Asterios Polyp is not your average read. This interesting graphic novel immediately stands out as one of the more uniquely designed works with very stylized characters. The story follow Asterios, a Cornell University professor, in his life after an unfortunate incident caused the loss of his home. As resembled in his design, his heightened nose gives the idea of a self involved, prideful nature. He is a bright man, so Polyp decides to begin anew and start a new chapter of his life as a mechanic.
Clearly meant to be a novel meant for a more mature audience rather than a younger generation, the topics addressed tend to be more serious than normal cartoons. Polyp's late brother is the narrator of the tale, and allows the reader to see different sides of his story. The dark sides Polyp would rather want to hide from the viewer, or events that aren't exclusive to him are available for story. The idea of a spirit telling the tale is very different to me, and I enjoy how we have the potential to see everything, without the tainted view of the living.
The light blue and red colors used are very effective in terms of delivering tones/mood for the story. High tension scenes or dramatic composition is achieved with the more bold contrast between stark blue and red. I feel this is a strong connection for the ups and downs of life's unpredictability. The harsh reality is appealing in this novel due to its style, and I am able to be easily hooked. I hope to finish it soon, and I recommend giving it a look.
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Monday, April 18, 2016
NewsWorld Assesment
NewsWorld, a short story that touches the heart of any individual who experienced freight for their future self, gives insight to the perspective of the younger generation facing the horrible realities of war in life.
Several symbols that depict the simple life of a growing teenager (such as television, assigned books, and even the closed theme park that has its rush of life) make the sudden shock of attack on the nation easier to understand. Having experienced most violence only through rough falls on a sports field or through the safety net of the television, there had been no previous way of knowing that there was a protected shield from the horrors of the world. Larger powers had always been there, and wiser words had always reached the younger generation through the written word in mistreated books and under the guise of planned shows, but all it was for the majority of its younger audience was just fables and tales to enjoy. Entertainment never got in the way of their planned future. Television always mentioned dangers around the world, but what were the chances of it coming and finding us in our own country?
The short story shows attack impact directly on a young teenaged life, a sudden state of instability that questions their reason for being there. No one knows the correct way to react, but every one turns to group together and find a sense of protection, for themselves and for each other. We search for our immediate meaning in life, our goals and what we've experienced so far. The reader realizes, perhaps with some despair, that its possible they're too young to be going through an existential crisis.
The tales shown in the NewsWorld theme park suddenly have so much more reality to them. The music and enjoyability of youth stripped from its presentation to show the truth that so many others have faced, just like the friends of the narrator.
Several symbols that depict the simple life of a growing teenager (such as television, assigned books, and even the closed theme park that has its rush of life) make the sudden shock of attack on the nation easier to understand. Having experienced most violence only through rough falls on a sports field or through the safety net of the television, there had been no previous way of knowing that there was a protected shield from the horrors of the world. Larger powers had always been there, and wiser words had always reached the younger generation through the written word in mistreated books and under the guise of planned shows, but all it was for the majority of its younger audience was just fables and tales to enjoy. Entertainment never got in the way of their planned future. Television always mentioned dangers around the world, but what were the chances of it coming and finding us in our own country?
The short story shows attack impact directly on a young teenaged life, a sudden state of instability that questions their reason for being there. No one knows the correct way to react, but every one turns to group together and find a sense of protection, for themselves and for each other. We search for our immediate meaning in life, our goals and what we've experienced so far. The reader realizes, perhaps with some despair, that its possible they're too young to be going through an existential crisis.
The tales shown in the NewsWorld theme park suddenly have so much more reality to them. The music and enjoyability of youth stripped from its presentation to show the truth that so many others have faced, just like the friends of the narrator.
Disasters around the world take different forms, and I believe thats partly why a personal connection to NewsWorld is easy to form. I, myself, was able to replace NewsWorld with Disney and other theme parks nearby in Orlando. I too went to a good school and was fortunate enough to receive higher education. I have been through the sudden realization in my eleventh grade experience when my school had a loss of a treasured friend due to a rare illness. The school was quarantined to ensure that it wasn't spread to any other students. The simplicity of my high school life was disturbed, and the peace that I imagined in my city of Miami was also brought to a rude awakening when protests began to help the people of Venezuela. Though I experienced the events of 9/11 in my younger years and was unaware of family members on flights from New York on that day, I later found life to be short. I had no idea what to do with my life at that point. There are so many unpredictable events that my mother and father even had to avoid for me to come into this world and figure out what my impact would be.
To adapt this story into another medium, I would have to choose a short film. Adding film of war in Vietnam and other disasters in-between showings of the displays at NewsWorld would be preferable. Offsetting it with the emptiness in the aftermath of disasters would show a larger impact
To adapt this story into another medium, I would have to choose a short film. Adding film of war in Vietnam and other disasters in-between showings of the displays at NewsWorld would be preferable. Offsetting it with the emptiness in the aftermath of disasters would show a larger impact
Recommendation: Gattaca
Gattaca
Though my ability to fully appreciate this film has likely not been thorough enough to comprehend all the complexities of a reproductive DNA utopia, every time this movie is shown, I am able to discover a new layer of our present society and how this science fiction vision could not be very far from becoming reality.
Gattaca, a film by Andrew Niccol released in 1997, follows the life of Vincent Freeman, a man unaltered by the scientific genetic help of his day to improve his stamina, IQ, health, life expectancy, etc., in a large, genetically selected society. Being seen as an 'in-valid' due to his natural upbringing, the world created with this technology resurrects genetic discrimination not seen since the days of royal monarchs and World War II. Even his birth parents, who had elected him to be raised naturally, had their regrets when realizing how difficult a life Vincent would lead when pitted against other genetically enhanced individuals for professional jobs.
Vincent was often reminded of his inferiority in his youth due to his younger brother, Anton, besting him in most game challenges. Parents' consideration for their child to have a brighter future, as opposed to likely menial jobs, clearly plays a hand in the audience believing this to be such a rapidly accepted practice, but the film constantly questions the hidden prejudice that falls in line with this. It is only human nature to compete and want to rise above others, not to mention the want for specific characteristics of ourselves changed, but the culture bred has divided people so dramatically to the point where the natural raised cannot attempt to rise above where society places them.
The film poses a very real possibility for the future when these Gattaca degenerates face much bias for stereotypical inferiority (in terms of value for marriage partners, job, opportunities, living establishments, etc.) despite not going into any mental or physical assessments to compare their abilities. Despite attempting to hide your identity, both sides can easily find desperation when either not being able to prove yourself or not being able to live the life you wanted despite having every genetic planned out for you in advance, leaving you with a lack of motivation to rise believing you are incapable of doing so. This way of living was challenged when Vincent was able to fulfill his dream and prove his intelligence, but what would it take for our world to realize that everything falls to the unpredictability of life if we were subjected to genetic alteration?
Though my ability to fully appreciate this film has likely not been thorough enough to comprehend all the complexities of a reproductive DNA utopia, every time this movie is shown, I am able to discover a new layer of our present society and how this science fiction vision could not be very far from becoming reality.
Gattaca, a film by Andrew Niccol released in 1997, follows the life of Vincent Freeman, a man unaltered by the scientific genetic help of his day to improve his stamina, IQ, health, life expectancy, etc., in a large, genetically selected society. Being seen as an 'in-valid' due to his natural upbringing, the world created with this technology resurrects genetic discrimination not seen since the days of royal monarchs and World War II. Even his birth parents, who had elected him to be raised naturally, had their regrets when realizing how difficult a life Vincent would lead when pitted against other genetically enhanced individuals for professional jobs.
Vincent was often reminded of his inferiority in his youth due to his younger brother, Anton, besting him in most game challenges. Parents' consideration for their child to have a brighter future, as opposed to likely menial jobs, clearly plays a hand in the audience believing this to be such a rapidly accepted practice, but the film constantly questions the hidden prejudice that falls in line with this. It is only human nature to compete and want to rise above others, not to mention the want for specific characteristics of ourselves changed, but the culture bred has divided people so dramatically to the point where the natural raised cannot attempt to rise above where society places them.
The film poses a very real possibility for the future when these Gattaca degenerates face much bias for stereotypical inferiority (in terms of value for marriage partners, job, opportunities, living establishments, etc.) despite not going into any mental or physical assessments to compare their abilities. Despite attempting to hide your identity, both sides can easily find desperation when either not being able to prove yourself or not being able to live the life you wanted despite having every genetic planned out for you in advance, leaving you with a lack of motivation to rise believing you are incapable of doing so. This way of living was challenged when Vincent was able to fulfill his dream and prove his intelligence, but what would it take for our world to realize that everything falls to the unpredictability of life if we were subjected to genetic alteration?
Monday, April 4, 2016
Trump - His words versus his image
The Great Meme Election of 2016
The Presidential Race, usually a respected election process occurring every four years to determine which candidate would rise to the task of leading a nation of thousands, has been molded to resemble a display stage of a survival reality show. Media, taking a large part in the escalated attention to the shocking declarations and actions by particular candidates, has grabbed hold of the millenials by the ear and poured both biased and live material of Marco, Cruz, Hillary, Bernie, and most noticeably, Donald Trump.
As many talk shows, newscasters, and political speakers have thrown the present day "orange Hitler" into the spotlight to expose his lack of thorough planning and spread of hatred, much of the youth of today have become extremely outspoken via social networks of his similarities to the Holocaust. Those associated with supporting Trump have shared in the "nutty" lack of rhyme or reason in sane mind. His bold claims of exporting Mexicans (and later to be announced Hispanics), Muslims, building walls to separate neighbors are blanket statements highly offending to the largey liberal youth who have been raised with more accepting ideals. If anything, the blanket statements are used more as an alarm as to who to avoid from in the future.
As much as I would like to remain unsullied by my personal opinion in this post, I have accepted the fact that it won't be possible for a rising millenial such as myself. If he is elected into the position of president, I suppose we all took part in that result, whether we voted or not. perhaps insane as he is, he instills a little nuttiness in all of us to the point where we allowed him to gain control of our nation.
Monday, March 28, 2016
The Anniversary Party
Set Designer
Had I partaken as the role of costume designer in The Anniversary Party, I would have to consider the individual backgrounds of the attendees. While I would plan so that the majority would be clad in nice clothes, similar to clothing when going out to a recognized restaurant for dinner, and well groomed to the best of their abilities, I would avoid any loud colors. Given that it is a special occasion, muted colors including those of floral color would be more appropriate to not distract viewers from the important moments in the scene. There will be some tensions in scenes despite there being a reconciling between the couple, but originally, the clothing will have to be as if they had planning to spend a lovely night feigning polite smiles and enjoying themselves.
I would have elected the clothing for women to include pleasant earth tones, long dress skirts, cardigans, soft floral patterns, dresses, and blouses ranging in the soft spectrum of colors. Low heels paired with non-attention-grabbing jewelry will be acceptable in their age. Nothing loud resembling a younger teenaged self would be present, save for possibly, in their childlike-demeanor. The men would either have a classy casual leather jacket, or nice jacket pair with pressed button-up dress shirt and pants.
As the night progresses and the drinks go around, the costumes would change mildly with jackets removed, rolled up sleeves or vests unbuttoned. The top few buttons on the dress shirts would be loosened to represent their gradual relaxation of character and original nervousness disappearing.
Had I partaken as the role of costume designer in The Anniversary Party, I would have to consider the individual backgrounds of the attendees. While I would plan so that the majority would be clad in nice clothes, similar to clothing when going out to a recognized restaurant for dinner, and well groomed to the best of their abilities, I would avoid any loud colors. Given that it is a special occasion, muted colors including those of floral color would be more appropriate to not distract viewers from the important moments in the scene. There will be some tensions in scenes despite there being a reconciling between the couple, but originally, the clothing will have to be as if they had planning to spend a lovely night feigning polite smiles and enjoying themselves.
I would have elected the clothing for women to include pleasant earth tones, long dress skirts, cardigans, soft floral patterns, dresses, and blouses ranging in the soft spectrum of colors. Low heels paired with non-attention-grabbing jewelry will be acceptable in their age. Nothing loud resembling a younger teenaged self would be present, save for possibly, in their childlike-demeanor. The men would either have a classy casual leather jacket, or nice jacket pair with pressed button-up dress shirt and pants.
As the night progresses and the drinks go around, the costumes would change mildly with jackets removed, rolled up sleeves or vests unbuttoned. The top few buttons on the dress shirts would be loosened to represent their gradual relaxation of character and original nervousness disappearing.
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
Watching the film by Tom Stoppard, my original reaction was to feel out of place. Having had previous experience with the playwright, I was almost inclined to ask if whether or not I heard correctly that the film showing was indeed Hamlet. The ambiguous beginning to the well-known play from the viewpoint of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern seemed to hardly have any meaning other than just pondering the chances and events in life. Their importance to the tale, I later realized, was not greatly significant at the time due to Shakespeare not introducing them in the story until the King and Queen sent for them. The old friends of Hamlet had their existence consist of asking questions to one another of purpose. "Who am I? Who are you? What is your name?" were questions voiced by the two indicating their search of identity and reflecting it within most individuals in today's society. As events unfolded and Hamlet appeared fall deeper into madness, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern turned from questioning to hysteria. After all, having not being told they were side characters, they often lacked information pivotal to the story and were pushed by however life, or in this case the decisions of others in the playwright, wished to direct them.
Their lack of control over everything, mimicked in the abrupt, disorienting changes in scenery, was easily related to by how daily life can catch one off guard so easily. Throughout the play I often found myself cursing how blind they were to their own fates and how they would not make decisions of their own. While their fates where often decided according to the king and queen's decrees, I hoped they would be able to stray from the tale, even slightly, and choose to change something.
Though I understand there was likely a different message meant to be given, I took the lesson to be: have your own persona. The repeating theme of the concept of death and the final words voicing their missed chance to have changed their fate led me to one conclusion. To avoid being a side character in your own life, you must think for yourself and make your own decisions impacting your life and those around you. While coming to terms with the fact that not everything is able to be controlled and that transcending death is only possible through the memory of the living, individuals should make informed choices on how to affect surroundings past themselves. How your choices will affect your image should be second to how they affect future events/generations to come.
The Dew Breaker
The Dew Breaker
The Dew Breaker proved to be an interesting read regarding the female and male relationships in different time periods. Though I had difficulty identifying with characters through the multiple stories on a personal level, I was able to comprehend the quiet themes of how every individual has secrets they'd rather keep hidden from the public.
Within the novel, Danticat portrayed a pattern in gender relationships that has been stereotypically linked to society since the dawn of man. Men in her writing often held their masculinity of importance and found their power mainly in their brute strength. Whether this be for the better of their country, their family, or their own pride, it is noted that the men did not have outstanding levels of intelligence, but rather a stubbornness to stick to their own opinions. These thoughts that corrupted their minds for several years would often lead to vengeance.
The women, on the other hand, had a standing in stark contrast with the men. While they mainly kept their behavior was muted, with the exception of the more rebellious Ka, their power was in the knowledge they kept. They were strong in their sense of holding themselves and family together despite their darker views on life. Through their hardships, they often survived through focusing on beliefs, release though art or work.
Though the present day has broken the boundaries that define the specifics of the old housewife roles, women in the novel find similiarities as being seen as the caretakers of families. The females within The Dew Breaker remain somewhat supportive of their family even in hard times, such as Anne does in the case of her husband getting redemption, but the males have difficulty being placed in one set role. After facing obstacles from events in their Haitian government, the males were categorized as the somewhat more violent role. Relationships with fathers are less connected and sometimes hold negative connotations. Finding an identity with loyalty to their nation, the male leadership is viewed as a stern figurehead rather than that of a family caretaker.
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