Narrative Digital Collage

I decided to make a collage of an imaginary experience. My collage represents all the elemenents that make up a peaceful environment. It has things ranging from music, nature and religion. I am a very peaceful person and I just imagine a serene enviroment where there is no evil and only good surrounds me, happiness and love.

Sculpture Center Reaction

       It was my first time attending The Sculture Center. My very first impression of the place as I walked in was curiosity. It was explained that it was small but that the artworks presented were supposed to be admiring. I didn't know what to expect as my eyes started to wonder around. I am not very familiar with museums given the fact that I don't frequent then as often as I should. But this one to me seemed to be different from the rest and I was interested at once.

       One sculpture that couldn't be missed was the "A Joia Do Orixa" by Sanford Biggers. It was the tallest sculptor there and because it was so tall and displayed in such a way, it meant it was craving for attention. Not only did it get my attention because it was so tall but because I soon realized it was a doll, and not just any doll, a voodoo doll! Things related to voodoo freak me out and this one was no different. The space given to this piece was crucial because it was placed where the viewer couldn't miss it's presence. To me the colors also played a significant role because they were bright against the open space. The place was slightly dark but not too much and so it allowed the colors to shine. I don't feel this particular sculpture would have had the same effect wanted if the space had been different. Had the sculpture been placed in a bright room with similar colors surrounding it, it wouldn't have obtained the same kind of appreciation and uniqueness as it did in the space that it had been placed.

       Although I was impressed by many of the photographs that I encountered in the narrow and dark space of the lower level I couldn't help but be captured by the videos as well. One of the videos that I witnessed and couldn't stop watching was "Dame of the World". It was a documentary of an old woman who was one of Americas first female artists. The space where this video was located was interesting. It was dark and the only light was the one escaping from the tv. You couldn't help but be compelled to know what it was about. It was a perfect space because your thoughts and your attention automatically focused on the documentary. If the screen had been placed somewhere else the effect wouldnt have been the same because there could have been other things in one small place trying to capture the viewers attention. It was just a small dark room with the big screen and nothing all.

       Another piece of art that captured my attetion was a white, worn out jacket just left hanging on the wall. It was in the basement, where it was a dark with a very narrow hallway. I couldn't believe the artists had chosen to present their art in this extremely scary enviornment. But at the same time it made sense given the type of art that was here. The front of the jacket was facing the wall and the back was the side meant to be see and read. It had words of encouragement and words that wanted to prove someone wrong. Whoever came up with the words seemed to be determined and willing to fight for what he/she belived in. I do think the jacket was placed in the right place because given the fact that it was so dark, the jacket couldn't be missed because it was white and it had a significant small amount of light shining on it. Had it been placed somewhere differently like a white room the meaning wouldn't have been the same. It did give you kind of a creepy feeling to it too though.
       Overall the sculpture center was pretty amazing. I was just very happy and relived I didnt have to witness the attractive art in the basement by myself. Most of all I was thankful the big voodoo doll hadn't been placed in that dark basement because I probably would have run back upstairs. The videos were really interesting and the photographs too. The space and place provided for these very specific pieces couldn't have been better.


Sanford Biggers
"A Joia Do Orixa
2011

Rona Yefman
"Dame of the World"
2011

Rona Yefman
"Born Fighter and Scrapper"
2011

Design in Our Lives Reaction

      In this time period, humans have come to the point where they depend on technology. Almost everyone is obsessed with some sort of gadget. However technology and ergonomics have affected us, there is one thing for sure, the impacts made have been constructive. Without these new ideas and designs it wouldn't have been possible to achieve and improve the lives of so many. This is why people all over the world continue to create and expand their ideas, making our everyday lives easier.
      Ergonomics play a big role on the major changes and the new rise of ideas coming foward. Although these devices are meant to bring new changes, their functionalty varies. One particular design that seemed to me of very good use was the "Glow Caps". It's an idea I found to be very brilliant because so many could benefit from this, especially the elderly. The purpose for these special prescription pills is to monitor and allow the prescription to be taken properly. It goes as far as to give the patient a call as a reminder to take their pill. It is highly functional, it's definitely something that serves a grear purpose from children to the elderly.
      The "EyeWriter" was another high functional device that caught my attention and kept me reading once I spot it. It was created for an L.A artist who was left paralyzed throughout his whole body except for his eyes. Rather than being left with nothing to live for anymore but spend the rest of his life in bed, he was given the chance to keep practicing his art through his eyes! Who woud have though such a thing would be possible, but it was and served a purpose in the life of that artist. The device created can be used and even improved for so many others with a similar condition. It's high functionality allows this idea to be considered for future creations that would make it possible to make a significant change in the lives of many more.
      Although I was impressed with many of the ergonomics I observed, there were also several I encountered that really served no purpose at all. One perfect example of a low functionality work would be the "Talk To Yourself Hat". When I saw it I was curious because I've never seen anything like it before and I wondered about it.I realized that it was basically as the name given self explanatory. When I was done readin the discription I though it was pretty awesome because sometimes some people do need their space and privacy. Although I found it to be funny I classified it as a low functionalty creation because I believe I was more focused on the purpose and impact it would have on society rather than on making people laugh.
      The "Call me, Choke me" was another form of device that I found to be of low functionality. This device is supposed to inflict pain if wrapped around the neck. The pain is inflicted whenever the person receives a call, the device will activate even if the person decides not to answer the call. I found the device to be funny but at the same time I didn't feel a could serve a useful purpose in society. However I think with some changes and improvements it probably could. I was thinking maybe it could be of good use if it was used on terorrists.
       Ergonomic can serve a great purpose on society, wether it's to improve the life of someone or the creation of fun and amusing things. I determined my high funtional items on the intentions for their creations. I was looking at how these ergonomic devices could progress our society as a whole. The low functionalty items were classified as such because although they were funny and intresting, to me their purpose didn't serve a great purpose for society.



David Rose
"Glow Caps"
2010

TEMPT1 & Theo Watson
"EyeWriter"
2009

Kate Hartman
"Talk to Yourself Hat"
2006

Gunnar Green
Call me, Choke me
2008