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Final film “We are our own Celebrities”

For the final project we decided to do a collaborative project that documents a little journey that’s been the most common for us for the past years of living in New York. In this class we learnt about various forms of celebrityhood, and one of the biggest feelings we shared together was that leaning from the self and the mundane had been something that’s neglected since the development of social media. Similar to the idea of “Humans of New York,” our short film focuses only on ourselves and the spaces around us.

Personal thought

I think living in the city of New York gave me an independent journey that’s unique to this city. I found New York a very crowded place, lots of gathering, parties and meetings. But this is also a very lonely place because we gather and separate very quickly, we are always seeing strangers walking to their own destinations, we never stop. As one of the most important center of the world, information gets in and out of our lives extremely quickly, I feel like I’m always getting a lot of information, inducing fashion trends, technologies, shows, events, big news, somebody did this, and somebody else did that…I feel like I’m always looking at the future and looking for the future but sometimes neglected the value of the past, and the fact that we are our own celebrities, we are the biggest source that we learn from.

 I’ve done many different forms of documentations of memories, including photos; sketches, audios, videos and writings, and I particularly like video documentations because it includes a very colorful perspective and emotions. And this collaboration definitely inspired me to start doing more of this kind of “back and forth focused” short film for the future.

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#Ai WeiWei: Still Never Sorry

Do you think art interventions are key to resistance movements like those currently underway in the United States?

Not to include Art, if we just look at the word “interventions”, it already means a lot of things. It is to question, to challenge, to doubt, to prove, to oppose, or to fight against. Throughout history around the world, most of the really great development and growth happened after fights, conflicts, and revolutions, which are different forms of interventions. And to look at “Art interventions,” are works and actions created and done by artist to express their voice, it is a peaceful attack or weapon what can promote people to think about certain things. I think violent and endless argument can do something for tomorrow, but reflections and mental growth and rethink are what really solve the problems.    

 Do you think, as Ai Weiwei affirms, that art interventions can help overcome the war in Syria, or the rise of xenophobia in the Unites States?

I’m not sure if art interventions would be the key point to overcome wars in different nations, but I’m sure they can makes very valuable changes and growths to help overcome problems. For example, although Ai Weiwei eventually had to be watched and controlled by the Chinese government, although he was attacked and put in danger, the awareness he raised and awaken souls he influenced around the world are priceless.

What was your biggest take-away from the documentary Ai WeiWei: Never Sorry?

As a Chinese student who always knew about AiWeiei, before, during and after he was arrested. I honestly think he is extremely brave, because although he has a lot of supporters he’s still fighting the war alone. Lots of other Chinese artists are making artworks to express their worries and anger towards China, but not many dare to challenge the safety and peace of their entire life.

 If you had no limitations, self-imposed or otherwise, what form would your own creative activism take? Could you envision a large-scale public project like "Good Fences Make Good Neighbors"?

The first things that come into mind would be making documentaries and sort films, because the fastest way for information to spread is through social media.

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KeepItlnTheGround

What do you see as the tipping point with climate change?

I don't think I know enough scientific information and research myself for me to decide t what the tipping point for climate change would be, but what I feel is if we don't start changing some of the way we live we will just create more and more environmental issues for the generations after us. For example, a city like Beijing is now known as the dust town now where facemasks, air cleaner and humidifier are the most popular items for citizens. It is a festival for the citizens in Beijing (and many other areas in asia) to see blue sky and starry nights, but the grandparents’ generations remembered Beijing as a place where there’s always blue and clear sky. Therefore I think a lot of the production and manufactures done for people’s request that are not that necessary but causing pollutions should be controlled and reduced, otherwise the next generations will make facing a world with great technology but many illness and suffer.

Do you find hope in these celebrity actions and initiatives promising? Have you personally done any actions to #KeepItIntheGround ?

I personally haven’t done any actions to #KeepItIntheGround, but the documentaries and stories presented by TheGuardian are very powerful and I do like what the project is advocating people to do. I think the power to influence and guide many people is a gift owned by celebrities and the big reason why they are called “celebrity.” So I believe the joining of influential and celebrated people is definitely a nice a very positive thing.    

Do you have concerns about the potential elimination of the Environmental Protection Agency?

I think even a small town will be in great environmental danger if the organization that monitors and protects the environment is gone, not to mention if the scale as large as a city or a country is not under controlled. Many freedom is needed but if certain things happen to threaten the lives of a large group of people, then it should be watched and controlled.  

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#2BOOK REVIEW

Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg


•How does this book change or enhance the definition of "celebrityhood"

The author Sheryl Sandberg is a strong and influential woman who has a very stories career. She has been the chef operating officer of Facebook since 2008, she spent six and a half year at Google, and created many successes in complies such as the World Bank and McKinsey.

Personally, as a young adult who’s about to enter the real world or is already stepping into the real world, I’m starting to spend more and more time thinking about and working on my career like all other people who’s about to graduate from college. I feel very lucky to always have support from friends and family, but sometimes the same words hit me much stronger when they are coming from a stranger, a powerful stranger like Sheryl Sandberg.

A teenage girl can be very lazy and spoiled at home, but sometimes a concert from her favorite idol might be able to make her wake up early in the morning, pack her luggage and travel across the nation to see the concert. An adult can feel depressed and hopeless when ending a relationship or losing love one, but maybe hearing similar stories from his/her role model can give him/her the power and love that no other are able to do. Therefore the existence of respected “celebrities” not only present fame and attentions but also something very strong and magical.

By writing the book and presenting her stories and thoughts, Sandberg
 is creating a "celebrityhood" of herself to influence others. Sandberg’s career as a feminist champion began with her TED talk in 2010, in which she first laid out her lean-in message. Therefore she has been influencing people from around the world with her “celebrityhood.”

When talking about celebrity nowadays, many people’s first reactions are inevitably negative because of the mass variety of celebrities out there; however, the power of celebrities can also encourage and support many unkonwn people who are lose in their lives. I’m very glad Sandberg became a celebrity.

•What contributions do this book make to social change?

What Sandberg suggested strongly in the book is that the reason why women are rarely in high leadership position in the “working world” is not that they lakes abilities and leadership, and it is not caused by the fact that men are created physically stronger and tougher then women, it’s simply because many women lack confidences in themselves. She uses her self as an example to prove that the biggest obstacle is usually created by ourselves. As more and more women are aware of their abilities and strength, I believe we will be seeing more and more successes from women.  

•What new concept did this book introduce to the world?

Here is something I really like form her book

“People want to hire and promote those who are both competent and nice.” Being disliked isn’t a sustainable option. So at crucial moments like job interviews and salary negotiations, she tells women to carefully “combine niceness with insistence,” be “relentlessly pleasant,” and appear “nice, concerned about others, and ‘appropriately’ female.” (Sandberg,)

This idea of using the softness from the nature of women as a weapon is a very smart idea and reminders that women should remember. When negotiating, debating and getting along with people, especially men, we always have the ability to fight elegantly.  

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#DayWithoutAWoman

1.     Did you participate in #DayWithoutAWoman #WomenStrike or #WomensDay events this week? Share a photo! 

I participated in the Women Strike for in Washington Square Park on the International Day of Women. It was my first time participating in this event and I found it super powerful and fun to see people’s energy and excitement. I’ve always believed that the women were given power by nature that is unique to women, not only the ability to have children but also a spirit and energy that's very powerful and respectful. I’m very happy to be a woman.

2.     Were you aware of Malala Yousafzai's story? What is your take-away? What are your thoughts on her response to the illegal Muslim Ban? 

After reading more into her stories I don't really know how to describe my feeling about learning the separation of families due to wars and political crisis. As a foreigner I don't really understand the whole picture so I don't feel like judging while not knowing much about the issue. However, I think what’s great about America and what made this country so strong was the mixture of diversity and culture and freedom. Diversity and acceptance was what made this nation so powerful, so if I were Malala Yousafzai, I would probably do the same and do everything to try to help the others who are still suffering.

 3. If you were to find a book left on the subway by Emma Watson, what would the title be?

This has been a really fun projects that's’ going on in many countries not only the U.S.If I were to leave a book on the subway, I would pick Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus by John Grey. It's a really fun book that reveals the difference in man and women from different perspective.

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#Black Lives Matter

1.     Have you ever been the victim of racial profiling or know of someone who has? Please relate the experience.

As an Asian girl who has been studying abroad in America for many years, I definitely experienced some degree of racial profiling or sarcasm. For example, some strangers would suddenly speak a word of Chinese, Japanese or Korean when passing by. Or some people would say things that imply certain things about Asian that are not true. However, I feel lucky that I haven’t experienced anything extremely hurtful, but I’ve seen news and stories from social media about some African Americans who were treated in extremely hurtful and disrespectful ways. I always feel very sad and a lot of the time angery to see people hurting other people and causing issues just for their own pleasure.

2.     Have you participated in a Black Lives Matter march or protest? What was your takeaway? Do you have any photos to share? If not, have you followed the movement online?

I personally haven’t participated in a Black Lives Matter march or protest. But I’ve been following up and watching videos from the Black Lives Matter website to see videos about issues that are happening around the nations In the websites, there’s a part called “The Movement series” and it documents many powerful and touching stories about lives of African Americans that others should now about. One video I remember strongly is called “If all you know about Baltimore is ‘The Wire’...” an interviewee said they when he went down to Baltimore, people told him to be careful of “those kids” meaning the black children community, but later he realized that there is no “those kids.” One line I really like from him was that “although persecutions are always based on some sort of realities, but what I can do is to go forward and remember that every action and interaction you have fell effect somebody.”

3.     Were you aware of the racial disparity in our prison system? What are your thoughts?Did you know that in Florida, Iowa and Virginia, felons and ex-felons permanently lose their right to vote? With the "three strikes" war on drugs laws, this meant that someone caught in possession of drugs (non-violent crime) could end up with a felony conviction and sentenced to serve prison time alongside violent criminals? 

As a foreigner who studies in the U.S. with a student visa, I’m not very familiar with the Prison system. But I remember seeing news and videos of African American who were treated really violently by the police when all they did was nothing or a minor crime (not that minor crime don't matter, but they it should be treated reasonably).

Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuoIlX1r4MU

4. View this trailer of Ava DuVernay 's Academy Award nominated documentary "13" and write a few lines about it. Why now? Why this director?

Although this was a 2 minutes trailer from the “13”, it was already very powerful, and it makes me really want to watch the movie. It is a very upsetting truth that even racism and slavery is still causing a lot of tragedy today in the 21st century. With the growing of technology, social media, knowledge, and everything, some of the most fundamental and basic understandings of human lives are still trapped and delayed. Ava DuVernay, as African American women who is documenting and dealing with this topic, she deserves lots of respects and support, and I really hope her voice and be heard by more people around the world.

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Humans of New York: Stories by Brandon Stanton

•How does this book change or enhance the definition of "celebrity hood"

“Celebrity hood”, meaning the role and status of a celebrity or the state of being a celebrity, is usually used for well-know people or things that are famous and are under a lot of attentions. Political leaders, singers, movies stars, bloggers, performers or very elite people in high positions, everyone but the “normal people on the street ” are recognized as celebrities who have their lives around a celebrity hood.

Regardless of all the reasons that make certain people famous, I think the one characteristic that they all share is that they all have something very interesting and unique about their lives that attract attentions from a large community. Later, every little detail and information about this famous person gets narrated, exaggerated, celebrated or dramatized, and the celebrity hood continues.

However, the perspective of Humans of New York: Stories by Brandon Stanton presented and revealed a fundamental fact we all know and often neglect, which is that every single live has its own unique story, and everyone has journey that can make a difference.

In the book, portrait of people from different background, race, gender, age and history in New York City are presented proudly like a “celebrity.” Their names and faces might not be remembered but their stories are more powerful, touching and interesting than a lot of the news we read from social media.  

•What contributions does this book make to social change?

I think Humans of New York speaks about the stories and humanities of New York City in a very unique angle that's relatable and attachable to readers around the world. The blog http://www.humansofnewyork.com began as a place that shared stories and photograph of people in NYC, now what it really does is to share the unique moment from the everyday life of people from across the world. It has become a phenomenon worldwide, and people from across the world joined. For example

Tokyo http://www.humansoftokyo.org/stories.html

Shanghai https://www.facebook.com/shanghaipeople/

Hawaii http://peopleofhi.tumblr.com

I think one big contributions of this book is that it reminded society to slow down.

 •What new concept did this book introduce to the world?

I don't what the book introduced are “new ideas”, but the forgotten and neglected ideas.The idea that every live matters, and every live given has something special and powerful about it. A story from an unknown stranger can hurt and heal people, make people angry and lost, touched and loved…

After reading this book I feel very blessed to be given a life to experience the different journey and memories... 

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SNL and #Russiagate

#1 What impact can comedy have on changing the narrative about public figures in government and in living out the concept of Democracy? Which of the following portrayals has been most effective?

I think what comedy does is that it makes certain political and social issues more relatable and easy to watch for many people. For example SNL uses humors to address controversial topics so it lessens the tension and pressure between the speakers and the audiences. Comedy itself is an art that gives people the freedom, space and the tolerance to actions and speeches, with the fame and popularities of celebrities; I believe using humor in the tension and chaos is a successful method.

In terms of really changing the narrative about public figures in government and in living out the concept of Democracy, I feel like everyone has its own belief and narrative about certain things when receiving information no matter what, the exaggerations might skew certain people’s thoughts and viewpoints in some degrees, but I feel like most people take their ideas on serious issues seriously and firmly.

#2.Can comedians be effective change makers? How?

I think this is a subjective question because we can have different definitions to who “effective change makers” are. I believe anybody with a voice and the right way to express and influence others can be an effective change maker to certain people. If an effective change maker is someone that makes a big difference in this world and change a lot of others’ ideas and actions or lives, then this comedian probably has to be very famous.

#3.Can comedy counteract "fake news"? How? I think comedy has the power to counteract “fake news” because it's a parody and it’s less sensitive compare to other methods. No matter ones believe the news or not, they can always treat the news like a joke to laugh about it, if not they can at least treat it as a step out of the tension and angers.

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I didn't participate or witness this march because I was out of the country. But through researching online I found the march incredibly moving and powerful. It looks like an ocean of people with positive energy and strong voices.

I didn't participate or witness this march because I was out of the country. But through researching online I found the march incredibly moving and powerful. It looks like an ocean of people with positive energy and strong voices.

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I think the Pink Pussy Hat became the symbol of the grassroots movement because of three main reasons. First of all, this is a very simple and accessible hat for women across the nation to have, while the patterns are shared online for anybody to learn, the color and shape of this hat very naturally bound to one and other to create awareness and unity. Secondly, the making of this hat encourages and celebrates hand craftsmanship, but it doesn't cause stress or a lot of energy and responsibilities, which allows people from all fields to join happily with positive energy. Lastly, I personally think this hat is pretty cute, the little design details make it very fashionable, so the wearer enjoy this piece not only as a statement of power but also a nice piece of accessory.

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Your fave do-gooder celebrity and why?

Although I don’t follow a lot of celebrity actions, Emma Watson has always jumped out as a very positive and charismatic person not only in her career but also her actions on advocating equal rights and women power. As a female actress who got famous in a very young age, I’m surprised that she didn't allow fame to corrupt her growth. Instead Watson has been making good use of her influence to promote education for girls and she was appointed as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador.