Art Event 10

AMara Weber


During my visit to Niki de Saint Phalle’s Queen Califia’s Garden, I was able to see the magnitude and beauty of her pieces up close. The garden had multiple sculptures all of which were enormous. De Saint Phalle was known for her large colorful sculptures and she enjoyed the idea of her pieces in nature. There were a couple of very tall totem poles with animalistic features at the top of each one which were very colorful and curvy shaped. Throughout the garden, mirrors were a constant theme causing a consistent vision of oneself. The mosaic motif of every single piece created texture. On some of the pieces, brown and gray pieces of rocks created a san texture from afar. Phalle incorporates some trees into her sculptures in order to incorporate nature with her sculptures. During the daytime, the sculptures glistened in the sun considering Phalle’s pieces include a lot of reflective glass works.

            I appreciated the mirror idea. I believe Phalle wanted to make sure each visitor saw themselves laughing, smiling, or playing. The huge scale and flaming color in her pieces make people smile and laugh at how almost ridiculous but beautiful her pieces are. The environment was a little confusing because she had these large colorful statues in a dark green and brown landscape. There were other viewers present which made me feel like the space was very open. Open to anyone, the sculptures were vulnerable. It was a scary feeling to think anyone can come in but that’s also what made it so amazing. Anyone can see Phalle’s unique works for free. Free doesn’t happen often. I think Phalle wanted to create a joyful and open environment for people of all ages to come and enjoy her works. Her pieces also inspired creativity to her viewers. All in all, she created interpretative, colorful, large, and joyous sculptures.  

Art Event 9

Amara Weber


I will most remember the surrealist paintings. They sometimes look very radical and out there but they have an in-depth message with a sometimes anesthetically pleasing front.

The effect in pieces painted and created by Ellen Salk have influenced me in my own work to use shape to develop line and layering to create texture.

The main flaw I found was in Salk’s pieces. She collaborated with Christopher Adler who developed a musical composition that directly relates to his own interaction with Salk’s paintings. The music was very sharp, loud, and overpowering noises which did not make the exhibition unique but more over annoying.

After viewing  Jen Trute’s Enviroscapes, I learned that surrealism painting can be very weird and not necessarily beautiful but the message they send to the viewer is more captivating than the actual image. In viewing Synesthesia, I learned that contorted overlapping shapes make visual and actual texture and I personally find texture to be such an amazing tool in artwork.

I didn’t actually meet or see the artists so I can’t really form an opinion on my respect for the artists without firsthand knowledge. I recently learned that Jen Trute(surrealist painter) passed away about 2 years ago so I mean the fact that her works are still being seen in a museum is praise-worthy. 

Art Event 8

Amara Weber

Title: Mountain Arts Network 

Date: February 12th. 2013

Nature of the event: An art gallery in Lake Arrowhead, CA

My most distinct memory of my visit to the Mountains Art Network was that different materials can be used to make a unique and sometimes beautiful piece of work. I think seeing wooden materials used for sculptures has influenced me to maybe step outside of my comfort zone and try to incorporate more natural elements. I found the use of wood and carving was very popular in the Lake Arrowhead area. I also say these beautiful acrylic painted animals on large rocks and pieces of granite and marble. I believe often times with paint and sculpture we often revert to basics by using color and canvas or sculpting out of clay. We often do not use our surrounding elements to create beauty such as wood. I felt a lot of respect for the little gallery because it had so many interesting pieces and I would much rather take another trip to this gallery than most I have seen in San Diego. 

Art Event 7

Amara Weber

Karen Schaffman’s Dance Class, 3/4/13

What I remember most from the event would be that dance can be all improvisation and still be pretty. During my time watching the class, dancers had some outline of choreography but for the most part they were told to improvise and it made the piece original and unique. The improvisation from the dancers helped pull out the beauty in the dance.

I think the most influential part of the dance which could/would affect my own work would be that mistakes are okay and if anything they make your work seem more real to the audience. Every line, color, move doesn’t have to be perfect because perfect is unrealistic. Mistakes are real, realism creates beauty. I guess you could also argue that the reach for perfection can also be beautiful.

I discovered that dancers do not have to fit a mold; be skinny, tall, flexible, female which changes the way I feel about dance. When I think of dance, I already have a pre-thought notion that dancers are physically and aesthetically perfect but the truth is, they don’t have to be. In my time observing the class, I saw skinny women, large women, short women, tall women, males, different ethnicities. Dance is gender, color, and “beauty” blind.

I don’t really have anything bad to say about the class.

I learned that dance doesn’t have to be for a purpose but can be an expression of your emotions.

I didn’t know any of the dancers but I have equal respect for all artists in the piece regardless of who they are aside from their work.

Art Event 5&6

Amara Weber


  1. Jewish Food Festival(double art event), 4/28/13, celebrating Jewish culture through food
  2. I will remember the different types of food that are considered Jewish. Like falafel is a middle-eastern food but it’s also a part of Jewish meal. Also, pastrami and brisket is a Jewish food and I did not know that. Jewish food like lox is uncommon in America but actually very delicious. Jewish food is an acquired taste; not everyone can enjoy a bagel smothered in cream cheese with thin slices of salmon on top. Jewish food also incorporates a lot of grain like potato latkes and falafel unlike American food where our emphasis is on the meat.
  3. I think after seeing all of the unique food combinations, it has inspired me to try and cook a little more “edgy”. Trying new and different flavors, spices, etc. may open my eyes to some incredible food combinations.
  4. I didn’t know how alike Jewish and middle eastern food were which has opened my eyes to exploring different cultural foods because you never know how close that foods can taste to your own culture food.
  5. The event was really small inside and did not have adequate signs to direct traffic and the signs for each food station were not at all evoking an emotion in me to go and try that food. Parking was scarce and there wasn’t enough seating. The food was good but could have been a little bit bigger portions.
  6. As previously stated, I learned a lot about Jewish food and it’s similarities to middle eastern food, a lot of grain is used, and just in general what Jewish food was.
  7. I didn’t actually meet the chef(s) but I did have some respect but bigger portion sizes would have made me respect the chef(s) more. J

Art Event 4

Helvetica, 1/28/13, in-class film (double art event)

Amara Weber

What I took away from this event was that typography is a big deal. Text has a lot of expression, not only in what the text reads, but the way it looks creates a large influence on the way we read it.

The film inspired me to want to discover new fonts and not to overestimate the power of simplicity.

The extreme passion people have for typography as seen througout the film definitely made me look at the bigger picture of how extremely important text design is to your work. Typography can make or break you work.

I didn’t notice any flaws that really stood out to me but if I had to say something, it would probably be what makes  a font un-noteworthy? The interviewers could have asked the interviewees this question so maybe we could not only see what fonts they do enjoy but what fonts they detest.

I learned fonts are a big deal.

I felt respect for the women in the film, Paula Scher. She was the only woman in the film. Seriously, she made me feel like a woman can be great with text design and she was witty which made me enjoy her interview. One interviewee I didn’t have as much respect for aside from his work was, Erik Spiekermann. I know that’s probably a big no-no but he knew he was great with text which made me unattracted to his character nonetheless he is an amazing typographer.

Art Event 2&3

Rite Off Centre (double art event)

Amara Weber

  1. CSUSM Rite Off Centre play/dance performance performed by CSUSM students.
  2. What I came away with from this play was that dance is definitely an art form that is sort of underappreciated. Dance is probably one of the most difficult art forms out there and many people don’t realize how difficult it truly is, including myself.
  3. The colors were very urban and cool with some warm tones and each fabric was unique and playful. I think it has inspired me to try and incorporate more textual items into my artwork and graphics. The performance also opened my eyes to being aware of how movement can really affect your piece.
  4. I discovered that inspiration can come from anything like dance. Sometimes I think I often get sidetracked with inspiration from painters and graphic designers but dancers can also inspire; to be more aware of inspiration around me.
  5. At times, the performers were a little out of tune with the music; their body movement wasn’t going well with the music. But other than that it was a really great, inspiring event.
  6. I learned that dance is a very difficult technique but that’s what makes it so beautiful.
  7. I felt a lot of respect for the performers because it takes a lot strength to be able to dance in front 20-50 peers. It’s definitely something I struggled with as a performer myself. So I have a lot of respect for the performers, they did a great job.