Month: April 2015

In order to people watch, I figured there was no place better than a local shopping mall where there was a wide variety of individuals of all walks of life wandering the halls.

The first person that I noticed was a young Caucasian girl with what appears to be a natural shade of brown hair. She appeared to be about fifteen years of age and had what I assume to be a trendy hairstyle as I observed this same haircut on numerous other girls that appeared to be similar in age. The girl was wearing a very baggy, flowing button down shirt with very small shorts covered in a floral print that bared the majority of her legs and some flat sandals. To me this very trendy combination of items demonstrates a desire to keep with current trends and conform to social norms about beauty and appearance. My assumption is that this young teenager is from a middle class family, that she embraces popular culture and judging by her apparent self-confidence, she appears to be emotionally satisfied although I am well aware that looks can be deceiving and my analysis, being based entirely on observation may be incorrect.

The second person who caught my attention was a guy who appeared to be somewhere around my age and possibly partially Hispanic. All visible portions of his arms were covered in tattoos coming out below the sleeves of his tee shirt. His ears were gauged and there were large plugs in his ears. The sullen expression on his face indicates that there are some possible depression issues underlying. The man appeared to be less than thrilled, perhaps because of other issues in his life or perhaps because his afternoon was spent wandering the mall. All of the clothes he was wearing were black and lacked any designs or logos on them. To me, the combination of all of these elements indicates a rejection of social conventions. As stated in “Customizing the Body,” by C.R. Sanders, “Choosing to be a physical deviant symbolically demonstrates one’s disregard for the prevailing norms” (Sanders, 2). Although I recognize that it is unfair for me to view it this way, I immediately judged this complete stranger based entirely upon his appearance and assumed that because he seems to be departing from traditional norms, he is likely less happy overall.

The third person that I saw who caught my attention was another guy who was around my age and appeared to be Caucasian. He was dressed drastically different than the previous man. This guy was wearing fairly tight fitting jeans and a very fitted tee shirt that clung to his chest and shoulders. He appeared to be very concerned with his appearance and I noticed that he would check himself out in each shiny surface that he passed to ensure that his look had not been affected by his routine. His hair was slicked back, presumably with the help of some pomade and his shoes looked like they were brand new and had been pulled out of a box only for this occasion in order to add to his overall look. As for physical build, this man appears to spend the majority of his free time at a gym and looked like he was very proud of his accomplishment. From the overall appearance, my assumption is that this man is very confident and he values the way that he appears to others. I believe that due to his confident appearance and very trendy look, he is emotionally doing well. I assume that he is healthy because he works out on a regular basis. I recognize that these perceptions are based on my own perspective and values. I see physical fitness as a high priority and a marker of someone’s health. I also believe that physical fitness contributes to emotional health as well. If I did not value these things I would likely have a very different perspective on these individuals.

Reference:

Sanders, C. R. (1989). Introduction: Body Alteration, Artistic Production, and the Social World of Tattooing. In Customizing the Body (Chap. 1). Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press.

In an article in the New York Times titled, “A Matter of Taste?” author William Deresiewicz discusses the concept of food as art. Deresiewicz says that he believed the increase in awareness and appreciation for food in the early nineties would inevitably lead to a greater love for art as well. “What has happened is not that food has led to art, but that it has replaced it” (Deresiewicz 2012). Deresiewicz says that, “…food, for all that, is not art. Both begin by addressing the senses, but that is where food stops. It is not narrative or representational, does not organize and express emotion. An apple is not a story, even if we can tell a story about it. A curry is not an idea, even if its creation is the result of one.”

Not everyone however, shares Deresiewicz’s opinion about food. In an article named “Food as art: Fun photos bring nature’s bounty to life,” the author highlights Christopher Boffoli, an artist who uses food to create scenes containing tiny characters. “It’s not enough to take a figure and put it on a cupcake and call it a fine art image. You have to really think about the context. I like to give the figures a destiny, treat them like characters,” he said. The artist transforms everyday food items like apples, oranges and cupcakes into mesmerizing images that tell a story and then captures them on film. The question then becomes, are the photographs of the food the only portion that is art or is it the scenes themselves that count as art.

In two separate articles, there are two very different opinions on whether food can be considered art or just an enjoyable aesthetic experience. According to Ellen Dissanayake, “Artists, just like everybody else, do not see the world in any singularly privileged or objectively truthful way, but rather- like everybody- interpret it according to their individual and cultural sensibilities” (19). Perhaps Dissanayake has explained the reason that the issue of food as art is such a hotly debated topic and why there seems to be no clear answer.

Art is something that is particularly hard to define because it encompasses such a large variety of different subjects. Music can be art, as can drawing, sculpture, painting and numerous other types of expression, so why not food? Elizabeth Telfer describes art as, “a thing intended to be used wholly or largely for aesthetic consideration” (14). Since food can be pleasing on an aesthetic level, in my opinion it is, in some cases, a form of art. This is not to say that all food should be considered art as that would make the category far too wide and use the term far too lightly. The Taco Bell burrito I ate for lunch was to some degree aesthetically pleasing because at the time, I was very hungry. However, its appeal is entirely lost when I am not desperately craving food. There are many dishes that are served at four and five star restaurants that have an artistic arrangement and are on a visual aesthetic level, very pleasing. They are not all appealing to me in the sense that I want to taste them. A similar example in the world of traditional art would be abstract and modern art. Not all of this type of art is pleasing to me personally on an aesthetic level but I would not deny it the title of art simply because it does not have an effect on me. One such example would be highly modern artist Chris Ofili. This artist uses some very unconventional materials in many of his works such as elephant dung. The choice of material is not what defines whether his work is art or not, it is the creative use of the material he has available that have caused his art to be more than waste. In my opinion, Christopher Boffoli does a similar thing in utilizing an unconventional material and turning it into something unexpected and imaginative. An orange by itself might not be worthy of being called art, but when you had a tiny character pushing a lawnmower that is shaving the surface off of the fruit it becomes something more, it becomes art.

While I understand the perspective that Deresiewicz presents, I think that some food is narrative or representational and it does organize and express emotion. There is a creativity involved in taking a bunch of individual parts and combining them to create something new, which is what art is all about.

Deresiewicz, W. (2012, October 27). A Matter of Taste? Retrieved April 26, 2015, from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/opinion/sunday/how-food-replaced-art-as-high-culture.html?_r=0

Food as art: Fun photos bring nature’s bounty to life. (n.d.). Retrieved April 26, 2015, from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/food-as-art-fun-photos-bring-natures-bounty-to-life/

Tefler, E. (2002). Food as Art. In Neill, A. & Riley, A. (eds.) Arguing About Art: Contemporary Philosophical Debates (2nd ed., Chap. 2). New York, NY: Routledge.

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.

In her writing, “Food As Art,” Elizabeth Telfer states that, “many philosophers argue that although food and drink can give rise to aesthetic reactions, they cannot constitute works of art” (Telfer 18), however the author is clear that she does not entirely agree with this point of view. Elizabeth Telfer argues that not all food is art; some of it can be appropriately placed within this category. I would have to say that I personally agree with Telfer’s assessment. A simple meal such as the fast food burritos I had for lunch, the Eggo brand waffles I had for breakfast or any of the menu at McDonalds are clearly not the type of food that would be rightfully given the title of art. There is however numerous types of food that I think deserve to be considered art. Excellent examples of food that can easily transcend the simple status of edible item into work of art are pastries such as cakes. Cakes can be simple food items or elaborate creations akin to paintings in a gallery. There is a necessary ingredient of mastery involved in creating a recipe or following one to recreate and improve upon someone else’s design concept. Like anything else that can trigger a rush of emotion, food is capable of creating a unique experience that is aesthetically pleasing and emotionally satisfying. Where this discussion becomes difficult is drawing the line between what is art and what is not. Clearly not all food belongs in the art column but some does. Elizabeth Telfer argues that food can be considered a “minor art form,” rather than belonging in the same category as other artistic expressions such as painting or sculpture. The author states that, “it might plausibly be claimed, however, that the art of food is minor because it is not only simple but also limited in three important ways: food is necessarily transient, it cannot have meaning and it cannot move us” (24). The concept of food as a transient type of artwork made sense to me because, clearly food cannot be around for hundreds of years and be reflective of our culture and lifestyles to future generations. This being said, food is still in my opinion, art in many cases.

Ellen Dissanayake’s keynote lecture, “Art for Life’s Sake,” discusses the various elements that make up what we refer to as “art” as giving a timeline for how art has been interpreted throughout the passing years. Dissanayake states that there is “no appreciation of art without interpretation” (19), according to the “institutional theory” of art. This struck me as particularly interesting because I have personally been drawn to works of art without having any knowledge about what it means. One of my favorite artists has always been the French painter, Rene Magritte. Magritte’s works are very bizarre and play with the viewer’s perception of reality. One of my favorites of his images is called “Time Transfixed,” and is a painting that features a steam train coming through a solid wall in fireplace in what appears to be a living room. I appreciate this work although I have no idea what it means. I’ve never personally felt the need to break the image down to its individual elements and decipher a meaning. Even the artist himself had no desire for viewers to entirely understand his works. Dissanayke claims that the “institutional theory of art” as well as a number of other theories all have elements that fail to properly encompass what art is. The author instead presents her own theory, the “species-centered view.” Dissanayke states, “The species-centered view of art I have developed here claims that there is valid and intrinsic association between what humans have always found to be important, and certain ways-called the arts-that they have found to manifest, reinforce, and grasp this importance” (26). Ellen Dissanayke’s theory seems to tie in well with Denis Dutton’s TED talk on beauty and its influence on art and evolution. Dutton states, “We find beauty in something done well” (Dutton, 2010). Dutton talks about how our appreciation of certain shapes, landscapes and music has nothing to do with culture and everything to do with “a permanent, innate taste” (Dutton, 2010). If our human appreciation of art and beauty is something that has been handed down from our ancestors for centuries and is built into who we are as human beings, how does our taste vary so greatly?

Today, first and foremost I completed a good amount of homework, some of which allowed me the opportunity to use creativity and therefore fulfilled my enjoyment value as well as my value for creativity. Since I completed the work on my own and toward my own personal advancement it fulfilled both my value for independence and for personal development. Today I also spent time speaking with my family via Skype as they are at home in China while I am here in the United States completing my studies. By keeping a close contact with my family throughout the various ups and downs in my life, I am fulfilling that value which I had listed as number five on my list of values in the ranking exercise. Family for me has always been a critical part of who I am and a support system for me at all times.

My creativity was the most notable value I inherited from my family and incidentally, the one I ranked highest in my assessment. My father and mother are both very creative and encouraged me to express myself in various creative outlets since I was a young child. My enjoyment of creativity came as the result of experience and the sense of accomplishment that came as a direct result of having been able make something entirely on my own. My value of ranking family high on my list of priorities was also inevitably a part of growing up in a tightly knit family that put a lot of emphasis on spending time together and the bond that happens when a family chooses to stay in touch despite physical distance and busy schedules. Although I am now very much my own independent person, I still see family as a very important and defining portion of who I am today. I honestly cannot think of any values that I had as a child that I no longer feel are valid, as unusual as that may seem to many people. I still think that personal development is an important goal and this is my driving force in gaining a college degree. Nothing particularly is standing in the way, but the process itself takes a good deal of time but is worth it because it will result in my ability to have a good job and achieve security and wealth.

Values Ranking:

1) Creativity

2) Enjoyment

3) Independence

4) Personal Development

5) Family

6) Friendship

7) Loyalty

8) Security

9) Wealth

10) Wisdom

11) Personal Accomplishment

12) Integrity

13) Expertness

14) Service

15) Prestige

16) Location

17) Health

18) Community

19) Power

20) Leadership

Having never really taken the time to sit down and think about what values I hold and why I believe the things I do, Lewis’ writing, “A Question of Values: Six Ways We Make the Personal Choices that Shape Our Lives,” sent me on a fascinating psychological journey. Values are something that many of us simply take for granted and we simply assume that we believe and think the way that we do because it has simply always been that way or because we’ve grown up thinking in a certain manner. Lewis discusses the concept of an objective viewpoint or opinion stating that, “Ultimately, of course, nobody can ever be objective” (17). At first this concept caught me off guard because although it made sense, it seems contrary to how most of us live our lives. We defer to those that we consider to be “objective” about a given situation in our lives for advice on how to act or what decision to make. When I was trying to decide what to do about a crumbling relationship in my life, the immediate response that I had was to go to someone who knew both me and my significant other to determine what to do because they would be able to give me helpful advice without taking sides. In hindsight, that idea does not function within reality because all of us view the world through our own experiences and perspectives. Lewis stated the absurdity in the idea of being truly objective stating that because we are human, true objectivity will never be possible. “The author of this book may not be a specialist, he may not be committed in a professional sense to any of the six mental modes, but he is a human being: he has personal evaluations and beliefs of his own, and these will inevitably color what he writes” (Lewis 17).

I’m not generally a reader of blogs so I began to search the vast internet for an interesting bit of writing to respond to. After a Google search sent me to “The 100 Best, Most Interesting Blogs and Websites of 2015,” I scrolled through the lengthy list searching for a subject that interested more or an eye catching title. I eventually located a blogger who goes by the name “Dustin Curtis: Villian.” The title intrigued me so I scrolled through his posts until I found one about technology and fashion. These two worlds seem to very rarely collide in daily life so I was curious to see what the author had to say.

Dustin Curtis‘ blog post discussed the evolution of the automotive from a useful tool to a customizable object that could reflect the personality of the individual consumer. He talks about how car consumers are now often less concerned with the mechanical specifications of a vehicle than they are with the statement it makes. Curtis uses this pattern to transition from automotive to computers and the new Apple Watch. As the author points out, this is the first time that technology has appealed to the fashion forward and marketed a truly personal accessory. As one of the many consumers who is eager to purchase the watch as soon as it becomes available, this made a lot of sense to me. It is a wonder really that we have not seen this pattern come into existence earlier. We live in a technology centered world where we allow our various electronic devices to be digital leashes that we willingly wear and feel lost without. Although he does not get into much detail about what Apple’s latest product means for the technology market as a whole, I believe that if it is successful (and I have no doubt it will be), it will be the first of many fashion-oriented electronic devices. The millions of available designs for mobile phone cases is a clear indicator that we, the consumer love the ability to customize. Personalizing our technology is not a convenience but a statement about who we are, what are interests are and sometimes even an indication of economic status. The question remains, what will be next? There are now mobile applications to replace the physical wallet. Perhaps digital clothes will be something that we will see in our lifetime. There are few things that say more about a person’s interests than the clothes they choose to customize their appearance so this seems to be a logical next step.