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