Wednesday 5th January

Consuming Passisons

Consuming- We live in a consumer culture

The SS Great Britain was the start of manipulating materials

1872 Claude Monet, transporting materials to enable him to work outside. A change in the mobility of paints helped work to be produced as its not confined in the area of a studio.

"Difference" changing the art world

Karl Marx 1818-1883

Capitalism

Acquisition of money

Economic system

Revolutionised the 'classes' example the classes where then not just separated into rich and poor

Free-market than a controlled market

Fetishisation

'Exchange value' of a commodity is separate to its 'use value'

This results in 'alienation of the workers' example paying the Chinese not very much, health and safety is also poor

Renoir 1881 painting of leisure showed a time in which the middle/richer class could enjoy themselves

Selferedges where the first shop to have toilets this meant that you could spend a day at the shops instead of only a short period of time as people needed to stay close to home just in case they needed the toilet. 

Charles Frederick Worth 1895 was the first o'couture designer. Buying fashion in an expensive way

"Real" or true needs vs. "false" need as there must need it and you don't really need it. Waste plays a great issue as things on the shelves don't always sell in time for the new products to be shelved... so what happens to the items that didn't sell ??

Standardisation

Democratising society, all people can do what they want and they are not divided by classes.

Pseudo-individualisation- you put your mark onto something, we want to individualise ourselves instead of having fashion from the shelf. Such as our personalised Nike trainer. For example we would have our name on it, choose the colour and laces ect however the Nike tick will still be very much visual.. so is it really making it personal?

The Global Village- are you "Real?"

Familiar Values- We live a postmodern, postindustrial society

Advances in transport- is the world 'Shrinking' due to this technology?

We can travel safely and in a short space of time 

Even though there is now more people in the World than ever before we are part of what Marshall Mcluhan called a "global village"

Artists where collaborating World Wide via Internet ect even though they where miles away

Global Village has benefits- Two cultures meet and produce different cultures and produce creative and innovative and interesting forms of work

"Chinoiserie"- refers to China's tradition. Theoretical

"Japonisme" 1870's. Exotic, impact of oriental things that haven't been seen before

Before mid 1880's Japan was keeping themselves very much to themselves from the rest of the world. Japonisme used depth, sculpture looking work 3D looking and the sense of real elements of form.

Chinese and Japanese work in the way of a scroll

"Rediscovery" of Japanese art and design as trade was merged with the Western World. They used blocks, stylisation. This style of work impacted on impressionism. Oriental, exotic. However very much based on traditional values.

Japanese graphics commanised. The way that people where stylised was hugely influenced by the Westernised animation such as Mulan.

The risk of loosing individuality. New an innovative thinking however there is a bad side of uniformity.

Mac Donald's: Its not surprising, not unique, not individual, you know exactly what your getting where ever you are. No matter where you are in the world if you see a Mac Donald's sign they always taste the same. The fast food industry is: Efficient, predictable, controlled and standardised. 

"Cultural Imperialism"

Dominant: Not just visual but what they represent. How we feel about cultural demonstration ideology= Body of ideas or beliefs

Hegemony

A dominant view point

Hussein Chalayaris

Conceptual fashion designer not about the garment but what the garment is associated with.

Communicate World Wide. Its immediate. Images, messages, videos ect.

We think we 'know' and 'understand' whats happening. When we 'stop' seeing these images does it mean they have stopped? And there's no issue in that place anymore just because its not headline news? The pace of what we see and how quickly they move onto something else is astonishing. The power of imagery.

Hegemony. Confusing what we see to what is real and 'reality'

'Hegemony"=dominant influence we accept national stereotypes and our assumptions. Cliche

We understand cliches

Edward said "Orientalism" and "Culture & Imperialism" Interested about how people are seen as the are 'surposed' to be. Question the assumed objectivity of the researcher.

The concept of the 'Other' is key to our understanding of ourselves and other people. We might not no who we are but we know who we are not.

You are "other" than normal if you don't meet a certain criteria.

Symbolic value is relational and arbitrary pink=feminine and blue=masculine

"False needs" are created by capitalism and perpetuated by the culture industry 

"Simulacra" are hyper real copies of the real thing. We only have "simulations" of reality-false versions of reality.. is it the same though?

Games are simulacras of war. Games are used as marketing and recruiting to join the war, as children like to play shooting games so a perfect way to put a hidden messages as children enjoy the game will they enjoy the army? However this is not a real representation of what the army is actually like as it is only showing the big strong heroic guys nothing is said about the injured or the dead. Only makes it sound good which is actually a very good marketing tool. 

Space man and a cowboy both are representations of the real iconic American man. Also both used in Toy Story as the two main characters. 

"Idealised Person" What defines good looking and acceptable? Who defines this? Good looking people on a 'Ugly' website, they consider themselves to be ugly?

Everyone from even a young age is concerned about their looks...

Sexualisation of girls

The new range of girls dolls called BRATZ. The new Bratz dolls are trying to be very 'down' with the youngsters. The logo and the writing is very graffiti style looking and they are playing with how words are actually spelt and changing the s to a z. The physical appearance of the dolls: They have very large over exaggerated eyes, this even makes them look slightly alien like but overly sexy for a little girls dolls almost like 'come to bed eyes'. They look very sexy dolls. On the website, not only is it games and looking at dolls and there overly sexy names but also once you sign out it says about 'Be beautiful', solely about image and looks! And at all points as your playing the game or looking on the website ect there is always a little symbol about shopping ie buying! Therefor it is also a profitable website, directed at CHILDREN!

Primark produced a bra for a girl aged two that was padded this eventually was removed from all shops after a long time. This is an outrage!

T-shirts printed from children with rude messages wrote on the front, also not acceptable

Sequined thongs produced for young girls 

Pink Playboy pencil cases on sale obviously directed at school goers

'Zoo' Magazine at eye level for everyone to see, is this unacceptable for young girls to see or is it offensive to them?

Young people are affected by what they see around them so are we sending out the correct message?

This affects the way we see, understand and think about the world.

Sexualisation to all women is in:

Magazines, Adverts, on the TV, song lyrics, on the internet, computer games, movies/films and music videos ect

What does this say about the male community?

Task 1 Inter textual artifact

• Locate an inter textual artifact.

The artifact that I have chosen will be the film Snow White, I have chosen this as I think there are many hidden meanings which have been though of very carefully and Disney have made the message hidden in the children's film, so really they are learning as well. 

• Identify the text it represents and how they function to give the work added meaning.

I think there is a clear reference to good and evil. This is shown by a good, nice and innocent Snow White who is helping clean and dust a house for the dwarfs, when a nasty, ugly witch comes along- the music changes to some eerie sound track to make her seem like a scary character. I think this could stem back to the angel and the devil which then relates back to the stories held in the bible.

The Seven Dwarfs represent different personalities and the moods that people can be in.
On a website I have looked at they say that there is comparisons the names of the dwarfs with your own personality changes when you have a drug addiction i think this is very clever.






Sleepy: Change in sleep patter
Happy: Mood Swings
Grumpy: Mood swings
Sneezy: Allergies
Bashful: Personality Alteration
Dopey: Self Explanatory
Doc: What you'll need at the end of it

Snow White eating the poisoned apple, I think this is a direct connection to Adam and Eve in the bible as they where warned not to eat the apple and yet they still did. Snow White ate the apple even though the circumstances where all wrong. 

• Consider how postmodern practitioners work can ever be original.

Personally I don't think that work can ever be original again, only due to the fact that we are influenced by every art movement that has happened, other artists and the entire world surrounding us. We also have a huge history that has been recorded and old pieces of art that still survived. Due to a compilation of all the elements I don't think that work could go back to originality without being influenced even in the slightest. 

Disney Subliminal Messages

Task 2 Fetishises

• Identify a fetishised object, what needs does it fulfill? 

I have chosen the IPhone produced by Apple Inc. The needs are simple- to contact others in emergencies, keep in touch and in contact with family and friends. You can also send a text message which people don't need to pick up immediately and you can send images, videos for others to share your experience ect. But mainly to check someone is safe, so that you can get hold of others and they can get in contact with you. So I think its about connecting people. 

• What is its exchange value and how is this calculated? 

Its exchange value for the IPhone is this new 'crowd' that has been produced by society, everybody wants to own one and be in this group of people that enjoy using the phone. Its also all about social status, the fact that there so expensive and only certain people can actually afford this phone due to its expense. So your reputation in theory. What they do, you can spend time looking at things with others on there so almost like socialising with a phone. I think the IPhone is calculated by consumer demand as people want them so therefor they become popular and sell more. 

• What is its symbolic value? 

Its symbolic value represents the consumer demand for the phone and who is defined as being able to own this phone and I think it really separates the 'classes'.

• Whats its real value? 

Its real value is probably peanuts as the expression is. In all fact it just a piece of plastic. Apple would only have to make it with their resources and materials, they would pay workers in other countries in poor environments pittance to produce it. So in actual fact it probably cost less than £50 to produce and manufacture.

• How its symbolic value constructed and who benefits?

The people that benefit from owning an IPhone are the consumers who enjoy using it. Apple benefit as they are making a considerable amount of money through the route of selling the phone. Also the people who create and think of the apps make money as some you need to pay for. 

Task 3 Research Project- Initial Ideas and interests

• Which areas of Creative Practices particularly interest me (these may include areas outside of your immediate subject specialism)?

I quite enjoy looking at the questions behind whats 'correct' in photography such as photographer Nan Golding as there are very different view points.

I also think I might like to look at Orlan surgery as I think this interest me due to how strange and bazaar the circumstances of her surgeries. 

The main aspects of fashion I will consider is the fur trade as I am interested in the different points of views and am interested in the protest and controversies.

• Are there any questions that I have identified in my response to the readings and lectures that have formed part of the module to date? What about any questions that I have posted on my blog?

There is one artist that used and bought bodies and put them in certain position and used curtain body parts, I would really like to find the name of this art as I find that sort of art mind boggling. I would also like to find out why he would do something like that. 

• Which aspects of the readings and lectures from the module have you agreed with?

I agree strongly with fur trade controversies in the fashion industry as I feel that it is a complete outrage! I am also two minded about the child photography as I'm not sure if I can honestly say that I agree or disagree to this. I also agree with the designer who put plus size models down the cat walk as I feel every women should feel beautiful! And I really feel that it was a good and well thought decision to make. I agree with Orlan's twist on art, making her the art I agree with this as it's very different to what we already know.

I always find it easier to disagree with something than think to what I agree with only due to the matter that things I find disturbing and things I don't like stick in my mind more.

• Which aspects of the reading or the lectures from the module have you found to be particularly interesting?

I think the things I have found most interesting is definitely Orlans' surgery as I think it is just mad. I also found the reading about the photographer who couldn't help a women so he just photographed her slowly dying, I found this interesting as there was total uproar however he was trying to make the public move faster and he was simply watching not help and the controversies behind this is very interesting. Also things such as the dog dying as the dog was the piece of art in the gallery, why no one help him is completely beyond me. I find things interesting if they upset as if i feel strongly I also want to do my own personal research as bad things seem to really trigger in my mind.

• Which aspects of the reading or the lectures and discussions from the module to date have you disagreed with?

I can honestly say there is a lot of things that come to mind when asked what I disagree with. I really strongly disagree with the dog and no-one bothering to move the bowl or give him water, I don't think that I could have walked past and not done anything and left him there to die, I think this is disgraceful! It is not art, its cruelty! 

In the fashion industry I disagree with fur, and massive animals such as tiger are killed for their fur, I think that is absolutely outrageous! Closely followed by child labour and poor working conditions.

The exhibition being held with the gold fish in blenders, this is also a disgrace and its just simple cruelty, people are cruel for even considering to press the button! Why would anyone want to kill an animal? This is not art! And is a disgrace to the art world.

Micheal Craig's Oak tree is pathetic. Its simple a glass of water on a glass shelf, that's just crap closely followed by the lights being switched on and off and called 'art' I really don't think that is art. 

• Are there any specific issues that you feel strongly about? (Art, Design & Media related or not?)

Mainly animal cruelty such as fox hunting and neglected pets, it's simply unfair on the animals that can't speak for themselves.

Also abused children, this is unfair, the child is bought into the world, it should be to a loving family. Such as the Baby P case, people missed his serious injuries and no one noticed. And finally he died, its disgrace how sick people actually are and what nasty things they are doing to people. How can his mother stand there any do nothing and watch all that disgusting abuse go on to someone so innocent and young.

• What exhibitions/events/screenings have you been to see since the beginning of the program? Are there any specific aspects of these that have particularly interests you?

Something in the Arnolfini really stood out to me, I think it was called playing with software, I was able to move the objects and really feel interactive, I enjoyed myself greatly. The objects that I was able to move made different noises depending on where you moved it. This was good for all ages.

• What do you know about contemporary employment practices in your chosen area of specialism?

I think it means about how the graphic design industry is getting on in conjunction to the recession we have been hit by. I think that it is definitely picking up as I have a few contacts in the industry that say the work load is getting better by the day and is busy. I have no doubt in my mind that I wouldn't be able to find a job at the end of this course due to my determination and ambition. 
I think I am what employers are looking for as I am very determined and want to learn everything I can. I am also happy to start right at the bottom and will happily do the jobs that others don't want to, which I think employers will respect. I am good at time keeping and am never late. I have learnt skills which will set me up for the real graphic industry.

• Are you specifically interested in any aspect of commercial practices?

I am interested in every part of graphic design. I think I would like to work in animation as I think this would be a great job to have with a fun side attached to it. However I would like to design logos, letter headers and all the small things that we seem to forget about. Even things simple such as packaging and how things are cleverly put together interests me.

• What do you intend to do at the end of the Foundation Degree? Do you know how you are going to go about this? What do you need to know to pursue your ambitions?

After finishing the course I will go into an apprenticeship and work my way up through the company. I will look up companies in and around Bristol to start with, get there phone numbers and call to see if I can get an appointment, I will post on email my CV, I would also consider walking into each company building to show eagerness and to show I really want the job, I am prepared to do this to succeed.

Wednesday 15th December Postmodern space and Time: Retro & Vintage or Unoriginal & Old?

Postmodernism:
Central focus, key concept
An extension of modernism


Modernism:
It wasn't a "period" it was a movement that describes a wide range of texts that influence how we now think and experience the world. It co-existed with other styles. Big unidentified explanations- is possible to explain and control 


Enlightenment thought- system of how we understand and impact the world. Big belief system. Progression "truth".
The body is treated like a machine- if something breaks you take it out fix it and then your fine again.
Change, Constructed and Reconstructed. This is basically modernism.
Educating us makes us "improve"


World War 1 had a huge impact on modernism art.
Nationalism was seen to be a source of conflict- how and where you place yourself, our beliefs (this divided us)
Abstract, Apolitical, 'Avant Garde'
Design was driven by reason- everything was logical. 
Modernism: Efficiency, not frivolous approach. No decoration or surface patter, very matter of fact I would say. 
Clothing after the War, well it was illegal and unpatriotic to waste materials so things such as extra pockets and trimmings weren't allowed.
Modernism struggled to survive in World War 1- Seen as 'inhumane' and 'restrictive.' Failure of modernism which came from people being housed in 'modern' living accommodation and to build up into the sky however hundreds of people living in a small area never owning the whole building only owning a small area.. they also caused trouble with gangs of young teens clustering. 


Post Modernism:
The term Postmodernism originally used to describe an architectural style. Concentrated on decoration and playfulness very different to Modernism. 
Post Modernism would use frivolous, decorating 'nice' things just to put on the wall. Designing for the sake of designing if you would like.
"Style over Content"
Frequent references the past, other disciplines popular culture.


History can go backwards just as well as it can move forwards.


Modernism is a very logical process


Key Post Modernism Theorists:
Baudrillard
Derrida
Foucault-Talked a lot about power
Heidegger- spoke about just being in the World
Lyotard-No definite values


Prison Tower- It was a stance of power. A power relationship


Post Modernism
Identity is not fixed- its not defined from where you started out in life. It's sometimes our life style choices. Life has became an interplay of local and global factors.


Geographic and Historic places put together is how we define ourselves.


Identity as 'text' to be 'written'. Identity is not fixed is its being  challenged by relational references.


Taste:
Taste is not "neutral" or "natural"
"Denaturalising" material culture.
Brilliant design and taste has been constructed through history- our position in the world. We think we known what we like we have been shown and grown up with 'Bad' and 'Good' examples to us.
Who defines taste and values?
The taste of the "masses" was of concern to social engineers and philanthropists. Different perspectives.


Taste and fashion are linked changes in what is considered fashionable determines what is considered good and bad taste.


Fashionable styles used to be determined by the ruling classes and then it would gradually 'trickle-down' to the middle class.


Thorstein Veblen-
'Conspicuous consumption"
'Conspicuous leisure' This didn't really exist as if you where poor you worked- no time for leisure.


Status symbols- Style can trickle up for example Avril Lavigne- Commercialising 'street style' and the punk look


Run DMC- Relationship between music and marketing. Protest movement- power of the individual.


Judith Butler:
Identities are fluid they are 'performed' or 'performative.' Consumer culture gives us the props to perform a wider range of identities


Initially modernism was concerned with evidencing "progression"
Any system could be a modernist construction


The War was crucial for shifting- going from fixed identities, then moving and prompting change also in identity levels of uncertainty.


World War 2 people were beginning to travel abroad. Taking responsibility for the fellow man-although the state was looking after people for example now the NHS


THE BODY:
the human body
Representation
All about making you the consumer look 'better' and more 'ideal'
Too fat to get married, brides are seen to be gorgeous and slim- cultural convention.
Cultural hysteria
All women in the imagery- slimming loosing weight will make you look better
All about look and image nothing is ever said about actual health. 
Body modification- for body imagery.
gone from restricting body firming garments to body mutilation such as surgery.
Making the body look more conventional.
Re perfect as if your going back to it...??
They use scientific terms


Tattooing: This references back to tribal
They are fixed and permanent
Perhaps age.. right of passage
Different reference points in their lives
Script, telling a story


Body modification
Used for all symbolic reasons
Bound feet in China purely done so that the women can have nice small feet however they are basically deformed and at first could walk on there feet.
"If the shoe won't fit, fix the foot?"
Women removing parts of the foot to ensure she could fit into designer shoes.. MAD !!


Creating yourself on screen- For example representation of ones self.
Women would make themselves look slightly better- slimmer waist better shaped hips, bigger chest ect
Men- slimmer, more muscular...
Portraying how they want to looking appose to showing exactly how they look on screen. Often peoples ideas of the perfect them. 
Second life.
Online gaming such as Avatar you can also buy fashion which perhaps you couldn't just go and buy the clothing normally. There is also a H&M store online. Again this separates us even on virtue games. People are really buying things these gaming sites and communicating with other individuals, but the companies are making a lot of money from it. 




ADVERTISING:
Industrial Revolution- Late 1700's "Modern" world. Society experienced a "paradigm shift" flat world was actually circle. Its basically a sudden change to how we think. Different ways of thinking also.
Also the year of the birth of the "designer" as they weren't separated into professions before this. 
Differentiate products- need for advertising.
Reason- why you need something 'Atmospheric"
appeals to a consumers emotions and their intelligence


Then.. not selling a product but selling a lifestyle such as cleaning products. This then goes back to identity.


There is no limit to advertisement.


Capitalism:
Alienation of the worker
Time=Money


Theodor Adorno:
Other things they signify FETISHISED this means for example a pair of trainers:
Having the best or newest pairs shows you have money NOT the true meaning for trainers i.e confort, good to run it ect 

Television Advert- Cadbury

The costume:
They are both quite young children chose to do this.
They are both in what appears to be a school uniform.
The Girl: Has her hair in bunches and a little purple click to match her dress she is dresses very typically with buttons on the front of the dress done up. Although her hair is in bunches it is very slick back and very neatly done. Glasses on which could look slightly geeky. Very high neckline on her jumper. Very little flesh showing.
The Boy: He looks like he is in a school uniform. He looks very smart, having a tie, shirt, jumper and trousers. Also with very little flesh showing. The way he is dressed could insinuate that he is trying to look older than he is perhaps? However he has this cool little digital watch that he looks at which makes you think he's like any other small boy with gadgets. Simple hair style not spiked or anything that would suggest he's a 'cool' kid.

I think their appearance is slightly odd even before the advert resumes.

They are also both sat bolt up right perhaps showing good posture? 

The boy is taller than the girl. This is showing that the boy is more significant?
They have chose a very simple location, with just two children perhaps brother and younger sister, sat waiting for what looks their school picture, this is suggested by the background and at the start of the advert and the man setting the scene up. This is a very average thing for children in there uniform when they are attending school.

The props have been selected very carefully but what children would really play with: such as a small watch of the boys which is the only sound which they are in rhythm with and a balloon which the girl uses which is also a noise that they move there eyebrows to. These are things that make sometimes quite annoying noises which parents don't tolerate. However we have all made that noise with a balloon. 

There are not many camera angles use: I think they tried to film it as if you where stood in front of them. So you are almost the same height as them and there is not sense of authority or anything. There is a point where they have taken a birds eye view at the children are looking up at the camera, this is a good angle as it is showing the basic surroundings and making us really focus on the children. There are also a few close ups. 

The lighting and colour of film is very basic I think they have done this as they are pining all the attention on what the children are doing and don't want to distract our brains.
No one has ever relieved how this advert was actually made however I think that this was done with special effects on the eye brows as I don't think they would be able to have so much movement and such a rapid speed.

The adverts is actually advertising Dairy Milk Chocolate but the children don't really signify that (Well perhaps the girl purple dress) but I think we remember there adverts as they are very clever and as this one is.. Funny. There for, we remember it, this is a very clever tactic.
There adverts made you laugh and perhaps sharing there chocolate does? Perhaps this is the underlined message.