‘ What is it specifically about the dress signifies that it is only for women? And why can’t it be socially acceptable for a man to wear any type of clothing? After all, it is just fabric and we should not be afraid of anything that could “challenge”our societal views of masculinity.’– Matthew Dean Stewart.
(Picture: Matthew Dean Stewart/ Guzelian)
When i saw this picture at first time, i was a little bit shocked and kind of uncomfortable honestly. Then i was quiet for a long time to find out the reason which leads the feeling.
This dressing style of man is not familiar to see in our society no matter which countries you come from. But why? Why dress is only for woman? I think there is a reason. Appearance of man are strong and masculine but woman are contrary. This impression and standard are unaware forming in our brains from ancient time. So, if man wear colorful dress, it would create a visual contrast which makes other people feel wired and bad.
(Picture: Matthew Dean Stewart/ Guzelian)
This photographer Matthew turned these photos into a book funding by Kickstarted. He wants to make general public think more. I agree with this perspective because sometimes people believes what behavior is right due to everybody do that in one way. However, citizens never think about the reason why we follow the mainstream.
Our team were very struggle with title of subject at the beginning. Obviously, there are plenty of society issues like environment pollution, food safety, racism and etc. But we did’t know which one should we focus on. These things are all significant to people and the world. After a long time discussion, we chosen three of these problems by using exclusion. We realized that the three options are mainly connected with woman. So, we decided focus on Gender Stereotype at that moment.
During the next interview, our team noticed barrier again! Gender Stereotype definitely is a big words, we have to be specifically. However, which part of title is the most seriously and interesting? I don’t think that thinking and find an idea is difficult things but compromising with team members. Because we study different courses and have unique life experiences. But i do not believe that is a bad phenomenon. On contrast, we are learning from each others everyday and absorbing bran-new perspectives to swipe eyes.
We were basically using mind map to guide us movement. We found out that stereotyping is more like judgement such as people believes you are a type of group community from appearance especially. Honestly, this is a big step so far. However, i considered that is not deep enough, then i got my subject title ‘Labeling people’. And they want to pay attention to appearance like wearing. I don’t think that is a problem because of our views and messages are the same and direction.
This is the way how to fix the problems, the method was from our imaginations suddenly.
This is a kind of interactive application with huge screen. It would catch their images when people passing by such as ‘mirror’ but changing their clothes without gender identify system. It means that you might wear different type of clothes no matter what gender you are.
We are so excited when we have something new and progress every time. This needs time to neaten, we will still working on this.
Unfortunately, i got fever in the midnight before Margate trip by suffering crazy raining and wind. So, i missed the trip. But i looked many pictures and short videos from my peers what is totally fantastic. I find some of exhibitions are very interesting.
Large-scale of woman sketching
The waved mirror named seaside photographed
I consider what this artwork of mirror trying to say is that when people stand in front of mirror, the images and shadows would be distorted due to the shape of mirror. It is sames like what you see your body reflection on the surface of sea. Furthermore, the art names seaside photographed. The fluorescent lamps are always attract my attention. It is one of my favorites.
People are lying on the beach
There are many exhibitions are photographs of people lying on the beach. When i swipe pictures on my classmate photo, these make me feel a sense of pathos. I feel happy and cozy from their smile on faces. It is definitely a good experience.
Part 2 Library searching
I would like know more about Margate. So i did some researches about the artworks and issues there. Some of them are really surprised me.
The sculpture ‘Folkestone’ was made by Antony Gormley(1981).
“The history of western sculpture has been concerned with movement. I wish to celebrate the still and silent nature of sculpture. The work is designed to be placed within the flow of lived time.” – Antony Gormley.
I was shocked by this sculpture at first glance, it looks like a real man standing in the sea. Then i found that cast from artist own body as “an attempt to bear witness to what it is like to be alive and alone in space and time” what he said.
What the interesting part of this sculpture is that the feeling from people would be influenced by changing of sea level. I thought it seems like a man try to get in the water by this ramp before i read background information. Actually, that area has problem with migration. According to my classmate Marico(2019), she said that many tourists there but barely see local residents. This makes want to figure out the reason behind.
There are some evidence from article online. According to Anthony Lemon and David Clifford(2005), they figured out the problem of migration in Margate by analyzing a small town with same issue in Africa. They illustrate that Margate is a small town on the KwaZulu, in the past, a large group of black community was moved from there to the other town due to the policy of apartheid and only white people and few Indian people lived there. In 1981, the owner of farm conceived idea from surrounding towns and turned Margate into holiday resort. Untill now, tourism industry is the heartbeat of the town.
The history behind is very attractive and also I am familiar with library research system. It is very convenient through the key words to find evidence.
Reference:
Anthony, Lemon and David, Clifford., Post-apartheid Transition in a Small South African Town: Interracial Property Transfer in Margate, KwaZulu–Natal. Urban Studies, Vol. 42, No. 1, 7 –30.
Today, our class watched Ted Talk of Liu Bolin, a Chinese artist, prefer to invisible in “problems”. He tries to agains everything what he wants to show the world with his performance art by making surroundings and himself together. To be more specifically, the problems such as global warming (Venice), food safety, advertising, politics and etc. Liu’s team members painting on his body to make he “disappear”.
It seems like that i am there with the problems but I cannot speak out or stand up. So, i hide behind the cover. Probably, because of government control and creative freedom.
So, should artists have an uncompromising spirit?
Personally, I don’t think so. If all of the artists are easily compromised, the artworks would be similar with each other. I mean there is no creation and ideas inside of art. The most important thing is meaning and thoughts to artists rather than working like machines without personal styles and thoughts.
As a “finger painter “, Zaria try to use large scale icebergs paintings to show the sublimity and fragility plant caused by climate changing. This artist wants people emotionally to connect with the unknown places by watching the tranquility sea levels and grandeur icebergs. Also, Zaria focuses on the beauty view as opposed to the devastation to inspire audiences thinking deeply and protect environment.
New vocabulary review:
Sublimity = Grandeur = greatness
Fragility =weakness
Sth. as opposed to sth.
Turbulence — physical phenomenon, bad weather
Tranquility = calm/ composure
Presentation skills
1.voice loud and clear with emotion.
2.body language
3.concept organization – fluently and easy to understand
There are some art products from street painting which cleverly show opinion of immigration.
A group of grey pigeon refuse a green pigeon staying with them because they looks totally different. It is a true and sad story. Banksy still use his black humor to tell the world and make people thinking.
I think that street artwork is clearly showing problem of immigration. People from other countries do not welcome them. however, there is a mockery on ‘pigeons’ what shows same kind of animals drive their own kind.
Chen 