http://www.forbes.com/2006/07/19/spending-income-level_cx_lh_de_0719spending.html
on average
http://www.census.gov/prod/2001pubs/c2kbr01-8.pdf
how many households
so the math
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_much_money_do_Americans_spend
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
hmmm
So I like the statistics about how much people spent on ________ while you only need ________ for education.
I think the imagery is strong and the statistics are something that most people haven't heard much of.
It plays off of some of the bumper stickers I have seen (i.e. bake sale to buy weapons instead of education..). As well as sayings such as "beat swords into plowshares" and so on.
I feel like i need to take the imagery a step farther, however. I don't feel like the imagery is complete.
I do like the other poster I made with the image of me, however I feel like the statistic falls flat.
what can I do to make it more complex/engaging?
-screenprint the images
-give it texture
-play with how much it fills the space
-where the text is/how it interacts
... and more..... gotta go get plastered.... i'll keep thinking on it.
I think the imagery is strong and the statistics are something that most people haven't heard much of.
It plays off of some of the bumper stickers I have seen (i.e. bake sale to buy weapons instead of education..). As well as sayings such as "beat swords into plowshares" and so on.
I feel like i need to take the imagery a step farther, however. I don't feel like the imagery is complete.
I do like the other poster I made with the image of me, however I feel like the statistic falls flat.
what can I do to make it more complex/engaging?
-screenprint the images
-give it texture
-play with how much it fills the space
-where the text is/how it interacts
... and more..... gotta go get plastered.... i'll keep thinking on it.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
education/poverty
http://nationsreportcard.gov/math_2007/m0012.asp
http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/
http://nationsreportcard.gov/science_2005/s0112.asp?printver=
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/income_expenditures_poverty_wealth/poverty.html
http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/
http://nationsreportcard.gov/science_2005/s0112.asp?printver=
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/income_expenditures_poverty_wealth/poverty.html
other helpful
www.libraryspot.com
www.bestplaces.net
www.fedstats.gov
www.childstats.gov
http://factfinder.census.gov
www.bestplaces.net
www.fedstats.gov
www.childstats.gov
http://factfinder.census.gov
goldmine
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/STTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US3915000&-qr_name=ACS_2007_3YR_G00_S1701&-ds_name=ACS_2007_3YR_G00_&-redoLog=false
subject
So I need to narrow down the subject of my thesis.
I started out with that huge list of topics, but I feel like the closer topics to my heart are -
**unemployment: As a graduating senior, staring down the path that is applying for jobs is really scary. The idea that my schooling is done and I am to jump into the real world is scary on its own. However, since there is an economic crisis, that whole idea couple with the fact that no one is hiring, in fact most people are firing, is scary. How the hell am I supposed to get a job, much less one in my field.
**poverty - My parents raised me to be aware of the state of others around me. As a child, I was encouraged to do volunteer work and both soup kitchens and food pantries. In high school, I helped to tutor underprivileged children. Something I learned from all of that is that poverty is a cycle that is very difficult to break. A child that grows up in poverty often receives a sub par education as well as living in less than desirable conditions. Since they receive a bad education, they will most likely not go on to college. Also, because of education, they don't get the grades to get scholarships and therefore can't financially attend college. Thus, they enter the workforce. Degree-less, they are stuck in an entry-level low paying job. Because of the cost of living, families can barely afford to make ends meet on minimum wage. Thus, their children will also go on to get a bad education. Thus, starting the cycle over again. Although I know that there are some that can break out of this cycle, the majority of people don't. Although I don't think that the solution is to just hand them money or give them everything through welfare, I do feel that the vast difference between the upper class and the lower class in this country is ridiculous. Education needs to be improved to provide better for these children so that they can break the cycle.
**hate crimes - When we are young, we learn that discrimination ended with the civil rights movement. Martin Luther King Jr. made everything better and now America is a free and equal country. The realization, for me, came after september 11th. As a freshman in high school, I was still just beginning to expand my horizons. I realized that discrimination does still exist. Whites, Blacks, Indians, Middle Eastern people. Even in gender - men and women still have defined roles of what they can and cannot do, earn, and be. Yet another inequality that has come to light especially this year with proposition 8 is gay marriage. To me, it is ridiculous that people who are living, breathing, human beings are not allowed to marry. Being homosexual does not make them any different from a heterosexual in terms of love. They are capable of the same feelings, just towards another. I cannot believe that one human would deny another human the right to marriage. To proclaim that they are in love with another human being and make the ultimate commitment to them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4xfMisqab8
this especially sums up what i feel.
----transcript of that-----
Finally tonight as promised, a Special Comment on the passage, last week, of Proposition Eight in California, which rescinded the right of same-sex couples to marry, and tilted the balance on this issue, from coast to coast.
Some parameters, as preface. This isn't about yelling, and this isn't about politics, and this isn't really just about Prop-8. And I don't have a personal investment in this: I'm not gay, I had to strain to think of one member of even my very extended family who is, I have no personal stories of close friends or colleagues fighting the prejudice that still pervades their lives.
And yet to me this vote is horrible. Horrible. Because this isn't about yelling, and this isn't about politics. This is about the human heart, and if that sounds corny, so be it.
If you voted for this Proposition or support those who did or the sentiment they expressed, I have some questions, because, truly, I do not understand. Why does this matter to you? What is it to you? In a time of impermanence and fly-by-night relationships, these people over here want the same chance at permanence and happiness that is your option. They don't want to deny you yours. They don't want to take anything away from you. They want what you want—a chance to be a little less alone in the world.
Only now you are saying to them—no. You can't have it on these terms. Maybe something similar. If they behave. If they don't cause too much trouble. You'll even give them all the same legal rights—even as you're taking away the legal right, which they already had. A world around them, still anchored in love and marriage, and you are saying, no, you can't marry. What if somebody passed a law that said you couldn't marry?
I keep hearing this term "re-defining" marriage. If this country hadn't re-defined marriage, black people still couldn't marry white people. Sixteen states had laws on the books which made that illegal in 1967. 1967.
The parents of the President-Elect of the United States couldn't have married in nearly one third of the states of the country their son grew up to lead. But it's worse than that. If this country had not "re-defined" marriage, some black people still couldn't marry black people. It is one of the most overlooked and cruelest parts of our sad story of slavery. Marriages were not legally recognized, if the people were slaves. Since slaves were property, they could not legally be husband and wife, or mother and child. Their marriage vows were different: not "Until Death, Do You Part," but "Until Death or Distance, Do You Part." Marriages among slaves were not legally recognized.
You know, just like marriages today in California are not legally recognized, if the people are gay.
And uncountable in our history are the number of men and women, forced by society into marrying the opposite sex, in sham marriages, or marriages of convenience, or just marriages of not knowing, centuries of men and women who have lived their lives in shame and unhappiness, and who have, through a lie to themselves or others, broken countless other lives, of spouses and children, all because we said a man couldn't marry another man, or a woman couldn't marry another woman. The sanctity of marriage.
How many marriages like that have there been and how on earth do they increase the "sanctity" of marriage rather than render the term, meaningless?
What is this, to you? Nobody is asking you to embrace their expression of love. But don't you, as human beings, have to embrace... that love? The world is barren enough.
It is stacked against love, and against hope, and against those very few and precious emotions that enable us to go forward. Your marriage only stands a 50-50 chance of lasting, no matter how much you feel and how hard you work.
And here are people overjoyed at the prospect of just that chance, and that work, just for the hope of having that feeling. With so much hate in the world, with so much meaningless division, and people pitted against people for no good reason, this is what your religion tells you to do? With your experience of life and this world and all its sadnesses, this is what your conscience tells you to do?
With your knowledge that life, with endless vigor, seems to tilt the playing field on which we all live, in favor of unhappiness and hate... this is what your heart tells you to do? You want to sanctify marriage? You want to honor your God and the universal love you believe he represents? Then Spread happiness—this tiny, symbolic, semantical grain of happiness—share it with all those who seek it. Quote me anything from your religious leader or book of choice telling you to stand against this. And then tell me how you can believe both that statement and another statement, another one which reads only "do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
You are asked now, by your country, and perhaps by your creator, to stand on one side or another. You are asked now to stand, not on a question of politics, not on a question of religion, not on a question of gay or straight. You are asked now to stand, on a question of love. All you need do is stand, and let the tiny ember of love meet its own fate.
You don't have to help it, you don't have it applaud it, you don't have to fight for it. Just don't put it out. Just don't extinguish it. Because while it may at first look like that love is between two people you don't know and you don't understand and maybe you don't even want to know. It is, in fact, the ember of your love, for your fellow person just because this is the only world we have. And the other guy counts, too.
This is the second time in ten days I find myself concluding by turning to, of all things, the closing plea for mercy by Clarence Darrow in a murder trial.
But what he said, fits what is really at the heart of this:
"I was reading last night of the aspiration of the old Persian poet, Omar-Khayyam," he told the judge. It appealed to me as the highest that I can vision. I wish it was in my heart, and I wish it was in the hearts of all: So I be written in the Book of Love; I do not care about that Book above. Erase my name, or write it as you will, So I be written in the Book of Love."
I started out with that huge list of topics, but I feel like the closer topics to my heart are -
**unemployment: As a graduating senior, staring down the path that is applying for jobs is really scary. The idea that my schooling is done and I am to jump into the real world is scary on its own. However, since there is an economic crisis, that whole idea couple with the fact that no one is hiring, in fact most people are firing, is scary. How the hell am I supposed to get a job, much less one in my field.
**poverty - My parents raised me to be aware of the state of others around me. As a child, I was encouraged to do volunteer work and both soup kitchens and food pantries. In high school, I helped to tutor underprivileged children. Something I learned from all of that is that poverty is a cycle that is very difficult to break. A child that grows up in poverty often receives a sub par education as well as living in less than desirable conditions. Since they receive a bad education, they will most likely not go on to college. Also, because of education, they don't get the grades to get scholarships and therefore can't financially attend college. Thus, they enter the workforce. Degree-less, they are stuck in an entry-level low paying job. Because of the cost of living, families can barely afford to make ends meet on minimum wage. Thus, their children will also go on to get a bad education. Thus, starting the cycle over again. Although I know that there are some that can break out of this cycle, the majority of people don't. Although I don't think that the solution is to just hand them money or give them everything through welfare, I do feel that the vast difference between the upper class and the lower class in this country is ridiculous. Education needs to be improved to provide better for these children so that they can break the cycle.
**hate crimes - When we are young, we learn that discrimination ended with the civil rights movement. Martin Luther King Jr. made everything better and now America is a free and equal country. The realization, for me, came after september 11th. As a freshman in high school, I was still just beginning to expand my horizons. I realized that discrimination does still exist. Whites, Blacks, Indians, Middle Eastern people. Even in gender - men and women still have defined roles of what they can and cannot do, earn, and be. Yet another inequality that has come to light especially this year with proposition 8 is gay marriage. To me, it is ridiculous that people who are living, breathing, human beings are not allowed to marry. Being homosexual does not make them any different from a heterosexual in terms of love. They are capable of the same feelings, just towards another. I cannot believe that one human would deny another human the right to marriage. To proclaim that they are in love with another human being and make the ultimate commitment to them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4xfMisqab8
this especially sums up what i feel.
----transcript of that-----
Finally tonight as promised, a Special Comment on the passage, last week, of Proposition Eight in California, which rescinded the right of same-sex couples to marry, and tilted the balance on this issue, from coast to coast.
Some parameters, as preface. This isn't about yelling, and this isn't about politics, and this isn't really just about Prop-8. And I don't have a personal investment in this: I'm not gay, I had to strain to think of one member of even my very extended family who is, I have no personal stories of close friends or colleagues fighting the prejudice that still pervades their lives.
And yet to me this vote is horrible. Horrible. Because this isn't about yelling, and this isn't about politics. This is about the human heart, and if that sounds corny, so be it.
If you voted for this Proposition or support those who did or the sentiment they expressed, I have some questions, because, truly, I do not understand. Why does this matter to you? What is it to you? In a time of impermanence and fly-by-night relationships, these people over here want the same chance at permanence and happiness that is your option. They don't want to deny you yours. They don't want to take anything away from you. They want what you want—a chance to be a little less alone in the world.
Only now you are saying to them—no. You can't have it on these terms. Maybe something similar. If they behave. If they don't cause too much trouble. You'll even give them all the same legal rights—even as you're taking away the legal right, which they already had. A world around them, still anchored in love and marriage, and you are saying, no, you can't marry. What if somebody passed a law that said you couldn't marry?
I keep hearing this term "re-defining" marriage. If this country hadn't re-defined marriage, black people still couldn't marry white people. Sixteen states had laws on the books which made that illegal in 1967. 1967.
The parents of the President-Elect of the United States couldn't have married in nearly one third of the states of the country their son grew up to lead. But it's worse than that. If this country had not "re-defined" marriage, some black people still couldn't marry black people. It is one of the most overlooked and cruelest parts of our sad story of slavery. Marriages were not legally recognized, if the people were slaves. Since slaves were property, they could not legally be husband and wife, or mother and child. Their marriage vows were different: not "Until Death, Do You Part," but "Until Death or Distance, Do You Part." Marriages among slaves were not legally recognized.
You know, just like marriages today in California are not legally recognized, if the people are gay.
And uncountable in our history are the number of men and women, forced by society into marrying the opposite sex, in sham marriages, or marriages of convenience, or just marriages of not knowing, centuries of men and women who have lived their lives in shame and unhappiness, and who have, through a lie to themselves or others, broken countless other lives, of spouses and children, all because we said a man couldn't marry another man, or a woman couldn't marry another woman. The sanctity of marriage.
How many marriages like that have there been and how on earth do they increase the "sanctity" of marriage rather than render the term, meaningless?
What is this, to you? Nobody is asking you to embrace their expression of love. But don't you, as human beings, have to embrace... that love? The world is barren enough.
It is stacked against love, and against hope, and against those very few and precious emotions that enable us to go forward. Your marriage only stands a 50-50 chance of lasting, no matter how much you feel and how hard you work.
And here are people overjoyed at the prospect of just that chance, and that work, just for the hope of having that feeling. With so much hate in the world, with so much meaningless division, and people pitted against people for no good reason, this is what your religion tells you to do? With your experience of life and this world and all its sadnesses, this is what your conscience tells you to do?
With your knowledge that life, with endless vigor, seems to tilt the playing field on which we all live, in favor of unhappiness and hate... this is what your heart tells you to do? You want to sanctify marriage? You want to honor your God and the universal love you believe he represents? Then Spread happiness—this tiny, symbolic, semantical grain of happiness—share it with all those who seek it. Quote me anything from your religious leader or book of choice telling you to stand against this. And then tell me how you can believe both that statement and another statement, another one which reads only "do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
You are asked now, by your country, and perhaps by your creator, to stand on one side or another. You are asked now to stand, not on a question of politics, not on a question of religion, not on a question of gay or straight. You are asked now to stand, on a question of love. All you need do is stand, and let the tiny ember of love meet its own fate.
You don't have to help it, you don't have it applaud it, you don't have to fight for it. Just don't put it out. Just don't extinguish it. Because while it may at first look like that love is between two people you don't know and you don't understand and maybe you don't even want to know. It is, in fact, the ember of your love, for your fellow person just because this is the only world we have. And the other guy counts, too.
This is the second time in ten days I find myself concluding by turning to, of all things, the closing plea for mercy by Clarence Darrow in a murder trial.
But what he said, fits what is really at the heart of this:
"I was reading last night of the aspiration of the old Persian poet, Omar-Khayyam," he told the judge. It appealed to me as the highest that I can vision. I wish it was in my heart, and I wish it was in the hearts of all: So I be written in the Book of Love; I do not care about that Book above. Erase my name, or write it as you will, So I be written in the Book of Love."
Monday, February 9, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
immigration statistics
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/statistics/yearbook/2007/ois_2007_yearbook.pdf
from this site:
http://www.dhs.gov/ximgtn/statistics/publications/yearbook.shtm
these stats:
about 11.8 million unauthorized immigrants in 2007
all following stats from 2007
1,052,415 persons obtaining legal permanent residence
48,217 refugee arrivals (p. 39)
1,383,275 petitions for naturalization filed
660,477 naturalized
89,683 denied citizenship (p.52)
960,756 deportable aliens found (p.95)
319,382 aliens removed
891,390 aliens returned
"removals are the compulsory and confirmed movement of an inadmissable or deported alien out of the United States based on an order of removal."
"returns are the confirmed movement of an inadmissable or deportable alien out of the United States not based on an order of removal."
99,924 aliens removed who were criminal
219,458 non criminal aliens removed (p. 102)
http://www.hnn.us/articles/49469.html (might be helpful....)
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis immigration mainpage
"DEPORTATION, according to the U.S. IMMIGRATION and Naturalization Service (INS), is 'the formal removal of an alien from the United States when the alien has been found removable for violating immigration laws.'Throughout the history of the United States individuals have been deported for such reasons as committing subversive acts against the government, fraudulently obtaining legal residency, and having a criminal record."
"The first step in deporting an alien is to issue an "Order to Show Cause." This document establishes the government's reasons for deporting the person in question. The alien is usually detained, although he or she can be released by posting bond. The alien is then scheduled to attend a HEARING before an immigration judge. The government is represented at these hearings by an attorney; the alien can also have legal representation, but it must be "at no expense to the government." In many jurisdictions, there are lawyers and legal agencies who will work for the alien for reduced fees or PRO BONO.The judge hears the EVIDENCE on both sides and makes a ruling, which can be appealed by both sides to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Once BIA makes this ruling, the losing side can appeal through federal courts, although the likelihood of an alien appealing would depend on his or her financial resources."
--http://www.enotes.com/everyday-law-encyclopedia/deportation
"Generally, there are nine requirements:
An applicant for naturalization must be admitted to the United States as a "lawful permanent resident" commonly referred to as one who possesses "green card" status. There is only one exception to this requirement: If an applicant has served in the U.S. armed forces during war, that person may be naturalized without first becoming a permanent resident if they were in the U.S. upon induction or enlistment into our military.
Continuous residence in the U.S. for at least five years immediately preceding the applicant's filing for naturalization. Continuous residence is not the same thing as physically present here. That is, one must maintain their status as a "legal permanent resident" but not necessarily be physically inside the borders of the U.S. to accomplish that. For example, if one is overseas for a portion of this period, maintaining an address location and paying one's state and federal taxes may help ensure continuity of residence for this requirement. Also, if overseas for anymore than a few months, it may be advisable to obtain a "travel document" prior to departing. This may be done on INS Form I-131. Only three years "continuous residence" are required if the applicant is filing for naturalization based upon marriage.
Actual physical residence (within the state in which the petition is filed) during at least the three months immediately before filing for naturalization is another requirement.
Physical presence within the U.S. for a total of at least one half of the period of required continuous residence. That is, two and a half years for most applicants and one and a half years for spouses of U.S. Citizens.
The ability to read, write and speak ordinary English unless they are physically unable to do so due to a disability such as being blind or deaf, or suffer from a developmental disability or mental impairment. Those over 50 years old on the date of filing who have lived here for a total of at least 20 years after admission as a permanent resident and those who are over 55 and have been legal permanent residents for at least 15 years are also exempt from this requirement.
A basic understanding the fundamentals of U.S. history and government.
Good moral character and an affinity for the principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Continuous residence (but not necessarily physical presence) in the U.S. from the date of filing the naturalization application up to the date of being sworn in as a citizen.
Applicants should be at least 18 years of age at the time of filing. Certain exceptions exist, however, for the children of other permanent residents who are seeking naturalization."
--http://immigration-law.freeadvice.com/citizenship/naturalization_requirements.htm
from this site:
http://www.dhs.gov/ximgtn/statistics/publications/yearbook.shtm
these stats:
about 11.8 million unauthorized immigrants in 2007
all following stats from 2007
1,052,415 persons obtaining legal permanent residence
48,217 refugee arrivals (p. 39)
1,383,275 petitions for naturalization filed
660,477 naturalized
89,683 denied citizenship (p.52)
960,756 deportable aliens found (p.95)
319,382 aliens removed
891,390 aliens returned
"removals are the compulsory and confirmed movement of an inadmissable or deported alien out of the United States based on an order of removal."
"returns are the confirmed movement of an inadmissable or deportable alien out of the United States not based on an order of removal."
99,924 aliens removed who were criminal
219,458 non criminal aliens removed (p. 102)
http://www.hnn.us/articles/49469.html (might be helpful....)
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis immigration mainpage
"DEPORTATION, according to the U.S. IMMIGRATION and Naturalization Service (INS), is 'the formal removal of an alien from the United States when the alien has been found removable for violating immigration laws.'Throughout the history of the United States individuals have been deported for such reasons as committing subversive acts against the government, fraudulently obtaining legal residency, and having a criminal record."
"The first step in deporting an alien is to issue an "Order to Show Cause." This document establishes the government's reasons for deporting the person in question. The alien is usually detained, although he or she can be released by posting bond. The alien is then scheduled to attend a HEARING before an immigration judge. The government is represented at these hearings by an attorney; the alien can also have legal representation, but it must be "at no expense to the government." In many jurisdictions, there are lawyers and legal agencies who will work for the alien for reduced fees or PRO BONO.The judge hears the EVIDENCE on both sides and makes a ruling, which can be appealed by both sides to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Once BIA makes this ruling, the losing side can appeal through federal courts, although the likelihood of an alien appealing would depend on his or her financial resources."
--http://www.enotes.com/everyday-law-encyclopedia/deportation
"Generally, there are nine requirements:
An applicant for naturalization must be admitted to the United States as a "lawful permanent resident" commonly referred to as one who possesses "green card" status. There is only one exception to this requirement: If an applicant has served in the U.S. armed forces during war, that person may be naturalized without first becoming a permanent resident if they were in the U.S. upon induction or enlistment into our military.
Continuous residence in the U.S. for at least five years immediately preceding the applicant's filing for naturalization. Continuous residence is not the same thing as physically present here. That is, one must maintain their status as a "legal permanent resident" but not necessarily be physically inside the borders of the U.S. to accomplish that. For example, if one is overseas for a portion of this period, maintaining an address location and paying one's state and federal taxes may help ensure continuity of residence for this requirement. Also, if overseas for anymore than a few months, it may be advisable to obtain a "travel document" prior to departing. This may be done on INS Form I-131. Only three years "continuous residence" are required if the applicant is filing for naturalization based upon marriage.
Actual physical residence (within the state in which the petition is filed) during at least the three months immediately before filing for naturalization is another requirement.
Physical presence within the U.S. for a total of at least one half of the period of required continuous residence. That is, two and a half years for most applicants and one and a half years for spouses of U.S. Citizens.
The ability to read, write and speak ordinary English unless they are physically unable to do so due to a disability such as being blind or deaf, or suffer from a developmental disability or mental impairment. Those over 50 years old on the date of filing who have lived here for a total of at least 20 years after admission as a permanent resident and those who are over 55 and have been legal permanent residents for at least 15 years are also exempt from this requirement.
A basic understanding the fundamentals of U.S. history and government.
Good moral character and an affinity for the principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Continuous residence (but not necessarily physical presence) in the U.S. from the date of filing the naturalization application up to the date of being sworn in as a citizen.
Applicants should be at least 18 years of age at the time of filing. Certain exceptions exist, however, for the children of other permanent residents who are seeking naturalization."
--http://immigration-law.freeadvice.com/citizenship/naturalization_requirements.htm
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
fyi
fyi -
that last post was all one post, but for some reason blogger wouldn't let me post it all as one. Who knows.
I plan to use this blog as a freewrite area as well as a dumping ground for any interesting links/images or factoids I find. I figure it will help me to keep track of them instead of trying to bookmark them and only have them on one computer etc... Ok, just thought I should explain.
that last post was all one post, but for some reason blogger wouldn't let me post it all as one. Who knows.
I plan to use this blog as a freewrite area as well as a dumping ground for any interesting links/images or factoids I find. I figure it will help me to keep track of them instead of trying to bookmark them and only have them on one computer etc... Ok, just thought I should explain.
Freewrite #1 Part 1
Ok, so I just got back from Christmas break and I had my first meeting with Jonathan. One of my assignments is to do a free write about my thesis to see if I can come to any interesting conclusions etc...
So as a summary of what my thesis is:
Dates: April 24th is the opening from 6-8pm and it will come down on May 8th. I am showing with Lily, Caity, and Suzy.
Medium: printed images hung on the wall accompanied by cut paper in various forms or found objects. (i'll explain later)
Title: Lost Lives, Missing, Left Out, Left Behind....
Number: Probably around 10? We'll see...
Size: I wanted them to be around 4 feet tall or so, but I don't know how practical that will be since 4 people will be thesising at once and their things all seem pretty large, but I will have to talk to them about size and space etc....
So the basic idea behind my thesis is that with all that is going on today, people are being lost in the system, left behind and just overall overlooked. Influenced by my theology classes, I have begun to take a closer look at events that are occurring outside of my personal life. In my past theology classes, we studied the effects humans are having on the environment, child soldiers, adoption problems, human trafficking, etc... That coupled with the recent election and economic crisis has really opened my eyes. The United States is in a hard position right now. Economically we are in a downturn that is causing a lot of people to turn inwards and only think on their best interests. We are in the middle of a war that is draining our precious resources. People are being too stubborn and don't realize that some of what they do hurts others - i.e. environmentally and with the laws against gay/lesbian etc...United States has a problem with believing that we are the best country on earth. Although I am proud to be an American and consider myself lucky to live in a country with so much opportunity at hand and free thinking as its basis, I feel that American's can't be so cocky. America has its fair share of problems. I feel that most people have become frustrated with either the political process and/or the problems and feel that they either don't need to pay attention or participate. The first thing I feel that needs to happen is for people to start discussing what is going on as well as become aware of the problems. From that discussion and awareness, I think people will be called to action and will begin to find some answers and solutions.
So as a summary of what my thesis is:
Dates: April 24th is the opening from 6-8pm and it will come down on May 8th. I am showing with Lily, Caity, and Suzy.
Medium: printed images hung on the wall accompanied by cut paper in various forms or found objects. (i'll explain later)
Title: Lost Lives, Missing, Left Out, Left Behind....
Number: Probably around 10? We'll see...
Size: I wanted them to be around 4 feet tall or so, but I don't know how practical that will be since 4 people will be thesising at once and their things all seem pretty large, but I will have to talk to them about size and space etc....
So the basic idea behind my thesis is that with all that is going on today, people are being lost in the system, left behind and just overall overlooked. Influenced by my theology classes, I have begun to take a closer look at events that are occurring outside of my personal life. In my past theology classes, we studied the effects humans are having on the environment, child soldiers, adoption problems, human trafficking, etc... That coupled with the recent election and economic crisis has really opened my eyes. The United States is in a hard position right now. Economically we are in a downturn that is causing a lot of people to turn inwards and only think on their best interests. We are in the middle of a war that is draining our precious resources. People are being too stubborn and don't realize that some of what they do hurts others - i.e. environmentally and with the laws against gay/lesbian etc...United States has a problem with believing that we are the best country on earth. Although I am proud to be an American and consider myself lucky to live in a country with so much opportunity at hand and free thinking as its basis, I feel that American's can't be so cocky. America has its fair share of problems. I feel that most people have become frustrated with either the political process and/or the problems and feel that they either don't need to pay attention or participate. The first thing I feel that needs to happen is for people to start discussing what is going on as well as become aware of the problems. From that discussion and awareness, I think people will be called to action and will begin to find some answers and solutions.
Freewrite #1 Part 2
For my thesis, I want to take statistics that people most likely already know (i.e. how many american lives have been lost in the war...) and pair them with an iconic american image. I will pixelate the image and then take out a percentage of the pixels based on the statistic. The pixels that I remove will then be presented in a way that further illustrates/makes the point.
For example, going with the war theme - The statistic will be that 1 in 4 (or 25%) of soldiers either die in Iraq or return injured. I would therefore removed a random 25% of the "pixels" from the image. The image, in this case, would be something that represents American military prowess - i.e. uncle sam. The image (minus the pixels) itself would be displayed on the wall. I would then take the pixels that were cut out and manipulate them in a way that reflects what happens to the those people that are lost. For example, after death, all that consists of your life can fit into a shoe box. So, I would put all of the pixels in a shoebox. Possibly manipulating them further - i.e. injuring or putting holes in them (i.e. bullet holes).
I would do this process for a range of topics. These are the image/statistic pairings I came up with for the senior night thing:
*Statue of Liberty – ”Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” vs. The % of immigrants denied citizenship. the number of illegal immigrants who are deported yearly...
*Uncle Sam – “I want YOU “ vs. The % of families with a member overseas/dead.
*Rosie the Riveter – “We Can Do It” vs. % of women turned into single mothers from the war. Or % of people who are currently holding multiple jobs because of the economy or a statistic about unequal pay between men and women.
*The Dollar Bill– economy – American superiority vs. the % of people on welfare or the multiple jobs at minimum wage. The poverty line.
*Lady Justice – Justice is Blind vs. The % of couples denied marriage because they are homosexual.
*Nasa imagery – American development and endeavors vs. The % of the world’s resources the US uses or the % of Americans that don’t believe in Global Warming.
*Healthcare symbol or Norman Rockwell’s “The Check Up” – Healthcare vs. The % of Americans who cannot afford healthcare or the % of deaths that could have been prevented with proper healthcare.
*The Flag - American Pride – The Union of America vs. The % of people hurt/killed from hate crimes.
*50’s ads - (perfect American Family) vs. % of people affected by domestic violence.
*Pledge of Allegiance – Education vs. the % of students who drop out or the % of students who are below No Child Left Behind standards.
*More Imagery I am thinking about - Liberty Bell (Freedom), Eagle (Courage), “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit,” “We the People”
For example, going with the war theme - The statistic will be that 1 in 4 (or 25%) of soldiers either die in Iraq or return injured. I would therefore removed a random 25% of the "pixels" from the image. The image, in this case, would be something that represents American military prowess - i.e. uncle sam. The image (minus the pixels) itself would be displayed on the wall. I would then take the pixels that were cut out and manipulate them in a way that reflects what happens to the those people that are lost. For example, after death, all that consists of your life can fit into a shoe box. So, I would put all of the pixels in a shoebox. Possibly manipulating them further - i.e. injuring or putting holes in them (i.e. bullet holes).
I would do this process for a range of topics. These are the image/statistic pairings I came up with for the senior night thing:
*Statue of Liberty – ”Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” vs. The % of immigrants denied citizenship. the number of illegal immigrants who are deported yearly...
*Uncle Sam – “I want YOU “ vs. The % of families with a member overseas/dead.
*Rosie the Riveter – “We Can Do It” vs. % of women turned into single mothers from the war. Or % of people who are currently holding multiple jobs because of the economy or a statistic about unequal pay between men and women.
*The Dollar Bill– economy – American superiority vs. the % of people on welfare or the multiple jobs at minimum wage. The poverty line.
*Lady Justice – Justice is Blind vs. The % of couples denied marriage because they are homosexual.
*Nasa imagery – American development and endeavors vs. The % of the world’s resources the US uses or the % of Americans that don’t believe in Global Warming.
*Healthcare symbol or Norman Rockwell’s “The Check Up” – Healthcare vs. The % of Americans who cannot afford healthcare or the % of deaths that could have been prevented with proper healthcare.
*The Flag - American Pride – The Union of America vs. The % of people hurt/killed from hate crimes.
*50’s ads - (perfect American Family) vs. % of people affected by domestic violence.
*Pledge of Allegiance – Education vs. the % of students who drop out or the % of students who are below No Child Left Behind standards.
*More Imagery I am thinking about - Liberty Bell (Freedom), Eagle (Courage), “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit,” “We the People”
Freewrite #1 Part 3
On senior night, one of the critiques that stuck with me is that Kelly and Suzanne mentioned that they did not see me in this. It lacked a personal touch or mark of my artistic ability. Although the process is relatively simple and does not employ what I have learned from my other arts disciplines, I feel that the concept behind it is what is important. I am already slightly worried about the clarity of my thesis, and so I feel that if I tried to add other elements into it, it would get too busy and overdone and very hard to read. I want my thesis to be a simple, edited message that sparks dialogue. Since I am in a printmaking class right now, Suzanne seems like she wants me to work on some things that would complement my thesis. Possibly, if there is room, I could incorporate those as a side note or something. I am not sure 1 - if there will be room since I am thesising with three other people and that 2 - if that would seem too disjointed and a leap from one style to the next. I feel like what I have chosen to do for my thesis does speak to my style as a designer. It is simple and clean. I have also frequently tried to add different dimensions etc... into my work (i.e. my book covers were double layered that were cut into to display the layer and quotes beneath). I feel like this is growth along the same lines as my past work.
Speaking of my book covers, maybe I could kind of incorporate that idea into my thesis. The image would be on one layer, with another layer underneath with text making it slightly clearer as to the message. Or maybe that could go on the back of the pixels. I don't know if that would be too trite or in the viewer's face, but it is worth playing with.
My fears/hesitations of the moment:
-not being able to find the statistics that I need
-the images either becoming too obscured and hard to visually read
-the entire thing becoming too hard to understand or comprehend (which could be remedied with my artist statement, however I don't want my work to be so obscure that it is totally illegible without my statement).
Speaking of my book covers, maybe I could kind of incorporate that idea into my thesis. The image would be on one layer, with another layer underneath with text making it slightly clearer as to the message. Or maybe that could go on the back of the pixels. I don't know if that would be too trite or in the viewer's face, but it is worth playing with.
My fears/hesitations of the moment:
-not being able to find the statistics that I need
-the images either becoming too obscured and hard to visually read
-the entire thing becoming too hard to understand or comprehend (which could be remedied with my artist statement, however I don't want my work to be so obscure that it is totally illegible without my statement).
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