More Human Than Human

Watch the More Human Than Human video and answer the following questions on your Blog:

1. What are the most interesting discoveries you made watching this video?

-A lot of the images we see that are meant to represent the human body, are just that; Representations. Many sculptures and everything to advertisements are mostly just representations of the body. They don't exactly look like a humans. 

-These things started long before our time, when people made the first drawings and sculptures. The same idea has been present. 

-Over time, the image of the body has changed with the time period. The styles have changed, but the underlying intent of the body not looking realistic is still there. 

-The body is there to represent the body and get the point across that there was one, not necessarily to make it look realistic.

2. What do you think about Vilayanur S. Ramachandran theory with the chicks?

I believe Ramachandran's theory with the chicks is that they are mesmerized by the stripe on a beak the way we are with certain artworks. His main point is that their eye is attracted to something for a reason and the more they get of it, the more they can't keep their eye off of it. Same goes for humans. Certain things attract out eye more than others and therefore some artwork affects us more than others. 

3. Do you see any connection between the art/subjects  in this video (Venus of Willendorf, the Herring gull chicks, Egyptian images of the human body,Kritian Boy) and the way the human body is portrayed today?

The connection that I made between all these things is that we make art in the way that is most appealing to us. The things that we see as most important, become the most important. Whether they are realistic or not, we represent them the way that we chose to. We each decide what we see when we look at the human body and put that into context. 

Aesthetics: Philosophy of the Arts

Questions and Topics for Your Blog Posting:

1. For each video and article list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

http://digital.films.com/play/M27YLB
-Art used to be viewed for beauty and not for aesthetics.
-Order, symmetry, and definiteness became popular.
-More people tried to determine was beauty was
      -This changed a lot over the years

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0TKYxAYGGA

-People started to miss the point of art
     -doesn't need to be realistic
-laws of art

http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/15/health/art-brain-mind/index.html?hpt=hp_c3

-We see the elements of artwork, and our brains communicate them to be actual objects/works of art
-Art is appealing and draws our attention to it.
-Art is telling us there is something there even though it's really not

2. Which philosopher's theroy on aesthetics do you feel is most important? Be sure to mention the philosphers name, era (time in history), and contribution to the aesthetic theory in your response.

Aristotle (4th Century B.C.) came up with the concept of paying attention to composition. He figured there were certain rules to follow in order to create the beauty that we saw. He saw that defining technique was important. I think this was the start of us beginning to care more about what artwork looks like and not just creating because we can. 

3. What do you think about Changeux and Ramachandran scientific view of aesthetics and art? What was the most interesting fact you discovered from each speakers lecture? 

Both of these speakers have talked about the way art and science somewhat go hand in hand. The brain has a way of interpreting artwork and over the years it has changed immensely. We have changed our laws of thinking and started to apply those rules every time we look at art now. 

4. What is your opinion of the films and article? 

I found the videos to be rather dry. There was a lot of good information in it, but it was really hard to spend so much time watching. They clearly had a lot of insight and knowledge on artwork though, which I appreciate, it just wasn't something that was very good at keeping my attention.

The article wasn't bad to read though and it gave a lot of information. It started out talking about what we know about art and what we see when we look at things. It discussed the way that even though it's just lines and shapes, our brains communicate it to be something real and engaging. 

5. How do the theories discussed here relate to "Visual Culture"?

The theories discussed have summed up the way we got to this point in our visual culture. Everything started out so basic and on a different level than what we are at right now. It has shaped us to appreciate and understand what we think is important today. All the theories have really had an effect on the way we view and interpret visual culture, whether we realize it or not. 

Marc Prensky Ted Talk

Watch the following video clips and answer the following questions:

1. What do you think of the term: Digital Natives vs. Digital Immigrants?

Digital natives are the ones who have grown up using digital media such as gaming, social media, cellphones, etc. Digital immigrants are those who have learned to use digital media later on in their life. 

2. Where do you fit in?

I feel like I was  born during a time where we were more so digital natives than immigrants. We basically grew up with the technology. When it came around, we were still very young. Our generation was one that adapted to it quickly and made it into something bigger. 

3. In regards to the Digital Divide, how do you see it impacting education?

I find that we are experiencing a digital divide in the sense that our teachers grew up differently than we are.  Our life of technology is not something that they grew up with. They are teaching in ways that aren't necessarily ways that will engage us or make us want to listen to what they have to teach us. 

4. What are the most interesting concepts Prensky presents? Why?

I think the most interesting thing that Prensky brings up is engaging students. He talked about using different tools that students today are familiar with, such as their digital medias, in order to create lessons and keep students interested. He thinks that if we bring these medias into schools, we will be able to keep our students learning and it'll be something they love to do.

Also, i found it interesting when he brought up the way kids are completely engaged outside of school compared to in school. Then he went on to discuss what they are engaged in and why. It brought backed up his idea of bringing these medias into schools. 

5. Is there anything Prensky presents that you are skeptical about? What is it and why do you think so?

Prensky presents multiple ways to use technology in the classrooms. Some of the things he suggests, like having kids create their own wikipedia pages and things like that seem like good ideas, but I'm not sure that would work any better than assigning an essay. Another thing he suggested was group work. I don't always think that group assignments work. For some classes they may be necessary, but I don't think most kids prefer working in groups. I don't think it'd be a successful tactic, mainly for my art classes. 

6. Do you think technology is important in an art clasroom? Why or Why not?

I do think technology is important in the classroom. I think it's good for students to get online and discover new things. They can use technology to take photos, share photos, find new artists and artwork. They have such an opportunity to learn new things and stay creative. 

7. How do you imagine you will (or will not)  incorporate technology in your classroom?

Personally, I would love to use technology in my classrooms. I think it's important for students to take photos for references and to always be learning new things. I would use the internet for research and to share artists and artwork. I would introduce programs such as photoshop to my students to get them working on their own ideas. I think it would really help my students explore and experiment with their work. 

Illustrator Videos

What is the most important fact from each video that I think will help me in using Illustrator?

What is Illustrator? https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/how-to/what-is-illustrator.html?set=illustrator--get-started--overview

This video gave an overall view of what exactly we can do in Illustrator. It talked about using it for graphic design, logos, using it for work in InDesign, and just art in general. The options are endless. 

How to set up a new Document: https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/how-to/create-new-document.html?set=illustrator--get-started--essential-beginners

This video pointed out where to go to start a new document. It thoroughly went through the each of the meanings of the box that pops up and all the different options. 

Working With ArtBoards: https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/how-to/work-with-artboards.html?set=illustrator--get-started--essential-beginners

Artboards mean that you can work on more than one design at the same time. You can switch between boards to work on one while the other one stays in view. It shows how to change sizes of the art boards and how to zoom in and out. 

Working with Shapes: https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/how-to/use-shape-tools.html?set=illustrator--get-started--essential-beginners

Using some of the basic shape tools will allow for easy designs and are fairly simple to find and use. There are multiple shapes within these tools that are available. There are multiple ways to change these shapes as they are created. 

Using Brushes: https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/how-to/use-brushes.html?set=illustrator--get-started--essential-beginners

The brushes allow you to add and change color, along with changing the width of the lines. You can use a mouse or a graphics tablet in order to draw with these tools. You can also change the styles of the paths that are made. 

Applying Color: https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/how-to/apply-colors.html?set=illustrator--get-started--essential-beginners

Both fill and stroke color can be changed within a document. The swatches show you what colors you are dealing with. The color panel allows the user to choose a desired color. 

Working With Type: https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/how-to/work-with-type.html?set=illustrator--get-started--essential-beginners

This video shows the basics to adding text within a document. The type tool allows you to start the box or clicking on the image. Type can be altered and changed to desired look. 

Transformation: https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/how-to/transform-artwork.html?set=illustrator--get-started--essential-beginners

The free transform tool allows you to click on a specific artwork on the board. You can distort and scale the images in order to change the way they look and where they are placed. 

Control Panel: https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/how-to/illustrator-understanding-control-panel.html?set=illustrator--fundamentals--illustrator-workspace

The control panel is located almost at the top of the screen. It supplies options for the tools you are working with, depending on the specific tool. You can then modify your images on your board. 

Viewing Modes: https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/how-to/illustrator-viewing-modes.html?set=illustrator--fundamentals--illustrator-workspace

This video explained the different ways that the artwork can be viewed. Zooming allows for better access when using certain tools. Other viewing modes, like outline mode, allows you to look at the images without color in order to make sure they are turning out how you intend for them to.

Layers: https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/how-to/stay-organized-with-layers.html?set=illustrator--fundamentals--illustrator-workspace

The layers video allows you to work with your images in almost the same way you do in both InDesign and Photoshop. You can organize the content that you have on your art board. 

Kevin Tavin Lecture

1. What are the three (3) most interesting facts you learned from the lecture? and why are they interesting to you?

1. As a society, we have been conditioned to see things. I find this interesting because most of the time we don't realize it. More often than not, we already have our initial thoughts about images and the visuals we encounter, and don't stop to take the time to think about it any further. We make assumptions without questioning. 

2. I found the fact that the way the media is displaying images and news to the public, completely affects the way the public perceives the information. I find this interesting because a lot of times we just accept what we are told instead of finding out information for ourselves or forming our own opinions. 

3.Visual culture really affects many aspects of our lives. Whether it's through billboards or movies, or even just the newspapers, we encounter it quite often. The most interesting part about this is, again, we don't realize how much it affects us nor do we question the extent of the problems at hand.

2. Discuss the role of an art educator in regards to visual culture. Is it important? Why or why not?

We are involved in teaching students how to see art. It is our job to challenge them and encourage higher thinking. Our students are capable of quite a bit. We need to honor students. If we can just give them the language to be able to talk about images and this visual culture, they will be further educated and able to have a meaningful response to these things. 

3. What do you think can you take away from this lecture and apply in your future classroom as an art educator?

They need to actually understand what they are being taught instead of just memorizing the basics of the material. What is being learned and taught is our responsibility. We have the power to change the way things have been done in the past in order to better our students for the future.

Adobe InDesign Videos

1. What is InDesign?: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/how-to/what-is-indesign.html?set=indesign--get-started--overview

This video gave a wonderful overview of all the things that can be done by using InDesign. It got me thinking!

2. Creating a New Document: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/how-to/new-document-in-indesign.html?set=indesign--fundamentals--indesign-workspace

This video went through the simple ways to set up a new document and showed where things were located. It also mentioned adding some photos and text.

3. Add Text to Frames: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/how-to/indesign-add-text-to-frames.html?set=indesign--get-started--essential-beginners

This video was very helpful with information on very basic topics such as adding pictures and words and sizing them. It showed where to find the pictures, how to add them, and short cuts to do so. 

4. Importing Text Cleanly: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/how-to/indesign-text-from-word-processing.html?set=indesign--fundamentals--work-type

By going to file and clicking on place, you can hold down the shift key to select the text you are looking for and adding it to the new document. 

5. Selecting and Editing Text: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/how-to/indesign-selecting-and-editing-text.html?set=indesign--fundamentals--work-type

This video showed various ways to select and edit the text. You can change the way it looks, add text, remove text. By using the story editor mode, you can easily move and remove the text. 

6. Editing Text: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/how-to/indesign-editing-text.html?set=indesign--fundamentals--work-type

Under the Type tab, you can click on hidden characters in order to figure out where spaces are coming from in the text. Changes little things will help when it comes to formatting your text. Any text added will automatically change the format to match the rest of the document. There is also an option to paste without formatting. 

7. Working with Character Styles: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/how-to/indesign-formatting-text-character-styles.html?set=indesign--fundamentals--work-type

The video on Character Style shows how to easily change text within a body of text. It allows the person to customize their own character styles that can be applied within any part of the text. 

8. Working with Paragraph Styles: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/how-to/indesign-formatting-text-paragraph-styles.html?set=indesign--fundamentals--work-type

Paragraph Styles is very similar to the charter style options. You can create your own paragraph styles that can be applied to any of the text throughout the document. 

9. Adding Pages: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/how-to/indesign-basics-pages-panel.html?set=indesign--get-started--essential-beginners

Adding pages to the document is very simple. You can change the height, width, and borders of the the new document. There are multiple ways to go about creating more pages. 

Digital Image Manipulation

1. How do digital images play a role in your day-to-day life? 

No matter what you're doing these days, digital images seem to be involved. Every day I see images on my phone, whether its social media or a friend that sent me a pictures. Digital images are an easy way to share your life with the people around you. I can capture daily moments whenever I want to, with ease. 

2. In your personal life? 

I use my camera very often. I use not only my phone, but my digital camera as well. I am constantly taking photos of my family, my friends, and anything else I want to document about my life. I am also constantly taking pictures of things that I intend to incorporate into my paintings or maybe even draw in the future. I get a lot of my ideas through digital images. 

3. In the way you experience your world? 

Digital imagery is a huge part of my life. I couldn't image not having it at my fingertips. For as long as I can remember, I have had my own digital camera. I can easily take any of the pictures I want to, then continue on to upload them to my computer through the SD drive. It's fast and easy, not to mention extremely convenient. I like to use my own reference photos for my artwork and it makes it very easy to get access to the photos and I can even zoom in on the photos to get details. 

4. What are your thoughts on ethics and aesthetics as it relates to photojournalism and digital imagery manipulation?

When it comes to digital manipulation, I tend to go back and forth between my opinions. Aesthetics are how appealing things come off to viewers. It's all about the beauty of the art. Ethics are the rules to what we consider good and bad. Digital manipulation gives the artist free range to change whatever they would like to change about a photo. When it comes down to it, I believe it all depends on what you are trying to pass off for the truth. 

Photoshop is a wonderful tool. It can be used to enhance so many things. A lot of concern in todays world is the way women, and even men, are photoshopped in images. They are shown with perfect bodies and faces. Honestly, I find nothing wrong with photoshopping the body. As an artist, you have the right to do this. As the model, you have already given your permission for these things to be done. I don't find anything unethical about this. It becomes unethical when the public is told that everyone should look like these perfect people when those people don't even look like that. 

When it comes to photo journalism, trying to portray events, or even facts, photoshop matters. If you're claiming something to be true to the public, like relaying important news, the photos should not be altered in a way that makes the situation false. To deceive people with incorrect information isn't ethical in my eyes. They should be accurate representations of what you are trying to communicate. 

5. What are your thoughts on these example of these manipulated mages?

Manipulation of images is a very touchy subject. I think it depends on the intentions of the photographer and those in the photos. As for the historical photos, I suppose it's sometimes hard to get all members of the photo to be there on the same day. I don't see anything wrong with adding a person to the photo until it's to the point where they are changing the course of history. I'm very iffy about the photos where the leaders removed people that they no longer wanted in the photos. They didn't do much other than take a person out of the literal photo, which happens quite often, even today. It didn't affect history, it just affects those who see the photo and don't know there was an extra person there. When they remove objects for visually pleasing reasons, I see absolutely nothing wrong with that.

6. Out of all the examples, which one do you believe has the most impact? Why?

I think out of all of the images, the one with the most impact on me was the one that Hilary Clinton was removed from. Not that I find it shocking or that it really affects us, I just think it says a lot. The country that removed the women from the photo, did it for their own reasoning. Not because they didn't like the women in the photo, but because they were following their laws and beliefs to keep women out of published photos. They were respecting their people and their government. I find it to be impactful because at first we didn't understand why they would remove the ladies. Then we actually had to take the time to learn and understand a different country. It was a moment where they wanted to show their people what was happening in an honest manner, but couldn't because of their circumstances. It makes us take a step back and try to relate to the rest of the world around us, for whatever reason it may be.