Response to Raquel

1. Do you think that pictures can be like words? That they can provide a language?

As an art history major, just about every photo, painting, and sculpture has taken on meaning. Probably more than some should. Anyway, I do believe that visual art does present the viewer with information. French painting from 19th century dealt with the country's revolution and the toppling of King Charles X. Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People had immense meaning and feeling to the French people when it was unveiled in the Salon of May 1831 almost a year after the 1830's July Revolution.















The woman is the embodiment of Liberty. She leads the way carrying the French flag; which itself is a symbol, Liberté, égalité, fraternité, values that she is leading the people back to after the overthrow of the king. In the context of 19th century France the message of the painting is clear. Today we are removed from the time period the painting originated in, however, looking at the painting (or picture of it) we attempt to read something even if we do not realize it. Delacroix's painting was used as the cover art for Coldplay's album Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends. Having a large fanbase the art was probably viewed by millions, none of whom are from early 19th century France. Still the spirit of the work comes through. For many seeing the album art may have been their first encounter with Delacroix's work, but sense of change and overthrow can be easily read. In addition the image speaks to the image of the band itself, they are world activists supporting Amnesty International and other charities. Chris Martin endorsed President Obama during his campaign. Even without words or the context the painting was originally presented in, there is still meaning sent to the viewer, which is what language does convey meaning.

Reading Questions

1. What does the reproduction of art mean to the aura or originality of the original? Now that art pieces can be so easily reproduced and circulated how does that affect its original intended purpose and the preciousness of a work of art?

2. With new media one incorporated aspect is its ease of reproduction and distribution. Does that lessen its value? Anyone has access and every copy is the same as every other, does the concept of something being limited and valuable even apply?

3. How does watching the videos themselves demonstrate the difference in distributing information or art from how it was distributed in the past? Having a story or novel exist in both writing and video is interesting, how can different mediums co-exist without one making the other obsolete?

WAM! Stencil!

So, for class I had to do a stencil design and utilize it on a surface. First off this class interests me a lot because, believe it or not, I'm writing a book, but I'm inspired by so many different sources of information and I use different formats to write, but I'm not sure how to put them all together. Hopefully I'll learn somethings in this class that will help.

Anyway, on to the stencil. My idea came from the book I'm writing. Its a little complex, at least to explain, but basically its about Eris, a name my central character chooses about midway through, who we learn is kidnapped. Around the time of her kidnapping, there have been a series of murders occurring on the East Coast. Bodies found are terribly disfigured and mutilated, also the cities where they happen are spread along the coast, making it difficult for authorities to conclude if this is the same person or persons, or copy-cats. By the time of Eris' kidnapping, the murders have been going on for about 3-4 months, and the public is scared and outraged at their continuation. They begin to blame the police, and there is growing social unrest. Especially now with the speculation that Eris' body will turn up as the next victim. On top of this, there is another issue, seeing that Eris is one of the first nationally publicized kidnappings where the victim is a minority female, people discuss the issue that it took being linked to these murders in order for her case to widely publicized, supporting the idea of MWWS (missing white woman syndrome) being the criteria one has to meet for their case to be highly public.

Sorry, about all that. Anyway, my stencil happened upon some technical difficulties. So, I warned you. Don't expect much. I did, and I was disappointed. LOL.

I started with this idea:



















Then I thought this might be better:















Finally I settled on that face, and cut it out of cardboard, then used it, but I didn't think about the space around the head. Also for some reason even with tape I couldn't stop the paint from getting under the cardboard cut out, I think I sprayed too close and the air was lifting it...I dunno. So I had trouble.

















So, in retrospect, I would not cut the entire head out, instead I should have left cardboard around it. I don't know why I cut the whole head out...I just did, it would have saved me work not to. Also I cut out the letters and filled them permanent marker. I think I would rather cut out typed letters and used red spray paint, but I didn't have any last night, or use red acrylic paint. I think I might tape her onto some paper and remake her, because I like the image and the idea.

Response to Nick: Discussion - Wysocki

1. Wysocki says that "without having to study it--you know whether a webpage has been designed to sell you something or present you with news." I guess my question about this is whether you think it is applicable to everyday life? Isn't most information presented as news trying to sell you something, and how do these two things interchange?


My Response: I don't agree completely with Wysocki, I think the lines are getting more and more blurred. I guess my everyday application or example would be Ads in Magazines. While reading you come across Ads that at first seem to blend into the articles of the magazine. This is especially the case with fashion mags, where you might be reading about the latest trends, you turn the page and then you're looking at an ad, but it looks the same. In a sense a fashion magazine could be seen as one continuous ad trying to sell the latest works of designers or popular culture. Another application I can see is in biased news sources. Fox news is well-known for its conservative stance in politics, while presenting a story you could find on any news network, they all sell their ideology along with it. I think also just to tell a story or get information out you have to sell it. Whether you're passing along the latest gossip at a party or looking at a webpage there is always some level of selling in the presentation, there has to be something there to lure the reader in. However, the type or aesthetics of presentation can cue you in if you're about to be asked to spend money, accept an opinion, or just swallow some new information.