Anubhav Gupta

I enjoyed looking at the Development of Arts mural and the Development of Sciences mural because they are very unique forms of art that contain several intrinsic and subliminal messages. In both murals, the transitions from panel to panel show how certain historical discoveries lead to our modern era. Both murals have a similar setup but each demonstrates a different type of historical progression within their respective fields. The Development of Sciences mural was especially interesting to me because I am a science major and it was interesting to see how much progression was depicted in such a small mural. Upon reading “A response to the Runquist murals” by Maruska, it is evident that the base of the tree in the Development of the Arts mural “is a symbol of universal human aspiration to create things of beauty”. In the Development of the Sciences mural, base of the tree represents “humanity rising to erect posture of thinking being”.

These examples of public art stood out even more to me because they were created right here at the University of Oregon and it is something that we should be proud of. These murals have been housed in the Knight Library since the first major construction and are in extraordinary shape for that matter. Also, the fact that these murals connect the lobby of the Library to the Special Collections and University Archives allows a “place-bound-identity” because “public art is seen as a solution to the problem of placelessness, especially in its ability to remedy social alienation and generate a sense of civic and community identity” (Doss, 5). Furthermore, this adds to the reputation of the Knight Library and its place in the National Registrar of Historic Places.

“Mention the words “public art” and you’ll get a variety of responses, from a nod of recognition from those who identify with America’s many public tributes to its ancestors and histories to a shrug of disinterest from those who feel neglected in the nation’s cultural landscape—sometimes even a groan of “help!” from city officials and arts administrators when public art becomes controversial” (Doss, 1). While not everyone enjoys public art, for various reasons, I did enjoy looking at these murals because they speak about our past and hint to our future. There will always be some sort of criticism by the public because not everything will equally please everyone. On the other hand, there are many people who enjoy public art because it reflects our history and predecessors. “Traditional forms of American public art include figurative sculptures displayed in public spaces—outdoors or in public buildings” (Doss, 2). For example, all the monuments and memorials in Washington, D.C. Why is D.C. such an attractive place for tourists? It has numerous museums, monuments, and memorials, all displaying various art forms for the public eye. The reason that so many tourists around the world travel especially to D.C. is for this art.

That being said, I do not doubt that some people disagreed with the Runquist brothers as they created these murals. One major thing is the lack of female representation in both of the murals, which may offend feminists or females in general. However, these murals are not meant to represent the entirety of history. These are simply personal opinions transformed into an art form, available for the public eye to view. On the other hand, if someone were to only to look at these murals to get a sense of history then they could come to a conclusion that women didn’t have much of a part in the development of these fields. Another example along these lines is the absence of people of color. This representation could spark controversy since it seems to say that historical discoveries were linked with those who were white, indicating a form of dominance over those who weren’t. These are only a few examples present in the murals, but certainly provide an idea of how controversy is stirred up.

References:

1. Doss, E. (2006, October). Public art controversy: Cultural expression and civic debate. Retrieved from http://www.americansforthearts.org/pdf/networks/pan/doss_controversy.pdf

2. Maruska, B. (2013). A response to the runquist murals. Retrieved from http://blogs.uoregon.edu/runquistmurals/

This assignment was very intriguing and the following words came to mind when thinking about what “artistic” means to me:

1. Colorful
2. Patience
3. Skilled
4. Unique
5. Relatable
6. Exquisite
7. Courageous
8. Bold
9. Extravagant
10. Majestic

After searching for images on Google that related to each one of these words, I created a collage using Google Picasa. This is what I created:

I think the final collage that I created using the majority of the images I found on the web is definitely considered art. The reason is because the final product is a mix of images that I personally chose. Although the images are not mine, the combination of all of them together is distinctive. In addition, the way that I arranged the images, rotating them to certain angles and positioning them in ways that best satisfied my eyes is unique. In this regard, the collage is considered a piece of art that I produced.

I think the theory of modernism proposed by Ellen Dissanayake most closely relates to why I think the collage I made is considered art. She stated that “what is said (or written) about a work is not only necessary to its being art, but is indeed perhaps more important than the work itself. There is no appreciation of art without interpretation” (19). Basically, the images themselves do not represent a work of art unless someone interprets them, because they have intrinsic meaning within. Like I said earlier, the way that the images come together to create something unique, along with their orientations and positioning is what makes the collage art. As a result, this is necessary to the collage being a work of at. This also brings back an important point I made in my discussion when analyzing creative spirituality. Grey mentioned in his article that as someone besides the original artist tries to understand the expressions behind a work of art, “[they] must go through a mini ego death by placing themselves in the inspired mind of the artists, who themselves are out of their minds and only acting as channels of creative spirit” (74). This is an important statement because it relates to the interpretation of art and adds to the fact that everyone will interpret the collage differently. In the end, the interpretations alone are the reason the collage is considered a work of art in the first place.

References:

1. Dissanayake, E. (1991). What is art for? In K. C. Caroll (Ed.). Keynote adresses 1991 (NAEA Convention), (pp.15-26). Reston, VA: National Art Education Association.

2. Grey, A. (2001). Art as Spiritual Practice. The Mission of Art (1st ed., pp. 205-233). Boston & London: Shambhala.

In this week’s reading by Larry Lessig, the concepts of RO culture and RW culture were introduced. In my opinion, RW culture is more valuable because it fosters and encourages creativity from an early age. As a child, one develops a personal “taste” for various interactions/experiences due to external influences and also begins to display a certain pattern of behavior.

“RW culture extends itself differently. It touches social life differently. It gives the audience something more. Or better, it asks something more of the audience. It is offered as a draft. It invites a response” (Lessig, 85). Due to this interactive nature of the RW culture, I think it is more valuable for humanity than RO culture. Then there is law, which encourages RO culture and prohibits the progression of RW culture. While this doesn’t mean that RW culture will be nonexistent, law considers it pretty much illegal. “For again, the very act of rewriting in a digital context produces a copy; that copy triggers the law of copyright” (100).

In the video “Laws That Choke Creativity”, Lessig spoke about those who strictly adhere to copyright law and vow to take anything and everything that violates copyright, down. On the contrary, he said there are those who disregard all copyright laws. Lessig then states that there is possibility for a happy medium between these two ideologies, but only if certain changes are implemented. First, artists and creators will have to opt to make their work more readily available, especially for amateur use. Secondly, businesses need to embrace the RW culture and enable opportunity within so the idea of “free content” can grow on a neutral platform. I think a happy medium would be ideal but I think it is difficult because if artists did make their work more freely available, they would eventually require the need for financial support. Money makes the world go around and while work can be made freely available, artists will eventually require money for their ongoing efforts.

Another interesting artifact that I explored for this week’s topic was The Grey Album by Danger Mouse. First of all, I think individual creations that have copyright on them are strictly property of that individual. Therefore, stealing or using without permission is wrong and considered “trespassing”, as also mentioned by Lessig in his TED talk. With this album, however, by Danger Mouse, a “remix” was created rather than a complete copy of the original work. This brings up the debate regarding where the line should be drawn between complete copying and partial copying. How much adaptation needs to occur before the “borrowed” work becomes completely original? Personally, I think changing the law to allow “remixing” of copyright work is difficult because there are variable degrees of copying. Furthermore, if someone breaches a copyright and claims it to be original work and attempts to make subsequent profit, it is wrong. However, if original work is merely adapted or “remixed” and made available for non-commercial use, it should be allowed. I think this is where creativity emerges.

References:

1. Lessig, L. (2008). Comparing Cultures. Remix: Making Art and Commerce Thrive in the Hybrid Economy (pp. 84-116). New York: Penguin Press HC, The.

2. The Grey Album. (2006, September 23). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 04:10, September 24, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php title=The_Grey_Album&oldid=77394010

3. Lessig, Lawrence. Laws that choke creativity. TED2007, March 2007.

I think the main thesis presented by Beverly Jones in Computer Graphics: Effects of Origins is that technology is constantly evolving and is an adaptation of a previous version, due to cultural differences that are present in today’s world. In this reading, Jones discusses computer graphics and how variations within this medium reflect a change in conceptual frames. Furthermore, she mentions “these frames exist within art and technology and are present in other forms of symbolic and material culture” (21). It is also stated that computer graphics and the progression of technology directly relates to societal progression. While technology plays a major role in the advancement of our society today, artistic expressions in history are still very much relevant today in the artistic realm. She then suggests how the computer serves as a link between various spheres and transitions into recent uses of computers in art, real-life scenarios, and scientific research.

I think the perfect historical example she mentions is the development of computer design alongside the progression of electricity. When electricity was first invented, it was “theoretically interesting but had little or no practical value” (21). However, after it was invented it started to become an essential part of our lifestyle and the overall progression of society. Similarly, computer design has a huge impact on our society today; whether in fabricated virtual realities or other media forms like movies. Specifically in today’s culture, this impact is visible in video games, and it particularly relates to what Jane McGonigal talks about in her TED talk, “Gaming can make a better world”. In this talk, she tries to persuade her audience that video gamers can save the world and fix various world issues if they spend even more time playing games than they currently do. To most people, video games are just a form of entertainment and a way to divert your attention away from the real world. However, Jane believes the opposite and thinks that one can apply the lessons learned in “saving a virtual world” to real-life. This relates directly back to what Jones mentions about electricity being theoretically interesting but having little or no practical value. In a similar way, video games seem to have no practical value but McGonigal insists they do, according to inherent values that they possess, like urgent optimism and the concept of an “epic win”. I think this is an interesting correlation between the two aforementioned ideas that goes to show how computer design can have an everlasting effect on our society today.

Bibliography:

1. Jones, B. J. (1990). Computer Graphics: Effects of Origins. LEONARDO: Digital Image – Digital Cinema Supplemental Issue, pp. 21-30.

2. McGonigal, Jane. Gaming Can Make A Better World. TED2010, February 2010 in Long Beach, CA

From this week’s material, the most interesting to me was the TED talk by Jane McGonigal. I found her talk extremely interesting because she was attempting to convey a message that seemed so unusual and cynical. When she first began her talk, it seemed like the audience was finding it almost ridiculous because they kept laughing at what she was trying to say. As she further elaborated on her topic, it became more and more interesting to listen to what she had to say because of the statistics and facts she was providing. She stated that when we play video games, “we become the best versions of ourselves. The most likely to help at a moment’s notice. The most likely to stick with a problem, as long as it takes. To get up after failure and try again”. Then she compares this to real-life and states that we feel overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed when we face failure or obstacles. After listening to her comparisons, it makes me wonder why humans are so reluctant to express the same personality in real-life that they do when playing video games? A part of me thinks it is because in video games, there are no permanent consequences and you can have multiple attempts at solving a problem. Thus, is it the fear of ultimate failure that keeps us from expressing our true emotions and thoughts in real-life, like we would in a virtual world?

1. How do you define “spirituality”?

Personally, I think spirituality is a search for the deeper meanings and values in one’s own life. In other words, spirituality is the search for inspiration or orientation in life. While doing this, you can believe in things that are intangible and hence, create experiences that are not first-hand. I think this spirituality is enhanced when one decides to accept God into his/her life. In this sense, you are opening an entire new heavenly dimension, and your thoughts are directly shared with God or another higher entity that one believes in.

2. Does spirituality differ from religion?

While most people think spirituality and religion are related, I think they are both distinct entities. You can be spiritual without being religious and vice versa. Although you can enhance your spirituality by having faith in a higher entity, such as God, you do not need this in order to have basic spirituality. Religion on the other hand is an organized system that requires you to believe in a specific way, demanding faith in certain areas. The commonality between the two is that they are both optional and independent of one another.

3. How do you define “creativity”?

I define creativity as using the five senses (vision, hearing, taste, touch, smell) to create something that is unique. Everyone is different and has the ability to view the world with a unique perspective. If one decides to follow the crowd and do everything the same as everyone else, there is no creativity. When one takes the initiative to use their senses in a way that nobody else has thought of, they are being creative. Creativity is a learned trait because not everyone knows how to use his or her senses together in an intricate manner. It takes time and can be mastered with continuous practice.

4. What is the source of creativity?

The source of creativity comes from personal inspirations. When creating art, for example, there are different inspirations that drive the artist to create a particular kind of work. The way that the artist views, understands, and enhances that inspiration is where the creativity arises. The ability to take something that leaves an emotional, mental, or physical impact and turn it into something meaningful is creativity. Hence, the inspiration is where creativity comes from because it is different from person to person and can affect people in unique ways.

Every individual has a unique background, in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, and social interactions. As a result, everyone has different influences, whether internal or external. When it comes to artists, this individuality is expressed in the plethora of artistic capabilities available to the human hand. As one creates a work of art, they are simultaneously discovering their own creative spirituality, which in turn helps to express emotions/idea through said artwork. More often than not, there is a source of inspiration behind this artwork. “Inspiration means access to spirit. Spirit brings vision to the artist via the imagination, the multidimensional media center of our minds” (Grey, 82). Basically, inspiration is something that is unique to each individual because the source of it varies from person to person. Additionally, it works alongside one’s own imagination and hence allows one to create something that is exclusive.

I agree with this concept of inspiration and I think this adds to the perception of the artwork by other viewers. As someone besides the original artist tries to understand the expressions behind a work of art, “[they] must go through a mini ego death by placing themselves in the inspired mind of the artists, who themselves are out of their minds and only acting as channels of creative spirit” (74). In other words, one has to take a “third-person” approach to the artwork in an attempt to understand the ideas behind it. Overall, this beautifies the art further because it has the ability to be open to multiple perspectives and interpretations. Furthermore, this relates to the idea of “depth perception” mentioned by Grey and that “the soul has its own sense of depth perception” (75). Since each and every soul is different, there will be varying degrees of depth perception from person to person. Although one may have an idea of what the original artist was trying to portray, it is merely an opinion because they haven’t exactly experienced the things that inspired the artwork in the first place.

References:

1. Grey, A. (2001). Art as Spiritual Practice. The Mission of Art (1st ed., pp. 205-233). Boston & London: Shambhala.

Article 1

For this week’s research project, the first source I came across was a blog that discussed a student game called “Hush”. This game is set in Rwanda during the massacres between Hutus and Tutsis. The objective of the game is to play as a woman who is trying to silence her crying baby so that the invading soldiers do not find them. This is an interesting game because it is based on a real event, instead of a game that is based solely on fictional events and characters. Samyn states that “it’s fun to experience the threat of death and pain, to be overpowered by a massive and mysterious force, to be faced with a bleak and hopeless situation.” However, when you transition into a game that pertains to a real life threatening situation, it is not fun at all. Although you are not actually in that situation, simply imagining it is gruesome and non-pleasant. That being said, Samyn brings up the point about why we still like the genre, horror. He questions whether horror is really about being frightened because he knows experiencing real fear is not fun. Additionally, he mentions that maybe there is a chemical in our brain that is released as we express emotions in response to something scary. Furthermore, these chemicals may “act like an amusing drug” when the threat is faced in a comfortable situation, opposed to real life.

When comparing this to Carroll’s article, “Why Horror?”, I found a particularly interesting quote that ties into what Samyn is saying in response to the game, Hush. “Whatever distress horror causes, as a probable price for our fascination, is outweighed for the average consumer by the pleasure we derive in having our curiosity stimulated and rewarded” (290). This quote speaks to the fact that the horror genre attracts those who find it fascinating, which is driven by curiosity. I agree with the idea that people watch horror movies because they are curious to see what will happen in the plot. However, when they are faced with a similar threat in real life, they will be horrified. Samyn also stated that “it’s only fun when it’s fake” and I think this directly ties into what Carroll mentions here. People watch horror films and such because they find pleasure in satisfying their curiosity but when that particular instance of horror pertains to a real life situation, it is not fun at all. “That is, encountering things such as ghosts or Desdemona’s massacre in ‘real life’ would be upsetting rather than entertaining” (Carroll, 276).

Article 2

The second source I found was a blog on how to enjoy horror movies. This blog is called “Enjoying Horror 101” and provides many helpful tips for people who do not like the horror genre. The author begins by stating that these films often contain bad acting, a bad plot, and a bad setting. Furthermore, viewers seem to hold this against horror films more than they do for comedies, actions, romances, etc. He states that to truly enjoy a horror film, one has to look beyond the cheap costumes and visual/auditory effects in an attempt to become enveloped in the storyline. Overall, he emphasizes the point of empathizing with a movie to truly enjoy it. The emotions that the movie is trying to trigger need to be triggered. Finally, he states that the adrenaline rush that is provoked from such a film is natural and should be fully enjoyed.

Carroll states in her article “the horror genre gives every evidence of being pleasurable to its audience, but it does so by means of trafficking in the very sorts of things that cause disquiet, distress, and displeasure” (275). Disquiet, distress, and displeasure are all emotions that are triggered when someone watches a horror film. Even though these are emotions that are not necessarily desired under normal circumstances, the horror genre has the ability to make these emotions pleasurable to viewers. That being said, I think it is important to “empathize with a movie” like it was mentioned in the blog I chose to compare. If one does not experience the emotions that were meant to be triggered, they will not enjoy it.

Bibliography:

1. Samyn, Michael., May 15, 2009, “Enjoying Horror”, Tale of Tales, Online Article. Retrieved November 8, 2009, from http://taleoftales.com/blog/2008/05/15/enjoying-horror/

2. N/A, P. (2009, February 22). The Edge of Your Seat: Enjoying Horror 101. The Edge of Your Seat. Retrieved May 7, 2010, from http://theedgeofyourseat.blogspot.com/2009/02/enjoying-horror-101.html

In Buffy the Vampire Slayer, there were several examples of diegetic, non-diegetic, and mise-en-scene. A particular example of diegetic sound is in Buffy’s daydream toward the beginning of the episode. In this scene, Buffy walks down a dark hallway and approaches a girl in a red dress, who is chanting out loud. This chant alone adds to the aesthetic horror of the video because it makes the viewer wonder what is going on, potentially providing a hint for something that is about to happen. The reason I chose this example is because it is an obvious example of diegetic sound that directly adds to the horror of the scene by putting unnecessary thoughts in the viewer’s mind about what is to come next.

An example of non-diegetic sound is the background music that is playing when the clock on the building is shown on the screen. During this time, there is also a character that is shown who is opening a box, supposedly “stealing the voices” of the people in the town. I chose this particular scene because it adds to the aesthetics of horror because it allows the audience to relate to the predicament that the characters experience.

Due to the fact that the characters lose their voices in this episode, they are forced to express themselves through different means other than speaking. An example of mise-en-scene that I found is when Riley and his friend are stuck in the elevator and they start to think that they will die because their voices are not recognizable. As the characters display feelings of panic and insecurity in this scene, there is added suspense to the scene. For me particularly, I have been trapped in an elevator before so I was able to relate to the feelings of helplessness, which is the reason I chose this specific example of mise-en-scene. This could be the case for other people as well, allowing them to feel as if they are in the shoes of the characters, adding to the horror.

From a very young age, I’ve always been fascinated by clothing and I have a particular passion for having a closet with great variety. However, I’ve never been the one who enjoys going out and shopping. Most of my clothes shopping is done online because it is fast and convenient. If I am looking for shoes or something more complex, like a suit, then I will go into a store to shop. Growing up, I was taught to look presentable no matter where I went. Whether that was a quick stop to a grocery store, to the library, or to downtown, I always parted my hair to the side and wore clean, freshly ironed clothes. Over the years, as I found my niche in different activities such as basketball, my dressing style changed a bit. I began to dress in a more athletic manner, with basketball shoes and other sporting accessories. However, the cleanliness of the clothes did not change. As I reflect on the way I dress now, I realize that I have transitioned into a more classy dressing style. I carefully choose shoes to match my outfit and tend to wear more button-ups and semi-formal jackets/pants. I don’t usually wear athletic clothing to class anymore because I prefer not to look like I just rolled out of bed. If I am just casually sitting around at home or going to the Rec, however, I will wear sweats and a t-shirt. As far as additional body adornment is concerned, I have two tattoos on my arms (one on each). In my family, tattoos are seen as unnecessary, so it was difficult to convince my parents to let me get one. The first one I got was something I drew myself and it took some strong persuasive language to get my mother to budge. The second tattoo was a little easier for some reason. The main reason my parents don’t like tattoos is because it looks unprofessional and it has no real significance. While I agree with this viewpoint, I think they can be a unique touch to your body and I only like them when they are mostly hidden from the public eye.

I think the way I dress today reflects the type of person that I want to be in the future. I am an ROTC cadet on campus so grooming standards and a clean, professional appearance is something we are continuously reminded of. Therefore, it has become a habit for me to shave almost every day of the week and maintain a short, tapered haircut at all times. As a future officer, I will be required to look and act professional in and out of uniform so I think my dressing style reflects this attitude. I will be adopting an entirely new lifestyle when I commission so it is better that I start early. However, this dressing sense isn’t necessarily something that I have suddenly acquired in the recent years. I have always had a sense of decency when it comes to clothing because of my parents. They have always said that the way a person dresses says a lot about their personality. If someone is wearing clothes that are old and dirty, they will be perceived as ignorant or unconcerned about their personal well-being. However, when someone is wearing clean, ironed clothes, they are perceived as having a good sense of personal hygiene and self-worth. Hygiene has always been significant in my family as well, which is directly conveyed in the way one dresses.

Among the circle of friends which I spend most of my time with, the way people dress closely resembles my own style. I think this is the case because I choose to mingle and socialize with others who have a similar sense of pride in their personal appearance. For example, when I go to class and sit with my friends, I’ve noticed that we always come to class dressed in a way that portrays our willingness to learn. While there are many other students who dress professionally as well, there are far more who show up in attire that is meant more for recreation purposes. In my opinion, this shows a lack of desire to learn. I strongly believe in the saying, “look good, feel good” and it goes a long ways when you are sitting in a classroom trying to learn. The better you feel about yourself, the better you will be prepared to take on tasks and challenges throughout the day. In my peer community, tattoos have become very popular. A lot of people these days get tattoos of all kinds of things, just for the sake of getting a tattoo because “it looks cool”. I think tattoos are something that requires a lot of thought because it will stay with you for a lifetime. I think a lot of people fail to realize this, even with body piercings. That being said, I do not think many people in my peer community care about their bodies anymore. It seems like people dress up and add tattoos/piercings for attention nowadays, which does not portray self-respect.