Activism Project-Personal Critique

This project was a lot more difficult to get done because we had to work in a group. I usually like working in groups but this time there seemed to be too many people to disagree with every little detail. The first performance was a little rocky because we hadn't really gotten the chance to completely practice and we had to get out the nerves but the second time ran much more smoothly. I really think that we got our point across of child soldiers to people and I think it really opened some people's eyes. We put a short clip at the end of the second performance to give more of a face to the cause and it showed how they can get in touch with an organization, which I think made it all more real and made it more moving than the first performance. We all worked really hard to make this presentable and we tied in everyone's ideas as well as we could. The big thing to do is to put people out of their element and scare them a little so they could get just a little taste of what it's like for these children even though they'll never truly understand the extents of it. I'm glad we didn't decide on doing a film because I don't think it would have been as effective as what we did end up doing.

Activism Project

Project Notes:

The majority of our group is pretty set on using a soundtrack and some film and maybe some photos for our project on Child Soldiers. There's more talking going on than actual work, like they don't realize that it's due a week from today but I think if we get out stuff together then it should work out great. We're thinking of using crying/laughing noises of a kid and gun shots and loud men yelling as the soundtrack and filming of a park or something along those lines.

Wenda Gu

"seeks unity through art."-wants to create art that will unify mankind.
Gave up classical painting, a master in China.
His work is based on being global.
He alone is not global so he brings in partners from around the world to help him achieve it.
I can see how menstrual cycles are global and all but I'm surprised that a man would address it this fully.
I'm not sure I'd wanna see these particular pieces ever because they are pretty gross to think and look about. I know I'm a girl and all and I'm pretty comfortable with my period but I wouldn't want to deal with anyone else's.
It's just kinda gross that his materials come from real people but his work is interesting, at least the concepts are.
Uses the myth of Oedipus to provoke the confused attitudes about family relationship that entail reconciling social obligations with personal desires.
Universal experiences are rarely accompanied by universal attitudes.
"[languade] brings about deep misunderstandings."
"imagine the universe which is beyond the reach of knowledge."
I actually did like the United Nations piece but of course he manages to gross me out by using human hair.
I understand that he wants to unite people and all but it seems people would get too wrapped up in the grossness of the art rather than the message behind it.
If he's anything, he's fair to include people from all over the place.
"language and knowledge are artificial. The human body is authentic and natural."
I don't think it's right to create a life for the good of an art project. It doesn't seem right either to make art foundations pay for these children's lives. It just doesn't seem like a good idea to use life casually.
His concepts are great but I feel he goes too far with using human samples.

DJ Martinez

Doesn't want ot be called an artist, wants to be known as a Tactical Media Strategist.
Free-lance artist activist, human rights.
Only exhibits his work when he gets an official invitation to do so which I think shows true passion for his work.
He messes with the societal views.
"I take small opportunities and turn them into something important."
very smart and cunning.
Lets people comment what they want, it seems to propel his work more.
Brings up racism and the stigmas that go along with it.
He work isn't about acceptance, it's about bringing to surface things that people ignore.
He doesn't have an accent and doesn't git the stereotype.
He grew up in the stereotypical way though.
He was always getting beat up as a kid because he didn't "fit in" to any group.
He found a way to use his brain to his advantage.
"He supports an alternative definition by creating art that involves real-life issues and propels real-life actions."
He just wants people to react, whether it's good or bad.

Personal Critique-Consumption

I felt that I did so much better on this project than my last. Probably because I've never done things like this before and I didn't know what to expect or do. I realize that I could've done something a little more that could say what I wanted to say without me actually saying but I feel I really did get the point across. I know that I tried really hard to come up with a good concept and then create my piece accordingly. I feel that most people did try really hard as well but a few did not.