Friday, January 27, 2006

Art...

i absolutely love what i wrote for my fine arts class i'm taking...i've decided to post it here!


personally, Adams' photo evokes more emotion in me than Goya's painting. i also can identify more with it because it's easier for me to picture myself there at the scene rather than with the painting. and i think i feel some connection with the photo more because i think that i can take a photo like that, you know, that good feeling of "yeah i can do that too". with the painting....i dont think i can ever paint anything pretty or worth anyone's undivided and sustained attention like that.

i agree with Grace. i, too, think that Adams' photo is as much a work of art as Goya's painting. like Grace, the only difference to me is that they were done in different forms: photography and painting. and even though the text may argue that the photo lacks subject matter, content and artistic form, i argue that there is some content, some subject matter and some artistic form.

i would say that Adams used his artistic talent for photography when he quickly identified a moment to capture and instinctively putting the camera in the right positions with the appropriate focus and etc.. To identify something 'capture-worthy' (if there's such a term) itself takes skill, especially when you have a few seconds to do it. whether it's for news or for art, the photo clearly exhibits a clear subject matter just like the painting, which is barbarity.

the text also says that the subject matter is never directly presented in a work of art. which is a reasonable explanation. however, i was thinking about what really is art as compared to reality?

as a Christian, i believe that God is the First and the Last. and the way i understand it, He is the "Original Real". then we know that God created the heavens and the earth and everything in it as an expression of His artistic creativity, and finally He created man in His image, the ultimate artistic expression of His pleasure in Himself. then, i say that we, the created, are considered a work of art of the Master Artist, who crafted us after what is Real. so is reality, as we know it, really real? or is the spiritual more real than what we see in the natural? if it is, then we can say that the natural, "our" natural, is just a representation of what is spiritual.

and we all know that we have our own artistic creativity as humans because we bear the basic characteristics of the Master Artist himself. we are creative because He is creative. but now because of sin (which is a spiritual concept) our world has become so evil, and thus, the event that we see in Adams' photo, which he, using his artistic talent, managed to capture in a few seconds. thus, here we have art creating art.

The text xplanation in pg35 about the subject matter that the form of the photograph "does not transform the subject matter or enriches it's significance" is too conclusive. if content is the intepretation of the subject matter by means of artistic form (which the photo has), and if content and artistic form is inseparable, then according to my thinking above, the photo by Adams has content. and so does Carter's photo of the vulture and child in Sudan.

Therefore, according to me, Adams photo and Carter's photo are works of art, just as much as Goya's painting is. and this concludes my 2+ hours of thinking.

GOSH. *wide-eyed disbelief*

wow. i was just reviewing the pictures on the internet...and i'm continually appalled at the photographs. all this poverty in the world...when i can have the luxury of eating for pleasure. i wrote the above as an argument whether those photos should be works of art. but in my opinion, art is useless unless it motivates, inspires, or evokes emotions so that the person experiencing it would be changed...forever. and thats what those photos did to me.

Monday, January 23, 2006

Dream...

It’s hard when you just want someone to believe in you, and when you thought there are those who would most believe in you, but it's so hard to get them to just say, "I believe in you and the dreams you have for your future. GO FOR IT."

I let my mind and imagination loose to all kinds of possibilities and opportunities, and when I finally come up with a great plan, I am told that I try too hard. Is it too hard when I am willing to achieve it by the grace of God?

Nevertheless, I will not stop dreaming, I will not stop envisioning my future and possibilities. It would just be nicer if those who I hope believes in me, actually say they do.

God, I know you believe in me. It is YOU who put these dreams in me. It is YOU who put desires in me. So I know and it is only IN YOU that I can achieve all the dreams that YOU put in me. Help me, Lord to stand on that and nothing else. I just ask that I would not do this alone.

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Scream

scream;
every once a while.
coz self questions never end,
still more questions to contend.

dream;
every tear, every smile.
opportunities, possibilities - the fuel
yet to silly or mindless whims yield.

patience;
a second, a minute, a dial.
waiting, wanting it fast
finding out possibly last.

extreme
emotions, feelings; put them on trial.
screams can wipe dreams away,
or patience can help your dreams stay.

Monday, January 09, 2006

BRING IT ON!

Christmas and the New Year has been so phenomenal for me.

i've been thinking just a little bit about how the past year has been so good for me; God knew i needed 2005 to turn out the way it has. in one year alone, i have come to a new realisation of how important relationships are in my life, no matter how long i've gotten to get to know people, or how many times goodbyes were said, no matter all the transitions that we've all gone through, no matter whether we get to see each other again in this life or in the afterlife; people are chanegd when you touch them with the Love of Christ.

2005...one of the highlights for me would be my Malaysia trip experience with the team. during the trip i had my most satisfying ministry experience so far with a team of my closest friends, what a blessing to know that God had us all together if only for the sole purpose of knowing and loving each other deeper.

another highlight would be my time in Ohio with Tabernacle of Praise. you guys have taught me more than anything about the importance of family and loved ones. i will never forget how you all accepted me. so i want to say to all my Family in TOP thank you for all your love and appreciation to SeulKee and me; and especially for me, it's been such a joy, a blessing to be there. i'm so glad to know that i am family with you all. i am missing it already.

so i'm sitting on the couch in Matt's house where i'm staying for the night, and all these flashes of faces and experiences poppin' in my head, really makes me miss everything. i told SeulKee the other day that packing really is a bittersweet experience...looking at where i am and being satisfied with the things that have transpired and wanting to move on to new challenges, yet it seems so difficult to leave because of all the relationships i've built along the way. and it sure feels a lot more difficult when i know i'm part of other people's lives. this is such a difficult emotion to grasp.

and now....i look at 2006 in the face and i say...If God is for me, who can be against me; i will be strong and courageous, for i know that i can do all things thru Christ who gives me strength! so BRING IT ON.