Blog #8: Seeing #2, pg. 522

The Mercedes automobile company is very well known. In addition, its three-pointed star symbol is an extremely powerful icon viewed and recognized all over the world. After researching the symbol, I came to find out the symbol represents Emill Jellinek’s wish to build motors, which could be used on water, land and air. Later, the symbol was combined with the Benz laurel wreath, a symbol of victory and glory. The Mercedes Ad clearly speaks a message to its intended audience. The “powerful idea” that comes to my mind when looking at the symbol is expensive, fast, and extremely safe. Most people who look at this symbol think whoever drives this car must be rich and have lots of money to spend. While my mother drives a Mercedes, I still think of this message when I see others driving this vehicle.

There are many powerful ideas behind the icons posted on the page before the ad. Some of these icons include Santa, representing a holiday figure, Roses representing love, Telephone representing communication back in the old days, Eagle for patriotism, American Flag for Patriotism, Piggy Bank representing money, and a stoplight-representing Stop. It is very true that every icon has a purpose and meaning as to why it looks the way it does. One reasonable inference I made when looking over this ad is how all these icons are well known and easy to place a message for. They are all worldwide icons that most everyone would be able to identify and recognize. In similarity, the Mercedes Benz icon is worldwide and holds a powerful meaning to those who take the time to glance over it carefully.

When the writer reassures us that we can identify the images in “a split second” and “know exactly what they mean”, it clearly states that once we are exposed to an icon, we tend to not forget what it means. Whether it is as simple as a smilie face or as uncommon as a telephone, we all can admit we will be able to identify the icon in most cases. In order for a company, such as Mercedes Benz, to make an icon that stands out as unique and special, it is extremely important to have text available to further understand the deeper meaning of what it really stands for. Words such as safe, fast, and innovative, all declare the icon is powerful and in “a split second” someone should be able to remember what its primary purpose is to society.

This ad is a great example of how we should become more familiar with icons we glance over day-to-day. If we simply paid more attention as to what each image is portraying, we would be able to better understand the message and reasoning behind it all.

The picture I attached in this link below is an image I feel represents technology and society in general today. The iPhone and Mac company have changed the way communication works. This icon is a prime example of an image most would be able to identify and give a meaning to.

http://www.alleba.com/blog/wp-content/photos/apple_iphone.jpg

Blog #7: Rhetorically Analyzed Image

This presented image portrays what many would suggest, a seductive gift. The dark haired, young female tied up with a bright rose ribbon clearly states she is offering herself to a partner or rather expecting the same gift in return from that special someone. While this gift may either be sexual or non-sexual, the look in her eyes suggests she is quite determined to receive such a present.

Perhaps this image is taken around the month of Valentines Day and the pink bow is there to represent the action of love, sex, and marriage. The bow clearly is the most significant object in the image, as it draws the attention away from the young female. The pink color of the bow is further enhanced by the color of her pink shirt. The use of long black dark hair, shadows, vibrant make-up and radiant blue eyes, creates a representation far greater than a simple bow wrapped around the mouth. The image could have very well been sent via email or text messaging, which most definitely laid a larger impact on the receiver on the other end.

Through the use of this image, the photographer primarily focuses on the male audience. This image may draw many thoughts to males regarding their girlfriend, especially around the month of Valentines Day. Somewhat an awakening theme to males, the picture allows men to determine whether their love is sufficient or consequently lacking.

With the use of colors, symbols, and objects, this image does a wonderful job manifesting the theme of love and partnership. While the photographer represents such an image distinctively, the seductive aspect of it all may certainly be a negative image for young teenagers to view and obtain. Even though the argument may be that this image is not sexual, it reinforces the idea that relationships involve giving and taking between two people.

The link I chose to include for this image is a picture of a couple sharing a drink. The idea that they are both sharing a drink with two different straws represents something similar to the theme of the image I analyzed. Two people must put in equal amounts to obtain a functional relationship.
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/business/consuminginterests/blog/valentinesday.jpg

Blog #6: Seeing #2, pg. 453

Amy Tan and Stanley Crouch both share their own unique story, yet share the common theme of assimilation. Throughout Tan’s “Fish Cheeks”, it clear to see she is exploring the powerful, yet sometimes inhibiting influence of culture and her personal genetic background. During the course of Christmas Eve dinner, her parents are presented with her boyfriend. While many parents would especially act well mannered, this story shows just the opposite. “My relatives licked the ends of their chopsticks and reached across the table, dipping into the dozen or so plates of food”, gives a wonderful visual of the action taking place for Amy and her boyfriend Robert. While Amy may infact find this behavior quite normal in her every-day life, this certainly appears new to Robert and as a result he most likely questions her family’s traditions. Tan does an incredible job manifesting the emotions she feels throughout the evening of embarrassment. Such words as, cried, disappointment, despair, wanting to disappear, and stunned, all allow the reader to feel what she is experiencing. While the story appears quite devastating and full of embarrassment, Amy concludes it’s not all about the outside appearance. Her mother ends the evening with a valuable lesson, “You must be proud you different. You only shame is be ashame.” While Amy may want to be like all the other American girls, she will always remain Chinese on the inside and that genetic background should not affect the way people view her as an individual.

In contrast, Stanley Crouch pulls in more life stories that support his understanding of assimilation. According to Crouch, assimilation has been seen as the destruction of true identity. Throughout this historical analysis of race, sexism and Americanism, it is clear that assimilation is not always as easy as it’s thought to be. The intermingling of cultural influences is what truly makes assimilation superior in our nation today. America has simply become what Crouch describes as, a melting pot. With hundreds of different race, sexual orientations, religions and languages, our nation is full of a mix of cultures rather than one by itself. As Crouch states, “American identity is never fixed or final; we are always working toward a better and deeper recognition of how to make one out of the many.” This idea that we as a population are consistently adding more to our melting pot is quite compelling. While it maintains its identity, new layers are constantly added as we continue coming together. With the historical information and personal witnessing in Watts, he primarily focuses on black separatism. The main message from Crouch states, “Our surface differences are far less important than what we have in common and what we will ourselves to be, as men and women and Americans.”

While both stories differ from one another, they are also very similar. Amy Tan’s description of her family’s Christmas Eve Dinner in “Fish Cheeks” focused primarily on staying true to your genetic cultural background even when its tempting to put on a mask of what is the norm. Likewise, Stanley Crouch’s story of “Goose-Loose Blues for the Melting Pot” leads the message that we as a society and larger nation are full of unique individuals. The intermingling of cultures is great- fresh ideas are brought into our education, entertainment, music and much more. If we can begin accepting who are, as Amy Tan did herself, we can move forward and accept cultures as a whole, as Stanley Crouch encourages us to do.

For my link, I chose to include is a picture of the common world globe. Instead of the well-known globe, I found one with several people of different cultures, representing a nation as a whole. The idea of the melting pot is symbolized in this photograph.

http://www.lili.org/forlibs/ce/sable/course2/images/world.jpg

Blog #5: Pg. 419, "Seeing" #2

Nikki S. Lee did a great job manifesting the theme of racism and need for equality. Throughout the selection of five different photographs, this theme was presented in such a way that really leaves an impact on the viewer. All five pictures share a common point- everyone is close together and with those similar to each other. Lee carefully chose pictures that would illustrate every culture or physical appearance, rather than focusing on one alone.

The British, the Punk, the Hispanics, the Asians, and Senior Citizens all demonstrate the concept of accepting others equally. I found it especially intriguing that Lee placed herself in each of the five photos. This action allows the readers to see her featured in her own work. In an effort to analyze these photographs, it is appropriate to conclude everyone has something different about them but those differences are what bring us all close together.

My overall impressions of Lee’s work absolutely amaze me. The little details, such as the British flag, office cubicle, doorstep, street and beach, all symbolize more differences within this selection of pictures. As mentioned, “Ethnicity, like race, is a social construct rather than a biological attribute, and both terms are the product of historical processes.” This is entirely evident throughout these photographs Lee distributes. While we are all born with a genetic background (Asian, Hispanic, African American, Caucasian), society plays a huge role in determining our race and ethnicity. These pictures emphasize that race depends on society’s influence as well as our culture.

With racial issues occurring still today, we as a society should come to the conclusion that we are all equal and deserve to be considered meaningful. If every one of these pictures contained all Asians, or all Hispanics, etc, society would remain boring and plain. Lee’s photographs hold a hopeful message that one day the world will treat one another with the same respect we all should receive.

For my link, I chose a picture of a group of individuals who all bond, yet all hold a different ethnicity. While we all may appear physically different, having a cultural lifestyle is one of the most important things we can experience throughout life.

http://www.lovesites.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/interracial-dating.jpg

Blog #4: Pg. 341

The speaker of “Girl” is a mother who certainly cares deeply about her daughter. While the advice the mother is throwing out occurs in a list-format, it is obvious her primary goal is to give her daughter the important life-lessons that will help her grow up as a young lady. The mother is very straightforward, loving, and well educated. The prescriptions for being a girl entail being clean, polite, eating like a lady, walking like a lady, knowing how to wash, iron and sew, how to sweep and keep a household clean, how to set a table correctly, being familiar with how to talk to boys appropriately and being an overall educated woman.

The story depicts a portrait of a teenager who is on the road to becoming a “slut”, as the mother states. The image of a perfect, well-mannered mother is what stands beside her. While the mother may very well represent the “perfect” mother and prime example, she ultimately pushes too far and expects more of what is truly reasonable. The detailed descriptions of what a girl should be doing day-in and day-out are entirely proven to fall apart sooner or later. Just as she does everything perfect, someone realizes her actions are absurd and puts an end to the behavior expected of her.

Through the many characteristics and descriptive wording, it is appropriate to conclude the mother and daughter live in a neighborhood that plays out gender roles above what most would consider normal. Most likely, the family lives on a small acre of land, perhaps in the country. These inferences are based on various instructions addressed to the daughter, such as, “Put them on the clothesline to dry” and “when buying cotton to make yourself a nice blouse…” The story is incredibly descriptive, therefore making inferences come to mind rather quickly. The message I find most prevalent is to take advice from those who care, but ultimately make adjustments as to what feels right for you yourself along the road of life.

The link attached thoroughly describes the importance of parental influence on children regarding gender roles. Too often parents do not think about the influence they lay on their kids, therefore making them raise questions that most generally do not get answered in the school environment.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2248/is_n126_v32/ai_19619406/

Blog #3: Pg. 65, Writing 2

Tillie Olsen’s story, “I Stand Here Ironing” and Tracey Baran’s photograph, “Mom Ironing” speak many differences and similarities about relationships family members have and what is important to them. The theme here is focused primarily on the emotional viewpoint of Baran’s childhood. Throughout these two pieces of art, both depict an image of the daughter, Emily just not caring about herself. As seen in the photo and described in the story, school is not a high priority for her. The photo clearly illustrates her as the typical “couch-potato” who seems to think everything is done for her when she wants. Her clothing characterizes someone who doesn’t put in much thought or effort and the way she lounges back in a chair with a red Dixie-cup represents she drinks and most likely watches TV all day. Her finger biting also adds to this conclusion, as she in all likelihood, doesn’t care about her physical appearance.

Both “I Stand Here Ironing” and the photo illustrate how the mother tries to do everything to please Emily, but in return receives nothing. The mother deeply tries to build a bond with her daughter, but after so much effort, it is simply a let down. The difference between the photo and story is that no interaction between the mother and daughter is shown in the picture. Throughout the story, it is clear to the reader that there has been an effort on the mother’s part to try and obtain a mother/daughter relationship. Another observation is Emily’s stiff, thin and foreign-looking appearance. In the story it is made quite clear that she is frail and disappointed in her body shape. However, when it comes to the photo, “Mom Ironing”, Emily does not seem to portray a very sickening image. In contrast, she seems more on the average/heading towards over-weight size.

The most striking image and theme that stands out is the mother looking very tired and worn out. In the photo, she seems to think this “labor-work” is expected of her as a mother. Throughout the story, this is equally evident; “There was so little time at night after the kids were bedded down. I would be ironing, or preparing food for the next day, or writing V-mail to Bill, or tending to the baby. “ This idea of placing all the duties and house chores on the mother, is extremely saddening. In conclusion, the landscape of Baran’s childhood represented in the story and photo are visually and emotionally destructive, giving the audience a feeling of sympathy for the mother and that too, of Emily.

As mentioned in this article, “Daughters have high expectations for mother and often base their self-esteem and sense of self-worth on Mom’s perception of herself. If daughters feel their mother’s lack of confidence, it may weaken their own sense of self-confidence.” This exact theme is very relevant to the photo and story, with the sense that Emily most likely obtained this odd behavior from the image her mother portrayed to her.

http://lifestyle.indianetzone.com/relationship/1/mother-daughter_relationships.htm

Blog #2: Exercise pg. 24-25

Sternfeld's photograph was very intriguing. The first observation I noticed was the writing on the outside of the building, which says, “When you take someone’s like you forfeit your own.” My first inference from digging deep within this photo includes the setting the building is surrounded in. There is clearly graffiti all over the property as well as several broken windows, which show it is quite a run-down building someplace in America. Along with these observations, it seems abnormal to see the building have somewhat of a cemetery along the sidewalk. With orange street cones fallen over, it is clear the city lacks care and any desire to respect those who have passed away. The windows contain several flyers that stand out as a “downtown drag”. Along the left side of the building, people have written, “Guilty…Life in prison, October 12, 1999”, which symbolized a freedom of speech to those who feel the urge to express their feelings. There is trash along the rim of the building, red paint, which is splattered whereabouts and furthermore consists of a drawing of a man…perhaps as some view as Jesus. The place is ultimately out of business, hence the “SOLD” sign placed on the front door. However, the words on the building leave me with an eerie feeling that this is not the place to neither risk one’s safety nor put yourself in such a situation.

Joel Sternfeld did a phenomenal job expressing his message and thoughts throughout this photograph. The structure of the image strikes me as very open and broad. So many different ideas can come out of the photo, and none ultimately seem incorrect. Sternfeld’s point of view repeatedly stands as straightforward. The reader is easily drawn into this world that lacks care and dedication. The phrase, “When you take someone’s life you forfeit your own” is the ultimate metaphor displayed in this piece of work. In conclusion, the words displayed are used to suggest a theme of freedom and visually provide a deeper understanding of poverty, which ultimately show Sternfeld’s message, is powerful and symbolic.

The link I chose to include is a biography/ photography selection of Joel Sternfeld himself!

http://www.luhringaugustine.com/index.php?mode=artists&object_id=67&view=bio