For my Columbus to do list, I decided to explore the public art and Graffiti that is so prevalent in Columbus. I researched the sanctioned and unsanctioned art that is in the Columbus area. I looked at two major area in Columbus that are home to many public art displays and piece; the Short North district and outside the Weinland Park District. I took into account many differences that each location had in terms of artistic styles; it was evident that the art located in the short North District is sanctioned by the city because the large murals and intricate designs that are located in the district. The pieces are multi-mediums of spray paint, acrylic, oil, and some other 2D materials. There are a number of pieces that are also made on canvas-like paper and glued onto walls. Artists who are sanctioned to make these pieces had as much time as they needed to complete their work and had no worries with getting in trouble with the law. Right outside the Short North District, a little bit east and south, is the outskirts of the Weiland Park District where there is street art that is primarily graffiti from spray-paint.  While graffiti has become decriminalized in this area, however, it is still illegal to paint over this area because there are many murals that have been adopted by the community. There are still a number of artist’s “tags”-an artist’s signature mark-around this area. Both areas provide a unique urban canvas that have been utilized by local artists for years.

My favorite experience from this project has been exploring the art in the Short North district. While I enjoy immersing myself with the numerous galleries that reside in the Short North district, I have become much more aware and interested in the street art and public art that resides in this area. Every time I find myself in the Short North I always seem to notice more and more art that is in this area, and I noticed that many of these pieces have descriptions from the artist that describe the piece and the meaning behind them. My favorite piece in the Short North is the mural interpretation of “American Gothic” where the farmer’s daughter is upside down. This is a hard to miss piece that is highly regarded in all of Columbus.

I learned a lot about the Short North District and its artistic history. I learned that the district itself served as an artists haven in the late twentieth century which describe the high volume of art displays, exhibits, and galleries that make up the rich culture of the Short North. The Short North is also one of the most gentrified areas in Columbus today; it is very hard far artists to afford the rent and living costs in todays situation. The street art and public art serves as an homage to the Short North’s rich history as an artists haven, which may be one of the reasons as to why the Short North has become an epicenter for art, fashion, food, and now luxury.

Group 4 Presentation (1)

For my explore Columbus project, I decided that I wanted to explore the art that Columbus has to offer. As a self-proclaimed artist myself, I wanted to see what is happening in the modern art scene today and hoped to maybe find inspiration and admiration from different artists. The first display I wanted to go and visit was the Contemporary art exhibit from Ann and Ron Pizzuti. The first span of the Pizzuti collection was displayed in Short North locations and is just a preview for the large display of the Pizzuti collection that is coming to the Columbus Museum of Art and will be opening on October 26th. The Puzziti collection is an amalgamation of modern and contemporary art that is used broadly with many different colors and shapes and lines. The galley that they are displaying now is a collection of their favorite pieces, a “greatest hits” collection. The Pizzuti collection is unlike any other contemporary art because it offers such a unique visual stimulant as well as conveying a message that is topical in todays world. The best part about being in the Columbus area is that the Short North is a community of artists and Galleries. With art evolving nearly every day, and short north offering displays and gallery openings nearly every day, there is surely no lack of art and creativity in the Columbus area. For my next location visit, I want to research the mural art that is so prevalent in the short north, as well as visit more local galleries and meet with local artists about their inspirations and aspirations.

An artifact I feel is representative of my academic interest is the software Adobe illustrator. As an architecture student, I use adobe illustrator to draw and edit plans, sections, and elevations. I also use the software to create isometric drawings of a structure or figure. I feel this is representative of my interests because the skills I am learning on adobe illustrator can be applied to many other design and art fields if I wanted to. Adobe Illustrator is one of the many software’s used in the Architecture school, but it is also one of the most complex given the users skill level.