Author: dexterh@uoregon.edu

If it weren’t for this assignment, I don’t think that I would not have ever noticed the two murals made by the Runquist brothers that exist in the library.  The reason being is because whenever I go to the library,  I typically go to the same general area, which does not include the special collections area. However, after viewing the Runquist murals at Knight library, I got a better understanding of what Public Art really is. According to Doss, he described this term in his article “Public Art Controversy: Cultural Expression and Civic Debate” that ”Public art is artwork in the public realm, regardless of whether it is situated on public or private property, or whether it is acquired through public or private funding. Public art can be a sculpture, mural, manhole cover, paving pattern, lighting, seating, building facade, kiosk, gate, fountain, play equipment, engraving, carving, fresco, mobile, collage, mosaic, bas-relief, tapestry, photograph, drawing, or earthwork”(Doss, 2). I do feel a sense of appreciation to the fact that they do exist and are readily available for me to look at whenever I desire.  That is what’s great about public art in my opinion. Public art can be found everywhere around us in the campus. It serves as a public media with a specific intention that can be accessible to all. It is used for public occasion for people to appreciate by the specific meanings it carries.

The Runquist murals in our knight library well illustrated the history of both arts and science, astronomers, biologist, mathematicians etc, are all involved in these murals and these disciplines are also the foundation of our university. These two murals can be viewed as best “public arts”, which can represent the essential values of our university.

In this weeks reading, Doss talks about how public art is received in the modern world.  A quote that stood out to me was , “Today, these memorials are among America’s most popular works of public art” (Doss, 1). The memorials he is referring to are the Washington Monument and Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  This was significant to me because I do not think the younger generation views these focal points of the National Mall as forms of public art.  That is because when we are educated at a young age, we are seemingly taught that when a significant person or travesty occurs, something is built in remembrance, not as art. On the surface, these  memorials and monuments are just focal points but as our understanding levels become more developed, I think people do see them as public art.  It just takes time to make this realization for a good portion of the young generation of people.

Another quote from Doss’ reading that pertains to the Runquist murals is “Traditional forms of American public art include figurative sculptures displayed in public spaces…” (Doss, 2). Though the murals aren’t sculptures, I think this quote is in line with how they are displayed being that they are in a public area in which nearly anyone can view them.  I agree with this point because generally, the most popular public art works are the ones that are sculptures.  This is because they are easy to identify, rather unique, and also a point of interest when providing directions.  By, easy to identify, means that it is  hard to miss when walking on a street or driving by.  Sculptures are unique in that they are almost always one of a kind.  There may be related works, but each one is usually independent from each other.

“Public art is an antidote for the hatred and disconnectedness in society. It is a creative, participatory, critical, and analytical process. We must tell our stories, and encourage others of all ages to tell their stories in any language they speak…We must teach ourselves and others to listen and to hear our stories because it is in the very specificity of the human experience that we learn compassion”(Doss,11). I think the role of public art is not only to add pleasure or aesthetics to public place, but also to convey and present values about a certain civilization or group of people. It serves as a tool for community identity creation and help to shape quality of our life through embodies a community’s spirit or value into it. Just as the Runquist murals in our library. The role of public art can increase people’s pride about being a member in one community and spread information to a much broader audience to help them further enrich the community’s values.

1. Imagination

2. Creativity

3. Patience

4. Passion

5. Influence

6. History

7. Desire

8. Respect

9. Intuition

10. Powerful

From the TED talks video, “Laws That Choke Creativity”, my interest had  been stimulated and curious when Larry Lessig says at  that “common sense has not revolted against the laws that restrict creativity” (13:35).  To me, I think that it depends on the point of view when considering how art as evolved over time.  As time has gone on, I feel that more and more art have pushed and continue to push boundaries conceptually and legally as the freedom of speech is used more often as a backup to radical art.  By using this amendment (freedom of speech) as an claim for creativity, I would say art definitely has been revolting.

The primary thesis of “Graphics: Effects of Origins” by Beverly Jones is, the “hope to establish the relation of specific image, object, event or environment to conceptual frames.  These frames exist within art and technology and are present in other forms of symbolic and material culture.” (21 Jones) Also, her thesis is how past art patterns influence the evolution of the formation of computer graphics, and how computer graphics and current art combines to influence the history and cultural bases of computer graphics.  In addition, the change of the modern art not only merge into our life quickly, but also become a factor to shape and re-construct our life pattern and cultural background. Just as Jones stated, “These changes contribute to maintenance and change of culturally conditioned conceptual patterns in the larger historical context” (Jones, 51).

One historical example of Jones provided about her thesis is that the common feature of new inventions always sticking with the previous principles. One of the examples about ancient Egyptian architecture shows how the old way/mode of art gives birth to the new ones. It is not accurate to say the newly crafted arts are derived from the old, but confined or instructed by the previous ones. As Jones (1990) states: these changes contribute to maintenance and change of culturally conditioned conceptual patterns in the larger historical context. (pp. 51) Also from this point of hers, Jones asserts that some old modes or understandings should be preserved because the law of physics and other principles are never changed.

I think the most compelling and accurate illustration of Jones’ thesis at work in current culture is from energy basis and use high-technology to present art in a diverse  forms rather than using traditional art form. Previously, the art project can only be expressed in paper, sculpture form, and the raw materials are always derived from oil. Thus, traditional art work may increase the dependence on our un-renewable energy resources. I found an interesting example of modern art that has the similar meaning as Jones’ thesis, which is computer animation. “The image is created by means of 3D computer graphics, though 2D computer graphics are still widely used for low bandwidth and faster real-time rendering needs (Science Daily). This technique is identical to how the illusion of movement is achieved with television and motion pictures. Currently, computer animation is essentially another form of art works in today’r culture.It follows the energy consideration of traditional art, also it can produce more mobile and vivid aspects into art project, and bring audience a new version of art world.

 Computer Animation. Science Daily.2013  http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/c/computer_animation.htm

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

For discussion this week, I wanted to bring up some things that I found interesting when reading BJ Jones’ passage about the origins of the digital age in art. What really stood out to me what a statement he made on page 56, saying,  “Image-processed digital photography exists in mass-media publishing, television news, and as photographic evidence in court cases”. Along with this, what intrigued me about this quote was that now, technology has caused digit photos to be the norm when it comes to sharing with other individuals.  Nearly every major technological device that is handheld has a color screen with the ability to view images.  When the reading by Jones was published, I learned how the people before us have seen new technologies like computers in their horizon.  I think some of Jones’ predictions and expectations have turned out to be true but I’d imagine he would have never imagined seeing technology evolve to the point that it’s at today. It’s truly remarkable.

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

1.  To me, Spirituality can be defined as a belief in a power operating in the universe that is greater than oneself, a sense of interconnectedness with all living creatures, and an awareness of the purpose and meaning of life and the development of personal, absolute values.  I also believe that spirituality can be defined in multiple ways depending on an individuals personal beliefs.  That is, spirituality is what builds up inside an individual over the years based upon their beliefs, influences, and life experiences.  Beliefs play a role in spirituality in that they will lead to something being produced as a result. Influences effect spirituality so that individuals tend to lean a particular way when expressing themselves. Life experiences will cause change on an individual’s spirituality in that a traumatic event will stay with the person and leave an everlasting conscious when living.

2.  Spirituality and Religion are different because spirituality can be more defined by an individual rather than religion that is based on a major principle.   With spirituality,  one connects  to certain ideas.  Spirituality is more of an individual concept I believe because there are multiple factors that play a part, such as life experiences and beliefs on social issues apart from religion.  Most religions are based upon a particular event or person and sharing the story or journey of that individual. Religion is the ideas you practice or follow.

3. Creativity is the act of turning new and imaginative ideas into reality. Creativity is characterized by the ability to perceive the world in new ways, to find hidden patterns, to make connections between seemingly unrelated phenomena, and to generate solutions. Further, creativity is defined as when an individual decides to separate themselves from a collective norm and push their own boundaries.  When this occurs, the act of expressing creativity occurs.

4.  I believe that the source of creativity is an individual’s spirituality.  That is, because creativity is influenced by an individual’s personal influences and beliefs, spirituality is the reduced form of what the mental make up.  When being creative, an individual is acting based on instincts that has placed them in the specific position.  By having spirituality as the source of creativity, the individual is completing the process of self expression.  To put it simply, creativity is a direct result of an individuals spirituality.

After  watching the spirituality video presentation by artists Beryl Korot, Ann Hamilton, John Feodorov, Shahzia Sikander, and James Turrell, there were some in particular that caught me eye. The segment regarding John Feodorov’s artwork stuck out to me the most because of his particular  background and upbringing, which is Native American.  The Native-American culture in the U.S., to me, is a under-appreciated niche of expression.  With that being said, I was happy to see that Feodorov has been able to build up a legitimate portfolio of art that is appealing to others, all the while staying in close touch with his culture and ancestry.  By having the creative spirituality of a Native American tribe, Feodorov is further producing something that is unique on its own that most people aren’t exposed to.  His roots and expressions allow viewers to open their eyes up to a whole new frontier of possibilities.

Another segment in the video that stood out to me was  that  of James Turrell. His use of light, in particular, was  noteworthy for me because  the art that was exhibited at the beginning of the his segment caught me eye, as it looked very interesting and sort of out-of-this-world.  To see how light can be positioned to make a physical object seem present and “there”,  was spectacular and I couldn’t help but feel just as confused as the actual audience and visitors when they discovered that they were really seeing such an optical illusion.  His large sprawling hub of light in the middle of the desert was a bit odd to me however, as I had a hard time truly understanding what he was trying to accomplish with it.  Nonetheless, Turrell possesses a great mind to be able to use such a large canvas as a use of his own self expression and creative spirituality.

After reading the article “Why Horror” by Noel Carroll, I have a brief understanding to how  horror fiction writers catch their audiences’ attention and peak their anxieties/fears. Basically, there are two main factors that build our interest to the horror stories. First, by using filming techniques and writing skills.  Through different techniques, it is not hard to influence a person to be frightened or more curiously in a storyline. Second, Carroll expresses that audiences  have a certain need for fulfilling emotions such as “curiosity, excitement, and the affection of uncertainty”.  With these two factors , Carroll revealed the principles or spirits of horror movies industry and how they works in sparking people’s nerves and fears. For this assignment, I found  two online articles that agree with the ideas that Carroll expressed  in his article.

The first article I found was “Why Our Brains Love Horror Movies” by Sharon Begley. In the article,  Begley analyzed major reasons why most people would  want to spend their money watching horror movies and its relations to physiological reaction of human’s nervous cells while watching the movies. She described that human’s nervous system required “periodic revving” to be continuously active and watching horror movies will excite this part of nerve system and keep the system active. In current society, many people face a lot of stress during their daily life, such as unemployment, education and health problems. When they go to the movie theater and watch horror movies, they can use this way to active their nerve system and release stress. It releases stress with the influential writing and storyline that engages the audience to feel  “curiosity, excitement, and the affection of uncertainty”. It puts the audience in a world that they know is not real, which adds comfort know that the “horror” is not real, but it keeps the mind active in a way that relieves stress. The “Safe” property of horror movies will attract people to increase their visit of horror scene. Unlike, for example, extreme sports, which may bring dangerous, horror movie can bring people the feeling of excitement without getting hurt.

The second article I found  answers the theory that  horror movie “touches” psychologically with curiosity. “The Allure of Horror”  by  Scott Nicholson, demonstrated similar notions with Carroll’s. Within horror stories, what drives the story lines and its success is based on curiosity. Carroll has made this point well in his article, “Monsters are, then, natural subjects for curiosity, and they straightforwardly warrant the ratiocinative energies the plot lavishes upon them” (pp. 281)  As a movie watcher myself, I like to explore into something unknown and uncertain, and I would assume others do as well. At the same time, I know that most people fear the unknown and uncertain objects. When the sense of fear and curiosity in our mind competing with each other, the sense of curiosity normally overweigh the fears because we don’t know whether the object is as a bad as we make it out to be, so we must explore the unknown to find out. In this case, curiosity drives people to discover the horror.

Carroll, N. (2002). Why Horror?. In Neill, A. & Riley, A. (eds.) Arguing About Art: Contemporary Philosophical Debates (2nd ed., Chap. 17). New York, NY: Routledge.

Begley, S. (2011). ‘Why Our Brains Love Horror Movies’, The Daily Beast. Retrieved February 17, 2013, http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/10/25/why-our-brains-love-horror-movies-fear-catharsis-a-sense-of-doom.html

http://www.hauntedcomputer.com/scottst22.htm

At the 2:05 mark, there is a sound of a girl voice singing.  This is an example of non-diagetic sound as it’s source is not visible on screen. Further, it’s a sound/singing effect that contributes to the story line.  The non-diagetic sound contributes to the aesthetic of horror in this situation because it alludes to a suspense that will scare viewers. It then becomes a diagetic scene as she is shown later in the scene. Also at the 22:05 mark, there is a sound of breaking of glass that it off camera.  This is an example of another non-diagetic sound that is also adding suspense and potential horror.

An example of a diagetic scene is at 22:45. We see a door opening out of a room. It makes a creaking sound that makes a very audible creaking sound that most old doors make. The sound is visible on screen and is present through action of the film. This adds to the suspense of horror because usually if one is alone and one hears the sound of creakiness, the person may feel some sort of anxiety.

An example of mise-en-scene occurs in the beginning when Buffy and the male character kiss each other. As they kiss the lighting turns dark and the “sun” goes down. Using mise-en-scene the director is able to set the scene and alert the audience to cues towards the plot, without using dialogue. This is also accompanied with the girl singing adding the the sense of horror.

When comes to how I choose to dress my self or customize myself, I’d say that I probably care about my appearance than the average person. I definitely try and attempt to be as presentable as possible , from head to toe. Hygiene is a big part of my customization. I cannot (or rarely) leave the house without a shower. I have to have good breath, short nails, etc. I also like to have my hair styled before I leave the house. When it comes to what I wear, I’d say that Im not really influenced too much by the trends , but I believe that my style  very well put together while casual, not over the top unless needed.  Your appearance his your very first impression  and I believe that if you look your best, you will do your best at whatever it is.

I make a lot of my choices of clothing through what I feel like I want to wear. There are certain colors of shirts that I think I look more presentable in than others. My go to colored shirts are usually the neutral colors like white, gray, black, and navy. Those with a nice pair of shoes along jeans or chinos are always a good combo, and you cant really go wrong. My style is pretty simple but I think it looks good. As long as it matches/and/or the scholar scheme isnt too outrageous.  With this being said, I know that the choices I make have to do with the fact that I believe that others will think it looks at least presentable.

Over the years, I think that I’ve become more confident in my presentability. Ive discover who I really am and what I want to become. Growing up, Ive always wanted to wear what my friends were wearing because they had the cool brands. In middle school in was all about the “preppy” hollister and abercrombie and fitch , and in high school it was more about the laid back/skater brands like volcom, hurley, fox, etc. (Pacsun = all my clothes in high school). To sum it up, I think my style has just matured more and that it will continue to as I become older.

When it comes to my family, my mom and my dad are polar opposites. My mom cares a lot about appearance and presentation while my dad could care less. Id say that I take on more of my mom’s values when it comes to appearances but I know that I had a laid back side as well. Growing up, my mom would constantly dress me in very nice clothing. I was a baby gap model, which is very embarrassing, and my mom always wanted to make me look “cute” or “handsome”. I honestly hated it because it felt uncomfortable, but today I definitely appreciate it. I know that today, I wear what makes me comfortable, but it as to be presentable. My dad on the other hand wears the strangest clothes. I cant even begin to explain it, but there are days, when he just wears a t-shirt and some sweats, and Ive definitely done that before.

When it comes to my peers, Id say that I dress with my own style, but still seems pretty similar to everyone else on campus. We are all college students that are pretty much, more or less, the same demographic. With that , we all relatively may have the same interest due to the fact the we are the same age and go to the same school. I know that while in school, people really wont judge what you wear because everyone is busy with school. They understand if you need a cheat day (or week) to wear just sweats and a hoodie because of midterms or finals. This is a big relief because you feel like at the end of the day, your peers really dont care, which influences what you wear.