The artwork I found is an arch called Stone Arch Bridge. An arch refers to a rounded gateway that creates an even entrance, such as the base of a bridge. Its purpose is to distribute weight evenly downwards. The Stone Arch Bridge, originally used as a railroad bridge back in the day, crosses the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Construction began in 1881 and was completed in 1883 under the direction of architect James J. Hill. The materials used to construct this bridge were primarily granite, limestone, marble, and magnesium limestone, materials chosen for their strength and durability at the time.

A way of positioning a statue in a way that is more natural or relaxed. This is done by shifting weight on one leg rather than both. In turn, the shoulders and hips are adjusted: (Left Side) Hip Rises, Shoulder Falls, (Right Side) Hip Falls, Shoulder Rises. A “harmony of proportions”. An example artwork of the term that we have discussed in class would be the Polykleitos, Doryphoros (Spear Bearer), Roman Copy, Italy, c. 450 BCE, Classical Period.A recognizable artist that utilizes contrapposto in their artwork would be Alexandros of Antioch’s Venus de Milo, 150 BC and 125 BC. The artwork is a statue of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty created in the Hellenistic art period, and was originally found on the island of Milos. Currently, it is displayed in the Louvre Museum in Paris. Similarly to the artwork Polykleitos, Doryphoros (Spear Bearer) statue, the weight is shifted on one leg and the hips and shoulders move accordingly. 

Momento Mori is a Latin phrase that means along the lines of: "remember you must die". This is a saying reminding all living human beings, that we will all die, and to value the life we are currently living. The Skull with Burning Cigarette by Vincent van Goh (1885) is a painting I found on the internet that perfectly represents memento mori. This oil painting includes a complete skeleton that represents death and poor health. There is no life in this artwork, instead we are presented with a complete human skeleton representing death caused by an everyday activity (smoking).

The artwork that I chose was a portrait of Persephone called Seasons in the Plastic Age - Autumn made by Simona Proto. What's unique about this painting is the idea of not representing seasons by their respective fruits, but the type of waste products accumulated during the time period to spread awareness of pollution. I chose this artwork because it relates to the vocabulary term “mosaic” which are pictures created by imbedding materials into stone or cement. Proto applies the mosaic art technique and uses materials such as glass beer cups and bottle caps to create the portrait. 

The fascinating piece of art to the left is Yoke from Mesoamerica. This piece of artwork is tributed to the Olmec culture. Though there is no exact date for the piece of artwork, its culture and historical significance is very important. As I explored other types of Yokes, I came across a connection between them. Both Olmec Yoke and other Yokes come from Mesoamerica cultures, which share a similar purpose of aspects of the ballgame. This piece of artwork deepens our insight into the Mesoamerican cultures and their shared practices and artifacts. 

Earthworks, large-scale constructions made from earth and natural materials, are remarkable feats created by prehistoric cultures, often for ceremonial, spiritual, or astronomical purposes. These structures frequently align with natural landforms or celestial phenomena, illustrating the creators’ profound connection to the land and the cosmos. A prominent example is the Great Serpent Mound in Adams County, Ohio, constructed around 1070 CE. Measuring approximately 1,254 feet, this effigy mound reflects Native American cultures’ spiritual and observational ties to their environment, possibly symbolizing a serpent or the movement of the sun.

The tradition of earthworks continues in modern art, exemplified by Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty (1970). Located on the northeastern shore of Utah’s Great Salt Lake, this spiral of mud, basalt, and earth extends 1,500 feet into the lake. Its dynamic interaction with natural surroundings—altering its appearance with water levels—symbolizes the interplay between art and nature, resonating with the ancient ethos of integrating human creation with the landscape.