"Chairs, Cars, and Bridges" Reflection

Lauren Wenrich
Reflection 5
February 15, 2009

“Chairs, Cars, and Bridges”

“A well-designed functional and aesthetic object will enrich the environment, foster communication, hold attention, and/or add emotional depth to an experience (Robin Vande Zande, 39).

While reading this article I thought a lot about my experience studying abroad. My class traveled to Barcelona where we studied the architecture of Antoni Gaudi. His artwork and architecture was incredible but if I wasn’t told about the history and purpose of his designs I would have thought his artwork was random (and crazy). The seven components of design were definitely a huge factor that took place in his decisions in art when designing his buildings, parks, houses, etc. At the end of the reading Zande gives the example of a bridge in Spain. He referred to the bridge as “a visual statement that enriches the environment because it blends with the surroundings yet reduces boredom through novelty.” This is exactly what Gaudi did in Barcelona.
I think design is extremely important because it is something that takes part in our everyday lives. If you don’t think about the aesthetics involved then you can’t truly appreciate the design.

Reflection 4

The Sweet Role of Art in Literacy
Reflection 4
February 5, 2009

“Why do so many students have trouble putting words on a page…Or is it because they aren’t being taught in the way they need to be taught (Shultz)?”

My favorite part about this article was the idea of using pictures to create a collage and then using their artwork and ideas from the pictures to make a story. Being a visual learner it is much easier to map our ideas through graphics and visuals and then decide what your story is going to be about. It not only helps with creative ideas but it also helps to keep these visual learners organized.

A huge problem in today’s classroom is that students are not being taught in a way that makes learning fun, meaningful, and understanding. I’m learning a lot about this in my other classes as well, along with art, music and movement is not being used enough in today’s classroom for our creative thinkers. We need to give students the opportunity to explore through art and drawing to help them succeed. “Drawing helps children make their ideas (Brooks).”

Tattoos and Teenagers

Tattoos & Teenagers

I have always found tattoos to be an incredibly meaningful and beautiful art form; I love seeing people just covered in them. I personally could never do it but I find it so interesting and for the most part, each tattoo has a significant story behind it. There has always and will always be opinions about tattoos because of cultural beliefs, personal preference, history, identity and a number of other reasons. Many people have negative feelings about tattoos because of the history involved with marking and branding.

“Studies about teenagers link tattoos with eating disorders, unsafe sexual activity, violence, and suicide, as well as low self-esteem and school failure (Blair, 40).” For many, this statement may to true but I strongly believe that it’s because of the reputation, history, and education people have and make about tattoos. I do agree that research should be done before getting a tattoo because you are “stuck with it for life” but those regretful or unwanted tattoos, whether good or bad tell a story.

I started to think about why I have tattoos while reading this article, I don’t know if I have tattoos for any specific reason, maybe just for art and self-expression. I have two tattoos (and hope to get a few more), The one is an Italian saying that reminds me of my grandmother. The other is a simple heart, no bigger than a quarter on my rib; my best girlfriends have talked about getting the same tattoo for as long as I can remember. The heart represents our strong bond; we have been together through everything ever since pre-school. One day, about a year ago, we spontaneously did it.