My third website in SA 370

Meghan Benton
https://files.oakland.edu/users/mjbenton/project_three/

My initial theory behind the creation of this website is simplicity. That is why I choose the theme of black and white, for its simplicity and its importance in art. As it was said in the rubric, these limitations of simplicity show that, “even with few options, many great things can be achieved/created.” I wanted to show the audience that the most basic concepts in art are extremely valuable and versatile. With this theory in mind, I made it a point not to overload the viewer with too much content on any given page. I literally made a website “sketch” with limiting the color and the simple shapes.

As far the navigation of the sight, I again made it quite simple. The bar at the top gives a great means of access throughout the sight, again not over complicating it with a nonlinear theory of navigation. I also put great pride in the entrance of the website, the apple/light bulb hybrid. It simultaneously satisfies its role as an aesthetic creation and simple, using two very ordinary objects to create something extraordinary and pleasing to see. This entrance does not wholly fit with most of the sight, giving a foreshadowing of the section on gray area.

The gray area is placed at the end for a specific purpose. Though I wanted the audience to realize the power of simple figures and black and white, I wanted also to show them that through combinations of differing elements an artist could create much more. Gray is the literal translation of that theory, being obviously the combination of the earlier themes of black and white. This is the thesis to the point the apple/light bulb was making at the outset of the website. While still holding simplicity, this greatly expands an artist’s arsenal on what can be created, holding significant meaning while still concentrating on purely the aesthetic presentation.

All of the aforementioned ideas were to satisfy the aesthetic and modern requirements of the website. Black and white are stark contrasts which holds true to a modernistic theory of art. I also used the videos and pictures to help facilitate the aesthetic appeal as well. As for formalism, that is why I decided to use definitions. Between the formal definitions and the symbolic representations created by the gray area discussion, this website holds true to its formalistic requirements.

Overall, I quite enjoyed making this website for my own goals. I believe that the internet is the epitome of simple ideas coming together to create a complex system. That is what my website sought to explore. From ordinary videos and common items displayed, I show that art lies everywhere. All art is is the complex idea of combining, removing, installing, and molding different aspects of the basics; curves and lines, black and white, and formal and informal.