Xerox Art

I was immediately intrigued with this assignment, and so I began looking for art movements or pieces which moved me. I was inspired by Gustav Klimt's The Kiss, for this particular project, partly because of the Xerox copies I made with my eyes shut. The facial expressions reminded me of the woman in the painting, embracing her lover. Furthermore, I knew I could copy my hair in an attempt to emulate Klimt's work. Because I knew our copies had to be black and white, I envisioned a more mysterious, eerie, perhaps even Gothic rendition of the popular painting. To complete this art project, I made several copies and different poses. After I cut all my copies out, I measured the area I wanted my art to take up, before placing the different pieces. In conclusion, I enjoyed creating a Gothic representation of Klimt's The Kiss, and I hope those who view my work will be pleasantly surprised.

Grid Art Response to "Love is Calling"

This project took much thought and effort, and I will admit that it was intimidating from the very beginning of the course. Because I felt uneasy about it, I immediately set to work brainstorming ideas for the project. Initially, I chose to create an image from 900 colored push pins, and I was pleased with the outcome, except for one thing. I did not know how to adequately cover the holes produced from the pins on the back of my board. Luckily, I restarted the process, using a new board, coupled with a new idea. I chose to create my grid art out of multicolored puffballs of varying sizes. First, I measured the board and divided it until I had the 30 squares by 30 squares requirement, before decorating.With the puffballs, I made the image of a rainbow in support of the LGBTQ movement. I found my medium and subject matter relevant and poignant. Yayoi Kusama, the artist behind the exhibit, "Love is Calling," mentioned something that really stuck with me, "We are all dots, you and I." For that reason, I believed the puffballs were appropriate for my grid art. All the seemingly insignificant dots, specks, or cells make up who we are, and I chose to represent that in my art. The rainbow motif reminds us that indeed love is calling. We are called to love and respect one another, regardless of race, creed, religion, or orientation.In conclusion, I created my grid art as a response to the exhibit, "Love is Calling," and with my response I advocated support for the LGBTQ community.

PNG to ASCII Art

The acronym ASCII stands for American Standard of Coded Information Interchange. ASCII art, also known as computer text art, is a unique graphic design technique that uses the ASCII Standard characters, in order to create interesting, often complex images. It is commonly found in online discussion boards, artistic websites, and computer games. There are several converters online for newer individuals to simply create ASCII art by uploading a PNG of their choice.

Enclosed is the PNG to ASCII art subject I chose. As a young woman in the Me Too Movement, I felt it was only right to choose the women's power symbol for this artistic project. I have always been a vocal feminist, unafraid to express my opinions and beliefs. The moment that changed everything for me was when I was tasked to write a research paper on an event of the 1960's and I chose women's liberation. Immediately, I was fascinated by the feminist movement and what it meant for women to unite in their beliefs and demand for their rights. Gloria Steinem was such an inspiration to me as a young girl, and she continues to amaze me with her eloquence and courageous personality.

Feminism is not about being better than men, but rather, recognizing the human rights men and women share, including but not limited to equal pay, voting rights, and job opportunities. It is very frightening to live in a society where people who find the courage to come forward and share their personal stories are often dismissed and written off, citing that these strong women are only hoping for their five seconds of fame. Victims of abuse should be listened to with respect and consideration. Too often individuals disparage those who speak out because instead of coming from a place of compassion, they choose to come from absolutism. The ability to empathize with others is not as revered as it should be, and the reality is that everyone deserves to be heard and validated.

This symbol signifies strength, integrity, independence. I am in sheer awe of the women like Gloria Steinem who paved the way for the feminist movement, and I hope that we as a society will come together to work towards eradicating the glass ceiling and ensuring the reproductive rights all women possess. One quote that has stuck with me is this, "Be the person you needed when you were younger." With that in mind, I hope to collectively corroborate with those around me and create a safer, more compassionate place for future generations.

Cameras

The Evolution of the Camera

Technology plays such an integral part in every day life, whether it is acknowledged or not. With the aid of technology, people are capable of exchanging thoughts, ideas, images and information in real time via email, text, and so much more. In many cases, all of one’s work relies solely on one’s ability to access the internet. Technology has shaped how students learn and how employees work and interact with one another, but technology is not limited to strictly educational or business purposes. With the advent of the camera, the way individuals observe the world around them has changed significantly. Thanks to the invention of the camera, people are now able to capture important moments forever. In addition to photography, cameras paved the way to the art of cinematography. The history of the camera provides insight into the amazing developments of the 21^st century and perhaps insight into the progress that is to come.

The earliest version of the camera was known as the “camera obscura.”  Ibn Al-Haytham first created the camera obscura to study optics. His invention illustrated how images could be projected using light. This innovative new technique inspired artists to use the camera obscura in their art. With the camera obscura artists were able to create proportional, realistic pieces. In addition to the camera obscura, magic lanterns were also popular. Magic lanterns allowed people to project images onto bigger surfaces, including glass slides. Entertainment soon changed as a result of this newfound technique (The History of Photography: Pinholes and Polaroids to Digital Images).

Joseph Nicephore Niepce is accredited with developing the first photograph using the camera obscura in 1827. He began experimenting with photography by placing engravings onto bitumen coated metal plates, which he would then expose to light. After a given amount of time, an image would emerge from the solvent treated plate. This was a great leap for photography; however, the images produced through this method would inevitably fade away (The History of Photography: Pinholes and Polaroids to Digital Images).

Cameras have continued to innovate their technology, creating an endearing and permanent impression on the world of today. There are a vast array of products which have cameras as part of their repertoire of modern resourcefulness. Before cell phones became the predominate way of capturing an image, digital cameras were the vacation must have. Now everyone has the features of a camera safely stored in their pocket. Still others choose smart watches to take pictures. Today Polaroids have made a comeback, finding their way into most every young adult’s life, greatly shaping the way memories are documented. Finally, there is the ever-watchful drone. An apparatus with the capabilities of photography and flight, all in one.  From cell phone cameras, to tablets, body cameras, Go Pros, and drones, there is no telling what exciting new developments are waiting to be discovered in the world of technology and photography.

There is no telling what lies in store for the future of photography, but one thing is for certain, cameras have forever shaped the human experience. I believe technology will find ways to improve pictures of cells, x-rays, and ultrasounds. Specifically, technology may be making strides to include cameras inside of refrigerators, so consumers can use a mobile app to view what is inside their fridge or freezer, while grocery shopping. Cameras dominate the entertainment industry, allowing for wonderful feature films, timeless classics, and breathtaking documentaries, for all to enjoy. Additionally, cameras have found a permanent place as both a leisure activity, and professional occupation. Photography allows individuals to express themselves and capture the world around them. Phones, computers, and cameras are being updated every day. New products with photographic developments are sure to become introduced to the public soon.

Works Cited
    “The History of Photography: Pinholes and Polaroids to Digital Images.” ThoughtCo. 
ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-photography-and-the-camera1992331October 1, 2018.

Flip Book

Enclosed is a link to the flip book I created. I had a lot of fun during the artistic process. In fact, it was rather cathartic. I was able to really look inside myself, examine my thoughts, and draw what I was feeling, what came to mind. Artistic freedom is so liberating. For the book itself, I thought a monochromatic, simple theme would better suit my purpose and artistic vision. The book I chose was a little over 400 pages, and because the book's size slowed down the animation, I chose to make more than 200 pages to help the viewer better see what was happening in each frame. A great deal of my work was inspired by still life images I saw from art exhibitions in my previous school. Every year, the art students would host an exhibition with their works from their first day of the class, till their big artistic debut, highlighting the ups and downs they experienced in their creative processes. I was always moved by the amount of work involved in their pieces and the commitment they had to their visions.

This was a fantastic experience that allowed me to think differently then I am asked in my other classes. Admittedly, this was my first time creating a flip book, and I know very little about what animation entails, but I worked diligently for a week, pursuing ideas that came to me, and finally executing them on paper.  I welcome all the other challenging projects that are to come, and I cannot wait to see what flip books my peers have created. I hope those who view this video enjoy the flip book.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qmuz34aq46U

Madame Butterfly

Madame Butterfly

            The acclaimed and simultaneously controversial masterpiece, “Madame Butterfly,” has continued to evade and captivate audiences the world over, due to its brutal subject matter and due to modern interpretations of the famed classic that have since followed. The opera was originally written in 1903 by composer Giacomo Puccini, who decided to work on production for an opera after watching a London performance about a Japanese woman’s tragic love story to an American sailor, and her eventual end. Although Puccini could not speak English, he was very touched by the performance that he immediately requested rights to the opera and began working on what was to become the opera the world knows today, as “Madame Butterfly” (Schwarm and Cantoni, 2018). “Madame Butterfly,” is a harsh story of first love, loss, betrayal, and exploitation. It is a cruel coming of age tale that has many critics asking if the story is in fact less of a theatrical masterpiece about lost love, and more an unsightly tale glorifying yellow fever and the degradation of women for the male gaze and their consequent sexual gratification (Miskimmon).

            Audiences who first viewed “Madame Butterfly,” were not at all emotionally moved for Butterfly’s character or sympathetic to her plight, as Puccini was. Rather, audience members behaved very crudely, laughing and ridiculing Butterfly during an apparent scene that hinted at her marital consummation with her Naval husband, Pinkerton. Instead of viewing this moment as a sad loss of innocence for Butterfly to an undeserving man who wanted nothing but to thwart his toxic masculinity on a poor orphaned teenage girl who believed her union was in fact sanctioned and valid, viewers took the scene to be nothing more than an erotic display between an “exotic feminine mystique,” and a commendably macho man (Miskimmon).

While watching this opera, I was surprised at the apparent lack of Asian representation within the actual work. Although there have been Madame Butterfly characters portrayed by members of the Asian community, there were several renditions in which the leading lady was not in fact Asian. I found this to be quite troubling and perhaps an added incentive for critics to dismiss “Madame Butterfly,” for nothing more than a toxic fetishization of Asian women and Asian culture. Although I can understand where such critics are coming from, as a young Asian woman, I look up to this production because there are so few opportunities in the performing arts for a specifically Asian woman or Asian man to be the leading principal. As a little girl with a passion for theatre and a deep love for music, “Madame Butterfly” and “Miss Saigon,” a consequent musical inspired by the opera, “Madame Butterfly,” inspired me. I was even more in awe when the renowned Filipina artist, Lea Salonga, took to the stage and performed as the lead role, Kim, in “Miss Saigon.” In my opinion, to silence these harsh criticisms about the validity of “Madame Butterfly” as a truly masterful piece, Asian representation must be given consideration during casting decisions. 

            The rendition I saw of this opera had incredible set design. The performance was held on a long stage with plenty of room for actors and set pieces to be used; however, there was only one main set piece, Butterfly’s home. This I would suspect would be because audience members are experiencing the events that take place through Butterfly’s perspective. We see how things unfold in her world, her life. Although this piece is not entirely limited to just Butterfly’s personal thoughts, much of what the audience sees are pivotal events happening directly to her. The audience knows Pinkerton is not serious about his union to Butterfly, but she remains unaware of this fact. This adds to the tension and emotional appeal of the work itself. The mise en scene was simplistic and visually exciting. Most of the opera was dark, dim, and mysterious. To make the scene more realistic, the house in which Butterfly lived had its own light fixtures inside, and it was constructed in such a way as to make the viewer believe it was in fact a real house with rooms and compartments. Additionally, the stage included props such as long, slender blades of grass lining the edge of the stage, almost as if to invite viewers into the world of “Madame Butterfly.” I believe the placement of the grass was essential to suspension of disbelief.

            “Madame Butterfly” made great use of technology. For instance, the lighting choices that were made. A seasoned and observant viewer would note how during dramatic scenes, bluer hued lights were used to play up the drama of the scene, while bright yellow lights were used to highlight happier events during the play, reflecting the feelings of the opera’s central characters. Definitive light choices allow the audience members to be a part of the scene and register the proper emotions at the right time. A less obvious role technology played a part in, would be the sliding doors used in Madame Butterfly’s home. This may seem trivial at first glance, but upon further observation, one may come to realize and appreciate just how important a detail like that can be in a production. Theatrical performances are a collection of small, deliberate artistic choices that can determine between the phenomenal and otherwise mediocre. Sliding doors add to the realism portrayed in the opera. The fact that the doors slide suggests that the house we are watching could really exist somewhere. It suggests that this may be more than wallpaper and wooden beams because audiences can fill in the rest of the arbitrary details such a house may possess.

“Madame Butterfly” holds an important place in the chronological history of opera because of its duality. It is for some, one-part fetishism and other part naivety, but for others, its controversy is what makes it so enduring. As with all other works of art, there are many ways to view this opera. Perhaps, it is a poor portrayal of lost love in today’s enlightened society and social changes, but when it was written, it was created almost explicitly to depict the hurt of being a woman in love. This opera has been such an inspiration for other artists that its story lives on in its popular adaptation, “Miss Saigon,” and in many other works. “Madame Butterfly” even became the namesake for a true to life story about a French diplomat unwittingly falling in love with, and being deceived by, a male Chinese spy. The controversy surrounding the plot and its relevancy today are what make this masterpiece so memorable.

If I were to create a video game based off this opera, I would make the game a simulation where the individual playing could react to events happening in the game that all originated from the opera. For example, in the game, the player would be Madame Butterfly and have the autonomy to make decisions based off dialogue exchanged by other characters. Each choice would then proceed with a different series of chain reactions for the player to explore. The wonderful part of this game would be that no one experience would be the same because the player is given the freedom to choose.

In conclusion, “Madame Butterfly” has solidified its place in opera and artistic history not only for its beautiful music, but for its controversial story line. It is an opera about love and heartbreak. Today the world still views this piece with skepticism and reservation, but in my opinion, there is more to “Madame Butterfly” than what meets the eye. It is a commentary on human emotion and our universal plights in love. Moreover, it describes so well the sting of first love, from the joys and delights of the honeymoon stage, to the despair of abandonment. Madame Butterfly is not a weak character, although I will admit that she does fit the stereotypical female character written by a male through his ideas about what being a woman was like. Despite all this, what makes this opera so appealing is how human all its characters are. From the selfish Naval officer, Pinkerton, the greedy marriage broker, Goro, and finally the young and inexperienced Butterfly, all of Puccini’s characters are shockingly relatable and if nothing else, human.

Works Cited

1.      Miskimmon, Annilese. “Sex, Betrayal, Suicide: Is Madama Butterfly too Sordid to Stage

Today?”. The Guardian. 2018. Guardian News. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/05/metoo-madama-butterfly-puccini-geisha-opera-women-exploitation. 12 September 2018.

2.      Schwarm, Betsy, and Cantoni, Linda. “Madama Butterfly.” Encyclopaedia Britannica.

2018. Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Madama-

Butterfly.  12 September 2018.

Broadway Shows

From a young age, I have had a deep rooted appreciation for theatre and the musical arts, in part due to my grandmother and mom who both share my enthusiasm for performing. My grandmother was a very proficient ballroom dancer in her time. Other family members of mine have also had performing backgrounds at one point or another in their lives. Music has always been a big part of my life. Consequently, I have seen a considerable number of Broadway productions, both live and recorded. I have also participated in theatrical productions from the time I was six years old, until I graduated high school. Among my favorite Broadway shows would be "Guys and Dolls," "Mamma Mia," and "The Phantom of the Opera."

"Guys and Dolls" holds a special place in my heart and always will because it was the first musical I participated in when I was eleven years old. I can still remember the names of my fellow cast members and the impression they made on me with their talent, diction, and professionalism. Additionally, "Guys and Dolls", in my opinion is such a lovely romantic comedy, and highly entertaining. The plot follows two couples in New York, Adelaide and Nathan, and Sarah and Sky as they navigate their feelings for one another. Nathan, a broke gambler, hopes to change his luck around by betting avid gambler, Sky, that he cannot convince the virtuous, Sarah Brown on a date. What ensues is the bet of a lifetime.

The second show I chose, "Mamma Mia," is equally important to me because it reminds me of my grandmother, who absolutely loves this musical. I remember there was a time where the only movie she would watch was the film adaptation for "Mamma Mia." Whenever I watch the production or listen to the soundtrack, I reminded of my grandmother and I cannot help but smile. Besides the sentimental value this show possesses for me, I find it incredible that writers were able to come up with such an entertaining musical comedy all from Abba hits. The ability to take such beloved music and set it to a story centered on self-discovery and family, is so incredibly commendable.

Lastly, I chose the eerie, dark, often times, frightening tale, "The Phantom of the Opera." As a child I remember seeing old black and white pictures from adaptations of "The Phantom of the Opera." They were horrifying and grotesque, but I was morbidly curious about the figure behind the mask, perhaps in a similar way to the musical's heroine, Christine Daae, was. Because of this curiosity, I decided to watch the film adaptation. Even today the film scares me, but it holds such immense artistic value. Three years ago, my mother and I saw the show live. It was such an enriching experience to see this masterpiece performed by such talented actors and actresses. I felt so inspired by their performance. These are only three of my personal favorite Broadway shows, but in time I hope to see a great deal more, and to perform again.