Nature's full of choices. Why balance a crazy day with fast food?

I chose to remix this advertisement found in the latest issue of Glamour because it promotes a fast food chain, Sonic, by making it seem like a healthy diet. It is ironic that the ad appears in Glamour, a magazine full of healthy diet and beauty tips. This is exactly what female readers should not be eating. The message “Just because your day is crazy, doesn’t mean your diet has to be” is in complete contradiction with the image of these women eating fast food in a car. For me, that is having a crazy diet and not taking the time to take a break from a busy schedule and eat right. I changed the image to have the girls eating apples and drinking water instead of Sonic sandwiches and probably soda. Since I could not find adequate pictures in a magazine, I took photos of a bitten apple and a water bottle and printed them out in a size to fit the ad. In order to place the new food and drink into the girls’ hands and cover the seat belts with the same t-shirt fabric they have on, I used an extra color photocopy of the ad to cut out the hands and t-shirts and glue them onto my remix. I also created a green outdoor setting with blue sky, plants, trees and grass from magazine and postcard cut outs. Although the meal choices at the bottom of the original ad seem healthier than most fast foods, they are still mass produced, processed foods. Instead, I offer a balanced natural meal consisting of items from each food group. I changed the slogan “Life’s full of choices. Who gives you more than Sonic?” to “Life’s full of choices. Who gives you more than nature?” in order to show that nature offers much tasitier and healthier eating options. Personally, I eat all natural products and mostly prepare my own meals because I believe in the short and long term health benefits of eating well. Because the majority of the population (including Glamour readers) thinks nothing of eating fast and processed food, I would like to inform my audience that eating healthy does not depend on what a product is called such as “grilled chicken wrap” but on where the food comes from and how it is prepared.

Laurene

Remix Energy of Duracell and President

Duracell Energy - Transformation of Superman to Obama

Remix assignment by Meg - Art_girl

 

While I was looking through magazines for this assignment, Obama was on his European Tour.  When I saw the smile of Superman, I immediately thought of Obama’s smile as he greeted European dignitaries. As I read the text for the Duracell battery advertisement, I began to experience metaphors between batteries and the energy of the President.  His endless energy during this trip was like “he runs like he’s on Duracell.” 

 

Using colored pencils, I changed Superman’s face to be a man of color.  I also modified the features of the nose to widen it to be more like Obama’s nose.  The blue eyes and hair were darkened.  The eyebrows were thickened to be more similar to Obama’s.  Obama’s lips were added along with the wrinkles beside his broad smile.  The hand holding the broken chains has also been colored with brown and black pencils.

 

To complete the remix, I found images on Google of Obama’s trip.  All of them feature his smile.  I also googled “European protests of Bush” and I found images taken in London. The Bush protest images are added into the chain areas, to symbolize that Obama has broken the chain of negative presidential leadership. Big Ben and a protest sign are in the top right hand corner.

 

Along with the collaged images, I have also included found text to bring greater meaning to my message that Obama’s energy is superhuman like he has batteries.  I have covered the central Duracell name with “Fire” which also means that he is working hard as the president.  On the battery case where it says Duracell, I have covered the end of the word to change it to “durable.”  This adjective blends with the text – “Nothing lasts longer.”  And finally the addition of the word “commanding” is significant because as Commander in Chief, Obama is leading our country with a commanding presence.  This presence is evident in the image that I used in the top of this remix.  Next to the hand I have inserted the photo showing Obama waving to a massive crowds that seems to be cheering the President.

United States of Ageism

A friend of mine once recommended that when I look and the mirror and see wrinkles, not to despair about growing older; but instead, to remember the wonderful and varied experiences I have had in my life. In flipping through magazines to find an advertisement for this project, I couldn’t believe how many were centered on reducing the signs of aging and having flawless skin. This Clinique ad was particularly offensive to me, as it implied that looking–and thereby being–40 years old is terrible and should be combated using “youth surge age decelerating moisturizer”. As I grow older, I have begun to notice the prevalence of ageism in our society. There seems to be a high value placed on being and looking young and beautiful, yet older people have a wealth of experiences and knowledge, which should hold a higher value than appearances alone. Additionally, advertisements such as this one emphasize spending time and money to achieve this youthful appearance by giving skin cells a “long and happy life” instead of focusing on the things in life that truly make us happy. I created this remix project with the intent of turning ageism on its head; to illustrate the importance of embracing life by spending our time (and resources) with family, friends, enjoying excellent food and music, traveling, engaging in activism, learning, and loving with all of our hearts.

By Sharon W.

The African-American Dream

Upon seeing this image for the first time, it almost brought tears to my eyes. As an African-American living in the United States, I take pride in our new hero that has broken the negative image that black Americans have upheld for many years.

Since the arrival of Africans in the North American continent, blacks have struggled economically, politically and socially. On top of the political and economic issues African-Americans faced historically, the White American community implemented many unjust laws to prevent blacks from advancing. The most common acts that White Americans practiced and implemented were Jim Crow laws and the Ku Klux Klan. Currently, we are now in the 21st century, and in many ways, the black community continues to be politically and economically disabled. However, despite the obstacles, one man was able to redefine the meaning of the African -American dream. President Barak Obama, who is the first African-American president. This image is about the history of blacks in America. The pictures that are on my image represent the walk toward President Obamas dream. Historically, African-Americans arrived in this country as slaves. Initially, Cattle was valued more than blacks during this time. As time progressed, blacks eventually became free, but, no equal. Jim Crow laws were implemented. During this time, blacks were considered inferior to Whites, thus, not having the right to vote! Despite the struggle, strong black leaders such as the ones displayed on the image; Rosa Parks, Marcus Garvey and Martin Luther King paved the way for African-Americans today. Without the help of these black leaders, President Obama would not be where he is today. My intention was to promote awareness and pride among all people about the African-American struggles and accomplishments.

Hunger in Haiti

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thestookeys/2450379140/

This is an image taken in a rural town of Haiti. Today, as result of Haiti being poorest counrty in the western hemisphere, massive starvation is an issue. This image captures that beautiness of Haiti, while portaying the importance of hunger in developing nations.

It's not the clothes . . .

As I flipped through Cosmo, I noticed this ad for Rampage clothing.  Supermodel Gisele Bunchen is modeling clothing for Rampage.  However, as I looked at the ad, I realized, that I would never look like this even if I did buy these clothes.  It is a complete misconception.  It takes a lot of work and money to look this way.  Gisele is beautiful, but she has some help from stylists, cosmetics, bronzing, various creams to reduce wrinkles, acne, etc., and more!  In addition, she needs to diet and exercise to stay in shape.  And finally, not to anyone's surprise—this photo has been airbrushed and photoshopped!  How great would anyone look if their picture is photoshopped?  Personally, I would like to have my eye brows lifted, lips plumped, and have my body slimmed down a bit.  I purposely did not distort the image of Gisele because I wanted everyone to be able to see her perfect hair (photoshopped into place), makeup, and the highlighted tones of her body that no one has naturally.

  

Dumpster Cruise Lines

by : Aparna
"Delivering the good life, indulging in passion for adventure and culture, providing upscale amenities and comfort" - these are some words that cruise lines use to lure passengers. The Cruise industry, rapidly growing at $38 billion (2007) per year, serving 13-15 million passengers per year, is one of the scariest businesses in terms of it's effect on environmental degradation.  A typical voyage aboard a cruise ship for one week with average 3000 passengers has 210,000 gallons of sewage, 1 million gallons of waste water, 130 million gallons of hazardous waste, 8 tons of solid waste, 25,000 gallons of oily bilge water, all of it prohibited from being discharged within 3 miles of shore.  More than 3 miles out however, raw untreated sewage can be discharged along with garbage, solid waste etc!!  "To what effect on tides that wash ashore, on sea and marine life, on the growth of pathogens and toxicity of our waters?" I ask.

Although there are regulations - the Clean Water Act, most notably - there is not one law or rule, the enforcement is weak, and the industry continues to rapidly expand around the world.  Being in Juneau, Alaska last summer, on the icefield research camps, I was flabbergasted seeing 4 cruise ships in port every evening.  The cruise liners were gorgeous, all lit up, were huge in size beyond my imagination, looking extraterrestrial and inviting to me who loves anything to do with boats and water.

But when I look at the facts on the effect of cruise liners on the world environment, I am disgusted and wish I had chosen a career in Environmental Studies instead.  When someone tells you about their wonderful cruise vacation, its a downer to think about the polluting facts about their voyage!  That's what this remix is about.