Blogger #4 Chan Whitaker

What I Wanted to Say

             Members of the committee, I thank you for having me here to discuss the issue of chronic homelessness. As we all know homelessness is all around us in every city and town. Now we might not have anyone directly associated with us whom is homeless but I feel it is our duty as humans to help one of our own in their time of need. I propose my solution; I need the full one-hundred and fifty-million to start my program, but before I break down how I will use the allotment let me start with why you should help. Your help is just to get the project off the ground and show results, once the project is running I will seek supplements for local businesses in exchange for volunteers from the facility which will benefit every one. The project will be able to expand from the supplements since the facility will be fully self sufficient, the business gets a cleaner community with less homeless and essentially free volunteers, the residents get volunteer work experience to list on their resumes to help the eventually find paying jobs. Now for my break down the first hundred-million will go directly into construction the facility, purchasing the land, building materials, and permits. The next twenty-five-million will go to purchasing equipment needed to be self sufficient; building water desalination devices for drinking, farming, and showering water, purchasing solar and wind generators, and purchasing equipment needed to farm properly. The next twenty million will go to vehicles for student volunteers to pick up homeless of the streets and check the homeless persons acceptance status, it will also go towards an on cite computer lab for resume writing, job searching, and work shops to help rehabilitate residents. The last five-million will be left in the account for emergencies and expansion should the project be successful enough in the next four years. each resident will have eighteen months to find a job save up the money and move out or they will be evicted and taken to the closest shelter. To be accepted the person in question must be drug and alcohol free for at least six months prior and have not been homeless more than five years (in hopes one day we can accept all sober homeless). Residents will be signed up for volunteer schedules to help local businesses and community organizations, helping clean the streets help with menial tasks for the local paramilitary organizations. Residents will also be asked to participate in daily chores to help the facility maintain it's self sufficient status. Part of the facilities responsibility will be setting up an efficient, small scale, self sufficient, "city" to lead as an example for actual cities to follow in steps to become self sufficient and one hundred percent "green". The facilities main goal will be to better the world starting with large cities, by helping the homeless, and again thank you for your time members of the committee.

Blogger #6 Chan Whitaker

Picture #1: "The Big Picture" this picture will be placed the furthest back and will depict a mother holding her daughter against a brick wall sitting on the cement side walk. The mother looks to be in her mid thirties and the daughter approximately five or six with her body tucked closely to her mothers. They both wear coats so it can be presumed that it is cold. I chose this piece in hopes that it will make my audience think of the women in their life with her daughter in the same position triggering a pathos reaction of empathy and sympathy.

Picture #2: "Change" This picture will be placed on the outer most left hand side of the exhibit, it depicts a homeless man in a hoodie approximately twenty-five in age slim build with a written sign "Keep your coins I want change." The piece is done in a graphic street art style. I chose this piece because it appeals to my own median of spray paint art and to me it had a powerful message.

Picture #3: "The Saint" This picture is front and center it depicts Mother Theresa smiling. I chose this picture to draw your attention away from the rest it is one of the happier and most hopeful pictures in the exhibit. I chose Mother Theresa because of her direct tie dedicating her life to the homeless situation.

Picture #4: "Turn Your Head" This picture is on the outer most right hand side and depicts a business man in a suit with his head manually being pushed away by his "shadow" (another man in a black Morph Suit) he is being forced to look away from the homeless man sleeping on the side walk with some of his possession which just look like trash bags and garbage. I chose this picture because it is essentially my exhibit described in one picture. I want to point out how easy it is to over look homelessness as well as any other social issue because there is a subconscious force making us look away.

Blogger #5 Chan Whitaker

              I did a Google Images search of homeless artist found this picture ,------------------------------>
which took me to, http://homelesssigns.tumblr.com/ 

where I learned two artist started a project for the homeless in a whole new way. The goal of the artists is to raise awareness with a flashy sign and to spread the stories of the homeless who are out on the streets. In further research I sound that one of the artists is a mechanical engineer by degree but a sign painter and artist by trade. Each sign they make is hand painted and is the artist's rendition of the original sign the homeless had.

            The following is a link to "If Everyone Cared" by Nickleback https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IUSZyjiYuY . I find this song related to all social issues because Nickleback was just trying to inspire a change in human behavior. I think the video is actually a helpful aspect to the song since it depicts others who have tried and succeeded in making a change either in their community, culture or the world. I personally find the song related to human suffering as a whole and motivates me to want to make "everyone care" about their fellow human beings. The song was written by the member of Nickleback and, the digital sales of this song go to Amnesty International and International Children's Awareness Canada.

              The credibility of both the band and the art movement is with their followers. They are both established and within their fans are probably influential figures. They also both have pathos on this subject seeing the signs or hearing a song tends to trigger one's emotions. The homeless signs however, unlike Nickleback, have a shock affect on the public because it is something they were not expecting and it's controversial.

Blogger #3 Chan Whitaker

This ad for the Salvation Army caught my attention, because I feel like it bluntly points out how easy it is for the homeless to just blend in with the noise of the city. It makes me realize that to most of us the homeless are no more than the piece of trash on the side walk in the corner of our eyes. This add makes me wonder why it is so easy to look past a homeless person when their situation is so dire. How can we walk past the same person sleeping on a bench every day and not once think, "How can I help them today?" or "I wonder what stories they could tell." I guess all in all it just opened my eyes to a different social issue (ignorance).

Blogger #2 Chan Whitaker

The Articulate Compromise

             
            While there are many languages out there, there are people who don't think they know more

 than one, but based on what I've read and what I've heard, many people use more than one language 

everyday. Is the way you would speak to a co-worker or boss the same way you would speak to or 

interact with your friends? No, are you going to interact and speak as free tongued around your 

parents that you do when you hang out with your friends? No, but you wont speak to your parents 

with the same formality that you do with your boss or co-workers either. You speak to your boss, 

friends, and family all in different languages. This is a perspective held by Lyiscott, to her being 

articulate means being able to fluently speak in any way that's different from another, and 

that in itself is it's own language. Anzuldua said, "So, if you want to really hurt me, talk poorly about

 my language." This expresses her love for her first language (Spanish). When she moved to 

a country where so many of the people don't understand her language she had to learn a new one, in 

the story she also says that when one lives in a country where the dominant language is one they 

cannot speak what else is one to do but to create a new one, one that takes a little of each in a sort of

compromise making a whole new culture.

Blogger #1 Chan Whitaker

I Have Been Told

I am eighteen who I am doesn’t matter, my gender, race, sexuality, nationality, religious, or political beliefs, don’t matter. What does matter: I am eighteen, I am a human, my story, and what I have to say to you

One Billion people worldwide are estimated to have inadequate housing. I am lucky, yet I wish no one has to feel the ways I have. I have slept on the streets, I have felt hunger with no food, I have been alone and afraid, left with nowhere and no one. The on going debate is whose job is it to do something, when the debate should be what should we do about it?.

This world has many problems, let’s start fixing. First, we are all human, it is our job to do something. Our homeless are unsafe and scared, let’s give them at least a temporary home to feel safe. Our poor are hungry, let’s give them the means to grow their own food. Our youth are ignorant, let’s educate them. Our small-business owners are understaffed and are common folk are unemployed, let’s help.

I have been told I can’t fix the world because no one person can change the world. Well that is true the world is in fact too large for any one person to fix, however, united the human race has caused great change. Together the world has stopped tyrants, dictators, and genocides. It is time to stop focusing on each individual problem on its own. In short our problem; the people of the world, our people, need help our help, it’s broad I know that’s the point.

The state of California is currently under a “state of emergency” when it comes to the issue of homelessness.  Although government officials are attempting to find solutions to the problems, maybe there are other ways we can help.  There are empty lots everywhere, let’s petition the government to donate them tax free for homeless facilities, after all the government is supposed to be here to help and serve the people. If we convert shipping containers into a “halfway” facility for the homeless, we can have the previously homeless residents volunteer their time for the right to stay. The residents well volunteer to local businesses and community clean-up efforts as well as local paramilitary organizations such as the fire and police department to help keep the communities safe. Residents will also grow food food for the facility as well as food banks. Local students can volunteer at these facilities, to help pay for tuition through school programs.

This is just the start of the basic concept I have planned. Together we can better our communities and our world. We must start on a small scale and take things slow but keep our scope broad, because when nothing has worked previously it’s time to change our approach. Let’s change the world for the better, together as one.

Final blogger

#1

HOLD WHILE I SHOOT

summary 

For the first art piece of Words are Weapons we have this art piece called Hold While I Shoot, we start with a black background, with a weapon in the middle. There are a bunch of words forming the shape of a gun, with words coming out of the barrel representing smoke like it had just been shot. There are bold words, tiny words, big words and with different fonts. The words are in white and gray. Some of the words like “Faggot,” “Worthless,” and “Bitch” form the length of the barrel. “Wasted,” “Outcast,” “Freak” are few of the words that form smoke coming out of the barrel in a spiral motion. The trigger is made out of “Pull the trigger. You will not be missed.”

            Analysis 

      The gun of words creates a powerful statement that words are weapons as well. Words are damaging to someone’s self-esteem. Those are permanent scars that we see in ourselves even if they are not visible physically. The gun states that not only you have to be physically hurt or abuse to bully, calling names to others is bullying too. Is verbal bullying. In a way you are shooting at them putting them down, firing words, taking down the victims of bullying by hitting them with words instead of punches. It shows that words are as powerful and hurtful like physical pain. The gun also represents that words can cause more damage. With every time someone says something hurtful is like taking a gun and shooting you with it, and leaving a permanent scar on you. The more someone “shoots” at you the more wounded you become.

#2

HANG THE PAIN

         Summary

          Is black, no light, it’s just you. All you hear are the mean, hurtful things that have been said to you. You can’t take it no more, so you get a weapon, its long, you tie it around. It’s all the words that had been said to you, they are big, bold, tiny, different colors, and font. It’s a noose of words. The knot has the trigger saying “Just kill yourself, Just kidding, Not really.” In between those bold big words are small ones saying, “Die Bitch, die bitch, die bitch.” The loop of the rope is made out of smaller words like “you will not be missed.” “You suck,” “just jump, get it over with.”

            Analysis 

        This art piece symbolizes the struggle that many victims of verbal bullying endure in their daily lives. The noose is a way to end everything, to end the pain, the suffering, the laughter. When you can’t take the pain no more, you feel like you had no other choice but to use a weapon to make it quick and fast. The noose is a symbol that when you hang, you hang all the pain with it as well. The rope are is the struggle that bully victims have to deal with, for example, each braid on the rope is a word, a sentence and a phrase that the victims have heard or been called. Like the phrase “just jump, get it over with.” If that’s not something to go and find a weapon then I don’t know what else would trigger someone to do it.

#3

CUT THE PAIN OUT

       Summary

   You can’t take it anymore, it’s the constant abuse, the anguish of those hurtful words. “Waste of space,” “uncool,” “loser,” “failure.” All these plus more words are forming a weapon, a weapon that will find you a way out of all the pain. It’s just you, it’s all black, and all you see are the words, playing in your head forming a shape. They are big, small, bold, white, and gray. You see the words “No one likes you,” on the edge of the blade. The words are in the shape of a knife. The handle is made out of “Coward,” “failure,” “uncool.” The tip of the blade has “dumbass,” and “ignorant.” It’s sharp with a very pointy tip.

Analysis

    This art piece of a knife represents that words are stabbing, hurtful pain. It symbolizes that the words are stabbing you like if someone was actually using a knife to do it. The pain of the words being said to you is driving you to the edge of no return. Where once you use that knife of words the pain is gone. We say that words aren’t hurtful but they are wrong, they are a more dangerous way of weapons. We don’t actually need to use the weapons itself but those words form the weapons that someone would use. Mostly on themselves. The knife is an example of that. The bullying of verbal abuse will drive someone to commit suicide

Final Blogger

Title:  Unknown

Artist: Banksy

ARTIST SUMMARY

Banksy is a well known English street artist, activist and film director whose identity is unknown. Banksy uses satirical street art to commentate on political and social issues. He has had several art done around the world, such as: Gaza, Palestine and has held several exhibitions of his art. In said exhibitions, some dedicated art collectors have spent a big amount of money on his art. Even though Banksy hasn’t publicly spoken about Air Pollution, he has had several street art pieces done that commentate about the environmental crisis around the world. I'm unaware of how long it took Banksy to get this particular piece done because he doesn't really name his street arts and makes them in discretion. It’s illicit street art after all.

PIECE SUMMARY

The image above depicts a man wearing a black and white business suit, riding his bicycle with his hands on the air, while wearing a heavy duty gas mask that looks like the ones they used on the world wars. This street art piece was made by cutting an outline of a man riding a bicycle while wearing a gas mask. The piece is  filled in with black and white spray paint. The location of this street art was on Bogota, Colombia. Which is a city heavily affected by Air Pollution.

ANALYSIS

This piece of art, in my humble opinion, represents how stoic we are towards Air Pollution. The man in suit is riding the bicycle without hands, expression that leads me to believe he's happily riding the bicycle because he's wearing a heavy duty gas mask. Heavy duty gas masks are used to filter out asbestos in the air, which are created by Air Pollution. And because he's wearing a heavy duty gas mask ,that keeps him from being harmed by Air Pollution, he's happy.

Title: Air Pollution

Artist: Annemeet Van der Leij

Artist Summary

van der Leij is a Dutch-Israeli artist who was born and raised in Friesland in Northern Holland. She is fluent in five languages and lived in the United States for three years. She characterizes her work as “realistic fine art. She has another art piece that also commentates about pollution. Even though, Annemeet’s identity is known, she is rather reversed and doesn't speak much to the media. She lets her art do the talking.

Piece Summary

The painting shows a bunch of factory chimneys letting a handful of smoke out into the air.  The background color are dark colors with orange, giving the effect that the sun is setting.

Analysis

This piece of art brings attention about the main cause of Air Pollution, which is smoke released by factories. She shows factory chimneys, a lot of them, letting smoke out that is polluting the air. The background is dark, as if the sun is setting, to give a more dark and serious look that represents the seriousness of the problem.

Blogger 5

Part 1

 The song that I chose is " The Prophet's song" by the British band Queen. The song talks about a prophet who warns people about a deadly storm coming and urges them to flee to a new land or else everyone would end up dead. The following lyrics; "Fly and find the new green bough, return like the white dove" are what made me choose this song because it made me think about what would happen if we can not stop air pollution. The lyrics uses an analogy from the bible to urge people to find a new safe place from the storm. This applies to my social issue in a way because it plays with the idea of what would happen if we can't stop polluting the air. where would we find a place where the air we let us live like in this planet?

Proposal

Lopez Jose

English

Proff. Reyes

Air Pollution Proposal

                           To be able to reduce air pollution, we would like to request $150 Million dollars. The money will be used to stop the pollution of our planet, in order to help many people, animals, and nature itself.

                          Tesla Motors Inc. is an american born company that especializes in Automotive and energy storage. We are a public company that trades on the NASQAD stock exchange under the symbol TSLA. We are now currently very interested in solar energy, which we belive could help fight pollution. Most pollution comes from fossil fuels, so we plan on helping earth by  moving away from Fossil Fuels into a more clean and renewable energy. 

                          

Killing Earth

Imagine yourself in a city where a grey blanket is the first thing you see, then you look around and you notice people wearing heavy duty face masks. Your mind keeps you telling you that this isn't reality; your mind keeps telling you that you might be in a dream. A dream that takes place in futuristic apocalyptic movie that you might have watched. Except that you are not dreaming. You're in Beijing and the incessant environmental pollution has made the city almost uninhabitable.

Beijing's air pollution is at all times high. Air pollution has gotten so bad, it has made paper masks obsolete; it has made people opt for heavy-duty masks instead. Heavy duty masks are masks with purifying canisters filters, which are commonly used to remove asbestos.

Along with heavy-duty masks, you might also notice the deserted streets of Beijing. During bad days and when the red flag is up; people are warned to stay indoors at all times. Buildings are being reconfigured; People retreat to conditioned environments; Artificial bubbles over playgrounds are being built. It all looks as if China is getting ready for the apocalypse. An apocalypse that is already there, and if we don't do anything to stop this. The whole world will become inhabitable.

Article:http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/dec/16/beijing-airpocalypse-city-almost-uninhabitable-pollution-china

Exhibition Rough Draft

Eric Riojas

12-2-2015

Professor Reyes

My exhibit is a reflection of how I view the issue of genetically modified foods in America. Since the early 90s corporations, with the only goal of becoming rich, have been pushing the implementation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the United States. They have used false advertisement, lobbied government officials, threatened farmers, and slandered subject matter experts in order to push their agenda. The whole time the American people paying for their selfish desires. Their products have not been adequately tested and have produced dangerous breeds of weeds and insects. No one knows for sure the dangers they pose to people. Some experts believe people can develop food allergies and various forms of cancer. The four pieces of art work I choose shed light on each aspect of the GMO world in America. Starting with Humanity vs the Machine, which depicts how an a elite control the masses pushing certain agendas. Next in sequence is Freedom for Humanity, this piece shows the resistance to the system we currently live in. Third in my exhibition is Tomorrows Children. It gives a glimpse into our future, a toxic one, if we continue down the path we are on. I followed up with the last piece DMT Mountain. This piece reflects what our world could look like if we put what was import first and not money or power. 

I choose Mear One’s work because of his passionate views on social issues. Mine being the labeling of GMOs in America which he shares. He expresses himself very well though his art. His personal bio from his web site is as follows:

MEAR ONE (Kalen Ockerman) has been at the forefront of LA’s graffiti and mural culture for nearly three decades. He is  famous for having pioneered the Melrose graffiti art movement in the late 80s and is considered by many to be LA’s most prolific public muralist. Early on in his career, MEAR gained his recognition for building the bridge between graffiti art and fine art. He was the first graffiti artist to exhibit at the infamous 01 Gallery on Melrose, as well as at 33 1/3 Gallery in Silverlake, where Banksy would later debut his first North American show. MEAR ONE’s work was part of the landmark Art in the Streets 2011 exhibit at the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art. He is perhaps best known for constructing powerful narratives juxtaposing philosophy, ancient mythology and modern politics to inspire an evolved conscious. This interpretation of reality is achieved through balanced dialogue between realism and the supernatural. MEAR ONE helps us envision the sublime spirit of our time – not by escaping reality, but by confronting it head on. 

His bio lays out what his beliefs are, and how prominent a figure he is in our community. He is a great voice against GMOs.

Humanity vs The Machine

Summary:

Humanity vs The Machine is on display on the side of The Wood Cafe in Culver City. This piece  was created a few weeks after Prop. 37, a proposition that would require the labeling of GMOs, was voted on and rejected. The left half of the mural shows an industrial area full of smog with chem trails (chemical trails) stretching across the sky. A massive migration of people, animals, plants, and automobiles head toward a hovering green head over the industrial area. The label GMO is across the forehead of the head and an all seeing eye is positioned over the head. Behind the hovering head is a mountain of industries and nuclear power plants. The left edge of the mural has a power grid laid out. An erie green tint covers the left half of the mural. To the right is a man, woman, and child standing over a garden. Their hands extended toward the left half in a protective posture. At their feet is a lush garden with various fruits and vegetables in it. Laid out behind the family is farm land that reaches out into the distance. Purple mountains are at the horizon that turn into a golden orange sky. Clouds are painted in a rolling motion through out the sky. To the left of the farm land filled with crops is a row of wind turbines. 

Analysis:

This mural reflects my views on GMOs in our society today. It shows the relation ship between the elitist in control, the sheep who blindlessly follow, and the few who don’t wish to be subjected to harsh chemicals. I also believe this piece was created in direct response to the rejection of Prop. 37. Mear One is showing his views on GMOs in our society. He is also touching on how the government has put aside the environment for fiscal prosperity. The hovering head with an all seeing eye above it represents the elite few that control the masses. The lone family standing over their naturally grown food gives the impression of how few know the struggle of organic living, and how alone they are in their stance against the elitist. The left half of the mural is representative of what corrupt individuals have turned our world into. Also how the majority of society accepts what they are told with out question. That world is dark, polluted and sick. On the other hand the left is clean, natural, and how we should interact with nature. The citizens of this great nation should have the opportunity to know what they are buying from their local markets. We have the right to control what enters into our bodies. We also have The corporations that have created these GMOs shouldn’t be allowed to influence our government to the point that they ignore the people’s voice. If we continue to genetically engineer the DNA of organisms we will irreversibly harm our planet and our selves. 

Tomorrow’s Children

Summary: 

Tomorrow’s Children is mural that was created in Echo Park. Mear One was inspired to make this mural as a result of the Fukushima reactor melt down. A dark world is painted for the surroundings. Green skies with numerous chem trails (chemical trails) criss-crossed across the sky. Smog flowing vertically from an industrial area fills the air. A glowing white light is emitted from the industrial area, which blends into the green skies above. A military helicopter patrols in the distance over the industrial complex. The main character of the image is a young girl. She is sitting next to a chemical barrel. The barrel has an all seeing eye that has been crossed out stamped on it. The image of the eye is placed at the top of the barrel. She is covered with a blanket from her neck down to her feet. The blanket has black interrupted stripes running horizontally. The blanket covers all but her feet that are dressed with sandals. She has a distressed look on her face. Her hair is black and falls just bellow chin level. Just a few feet from her lay dead birds. Multiple barrels like the one she is leaning on riddle the back ground. The young girl makes direct eye contact with who ever views the image. The image has a cold and toxic feel to it. 

Analysis:

To me the name alone describes the art piece. Tomorrow’s Children is explaining what we are leaving for future generations. Based on this image the future for our children isn’t good at all. Who would want to live in a world full of pollutants like GMOs and the products they make? Like super weeds that have the potential to kill naturally growing plant life. Or create supper bugs that can be saturated in pesticides without being affected. This young girl is in a world she does not want to belong to. There is no life in this image besides the girl, and the other life that was is know laying dead next to her. The forces at work here, like in our world, care for nothing but their own selfish gains. Future generations can not grow up in a world filled with unnatural products that choke out the natural life of this planet. We should be leaving our children with a better world not condemning them to deadly chemicals and false foods. Foods that have not been properly screened and could potentially harm us and our families. Mear One making  this mural in response to Fukushima was his way of showing enough is enough. We can’t continue to treat our planet like this and expect not damage it. GMOs are not only dangerous to humans, but also to the planet. Nature can not combat man made weeds that over come naturally growing plant life, or insects that have become resistant to toxic pesticides like glyphosate.

Freedom For Humanity

Summary:

The center piece of the image is a young man holding a make shift shield in front of himself with his left hand. The words Freedom for Humanity! are written on it in neon pink.The font is made to look like graffiti. In his right hand he holds an orange spray can. He is dawning a grey gas mask.  Green goggles cover the mans eyes  A shamal is wrapped around his neck with the excess blowing to his rear. He is dressed with a olive green T-shirt and dark grey to purple pants. His shoes are standard running shoes. They have olive green soles and tongue. There is also some purple on them. He has the stance of preparing to take an impact. Behind him is a list of words: Revolution, Mind Control, Monsanto, GMO, FEMA, Genocide, FEMA, Fast Food, War and Lies to name a few. The back ground of the image fades from yellow to white from top to bottom. The man’s shadow is project to his rear. It gives the illusion that he is larger than he really is. 

Analysis:

This image doesn’t only touch on my social issue of GMOs but also on a number of others. His shield represents how freedom is suppose to shield us from these oppressive structures. The United States is credited as the freest nation on the planet, yet we don’t have the freedom to choose what we put into our bodies. Multiple nations around the world have set legislation into act that requires the labeling of GMOs. As of November 19, 2015 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the sale and consumption of genetically engineered salmon. This was done with the majority of Americans in disapproval. Markets in the U.S. aren’t even required to label these fish. I believe this image addresses this very circumstance. The people of this great nation will not let the corporations who are pushing for GMOs to hijack our government. Multiple times legislation has been proposed for the labeling of GMOs only to be voted to reject them by bought out politicians. But that does not discourage the spirt of the ones who feel like the man in this image. They continue to fight the greed of Washington. One day their relentless spirt will overcome corporations like Monsanto, Dupont, and Dow Agrosciences.

Man, Woman, & Nature

Summary:

Positioned in the upper back of the picture is a mountain covered in snow with some rocks protruding through. Behind the mountain are rolling white clouds masking a blue sky. Hints of purple dash through the clouds. The tip of the mountain is crowned with a moon. Just in front of the mountain are tall, what seem to be, pine trees. At the base of the trees is a green carpet of grass that runs the entire width of the picture. Small boulders are positioned through out the grass. Just below the grass centered in the painting is a small river. In that river a man is shown with half his body submerged and a woman stands right above him. The mans body blocks the woman from her knees down. The man’s head is angled down towards the water. The woman’s arms spread out horizontal and parallel to the ground. Her head is tilted to the rear to show her looking towards the sky. Both individuals are transparent, and both seem to have electricity flowing through their bodies. Orange fall like leaves produce a circle around this woman. A large log lays on the bank to the left of the two beings. Rays of sun light shine in from the left moving to the right. As you continue down the image hovering just above the water are geometric shapes that are also transparent. They have shades of pink and blue in them. From there the river seams to flow off the bottom of the canvas. 

Analysis:

This image shows is representing how humans should interact with nature. How human beings and nature are intertwined and dependent on one another. What we do and how we treat this planet reflects the health of mother Earth. Unlike Tomorrows Children a dark a broken world, this image is showing how the people of this fragile planet should interact with it. When I look at it I  see noting but natural life. In tune to the soul of the Earth and living in harmony with it. The people of this planet don’t need GMOs in our plants or animals. The Earth can literally provide for each man, woman, and child on this planet. We can feed every one with organic farming. Organic farming is not only healthier for people but its better for the ground too. The organic farming gives the top soil time to replenish preventing erosion. This image shows nature taking care of itself with clean water and fresh air. In the world of GMOs hazardous side affects are produced. Aggressive supper weeds that can not be killed with herbicides, and supper insects that resist harmful pesticides. Both of these thing were created from using GMOs in our food crops. Now with the approval of GMO salmon who knows what affects they will cause on the environment. Life like the this image represents is attainable if we want it bad enough.

Work Cited

http://mearone.com/bio/

Final Blogger

Booze Is Never The Answer...

“Intro”

When we look at the history of Alcohol, it goes back for ages and ages. Even today, alcohol is bigger than ever and its only growing. From adults enjoying a bottle of wine with friends, to the underage teens chugging a cheap bottle of vodka at college, it is time to really educate society on the effects of alcohol. With my exhibit, I plan to show the full spectrum of how alcohol can affect someone. The theme of my pieces are to show you to what extent Alcoholism has on different individuals in different scenarios. One of my pictures has to do with a man drinking because of PTSD. The next is a man heading to a wedding and chugging a flask. Following is man leaving a hard day at work and drinking a few beers on the way home. Lastly, i will conclude with a homeless man who is getting drunk on cheap wine. All of these pieces are different in their own way, some are happy some are sad but they all lead to the same thing, problems. With the growing popularity of this “legal” substance it is now time to ramp up the education on alcohol and alcoholism. People need to see first hand what drinking may lead to and the consequences of it. We may not be able to stop every single incident, but if we stop a couple, we are progressing. 

 

1.)

Summary: Alcoholism & PTSD

Its been three months now since I've been back from the desert and still i get these visions. People dying, getting blown up by an IED and losing my brothers just plays on repeat in my head. I can't focus on anything, my anxiety is driving me crazy and nothing seems to make it go away. The only thing that temporarily resolves the issue is this bottle of scotch. As, I sit at my dinner table alone, I ponder about my life. It looks as if there is no ending to this madness in my head. The more and more I drink I feel as it I'm drifting away from society and the norm, but its my only escape. Every time I go to the VA for help, I feel as if I'm only a burden. They just shoot me with a bunch of medications and send me on my way. Ive pushed everyone I love away and now I'm alone. I don't think I can take it anymore..

Analysis: Alcoholism & PTSD

The theme of the piece is to show a Veteran with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) suffering from alcoholism. Drinking for him has become an escape from the terrible disease from war, but in the end will lead to no resolution. That gentleman actually drank himself into a coma that day and is under life support. His friends and family all have tried to help and intervene on his drinking problem, but ended up pushing everyone away. The morale of the story is that though drinking provided an escape for his problems in the present, he was ultimately destroying his future. Many people in society choose to do this as well. They drink to cover their daily problems, without knowing that they put themselves in jeopardy of getting alcoholism. This is where we come in to educate society on the true understanding of alcohol. We need to influence the people that there are better and safer alternatives than alcohol and not to resort to it because its easy. There are countless people daily suffering from the disease and its time to make a change.  

2.)

                             Summary: The Best Man “Jack Daniels”

Exactly a year ago today my best friend Josh said he was going to propose to his girlfriend and that he wanted me to be his best man. Overly excited i shouted “Hell Yes”! Wait... that means I have to give the best mans’ speech right? For years I've had a public speaking problem and all I could think about was giving a best mans speech for over 400 people. Well that year quickly flew by and it was time for that big speech. With very minimal preparation throughout that year, I feel as if Im finally ready for it. But, Im definitely going to need to be drunk for this. Dressed in my Grey blazer with my lucky red tie, my hair spiked and my aviators on I make my way to the alter. As i quickly drink out of my best mans flask, I start to realize I may have had one too many to drink. I hope this speech goes well..  

Analysis: The Best Man “Jack Daniels”

The theme of the piece is to illustrate how a gentlemen who uses Alcohol to calm nerves or inebriate himself to the point to which he doesn't care. Well, unfortunately the driver never made it to that wedding to give that big speech. Less than 2 miles from the alter his car was found smashed into a building where he was pronounced dead on impact. This man who had a happy celebration to embrace was taken from it because of Alcohol. The scary thing is that these type of things happen everyday and its absolutely sad. That even when its a good or happy moment chaos can still ensue. And the terrible thing is that it could all have been avoided. The Morale of the piece is that again alcohol is not the answer to your problems. Though it may have helped this guy out with his speech and his nerves, his decision to drink ultimately cost him his life. If only he would have been more educated on the alcohol, he may still be around today.

3.)

Summary: Work Will Be The Death Of Me

Finally after a 14 work day I'm leaving this horrible thing called a job. I of course had to stop and pick up my twelve pack of Heineken for the ride home to reflect on my day. As I'm casually driving down the freeway beer in hand, I think about how the day could not have gone any worse. First, I was late again because my car wouldn't start this morning. Then I was chewed out for at least an hour, because the shipping order was incorrect. Finally the cherry on top was being laid off from the company that i have worked at now for 20 years. What do I do now? Im too old to find another job, nobody is going to hire me. How am I going to pay my bills and support my family? As I continually drive around the city thinking about what I'm going to do, I realize that the case is now empty. As inebriation begins to set in, I no longer care. These beers will get me through anything. 

Analysis: Work Will Be The Death Of Me

The theme of the piece is to illustrate how a man uses alcohol to escape from the dreaded thing he calls life. After being laid off from his job the man decides to drink and booze. Well, on his joy ride pondering about life he crashed into a school bus injuring numerous children and paralyzing himself. This man just ruined the rest of his life because he resorted to alcohol. There are countless cases of this happening daily with no resolution in sight. People are resorting to booze to get them past their issues and this isn't the answer. We need to come up with a better, safer alternative. I can't iterate enough the importance of educating the people about this “legal” substance. The numbers are only rising when it comes to alcoholism. The frightening thing is its going to continue to happen unless we all take a stab at it together. 

4.)

Summary: Spare Change For Booze?

I have officially lost it all. My job, my house and most importantly my family all because of alcohol. How did I let myself get to this point in my life?  After spending the last six dollars I had on a bottle of cheap wine all I could do was sit by this smelly trash can and think about when it all went wrong. The countless nights coming home drunk pushed my family away, getting buzzed at work cost me my job and well losing my job ultimately left me to losing my house. As i quickly drink the entire bottle of cheap wine, questions begin running through my head what I'm going to do. When was the last time I showered? Was this brown long sleeve shirt going to hold up through the winter? What am i going to do without shoes? How long with these socks hold up without getting holes? Hell the cleanest thing i have on are these jeans.. As i grew more and more sad about my situation I realize that I am out of booze and money.. Spare some change anyone?

Analysis: Spare Change For Booze?

The theme of the piece is to show how a man lost it all because of alcoholism. He had a stable paying job, a great family and a beautiful home. As a drinking problem began to arise thats when everything fell apart for him. He came home drunk every night only to fight with his wife. After some time she couldn't take it anymore and left. He then would drink on the job ultimately sacrificing his career. Then when he lost his career, everything else went as well all for alcohol. Now he's staying in the park behind Walmart living in a cardboard box begging for food and change. The morale of the story is that Alcohol isn't the answer to anything. We see here a man who had it all decided to give in to the temptations of alcohol and lost it all.That even though he wasn't drinking to rid or escape of anything, it still had a negative impact on his life. Educate yourselves people, there are countless stories just like this that happen everyday. Don't let it be you.