Speaking of using brands in parody or by transforming them, here's a really interesting Coke commercial about how sugary drinks cause obesity. (spoiler: it's not actually made by Coca-Cola)
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Image Based TED talks
I watch a lot of TEDtalks and since signing up for this class I've stumbled across two in particular that relate well to the course.
The first is by Cameron Russell, a Victoria's Secret underwear model, titled "Looks aren't everything. Believe me, I'm a model." This is a really interesting view on the creation of beauty in America.
The second is by Colin Stokes, father of two, who talks about the impact that movies are having specifically on his son. A lot of discussion has gone recently to the roles that girls can look to in movies, but little has been said about what role models boys are finding in their TV.
The first is by Cameron Russell, a Victoria's Secret underwear model, titled "Looks aren't everything. Believe me, I'm a model." This is a really interesting view on the creation of beauty in America.
The second is by Colin Stokes, father of two, who talks about the impact that movies are having specifically on his son. A lot of discussion has gone recently to the roles that girls can look to in movies, but little has been said about what role models boys are finding in their TV.
Humans of New York
This is just one image from hundreds if not thousands of images that Brandon Stanton has taken as part of his Humans of New York Project. Everyday he goes out to find interesting people in New York who he photographs. Then he puts these up on the internet (via Facebook, Tumblr, and his own page). He has created an incredible following which is currently at over 500 thousand on Facebook. In his photographs, Stanton captures the many layers of New York City.
I like this particular photograph because it is represents how our idea of normalcy can shift. A man with a baby strapped to his front reading a book while waiting for a subway isn't what most people think of when they think "new father," but by his casual pose it looks like he does this everyday.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Niagara
The
image was taken by me while on vacation in Toronto during the summer of 2011. I
took the picture down stream from the base of Niagara Falls. It was taken on a
warm and sunny summer day. The wind was still. I find this image powerful
because as I stood by the bank watching the water violently clash against the
rocks I was humbled and reminded just how powerless man can be against nature. One
of the things that strike me about this image is the layers and textures the
picture captures. The texture of the water, the rock and the shrubs contributes
to the power of the image.
- Trecia
Interior Spaces
This image of Stockholm subway installation art is one of my favorite examples of the transformative powers of community art projects. I love thinking about the line between interior and exterior, both physically and mentally and how the two often affect one another. I would love to see more urban art installation projects happening around the city because I think contentious and multipurpose design is something that should be valued more in our communities. Imagine if spaces were designed with the intention to enhance community relationships and localized identity! Would you want to spend more time getting to know your neighbors?
In thinking about the idea of interior/exterior, another image came to mind. Below is a link to a short profile of one of my favorite video artists, Janine Antoni. Although the particular piece is not available online you can catch a glimpse of the video as Janine tightrope walks along the horizon where the ocean meets the sky. This image for me is a wonderful metaphor that evokes questions of interior struggles vs. exterior elements but also relates to the line between our physical and mental worlds.
-Easton
Snowmageddon Massachusetts
Here's a photomontage from all the snow pictures posted by the class in Power of the Image, Spring 2013. People are coming from all over Massachusetts for this course, so from east to west, it reflects a lot of snowfall!
Friday, February 22, 2013
Fallen Soldier
This
image is powerful to me because I was in the military. I know how it feels to
see your fallen comrades. Having to see their memorial can be the worst
thing. These images are usually called fallen soldier pictures. The memorial
consist of the soldiers boots, his weapon propped up in between them, dog tags
hanging from the weapon, and the fallen soldiers helmet on the buttstock of the
weapon. In this image the man is clearly grieving his lost friend and comrade. This
image so powerful not only because of the content but the way it was captured.
In silhouette you can capture an intimate moment but still have the ambiguity to
put you in this mans situation.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Sacred Moon
Ghanan artist, El Anatsui’s piece, Sacred Moon is especially captivating to me. When viewed from a distance, this piece looks like it is made of rich, shiny materials. Yet when focused more up close you can see it is in fact made of bottle caps woven together. This juxtaposition is interesting. Although this piece may seem to exemplify the rise of recycling, El Anatsui is firm that his artwork is not about found materials but instead about transformation, giving objects news lives as they are transformed into something else. Additionally, it is intended to speak of African cultures demand to reuse all things because they cannot afford to waste. On this piece there is a Y of black and red, running down the left. These metal bands are made up of labels for rum and whisky. These speak not only of consumption and international trade, but also legacies of slavery, in which imported rum was often both currency and product. Although much of Western art could be made anywhere, El Anatsui’s work shows concrete evidence of his homeland and the beauty and trash it evokes. He transforms what once was part of an ugly past into an intricate captivating tapestry.
http://www.pbs.org/art21/images/el-anatsui/sacred-moon-2007
-Ashley
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Fay: Powerful Image
Abby Fay
After watching a documentary on the Congo, I was moved and
disgusted by the images of cruelty I saw. This powerful image was captured
after a Congolese charcoal company decided they would massacre the gorillas in order to be able to utilize the high commodity wood that made up
their habitat. The villagers and park rangers had been fighting
to protect theseendangered creatures for years and were so disturbed
to see that they had been wiped out. They wanted the gorillas to have a proper
burial so they adorned them with leaves and flowers and buried them as they
would a friend or family member.
In this image, it shows one of the gorillas ceremonially
tied to logs and being paraded through the jungle to its final burial. The
effort being put into this transportation of the bodies is both touching and
saddening.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Year of the Snake - 2013 by May Chau
Chinese New Year celebrations have always interested me, and when I learned that every Chinese community worldwide from Boston to Honolulu to London and Beijing - each would celebrate in their own way, I would search for photos annually to see what others are doing in their local parades. I look for costumes and food photos because of the bright colors; I am drawn to the visually stimulating shots of tasty and decadent edible offerings and to the temporary art installations throughout the public spaces. The range of community involvement in the parades are dependent on the local chambers of commerce. Honolulu, Hawaii's and London, England's parade were impressive this year by the local outpouring of participants. I was delighted to know that international participants from Ireland in Beijing's celebration. This is an indicator of how China is changing and receptive to outsider's culture - "Irish jig" while still honoring Chinese folk art. --May Chau
Ivory Trade
Elephant remains in Cameroon, where more than 300 were killed by poachers, armed with grenades and AK-47s.
http://magblog.audubon.org/booming-ivory-trade-spurs-elephant-poaching-frenzy
Throughout my
life I have had a fascination for wildlife. I have had a passion to be
around and learn about all types of animals since the day I was born.
"What do I want to be when I grow up? Well, a photographer
for National Geographic of course! I want to be around animals all the time.
I will hopefully be best friends with an elephant!"
My senior year of high school I received this letter written by myself. My second grade teacher had kept this letter
that I wrote to myself for ten years and sent it to me on my graduation day. Of course befriending an elephant made me laugh, but at the same time made me sad that I never did
anything to actually attain that dream of helping animals in need. For years after, I would read
that letter promising myself that I would go to Africa some day
and hopefully make some sort of contribution to the elephants. One day while working
at the Aquarium in Boston Africa to adopt an orphaned
elephant, and donate to the Daphne Sheldrick Orphanage. I really wish
there was more I could do to stop the illegal ivory trade. Seeing a photo
like the one above is extremely powerful to me and evokes an emotion that can’t
be explained in words.
2012 was the worst year in recorded history for elephant poaching.
25,000 Elephants were killed.
- Cassie Steen
Sunday, February 17, 2013
الكعبة - In Arabic
The image of the Holy Kaa'aba, Al Ka’aba (the noble cube) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia has always fascinated me due to its grandeur and the ability to attract millions of people every year. The discipline and serenity around is unexplainable and inspiring. With time I have understood the reason of this amazing simple structure that stands so elegantly in the midst of Makkah's deserts. At the Hajj pilgrimage that takes place once a year, approximately 4 million Muslims are honored the opportunity and a choice to be present and show their unity, equality, and faith in one God and only bow to one Allah/God. This is a symbol, a center, to unite the humanity to one Creator whose universal laws are bound to no one. Only human beings are bound to the system of the universe. The Ka’aba is built of a large stone structure. It now stands at 60 feet high and each side is approximately 60 feet in length. It was build by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismael. Throughout the year, Muslims also go for visits called Umrah and circumambulate around the Ka’aba.
This was an awesome view from my friends roof deck in South Boston. Obviously we did some photo editing on this image but i think it came out amazing and really captured both the awesomeness and serenity of mother nature
Help! We have fallen and we can't get up! Just a couple of adults being kids in the snow :)
This is what I opened my back door to! There were 3 more cars behind this one, all barley visable in our driveway!
From a First Snowman to Things Trapped in the Snow
As someone originally from Central America I was very excited to create my very first snowman with no help from anyone. I named him Burt, the Abominable-Bro Man (Pedro for short).
This is a bicycle I came upon in Cambridge. Entirely buried in snow.
No idea how she got there. But, it seems she got trapped in the snow too.
ocean storm
I have plenty of pictures from last week's blizzard..only to get even more this week. This was on the town beach in Provincetown, MA, on Sunday February 17 at around 10am. It is low tide, but it is very rare to see snow at the low tide line..the sand and salt just melts it. The snow was coming down that fast!
-sam smiley
-sam smiley
 |
| where the tide meets the snow..little fractal fingers |
Snow from last week in Brighton
Snow in the Cape
Abby Fay
Snow Day!
-Rachael
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Snow!
This is the only photo I took during the storm, because while it was happening I was either playing in it or shoveling :o)
-Jamie
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