5/15/12
Collective Identity
This year has been very different for me. Since I decided to pursue ceramics while taking the portfolio art class, I have spent all my time in the ceramics classroom. The classes that have been in here while I was working was beginners ceramics. So I was really out on my own all year without a class or anyone really to converse with on my work besides Mr. Williams. I appreciate having all the time/space and freedom of not having a class that I am a part of. I think it really worked out for me because I’m a really independent person and it helped me focus solely on my own work. At the same time it has been interesting to see the beginners classes in session while I’m working. It reminds me of when I first started out ceramics, they get frustrated and are filled with questions but slowly learning the process of ceramics. I enjoy being in here during their class periods because I can always give them tips and pointers when they first start out on the wheel and answer any of their questions when Mr. Williams is busy. So this is more of a single identity since I really have no class I belong to, but it has done a lot for me this year. It allowed me to really dive into my work without ever being distracted and I really appreciated that.
Collective Identity
Each individual in our classroom of seven students is very independent and unique. We all add to the class in a very different way which gives us a very unique outcome. Our personalities vary, yet somehow we all get along quite well. Whether or not we were friends with each other before this class or even outside of it, when we get to class its like we’ve known each other for a while. Our art is just as unique as our personalities and we really have a wide scale of techniques we each like to use. While stretching the assignment requirements as far as seems possible, we approach each project in a different way. While some may think this keeps us apart, it actually brings us together. We are able to state our opinions on each others work and say what we think best only because it differs so far from our own. Personally, I enjoy seeing the way others approach the project because it inspires me to try new things and not be afraid to go out on a limb. Being in this classroom everyday has given us the confidence to not only appreciate each others work but not hold back on what we wish to do. Overall this classroom as a whole, speaks loud and clear with our many differences in art but at the end of the day we have much more in common then most think.
Comic Story
In the small town of Lifestill, the population was quite high. The citizens were all very unique, varying from army men to stone heads and above water fish. However as different as they all seemed, they all had one thing in common, fear of the great man who lurked above them. Each morning as the citizens of Lifestill awoke to Mr. Miller turning on the lights, the great man was smirking down upon them, and his fists raised high. The many army men were ants compared to Him, and many of the miniature manikins were lacking of important body parts, such as heads. Therefore no one was able to stand up to Him that was except for the horses, who stood up to him out of fear. For they were the only ones closest to his size, therefore they believed they must be of some power. The stone heads all gossiped about the horses because they knew they were pathetic and scared and that’s why they tried to stand tall like the great man. But deep down inside the stone heads were just as fearful, for who knew at any moment the great man could strike, taking out all of Lifestill. The Batmans had clamed to have talked to the great man, warning the citizens they must obey everything that they tell them because it is what the great man wants. It was only a few weeks they lived under the ridiculous rules of the batmans, who took orders from the great man. One day the manikin was fed up with following all these rules, so he mustered up his courage to go talk to the great man. He spent days and nights climbing up to the great man, only to find astonishing results. The manikin talked and talked, but received no response! After minutes and confusion and frustration he came to realize that the great man was not so great at all, in fact he was not even alive, he was simply plastic, a still life. Baffled yet excited, the manikin returned to Lifestill and informed everyone of this news. The batmans were thrown into the birdhouse prison for life and the rest of Lifestill happily lived their life, never fearing the great man again.
Tragic Story
There was once a tan man whose name was kin. He lived a populated area of many manikins; however he was not quite the same. Kin had no head, simply a wire where his beautiful mind should be. How did it happen you ask? Well this here is Kin’s story. When Kin was growing up he was neighbors with a girl named Lucy. Lucy had two long black braids. She was a very happy girl and her favorite food was grapes. Her and Kin always got along really well and Kin even had a crush on her. However, one night he spotted a dark man wearing a black cape and mask trying to sneak into Lucys house! Kin recognized this man from a previous episode of Americas Most Wanted. Panicking, Kin grabbed a knife and rushed to Lucys house, forgetting that he was going against a well experienced and armed robber. These facts did not hit Kin until he was standing infront of the large dark man, feeling miniscule. Not knowing what else to do he sliced off the mans lower half, unfortunately the dark man struck at the same time taking off Kins head. Whether Kin was able to save Lucy, he will never know. For now he is forever wondering the earth, not only a lost head, a lost soul.
6.1.10
Collective Identity Paper
Our class is filled with a variety of talent, together creating a single art piece within itself. Being as it takes place quite early in the morning, our room is filled with faint voices almost trying not to break the silence. We have laughing and giggling always coming from one corner of the room and you’ll never miss a good story from across the table. Then of course we always have the room immediately filled with joy as someone mentions they brought food. While Mr. Miller is the head of the class, yet he is one of us. Like us he works just as hard, bringing just as much to the table as anyone else. On any other day we are all working hard on a variety of projects, each of us interpreting the assignment our own way. Some have a way with textual pieces, some prefer computer graphics, and others find peace in a comic approach. While people tend to find our art techniques all very different, they are actually what bring us together. A good artist is skilled in creating one style of art, but a great artist is capable of using multiple art styles. So together our very different styles of art, come together just to show how similar we all can be. We have only a few newcomers, but it is not too hard to find your way into our group. Each new student is not a burden, but contributes just a little bit more to our class, giving us a new talent or technique.
4.26.20
Surveillance Proposal:
Throughout our school 56 cameras are located. As we walk about the hallways, wandering from class to class, we are aware of these cameras. But we are unaware of their capabilities. We recognize we are under constant surveillance, maybe that is what guides us to act a certain way in the building. Yet others underestimate these cameras, believing they are able to get away with certain crimes. Art is not the first thought that comes into our minds when we see theses cameras but it is exactly what I plan to create with this project.
I would begin by having one single student at each camera. Then the viewer would be sitting at a main computer, able to see each camera one at a time. As the viewer flipped through the different cameras, the students would switch positions, but only when the viewer was not watching them. Each student would hold their position long enough for the viewer to see them. In a way the students themselves were sculptures. It’s almost like a game as well, students not trying to be seen moving. It will start out with each student choosing their own poses and stances to stay in. This will allow the students to get creative.
I would then align each student in a different position, so when flipping through the cameras at a very fast pace it would look like one student running away. Sort of like a flip book, except done with cameras. This would be difficult to create because each person would have to be aligned perfectly as if to look as they’re running and they would have to hold that position. With this outline I could create a lot of different arrangements.
I would also then want to experiment with one person starting at the the first camera, most likely the one near the door. Then have them run around throughout the entire school, only going through each hallway once, if possible switching the cameras so they constantly follow this person. Then finishing with the person exiting the building. Considering the quality of these cameras, it should be able to follow the person a good way down the street a little. From there they could hold up a sign.. I’m not sure what it would say yet. But of course there is many possibilities.
4.20.10
Prompt Question: What are the ethical differences (if any) between the surveillance of objects/property and living subjects?
I believe there are multiple differences when looking at objects as opposed to living people. The first difference that strikes me is their movement and position. When looking at objects you not only survey their appearance but also their position and where they are placed. See unlike living subjects, property and objects are unable to move, without our help of course, therefore this could make them easier to watch. Then when surveying people, you see their physical appearance and location. But you also are attracted to how they move, their personality and how they interact with others. So their is much more going on in that sense when surveying human beings. Another difference could be the needs, while surveying an object you could do so for hours on end and it would not move or feel the need to do anything at all. But when surveying living subjects, they have needs. Whether you are spying on them, or they are aware of your surveillance they need to move, breathe, eat, etc. Another difference is their reactions to your surveillance, while objects have no thought process at all, living subjects may get annoyed or be quite pleased. But the difference is that they have a reaction while the objects or property does not. The last difference time. While you could survey objects for endless amounts of time, people are not the same. Unless you were to follow them everywhere they went, it would not be too possible to contain them as you could do with an object. Therefore their are endless amounts of reasons why the surveillance of objects differs from the surveillance of living subjects.
Surveillance Log 5: Friday, 4.23.10
Today is a friday. This means anxious kids waiting to be freed. In every class they sit on the edge of their seat waiting for the bell. But in this art class they sit towards the back, enjoying there time spent here, knowing it is not wasted. They class speaks together, joking, enjoying each others company. Some rush to finish art pieces, others continue work on websites or photography projects. But as always, everyone is hard at work. For they all know they must be, the art show is just around the corner and for this class that is the most important event of the year. So we all continue to work up until that date, hoping we achieve our initial goals.
Surveillance Log 4: Thursday, 4.22.10
It was a typical day in Mr. Millers classroom. The students all busy with there work. It was a beautiful day out, that was until a storm rolled up. It knocked out the windows in the art room and torn through the school. The students were running around, there was chaos. All their hard work was flying around the room, the wind carried away their creative ideas. Just as quickly as the storm arrived, it left as well. Leaving behind a room of unhappy students with lost work, and their creative ideas gone with the wind. Not one student could even begin to work on a project, they had lost all passion for art. They all began to worry when they finally looked around they had realized that their art was not ruined at all. In a way it was all pieced together, creating one massive final piece. This one disaster had not only brought the artwork together, but the students as well.
Surveillance Log 3: Wednesday, 4.21.10
Work continued in the room located down the hall. Each individual lost in their own world. Some hidden behind the blackness of the corner, others openly sketching their own surveillance. The quiet ones, yet also some of the most skilled, all zoned out as they dove into their work. Ipods plugged in, lost in creation. Then all the sudden there was a flash, each art student was sent off to different locations of the world. But there was no panic, they all continued to work not even realizing they had been relocated. Engulfed in their projects they failed to notice that they were now far away from the art room. One by one they began to realize, they were no longer in a recognizable area, but they continued to work. Slowly but surely they all finished their project and one by one returned to the classroom. But they once again failed to notice, as they were too distracted by their new project.
Surveillance Log 2: Tuesday, 4.20.10
Today was a day of silence. Absense was increased because of the air vacuum which swept many away early. Only certain students survived, it seemed to be targeting juniors. The rest were rewarded, because of the accident they had extended class time. In which, the few of them left, worked continuously on a project of some sort. Some huddled in corners typing away on machines. Meanwhile others simply designing with the usage or pencils or charcoal. The leader of this group worked hard and continued to inspire the rest of the group. Meanwhile others wondered off to pursue their own work. It was no longer the same, much smaller, much more quiet, as if the air vacuum not only consumed our people but our speech as well.
Surveillance Log 1: Monday, 4.19.10
Work continues in this busy room. The day started off with a long talk about the future expectations and assignments to be completed. Each independent body is capable of different work, the leader is flexible and accepting to all kinds. The room is a bee hive. The queen bee, in this case a king, sits at his desk always working equally as hard as any other person. The worker bees and drones always keeping busy. They all are quite independent and are creative in different ways. They contemplate what they will produce for their next assignment given from the King bee. Many focus on smaller projects before working to achieve their biggest one. After working long months the colony pulls together to produce the largest piece of all. They combine all their work in the single hive as the rest of the bees come to see it. As of now they are working towards that date. Each trying to pull their own load.
Surveillance Log 5: Friday, 2.26.10
The table sits quiet in the assemblage, perhaps it is not even considered a part. But infact it is the most important part of all. It’s covered in a black cloth to hid it’s heavy load. It’s treated as a background, practically invisiable, it’s the earth beneath the feet of many objects. It carries each unique story of every single piece included. It is what allows us to create this entire image, and it brings it all together. Yet for some reason this goes unnoticed, and for what reason? What makes it less worthy of appreciation? It is the building block to this piece. As others can be the building blocks of our lives and still they go unnoticed, invisible, simply a background in our world of chaos.
Surveillance Log 4: Thursday, 2.25.10
The green acoustic guitar is an object I have,surprisingly, yet to notice. Most likely because I’m always standing in the same spot. It’s a really beautiful colored guitar, one of my favorite colors actually. Sadly it has lost it’s neck, hah, so it has a sadness to it while still staying beautiful. It has lost a part of itself, which would be hard to get back. It is not the same, and never will be, but it still knows what it is. It holds a child, and grapes two simple, innocent objects. It is able to hold up for itself and other objects. But never again will it be the guitar it once was.
Surveillance Log 3: Wednesday, 2.24.10
The large maroon blob is almost hard to miss. It stands towards the left side of the table with such pride, for being a blob. It has no recognizable shape or meaning. It doesn’t care much for a purpose, just glad to be there and included. It does not hide itself, ashamed, but stands out strong. Although it stands next to 3 perfectly sculpted heads, it doesn’t mind that it is shapeless. It’s rebellious from all other typical objects. It is what it is and it’s ok with that.
Surveillance Log 2: Tuesday, 2.23.10
The face sculpture, one of many, has very large yellow glasses. She(or he?) uses them to look out on the world and see all they are capable of. To see the many adventures they will experience, and troubles they will undergo. They look out with optimism and excitment on the long road ahead. For who knows how much time is left so they know they must cherish it all, the good and bad. They search for their purpose and meaning in life. On their head they wear a strainer, or so it seems. Ha. They wear it with pride in order to allow all the good soak through the tiny holes. Surely to keep an open mind to anything, but still stand strong to their own beliefs. Never letting one push their feelings or beliefs into their head. So they continue to look, head up high, never knowing what quite to expect but ready for anything.
Surveillance Log 1: Monday, 2.22.10
One batman sits still, half his body emerged in a candle holder. Unable to get out or help. He wants to save the world, and be the hero he truely is, but he is unable to move. Stuck in an endless hell watching the world suffer without being able to rescue. Many times he has tried, and many times has he failed. Unable to succeed, he gives up and gives in. But this is not what a hero is. His failure gets the best of him. What does it take to get yourself out of the gutter? Surely not giving up, surely not feeling sympathetic and moping around in self pity. Will he ever be able to free himself, will he ever be able to save the world? Who is to tell what action he will take next. But self pity pulls him futher under.
Surveillance: 2.25.10
Prompt question: Where does truth and/or fact exist in the relationship between the surveillant and the surveilled?
I believe honestly this question can be answered in many ways, depending on who you ask, how you ask it, and the situation taking place. Most of the time I believe the truth lies in the surveillant, or the camera/videotaper. Many times when we stumble upon an issue we are unsure of, we look for surveillance or technology to get our story straight. A majorit of the times it is able to accurately recall the action that we missed or would like to replay. While the suveilled could easily lie and say they were doing other things. If we were not there when the surveilled did that action, how would we know if they were truthful? Therefore the surveillant, in this situation a camera/videotaper, is able to recall what took place during that time. In other situations, there could be the sureillant simply watching, or spying, on the surveilled. Then how should we know which is truthful, or who to trust? In that case, I believe it is extremely hard to decide who holds the truth. You have to just go with your gut feelings, so you never truely know what took place exactly.
Text Diptych Reflection: 12/21
For this project, I chose to address music and art as my two “games”, although they’re more like hobbies. These both have an impact on my life and both are strong influences on me everyday. Obviously, art is something I really enjoy and have for quite some time. I also love music, who doesn’t, and play guitar. So considering I didn’t have any games I could think of off the top of my head, these were both the first things I thought of. They really realted to eachother in so many ways. I was able to find many words that were the same for both music and art as well. They really seem to go hand in hand. At first, I wasn’t sure how to go about doing this project. Truthfully, I’m not a fan of creating textual pieces especially when they consist of only text. I began simply gathering as many art and music words as I could. I then used yarn/string to hot glue them down, paint over it, and cut it out. I was able to finish both pieces up to an extent by the deadline. But I wasn’t content with them, so about a week later I revisited them and made a background for each. I included even more text in the background as well. So in the end, I actually really liked my text diptychs.
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Fall Semester 2009
Game Language as Dialogue: 11/18
Prompt: What two games have contributed to who I am and what might they “say” to one another?
I chose art and music as my two hobbies. I believe these both contribute to who I am because they help to shape my personality. Art and music open up so many opportunites for everyone and I think many people can relate and connect on these two topics. They both also allow me to express my feelings in different ways. I think the two pieces will speak to eachother no matter what considering they were both done by me, they would already be similar in some way. Both pieces will share similarites yet be unique in their own ways. I’m sure there is a lot of dialogue that could be shared between the two because they definitely relate to eachother.
Reflection Paper- ID Cards: 10/12/09
Cultural Identity
Prompt:
Familial Identity
Prompt: How are you positioned within your family dynamic and how does that influence your identity?
For the Familial Identity, each card differed from the others. So I really liked some of them, and others not so much. I tried to get these cards to reflect how my family is at home, although I found that extremely hard to do with 10 small cards and limited time. I actually started out with trees and all these loving symbolic cards until my sister walked up and pointed out that’s not what our family is at all. Sometimes it’s just easier to show the happy and good things.
Stereotypical Identity
Prompt:
“Other” Identity
Prompt: In what ways or situations do I find myself treated as an “Other”?
I simply wrote ‘Sometimes I feel as if I just don’t belong’ for my Other Cards. I think this is a true fact that everyone can really relate too, some more then others. These cards really do speak for themselves and although it’s simple I still like them because it gets my point across.
Heroic Identity
Prompt:
Heroic Identity: 10/26/09
Prompt: What defines a hero and what is heroic about you currently, or what heroic qualities would you hope to develop as you age?
A hero is defined by our best qualities, someone who puts themselves before others, and is completely fearless. I believe finding someone who contains all heroic qualities is pretty much impossibe. To me, a hero would be everyones best friend, someone who listens and doesn’t care what others think. A hero would always do what they believe is right for the good of everyone, not just themselves. They have no fears and no limits, a hero would sacrifice themselves for others. I guess one heroic quality about me currently would be that I’m a good listener, I’m always there to help out my friends in tough situations. Another heroic quality I have is that I do things to make others happy. I like to go out of my way just to make someone’s day a little better. Although it is frustrating when no one acknowledges it, a true hero would do it even when they recieve no recognition. But I believe that as we grow older a majority of us gain more heroic qualities. I would hope to one day have no fears, or limits and just be free. It’s really hard not to take into consideration the thoughts of other people on yourself, but one day I hope to not think twice about it. One last heroic quality I would hope to evenutally gain would be to sacrifice myself for others. To put others safety before my own in order to do what is truely right.
Other Identity:10/13/09
Prompt: In what ways or situations do I find myself treated as an “Other”?
At one point in our lives we all feel as if we are treated as an “other”. This can be whether your in an unfamiliar area, at school, at work, around new people or several different situations. One place I really felt like an other was when I began my first real job at Rita’s Water Ice in the beginning of the past summer. As many people would agree, starting a job is a bit scary and not always very easy to adapt to. I thought this would only last the first few weeks, but the feeling of out of place ended up dragging out the entire summer. For some reason I felt like an other, and that I just did not belong. Other employees would chat and joke as if they’d known eachother for years but I just never seemed to fit in. Perhaps I was acting shy, but whatever the reason may be I definitely saw myself as an outsider in that position. I often feel as an outsider within my own group of friends as well. Although I am friendly with many different people, I feel as if I’m not always accepted. Then again maybe we are not mature enough to accept people for who they really are. Many people tend to be quite selfish, and I know I can be as well, but some do not understand that the world doesn’t revolve around only them. Sadly, I tend to feel as an other in my own family. For numerous years it has been anything but easy living in my family. The issues that arise are almost unbelievable and it’s hard to accept things how they actually are. But in this situation I find myself enjoying that I feel like an other. I have grown up being extremely independant and never relying on anyone else which to me is a good quality to have. Therefore no matter where you are, or who you are at one point it is almost certain that you have felt out of place. It’s only natural to feel like an “other” when your in an unusual environment.
Stereotypical Identity: 9/30/09
Prompt: What is your perception of how you are perceived by others?
I believe this is a question that could be answered in many different ways. Also I believe different people perceive me in many different ways. When it comes to teachers, some believe me to be a typical ‘good student’ and might find me to be quite shy. My friends I only see in school most likely believe I am quiet and often tired and not in a good mood. But of those friends that I am close with they know that I am very lively and like to have a good time. At the same time they may find me to be confusing and rude when I push them away. Some might think badly of me if we have our differences, but others perceive me as a good friend. I think when many people judge me, they may say that I am unapproachable but at the same time I often find it easy to make new friends. Some people judge me on my actions while others may take the time to actually get to know me. My perception on how people perceive me really varies on the person, the place, and the time. Although I do not change my personality around different people, I find that I tend to act differently depending on where I am and what’s taking place.
Familial Identity: 9/18/09
Prompt: How are you positioned within your family dynamic and how does that influence your identity?
Within my family dynamic I am the middle child. Being a middle child is a lot different than being the first or last. I think the first child always has it the hardest, they have to experience everything fo themselves and sort of set the pathway for the other kids. Then there’s the last child who tends to be the more spoiled one, or I might think so. But being the middle child is kind of an awkward position. I have my older sister who always tells me not to make certain mistakes, but at the same time I feel I must make these mistakes only to learn from their consequences. Then there’s the younger sister who most middle children would look after, although my family isn’t quite like that. Most people say the middle child is in a way invisible and sometimes forgot about. I wouldn’t go as far as saying I am forgotten in my family, but I understand that point. By being a middle child it influences my personality in a few different ways. Considering my older sister already learned everything the hard way, I guess I have it a bit easier. But I know what my expectations are and I know my limits, I also have the privledge of knowing what I can get away with. Therefore by being the middle child it really has influenced my personality but no matter where I am in my family dynamic it will never change who I am.
Cultural Identity: 9/10/09
Prompt: How do you define culture and how does culture define you?
Culture can be many things, whether it ranges from our language we speak or the clothes that we wear. A group of people or some individuals follow certain beliefs and expectations which becomes their culture. Depending on what religion we follow and holidays we celebrate and our heritage, we all have different cultures or ways we like to see the world around us. To me, everything around us is culture; sports we play food we eat, daily things we do in our lives don’t necessarily correspond with others beliefs and ways of life. Culture defines me in many ways, it allows me to explore my background and discover my true self. By learning about the simplest things, such as my heritage, I am able to discover more about where I came from and who I am and want to become. People can learn so much about my culture by sports I play and music I’m into and how my life is at home. A big part of culture is our life at home. I think if you were to spend a few days in someone’s house it can really show a lot about them and their culture. But culture truly defines me by telling the world that this is who I am and what I believe in.
