Art and Revolution

When talking about "good art", sometimes I think good artists are really overlooked. Often "good art" is associated with realism in work, pieces that have that Trompe l' oeil quality, that looks so damn real you can touch it. That's all fine and dandy when it comes to the technical aspects of art such as skill, but what is art if it has no substance. A still life will forever remain just a still life, observational work will just be observational work. Good art tells stories, it results in several interpretations that presents questions. Good artists start conversations and evoke emotions, they are revolutionists within their culture. Artists such as Mark Bradford, David Choe, and Emory Douglas, let the reality of their culture dictate their work which is as realistic as you can get.

EMORY DOUGLAS

   Emory Douglas and The Black Panther Movement represents one of the strongest correlations of art and revolution. Most artistic movements throughout history stemmed from cultural and political issues. I admire Douglas because of his courage, the standard fears of persecution are not prevalent in his work. His prints were the icons of The Black Panther movement and everything they stood for.

   When presenting political issues in art, the artist has to make conscience decisions as to how they want the audience to perceive their work. Emory Douglas didn't sugar coat or mildly present his political concerns, he captured the reality of police brutality in African American neighborhoods in the 60s and even foreshadowed the consequences if the police continued.

Frankenstein's relationship with Gardener's Theory of Multiple Intelligence and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in chapters 11 and 12

In chapters 11 and 12, we get a sense of who the monster really is. Previously,the monster had been portrayed as scary and monstrous, but these chapters characterize the monster as intelligent. He is some what a human being, portraying Gardener's theory of multiple intelligence along with Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
As the monster explains his voyage through the wilderness to find Victor, his efforts suggest that he understands Gardener's theory of nature. While there, he is able to gather food and understand how fire works. His understanding of fire demonstrates that he has common logic. In result of touching the fire, he learns how situations follow with consequences. Also in the wilderness, he demonstrates geographical knowledge. He learns how to navigate himself through the woods and recognizes different signs of symbolism.
He also explains to Victor the incidents in which he exemplified intra and interpersonal relationships. At the point in which he learns that he needs shelter he then understands Maslow's level of safety. He ultimately finds a shed that neighbors a poor family. Unaware of what he's doing, he begins to steal the family's food and resources. He notices their shifts in mood and is able to understand that they are sad because they are poor and someone keeps stealing their food. So ultimately, the monster stops stealing their food.

Untitled

The due on the grass this morning was frozen
Trees transcending into forest green from light brick red
Smoke is escaping from the chimneys and the dirty exhaust pipes
Fog covers the skyline
Behind it, is the light of the sun
Faint pink dispersing as I get closer
Bless you

Though the traffic is still heavy
The rush is still going
It's hard to forget the atmosphere of the city
Even on this fall morning

Frankenstein ( Chapters 21 -23)

At this point in the book, you can get a sense that the climax is about to happen. Chapter 21 discusses the death of Henry Clerval, Victor's closest form of family that is outside of his family. However, with this catastrophe Victor still doesn't fully realize the importance of family. Sure he is emotionally sick but still he is selfish. The whole time after Henry's death, Victor is worried about himself. Worried about if the monster is going to get him next, will he be the next one murdered. The arrival of Victor's father, provides some type of relief of the trial and the death.
While writing Elizabeth, Victor begins to remember the treat of the monster. Victor decides if the monster were to come, he will fight back. This was initially when I thought the moment of anagnorisis was. I thought that since Victor was displaying some type of courage and strength, he was fed up. But I don't think that Victor truly made a turn around until Elizabeth's death. This is the point in which Victor make a critical discovery, in which he finds out that the moster knows how to make him hurt. The death of Elizabeth makes Victor become aware of the importance if friends and family.
The great contrast of fear and courage that is prevalent in these chapters contribute to the shift of the story. It's ironic that Victor is now chasing down the monster for the same revenge that the monster seeks when before he was running from the monster, he was running from responsibility. 

Mary Shelly's Views of Orientalism in Frankenstein(the novel)

Throughout the novel, Shelly mildly highlights the views of orientalism. Her views are most prevalent in chapters 13 and 14. In these chapters, she introduces new characters, Safie, and Safie's father, the Turk. Safie is characterized as a middle eastern woman who comes to Germany to visit Felix. Her character traits suggest that she is somewhat mystical, throughout the chapter Shelly emphasizes Safie's beauty and flawlessness that are parallel with the views of orientalism.
Safie is the Jasmine of the book. Her unique and unrealistic qualities are the same that the famous Disney princess has. Essentially, Safie is a princess. Even more so when, we learn that Felix will drop everything to be with her even though she is a stranger. She also possesses her princess like quality when she leaves the middle east because she fed up,just as Jasmine did in the movie Aladdin. The way Shelly characterized Safie alone, contributes to Mary Shelly orientalist views. U.S. Westerners that practice orientalism characterize women of the middle east as women who are glorified because of their beauty, but are to oppressed to become anything other than a beautiful woman. The however part of their view directly correlates to Shelly's stronghold of Safie from her father, the Turk.

Into The Wild (Movie Review)

Scrolling down LetMeWatchThis.com's drama genre movie list, I was slightly captivated by this movie's cover photo. Thus, I clicked on it and read the description, reluctant to watch, but I did. This movie is definitely one of those movies that you don't understand until you've watched half of it. Partly because it shifts in time and starts with a semi- frame story.  Or maybe because the plot isn't clear until you get to the end of the movie.
The main character, Chris, takes on a hidden persona in which he finds his true identity. Before doing so, you learn that he is very much interested in nature and peacefulness in the world. A world free of troubles and worries. He resents material items and is disappointed on the dependence of them in the world so he starts a new life fully dependent on the world's organic materials. Essentially, the whole movie is following his new life and shifts back and forward between his old one,his present one(in which he prepares for his voyage to Alaska), and his future one(in Alaska). The scenes of his old life explain and demonstrate his reasons of wanting to start a new life and not be found. Ultimately, Alex(his new name) burns all his records of identity, abandons his car, and family, and becomes unknown.
While interesting, this movie is bland. Most of the footage is similar, which makes it hard to distinguish then scenes and how I'm supposed to interpret it. Thus, when I got half way through the movie I was bored. At one point, I feel asleep. However, what I do admire is the raw scenes in the movie. The footage of the wildlife and snow seems true, just like you were there,experiencing it yourself. I think one has to be in touch with nature to truly enjoy this movie. In addition, to even stay focused during the movie.

Preface and Letters(Frankenstein)

The opening letters of the preface serve as the framestory of "Frankstein,"the book. The letters reveal a character by the name of Robert Walton,who is the romantic hero of the preface.Walton actions demonstrates that he is a very determined man who plans on taking a boat trip so he can explore new areas in the north. Walton also explains how his new voyage to the north is inspired by failures in other areas of his life. He was once very interested in poetry, but he lacked astetic and creativity,so his skill were rejected by society. However, even though Walton has experienced such defeat with his past goals, his optimism and aspiration toward his new goals draws the audience in to how he views his life,romantically.
Well advanced on his voyage, Walton and his crew meets a mysterious man as they are stuck in a frozen ocean. In his letters to his sister, Walton explains how the strange man looks exhausted. Later, the man explains that he is exhausted, he has been looking for someone a long time. Later on in the book, you will find this man to be Victor Frankenstein, who is looking for the monster he created. In result, Victor's body is drained and he's suffering from fatigue. At this point, Walton's character serves as a foil to Victor's character.
After first meeting Victor, Walton immediately begins to care for him and nurse him back to health. Walton's caring qualities highlights Victor's tough exterior that he portrays to Walton. Victor eventuallly sheds a couple of layers and begins to trust Walton. They begin to exchange their stories and their lessons of life.
At the end of the framestory, the stranger gives Walton encouragement, he tells him not to fail in life as he had. Walton's last letter to his sister ends with Victor promising to tell his story, and his story begins with the novel of "Frankenstein."

Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap

This movie highlights Hip Hop as a movement, a culture that includes b girls, b boys, MCs, rappers etc. After watching this movie you definitely will understand that Hip Hop is not just rap but it's a revolution composed of girls, boys, women and men that portray their struggles and happy times through various forms of art.

Throughout the movie, director and retired rapper, Ice T, speaks to various popular hip hop artists.The dialogue and the style of the documentary is raw and unedited. Each artist explains their craft through and the process they go through to create masterpieces. The individual conversations gives you personal incite to the rapper's mind. Ice T also make the decision of including a rap from each of those individuals specifically about how they feel about hip hop. I appreciate the personal accounts and antidotes that contribute to the movie as a whole.

What also stood out to me about the documentary was its transitional effects. While transitioning to each artist; cityscape ,bird's eye view, footage is shown. While traveling over the cityscape, acapella rap is recited.  The spoken word without instrumental forces you to listen to the lyrics and interpret them in such the way that the artist intended.

Though a little lengthy, this is a really good view for audiences interested in the pop culture of hip hop. But just as the movie says, if you don't understand hip hop then you will not relate nor appreciate this movie.The diversity of the artists brings together their central messages about hip hop and what it takes to write a rap and what it takes to perfect its craft.

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