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[libianomelsy]

MY OWN ARTWORK

Ending this blog to show you the real me through art.

Undeniably, I am not good in sketching human figures, especially my own face. Hence, I am inspired to the technique I once used for my Math project during my Junior High School years. The technique I used now and then was Pointillism, which mainly uses dots to sketch and form a figure. While doing my artwork, I intricately point the pen not to be attached or touched to each dots. I shaped my eyes, eyebrows, and lips by closely aligning the dots to make it more realistic. Also, the color I used to my headband, cloth, and earrings were based on my original picture. Thus, I somehow utilized the Formalist Approach in this artwork. After exerting my very best, all in all, I am satisfied with the outcome of my artwork in view of the fact that it is somehow similar to my face, knowing that this is my first time to do such activity.

[libianomelsy]

PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY

ZESTY ITALIAN SALS DRESSING'S AND BK SUPER SEVEN INCHER'S ADVERTISING

Introduction

According to psychoanalytic ideas, personality traits interact to explain human behavior. The founder of this school of thought was Sigmund Freud. According to psychoanalytic theory, the psyche is divided into three functions: the id, which is the unconscious source of primal sexual, addictive, and aggressive impulses; the superego, which inserts societal mores and establishes moral standards; and the ego, which represents a sense of self and mediates between the present-day realities and psychic needs and conflicts. Psychoanalytic literature discusses how pain prevents the fulfillment of sex and dependency demands as well as the healthy release of aggressive sentiments. Inner unrest results from these needs being unable to express themselves.

Zesty Italian Salad Dressing

Pair Output

On the surface level:

1. What are the products highlighted in the visual?

Zesty Italian Dressing is the product highlighted in the visual. It is a salad dressing and it is poured unto the vegetable salad in front of the man.

2. What words, phrases, or sentences are found in the visual text?

The sentences found in the visual text are “The only thing better than dressing is undressing.” and “Let’s Get Zesty.” These sentences were the taglines of the company that they want to convey as a message in attracting customers.

3. What were the colours used? What do they represent?

White is a timeless color that may depict many distinct styles. It encourages the user to present a polished, contemporary, sophisticated, and formal appearance without being oppressive. Tan color of a man emphasizes stability and warmth, and it also exudes a sense of simplicity. Black's extreme contrast allows for the retraction of some page elements, such as background images, which keeps the user's attention on the product shots without making the layout appear excessive or overbearing.

4. What do these objects found in the text symbolize?

The objects symbolize the essence of sexual desires or romanticism that made the customers entangled to purchase the product as they targeted their minds, guaranteeing that using this product can satisfy their needs as human beings.

5. What image and text cues are present? What do they represent?

The table where the man is on the top represents his dominance all throught out the visual text. The appealing half-naked man represents the advertiser of the product which enticed mostly the women because of his charms. The candlelighting at the back represents a romantic date. The Zesty Italian represents the products that is being advertised. The vegetable salad represents the food where the sauce will be used. The texts "The only thing better than dressing is undressing" represents the tagline of the product that can also catch the attention of the customers.

6. How does the text convince the consumers?

The text convinced the customers through its creative impact that targets their sexual desires as their pyschoanalytic mind was entangled to purchase the product.

7. What element on the visual catches your attention first?

The element on the visual that catches my attention first is the half-naked man at the top of the table pouring the Zesty Italian towards the vegetable salad. Sitting nor lying on the table looks improper hence, indeed a attention catcher.

8. How do the elements relate to each other in terms of their size?

The man is just as size as the table as he is comfortably lying on the top of it. The size of candlelight at the back of the man's legs just gave him enough light to express the overall atmosphere. The size of the bottle of the salad dressing is enough to hold by his hands as the amount of vegetable salad is good for two that it makes sense to the idea that this set-up can be a date.

9. Which element is given the biggest emphasis?

The element that is given the biggest emphasis is the half-naked man at the top of the table pouring the Zesty towards the vegetable salad. The lighting that highlights the man, his size, and his position emphasizes his role to persuade the audience.

On the deeper level:

1. Are there sexual symbolisms present in the text?

Yes, there is a sexual symbolism that is present in the text. It’s the half-naked man with his exposed abs at the top of the table which influenced the costumers’ behavior by arousing their unconscious mind sexually in pleasure.

2. What human needs or emotions do the visual appeal to?

The visual appeals to humans’ feeling of pleasure, seduction and romance. This ad emphasizes the appealing half-naked man more than the product itself just to gain the attention of the customers. The role of the half-naked man at the top of the table is to seduce every audience sexually or romantically in order to purchase their product. While the viewers were enticed through that man’s charms and able to hypnotize the customers to purchase their product. Furthermore, romance might also imply that he made the salad and is just hanging out with his special someone.

3. What are some emotions revealed?

One of the emotions revealed is the art of seduction with romance. What he says and does are only one aspect of seduction. In the end, it comes down to how the customers feel about him. Furthermore, arousal, pleasure, and fulfillment—the emotions you correlate with seduction—vary widely from person to person.

4. Are there hidden meanings on the text?

“The only thing better than dressing is undressing”, in psychoanalytic theory, this text can be associated in sexual activity that can influence consumers’ behavior by arousing them sexually through an unconscious association of the male and female genitalia and the act of engaging in sexual activity. It is emphasized as an attention-getter to heighten sexual attractiveness and to imply potential sexual intentions that may capture the interest of the female customers. It also states how amazing dressing is while also letting the women know that undressed males are much better.

5. Does the text unveil repressed ideas or emotions?

Yes, the text “The only thing better than dressing is undressing” unveiled emotions like sexual attraction and pleasure to the audience. The word undressing signifies these emotions as this suggests such sexual act.

6. How does the text affect you?

The text affects us in a way that it grabs our attention and it intensifies our imaginative mind when it comes to sexual activity.

7. Why are the images and text cues used necessary to convey the message?

Due to their purpose of luring women, the text and image signals employed are essential to the message’s delivery. Typically, women shop for their families’ groceries. Meaning that, especially with the marketing strategy of having a male model, women would be interested in the product. The masculinity was a brilliant approach to attract ladies because it is common knowledge that they are captivated to people of the opposite sex. However, the romance in this advertisement appeals to women of all ages. Women may believe that by purchasing the product, they can maintain the proper or heat up their relationships as a result of the romanticism.

8. What overall message do each visual convey?

The overall message that the visual conveyed is that the advertisement of the salad dressing which is Zesty Italian. It conveyed how the dressing can feed up their sexual or romantic desires by using it.

9. How does the text appeal to your unconscious?

The text appeal to our unconscious in a way that it awakens our sexual desires as it gives us pleasure through visual’s appearance and slogan. It also urges us to purchase their products as we struck by attractiveness it shows.

10. Is there a particular sex or gender that the visual appeals to? If yes, what sex/gender and what elements indicate so?

Yes, there is. The visual appeals to mostly women since they are attracted to handsome matured man in common sense. Moreover, the romantic impact of the visual text added to the interest of women who believed that using this dressing in making their food can maintain their long lasting relationship

Analysis

The image of the handsome mature half-naked man at the top of the table, pouring the Zesty Italian Dressing seductively towards the vegetable salad showed how this man oozes dominance with his facial expression as he entices the audience through his attractiveness. His slightly open leg highlights their masculinity as he emits confidence. There are also candles that are lit in the advertisement’s background, suggesting a romantic meal. The subdued lighting is used to draw the attention of the audience to serious subject matter or the important part of the visual text. Moreover, In order to increase sexual attractiveness and suggest possible sexual intentions that may pique the curiosity of the female clients, the text “The only thing better than dressing is undressing” is stressed as an attention-getter. The significance of the sauce is to inform the potential customers with the new product created as it introduces the brand or provides an outline of specific product. It makes an effort to increase demand for a given good. This includes raising consumer interest in the product and helping them become aware that it exists. Moreover, the food is juxtaposed with the body in the table in a way that the effect of placing them side by side gives a surprising impact as it highlights their differences towards the viewers. It is done for the purpose of creating contrast between the two things.

BK Super Seven Incher

Summary

A woman is shown in the picture looking as though she is shocked. The burger is shown next to the woman's open lips, giving the impression that she is in awe of it. Given that the burger is meant to reflect the male private organ, the advertising is intended to convey a sexual message. Fast food establishments frequently utilize adjectives like "long" and "juicy" to suggest anything sexual about their burgers. Along with the sexual innuendo, the advertisement also employs the catchphrase "It'll blow your mind away." In order to entice guys, they also include a lovely woman in the image. They wanted to convey the idea that eating this burger would virtually be equal to doing an oral sex.

Analysis

On the surface level:

1. What are the products highlighted in the visual?

Burger King’s BK Super Seven Incher burger is the product highlighted in the visual. This product is a 7 inch sandwich composed of a single beefy patty, American cheese, crispy onion, and steak sauce.

2. What words, phrases, or sentences are found in the visual test?

The sentences found in the visual text are: (1) “It’ll Blow Your Mind Away” and “It Just Tastes Better”, which are the Burger King’s campaign messages or taglines to attract its target market, (2) “BK Super Seven Incher”, which is the name of the burger that helps customers to identify the product or to know what it is called, and (3) the price and meal descriptions, which informs buyers the variety of ingredients the product was formulated.

3. What were the colours used? What do they represent?

Red and Black were the colours used. The red color of the woman’s lipstick represents sexuality while the black color of the shadow represents the dim light on the burger’s side to highlight the facial expression of the woman.

4. What do these objects found in the text symbolize?

The products’ symbols represent the core of the consumers’ romantic or sexual aspirations, which lured them into making a purchase by appealing to their impulses. This ensures that using the products will meet their needs as people.

5. What image and text cues are present? What do they represent?

An image of a woman, burger, Burger King’s logo, and Burger King’s taglines are present as an image and text cues. The woman represents a sexual active persona considering that her mouth is wide open in a front of a long burger. The burger represents a male private organ, which is long. The Burger King’s logo represents the company’s brand. The Burger King’s tagline represents the emotion of a male and female during nor after sexual intercourse.

6. How does the text convince the consumers?

The texts were sexually suggestive that awakens the consumer’s unconscious inner self leading them to buy and try the seven (7) inch sandwich.

7. What element on the visual catches your attention first?

The shape of a burger catches our attention first because it is also our first time to encounter such oblong and long burger, thus, it is uncommon.

8. How do the elements relate to each other in terms of their size?

The color white font of the texts emphasize the message of the advertisement. Meanwhile, the color black font of the texts indicate that such texts are some additional information of the product. The size of an oblong shaped burger and the texts under it pictures out how long indeed the burger is, seeing it occupies the width of the said text.

9. Which element is given the biggest emphasis?

The element that is given the biggest emphasis is the color of the texts wherein it give a big impact in delivering the desired message of the poster to the audience or to the target market.

On the deeper level:

1. Are there sexual symbolisms present in the text?

Yes, there are sexual symbolisms present in the text. The word blow on the tagline symbolizes a metaphor for an oral sex, called “blow job”. The long and juicy on the meal description objectify the penis.

2. What human needs or emotions do the visual appeal to?

Pleasure and arousal are the human needs or emotions the visual is appealing to wherein the message of the poster is intended to send a sexual feeling – eating the seven inch burger would be equivalent to an oral sex between man and woman.

3. What are some emotions revealed?

Beside to the obviously shocked face of the woman, some emotions revealed are arousal and seduction. These two (2) emotions correlate to a horny man (when his sex organ erect) and woman (when her mouth opens, preparing to an oral sex).

4. Are there hidden meanings on the text?

Yes, the company uses double bladed word such as the word “blow” in the tagline which means “blow job” or a woman sucking a dick.

5. Does the text unveil repressed ideas or emotions?

Yes, the text “It Just Tastes Better” and “It’ll Blow Your Mind Away” unveil an emotions of pleasure and seduction, respectively. Whereas eating the long and juicy burger can be the same feeling in performing an oral sex, thus, activates a sense of such emotions.

6. How does the text affect you?

Honestly, the text affects us in a way that it made us imagine such sexual activity.

7. Why are the images and text cues used necessary to convey the message?

The images and text cues were used necessarily to convey the message for attracting customers through seducing them on buying the product and to try what is really the taste of a long and juicy burger. The woman and the burger (as a male organ) were used because whatever sex or gender you have, the arousal in you can be intensifies by looking and imagining the poster, thus, all individual felt such sensation.

8. What overall message do each visual convey?

A Super Seven Incher burger tastes better like an oral intercourse between men and women as we can see and read on the visual. It can fill your desire for romance and yearn for more after tasting the mind blowing burger.

9. How does the text appeal to your unconscious?

The text appeal to our unconscious by awakening our sexual needs through visualizing the advertisement, thus, pushes us to try and buy the product.

10. Is there a particular sex or gender that the visual appeals to? If yes, what sex/gender and what elements indicate so?

Yes, generally men are the target customer or the audience the visual appeals to.

Analysis

This advertisement shows the BK Super Seven Incher, a product produced by Burger King last 2009. It is a juicy, flame-grilled sandwich filled with a single beef patty, American cheese, crispy onions, topped with a “hearty” steak sauce. Also, there is an image of a woman in the poster with a rather astonished expression on her face wherein the long burger is positioned in her front, centered on his wide open mouth. There are also texts that delivers a double message such as “It’ll Blow Your Mind Away” and “It Just Taste Better”. Additionally, the product name and product description were also stated to inform the customer or the audience the ingredients used.

The positioning of each element in this advertising was undoubtedly done with the intention of evoking a particular sexual notion in men—the target audience/customer of the advertisement—in their minds. Men are drawn or attracted to the image of a woman, which is highlighted due to the lighting used, purportedly “blowing “ or sucking a lengthy sandwich with the word “BLOW” printed below. It also helps that they had written, “It’ll Blow Your Mind Away”, directly underneath which they did not write it in a big and strong font by accident; rather, they did it on purpose to give emphasis and to stimulate an arousal to the audience, specifically men. Hence, it nearly seems to be stating that women, food, and sex are the only thing that men truly crave in the world.

To conclude, the woman’s dramatic expression of shock, together with her gapping mouth and wide-open eyes towards Burger King’s Seven Incher burger, only served to highlight how the burger affected men’s behavior. Because of the burger’s flavor, size, and aroma, it was as if it had completely blown away customers’ mind. The burger’s size was also exaggerated to make it appear good and large, which would persuade customers to buy. Additionally, the texts “It Just Tastes Better” and “It’ll Blow Your Mind Away” reveal, respectively, feelings of pleasure and seduction. Eating a long, juicy burger can evoke similar feelings as having oral sex, therefore doing so awakens these feelings. Nevertheless, this advertisement is a successful one to attract customer’s attention.

Reflection

According to this view, art can be connected to how we consume or purchase any product, whether we need it or simply want it. As a consumer, how we perceive and are drawn to a product's marketing or advertisement—especially when it contains sexually explicit material—affects our decision to buy. Due to the way that sexual advertising enhances people's unconscious feelings, businesses frequently exploit it to effortlessly acquire customers. As a result, we train our imagination to conjure up scenarios including sexual innuendo right away because getting pleasure from such situations is our top objective. However, as students studying financial management, we should emphasize acquiring the things over buying stuff that will just fulfill our wishes. I conclude that life is full of art, but we should be careful not to fall prey to temptation.

[libianomelsy]

MARXISM ANALYSIS

CINDERELLA

Introduction

Marxism is a working-class self-emancipation ideology and practice. It is based on a method of socioeconomic analysis that adopts a dialectical approach to social change and a materialist interpretation of historical development to understand class relations and social conflict. It has its roots in the writings of German intellectuals Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels from the 19th century. Marxism used a paradigm currently known as historical materialism to examine and criticise the rise of class society, particularly capitalism, as well as the part played by class conflicts in systemic economic, social, and political transformation.

Summary

Cinderella resides with her parents in a far-off, long-ago land until her mother passes away. Cinderella's father remarries Lady Tremaine, a nasty and ruthless woman with two children named Drizella and Anastasia. When Cinderella's father passes away as well, her evil stepmother treats her like a virtual slave in her own house. Meanwhile, across town in the castle, there is a  King who decides that his son, the Prince, needs to locate a good spouse and can provide a certain number of grandchildren. Therefore, the King holds a fancy dress dance where his son can select his bride, inviting each eligible maiden in the realm. Cinderella received this message, unluckily lacks a ball-appropriate party outfit, but she remembered her mother's old dress, together with her pals, the mice, led by Gas and Jaq, and the birds help her make one. However, as soon as stepsisters saw the Cinderella's dress, they immediately tore it apart the night of the ball. Hence, Cinderella was discouraged but the Fairy Godmother now appears, followed by the pumpkin carriage, the royal ball, the stroke of midnight, the glass shoe, and, as they say, the rest is a fairy tale history.

Analysis

Marxism, which was derived from the ideas of Karl Marx in the 19th century, is a philosophical and practical framework for examining and altering society. In media studies, it can be found in a variety of ways, such as a methodical analysis of capitalist media economies and societies, a materialist approach to media objects and processes, and a source of activist aesthetics.

A Marxist film must function as the narrative or visual antithesis of Classical Hollywood cinema. It must promote the group over the individual and it emphasizes the fight between classes in order to increase class awareness. A capitalistic society equates economic status in a Marxist view and the story of Cinderella by Charles Perrault highlights a number of these views. It covered the class conflict, the relationship between class and status, and false consciousness in the film.

Cinderella tells the tale of a young woman with a heart of gold named Cinderella, whose life turned upside down when her cherished mother passes away and her bereaved father remarries another lady, the evil widow Lady Tremaine, the intolerable mother of vengeful and envious Anastasia and Drizella. As a result, things get progressively worse, and soon Cinderella is at the Lady's mercy. Cinderella is now destined to serve the Queen forever, and has no hope of attending the King's royal ball. Naturally, trying to entice the charming Prince is impossible but with the help of her little friends and a hint of magic, Cinderella gets ready as her world is about to turn upside down once more.

All of the characters in the film contribute to their Marxist society, even though Cinderella is the main character. Marxism's significance in the movie helps the characters become conscious of their social class and other struggles. The opulent palace where the royal family resides is first glimpsed in Cinderella's opening scene. Then, the camera pans over to the modest, dilapidated houses in the working-class neighborhood. The director makes it a point to demonstrate the relevance that class connection has in the film right off the beginning by showcasing this comparison of the two neighborhood.

A person's social class can be determined by observing a variety of indicators. These include the person's appearance, speech, diet or the food they eat, means of living, level of education, place of residence, and social circle. In the movie, the Marxist approach was evident in the socioeconomic status of different characters whereas they are divided into three, the low or poorest class, the middle class, and the high class or wealthy living class.

Cinderella resides in the portion of a wood-framed house. In her stepmother's household, she cleans and takes care of all the domestic duties. She has a bland appearance because she is wearing an outdated maid dress and plain, simple shoes. She also depends on her stepfamily for her necessities and is unable to make decisions for herself. In addition, she receives poor and unfair treatment from her stepmother and stepsisters, who are middle-class, indicating her lowest socioeconomic level. She is experiencing different kind of struggles with the torture of oppression. They used their power to treat her cruelly and unfairly, which degraded her as a human being. Cinderella is a representation of poverty.

Cinderella's stepfamily, who live in a concrete home with exquisite amenities, is definitely a representation of the middle class. Their attire, which consists of lovely gowns and heels with makeup and jewelry, exudes elegance and sophistication. They don't face any financial difficulties because they can acquire anything they desire. They can also command individuals of low social standing, like Cinderella, to carry out work for them. They depict privileged individuals with access to all things, enjoying some unique privileges or advantages that most others do not.

The monarch exudes authority and strength throughout the movie, holding the entire realm. The King is one of the representatives who has power over the working class's lower socioeconomic beings. He utilized his power to incite everyone to become a member of their royal family while simultaneously providing them false hopes. His capacity to host a royal ball using his connections and resources demonstrates his position at the apex of the hierarchy.

However, despite the differences in their socio-economic status, the characters are still interrelated to each other in a way that for the poorer ones, including Cinderella, to afford food and other basic necessities, they have to work their selves and be deemed worthy of their needs. The same goes to the middle class, for them to maintain their status in the kingdom (society in general), they are willing to enslave others yet, they are still way farther compared to the royals. Lastly, the royals also do everything uphold their status and power by making themselves relevant at all times and in order to do that they have to constantly show their people interesting things happening in their lives either by throwing parties, celebrating a wedding, special balls, etc. In the actual world, the poor create and maintain society, not the elite. Therefore, without the poor, the privileged wouldn't have anything to be rich in.

Reflection

By taking a look at our socioeconomic condition, we can use this theory to include art into our lives. Depending on the comforts we have and the amount of money we make, some of us may be considered lower class and some may be wealthy. We may immediately perceive the socioeconomic distinctions, for instance, by comparing the homes in which each of us resides. Class gaps result from these differences, which makes it more difficult for us to treat one another with humanity. Nevertheless, these class differences are essential to one another. The high class cannot acquire power and authority without the low class, and vice versa; the low class cannot possess poor characteristics without the characteristics of the rich. Similar to our political system, the government is unable to support the nation without the help of the people, hence, people are in some ways dependent on the services that the government can provide. Therefore, in order for us to have a good connection regardless of socioeconomic standing, politicians who hold positions of power and authority should be excellent leaders and their constituents should be good followers. Marxism may therefore be present in our lives, but we should never forget that everyone is created equally and that we should act in a compassionate manner.

[libianomelsy]

SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

A SOCIAL LIFE

Introduction

Utilizing the concepts of network science, psychology, and neuroscience, sociology is the study of society, social interaction, and relationship patterns. It is a social science that builds a body of knowledge on social order, acceptability, and change or social evolution using a variety of empirical research and critical analytical techniques. Like all areas of human life social structure and human agency interact to influence action, sociology has increasingly widened its scope to include additional topics like health, medicine, economics, military and prison systems, the internet, education, social capital, and the role of social engagement in the expansion of scientific understanding.

Summary

The protagonist of the novel "A Social Life" is Meredith, a young lady with a strong concentration on her work who is aware of the value of maintaining an active social media presence. She aspires to lead a balanced life that includes working hard, staying in shape, and making friends. Sharing these memories online plays a significant role in her daily life; by doing so, she develops her "image" among her larger social media friend network.

One day Meredith wakes up and discovers that her reflection is really a collection of pictures she's shared with others.

Are we really living the life that we post? is the question that A Social Life tries to answer. Whether we are or are not, we want to talk about the impact this has on our community's and each individual's sense of self.

Analysis

A Social Life is an award winning short film written and directed by Kerith Lemon that tackles social media depression which is timely and relevant to our generation today. It is an eight-minute film, centered towards the woman who’s probably in her 20s and is trying to live a different reality through the posts she creates in her social media. This film is directed to almost every individuals who are active and exposed in social media and whom in such a way developed an unhealthy obsession with it.

To start the film, a panning camera movement was used to show the woman in her bed as she wakes up at the ring of her alarm. In order to represent her obsession in social media, the first thing she did when she woke up was grab her phone and check her profile to see what’s been happening while she’s asleep.

The contrasting temperature and tone of the background can then be noticed as she continues to scroll through her phone. A darker tone was used in her personal private life or simply in her room while a more vibrant one was used in the photos she uploaded in her accounts or social life. The use of two contrasting tones signifies that she is in a much darker reality than what she is portraying or pretending to be online.

During the duration of the movie, a series of fast forwards were employed to show the viewers that her life basically became a routine of her trying hard to make contents for her social media to make her life seem interesting and active or as she hopes so. The constant usage of different tones in her background and to the photos she’s posting online sends a message to the viewers that not everything you see in social media is true.

Her eyes were focused on several times as she scrolls through her profiles as even though what she’s posting seems fun and interesting, the reality she is in tells otherwise. She is sad and is obviously troubled by her insecurities and she is trying to seek validation in social media with the amount of likes that she receives in her every post.

When one day she woke up with no new notifications in her account, it confused her and she tried refreshing her account ver and over again only to realize that there were really no new notifications. She stood up to take a mirror selfie but when she tried to strike a post, what she saw in the mirror baffled her- the photos of her friends online. It dawned to her that she had been busy looking at other’s lives and comparing them to hers instead of focusing on her own.

As realizations starts to sink in her mind, she dropped her phone on the floor with a hint of surprise as she stares through her melancholic reflection in the mirror. She then starts walking away from the mirror and continued walking downstairs to open the door that will lead her not only outside but also to the reality that she has long been escaping.

The closer she is from the door, the brighter the light is seeping through it. The changing of lighting in this scene symbolizes that finally, the woman is now ready to face her reality, move on from the illusion she created, and step forward in life.

Social media at its simplest form is a means of communication. It’s a powerful tool created to let people around the world connect with one another regardless of the distance. Yet, as the world continues to evolve, technology too becomes more innovative when it comes to creating new tools that is adaptive to what our society is becoming. The film itself is familiar to almost every viewer because of the same society that we are in and also because the concept of social media has become a household term, to the point that some of us became too attached to it. The amount of posts that we see everyday is massive and in a way, it became unhealthy as there are some of us who can’t help but compare their lives to what they see online. Today’s society warped us in the idea of working everyday so when we find ourselves not doing anything, we feel guilty about it. When what we’re doing is not as fun and outgoing as the others, we get called boring. BUT THAT IS NOT TRUE. We are in our own way different from one another, we have our own pace. Do not be deceived by other’s definition of life and their way of living it.

SOCIAL MEDIA ISN’T EVERYTHING.

THERE ARE STORIES BEHIND EVERY POST.

LIVE ACCORDING TO YOUR OWN.

Reflection

Through this approach, we can incorporate art into our life by assessing the demands or aspects of our society. The adage "No man is an island" is one that we frequently hear, means that we human beings need to be accompanied by one another. Just like in art, arts can't be appreciated without the author's thoughts and an audience who will be interpreting the message. In every movies, theater, and even paintings, we can acquire a knowledge on how we could understand and interact with each other. The sociological approach, however, addressed societal issues including sexuality, education, health, and the economy. As a result, this artistic approach has taught us to be open with our society, be sensitive to others, and speak honestly.

[libianomelsy]

MULTIMODAL/SEMIOTICS ANALYSIS

GOYO: ANG BATANG HENERAL

Introduction

The study of the sign process is called semiotics (also known as semiotic studies) (semiosis). Indication, designation, similarity, analogy, allegory, metonymy, metaphor, symbolism, signification, and communication are all included in the study of signs and sign processes. According to the semiotic tradition, the study of signs and symbols is a key component of communication.  Semiotics, as opposed to linguistics, also investigates non-linguistic sign systems. On the other hand, multimodality is, at its core, a communication and social semiotics theory. In terms of the textual, auditory, linguistic, spatial, and visual resources - or modes - utilized to produce communications, multimodality refers to communication practices. Multimodality in the context of media refers to the employment of various modes (media) to produce a single artifact. These modes, or aspects, collectively influence how distinct rhetorical situations, or chances to improve an audience's reception of an idea or notion, are affected by multimodality. Meaning is created by everything, including the arrangement of the information and the placement of the visuals.

Summary

In this scene, Goyo is seen holding Heneral Manuel inside a dark interrogation room where he is being offered the chance to join President Emilio Aguinaldo's army in exchange for information on Jose's whereabouts. Goyo used deceptive tactics including haggling with Manuel's brother to force out the answers from the latter about information on where Jose is. Hence, he indeed persuaded Manuel to follow what he offers, seeing him reluctant to immediately kill the latter as he is a fine soldier with a love and patriotism for his country. Manuel, on the other hand, is a man with a strong sense of loyalty to Heneral Luna, and even if Goyo's warriors beat him to death, he won't reveal where Jose is and will instead highlight the differences between him and Goyo over where their principles stand and whose leadership is better. In the end, Goyo ordered his soldiers to kill Manuel because he was no longer useful to them anymore, thus, they gather such information from someone. As a result, the gunshot was heard, which was associated with Manuel's death.

Analysis

The multimodal texts in the video were very  noticeable such as the film uses  subtitles to deliver properly the story. Major Manuel, who's laying down with his face facing the floor while screaming shows that he's been captured and hurt by the soldiers. Goyo's gesture of kneeling towards Manuel with an angle where his body position is lower than  Manuel depicts that the latter is still on the higher position despite he's caged, and since Goyo is still convincing him to join the fight for Aguinaldo's name. Then, as Goyo nods, it gives a signal to the soldier on the thing they should do by letting in Manuel's brother, Angelo, whose crying. When Julian removed Manuel's uniform with Goyo's signal, it depicts that he stripped off Manuel's rank in the army as he's also naked and handcuffed. However, despite of what happened, it is visible on Manuel's facial expression and words that he is a soldier with loyalty and principle. With his action of spitting, he shows how disgusted he is on what's Goyo is doing and saying. Moreover, when Goyo's soldiers heard Manuel's distinction, they were triggered and end up beating the poor Major as his brother is screaming and crying for mercy. When Goyo tells the soldiers to stop, it depicts that Goyo is indeed in authority as he's being obeyed. Hence, it is obvious that Manuel is eager to spill the truth the he sticks to a honorable soldier, Luna, while Goyo is only a follower of his idol, Aguinaldo, because the anger and braveness is seen to his face and gesture. In addition, his laugh after saying "You are not a soldier, Goyo. You are a dog." and his voice creating a barking sound suggests that he's mocking and making Goyo angry. As a result, Goyo ordered to kill him considering he is useless, thus, he's been shot as a sound of a gun was heard. Hence, the background music played in the last part of the scene implies the honor for the soldiers, which called "Guardia de Honor", this is to commemorate the life of Major Manuel as a fearless soldier as well as Goyo who sacrificed his life for the betterment of the country.

Nevertheless, multimodal texts in this video are more in the type of (1) linguistics, wherein subtitle is used, (2) gestural, in the form of kneeling, ripping, nodding, spitting, and expressions, (3) aural, in the form of barking and shooting a gun, and (4) spatial, where the distance of the characters body is placed.

Moreover, the semiotics in this video are evident including the lighting used in the scene is dimmed to tell the audience that they are at a closed room or on a jail where Manuel is handcuffed, which is a symbol of being a captive. The dark and closed room signifies the ambiance of danger and fear. Thus, the director only used the sunlight coming from the window to show off what's happening, which the sunlight connotes as a source of glory and understanding pf the scene. Also, since Goyo is convincing Manuel to side on Aguinaldo's company, Goyo puts a uniform on the back of Manuel as a sign of respecting the position of the latter being a soldier. The uniform as a denotation is a distinctive clothing worn by members of the same organization or body, meanwhile, as to is connotation, it is the representation of Manuel as a brave and loyal soldier. Furthermore, Goyo's uniform, especially  his cap is a symbol of him being a country's high ranked soldier. However, when Manuel tells him he's a dog, the dog in denotation is a carnivorous mammal that typically has a long snout, an acute sense of smell, nonretractable claws, and a barking, howling, or whining voice, but a dog in connotation means that Goyo is an unfaithful, a blind follower, and a dirty man. Moreover, as Goyo walks towards the door where the light be seen is a sign that he's leaving the area as he is done conversing with Manuel.

Nonetheless, semotics in this film are visible in the form of (1) symbols, wherein different things symbolizes such character, (2) index, wherein it shows specific object to create a situation, and (3) connotation and denotation, where it can give rise to another meaning.

All in all, the multimodal text and semiotics help me to understand more the film, Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral. These approaches made me analyze the scene more deeper through different forms of examining a specific action. With this , I can enhance my communication skills in complex ideas despite of language barriers.

Reflection

In this theory, art associates with our lives via several senses. In multimodal, we (1) listen to a range of music with our ears, (2) envision or read a visual image or text using our eyes, (3) feel an object's texture with our skin, and (4) convey our emotions with our faces. However, in semiotics, we often compare and contrast ourselves with other things in order to emphasize a point or locate a situation in order to comprehend what is happening. Thus, incorporating semiotics and multimodal into our daily life can considerably improve our ability to observe and express ourselves.

[libianomelsy]

FORMALISM ANALYSIS

JESSE DRAXLER'S MISOPHONIA

Introduction

As alternative ideas about aesthetic quality started to emerge, the formalist method was seen as a critical approach to the way that art was being produced and seen. This shift in understanding what art represented was ascribed to a mental shift as practitioners of this movement all made an effort to provide a simple definition of what art was. As a result, formalistic theory concentrated on examining and contrasting diverse art forms and styles, as well as its components, including color, form, line, shape, space, texture, and value.

Summary

Misophonia uses a variety of mediums and techniques, including collage, deliriously textured photography, harsh typography, and figurative painting. It is a 200-page master collection of Jesse Draxler's polydimensional artwork from the beginning of his career.

Draxler explores the ambiguous spaces between doubt and absurdity, fear and submission, and speaks to the hazy landscapes of disorientation.

While concealed, Draxler's influence permeates a body of work that is alive and well, seeking for what lies beneath layers of subconscious repression and facing the weight of what lies within.

Analysis

1. What is the historical and cultural context of the image?

The cultural context of the image is in lined with Taoist ethics wherein it is natural, nameless, spontaneous and eternal. According to Taoism, both people and animals should coexist in harmony with the Tao, or the universe.

For historical context, since he had experienced some unpleasant situations in the past, which have left him with a lot of memory blockages and prevented him from having any distinct memories of his childhood. Since there are no concrete records and his family doesn't discuss it, he doesn't really comprehend or know what happened. It creates this void in his life that is unknown and difficult for him to fill. The concept of an unknown is quite influential in his work.

2. What ideas does the image suggested to its intended viewers?

Draxler explores the ambiguous spaces between doubt and absurdity, fear and submission, and speaks to the hazy landscapes of disorientation. In this area, opaque coverings and allusive marks draw strength from the shadows and provide both gaps and questions, giving the real and the unreal a subtly violent and vulnerable quality. While concealed, Draxler's influence permeates a body of work that is alive and well, seeking for what lies beneath layers of subconscious repression and facing the weight of what lies within.

3. How do relations between producer, text, context, and audience work to create these meanings?

Misophonia or any other artwork by Draxler speaks to the uncomfortable individuals who, in his own words, breathe in a world profound confusion, raptured by their own "best" thoughts. Uncertainty, fear, and submission are the feelings that Draxler aims to convey in such a way that when the audience looks at his art, they can experience the sentiment behind it because many of these emotions can only be represented through photographs and cannot be conveyed in words. The emotions that the creator and the recipient or viewer experience as they become entangled in his works of art are confusion at first, followed by void, an empty feeling, and a sense of not knowing anything.

4. How has the visual text itself been shaped as part of the communication? (consider relevant codes here)

An eye-to-eye positioning and face-to-face camera angle was used to make this art collage. Using this two visual codes, the effect is hughly engaging and it makes the viewer want to reach out and touch it. This dark lighting style is more commonly known as "film noir" which was made popular in Europe with black and white filter in 1940s and 1950s. The low key lighting is great for monochrome artworks as it can create a mysterious and dramatic mood, as portrayed in this one. The majority of his work is focused on exploring some kind of ambiguous interior state that is difficult to express verbally or in any other way.

5. What other reading of the image is possible? How might other viewers respond?

Since the majority of his painting are abstract, viewers are free to interpret them whatever they see fit so long as they are influenced by them. His art will be interpreted differently depending on the context and situation viewers are in, since opposing interpretations serve as a reminder that the author and audience may behave differently in different cultural circumstances. After all, the person who is looking has the narrative point of view.

Reflection

According to this theory, art has a direct connection to our lives—more precisely, our bodily identities. Our bodily parts, such as our skin color, hair color, face or skin texture, and body shape, can all be related to the aspects of color, line, texture, and shape. Additionally, everyone of us has an own style defined by our choices in colors, jewelry, make-up, and how we dress. With our sense of style, we can make our appearance to be attractive as what we and our society want us to be, thus, to satisfy the person (audience) whom we engage or come into contact. With this routine, we practice the theory of formalism (art) in our everyday lives. 

[libianomelsy]

The Artwork That Best Describes Me

To start this blog, have a glimpse on the artwork that best describes me.

A girl playing the kite,

Holds a position to dream high.

A pet who accompanies;

Wishing the journey's success,

Makes the  girl stimulates.

The air that is unpredictable,

You need to be accountable.

As life has a perfect timing,

The kite should be balancely flying

While the girl is prospering .

[libianomelsy]

Life is an art. We were made through art. We were molded and formed (sculpture - one form of art) by our Creator using variety of techniques. Hence, we were God's masterpiece.

To tell you, in the journey of reaching my dreams, I can tell that I do not have all the knowledge in understanding what life is. All I know is to watch movies, browsing my social media accounts, taking pictures, and buying my needs and wants, without even realizing that whatever I do is related to art.

In this blog, I will help you and including myself to deeply understand that life is indeed an art. I will discuss here the different theories of art in relation to our everyday life. These theories include (1) Formalism, (2) Multimodal/Semiotics, (3) Sociological, (4) Marxism, and (5) Psychoanalysis.