Coincidental Connection...

I also found the article about Neshat in "In the Making" to be very interesting, but for different reasons than my group members. I don't know if this blog is to be used for discussions from other classes, but, I am going to include them. This article spoke of an artist who had an interest and was a part of the Islamic world, as well as the Western world. Her art medium is film and she uses it to depict images of the Islamic world and its people.

I felt that this article echoed a discussion that occured in my Women and Leadership class. Last Thursday, we had a speaker come talk to us who had lived in several Middle Eastern countries as her husband was in the military. She told us many things about the women of those countries and disproved many misconceptions that the west has about oppression of women in the Middle East. Many women in our country believe that the veil is a very oppressive garment, but according to our speaker, some of the women who were them think differently. The speaker told us how she had interviewed many different women and asked their opinion about many different things, including the veil. Some women didn't even care about the veil, in fact, one even said something along the lines of "It doesn't matter if I wear it, or I don't, it's my decision." The answer I liked the best, though, came from a woman who preferred the veil. She said that she liked that people didn't pay attention to her and that she was free to go about her day without people viewing her body. She also added that women of the west invite others to objectify them by the way that they dress themselves.

I felt these two different viewpoints to be very interesting, and, like Asma, am wondering whether or not Neshat thinks that the veil is oppressive, because I got the impression from the article that maybe she thought it was. And, like Kelsey, I am wondering what her views are of multiculturalism, because she seems to speak of her two worlds as separate, not really combining them, or celebrating them together, or separately. It's somewhat confusing, I think....

What Gets Your Attention

"Strangeness captivates viewers" says Shirin Neshat, photographer and film-maker, born in Iran and American citizen.

Usually I don't enjoy the articles from In the Making--the art's too out there and i don't understand the message--but this one was different. The artist represented two different cultures and ideologies, two different ways of life, two different ways to represent her ideas.

I like films because the messages are universal, or at least appeal to a mass audience despite differences. Paintings and drawings can be interpretted in so many different ways depending on the eyes looking at the art work. The lack of differentiation and exclusion in Neshat's work makes you pay more attention because you don't write it off because you don't understand it. At the same time I enjoy that her art incorporates a lot (in some pieces, only inorporates) her heritage.

Coming from a diverse background myself, I like that she's found a way to depict all the aspects of herself, while illustrating that they are opposing but can blend in an artisitic and progressive fashion.

I opened the blog with her quote on how to appeal and grab the attention of her audience. That its the strange things that make a person stop and think. While if I have to think to hard I might get to frustrated to think deeply about something, it is the strange images that remain in my mind.

I do wonder though, if she meant that having two differing cultures is strange

Not a Luxury

"For women, poetry is not a luxury."

This quote is featured in the epigraph of the chapter, written by Audre Lorde. I found it powerful because I think that women express their emotions as a form of poetry. The chapter discusses the impact of women in the workplace and home. As homemakers, some women experienced "redomestication" during the war. Afterwards, imagery of Rosie the Riveter showed up for awhile until society tried to turn her back into a domesticated housewife.

I felt it was important to embrace the spoken word and I see that resonance today. At times, I feel like there is a hazy line when it comes to feminism. I used to think that feminism was a special group of people fighting for women's rights but it seems that it's just to find equality between the sexes.

It seems as though some look down at the movement because of the differences in opinion when it comes to reproductive rights and demanding protection from violence.

Shirin Neshat discusses universal truths and objects surrounding Iranians around the world. I thought the information was interesting to provide a viewpoint for Americans. She said she did not want to make cliche work but I'm still wondering if she has. By using imagery of women in veils in a natural environment like a desert, her videos seem a bit expected. I think her diversity is interesting and it's great that her work has reached the attention of the Whitney but again with these artists, I expect more.

With the Art of Protest, feminists were focused on the spoken word and these silent films tried expression without speech. It's an interesting concept but I think it portrays Muslim women as being oppressed in their native societies. If you ask women there or here, you'll get a variety of opinions. Yes, women must cover themselves as part of the religion but also Islam provides many rights to them as well. Islam has provided many documents for fairness especially when it comes to prenuptial agreements, marriage contracts and wills. Certain cultures restrict women more but people have to realize not everything they hear is part of the religion. I felt like Neshat has a good approach, but not necessarily a different one.

Much Confusion.....

After reading this week's assignment in "The Art of Protest", I fail to see how the actions of the Black Panthers are considered art. I don't know entirely that much about art, but when does violence and fear become a part of it? From what I know about their time period, there was so much injustice being done to their people and a change was definitely necessary, but I came away from the text feeling as if they just fueled the fire for more stereotypes and problems to arise for their race. I don't know how violence and fear can ever produce a positive outcome, and I feel that these are the tactics that they utilized the most. Maybe they felt that desparate times called for desparate measures, but I believe in most, if not all cases, violence is not the answer. And their "Ten Point Point Program" seemed so hateful and threatening. Wasn't hate and discrimination the things they were fighting against? Reading through it really made me feel awful, ugly, and a little angry inside. I can't imagine that anyone would consider complying to something that made them feel this way. I felt like I was being accused and screamed at. Hmmm, I would like to hear what other people think about the text tomorrow. I am curious if I am the only one that feels this way....

As for the artist, Arnaldo Morales, of "In the Making", no other person that I have read about in my art courses has scared me more. His art pieces are so creepy, infliscting pain on those who view them. I got the feeling from the article that the artist connects with people through hurting them. That is not cool with me. I kept thinking throughout this article, "I gotta remember this guy's name. I NEVER want to be browsing his exhibits." The other thing that really disturbed me was the carelessness of this man's mother. What parent would allow their child to cut metal with a saw at age 4 or 5? It is madness, and I bet if someone would have known, his mom would have been reported to the CPS. As a future teacher, has and is presently working with young children, I am very angered when I hear of any child being put in danger, ESPECIALLY when it involves their parents. >:O

Cat and mouse

Hi everyone,

How are the costume ideas coming along? Anyone want to share ideas of what they've been working on so far? I'm excited about this project but I hope I can finish my idea in time or else I'll feel silly walking in a parade looking like a goof, which may be the result regardless, haha :)

For the readings this week, I felt like The Art of Protest went nicely in-depth about the "black power" movement. I found the phrase 'black aesthetic' to be rather interesting to coin how the movement geared itself. The techniques used are works of performance art because the Black Panthers incorporated courtroom dramas and plays that followed the law so well that true identities were unknown.

I also felt it was important to bring up rap and hip-hop culture during this time and afterwards. Acts like Public Enemy, Tupac, Salt n' Pepa and Queen Latifah had much to say on the issues affecting them. I wonder if anyone saw that one episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air where Will felt empowered by reading about Malcolm X that he was ready to leave in order to protest. It was important to see that his character understand the gravity of the situation and to use his frustration constructively to make a point rather than create more havoc in the streets.

When I read the section on black men being exempt from military service, I had to think of Muhammad Ali who was formerly Cassius Clay until he converted to Islam. It's interesting how the world is connected. I feel also that the role of feminism and the power of the female flourished due to these expressive acts. Black women today speak their mind and I think this is a result of the movement.

As for In the Making, after reading just a couple paragraphs on Arnaldo Morales, I know that I've connected with his work more than any other artist in this book. I think at some point in our lives that we should wake up and have an epiphany about where we are and where we're going.

The final thoughts on opposites was particularly powerful: "Panic meets pleasure. Danger conspires with excitement. Aggression motivates rehabilitation. Pain is linked to sensuality. These unlikely mergers create awareness of the widespread ambivalence over presumed taboos and accepted behaviors."

True that, homie.

The Protest Effect

I think the reason I am so interested in The Art of Protest is how far into the history of protest movements the book goes. The Civil Rights Movement has not only influenced my life but it has influenced the world (or maybe just a Western section).

In my last blog I discussed how shocked I was at the myths of the movement. Chapter two now has me mystified at the Blank Panther influence and affect during the movement's era. Growing up I can remember television and movies using the Black Power fist as a joke or a common display of pride. In today's time I don't think it really has any meaning. I think the dramatic gesture went with the dramatic times. Now that there is less (not nothing, just less) to fight for, at least specifically in our country, our generation doesn't appreciate or understand everything that has preceded and provided our luxuries.

While the Civil Rights Movement was necessary, I feel that certain aspects of the Black Panther movement were not. I am not a fan of violence in any way; I believe it is only necessary when your life, or the lives of loved or innocent ones, are in danger. The Panthers, I think, used violent language and action because they did not have the right words and actions. Cursing and guns are verbal and physical ways to make up what you lack, but its like a shell: hard on the outside with nothing actually in it. "The black power movement attempted to give shape to the inchoate 'black rage' that fueled the riots, and turn it into empowerment rather than self-destruction" (44). The movement did provide a way to shape all the hostility and hurt and anger in the black community into something useful and empowering but they did it in a way that furthered segregation and at the same time stereotypes.

I am thankful that such movements existed because it freed a people (and I'm sure was a role to others) from feelings of helplessness and despair, and gave a sense of lasting hope that things could get better. It's ironic however that a big reason for the movement's end came from internal battles. I did not know that Panthers killed fellow Panthers and other black activists. I did not know that during its time of winding down a big issue was hierarchy and infiltration by outside police forces. I think that's the biggest disappointment. Their goal was to better their society and celebrate their roots but they existed in a money-run bubble of paranoia and violence they created by themselves. Can't blame that one on white people.

To tie this all together, I just feel that the Black Panther Movement didn't employ enough of the advantages, artistic and dynamic, they had on their side. Instead they used the skillful and talented artists, poets, orators, playwrights, authors, and people to create violence and havoc, while at the same time making a lasting and irreversible impression in the African American culture.

Free expression for a price

Kelsey and Kayse,

I felt your responses on the "In the Making" and "Art of Protest" readings were interesting because they discussed ideas within the Civil Rights Movement and free expression. I'm actually taking a class this semester to finish up my Electronic Journalism minor called COMM 454: Free Speech and Ethics where we also discuss these ideas. We haven't discussed the Civil Rights Movement in detail yet, but we've been addressing theories and how free speech is contained today.

I always wonder about the Free Speech Zone out by the clock tower. It sparked an exciting side note about Mr. Bibleman who shows up every semester to pass out Biblical literature to tell us that we're all going to hell. He's somewhat of a pleasant man, I hope...haha.

As I discussed earlier in another blog entry, religious pieces are effective but also weird. Sometimes I wonder if artists just make things to be noticed. I find the animal feces rather resourceful, but odd. I guess I need to look more into the artist's techniques and processes before I can get a grasp of what they're trying to say.

For me, I have a conservative background despite being very liberal so I found works like this pushing the envelope of what I've grown up with to what I'm going into. A weird segway, I'm sure.

Civil Rights and Ofili

"The Art of Protest" began differently than I had expected. I had originally thought that the book would be about protest art, but I guess I was wrong. The first chapter talked all about the Civil Rights movement and about how much of what I knew to be true about it was, in fact, false. Here are some of the things I learned:

1. Many of the efforts were those of black WOMEN, not men, like I had thought
2. Martin Luther King, Jr. was not the movement's leader
3. The movement was not entirely supported by the church, in fact, it was condemned by some
4. Very few white people at all had anything to do with the movement or its success :(

The chapter also discussed the incorporation of music in the movement and its power. I had known about music beng used in times of protest or trouble, so it was no surprise to me to be hearing this information. In fact, I had learned years before of the 'spirituals' in times of slavery and how they had an influence on history even after that time period had come to a close.


As for the artist in this week's article from, "In the Making", I wish I could be so thoughtful and reflective. I found his painting, "Holy Mother of God" to be one of the more offensive works of art that I have encountered thus far. I do not understand artists who manipulate religious symbols to manifest their thoughts. Why can't they use something else, possibly something original, since they are 'so creative.'

I don't know what bothers me more about this painting.

1. The fact that there is elephant dung on it
2. That the elephant dung is a breast
3. That the breast does not symbolize motherhood, but sexuality
4. That the other pieces of dung are supporting the painting, so it can 'stand in its own crap' (i don't use the term he said)
5. The 'crotch shot' and buttocks 'butterflies'
6. The vaginal symbols everywhere in the hair AND dress of the virgin


Ugh, this painting makes me so angry. It is NO WONDER why people were so upset. I TOTALLY understand why. How dare he twist the virgin mother into a sex object?! He could have got his point across in another way. Just like Serrano, I have no respect or anything positive to say about an artist who manipulates religious symbols, I think it's just wrong. The end.

Civil Rights Secrets

After reading the first chapter of Art of Protest where it tries to dispel the myths of characters and certain ideals that are believed to be major parts of the Civil Rights Movement, I was surprised at my own ignorance.

Basic things like human sexuality never crossed my mind as being anywhere involved in the fight for civil rights. I had a one track mind that Martin Luther King Jr. lead the whole action (another myth I was broken hearted to learn) and community, peacefully, through the country stomping down hatred and demanding equality.

Another thing I failed to noticed was the importance of music in the movement. In journalism class we learned about advertising and using it to spread your message. Catchy tunes and singsongs get stuck in your head and eventually, if only subconsiously, you begin to either support or be prone to that advertisement's messages and goals. If only on the basic levels, songs with a message is advertising a message. And its one of the simplest ways to go about it.

I feel in a way that what I knew about the movement is all wrong now and with that knew knowledge I also feel a bit down. It's hard realizing that for the most part everything you learned is wrong, though that would still be learning. I'm glad to have more information about the women and the gay men that put in the work that you never hear about. I'm also just glad, that no matter what I acutally know about the movement, it still happened.

What 5 things am I willing to commit to in order to foster a more sustainable future?

I thought about the aforementioned question for a while and I have found, to my dismay, that I do a lot of things to harm the planet. Unfortunately, I'm not quite sure how many of those things I would give up entirely....Does that make me a bad person? I don't think so, but I am willing to be more aware of my actions in these few areas, at least for now....

1. I am a big energy-waster. Yes, not the best grammar, but nonetheless true. I leave on lights, fans, tvs, computers, you name it, I've probably left it on without using it. It's wrong, I know, I am going to consider my actions in this area henceforth. I am also intrigued by motion detectors that turn lights off and on depending on whether or not there is a person in the room; something to think about.

2. Like Kelsey, I need to work on conserving water, but not only in the shower. I am constantly leaving water running while I brush my teeth, which needs to end. Also, when I am cooking and don't want to do the dishes right away, I have a habit of letting the water run over the dishes until I get to them. I really need to just wash them and get it over with as soon as possible, because my current methods are wasting so much water.

3. I have a bad habit of throwing away my plastic bottles if I don't see a recycling bin in the vicinity. I need to start saving my bottles and bring them home to put in our recycle bins, no matter how inconvenient I feel it is.

4. I feel like I throw away a lot of other stuff that maybe could be recycled, but I'm not quite sure how they are classified. Things like aerosol cans, pill bottles, butter containers, shampoo bottles, etc. Since these things seem to be made out of recyclable materials, I should research the ways in which they are processed.

5. I like to drive a lot; I actually find it therapeutic at times. On many occasions, I have gone driving without a destination, or took the long way home on purpose. But, this is not good for the environment at all. I think that when I have to go out, I should make like one big trip and get as much done as possible so I won't have to go out as much to do errands. And maybe the next time I feel like a long drive, I'll consider a nice walk instead. :)

KAKE: Part Deux

Hi everyone,

I'd like to know when we'll be meeting on Monday, (which is the 8th) to get our project underway. If we could schedule a meeting time and place on-campus, that would be great. Let me know at least the day before so I can plan ahead of time. I'm available anytime and all day on Monday to get this done because I won't be available during the week otherwise. The sooner we get the idea out there, the better so that we can document the response.

At this point, any ideas of materials? We also have to consider viewer interaction with the work.

Thanks! :)
Asma

Captain Planet, he's a hero, gonna take pollution down to zero

WHAT 5 THINGS AM I WILLING TO COMMIT TO IN ORDER TO FOSTER A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE?

1- The biggest and most difficult habit I am trying to create is faster showers. I don't know the exact number of gallons of water used in one 15 minute shower, but I do know that the 15 mintues of used water could serve 7 Africans in drought-stricken areas of Africa. The showers have been cold and sometimes I have not felt the cleanest (though I probably save my skin moisture and irratatin) but I feel it has been worth it to change my ways when so many people will never have the luxury of just a 15 minute shower
2- I also resuse the plastic super market bags for trashcans or quick totes. I also risk looking a tad on the crazy side when I go to Walmart with pounds of white plastic bags that I drop off in their recycling cans.
3- My family has scarificed our grass in order to conserve water. Instead of using the hose to water the grass, we wait for it to rain. I have found this pretty useful for saving myself a trip to the car wash. Rain has gotten rid of many bird-poop spots instead of the harsh car soaps.
4-Now instead when I get a drink I don't use a straw. Though a straw is extremely small in a pile of trash, it's the easiest thing to give up that helps make an indent in the damage down to our Earth. The same applies for napkins. Cloth or only one paper towel is better than a handful of paper that will be unusable and hurtful to the planet.
5- The final thing on this list--but certainly not the last thing--I will do for sustainability is recycle. Besides refusing a straw or more than one napkin, just remembering to put your glasses and newspapers and plastic bottles in a recycling bin. It costs you no money, is easy, and does the whole world good.

But there is still more I can do. And I'm always, all ears

Go GREEN!

WHAT 5 THINGS AM I WILLING TO COMMIT TO IN ORDER TO FOSTER A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE?

I think I'll just continue on some actions I've been doing on my own. Eventually, I'd like to join a green group and actually do something on campus--separate from The Sustainability Project. I think that project will allow more ideas to flourish for the future.

1. Currently, I've been reusing plastic grocery bags. At our house, we use these as trash bags instead of just tossing them out. I also save napkins from lunch and keep them in the house. Another thing I've recently started, is to not accept a receipt from the ATM or gas station or a few shopping bags from certain stores (if they remember to ask me too).
   
2. We also save shopping gift bags and gift boxes to reuse later. We like to combine them into other gifts or use them for carrying stuff around. I've also saved rope from fancy shopping bags to use in projects.
   
3. Since my mom has been out of town for more than a month, I've been washing and reusing plastic cups, which are quicker to wash and ultimately save more water than washing larger glasses.
4. In the sculpture studio, we've been collecting random items from the area and on-campus. I used one item in one of my works outside to make furniture. Just think about it--on person's trash is truly another person's treasure.
5. I'd like to start making compost for my backyard. Sometimes we place food outside like bread and vegetables on our deck for animals to eat. It might be interesting to combine fruit scraps as well into a bin for compost. Watching it breakdown would be cool because I've seen it on television with gardening shows.
6. I'd also like to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals, which I have to go back and see how much I use for projects in general. I don't think it's really that much, but it probably has an impact somewhere.

Hope that's a good list but I know I can do more.

You dig? A closer look at natural resources

Based on previous responses to the reading, I've noticed a disgust with primordial waste. Now, it's not exactly a material that I would ever enjoy working with, but it does remind me of a piece I learned about like a year ago titled, "Piss Christ."

"Piss Christ" is an image by Andres Serrano, a photographer who took a plastic crucifix with Jesus on it and submerged it into a jar filled with his urine. The photograph was shown in 1989 and I'm sure people still feel strongly against this piece. Yes, it is gross and yes it's weird, but you have to admit that it's unique and causes you to think. What is art? What qualities allow a piece to be called art? Does the piece make you consider a different viewpoint?

I think art crosses boundaries of society because it can communicate radical ideas. This might be blasphemy to some, or it could just be a great photograph because of the highlights. Just thought I would throw something weird out there to the group.

To continue with Skip Shuckman, he is an artist that is similar to Andy Goldsworthy by working with natural materials and landscapes. Goldsworthy makes a commitment to go outside each day to make artworks. His process is stunning and I recommend his Rivers & Tides documentary to anyone. He uses stones, twigs, dandelions and ice as natural materials that are combined to temporarily take forms and ultimately return back to the earth. I like Shuckman's approach to using the earth to help the earth.

I feel like there is a chronological process to the definitions given:

1. Emotional Velcro - our own biases that we walk in with
   
2. Carrion Artists - we take and don't give back
   
3. Protocolic - follow ideas but not giving enough constructive criticism
4. Bulldozer Consistency - feeling stuck with ideas
5. Cleverage - distractions in the art making process
6. At-onement - encountering a sudden epiphany about art
7. Materiality - realizing the great natural resources around us
8. Wilding - a continuation of natural ideas
9. Primordial Waste - pushing the buttons of art making with reusing waste, it's often controversial but does have a strong impact
   
10. Unlaxing - when art making becomes part of your daily lifestyle
    

Cradle to Cradle advises us to use local resources and to take advantage of wind power. Basically, we are better humans if we live more simply and thus care for the environment. Sometimes I do wonder, what am I going to do with all this stuff when I die? It's a depressing thought but sometimes it makes you think about the value of a dollar and the value of our planet.

An interesting bridge between the two texts was the lecture that environmentalist Jim Merkel gave last week on sustainability. He discussed self-sufficiency and says that he has been living on only $5,000 a year for about 18 years. He has a wife and kids and they've encouraged others to grow their own food. He even said that GMU should have dining halls that rely on fruits and vegetables that grow on campus. And even with that, we could use our leftovers to make compost.

Now, that's resourceful.

I'm with you Kayse on the "primordial waste." What exactly is "The process of taking command of our own feces and urine"? I don't care to know. Besides Shukmanns use/view of primordial waste I found his incorporation of organic material and landscape quite enlightening. I totally agree with Schukmann's description of the materialistic world we live in that is manifested by television and money. I have strong views on the media and the evil role it can play on society. Schuckman also mentions how surprised people are with the things he creates with materials that are right under are noses and that we take for granted, it shows how how of touch a lot of people are with nature and how technology makes people forget about the importance of preserving the environment.Another aspect of shuckmanns art that i thought was interesting was the fact that he would make something, let nature have its way with the structure, then reconfigure the artwork, so it was a continously evolving piece.

I Don't Get It.....

Um, so this is the first time that I haven't liked an "In the Making" article. I really didn't get this one at all. I understand the idea behind making art that doesn't harm the environment, but rather works with nature, but this man's work is beyond me. I don't see playing in the dirt as art. When I was reading this article, I couldn't help thinking about the kids I teach. They go outside everyday at recess and make some sort of construction out of nature. Little holes in the ground, piles of grass, planted 'seeds', trenches, etc. They will tell me about them and sometimes show them to me. When I was a child, I did similar things. I used nature as a toy. That's what I think this guy is doing, playing with nature, not really accomplishing anything. I understand that his pieces are used for specific purposes and are far more complicated than a hole in the ground, but I just can't wrap my head around calling what he does art. I also don't like the fact that he has 'clients.' Do these people pay him to play in the dirt and make them something that is so temporary that the next rain might destroy it entirely? No, I don't like this arrangement at all. I'm glad you enjoyed it though, Kelsey :) Maybe we can talk about why you do in class and I'll be able to understand this artist better. Oh, and I notcied that you didn't include one of his terms that actually stuck out to me the most...

Primordial waste: The process of taking command of our own feces, urine, and other by-products, bypassing public health management and centralized treatment systems, and returning them to usefulness in our resource base.

Eww, did you not also find this distgusting? Does he mean to recycle our waste or turn it into art or something? I don't know about you, but I totally do not support 'art', and I use the term very loosely, that includes bodily waste. How disturbing.

ps- i'm up for either idea, just lemme know....