Just Happy To Be Here

My piece is a digital piece inspired from the chapter “Remedies” in Sabrina and Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine. The specific moment is when their grandmother finally comes to help get rid of the lice that was brought into their home by the girl’s half brother who almost acts as a symbol of the father who left. Their mother breaks down after not being able to get rid of the lice and trying so hard for Harrison to be included in their family. Finally realizing that it is not her place to take care of everyone when she can’t manage it. Accepting help and accepting a bit of weakness. This chapter was one I really related to myself, having my own half brother whose family caused a lot of problems for my family, including attempting to use me as a pathway to my father. It can be really hard to realize you don’t owe people anything, even if they are blood. I really appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this class, and I hope that everyone has a healthy and safe year!

This book was honestly a pleasant read. Being able to read stories about overcoming abuse and devastation as a family really hits home for me. Especially since it takes place in Denver. Seeing these families in these short stories going through violence and an unfair hand from life is very humbling and allows more people to be able to have a look into these lives allowing for varying points of view on life. Although these are stories, they feel very real. The narration really makes you feel right there with the main character of each story, living and experiencing the rough parts of life with them. I think being given the opportunity to read and experience these stories was a highlight of this pretty rough semester as a way of realizing my life is still good and I should be happy with how things are going for me. 

I hope you guys enjoy my little drawing and have a great weekend!

To Scatter

It’s always horrible to hear about what people of color and those with disabilities had to go through to entertain those who saw them as something other than human. Seeing each of the examples listed for different years was honestly shocking and sickening. Putting these unconsenting people on display and dismissing their lives and cultures is despicable. Although later on when Fusco was talking about the children and how they treated her performance it was like a small bit of hope rose in my chest. Like maybe their is still hope for people to be treated with proper respect if they’re not taught otherwise by a racist societal influence like their parents. Seeing the end was a bit disheartening with the talk about the lawsuit and not being able to protect their rights as an experimental artist. My only hope is she made it out without a major amount of money lost and she continued to do her performances to try and move people.

(Sources are in video description)

Technical Exercise 3 -  I thought this song and Tangled went really well together overall with the tone and vibe. The song is called Téir Abhaile Riú by Celtic Woman. I hope you enjoy!

Projection: Vanishing and Becoming by Sean Cubitt -  I enjoyed reading Cubitt’s to see the history of the idea of projecting images. When he talks about using a flashlight and hand shadows to begin to talk about the beginning of modern moving images. Since I imagine many people in their lives have made little shadow puppet animals with their hands as children. Also the use of Plato’s allegory of the cave to discuss how the early idea of projection had more negative connotations. Overall I find the reading an interesting look into something that many don’t think of the complexity of today. The amount of work that goes into making a piece of cinema is immense and to think about how the idea of projected images has evolved overtime is really amazing. I only wonder what it would be like to bring someone from the past to the present and show them a modern movie. If it was me I would probably be in awe.  Making Art: Form and Meaning - Chapter 6: Time and Motion by Terry Barrett - Barrett’s chapter on time and motion is very knowledgeable in how different depictions of time in art works. I really like the use of still images the show motion. Two that I found showed me the most motion personally was Cataract 3 by Bridget Riley, that gives off a feeling of motion from tricking the eye in an optical illusion, and Queen of Hearts Playing Card Hit by a .30 Calibre Bullet which feels almost like a slow-mo shot in a 007 movie. It also ties to Cubitt’s writing with the use of recorded/projected time and movement. Since time and movement is very easily shown in recordings since you’re taking things as they happen. Replaying every second that you want to show, and every step you want people to see. Overall both pieces are interesting and offer an interesting and historical insight into an often overlooked part of film and art.