Random thoughts: Disability

I took a course on the discourse of disability over the winter term. I was surprised by the empowerment of a murderball wheelchair as compared to the typical wheelchair. (It was very gladiatoresque). I was just thinking about the cultural thoughts of a cast. They are generally welcomed because they can be designed and doodled on and etc. As an engineer and hardware mod fan, it would be very awesome to see a movement towards modifying wheelchairs to get away from the notions of fragile and create a new mentality about them. Maybe I'll design one in my free time this summer (full of LEDs and such((mod.ed laser pointer as well?))).

Gallery proposal

Gallery Proposal:
A number of things can be said about symbols we associate with our ideals as an American culture. An interesting piece is to look at the contrast between our ideals and our actions. To immortalize some of the dissonance and express some concern for actions a series of microcalligraphy pieces should be completed. A list and description follows:
~Eugenics – I’d like to add a display of the contrasting ideals of Americans about eugenics. The picture I want to use is either from Disney’s The Lion King or the movie about Spartan soldiers 300. The scene I would like to use is where the child gets held up from a cliff. In The Lion King he is present to the kingdom while in 300 the child is inspected for flaws.
• Buck v Dr. Piddy
• Skinner v. Oklahoma
• Supreme Court buck v. bell opinion by justice oliver Wendell holmes jr.
• Virginia eugenical sterilization act
• Laws and sterilizations by state
• Popularizing eugenics through college text books
• State laws limiting marriage
• Some pieces by Goffman
References:

Lombardo, Paul A. Three generations no imbiciles:Eugenics, the supreme court and buck v. bell Johns Hopkins university press. Baltimore 2008

Selden, Steven Inheriting Shame: The story of Eugenics and Racism in America Advances in Comtemporary Education Thought Series. Volume 23 Solitis, Jonas F. Editor isbn 0 8077 3812 3

~Racism – I’d like to propose a drawing to tackle the issue of racism. I want to focus on the progressive investment of whiteness and a large amount of focus on education system flaws and racisms. The picture of choice would be a city to emphasize our structural creation of racism. The Jim Crow laws would be very handy to use here.

~Freedom and Slavery-- I’d like to do a piece that focuses on education as the source of freedom and empowerment. The image I’d like to use is that either of a book, or of a clearly recognizable school.

~Genocide – This will be a hard topic to cover. At the origin, the picture will compare the massive Indian genocide in America to Dafur and other regions and incidents of modern genocide. The picture I would use is one of an empty trail.

~Homonegativity – I’d like to emphasize the convenience of public v private dichotomies used in United States politics. The particular example I’d like to use is homosexuality. The image of choice would be of two people facing away from the audience, walking down a path holding hands: gender unrecognizable. I’d like the words to really guide this one.

~Censorship and the Internet – This picture would be a simple laptop with hands on keyboard. The words would reflect a large amount of censorship attempts on the internet, as well as good examples of censorship (i.e. legislation preventing child pornography on the internet)

Supplimentry report

PURPOSE:
A project I was working on named “Obfuscating Liberty” was the driving force behind the research I’ve done in micro-calligraphy. This research is a part of that project for which the abstract is found below:
Obfuscating Liberty

The work-in-progress currently Titled Obfuscating Liberty explores the dichotomies that exist in a nationally recognized symbol with the legislation and experiences of the people which are used to create a person sized rendering of the statue of liberty. The image is created with a technique called microcalligraphy (micrography to some) which utilizes letters to create the lines and shading for the work of art. What began as an investigation of United States history and cultural studies soon turned into a quest on the artistic side of how to create the image and convey the message and emotions (and even what should be conveyed). The words tell a story, one of opposition: legislation and government will has prevented the United States to live up to its ideals as immortalized through symbols. The Statue of Liberty represents freedom, liberty and equality. From afar, one sees the Statue of Liberty, standing for American ideals, but up close we see the backstage of the nation and all the polluted legislation and personal accounts. The image is created by using the legislation (e.g. the Immigration Quotas, the Patriot Act, etc. – old to new from bottom up) that devaluate the self-proclaimed freedoms of the United States. The research process entailed two main processes: researching legislation that opposes the American ideals and research regarding how artistic qualities can be used to created emotional entanglement with the work. The painting challenges the congressional interest and agenda’s as compared to American Ideals. One message is certainly a call of duty: This country needs to stop contradicting its ideals.

The research added depth and insight into the calligram that I created, but it was also the enabling driving force that overall made the drawing possible. The Statue of Liberty came from many pictures that I found online and overall used. In the process, I have blown many deadlines, and will blow many more: rushing the process for this type of artwork is a mistake. The purpose of this research is also for others trying to or inspired to try micro-calligraphy, or interesting in learning more.
 
INTRODUCTION:
A quick internet search will leave your head spinning. Without proper definitions and aims, the terms surrounding micrography and micro-calligraphy will quickly deteriorate into a semantic argument. Micro-calligraphy and micrograhpy will both be the term used when referring to letters, words, and sentences strung together in a manner and design which creates an illustration. Micro-calligraphy will be the preferred term used because micrography also refers to the microstructure analysis of materials using a microscope. As a Materials Science and Engineering major, I tend to favor less confusion and prefer the use of the term micro-calligraphy.

Micrography and micro-calligraphy both will be referring to the creation of a calligram—a calligraphy work that is designed as an illustration. Calligrams are of main interest and techniques using calligraphy to create lines and shading are used to create the image. Asemic writing—abstract in meaning, but recognizable as intended to be text—is often included in this category; however, it will not be discussed nor does the term micro-calligraphy include or segregate it.

HISTORY:
The internet has become such a dominant discourse that it would seem senseless to start anywhere else. A flow chart is the best way of showing a progression through the internet as time elapses. Soon after the initial search begins a flow of new but vaguely familiar terms arise: micrography, micro-calligraphy, Hebrew Calligraphy, Islamic Calligraphy, Arabic Calligraphy, calligram, Persian Calligraphy, pattern poetry, typography, and concrete poetry.

The simple question of “where did this style of art begin?” was found to be anything but simple. The origins seems to be favorably pointed to the Jewish faith. There are many pieces of art relating to the old testamite done in hebrew micro-calligraphy. In fact, most of the top results of the search engine google actually relate to hebrew or jewish micro-calligraphies. It seems fair to say that the artform was popularized in Jewish art culture. But a better answer lies within the origins of calligraphy itself.

The calligraphy entry in the Coloumbia Encyclopedia breaks calligraphy into three distinct types: European, Arabic, and Asian. To breakdown the grouping further (albeit still regionally) we can add Tibetan, Indian, Nepalese, Islamic (which is the same as arabic), Persian,, Japanese, Iranian, Western, and Maya calligraphy. To add to these types I’d also add the modern Typography which often uses ASCII characters to make pictures.

The art encyclopedia defines Microcalligraphy as “Minute writing arranged in geometric shapes or drawn as outlines of objects, animals or humans. Hebrew micrography is one of the most characteristic of Jewish art forms.” ("Micrography." ) “In the Islamic and Chinese cultures, calligraphy is as highly revered as painting.” (“calligraphy”) Calligraphy is represented in popular culture in such a way where the past is shown to respect calligraphy as an art, but the modern culture has lost it as an art. Calligraphy is an art. Microcalligraphy is as well, but size is often the feature of style that is being changed.

Calligraphy emerged in Europe during the 1st century. Calligraphy masterpieces began to emerge. From the 8th century the Irish Book of Kells cam and the English Lindisfarne Gospels.¬ Monks were trained to hand write scriptures with eloquent handwriting. Matteo Contugi, Gianrinaldo Mennio, and Pierantonio Sallando were well known for their calligraphy in the middle 15th century. ("European calligraphy.") Arabic Calligraphy was commonly practiced in the Qur'an. (“Arabic Calligraphy”)

....

Works Cited
“Arabic Calligraphy” The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Columbia University Press., 2010. Answers.com 16 Apr. 2010. http://www.answers.com/topic/calligraphy
"calligraphy." Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 1994-2010. Answers.com 16 Apr. 2010. http://www.answers.com/topic/calligraphy
"European calligraphy." The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Columbia University Press., 2010. Answers.com 16 Apr. 2010. http://www.answers.com/topic/calligraphy
"Micrography." The Concise Grove Dictionary of Art. Oxford University Press, Inc., 2002. Answers.com 16 Apr. 2010. http://www.answers.com/topic/micrography

Reflections

This is the reflections that I have in a supplementary paper with the piece.

Reflections
I. Failures, Regrets, and Learning:
There is a steep learning curve we all encounter when reaching out and learning new things. If not for those failures improvement would be impossible. These failures are merely vessels for learning, and here I share mine in order to aid others.
The biggest overall mistake I made was not involving other people in the writing process. It’s not that the work was too great for one person. The work is easily managed by one person, but it doesn’t represent the diversity of the country well in this piece. It would be more interesting to me if I could have made this piece more meaningful by including more people in the creation of it. Having researched the legislation that I wanted to include, I should have spent one day in the library (or another public forum) asking people if they would like to participate. The multiplicity would have added a very interesting dynamic.
A much more minor failure was the timeline I chose. I did not give sufficient time to doing the actual project. I would have liked more time for the completion of the whole, but many more small deadlines for pieces of the project. Time management is tricky because largely it was trying to get motivation AND inspiration at the same time. Not an easy feat when exams are on the horizon.
I started with the most important piece, then because of circumstances I moved away from what I originally intended. If given the chance or choice, be careful about doing it. There was a loss of the vastness of the contradictions of American ideals. Balance is key, but remember to stick with the goal.

Finals have sucked the life out of me

So after finals, which have sucked the life out of me--4 days studying for over 10 hours a day-- I am finally done and free. I have neglected posting for a while because of my classes and finals. I'll do my best to go through and add and update things.

Honors Humanities Research Symposium.

The Honors Humanities Research symposium was today. It was absolutely terrific. . . apart from carrying the 36" x 80" project frame up to the dorm from my house that is. I was really impressed with everyone's work. It was amazing. My peers worked extremely hard on their projects.

The presentations in the panel with me were fantastic. "Art in Action: Visual Arts and Activisms" was the panel composed of Cheryl Tam, Laura Semple, Evelyn Sievert and Douglas Trigg(myself). Laura said something that really struck me during her presentation. "Take a second look." Its a simple as that. After hearing that, I changed the focus of my presentation. There was a lot of information that I needed to share about my project: processes, methods, techniques, messages, importance, details, etc. I shifted to the importance of not just my project, but all our projects.

As an engineering major, I think it's important to justify things. In the world of research, numbers, and science, where does the importance of art come from. I cannot give an all encompassing answer, such would be too simplified, but I do offer an answer that satisfies my acme of my intentions: Take a journey of self discovery, and create something that inspires others to "Take a second look" (and hopefully take their own journey of self discovery).

The Journey of Self Discovery was an important one for me. Embarking on this project and program almost 2 years ago, I had no idea what to expect, or where I was going. At the end, I understand that this was a project that helped me understand my own definition of Liberty and oppression and the ultimate goals of the United States. My personal definition of Liberty includes all people: i.e. Liberty for some is not Liberty at all, it's privilege. (Disclaimer: that's a large generalization, when in practice it gets complicated, but that's the overall goal. I'm an engineer and I reserve the right to simplify.)

"Take a second look." So simple while remaining vastly complex. It's beautiful. I think all artist want someone to take a good look at something. Activism in art: "Take a second look at my art, it is not what it appears. Take a second look at the question my art poses. Take a second look into what you think about something. Take a second look at the issue you are overlooking." I want to inspire thought. Obfuscating Liberty was largely a project to inspire thought. My thought was lead by Lisa Duggan and dichotomies seen in American culture and governmental bodies.

A picture inspires thought. Thought drives action. Art activates action.

http://www.honorshumanities.umd.edu/TransactionsConferenceProgram412.pdf

Obfuscating Liberty

I finished the project and here it is! When I finished the outline it was +3376 words and with the shading it is +5000 but I haven't done a count yet.






From a section of a supplimentary report the the project:

Making sense of it:
The intent of the project was to show the binary through American ideals and the governing body’s actions. A way to breakdown and understand the political points, stances, and legislation was the key in developing the project. The path came in the form of Twilight of Equality by Lisa Duggan. The main dichotomies depicted in this piece are: Liberty and Oppression; Public and Private; AND Privileged and unprivileged.
Government documents of all sorts –laws, acts and orders, and court rulings—have been researched. The overbearing amount of evidence to support different arguments has led to a proposal for a gallery. Different pieces of solid coherent individual arguments could be constructed into different pieces instead of pulling people in many different directions in one piece. “Obfuscating Liberty” is the first experimental picture of the many possibilities for the gallery.

**UPDATE there are more than 5,900 words in the work

Lisa Duggan

This is from my document process:

Lisa Duggan Twighlight of Equality Reflection:
There is an interesting surface which we face in politics. Neo-libralism is the dominating mentality of contemporary political frames. Lisa Duggan gives us the most recognizable factor contending in this stagnant politics – which may possibly be the end of history as proposed by Francis Fukuyama. The major contending dichotomy of public verses private is the dominating mentality of politicians who more or less differ in opinion of ‘what is public and what is private’ based on convenience. The distortion of social liberties comes from the direct influence of this public v private mentality. What are we entitled to as private and what is going to make up the public sphere?

The lens that Lisa uses inspired me to think about liberty in the same way:

What dichotomies exist?

Liberty v. Oppression
Public v. Private
Privileged v. disadvantaged.


The interesting part of the relationships is that they build. We can think about being granted certain Public liberties (i.e. freedom of speech) and Private liberties (i.e. due process). Privileged liberties are a little more amorphous. Within Liberty that we propose, who is privileged and who is not? There are a lot of circumstances. Can you have Liberty if you Privilege some and disadvantage others? It’s necessary to a point; we must disadvantage those who mean to do harm. But at what cost? Where is a balance? That’s what I explore in my research: what is liberty; what balance is acceptable to me, what isn’t?

Duggan, Lisa. The twilight of equality : neoliberalism, cultural politics, and the attack on democracy. Boston Mass.: Beacon, 2004. Print.

micro-calligraphy: how to part 2

The first part of this process is described in this blog post: http://americaarcana.blogspot.com/2009/11/steps-to-doing-microcalligraphy-drawing.html

After you have the initial outline you need to choose the words. They are often hard to find and generally you need a lot. I can fit about 256 words per square inch. Generally the amount and size used will depend on what you want the outcome to look like. Experimentation is key, but a couple tricks do exist.

Once you select the words (I selected a couple of dashboard songs that I like: Thick as Thieves, Hands Down, Vindicated and Get Me Right) then you begin with the outline of the figures. Use cursive to create solid lines. Broken or inside lines can usually be done with printed fonts of your writing. Stylistically, you do not have to match your letters to the curves, but write with your cursive letters being about on the lines you drew. Some cases you want to be inside, and others outside. It goes by judgments and artistic creativity. (largely a matter of preference.)



After the outline, generally shading is done in all print. Different sizes and techniques that I highlighted in a past post can be utilized to cause shading gradients. techniques

**update** my schedule is too busy to finish shading now. Hopefully I'll be able to finish this later.