Symposium Visual: 5

This image was created after the communist era was over. It came at a time where the people's vote actually mattered. This image in particular titled "Jutro wybory. Zachodzze czerwone sloneczko," translated to "The election is tomorrow. Let the little red sun set." Called for the public to vote. The bubble like font, and the cartoon like red sun contrasts immensely from the soviet realism. It truly shows artistic freedom, and it relays the message to Polish voters. This poster was created by Maciej Buszewicz.

Citation
Buszewicz, M. (1990). Jutro wybory. Zachodzze czerwone sloneczko [Painting found in The Polish People's Republic]. Retrieved April 10, 2019, from http://www.theartofposter.com/RED/Red.htm

I have written permission to use this image.

Symposium Visual: 4

This image was created on 1983. It was roughly the beginning of the end for the communist era. Posters such as these were created in response to NATO's creation, to help rally support for the government. Titled "NATO Zagrozeniem pokoju," the words translate to "NATO Threat to Peace." This specific poster's artist is unknown. The focus of this specific poster continues the fear of the cold war, as it focuses on America's use of nuclear weapons. It presents NATO as a weapon which could be dropped onto Poland from above. The cartoon like style of this poster correlates to the loose art restrictions during the era.

Citation:
NATO Zagrozeniem pokoju[Painting found in The Polish People's Republic]. (1983). Retrieved April 10, 2019, from http://www.theartofposter.com/RED/Red.htm

I have written permission by the copyright holder to use this image.

The designer of this painting is unknown.

Symposium Visual: 3

This image was created on 1955. It was roughly the beginning of the communist era, and the government commissioned posters such as these so they could gain the support of the young people. Titled "Dla ciebie ojczyzno bija nasze mlode serca." the words translate to "For You Fatherland, our young hearts beat." This specific poster was originally created by Mieczyslaw Teodorczyk, specifically for the Second Convention of the Alliance of Polish Youth; An event where young Polish people would gather. The style of this poster correlates to the soviet realism imposed by the era.


Citation
Teodorczyk, M. (1955). Dla ciebie ojczyzno bija nasze mlode serca [Painting found in The Polish People's Republic]. Retrieved April 10, 2019, from http://www.theartofposter.com/RED/Red.htm

I have written permission to use this image.

Symposium Visual: 2

This image was created on 1953. It was roughly the beginning of the communist era, and the government commissioned posters such as these so they could help increase the popularity of the government and its ideals. Titled "Pozdrawiamy kobiety pracujace dla pokoju i rozkwitu ojczyzny!" the words translate to "We salute women working for peace and blossoming of the fatherland!" This specific poster was originally created by both Wojciech Fangor and Jerzy Tchorzewski. The focus of this specific poster targets women walking down the street. It also marks the beginning of The Polish Peoples Republic, where everybody was expected to work. The style of this poster correlates to the soviet realism imposed by the era.



Citation
Fangor, W., & Tchorzewski, J. (1953). Pozdrawiamy kobiety pracujace dla pokoju i rozkwitu ojczyzny ! [Painting found in The Polish People's Republic]. Retrieved April 10, 2019, from http://www.theartofposter.com/RED/Red.htm


I have written permission to use this image.

Symposium Visual: 1

This image was created on 1952. It was roughly the beginning of the communist era, and the government commissioned posters such as these so they could impose prohibitions on civil liberties. Titled "Dzuma z USA," the words translate to "The plague from the USA." This specific poster was originally created by Walerian Borowczyk, a popular film director. The focus of this specific poster marks the beginning of the cold war, as it focuses on America's use of nuclear weapons. The style of this poster correlates to the soviet realism imposed by the era.

I have written permission to use this image.

Citation:
Borowczyk, W. (1952). Dzuma z USA [Painting found in The Polish People's Republic]. Retrieved April 10, 2019, from http://www.theartofposter.com/RED/Red.htm

Symposium Research 4: TOPIC: Polish Education During Communism

Information:
The Polish People's Republic's public education went through numerous reforms while the Soviet Union had control over Poland. One thing that stayed consistent however, was that everybody had access to a free public education. 

At the beginning of the Polish People's Republic, city population grew due to the creation of four year technical schools and two year vocational schools. The total number of colleges, universities, and poly-technical exponentially increased, and school attendance was mandatory up until the age of 18. By the year 1954, the Chrzescijanska Akademia Teologiczna (Christian Theological Academy,) as well as the Akademia Teologii Katolickiej (Academy of Catholic Theology,) were established and state funded. (Due to the fact that the theological faculty of other universities were removed.) This event caused members of the church to be worried that the teachers were loyal to the state and not the church. To ease these fears, the communist government employed priests to the first state supported Catholic university. This lead to Polish citizens to have more exposure to Catholicism and Christianity religion. On July 15th, 1961, Primary school had been created, and attendance was decreased to the age of 17. At this time, the church and public education had been separated, however the church was allowed to start schools of their own.
The Polish educational system would be reformed yet again by 1971, this time however, the communist government was focused on creating a secondary education system. By 1973, students were required to take 2 year vocational schools should they prepare for employment, or 2 year preparatory colleges, which prepared students to take entrance exams to go to university. Students were also required to partake in a 10 year secondary school prior to these two year schools. This reform however, would not last due to the lack of funding in 1981. By the end of the Polish People's Republic and the fall of the USSR, Public and nursery schools would introduce religious education, and the beginning of school administrations.

Citation: 
Poland - History Background. (2018). Retrieved April 3, 2019, from
   https://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/1209/Poland-HISTORY-BACKGROUND.html

Symposium Research 3 - TOPIC: The Influence of Poster Art Schools

Information:
One major contribution to the influence of new poster styles in 1956 were Polish art schools. These schools would teach artists how to hand paint each poster, and would make the difference between designer and artist non existent. While the Warsaw Polytechnic Institute, as well as the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts each influenced artists with new styles, the Polish School of Posters influenced artists with the use of art fundamentals. 
Posters developed by artists from the Warsaw Polytechnic Institute focused more on creating geometric images. Heavily inspired by the west, these posters take a less realistic approach to art.  On the contrary, the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts encouraged artists to play with these new realistic ideals, however to stay true to the Soviet realism. A third school which heavily influenced artists was the Polish School of Posters. However, rather than focusing in on a style, this school focuses on art fundamentals, such as vibrant colors, fantasy, individuality, as well as linear quality. As a result, posters created by artists of this school have an aesthetic tension between the individual style of it. Influencing the world on yet a new way to suggest topics through allusion.

Citation:
Matthews, W. (2018). The Polish poster. Retrieved April 1, 2019, from
    http://www.historygraphicdesign.com/index.php/the-industrial-revolution   
    /photography-the-new-communications-tool/753-bitumen-of-judea

Symposium Research 2 - TOPIC: History of the Polish Communist Poster

Information:
Before the beginning of the Polish People's Republic, Poland had been subjected to numerous policies of cultural extermination as well as suppression by the Nazis. After the end of World War II, Poland's new leaders, the Soviets, would also implement their own version of this. 

Soviet suppression can be seen in early propaganda posters, marked by the realistic art form of the poster. These posters were used to help welcome the ideals of Communism, and to limit the artistic expression of the Polish people. Typically these posters only promoted communistic ideas, messages which had been approved by a censor, or they represented the government/people. These posters were created up until 1956, the end marked by both a more liberal regime led by Władysław Gomułka, as well as Joseph Stalin's death.
The year 1956 marked the beginning of new types of Polish poster art, as Soviet realism was no longer the only art form accepted. New predominantly western art styles appeared onto posters such as: geometric, abstract, minimalism, and surrealism. These styles were then promoted through major poster art schools such as: the Warsaw Polytechnic Institute, as well as the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts. The Warsaw Polytechnic Institute would favor the geometric approach, while the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts would favor more of a painterly one. Artists graduating from these schools were influenced in these new styles, leading to the bloom of new poster art. On top of it all, artists experienced more artistic freedom due to the new centralized film distribution authority. It was widely believed that once a film was approved by a censor, there was little to no need to have the film poster censored.

While artists had more artistic freedom, this did not remove them entirely from censorship. Artists were not allowed to be overly political, nor were they allowed to criticize the government.  To overcome this hurdle, artists highlighted their emotions and criticisms through symbolism. While it was not enough to get censored, it called for the Polish people to think for themselves.


Citation:

Pillardy, P. (2014, November 05). The Politics of Polish Poster Art under Communism.

Retrieved April 1, 2019, from https://curatedhams.wordpress.com/2014/11/05/the-politics-of-
polish-poster-art-under-communism/

Symposium Research 1 - TOPIC: Accessing Food in Communist Poland

Information:
Accessing food between the years 1952 and 1989 was difficult in the Polish People's Republic. Grocery stores were very small, typically with only one clerk. Their stock was very limited because they only stocked the "basics" in small quantities. They quickly sold out of bread, meat, and sugar; however, other items such as vinegar and vodka, were almost always accessible.
Accessing food became even more difficult when ration stamps were introduced on August 12th, 1976. These stamps were a tool for the government to control how much food the people brought, what they were able to buy, and who was able to buy food. All of these factors were based on the citizens age and profession. By 1981, meat was only available for purchase through these stamps. Since grocery stores quickly sold out, the people often turned to unofficial sellers for "high demand" food items. This action was so widespread across Poland, it was almost impossible to discourage by law; as it could not be enforced. Another way the people got around buying food with stamps was raising carp in their homes. It was easy to raise, leading it to become a staple in traditional Polish cuisine.
As briefly mentioned in the previous paragraph, vodka was almost always accessible in grocery stores.  However, other types of alcoholic drinks such as beer and wine, were rarely available. Polish citizens would use ration stamps for vodka, or any other kind of alcohol they could get as well as food. When the people ran out of stamps, they made bimber in their homes; an alcohol typically made out of sugar, grain, or potatoes.

Citation:

Staga, D. (2014, November 3). The Communist Regime in Poland in 10 Astonishing Pictures.

Retrieved April 1, 2019, from https://culture.pl/en/article/the-communist-regime-in-
poland-in-10-astonishing-pictures

History: 14th Century Humanistic Script

During the thirteenth century gothic script was getting outdated. Scribes would ask for copies written in "littera […] castigata et clara" meaning "neat and clean letters." The problem with gothic script was that it was hard to read, and readers preferred a cleaner script. It was called "barbaric" at times, and it was undesirable to the Italians. This would lead to the Italian development of the Humanistic script, leading to it's success in the fourteenth and fifteenth century. This script's origin is unknown, however it it widely believed that either Niccolò Niccoli or Poggio Bracciolini were the first to influence it's development. Afterwards, the Humanistic script developed variants all thanks to Coluccio Salutati. Coluccio was well known for creating and practicing many different types of script, and it is theorized that he influenced both Niccolò Niccoli and Poggio Bracciolini before the scripts development. This would lead to the scripts variants. Another important figure was Vespasiano da Bisticci, a bookseller who sold books written in Humanistic script across the western world. espasiano da Bisticci was not the only way this script was widely spread, the Roman Catholic Church had taken a liking to this script and had their bibles written in it. I n the end, this script had influenced the creation of two modern typography fonts: Italic and Roman.

Citation:

Menna, G., & De Vos, M. (2019). Humanistic Script - The story of the writing style of the Renaissance. Retrieved March 10, 2019, from https://sexycodicology.net/blog/codicology/medieval-scripts/humanistic-script/

Calligraphy: Gothic Textura

The Alphabet: This week I had been practicing the Gothic alphabet. In particular I had learned Gothic Script, specifically the Textura. This Gothic font was used to symbolize art and architecture, and spread all across Europe, except for Italy, by 1400. Gothic Textura, as well as Gothic Script is also known as "The Blackletter Typeface." [1][2] Gothic Textura is described as letters which weave together across the page, for your better understanding, I have provided an image below. This image is a picture of a document given to me in class, I could not find an alphabet online which contained the alphabet I used today. Thank you for understanding.

Reflection: This week I worked on Gothic Textura. I learned how these letters weave together in words. I also learned how to write this alphabet with both the dip and the fountain pen, in a way you cannot distinguish them. I really liked weaving words together, and how the capital letters look. However, I did not like how long these letters take to make.

Time-Frame: In total I practiced this alphabet for a little over two hours.

Progress: I started off this week only practicing the capital letters, shortly after moving onto lower case letters, and finally figured out how to write words.

Attachments (Photos):

Note: None of the following images are in a particular order.

Practice:

Paper Used: High quality laser printing paper.

Pen Used: Y&C CALLIGRAPHY, Size: 5.0, 3.5

Note: All I wrote was "Cheese Wh I wrote this as a joke." I am NOT taking credit for the background. Thank you for understanding.

Paper Used: Printing paper.

Pen Used: Dip pen and fountain pen.

Paper Used: Printing paper.

Pen Used: Y&C CALLIGRAPHY, Size: 5.0

Paper Used: Printing paper.

Pen Used: Y&C CALLIGRAPHY, Size: 3.5

Exploration
Note: I spent a lot of time this week exploring how to draw with these calligraphy markers, as well as a few other gothic fonts.

Pen Used: Expo Marker.

Paper Used: Whiteboard.

Note: I don't think the drawing counts as practice, however I wrote the words "Dakron", "Doc", and "Tidy" in a gothic font.

Pen Used: Y&C CALLIGRAPHY, Size: 3.5

Paper Used: Printer paper.

Citations:

[1] Farley, J., & Farley, J. (2009, November 07). The Blackletter Typeface: A Long And Colored History. Retrieved from https://www.sitepoint.com/the-blackletter-typeface-a-long-and-colored-history/

[2] Farwell, S. (2018). Textura. Retrieved March 5, 2019, from http://www.historygraphicdesign.com/a-graphic-renaissance/printing-comes-to-europe/7-textura-europe

History: Carolingian Renaissance

The British Islands in 410 CE evolved the roman scripts into variants of the finches in Galapagos script, which included upper and lower case letters. This would continue into the seventh and eighth century. During this era, Europe was a melting pot of rustic, uncial, and roman capitals when it came to writing. The roots of lowercase letters during this era, is marked by the writings of both the Luxeuil and Corbie monasteries. There was a steady decline of literacy, spelling, and grammar during this period; until Charles Short inherited the Frankish throne in 771. Charles would then rule that the court would follow the Church's time table and would then commission a new manuscript written  on vellum. This manuscript would have both uncials and Carolingian minuscule. Carolingian minuscule was the work over decades of developing a new clear script for writing. It was derived from half-uncial and insular scripts. It was so popular, in fact, that Alcuin, a noble teacher wrote his version of the bible in it. This bible would become a best seller, having over 100 copies being made in less than fifty years. The book itself was approximately 18" x 20.25" x 31" in dimension. When printers came into use by 1464, Carolingian minuscule also was used to print books in Italy.

Clayton, E. (2014). Roman Foundations. The golden thread: The story of writing  Berkeley, CA: Counterpoint. (pp. 55-60)

History: Viking Raids and Anglo Saxon Renewal

The vikings made a notable appearance in 793, when they terrorized all of north western Europe. They raided Lindisfarne in 793, a peaceful defenseless settlement, and moved south to Tours in 853.  By then any settlement by water, river or ocean, was under the viking threat. The vikings destroyed over fifty years worth of work inside the monasteries using fire or the blade of their swords, forcing  advances in the art of books to stop. However, Anglo-Saxon England would not stand to this new rule, and in 871 they recaptured England over the rule of King Alfred, the ruler of Wessex. This would cause a new monastic movement throughout England in 970, and English monks would rebuild monasteries, attached to churches. Carolingian minuscule would be used within these monasteries, with influence from the Anglo-Saxon style of writing. This script would be written in a thicker pen, and the serifs would have a rounded form. This would change in the eleventh century, when the letters would take more of an oval shape. This would then lead to the sharp shape of Gothic lettering. These achievements however, were threatened when England was concord by Duke William of Normandy.

Clayton, E. (2014). Roman Foundations. The golden thread: The story of writing  Berkeley, CA: Counterpoint. (pp. 60-63)

History: Growth of Christianity

The growth of Christianity and writing begins with the advancement of  the art of writing.
With the rumored Egyptian ban on the sale of papyrus  in 190BC, Pergamum librarians turned to writing in a codex; wax tablets which were bound together at the spine. This proved to be easier to read than scrolls, and by the sixth century the parchment codex was dominant. By the ninth century, papyrus was only used for administrative purposes.
Within these codices writing began to advance as well. One of the greatest advancements was the Origen's  creation of the "Hexapla" which would have: writings from the old testament, written in two languages (Hebrew and Greek,) in six columns lined side by side. This creation would lead St. Jerome to consult Origen's manuscript, and create the official text of the Roman Catholic church. Origen's "Hexapla," also influenced Pamphilus, who created the largest Christian library for their time, up until their death on Febuary 16th, 310. "Hexapla" still had influence even after Pamphilus's death, by a person named Eusbius.
Eusbius would create the Chronicle, a writing which incorporated tables and rational. It gave readers and writers a new visualization. His imagination as to how the codex could be formatted would lead to the creation of the Canon. The Canon divided the Gospel into ten sections, with tables listing passages, and linked it all together as one. It is because of this creation, he received a commission by Emperor Constantinople to furnish all the churches with Bibles. These Bibles were written in Greek uncials in a parchment codex. (Clayton, 2014, pp. 40-55)


Clayton, E. (2014). Roman Foundations. The golden thread: The story of writing  Berkeley, CA: Counterpoint. (pp. 40-55)

Calligraphy: Carolingian Minuscule

The Alphabet: This week I had been practicing the Carolingian Minuscule alphabet. It appeared in the late eighth century, within the scriptorium of Charlemagne. It was then spread into his other monasteries, and by the eleventh century it was widely adopted across Europe. It was created to improve the legibility of handwriting, as well as the uniformity of the alphabet. [1] [3] It's script is both round and sharp, and it's serifs are well defined. For your better understanding, I have attached a sample image of the alphabet below. [2]

         

Image Source (URL)

Reflection: This week I was rather influenced by William Graily Hewit. He was a British calligrapher who had revived the art of gliding. His calligraphy flows together very well, and if you would like to know more, I have provided a link for you.

Click Here to Learn More

This week I decided to try something different, as I did not use guidelines. On top of it all I tried to glide my pen into each letter. I learned that not every word looks good being written in a gliding motion. I also learned that it is immensely difficult to write straight across the paper without a guideline. I rather enjoyed how the letter "e" flowed into the following character. What I didn't like about this alphabet however, was how the letter "S" is written. I was quite revolted by the letter, and chose not to use it most of the time.

Time-Frame: In total I practiced this alphabet for a little less than two hours. I am a little upset with myself for not meeting the two hour requirement, however I plan on putting a little bit of overtime into the next alphabet.

Progress: I started off this week a little shaky, however I cleaned up my work towards the end.

Attachments (Photos):

Note: None of the following images are in a particular order.

Practice:

Paper Used: Printer paper.

Pen Used: Y&C Calligraphy Pen; Size 3.5

Paper Used: Printer paper.

Pen Used: Y&C Calligraphy Pen; Size 3.5

Paper Used: Printer paper.

Pen Used: Y&C Calligraphy Pen; Size 3.5

Paper Used: Printer paper.

Pen Used: Y&C Calligraphy Pen; Size 3.5

Paper Used: Printer paper.

Pen Used: Y&C Calligraphy Pen; Size 3.5

Paper Used: Printer paper.

Pen Used: Y&C Calligraphy Pen; Sizes 2.5, 3.5

Exploration:

Paper Used: Printer paper.

Pen Used: Dip-pen and marker.

Paper Used: Lined paper.

Pen Used: Fountain pen.

Note: EDITED FOR CONFIDENTIALITY.

Citations:

[1] Tillotson, D. (2005, May 4). Caroline Minuscule. Retrieved February 26, 2019, from
          http://medievalwriting.50megs.com/scripts/history5.htm

[2] McGavren, C. (2004). Carolingian aAlphabet [Digital image]. Retrieved February 25, 2019, from
         http://cmcgavren.home.sprynet.com/azcarolingian_p1of2.html

[3] The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2008, April 16). Carolingian minuscule. Retrieved
          February 26, 2019, from https://www.britannica.com/art/Carolingian-minuscule

Calligraphy: Japanese

Image Source (URL)

I found this piece interesting because it reminded me of my third grade art class. Our art teacher purposefully put us ahead of schedule so she could give us a non-academic assignment. We spent that day writing Japanese calligraphy, writing words such as: "earth" "hope" and "water", using a very specific brush and black paint.

Calligraphy: Pre-Colombian Writing

                            Image Source (URL)

I found this image interesting because of how colorful it is. It reminds me of the stories the church as depicted in stained glass windows. Perhaps the church took inspiration from them?

Image Source (URL)

I found this piece interesting because it is very clearly stating a sentence. It drew my attention so much, that I looked up the piece and what it means. It was created by the Maya, documenting the discovery of zero. It's really interesting to see how society has grown in mathematical documentation from then until now.

Image Source (URL)

I found this image interesting because it is the same alphabet my sixth grade art teacher made my class write our names in. I don't remember much of the assignment, however I remember writing my name, in this alphabet, in clay, using very special chisels designed for writing in this alphabet.

                                                          Image Source (URL)

I found this piece interesting because somebody spent the time documenting perhaps a sale onto a what appears to be a clay slab. It's interesting to see how sales worked in a pre-colombian era.

Calligraphy: Middle Eastern

Image Source (URL)

This image appealed to me because it had made me realize that I had never thought that Arabic could be written in calligraphy. It makes me wonder, could there be even more styles of calligraphy which Arabic can be written in? 

Calligraphy: Western Calligraphy

                                             Image Source (URL)

This image was appealing to me because of how unique the "T" and "W" character is. The characters seem to flow together smoothly while still bearing their sharp edges. Finally, I really enjoyed how most of the letters have a gradient, it's almost as if the writer used a pen that always needed to be refilled with ink.

Image Source (URL)

This image was appealing to me because of how sharp each letter is. The way each letter is written makes me think about old European musicians. It is this font, which comes into my head when  anybody says "calligraphy."

Calligraphy: Uncial

Assignment:

• Explain that the alphabet you're working on is called Uncial. Give some background information about it.
• Explain which photos are practice and which are exploration
• Reflect on what you did, what you learned, what you liked or didn't like, what progress you made across the six 20-minute practice sessions (or whatever your time frame was and tell what your time frame was)

The Alphabet:

The alphabet I have been practicing is called Uncial. Pronounced "un-chill," this alphabet was rather round in shape. This alphabet was created by the Romans, with influence taken from their cursive writings. This alphabet allowed writers to write faster, because it was easier to write in. When this style was created, the Romans tended to use Roman Rustic if they wanted the reader to know that the document was important. Uncial was used more by the modern day man for everyday documents. Attached below is the uncial alphabet, to show you how the alphabet looked like.

Source

Reflection:

Over the span of two weeks, I have spent about four hours in total in my calligraphy practices. I found that PRISMACOLOR markers are awful to write this alphabet in. However, the Expo markers work rather well, as well as the 5.0 and 3.5 sized calligraphy markers found on the UMF bookstore. The fountain pen was okay, however it was not my favorite. I'm finding that writing in general has become "busy work" for me, however I figured out that if I write about events in my life, then I can sort of pace through it. Perhaps next time I will write my pseudo code in calligraphy, so my interests in coding will reflect within my writings. I really liked writing on my whiteboard, so perhaps I will explore that medium more as well.

Attachments:

Please note: The order of the events posted are in no particular order.

Exploration:

Paper Used: None. I used a whiteboard.

Pen Used: Expo marker.

Note: Please mind the Python pseudo code in the upper left corner.

Paper Used: Low quality notebook paper.

Pen Used: Calligraphy marker (5.0)

Paper: Printer paper.

Pen Used: PRISMACOLOR.

Practice:

Paper Used: High quality laser print paper.

Pen Used: Calligraphy marker (5.0)

Paper Used: High quality laser print paper.

Pen Used: Calligraphy marker (3.5)

Paper Used: High quality laser print paper.

Pen Used: Calligraphy marker (3.5)

Paper Used: High quality laser print paper.

Pen(s) Used: Calligraphy marker (3.5) and fountain pen.

Valentine:

Paper Used: Pink paper given in class.

Pen Used: Fountain pen.

Translation: You are sweeter than sugar on a cake.  

In Class Practice:

Paper Used: High quality laser print paper.

Pen(s) Used: Calligraphy marker, 3.5 and 5.0.