Art, Politics & Power 2017 Study Travel to Belgium & The Netherlands

Hello everyone, my name is Elisia (the one on the right). As you can see I’m in a sorority, Chi Omega, and I’m in the beta delta pledge class. I am a exercise science major: Clinical physiology. I also am a double major in gerontology and psychology. After college, my first four years at least, I plan to be applying to graduate school; hopefully at the university of Virginia. After that, my plans are kind of a blurr. I have never been abroad before. I think will be a great trip to determine if I really want to be aboard for a full semester. My artwork I studied was was portrait of a young man by Raphael. The what sparked me most throughout our discussion was the legality of our ship of art, and while overseas I think it would be nice to see some of the art that caused all these issue between countries. I am very excited to, other than experience the culture, but to also eat some of there delicious food and shop in the different countries.

Hi everyone! My name is Juliana Eike. My intended major at Appalachian State University is English with a Creative Writing concentration with a minor in Global Studies. After finishing high school there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to go to college, because I wanted to progress my knowledge on all things that I found interesting and I wanted, most of all, the opportunity to become an independent woman who is very responsible (I’m still working on that last part haha).

I have been outside of our county three times now. Once when I was really little, around one year, the second time was when I was seven, and the third time was when I was twelve. The first two times I went to the northern part of Germany to an island called F0hr to visit family. The third time however, I went along with my mother on her business trip. We went to Paris, France, Warsaw, Poland, and Frankfurt, Germany.

This past semester at App I took a class called Art, Politics, and Power where each of the class members picked a great artwork and studied it then made a video presentation on it. I studied a piece called Govert van Slingelandt and family; it was a family portrait created in 1657 painted by Jan Mijtens. It was a wonderful painting portrait of the family and I truly did enjoy researching it and life in the 1600s.

I am soooooooo excited about this trip! Starting tomorrow I am going to be taking pictures every two seconds! I think I am most excited about eating Belgium waffles and chocolate! On the other hand, I am also very excited to get the chance to actually explore and tour art museums because I have never ever been to an art museum, this will be my first time. You know what they say, go big or go home! Also, its one thing to study and talk in the classroom about these big masterpieces and their stories but to actually experience and see them in person I think will be awe-inspiring, and quite frankly maybe a little emotional. I am also very excited about traveling with this class, I really enjoyed each and every one of them as classmates and I hope our friendship grows over this trip to where it can possibly be a lifelong friendship.

Til next time!

Juliana Eike

 

Hello, everyone my name is Sydni Fields and I am a freshman at Appalachian state planning on studying Communications as a major. This major will then take me to my dream, of creating a way to communicate and express the efforts of people from third world countries who are making their communities betters, to the world. I love traveling and as a kid I started out traveling though the states. As I have gotten older I have traveled to the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. In the Dominican Republic my school helped build a community center for some of the locals. The Bahamas trip was a family vacation. So this trip will be a new experience and very educational. Before the trip we prepared for learning about artworks that were stolen during the war. The work of art that I researched is called the Madonna under the fir tree painted by Lucas Cranach the Elder. I made a documentary about the work of art and can be viewed here.(https://youtu.be/BtZa1sATrsQ) I am most excited about seeing the architecture on the buildings. I know that some buildings were destroyed during the war so if they are rebuilt they will have a more modern touch but also some older buildings still stand thanks to the Monuments Men. Being able to see the history of the buildings is exciting to me. I am really excited to go to Netherlands and Belgium because it will be a new culture for me. I have been to the islands and I have seen Americas views on life so I am interested to see the different ways of living. I am also excited for the canal ride because I have never been in a canal and the different form of transportation is cool. Lastly, I am interested to try the cuisine over there. I am a picky eater but I have an open mind and will try anything at least once. Overall though, I didn’t make an expectations of the trip because I want to look at these countries with fresh eyes and fully experience the trip for what it is.

Hello everyone! My name is Cassidy Harris and I am a freshman Communications major at App. As of now, my anticipated minor is international business, but this is subject to change- as my mind wanders sometimes when it comes to my future career choice. But hey, isn’t that what college is about? Anyway, I am originally from Zanesville, Ohio and have come to love my new home in Boone! Our trip has given me much anticipation throughout my first semester and I am excited to begin the journey to Europe tomorrow. My other travel experience includes much of the eastern half of the United States and I have also traveled to the Dominican Republic.

During my time in Art, Politics, and Power, I have learned about how art impacts us today as well as in the past. Towards the end of the course, I was given the task to thoroughly research the piece, Lady with an Ermine, which was painted by Leonardo da Vinci. Although we will not be able to see the piece on the trip, I am still pleased with my choice to study it due to its rich cultural background and relation to many of the pieces we will have the chance to see on this trip. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to travel to Europe as a freshman, and am glad to share it with my peers, instructors, and thanks to this blog, all those that wish to follow us on our little adventure!

Hi! My name is Mattie Hough and I am planning on studying Exercise Science at ASU. After college, I plan on attending graduate school to become a Physician’s Assistant. I have only been out of the country one time on a family trip to Mexico. I can’t wait to visit Belgium and the Netherlands because I love to experience other cultures. Also, it will be very cool to see some of the places and pieces of art that we studied in class!

In this class, I researched The Astronomer by Johannes Vermeer (see my documentary here). Vermeer was a Dutch artist and I can’t wait to see some of his rare paintings in real life! I think the artwork that I am most looking forward to seeing is The Ghent Altarpiece in St. Bavo’s Cathedral. I loved studying this piece and was so interested in it’s history and meaning. I can’t wait to embark on this awesome adventure!

Hey y’all! Im Julian Fitch, I’m a freshman finance major and I’m thinking about pursuing an art minor. Im still not sure what i will do after college but I was hoping I would be determining that during the next three semesters or longer. I traveled abroad for the first time this past July with my parents. We went to London and Paris and it was the coolest trip I’ve ever been on. I was NOT ready for how different paris was from where I grew up in N.C. but it was a great experience and I’m hoping to go back eventually. In Art, Politics, and Power, I recorded a video documentary on “Boy Leading a Horse” by Pablo Picasso, unfortunatley I couldn’t get it up on Youtube and this site doesn’t allow me to upload video files without a premium membership…However, I am very excited to see more art and learn the history of the places we will visit. I’m excited to travel outside the country for the first time without my parents, not gonna lie I can’t wait to eat, my parents went to Belgium on their anniversary one year and they said it was beautiful so I can’t wait to take pictures of everything, and I’m excited that i have the opportunity to go on the trip with my roommate Ryan:)

Hello,
My name is Harrison Brown. I’m a freshman at Appalachian State, and I am interested in studying Global Studies or International Business. After college, I plan on being a translator for international companies, probably in Germany.

I have never travelled abroad before, and in fact, this is my first time flying! I am very excited about all of the new experiences I will have during this trip. I have always wanted to go to Europe, because I enjoy being able to see people from all over the world. I really like Holland, because that is where my family came from many generations ago.

For this class, I studied the painting The Sick Child by Edvard Munch. You can watch my documentary film here.

Hi guys! I’m Natalie Richards and I plan on studying Economics (BSBA) here at ASU, then pursuing a career as either an economist or actuary. I love traveling and so far I’ve been to Canada, London and NYC a few times; so I can’t wait to see what Belgium and Netherlands are like!

In Art, Politics, and Power I researched a piece entitled Madonna of the Fish by Raphael (here). Unfortunately, this piece is housed in Spain so we won’t be able to view it on our trip. After reading and watching the Monuments Men I look forward to seeing as much artwork as possible: if people risked their lives for artwork to be secure then I definitely want to experience it. I’m also excited to see artwork that is located in Ghent–especially the Ghent Altarpiece. We spent so much time studying it in class, so being able to see the piece in real life would be so incredible. Additionally, I’m just excited to walk around everywhere and experience the different culture there (and definitely the food).

Can’t wait!

Hello, my name is Haley Searcy and I am pursuing a degree in Sociology. While I do not know specifically what I would like to do after college, I want to help people and be creative in my future job. Over the years I have been lucky enough to travel to France, Italy, England, and Canada, and am thrilled to be adding Belgium and the Netherlands to my list of adventures abroad!

In this art history class I researched Henri Matisse’s Bathers With A Turtle. We won’t be able to view this painting during the trip, but we will be able to look at other works we studied through readings and discussions on The Monuments Men. One of such pieces of art I am excited to see and learn more about is Bruges Madonna by Michelangelo. I am also looking forward to touring all of the beautiful cities we will be visiting, especially the one that will be a canal cruise of Amsterdam!