User:Osgibbs

Olivia Gibbs

Overview

The paragraph should give a three to five sentence abstract about your entire London HUA experience including 1) a summary of the aims of your project, 2) your prior experience with humanities and arts courses and disciplines, and 3) your major takeaways from the experience.

Milestone 1

London Architecture
Objective: A descriptive timeline of the change in architecture throughout the city through photographs including comparing different churches, buildings, bridges, museums and even unsung architectures accomplishments such as parking garages (aka car parks).

Below the objective statement, Insert a one or two paragraph summary of your findings from having reached this milestone. Edit the link below to link to your milestone page.
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Milestone 2

London Street Art
Objective: To what extent does London's street art differ throughout the city via location, subject, and techniques?

Below the objective statement, Insert a one or two paragraph summary of your findings from having reached this milestone. Edit the link below to link to your milestone page.
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Milestone 3

Art Within, Holding and Around
Objective: To fulfill the art capstone requirement the objective is to compare, reflect and perhaps find a link to, the famous works of art hung in galleries to the building's architecture holding them and then to the graffiti sprinkled around the vicinity. Inside is art, outside is art and around is art.

Below the objective statement, Insert a one or two paragraph summary of your findings from having reached this milestone. If this milestone, for you, represents a humanities and arts capstone, please indicate so. Edit the link below to link to your milestone page.
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Activity Journal

My activity journal represents my ongoing log of reflections gained through each and every project activity including relations to my milestones and fun facts! The very first activity was the team scavenger hunts to let us explore the city and learn the lingo! Check out my team's page : Scavenger Hunt 2017 Team 1.

Westminster Abbey

   Monday May 8th
   Group Tour Westminster Abbey

Connections to Milestones: Direct Connection to Architecture Milestone
As you walk into the church, your automatically look up- this was done on purpose. The church is built in a gothic style so all the lines and architecture point up. The architecture aligns with the function of the building, because by looking up automatically you think of the almighty aka God. Also, another gothic style was the use of the arch, stones can be placed with a keystone so the weight is held up by the pillars on the sides.

Fun Facts/Stories to Remember:
1. The choral boys attend the elite choral school starting at seven years old until thirteen years old. They work everyday in the church singing and perform the Evensong 3pm on the weekend and 5pm everyday of the week. It consists of a few bible verses and then forty- five minutes of singing outside of the church. Anyone is more than welcome to join and listen for free. The choral boys are the most elite singers in the UK, so after age thirteen they have no problem finding another program to join. I enjoyed hearing the boys, even though at an elite school, are still boys; read about The Coronation Chair and the boys mischief 100+ years ago here Westminster Abbey.
2. When you leave the Westminster Abbey, make sure to turn around to see over ten statues carved out of different figures each with different stories and faith. One story was of a man who was in Auschwitz concentration camp and was going to be killed but pleaded not to be because he has a family and children. The one in charge didn't care but another man stepped up and sacrificed himself instead since he had no wife and no children. Fortunately, the man survived the camp and was reunited with her wife and children. So one of the statues was of the man who scarified himself. Again, all of them have different faiths showing that all are welcomed into the church.
3. The phrase Bloody Mary we all know today comes from Mary, a step sister, while in power tried really hard to convert priests to Catholicism by giving them the ultimatum; either convert or burn at the stake. And 300 decided to die with their faith and were burn at the stake, creating blood aka Bloody Mary.

"Work": Emily (x2), Trinity, Ben, Andrew, Justine and I all worked on creating the Westminster Abbey page.

Tower of London

   Monday May 8th 
   Group Tour Tower of London
   

Connections to Milestones: Direct Connection to Architecture Milestone
As we walked into the courtyard on all four sides you could see stone towers all filled with different exhibits. Each one varied in shape, including rounding buildings, square towers, walk ways on top, gates in between and arches. Again, with the purpose of the function in mind, the whole estate was surrounded by a wall to keep it private.

Fun Facts/Stories to Remember:
1. Throughout the entire estate there were animals, aka Royal Beasts, made out of chain wire from monkeys on top of the wall after you exist the Crown Jewels to the Elephant's head sticking out by the gate. They were unexpected and cool elements of art that have been added after the fact.
2. We also so the beginning of a performance which was a reenactment of the time period demonstrating one who might be exiled by disagreeing. It was fun because the audience was involved, unexpected and the actors/works were very much into character making it fun to watch. They must enjoy their jobs!
3. We waited in the short line for the Crown Jewels and saw all the crowns, swords and scepters bedecked in jewels that cost a fortune. My favorite was Queen Victoria's small crown since it was different and little.
4. Also I learned about different techniques for torture where the rack technique of simply pulling apart someone's joints really gave me the chills with the thought of it. 5. Home to the ravens, a guard was petting one with it's comb which was an odd but cool thing to walk by. He was doing it so nonchalantly but it is so not normal for me.

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  "Tower Bridge Cottages"
  

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  "Raven and Guard"
  

Work: Emily (x2), Trinity, Ben, Andrew, Justine and I all worked on creating Tower of London page.

The British Library

   Monday May 8th 
   Group Tour The British Library

Connections to Milestones: Direct Connection to Architecture Milestone
First and foremost I loved the gates as you go in that read British Library from top to bottom made out of the thick metal for gates. It was creative and clever instead of a boring regular gate. Also as you walk in the layout is different with angled rooftops which hands itself for a set of stairs as you walk in. The building is more modern than most we have seen, where it is a more clean cut design with little detail or sculptures.

Fun Facts/Stories/Tips to Remember:
1.Bags need to be searched before going in but food and drinks are allowed to be brought in!!
2. While there are many different floors, it can be difficult to find a seat so that is why my group ended up taking a seat outside after walking a lap around each floor.

Work: Emily (x2), Trinity, Ben, Andrew, Justine and I all worked on creating/editing The British Library page.

British Museum

   Tuesday May 9th 
   Group 2 British Museum

First official day working with Group 2, we walked to the British Museum, we were able to get right in with no wait and no purchase tickets necessary.

Connections to Milestones:
Direct Connection to Architecture Milestone: As you walk in there are the South staircase to your left to go up to a gallery but if you walk straight through the entry way you are in Queen Elizabeth II Great Court, which is the big white rounded structure in front of you. This is a great architecture landmark, being the largest covered square in Europe. When you are in this center location all the white and glass cover lets in the light and the entire area is very bright. Also, every wing has a different building design, with different ceilings, pillars and door frames. With each variation, it allows the viewer to realize they have entered a different gallery which often means a different region of the world is on display too.

Indirect: On the bottom floor is a gallery for Greek and Roman architecture where parts of different temples are on display. They still are intact because of the sturdy stone that it is made out of. The remains are huge, and standing next to them just makes me realize how big the entire temple would have been. This is a relation to my architecture milestone showing me different types of architecture from the past.

Fun Facts/Stories to Remember:
1. Come back in a few weeks to see the The Great Wave off Kanagawa who's gallery will be opening soon and check out the pop to modern american art gallery too!! 2. Drinks/food/coffee are allowed in! But no painting supplies. 3. I liked how the museum was set up by different country so it was like you were traveling around the world as you moved through different galleries. 4. My little trumpet guys I found to be so cute! There were two bronze figurines of trumpeters wearing pointed caps from the 8th-6th century BC, Carian or Phrygian West or central Turkey.

Work: Emily Wilson, Natalie, Cole, Peter and I all worked on creating British Museum page.

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  "Trumpeters from Turkey"

Evensong

   Tuesday May 9th 5pm
   Concert

I attended the concert with a few other students and sat along the side so one of the large pillars blocked my view of the choir directly, so I watched through the TV screen. However I could see the priest reading the bible verses and prayers. It still blows my mind they are just young boys performing the songs, it both english and latin. I thought it was a soothing sound, but difficult to make out the words so I was thankful to have them printed in the booklet along with the bible verses.

Connections to Milestones:
The music and performance does not directly fit into our milestone, but it gave me another chance to sit and admire all the gothic style architecture within the Westminster Abbey. However, afterwards a few of us took a stroll across the bridge and walked along the water to the Bridge of London to capture more pictures for our milestone. We also discovered some street art for my second milestone and a bonus bubble ice cream and sunset!!

Fun Facts/Stories to Remember:
1. Get there early so you can been seated literally next to the choir!! 2. And it only lasts about 30 minutes.

Work: I just added a few sentences to Westminster Abbey.

St. Paul's Cathedral

   Wednesday May 10th
   Group 2 Activity St. Paul's Cathedral

Connections to Milestones:
Direct Connection to Architecture Milestone: First by the steps the pillars and stone work supporting the front entrance is huge and grand. The building was built in the baroque style. Then the minute I walked in and my back was to the Front (just the bowl for baptism water), I was in awe- looking down The Naval at the High Alter is breathtaking. The arches, all leading up to the Dome are tall and regal decorated with gold and mosaics paintings above them. Then directly below the Dome I stood looking up to see the no color painting which covers the Dome. I learned that similar to the building itself being inspired by Italian buildings, the mosaic artwork was done too by an Italian artist. The bottom floor is The Crypt, where it is more modern and I can clearly see the inspiration of Italy. All the ceilings and walls are white, reminding me of the terraces in Italy. It was more simple both in decoration and architecture than above.

Direct Connection to Street Art Milestone: One of CBloxx's work of art was on display. She is a top female street artist. It is a twist of the iconic women, Mary. "CBloxx has taken as her starting point Mary's situation as a refugee and has juxtaposed past and present to create a poignant piece that has real resonance at a time when the media is saturated with scenes of pregnant mothers, babies and young children fleeing violent oppression and abject poverty."

Fun Facts/Stories to Remember:
1. The Whispering Gallery (the gallery above the Cathedral Floor) was a little hike up the narrow spiraling staircase but sooo worth it. It allowed me to literally walk around the entire Dome. I even saw the tops of the domes leading up to higher alter, including where a 500 pound bomb fell in World War II destroying the alter. Also it is true; if someone whisper on one side of the gallery you can hear it through the wall on the other side! This was my favorite part of the Cathedral. Breathtaking views. 2. It was interesting to see the street art on display by CBloxx- one of the world's top ten female street artists. and the fact that it was in the Cathedral, very unexpected. 3. Come back in three weeks to climb the steps again to the higher galleries when they reopen!!

Work: I added to the St. Paul's Cathedral page, focusing on the Crypt.

The National Gallery

   Thursday May 11th 
   Group 2 Activity The National Gallery

Connections to Milestones:
Indirect Connection to Architecture Milestone: While The National Gallery is not one of our Top 20 buildings, it was still stunning to admire not only the artwork being hung, but also realizing the amazing building it was in. Each gallery was different and helps shape the mood for the artwork being displayed. For example the 13th and 14th century gallery was all white walls and basic ceilings, but then the next gallery was high ceilings with dark wallpaper with designs on it which was bold matching the big bold gold framed artwork which took up more space on the wall. Also, seeing artwork from the 13th and 14th century which included arches and pillars, relates to the buildings were are looking at know that still too have arches and large pillars.
Indirect Connection to Street Art Milestone: This was my second time outside of the National Gallery and there was again more and different street art done in chalk which was very interesting to see. I think they were both done by the same artist, but again contribute to my milestone. And the one I saw the other day had started to deteriorate with everyone stepping on it.

Fun Facts/Stories/Tips to Remember:
1.I saw multiple artwork that I have used in my classes, wrote papers about, and been lectured on from a young age so I was able to admire and really appreciate the artwork including Van Gogh, Cezanne, Gauguin, Tuner, Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci, Seurat and Monet!
2. 'The Dream of Human Life' by Michelangelo grabbed my attention as I walked by because of all the human faces/masks that were on the bottom of the page tossed into a box. My gut reaction was appauling and then I saw all the different worries of actions of humans going around the painting and is why the man man is blocking the world as if trying to protect it.
3. Also, 'The Allegory of Prudence' by Titian (1565-1570) also grabbed my attention because it was different- with the mix of animal (wolf, lion, dog) and human heads. So after reading the description I learned the combo of those animals represent prudence and the entire painting is showing the past, present and future through the man in youth, maturity, and old age.
4. 'The Old Women' by Quinten Massys (1513) also caught my attention for being different- and the description said the artist was making fun of an older women trying/thinking they are young and it is true that picture is spot on which made me think it was funny a little since you can still see that today with some people.

Work: I added to the Van Gough section on The National Gallery page.

Natural History Museum

   Friday May 11th 
   Group 2 Natural History Museum

Connections to Milestones:
Direct Connect to Architecture Milestone: The bottom of the museum were a cafe was had gorgeous arch ways and stain glass window art which was great to admire. More directly though, there was a corner of an exhibit taking about all different types of materials, some of which are the materials in our Top 20 buildings, including concrete, red brick, and glass. I was able to see and read up on real examples of each material. Also, after I walked over to the V&A Museum and checked out their sixth floor architecture exhibit where I learned about the basic categories of how architecture is defined, used an interactive screen to learn about a few different styles of architecture such as Revival gothic Style (like the St Pancras Hotel and Station). I have been using their online sources and hope to visit one of their library locations soon.

Fun Facts/Stories to Remember:
1. It was very kid friendly, with hands on interactive exhibits where I too enjoyed being a kid and learnt a lot, including the earthquake simulator which was interesting how they tried to literally recreate the feeling within a Japanese shopping market during the 90s. Also many of the exhibits kept reminding me of my sixth grade science teacher when we learned about the different layers of the earth, human evolution, rocks, earthquakes etc.
2. I also was blown away by how big some of the fish fossils were, they were just fish, not whales, not sharks, fish. And seeing literally all different types of animals stuffed was a little freaky but cool at the same time including platypuses, ostrich (huge!), many many different type of birds, polar bear, penguin...etc.
3. I also went inside the cocoon, the big egg shape dome that is seven floors high and holds the Charles Darwin Exhibit. It talked about collecting different species, and how right now there are 1.5 million but will only continue to grow.
4. Right as you walk in there is a huge dinosaur model and stairs leading to this huge planet like figure that you took the elevator through and on either side of you were constellations. Really cool entrance.
5. I hope to go back and buy a ticket for the sensational butterfly exhibit with real butterflies!!

Work: I contributed to the earthquake and safety of them on the Natural History Museum page.

Tate Britain

   Monday May 15th
   Group 2 Tate Britain

Quick swap of tube lines and a five minute walk to get to Tate, wasn't bad at all! After exploring the exhibits I filled for a library reader card and worked the rest of the afternoon in their library. Connections to Milestones: Indirect Connection to Architecture Milestone

I was able to admire yet again another beautiful building with the front dome above the staircase and see how each gallery space had different ceilings, columns, design to go along with the artwork it contained. 

Fun Facts/Stories to Remember:
1. There is a whole gallery on Turner, and I learned that he requested to have one of his paintings, the Rise of Carthaginian Empire, to be alongside Monet's in the National Gallery. Which means I want to go back to check it out!
2. The 3-D installations of artwork were very different and interesting, including the Cerith Wyn Evans' Forms in Space...by Light (in Time).
3. The gallery room dedicated to British artwork in the sixties was very thought provoking and emotional, especially Go West Young Man by Keith Piper. It was a series of 14 eye opening photographs about slave trade. There was also The Carrot Piece again showing the white men tempting to get black women, luckily in this depiction the man was failing since the women already had everything she needs. In the same gallery was Fashion-Plate by Richard Hamiliton which was really cool to me since it was a college of fashion magazines and actually used cosmetics to enhance the final piece. Perhaps inspiring a change in my capstone?! "Work": I wrote an article for JMW Turner.

My Complete Contributions

The journal section should end with the following link to your complete contributions (new articles, edited articles, added media, etc.); delete this sentence and replace the username Vjmanzo below with your own username: