A Comparison of Sorts

"Untitled"

photographic print on fiber paper

Michelle Anderson

"Untitled"
photographic print on fiber paper

Michelle Anderson

Feet are an interesting subject in general, but especially when they are the object of a photograph. Some may say it weird or may even be grossed out by feet, but others are ok with them or may even have a fetish for them. For me, i'm more of just ok with them and don't think too much into it. I do however think that both feet and hands say a lot about a person if thought about in the right context. We can see if they are maybe a dancer or runner or soccer player or something that requires one to be on their feet or using their feet a lot. From the two photographs, i like the second of the untitleds best. For some reason it just seems to stand out from the other one. Also, i like that their are two pairs of feet but that they go every other which signifies the legs of the two people having to be crossed. To me, this shows a romantic interaction between people and one that may even have very much importance. I feel the intimacy of it and can get a good sense of caring from it as well. The first picture on the other hand doesn't do a whole lot for me. I do get a little sense of calming and relaxation from it, but it doesn't evoke as much of an emotion from me. I guess i'm not a qualified photographer or artist in any way really, but at the same time i don't see a ton of originality or creativity in either of them. I just don't get a specialness or quality to them as i think could and should be found in art and photography. Isn't there a saying that pictures are worth a thousand words? Well i think that the talent is there , but just that there either needs to be more inspiration or more of a creative or outside of the box thought process. I would like to see future stuff that got away from her current focus and allowed her to explore and experience a little.

Analyzing and Changing of Meaning in Advertisements

Analyzing and Changing of Meaning in Advertisements

The setting is the early 2000's and it is a late night, classy get together. The subjects are the bottle of whisky and the cork. The focus is the bottle and how the goodness is assumed, and not by having to smell the cork. The other ideas or images in the ad are the glass with the ice and drink and also the idea of smelling the cork and getting the quality through that. The meaning behind this ad is that no matter where or when, you just know for a fact that "Dewar's 12" is the best whisky that can be bought and that there is no reason to doubt that. The ad is appealing mostly to the male crowd, but possibly also to the female group that enjoys a good scotch whisky. The assumptions that might go along with this ad is the relationship or generalization between alcohol and alcoholism or the stereotype surrounding alcohol and the consumption of it. The makers of the ad are trying to draw in a specific drinking crowd that is consistent with liquor and enjoy their whisky the most. The ad does not seem to be designated one specific age or race, but there is a slight lean towards middle aged males more so than anything else. The text and the images blend well together and the cork draws in the audience and almost gets one to even try taking a whiff of the aroma. The product is being shown, but it is in tandem with the grandeur lifestyle that is being presented along with it. The ad is saying that "Dewar's" is good year after year and that the drinker's life will go according to that as well. As a possible shopper of this product, i would possibly be interested but would need to take a close examination of the details to be certain. I'm not much of a liquor man myself and when i do it's only a few select brands so i guess one could say I'm a little picky. I might venture and make a one-time experience with the product and depending on the outcome there would be a determination as to my future use with the product.

This ad would have seemed to appear somewhere in the late 1970's and would also seem to be more of a fancy or night time scenario. There are two main subjects in this ad and they are the car the and the woman. The other key images in the advertisement are the woman's position and outfit and also the bold lettering of words such as: the photographer (Jean-Charles) and the name of the car ("Pacer"). The general meaning behind this advertisement would be that if you get a "Pacer" you can get girls like the one shown and that it doesn't require much more effort than that. It is most likely that this ad was sometime around '78 to be specific, due to the fact that the "Pacer" was introduced in 1978 although lots of searching and researching did not dig up the date of this ad. This picture was found through the forum of the magazine "Antique Automobile Club of America". The advertisement would mainly be an appeal to a majority guy audience that is looking for an efficient and stylish car. The ad could also go in another direction and attract a female audience in that you can be sexy and appealing like the woman in the ad if only you drive that car. There are certain signs though that would suggest that this ad is designed more for a white middle-class than any one else. The text doesn't say much, but to just allow the name of the car and the picture to speak for the ad itself. This advertisement is both showing the product and promoting a lifestyle at the same time. Again, they are saying that this car is the way to go and that along the road the times will be good with a smooth ride and gorgeous babe. As a potential client, i would need much further detail into the price and workings of the car. I don't know nearly enough important information or anything about the car that i could base a decision off of. I'm only seeing that the car is called a "Pacer" and that it makes girls interested if a guy drives one.

Art First Hand

These two portraits were on display at the exhibit of: Billy Fry, Kate McIntosh, and Molly Parker Smith. The two particular pieces you see here were drawn by Billy Fry. The darker image is titled "45 Minute Portrait" and the lighter image is titled "30 Minute Portrait". I chose these two pieces of work because as soon as i walked into the gallery they both struck me, but on opposite sides of the room. As soon as i discovered the story behind both of them after an answered question gave the explanation behind the titles and the process of the pieces. I was really interested in these two because at first look i would have titled them opposite than how they are now. As I talked to Mr. Fry after the session, i learned more about his hurried style of drawing and also how music influences his art work often (as you can see the headphones in his ears). The "45" one seems to have a rough texture as well as dark lines and a dark shadowed outline to the portrait. The "30" one seemed to have a flow to it as well as lighter lines and a smooth texture to it. These pieces were a reminder to me that not all artists take time to create their work, but can use their own style to create the desired image. I was pleased to be able to choose these works and discuss a little bit about them. Unfortunately I was unable to get Mr. Fry to elaborate on exactly why he did them. but it would seem that he himself was in a comparison to see and challenge himself as to what he could do when forced to draw for longer than normal. It made him really look at himself and try something out of his comfort zone possibly. I really enjoyed being able to attend and i liked a lot of the other pieces on display in the gallery and i would also like to thank the artists for taking the time to talk to us and answer our questions. Much appreciated.

Perspective

First and foremost, perspective is an individuals point of view and everybody has a different one even if the piece of art or picture is pushing the audience to look in a certain perspective. I disagree with da Vinci when he said, "Have we not seen pictures which bear so close a resemblance to the actual thing that they have deceived both men and beasts?" I feel that that is a big part of what art is. People, and artists especially take the image that is formed in their mind of the world and puts it into some form of art. This is to say that the piece is the artists reality as they see it. I believe that the artist has free reign over their own work and can depict anything as they see fit, whether it be a really distorted world or that which is indiscernible from an actual photo of the same. Also, pictures and art may offer up different information from different perspectives. This allows the audience open to decide on their own what the artist was trying to represent through their work and why something is one way and then completely different another way. I also believe that through perspectives, art allows itself to be open to interpretation, which in turn opens up civil discussion over a piece and the meaning it holds.

Cartoon Artist or Philosopher

I like to think that Adams was using art to either directly or indirectly reference the world and the journey people take to find themselves. I believe that by making mistakes in life, it allows us to learn from them and further our knowledge about ourselves. This learning and making of mistakes involves creativity all around, because creativity is exactly what we project day in and day out as individuals. This long journey of using creativity and making mistakes will eventually work towards the final destination, which is when you know exactly who you are and are perfectly content with their situation. This is also not achieved by all unfortunately, but this is art when we realize what traits and characteristics we would like to keep. My personal story involves a dramatic moment my senior year when i tore my ACL and made a change in friends. It forced me to have to be myself and discover new things all over again. This in turn made me grow as a person and learn new things about myself. I still continue to grow day after day as i make mistakes and learn from them, but i strive to better myself.

Voyeurism?

In a way yes i do agree with the statement that i am a voyeur. I had never thought of it like that. It does stand true for movie goers and those in attendance at plays, musicals, etc. We the audience are receiving a sneak peek into a world different than the current one we're living. Along with the sneak peek, we have omniscient knowledge of the situation in most cases or are able to see and hear what those involved cannot. The difference though, is that Jimmy Stewart although limited, was able to act upon what he was seeing and audience members can't do that same thing. This realism does not make me feel bad or embarrassed at all. It now gives me a new perspective with which to watch movies with. It will allow me to experience film and entertainment in a whole new light. I look forward to seeing what this new perspective holds for me in the future.

The Power of Gaze in Art

The gaze is an act that does not include straining or forcefully staring at a piece or object which might normally be assumed. Gaze refers more so to the power behind one looking and thus the understanding, emotions, and other involvements that are received or given off in the process. When one looks at a piece of art, there is a reason for the look from the beginning. It might not necessarily be a good or bad one, but something about that work drew you to it. Through the gaze, one should be able to make some kind of relation between themselves and the object of interest. This relation could be anything from seeing themselves or wanting themselves to be in the art to admiration of the colors or interest in the location of the piece. Art could also be set-up so that only a certain gender or a certain culture would have a desire to "gaze". Overall, gaze holds power in it that allows the spectator to critique, judge, or just enjoy while also offering up emotions and desires that might be emitted by the spectator. Gaze is fundamentally important in the admiration of art and the appreciation of the entire spectrum of art as well as the artists and everything behind it that went into the work.