World Building

ARTIST STATEMENT:
There is nothing more powerful than an idea. Through ideas, wars are started and ended,
diseases are cured, art is created, and love is born. We decided to create a world in which ideas
became commodities, items to be bought and sold to the highest bidder. In doing so, we came
to consider how the world we created, and in turn, the world we live in reflect and influence our
morals and society.
It was an enjoyable experience crafting the world in which ideas were mined, bought, and
sold. What was particularly interesting was that we seemed to feed off of each other’s ideas, even
though we worked mostly separately. Each new idea or concept seemed to spark new ideas and
we were very unified in our vision of this strange world. Upon further reflection, it became clear
that this was due to our having a unifying theme or purpose in our world building. Julian Beecker
wrote in a 2009 essay that fiction follows fact. In our case, the design of our world followed fact
in that it was based on our perceived inequalities in the world and merely accentuated these.
George Orwell’s masterpiece 1984, is not merely a novel about one man’s search for sex
and fulfillment in a dystopian society. Rather, it is a stirring commentary on not only the society
in which Orwell lived, but the progress of the human race. In much a similar fashion, we came to
see how our created society was a commentary on our current society and world. There is class
inequality in the world today and although social mobility is possible, it is severely limited due
to lack of education and appropriate infrastructure. In short, the poor get poorer and the rich get
richer, although there are several exceptions. We wished to highlight this, by creating a world in
which there is no social mobility, since even ideas can only be purchased by the rich.
We attempted this feat by creating a newspaper. Through this medium we were able to
present several different ideas in what would hopefully be a fairly normal fashion. We wanted
to present the world as those living in it would see it and not as outsiders. Because of this, we
focused on ordinary stories and advertisements. Through advertisements, we showed fashion, in
particular focusing on the elaborate fashions of the upper class. One of the advertisements even
compares the fashionable upper class to the plain clothing of the lower class. The upper class
show their power and status through their extravagance. We also focused on the idea of ideas
affecting everything from propaganda to crime.
Through this assignment, we were able to not only create a world and society, but also
were able to speak through this world and get a point across that was more powerful through the
presentation.
This project has been a chance to retool the world I inhabit into something a little more grotesque and unseemly. That is the whole point of creativity, isn't it? To see the world through a different lens. Even though we live only once, we have an opportunity through art and film to live different kinds of lives. If we take all that away, we become confined to that one life we were born into and kiss aspiration goodbye. The world we live in isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but through exercises like this we can draw attention to the things that need adjustment as well as inspire gratitude for the things we have.

Textual Poaching

The Unorthodox Mistress by Megan Williams

ARTIST STATEMENT:

The cultural representation I chose was something that is near and dear to my heart: Shakepeare’s Sonnet 130. This is a unique sort of sonnet, going against the usual conventions of the day. Shakespeare speaks of a mistress who is not the fairest of them all, not the best singer, but still the greatest lover a man could have. More than any other piece of his writing, I connect with these 14 lines like a magnet. I do not consider myself to be the prettiest or most accomplished female, but still I believe that would not hinder any relationship.

I was inspired by the Jenkins piece we read, How Texts Become Real, to delve into the world I know best to remix this representation. Due to my tastes, interests, even my job, I have found myself as a woman in a man’s world. Anywhere I go this is an integral part of who I am. Most representations of the female in today’s world are either hyper-realized in which the nuclear family is represented with a stay at home mother, or it under-estimated in which females do not have much responsibility or purpose other than physical entertainment. Statistically speaking, female representation in films has gone down in the last five years, according to Rose Eveleth of Smithsonian.com.  There is not much in-between, or reality which saddens me.

Throughout the years I have noticed a few characters in the media who have nailed that “in-between” area where women can be powerful and work well alongside a man. For my project, much thanks to Mr. Jenkins, I decided to piece together clips and images of all of these women whom I have studied for some time and consider being “real” women. These “real” women fall under the same category that I do: the unorthodox mistress. Some may not be pretty in the conventional sense, but I consider all gorgeous for their combination of wit and personality. Some may not be as accomplished as most Renaissance men would prefer, yet they are just as capable of handling themselves with their own skills and experiences.  I chose to underlie the entire sonnet with “Princess Leia’s Theme” as composed by John Williams. When asked what he was thinking about while writing a traditionally “romantic” theme, he wanted to show a softer and delicate side to this wildly masculine tale, but still have a driving force behind the music. It adds a lyrical element to the video, but also keeps a rhythmic pulse like a heartbeat. Movies are what I know best; hence they became the elements of choice to build upon the Shakespearean ideal.

This piece is nearly a mirror of what I believe of myself. I am not the sort of female to sit quietly by while a man works by himself. My opinions matter to me and I will give them with full confidence, no one will change my mind until I have made the decision first. This video is full of strong, able bodied women who I think are much more real than most because I can relate to them. The pride of Lizzy Bennet, the courage of Hermione Granger, the sass of Donna Noble, and the determination of Padme Amidala, all of these traits are not traditionally praised by the Renaissance poets idolizing their lovers. In fact, these would all be frowned upon in that time. Yet today, in this increasingly feministic world, I find these traits more admirable than condemnable. Shakespeare had something with his Sonnet 130; real women last much longer in love. 

Medium Specificity

Who are you? I don’t remember ever properly meeting you.  Then again, I did just get my first quest. You know, the quest every young person gets when it’s time to prove their years of hard work and study haven’t been in vain. Didn’t you go through one? No? That’s odd, you must not be from around here.

To be honest, I’m not really sure what happened before the ceremony. Wait… how do you know so much of my back story? Have you been spying on me? I swear I’ve never seen you before, but as long as I’m heading out for this quest, why don’t you come along? Everyone could do with a good partner. You seem brave enough. On the other hand it might be outright stupidity to embark on this one. I’m not exactly sure, but I want to make my village proud, you’ll understand.

Do you feel that shadow? It’s laying over us like some sort of capstone. Here we are, underneath living life, not even knowing that we haven’t truly seen what’s really out there above the stone. There’s always been that nagging feeling that I can’t remember anything from my past, but then a few minutes later someone only has to say one thing and suddenly it comes flooding back. Almost as if my history is fabricating itself at the same time as the present. You wouldn’t be worried about that, would you? You seem like you’ve got it all put together.  Why are you laughing? I promise that wasn’t supposed to be humorous or dirty. Oh, you’re laughing ironically… I see.  So you’re in the same boat as me, then. Well, I guess we’ll figure out our quests together. Among my village we have this saying, “When you don’t know where to go, take a step to make it so.” Preparing for that ceremony put me in two different states of mind: one in which I am completely capable of this new task and one in which I think I am. The only way I could make those two sides of me make peace was to make a decision and stick with it. So I chose to step  up when they needed someone to take on the thing everyone fears. What is the thing that everyone fears?

...

You’re back! You’re alive! I thought you had disappeared for good! Thank goodness my partner has returned to help me out on this quest. So what happened? I’m not sure I understand, but that’s alright, I am just glad you’re back here on this line with me. Right when you disappeared I came upon this forest and now I’m beginning to think I’m completely lost. All of these things look the same. It’s like staring at couples in love; I think I have figured out how they do it then suddenly I turn another direction and there’s something new to be learned. Have you ever noticed how hard learning is? I mean when I started I knew I was in for a learning curve, but do you ever notice how much mental and emotional strain it is to learn? That’s one of the reasons I’m so happy you’ve returned. It’s so much easier to learn from other people’s experiences than to live through all the mistakes yourself. What do you mean, “I have no idea?” Of course I do, otherwise we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now. We can help each other survive by imparting our hard earned wisdom. Now, let’s head for that clearing.

...

Why? Why did you leave me? And of all the moments to return, you picked the darkest of them all. Do you see him lying there, that pool is his own blood. And do you know what? I caused it. With this hand I stopped the life of another human being. I can claim self-defense, but can that really justify me stopping his heart? Why? Where were you? Of all the moments I could have used your friendship, you were nowhere to be found.  I… I’m so sorry. For everything. Why did this have to happen to me?  Tell me, dear one! Just stay until I can’t see straight from exhaustion, because I can promise you I will never sleep well again. What demon possesses me now! I can not move on from this, but I’m no longer in charge of my fate. Will you stay with me longer? We’ll have to rely on each other, or rather I’ll be relying on you to keep me going forward. You know, it’s almost as if I don’t exist when you’re not here. Is not that strange? We’re going to stick it through, you and I.

...

I did it! I defeated the great beast. I thought I would be lost without you, but I found the strength was in me the whole time. I couldn’t have done it without you. No, no, you were here in my heart. It’s another lesson I suppose I had to learn. Even though you may be parted, those you love never truly leave you. Am I in your heart? Do you feel that we are truly friends? Now that I’ve finished this quest, it’s on to a new beginning and the start of a new adventure. Don’t be silly, there are sure to be many more daring deeds you and I can accomplish together. The end? You mean you know I will die? How is that possible? Reality? What on earth are you talking about? This is reality. I’m real! You can talk to me, walk with me, you’ve been with me at some of the most crucial parts of this journey.  I’m only a character, something fabricated for entertainment? Well, I guess to be a hero is a comfort. So you’re telling me that you only are with me when you are reading? Each time you open that book I come back to life. I see now.

Please! I don’t want to die! I don’t want this life to come to an end. I don’t want to miss you. I want the two of us to go on more adventures. With books you can have millions of lifetimes in just one. Take me with you. Let’s go on living like there’s no death, because for us there isn’t! What do you mean it doesn’t work like that? So you can open up any book, just like me? Millions of stories, and I’m just one of them.  I know you care, and I care for you too. I guess you can have me with you always. I’ll still be here every time you flip the page. Will I know you when you come back? No… so I’ll have no memory of our adventure here together. This isn’t the first time we’ve met, is it? How many times have we had this… no, don’t answer that. It’ll only make it hurt more. Well, there’s only one solution here. You move on. That’s what you’re meant for. I was always meant to stay in this plot, this body… this mind frame. What’s that sound? Are your tears hitting the paper? Don’t be like that. I don’t want you to mourn for me. Celebrate my story! Tell more people about it so that I can live as many times as you do, just with a little less memory. It’s time. Go on, time to live your life again. Before you go, just remember that I will always be here for you in the best and worst of times. Granted, I may not remember you, but just know that at some points in our time together I knew who you really were. Go ahead, it’s okay, you can close the book now.

Don’t forget me … please… please don’t forget. 

ARTIST STATEMENT

This project has been by far my favorite so far. This idea came to me as I thought about my favorite way to creatively express myself. I grew up an avid reader and writer and thought about what aspects from these experiences were the most special to me. I remembered one of the times I pulled out a Clive Cussler novel and read about fifteen pages in and suddenly Dirk Pitt was introduced and I was overwhelmed with a flood of familiarity, respect, and love for that character. Only in reading can you really become intimate with your characters. The narration allows us to really get inside their heads, much more so than watching a play or a film. So for this project, I decided to highlight this special bond between the reader and the character. 

In class we discussed the importance of differences within the arts. If every art were the same then it would not be called “The Fine Arts” and life would be very bland indeed. I wanted to really make the unique characteristics of reading stand out. By having the character “miss” the reader, it represented when the story moved to another person’s view or another perspective. To begin it all I wanted to show that moment when the reader, “gets sucked into the character’s life,” that hook that immediately pulls us into the story. There are some books in which you sit on the fence the whole time you read, and others that hit a special chord within you that snaps you right into the world you are reading. Just like you started to walk alongside the characters, interact with them, bond with them, grow with them.

I used a very basic plot to be the setting of this piece. The call to action, the choice, the loss of innocence, then finding the power they didn’t know they had within themselves. All of these are very conventional, and that’s what I wanted. This enabled me to really work hard to developing that gossamer thread that connected the emotionally charged character to the emotionally receptive reader. The line “someone only has to say one thing and suddenly it comes flooding back,” especially highlights the convention that we go into the story in media res or in the middle of the action so the back story has to be filled in as we go. It’s not a sin to use convention, for me it helps prove my point.  

This subject is near to my heart. When I get attached to a character I really do feel as though I have gone on this emotional journey with them and sinned and learned and failed with them too. While I felt the McCloud piece was a constructive criticism of the graphic novel conventions, I believe it was done out of a passion for the medium. That’s what I tried to infuse into mine: a passion for reading. Every die hard reader’s fantasy was to just be noticed by the characters they so faithfully followed. They will never really leave them behind. 

Historical Script

When looking for an idea this one seemed pertinent and interesting to the both of us. The genesis of the idea came from a story about Megan’s father who attended the opening day of Star Wars, May 25, 1977. We decided instead of making the protagonists 8 and 9 years old, as Megan’s dad was, to make them 21 thus more relevant to us. It also happens to be a  crucial age for decisions on what to do with ones future. Much more so than childhood. This required us to do some research on the year 1977. We first learned about the humongous crowds that flocked the Mann’s Theater in Hollywood California. The incredible amount of youth were also joined by many young twenty somethings who were intrigued with the premise of this new movie. Star Wars ended up one of the biggest cinematic sensations to sweep America leaving many viewers with their mouths wide open in the aftermath.  Through many images found in our research, we saw a sense of enthusiasm and fanaticism in the faces of those people waiting in line.  We decided that our characters would take part in these crowds and the general mayhem that came with it.  Then, once apart from the frenzy, they had time to think and ponder the narrative experience they just had.

After further research on the year 1977, we were particularly interested in the world of social cuisine that existed in the era.  These two boys needed a social setting in which to discuss their thoughts and feelings.  We felt that a diner setting could be used as both the catalyst for their discussion as well as a metaphor of the feelings and reasoning taking place in the adolescent’s minds.  We wanted to show some process that had to do with trying something new and experimental. In 1977 Denny’s introduced the iconic “GrandSlam” and thus we thought it fit perfectly.

We wanted to tell a “discovery” sort of story, one in which they take some time to really think about what their future holds in store. Sometimes we get stuck in a rut and think that we’re destined to remain doing something we don’t want to do for the rest of our life. Star Wars showed the possibilities of the world to so many young people, including Megan’s father. Just as in Torill Cove’s story of her grandmother, we took certain liberties with the aspects of the story. However, we felt it didn’t detract at all from the dialogue that was opened up between the two boys, and we even thought it helped to set the plot better. We decided against the fantastical route, as Satrapi took with Persepolis, because we wanted it to be very basic and focus simply on the two characters’ interactions. We wanted something real, something that could have really happened, something that no one would question.

The past can be our greatest inspiration. History is cyclical, so stories quickly come in and out of relevancy. All it takes is finding the right perspective for the right time.