art that you own that you personally find motivational. Perhaps a print with a positive affirmation or quote beautifully scrolled on it or a painting of a picturesque scene of where you aim to travel to one day.

SOME REASONS WHY ORIGINAL ART IN THE HOME IS AS IMPORTANT AS A BED

1. Creates Mood
2. Adds Personal Character to the Home
3. Makes Memories
4. Provides a Colour Palette
5. Makes a Room Feel Finished
6. Inspires and Fosters Creativity
7. Conversation Starter
8. Supports Artists
9. It is an Investment
10. Creates a Livable Environment
11. Keeps the Brain Active
12. Relaxation
13. Curating Your Own Gallery is Fun!

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Workshops

Details
Category: Arts Journal
SIGN UP VIA CONGRESS REGISTRATION:
Frozen Landscapes: Hands on Music from Antarctica, by Gareth Farr (NZ), with Helen Webby, Michelle Velvin and Sasha Henderson
Tuesday 22nd July
Helen Webby, Michelle Velvin and Sasha Henderson invite harpists of all levels to join them in a workshop read-through of Frozen Landscapes, by New Zealand composer Gareth Farr, arranged for community harp ensemble by Helen Webby.

Inspired by, and named after the continent of Antarctica, where Gareth was Artist in Residence 2006, the three movements evoke the snow capped peaks, huge crevasses and delicate ice patterns of the frozen continent.

The ensemble parts are available for free download on the link below.

Harp 1 (advanced), Harp 2 (intermediate), Harp 3 (easy), Harp 4 (very easy). Some of the parts are sighreadable, and other parts require some practice!

Helen, Michelle and Sasha will lead the parts in the workshop, and are delighted to play this expanded ensemble version with World Harp Congress harpists!

Everybody is welcome to join us on Wednesday afternoon 4pm, when we perform Frozen Landscapes as a flash mob in central Sydney. Venue to be confirmed!

Ensemble part avialable for download HERE

Improvising with Preparations and Extended Techniques, with Anne LeBaron
A two part workshop on Thursday 24th and Friday 25th July
In her workshops, Anne LeBaron will introduce her arsenal of extended techniques for acoustic prepared harps, using metal and paper preparations, bows, and glass and metal slides in a supportive and improvisatory setting. To complement these explorations and give them an outlet, participants will also become acquainted with Terry Riley’s iconic masterpiece, “In C”, a seminal early minimalist piece, by first rehearsing it with standard playing techniques. Subsequently, they will discover fresh ways of playing the cells of the piece with their newly acquired resources, culminating in a unique rendition of a work that has been performed over the past half-century by countless different ensembles, but none resembling this World Harp Congress workshop group. During the workshop process, an exciting atmosphere of adventure will permeate the atmosphere and lead to many more discoveries as the performers experiment with the infinite array of novel sounds available on the harp.

Fun Latin rhythms & special effects, with Alfredo Rolando-Ortiz
A two part workshop on Thursday 24th and Friday 25th July


SIGN UP DURING CONGRESS:
Basics of improvisation - Learning from Asia, Africa and medieval Europe, with Rüdiger Oppermann
Monday 21st July

Celtic harp seminar and workshop, with Ann Heymann (USA)
Monday 21st July

Harp maintenance workshop, with Liza Jensen
Monday 21st July

Harp maintenance workshop, with Jason Azem
Tuesday 22nd July

Boom Chicks and Tiddly Bits - using the harp effectively in a jam session with emphasis on Celtic and other folk styles, with Andy Rigby
Tuesday 22nd July

Injury prevention for harpists, with Bronwen Ackermann
Wednesday 23rd July

Learn a Breton tune, with Christine Morphett
Wednesday 23rd July

Free Jamming Session
Wednesday 23rd July

Maintenance for lever and historical harps, with Brannden Laselles
Thursday 24th July

How to Arrange Art

  • "People have a tendency to hang art too high," says Linda Crisolo, Art.com director of merchandising. "The center of the image should be at eye level." In living rooms, people are usually sitting, so artwork should be lower. A good way to ensure you're placing artwork at the right height is to hang it one hand width above the sofa.
  • A common problem when hanging artwork above a sofa or sideboard is that it's not in scale. Having pieces that are too small or too large will make the whole arrangement look strange. "Make sure artwork is at least two-thirds the size of the sofa or sideboard," Crisolo says. "For example, a 9-foot-long sofa should have a 6-foot-wide expanse of art above it."
  • In the bedroom, choose personal art, such as family photographs or your own photography. If you're arranging the pieces in groupings, Crisolo recommends sticking with one color theme, either all black-and-white or all color photographs.
  • "Above a mantel or fireplace is the perfect place to layer pieces," Crisolo says. "A house looks like a home when you can see layers of artwork and accessories."
  • In the kitchen, hang art in a place where it won't get damaged by water or heat. Consider placing art above an office space, near the dining table, or above open counter space. Crisolo also recommends avoiding kitchen art in the kitchen. "I tend to shy away from pictures of asparagus in the kitchen," she says. "Vintage art with traditional frames works in a traditional kitchen. In a modern kitchen, try bright colors with stainless-steel frames."
  • A symmetrical arrangement creates a striking and simple focal point. All-white frames and mats unify this grouping. "I like to use the same frames to create homogeny," says Crisolo.
  • When deciding where to hang images in your home, consider the wall space available and the arrangement of the room. "Use small pieces between windows and doors," Crisolo says. "If small items are in a space too large, the pieces look lost. With larger pieces, allow room for people to step back and admire the work."
  • Artwork collaborates with other accessories and decor to create a visual story. Make sure images, moldings, and shelves all work together. "Hang artwork in front of a bookcase, on the face of the shelf," Crisolo says. "The shelves and ledges become part of a decorating story."
  • Make sure your arrangement matches your decorating style. "Symmetrical arrangements are more traditional or formal. Asymmetrical is modern," Crisolo says. "Also look at the image and style of the frame. For cottage-style rooms, stick with vintage images or botanicals. In modern rooms, choose large and abstract pieces."

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American Farmhouse Living

03 December 2024