Blog #10 -- The deal with Reconstruction?

"The Reconstruction" was a plan created for the south after the Civil War (more specifically, 1865-1877), meant to restore the southern United States. Abraham Lincoln created this plan and began to enforce it, but was assassinated before he could finish it. Naturally, the vice president Andrew Johnson took his place. However, Andrew Johnson wasn't too hot on the idea of giving blacks the complete right to be citizens, so he anulled a bill that would've given blacks the same rights which wouldn't actually be enforced until a century later. Also, a loophole was created, by the name of "separate but equal," meaning there was segregation but blacks were far from being "fair citizens." They weren't allowed to eat in the same places as whites, own land, vote, or even enter some towns without permission.

This plan went well because, even though blacks weren't given the same rights as whites, they were given a lot more opposed to when they were slaves.

The things that went badly with this plan were, clearly, on Andrew Johnson's part. If he hadn't anulled the bill that would've given everyone the same rights, then we wouldn't have had to deal with 100 more years of segregation and white supremacy. Also, from these drastic changes came white supremacy groups, such as the KKK, red shirts and white league. These groups went as far as to kill massive groups of people at a time that disagreed with them. Some of these groups, like the infamous KKK, are still active today.

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USASreconstruction.htm

Blog #8/#9

http://www.amwest-travel.com/awt_sdseal.html

I'm interested in the Children's Pool Beach Seal problem. There are several controversies linking to this issue. There are plenty of resources on the internet and usually in local newspapers.
My ideas for Media Saves the Beach include photography, I think photography would be the best way to capture the whole idea of this controversy, not to mention how visual aids can help prove a point.

I really feel that this story relates to our class in every way. The controversy of the seals has to do with pollution of the water and the beach, and the controversy has to do with human rights and our right to state our opinion.

http://www.farallones.org/e_newsletter/2006-04/LaJollaSeals.htm

This link provides information on how the seals are currently threatened.

Blog #7: Final

"I remember an art project I had back in 4th grade. The project was to research a famous artist that is interesting to you, and duplicate a piece of work that they've created. Searching through lists on the internet for artists that seemed intriguing to me, I came across a man who, at a glance, seemed to have no talent as an artist whatsoever: Andy Warhol. Searching through web pages I constantly saw his name, usually paired with a tomato soup can or a discolored photo of Marilyn Monroe. The style differed from the detailed self portraits and still lifes of plastic fruit I had seen in other commonly researched artists. Needless to say, I was “intrigued” how a man could create pictures of soup cans and arrange them in a way to seem artistic. However, upon asking the art teacher if I could continue researching Warhol and his perplexing modern style, the idea was shot down because of the “irrelevance to true art,” and I ended up researching an artist who created the same type of art I'd seen a hundred times over.

Andy Warhol, personally, is an inspiration. His style reflected something about him, something that defied the norms of society and expressed his true self; the kind of artwork that HE wanted to create. The creator of an 8 hour film of a man sleeping, Warhol is seen as the leader of the pop art movement in the 60's. His battered childhood shaped his lifestyle and views, not to mention his artwork. The way Warhol perceived household objects, turned them into pop art and made it have meaning can only be the work of a true artist, unlike what a certain 4th grade teacher may have said. Millions think of him as insane because of his actions that were different, when they should've been seen as unique.

Although Andy Warhol died several decades ago, he is still known as the “Prince of Pop Art who turned a soup can into a museum treasure.” The legend of the pop artist Warhol will continue to inspire and change people's perspectives on not only art, but anything that is deemed as different, to the abnormalities. Andy Warhol showed the world what happened when he told the norms of society "no," just like how my 4th grade art teacher told me. You can do what you want. You have to enjoy the lives you live, whether you be painting soup cans or cleaning houses, and let what people think of you, mean nothing."

Works Cited:
Ward, Phil "The Warhol" The Warhol. The Andy Warhol Museum 1 Jan 2006 Sept 11, 2009 (http://www.warhol.org)

Bockris, Victor The Life and Death of Andy Warhol. New York, Da Cope, 1997. Print.

Warhol, Andy. Campbell's Soup Can. Silkscreen on Canvas. New York, New York.

Blog #6 Reflection

During this project, I learned that I use unnecessary punctuation and don’t need most of the commas and periods I put in my writing. Also, I learned that semicolons are “transvestite hermaphrodites,” and I use them sometimes, which I should probably stop all together. Sometimes, I use “allow” which is bad according to Randy. So maybe I should quit that too.

If I had time for one more draft I would maybe change how I repeat some sentences over and over but in different structures. That can be annoying and tiresome to the readers, I should learn to stop that.

“The style differed from the detailed self portraits and still lifes of plastic fruits I had seen in other commonly researched artists” I think this sentence is a strong sentence because of the evidence I supposrt the point with and how I structure the point in this sentence.

Final Photos/Critique

Blog #5: Photography Techniques

The picture that I will be duplicating from Andy Warhol's photography is this picture. The picture consists of his white face (with his hair going in different directions) with a pitch black background. His hair, white, blends into the background at the ends and the edges of the picture. There is a lot of contrast in this picture, since it mainly consists of the whitest of whites and the blackest black. Therefore, a lot of overexposure and underexposure is needed. The portrait is posed portrait, dead on. Therefore the following techniques are needed.





1. Overexposure and Underexposure
Overexposure is a photography technique that makes the photograph a lot brighter, especially the whites. Underexposure is a lack of light in a photography, meaning a darker image.




2. Posed Portraits
Posed portraits are portraits that are posed (obviously), opposed to action shots. It can take hours for a portrait to be posed correctly. Sometimes, posed portraits include the subjects of the photo to be staring straight at the camera, other times looking at other subjects in the shot.

3. Contrast
Contrast is a style used to create a sort of clash between the dark darks and light lights, or sharp colors on the opposite ends of the spectrum.

Blog #4: Artist's statements ideas.

During critiques for my artist's statement, I received a few critiques requesting I make more of a personal connection with Andy Warhol in terms of how we perceive things, not just how we both have small similarities.

I plan on making this connection clearer in drafts to come.

"I remember an art project I had back in 4th grade. The project was to research a famous artist that is interesting to you, and duplicate a piece of work that they've created. Searching through lists on the internet for artists that seemed intriguing to me, I came across a man who, at a glance, seemed to have no talent as an artist whatsoever: Andy Warhol. Searching through web pages I constantly saw his name, usually paired with a tomato soup can or a discolored photo of Marilyn Monroe. The style differed from the detailed self portraits and still lifes of plastic fruit I had seen in other commonly researched artists. Needless to say, I was “intrigued” how a man could create pictures of soup cans and arrange them in a way to seem artistic. However, upon asking the art teacher if I could continue researching Warhol and his perplexing modern style, the idea was shot down because of the “irrelevance to true art,” and I ended up researching an artist who created the same type of art I'd seen a hundred times over.

Andy Warhol, personally, is an inspiration. His style reflected something about him, something that defied the norms of society and expressed his true self; the kind of artwork that HE wanted to create. The creator of an 8 hour film of a man sleeping, Warhol is seen as the leader of the pop art movement in the 60's. His battered childhood shaped his lifestyle and views, not to mention his artwork. The way Warhol perceived household objects, turned them into pop art and made it have meaning can only be the work of a true artist, unlike what a certain 4th grade teacher may have said. Millions think of him as insane because of his actions that were different, when they should've been seen as unique.

Although Andy Warhol died several decades ago, he is still known as the “Prince of Pop Art who turned a soup can into a museum treasure.” The legend of the pop artist Warhol will continue to inspire and change people's perspectives on not only art, but anything that is deemed as different, to the abnormalities. Andy Warhol showed the world what happened when he told the norms of society "no," just like how my 4th grade art teacher told me. You can do what you want. You have to enjoy the lives you live, whether you be painting soup cans or cleaning houses, and let what people think of you, mean nothing."

Blog #3: 2 American Icons

Marilyn Monroe
http://www.marilynmonroe.com/
This website includes a full biography, quotes, and history of Marilyn Monroe. It's her official website.
Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed, a Biography by Michelle Morgan
I've already checked this biography out of the library. It's a very helpful source, because it's a complete biography and memoir of Norma Jean-- aka Marilyn Monroe-- in 310 pages. It also includes pictures and famous quotes from the icon, and not to mention "Undisclosed" happenings that made and shaped Marilyn's life. This can help me in learning more about the icon and how the little things she did created what she is.


A real life, person-to-person interview with the one and only Marilyn Monroe. 10 minutes of actual footage of the star in person.

Andy Warhol
http://www.warhol.org/
This website is an entire organization website dedicated to the works and history of Andy Warhol.
Andy Warhol: A Documentary Film by Ric Burns
This documentary is 4 hours long and goes in detail about everything Warhol, from his childhood to his education to his last pieces of art he created. The documentary is mainly created to prove a point, that Warhol was the greatest pop artist in the 2nd half of the 20th century (with the 1st half belonging to Pablo Picasso)

The Life and Death of Andy Warhol by Victor Bockris

This biography is told like a story book, giving me an idea of how his life panned out through close perspective. It also includes pictures and snippets of information.


A popular piece of artwork that practically defines the revolution of Andy Warhol. Without this he wouldn't be nearly as notable as he is now. I plan on basing the entire picture I create for my American Icon project around his pop art and perhaps this image.

Real American Heroes

Andy Warhol (otherwise known as Andrew Warhola) was a revolutionary artist and filmmaker known internationally as the leader of the pop-art movement. He inspired millions into this abstract type of art in the 60's and 70's using bizarre techniques to express himself. He is considered a fine artist, a legend of his time, and an inspiration to everyone around the world as the leader of an artistic revolution.

To me, he is an American hero because of the things he overcame in his life. He represents how a low class boy with rare, incurable diseases can rise to an international icon. Born in a working class family in the early 20th century in northeastern Slovakia, he overcame the dramatic death of his grandparents and an early onset of the disease called Saint Vitus' Dance, a rare disease that scarred him emotionally. He became fearful of the simplest everyday objects and was often sick, leaving him an outcast. This experience shaped his life, personality and interests, and without such a major turning point early in life he wouldn't have been the Andy Warhol we know as an international figure today. He is an inspiration for abstract artists and pop artists everywhere.


Sacagawea, otherwise known as Sakakawea, was one of the first inspirational women in the United States. Born in the late 18th century as a Native Maerican, she aided Lewis and Clark on their journey to find the Pacific Ocean. Without Sacagawea's aid it was very likely that Lewis and Clark wouldn't have made it through this 2 year journey.

The reason I choose Sacagawea is because of her symbolism and impact on American history. Not only is she a symbol of perserverence but a symbol of women's independence; she contributed and risked her life during the journey of Lewis and Clark. Not only this, but during this expedition, a vote was taken on which direction to take in the trail and Sacagawea's vote counted -- the first ever recorded woman's vote in the US. This proved to be a big step in American history and is believed to be the beginning of women's liberation in the US.




Marilyn Monroe was an American model and actress in the mid 20th century, and now, is a legend. Her history as an orphan whom nobody loved named Norma Jeane Mortenson rising to an internationally known pinup model and famous actress shaped her views and goals in life.

I think Marilyn Monroe is a national icon because of her dedication to her career. To me, she represents how a "dumb blonde" can actually be a classy, witty, well-carried woman. Marilyn Monroe worked all the while, putting all her effort into her career to get to the top. She never stopped, and was a class act in the movies and gigs she starred in. When people brought her down or stereotyped her as the "dumb blonde of Hollywood" she always had a way to come back at them. I think that Marilyn is an inspiration to women everywhere, to remember that they are not just helpless victims in a man's world, they are WOMEN in a men's world. She is well known for her witty quotes on life, love and the reality of Hollywood.

"I'm ok with living in a man's world, as long as I can be a woman in a man's world."

"It's better for the whole world to know you... than never to be known at all."

"In Hollywood a girl's virtue is much less important than her hairdo. You're judged by how you look, not by what you are. Hollywood's a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for kiss, and fifty cents for your soul. I know, because I turned down the first offer often enough and held out for the fifty."

"It's better to be unhappy alone than unhappy with someone. "

"Also from Lee Strasberg's eulogy: Marilyn Monroe was a legend. In her lifetime she created a myth of what a poor girl from a deprived background could attain. For the entire world she became a symbol of the eternal feminine."

What I hope to gain from Junior year

During junior year, I hope to gain knowledge and experience in test taking, which in turn will help in SAT prep. I haven't practiced too much in preparation for SATs and ACTs, so it's definitely an area that I should improve on. Also during this year, I hope to expand knowledge on US history. Unfortunately, I haven't gained enough information on past events in the United States to pass an SAT on. One last thing I hope to develop this year is persuasive writing skills, since I definitely lack in this area. I always feel as if my writing could be stronger and more persuasive, but I don't know where to start. During this semester, and maybe the rest of the year, I plan on taking Honors in Humanities so I can challenge myself in these areas and gain as much knowledge as I can.