CHAPTER 3 REVIEW

In Chapter 3 of his book McCloud discusses the relationship between different scenes in comics. McCloud talks about transitions between ideas and transition among different sections of comics. He states that the presentation that the comic takes on greatly contributes to how the viewer perceives the comic. McCloud also reviews the different types of comics that have been apparent in history and in other cultures. The author greatly stresses the large emphasis on comics in Japan. However, the Japanese view of comics is greatly different than how Americas perceive comics.

In Chapter 4 of the book, McCloud discusses time frames. Contents that occur in the frames can alter the duration of the comic. Also, regardless of how many panels the comic features, durations can vary over periods of time. A task of the illustrator or animator when constructing a comic is to have the viewer accurately perceive the comics as they are meant to be interpreted. Time and space can sometimes be irrelevant in comics if the subject matter does not relate to either of those items. I enjoyed the running man jumping scene that McCloud illustrated on pages 108 and 109. 

READER JOHN CAGE

From the excerpt in the book, John Cage seems to be a modern Renaissance man, to say the least. He is widely known not only as an artist, but as a pianist and a music theorist as well. Throughout the chapter it is apparent that Cage is pursuing an art that goes beyond individual expression. Cage also insists that the true function of art in our time is to open up the minds and hearts of contemporary men ad women to the immensity of changes, in order that the might be able to "wake up to the very life" they are living in the modern world.
Part of the chapter also chronicles Cage's history as a young boy and a budding musician and artist. Cage made an interesting point at the part in the chapter where it discuses his schooling and education. He says that one day the history teacher assigned the class a reading in the text. Cage said that the "idea of everyone reading the exact same information just revolted me." He decided to go to the library and read things that had relevance to the topic and he ended up getting an A on the paper. Cage is also well versed in theatre as well as the chapter continues to explain. Cage's ambitions inspire me to explore more fields as an artist.

FREE WRITE WEEK FIVE

As I sit in the library, thinking of what to write next, I can't help but talk about the last relationship I was in that taunts me everyday. It all started last June when my friend introduced me to a girl from his high school that I found extremely attractive and nice to talk to. Throughout my high school career, I had my flings here or there but never had a serious girlfriend. The girl I met through Korey ended being the best girl I've ever been with as I was what I thought in love with her. One reason this girl really meant a lot to me was the way she influence my life with drugs and alcohol. Although I make huge mistakes in the past regarding her and myself, I cherish the memories we had and hope for more like that in the near future. I feel like i was a better, sober person when we were together and since breaking up, I haven't stayed particularly on track. I sit here and think,
do i do all this because of her, or do i do all this because of me.


I write this as my free write to finally confess how shocked I still am to this day about what happened between us. When love someone day in and out, eating, living, breathing them some how turned into nothingness; it almost feels like she died. My grandmother passed away recently and I know I'll never see her again. It's crazy to me the thought of someone's actual death on Earth, and the metaphorical death of a loving relationship. Like I will never get to hold my grandma close in my arms again, I will never get the soft kiss of my dream girl again.

FREE FORM: 4/27/11

READER ROBERT RAUSCHENBERG

          Robert Rauchenberg is yet another artist that used non-traditional materials in his work. Just like Duchamp, Robert Rauchenberg used these materials in innovative ways to promote though among the viewer. The thing I found most interesting about Robert Rauchenberg is not only his use of non-traditional materials in his work, but the source of these materials. Rauchenberg often took pieces of trash and useless items off the street home with him only to later incorporate these things into his work. Rauchenberg's quote on this subject sums up his ideals as an artist, " I wanted something other than what I could make myself and I wanted to use the surprise and the collectiveness and the generosity of finding surprises. And if it wasn't a surprise at first, by the time I got through with it, it was. So the object itself was changed by its context and therefore it became a new thing."

CRIT RESPONSE DOS

Just like last section, I was stoked on the art presented in class in our confession project. As all of the confessions presented so far had to do with relationships or personal hardships, today's crit was different as a couple of students presented work based on religious iconography and traditions. One piece that I truly enjoyed and wish I could own would be the stained glass mural designed by Eddie. My mother and I have always had a thing for collecting stained glass at the beach and other stained glass art we could find at consignment stores. To see Eddie's piece about his mother and her religious background struck a cord with me as I could relate. It was fascinating to see the connection everyone made in class to religion without any explanation. I would like to do a piece like that of Eddie's and admire his hard work.

Another piece I enjoyed that was somewhat religious based in personal narrative was the performance from Ashley. As Ashley gave her confession out loud in front of the class with spotlight and alter in front of her, she read her confession that hit deep in her emotions as she began to cry as she read. As she went on I thought that she was confessing or venting what she never got to say to an ex-boyfriend or old friend, but at the end of the performance piece, she announced that the confession to God. I was surprised to hear she was confessing to God, but the setting for her piece and the dramatics of it was the right tone. One thing I could suggest to make this performance better would be to recite it free hand so it wouldn't seem as if the letter was going to a physical person rather than God.

WEEK FIVE LECTURE RESPONSE

      In response to yesterdays lecture, I was once again shocked by the hilarious and meaningful art that Kip presented in class whether it was photographs or video.

      In response to the first video we watched entitled My Father's Lunch by Tony Mendoza, I couldn't help but laugh as we watched the everyday adventures of Tony's  father every luchtime. Personal Narrative is extremely important to fully comprehending some art; this piece in particular is special to Tony rather than the estranged audience because as we just watch an elderly man ordering food at Burger King, Tony is watching the mundane simplicites of his father that he will remember forever.

     One artist I found interesting in this lecture was the work from Sally Mann. When I was younger, my mom was obsessed with taking photos every chance she could to make a collection of memories of our childhood. Sally Mann's photography is extremely naturalistic and simple in it shows her children in action in their natural habitat.
    As much as I enjoyed the photos and the personal narrative it gave to the audience, I have to admit I could do without the nudity. Like early sculptures from Greek and Roman artists, I dislike the emphasis artists use on showing the human body naked. Not to say I'm afraid or embarrassed around naked figures, but i think it takes away from the arts true meaning sometimes taking away the focus of the art.