Curation Progress Report 3

This week’s accomplishments:

- I did some more writing on the homepage of my curation website. It now has a much better explanation of what my website is, which helps to introduce visitors to my curation. I think this was a big improvement from what my homepage was before and has really added to homepage.

 -I have continued to do research on functional art, so that I have many examples to pick my curation elements from. I have started to really enjoy this part of the curation, because I get to see so many inspiring works of art that I probably wouldn’t have discovered if I had not been doing the intense research required for this project.

-After evaluating the possible examples I have collected recently, I added several new, “winning” elements to my curation. I now have 18 total elements posted, and have at least one element in each of the subpages of my website.

-I have started to brainstorm ideas for what to write on the subpages. I want to explain what makes the chosen elements significant, and how they work together as a whole, but I still want the narration on my page to be interesting to the average visitor.

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                During this week’s internet research, the most interesting example that I found (and decided to use as one of my elements) was a set of beautiful salt and pepper shakers. Two artists named Laura Blacona & Alberto Toscano of Raw Art are the ones who design and create these one of a kind salt and pepper shakers.These shakers were one of my favorite findings because it surprised even me how beautiful an everyday object can be. I also like how each shaker is decorated differently (with small, intricate patterns) making each one unique, yet they all go together as well.

                One obstacle that I am currently dealing with while working on my curation is finding examples of clothing that is unique and interesting enough to include as elements on my page. I have found many possible examples already, but barely any of them are what I would consider real “winners”, especially compared to the other elements on my website. It is also hard to decide what should be considered functional art when it comes to clothes and fashion. In order to figure this out, I will have to continue to closely evaluate the originality of the design as well as the craftsmanship of the item.

 

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The next three steps:

-I need to do more research on functional art for new examples to pick my curation elements from. I will continue to compare and evaluate the examples that I find before picking out my curation elements. 

-I will add a few more elements to my curation webpage. I only need to add a few more elements but will probably add more than that if I find more “winning” examples than that.

- I need to finally add some writing to the subpages of my curation. I think that it will become more obvious what to write on these pages once I have a few more elements on my curation.

 

Curation Progress Report 2

This week's accomplishments:

-I finished designing the homepage of my curation website. It now includes a brief explanation of functional art, and what my website is. I also added a visual comparison that shows the difference between a normal chair and a chair that is functional art. 

- I have done a lot of research for more elements and information to add to my curation page this week. While I have not posted much of it yet, I have been keeping track of this information by putting it all in a word document, until I evaluate it and make decisions on what elements will make it onto my curation. 

- After evaluating all of the possible elements that I found already for this page, I decided on some elements to add to the Ceramics and Glass page of my curation. For each of these elements I posted a good picture and a link to the artist to give them credit for their work.

-I also added some elements to the furniture page of my curation. Following the same process that I did when I added elements to the Ceramics and Glass page, after evaluating all of the examples of functional art furniture,  I posted a picture of the best ones and links to give credit.

- I have continued to conduct research on the internet for new and interesting information and examples of functional art.

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                The most interesting element that I  found this week was a table with a built-in planter down the middle. The table was designed by Emily Wettstein and is a true work of art. I was amazed when I saw it, because it is such a creative and innovative design. This is the link to Emily Wettstein's tumblr, where she posts many examples of her designs, which are mostly furniture. I added her planter table as one of the elements for the furniture page of my curation.

                The biggest obstacle I must face while creating this curation is figuring out what to write on the subpages of my curation. So far I have posted pictures and links, but know that I need to start narrating my curation as well. I think that as I add more elements to my webpage that I will start to figure out what I should write.

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The next three steps:

-I need to continue researching for information and elements to add to my curation. I especially need to find more on jewelry and clothing, as I have not found many curation-worthy examples yet. I know that what I am looking for is out there, I just need to dig a little deeper to find the best and most unique examples to include.

-I will continue to evaluate and organize the information that I have found already, so that I can make decisions on what to actually post I have realized that this is the most critical part of the curation process, because finding information is easy, but finding and using only the best is what makes a curation high quality.  

-I need to start the narration part of my curation. I am still unsure of what exactly I want to write on the subpages of my curation, but I’m sure this will become easier when I add more elements to my curation webpage.

Curation Progress Report 1

This week’s accomplishments:

-I created a Google Sites page for my curation. It’s still very basic, but I’m getting a feel for how it works and how to change its appearance (since this is the first time making a google site).

-I have done a lot of internet research on functional art. I have found many examples and pictures, as well as some useful information. Since I’m still evaluating and comparing my information, I have not posted much on my website yet.

-I decided on some categories / subpages that will appear on my curation to organize my information. Currently they are: Ceramics and Glass, Furniture, Clothing, Jewelry, and Other Objects. I may add to these or change these as I decide on what information to use.

-I have started to write and design the home page of my website. It still needs work so that it is interesting and aesthetically appealing, but I have done some of writing for it.

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                The most interesting link I have found is a website called trendhunter.com. It’s a website that displays all various works of art and design.  It has many examples of amazing and unique works of functional art (but does not focus on functional art), as well as information about the artists and creative processes. It also has links to other sites that I have found helpful. After looking through only a few pages on this website, I was amazed and very inspired by the art that I saw.  

The biggest obstacle that I need to overcome is that I need to start making solid decisions on what information and examples should go on my curation. It is challenging to pick out the best and most interesting information, because I am very into functional art, so all of it is interesting to me. I need to find the information that will be the most interesting and relevant to the visitors of my website.  I am in the process of figuring this out, by evaluating the load of information I have already found.

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The next three steps:

-I need to finish designing and writing the text for the home page of my curation website. Since first impressions are important, I want to catch people’s attention with the homepage and keep them interested so they will browse the rest my site.

- I need to make decisions about the content of my webpage. I will do this by continuing to examine and evaluate the information that I have already found. I expect to have to do some more research as well to ensure that I include the best information that I can.

- Next I will need to organize the information that I decide to use before posting it. I will organize the information so that it is clear and meaningful. I don’t want people to be confused or uninterested  by my curation, so this organization will be a very important step in the curation process.