SALVADOR DALI

Salvador Felipe Jacinto Dali was born on May, 11th 1904 in Figueras, Catalonia, Spain. He found interest in art at a young age. He studied at the academy in Madrid. At the age of sixteen Dali went to Paris and collaborate with Picasso, Magritte, and Miro leading to his first surrealist phase. It has been said that young Dali was a precocious and intelligent child, prone to fits of anger against his parents and schoolmates. 1923 Dali was suspended from the academy for criticizing his teachers and starting a riot with the students over the academy's choice of a professorship, he was also arrested that same year for supporting the separatist movement.

Dali was an avid reader of Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theories. Dali’s major contribution to the surrealist movement was called ‘’Paranoiac- Critical Method,’’ a mental exercise of accessing the subconscious to enhance artistic creativity. In 1929 Dali expanded his artistic explorations into the world of film-making when he collaborated with Luis Bunuel. Dali’s paintings were used in a dream sequence, and aided the plot by giving clues to solving the secret to character John Ballantine's psychological problems. In August, 1929, Dali met Elena Dmitrievna Diakonova also known as Gala, she became his wife.

As war approached in Europe, Dali clashed with members of the Surrealist movement. In a "trial" held in 1934, he was expelled from the group. During the World War II, Dali and Gala moved to the United States until 1948 when they moved back to his beloved Catalonia. From 1960 to 1974, Salvador Dali dedicated much of his time to creating the Dali Teatro Museo (Theater-Museum) in Figueres, Spain. In 1980, Dali was forced to retire from painting due to a motor disorder that caused permanent trembling and weakness in his hands. November 1988, Salvador Dali entered the hospital with a failing heart. After a brief convalescence, he returned to the Teatro Museo. On January 23, 1989, he died of heart failure at the age of 84. He is buried in the theater-museum's crypt, bringing his life in the world of art full circle.

Chapter 22
By:  Marcia Bancharan

Chapter 23 "Abstract Expressionism"

                                

Since the renaissance art has been a valued, respected, and treasured aspect of representation; for example, ‘The Birth of Venus’ represented Botticelli’s friendship with the powerful Medici family, was depicted as a chaste Virgin Mary, and emphasized the exact definition of symbolism. The artistic values, visualizations, and views of the past were derived through symbolism, and representation of the catholic church, a God, or mankind, but in the mid-twentieth century art made a three hundred and sixty degree turn, and became known as “abstract expressionism.” What is “abstract expressionism?” Abstract Expressionism is a style of painting that arose in the 1940’s right after World War II. It was unified in its emphasis on expressive gesture and its rejection of art as representation. It was a style marked by freedom of technique, a preference for dramatically large canvases, and gave spontaneous expression to the unconscious. Instead of painting representation imagery, abstract expressionism emphasized individual expression. Jackson Pollock or also known as, “Jack the Dripper,” was one of the few abstract expressionism artists who was intrigued by the notion of psychic automatism, and was interested in the role of the unconscious in art. He is known for his painting “Autumn Rhythm: November 30,” which conveys the artist’s physical activity, and expression which gives the art an “abstract” look. There are other forms and techniques of the type of art, but abstract expressionism is not a form of art that is derived from representation. 

By Jacob Kish

Chapter 20

Whale Concern

In the past recent days PETA officials have launched a lawsuit against sea world, demanding that all whales and dolphins should be released due to their mistreatment.  This isn’t the first time an animal protection organization was outraged with the safety of big sea creature especially whales and dolphins. Japanese fishermen have drawn sharp criticism from environmental advocacy groups, who claim it involves the cruel slaughter of whales so that meat can be sold in markets and restaurants. Japan has hunted up to 1,000 whales in the Antarctic annually, according to the International Whaling Commission.  

The reason whyJapan hunts and eats whale meat is because shortly after World War II  when the atomic bomb was dropped, many of the cows were declared unsafe to eat due to toxic radation. With an increase in demand for alternative sources of meat, Douglas MacArthur, former chief of staff of the US army, suggested the Japanese people could eat whale meat. From that point on whale meat was integrated into Japan's society. Every society or community has its own way of life and customs, which may be approved by some and opposed by other. For example, pigs meat is a favorite food choice in Europe and America but in some parts of the Middle East eating pork is completely frowned upon. I don’t eat whale but I refrain from judging another culture that may. There is an overwhelming concern by environmental advocacy groups about the current population of whale, and the possibility of extinction. In such situation absolutely no one would want this species to be wiped off the face of the planet. I'm looking forward to your comment and suggestions to mantain harvest while having a good number of whale at sea.

                                          

By: Jonathan Asfaw

Rosseau's Social Contract in America Today

Chapter 17


The romantic era influenced  many of the changes throughout Europe and America alike. From political structure, social concerns, and artistic prospective, Romanticism reflected through them all.  During a time when individualism came to the forefront, a social and political philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau published a book On Social Contract. In this book he attempts to argue that a state becomes legitimate through its members freedom to enact their own laws and with this they yield their obedience to the state.

As I read this passage I could not help but relate to the current nature of our present-day American contract to Rousseau's belief . Although the European social contract differs from our beliefs here in America, we believe in  the concept that our society shares a mutual obligation between itself and the individuals who make up this country. On the same note I feel society faces radical change with many aspects of our American contract. Such obligations include government based programs to assist those in need to prevent any member of society hardship. In turn, it is the obligation of the individual to utilize this assistance only until they are able to return to self-efficiency. Unfortunately it does not work as effective as it is intended to. Many of these people fail to realize they have no regard for this social compact.

Many of the social issues we face in this country can be interpreted through the principles Rousseau published in 1762. In Chapter 6 of the Social Contract he writes, "The problem is to find a form of association which will defend and protect with the whole common force the person and the goods of each associate, and in which each, while uniting himself with all, may still obey himself alone, and remain as free as before."


I understand many of the principles published by Rousseau, but I feel as it did in the Romantic era, we are currently in a time of radical change, especially here in America. In a country made up of numerous cultures I find it difficult for a complex system to assume it will not have the emotional, and religious influences and that we will proceed with our version of the American contract. Will we someday have a modern day philosopher guide our society into new social principles as did Rousseau in the era of Romanticism?

Written By: Gabriel DeSequeira

Blood Diamonds

What are blood diamonds? They are diamonds that come from war-torn parts of Africa and are mined under circumstances that violate basic human rights.  the Some people say diamonds are the symbol of love when they really don't know its the symbol of someones life.

I’ve heard of blood diamonds before and I don’t agree with people wearing blood diamonds or buying them and selling them at jewelry stores.  If consumers in America really knew what really happens behind the scenes, for those diamonds to get there they probably wouldn’t wear them anymore or would decide to wear a different kind of diamond that didn’t come from Sierra Leone.

             The really bad part about it is that the RUF rebels or war lords wanted to start to take control of the key diamond areas. So they started taking women and using them as sex slaves, one girl in a documentary was used as a sex slave and when they invaded a village, the girl had to take the woman’s baby while she watched her die. They take the boys and force them into militias, and give them ak’s to use for war. Or some of them would be used to find diamonds in the water.

They would work them so hard, so that they wouldn’t have enough energy to run away back home. I also think that its wrong that they brain wash the children to make them kill their own families, making them think that their parents are the enemy and that they should be killed.  The mutilation that happens to the children too, like if they steal a diamond or do something wrong they  would cut off their hands with a machete, or just kill them on the spot just over some diamonds.

Even though it’s still going on today, and there are people who pressure and prefer people to ask where the diamonds came from, and do they consume blood diamonds. I think that we should take a bigger step and try to stop this from still on so that children in Sierra Leon and other places don’t have to suffer through that anymore.

 
By Cierra Smith Chp 21

China's One Child Policy Chapter 19

China has a law that most countries do not have.  This law is known as the one child policy.  This law was established in 1979 by the leader at the time, Deng Xiaoping, to limit the population growth.  This penalty limits couples to only having one child.  The families who do decide to have another child are subject to heavy fines and possible forced abortion for second pregnancies.  Many couples have even been forced to be sterilized. 

This law has become a major problem.  Families who have girls sometimes end up killing their babies or abandoning them because the people of China believe that the men should stay home and take care of their family and the women have to move out and take care of their husband’s family.  There are not enough women in the country for the men to marry.  This policy has been the reason for about four hundred million abortions since 1979.  And also because of this policy, there is a surplus of around forty million men in China.

It is laws like this that make me thankful to be an American citizen.  Though, I don’t plan on having any kids, I always have the option to have as many as I would like.  I think it is unfair to the families trying to have kids and also to the kids themselves.  I grew up an only child and I know at times that it can be very lonely and boring.  Every family deserves the right to have siblings for their kids.  While I can understand why the PRC has implemented this law, I feel as though it should be up to the individuals to make their own decisions, not the government’s choice.

By Patrick DeVries

The Guerrilla Girls : Chapter 24

The Guerrilla Girls are a socially active group of women that originated in 1985.  Their identities are hidden by gorilla masks.  Their group of women came about because I guess they were tired of women not being noticed.  In 1982, the Coalition of Womens Art Organizations reported that only 2% of museum exhibitions by living artists were devoted to women.  The Guerrilla Girls took it upon themselves to start doing something about this.  They started plastering New York City with posters, publicly questioning the inequity with which women are represented, exhibited, and funded in the arts.

The Guerrilla Girls have produced posters, stickers, books, printed projects, and actions that expose sexism and racism in politics, the art world, film, and the culture at large.  They use humor to convey information, provoke discussion, and show that feminists can be funny.  They were the gorilla masks to focus on the issues rather than their personalities.  Dubbing themselves the conscience of culture, they declare themselves feminist counterparts to the mostly male tradition of anonymous do-gooders like Robin Hood, Batman, and the Lone Ranger.  Their work has been passed around the world by kindred spirits.  The Guerrilla Girls are an extremely proud group of women and I would be proud to be a part of them.

The Guerrilla Girls believe feminism is a fundamental way of looking at the world and they recognize that half of us are female and all of us should be equal.  I could not agree more.  It’s a fact of history that for centuries women have not had the rights and privileges of men and I believe it’s time for that to end.  I wholeheartedly believe in everything that the Guerrilla Girls stand for.


By Paige Horowitz 

Michelangelo Renaissance Man

Yes the wait is over everyone the blog you’ve been waiting for has arrived. In Chapter 13 we learned about a number of great works and even greater men. Nevertheless in my mind the ideals of the Renaissance burned brightest in the man named Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni. Over the course of his life Michelangelo produced a number of masterpieces that to this day inspire, awe, and amaze all those seeing them in person for the first time. Truly a prodigy he was born on March 6, 1475 in Caprese near Arezzo, Tuscany which is known today as Caprese Michelangelo. Even during his own life people called him the Renaissance man a title that truly described his genius. Going from adolescent youth to the pride of Florence at the rate of which his art matured is simply astonishing. At the age of 33 Michelangelo undertook what I consider a modern marvel when he began his work on the Sistine Chapel. A creation depicting the cycle of mankind’s life from our creation to the downfall and inevitable salvation of mankind seen through the eyes of a visionary. The completion of this piece of artwork forever cemented Michelangelo’s fame into the chronicles of time. A step away from the beauty the chapel offers is a piece of art with a truly inspiring feeling called the Pieta. This depiction of Mary holding her son’s body after he was crucified shows a level of detail that by the standards of the time was and in my eyes still is extraordinary. In every sense of the word Michelangelo can be called the greatest artist ever to pick up a brush or chisel. I hope this gave you a glimpse of the man known as Michelangelo.

                                                                                    By: Anthony Perez

Talking to God

Martin Luther
Born	10 November 1483(1483-11-10)
Died	18 February 1546(1546-02-18) (aged 62)
Occupation	Monk, Priest, Theologian
Notable works	The Ninety-Five Theses, Luther's Large Catechism, Luther's Small Catechism, On the Freedom of a Christian
Influences	Paul the Apostle, Augustine of Hippo
Influenced	Philipp Melanchthon, Lutheranism

Talking to God

Chapter 14

I grew up going to church, listening to preachers and giving my money “for God”. Now, my family was not extremely strict. We went on Sundays when I was little, but when I turned about 5 things changed and we stopped going to church. When I was a teenager I liked going to church with my friends. As I got older I started having my own beliefs. My beliefs are a lot like Martin Luther. I believe in God. I believe there is a heaven and hell. I also believe no matter how much or how little money you give to the church, that will not decide if you go to heaven or hell. I believe you will be evaluated, by your actions only, whether you will go to heaven.

But, I also have no belief in priests, popes, or who ever is up there talking. The person who is talking is only a man. He does not talk to God directly. He can not tell you what God wants or what he thinks. That person up there usually makes just as many mistakes, if not more. I believe that you are only answerable to God directly. You make decisions and choices and mistakes throughout your whole life and you have to discuss them with God directly through prayer. You know what is right and wrong, and if you do something wrong you make things right with God. You don’t need a church or a priest to tell you what to do or not to do. You don’t need to pay someone (the collection plate) to forgive you.

I also believe that all things can be forgiven, except killing and child abuse. Everyone makes mistakes and does wrong, but don’t tell me that if someone beats a child almost to death and now that child’s so messed up physically and/or mentally, that they can go to heaven if they apologize. Don’t tell me if you apologize for killing someone and try to change your ways that you can get into heaven. Because I believe there is no amount of apologies and sacrifices that make up for that and you are going to hell. No ifs, ands, or buts. So, I guess I would have to start my own religion, since I don’t fall within any of the religions we discussed.

By: Linelle