Land Degrdation

My project is based upon land degradation. What is land degradation? It is the depletion of earth minerals and natural resources through human development. The over activity of deforestation,  agricultural activities, exploitation of fuel wood, overgrazing and industrialization affects the environment in many ways. For example, animals around the world lose their resources and "homes" to survive; this includes with with the over use of fuel wood, deforestation, and industrialization.  The change in the environment affect how the soil is naturally produced in its richness, soil now is less soluble for general crops to grow. What comes along with industrialization is not only the lack of forestry but how we breathe the air. We adsorb the chemicals in the air, also drink the chemicals that has been put into the water. When factories dump their waste in the water it later is evaporated and turns into acidic rain and other toxins. My issue is, how as human beings are suppose to live healthy if we are killing the soil that we need for crops, live on CLEAN drinking water, when all we do is pollute, and see animals not become endangered or extinct just due to the fact we are taking away their homes and resources. All animals produce a benefit into the earth, from insects, to the mammals in the ocean, and algae all around us which helps us breath. Until there is less manufacturing of goods, and we give more to the earth, is then that we will see a change in a better living style for the human race and for all living creatures around us. 

 My illustration is a portrait on how the "city life" affects mother nature. I will being portraying the slow death of mother nature herself

blog#9

   My subject of choice is how young girls in today's society view themselves. Instead of portraying their insecurities I am showing their positivity. Every girl around us always feels insecure about their body due to what society says is the "perfect body". There is no "perfect body", and what I mean by that is what people around us tell us what is right from wrong. My project is the empowerment of young women. It would never matter how naturally skinny a girl is to how thick they are. Young girls from very young ages and even to the late adolescent view models as "perfection". Who is the media able to tell the rest of the world what is perfect? What I say is, is that every individual young woman, from whatever they struggle with with their body,that they are beautiful. No matter what scars they carry from with in, or out their bodies are amazing. Weight does not matter. I emphasize that girls today should not be insecure of how "skinny", "thick", or "big" they are. I am accentuating upon that every girl should always love themselves and know how to take care of themselves. Outside forces should never let any human being go through intense physical changes where people harm themselves to be "acceptable" and or "more attractive". What I present is that within every young woman, there is no shame in how you look, how you feel, naked or not. Every female is perfect, and every female is beautiful. Never let anyone tell you otherwise. It is time, I believe to end the subjection upon the "perfect female". Remember to always love yourself, never doubt yourself, and appreciate all that you have of yourself. At the end of the day it is just you, there is never any need of shame, but love, and to provide it to other girls in need of a positive support! My materials are simple but powerful a camera Nikon D5200, a model (Christina Canonico) and a simple sign stating "I am beautiful", i would made this into a poster the size of 30" x 40" and put it in front of Elite Model Management located in Elite, 245 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10037 as well as all over social media. I'm not a feminist however i did wish all women around the world contribute to the cause to wake up and feel confident, i wish to reduce the health issues due to low selfs-team such as anorexia, bulimia and many other eating disorder that may cause a long term effect, this is important to me because i once was in that position as well. I had fallen into the trap society brings us. I weighted about 80lbs and because of that my hormones alternated my amune system did not function properly, later on my ovaries stop working everyday was a fight with myself but i am most grateful to god it didn't lead to worse and i stop and realize how much damage i cause myself. Now i consider myself pretty healthy and i feel happy with who i am it wasn't an easy process it involve the will power, therapy sessions and the love from siblings. I wouldn't want any other woman in the world to struggle with such things if it can be avoid why not stop it before time. There are some feminist groups acting upon sexualization of women, but so it has been hard battling with social media and popular fashion lines but my hopes never die that one day we might just change it.

Finals, yay.

What is the topic/cause/idea?
I would like more awareness to be put on the negative effects of smoking cigarettes. I don't think the advertisements or commercials that are out right now are good enough to get the message across.

Why did you pick this? What do you want people to know about it?
I chose this because its a disgusting habit, in my opinion. And, people need to open their eyes to what they are doing to themselves! I want people to know EVERYTHING that is going on with themselves because of the fact they are addicted to cigarettes.

What would make a good monument/artwork to communicate your ideas on that cause/idea?
I would like a pile of damaged body parts made into a statue-like figure. For example, discolored lungs and teeth, etc.

What would it look like? What would it be made of?
I would like all the body parts to be made out of materials that feel as hard or soft as they are in reality. I want this to look as realistic as possible to gross people out.

Where would it be?
I want this to be in every clinic, hospital, and school.

Who is it for? Who do you want to see it?
I want this to gross out EVERYONE. Addicts, people who are even just considering it, and people who haven't considered it so they never would.

Student Loans

My topic is about The inevitable Student Loans. We all go through it one way or another its like i said inevitable. I picked the topic because we as students think about so much about our futures and what we are investing our debt into. We all will have debt unless we get a scholarship and that's if your lucky. We as students don't even go to college anymore to learn and experience the world better. Its all about how we are going to pay for in the end. Its so sad that you can easily search up online and see the daily struggles of a college graduate yet the world keeps moving o as if debt isnt a issue. This kind of dept is not our own faults, this debt was not caused by money greed, gambling, and spending. This debt comes from the necessity to learn. The average college graduate will not be able to save enough for retirement till they are 75. As if a human being is so functional at that age. "According to a study by researchers at the University of Missouri, employers were just as likely to hire graduates of expensive for-profit institutions as those with similar credentials from community colleges — or those who skipped college altogether." In this world of the Great America the pricier and more flashy named school the better, people trash community college refering them as cheap and not good enough. Which is not true this is a stepping stone, something you can use to reach for higher grounds. Not everyone has money for flashy named schools.

A good idea that i have for an artwork is to place a stone boulder with chains attached to a statue of a  average human height graduate with the cap and gown in a crowded street downtown. The statue will represent those trying to move on in a faced passed world that we live in yet they are being held back by student loan debt. 

• http://mic.com/articles/127210/study-says-todays-college-graduates-wont-retire-until-age-75?utm_source=policymicTBLR&utm_medium=main&utm_campaign=social#.WxIu7XS6p

• http://mic.com/articles/127853/science-says-you-should-drop-out-of-your-expensive-private-college-and-go-community?utm_source=policymicTBLR&utm_medium=main&utm_campaign=social#.5kyXadcp1

BP #9

What is the topic/cause/idea?
The topic I choose is racism, i choose it because it affects me, people of african ancestry, and people of minorities.
Why did you pick this? What do you want people to know about it?
i picked this beacuse, Here, in the united states, the minorities are the ones recieving the short end of the stick, and the same can be appiled internationally. This doesnt mean that Caucasian people arent also discriminated against. BlackLivesMatter, is a current movement, in todays society, about over the treatment, attacks, and the lack of justice for african americans. Rascism is one of the worst things about our species and it needs to end before it can destroy us.
What woud make a good monument/artwork to communicate your ideas on that cause/idea?
I was thinking a scultpure of two pairs of siblings (a boy and girl) one pair from african descent and another pair of caucasian descent. They would be holding hands. Its to represent the next generation/humanity in the future, this is how we should allow them to be/it to be. 
What would it look like? What would it be made of?
They would appear to be the same age, male and female, respectively. they would be in 21st century clothing. they would be made of marble, warm & cool colors.
Where would it be? 
i would like it to be at time square because that it is like the center of NYC, and even in washington DC, near the white house.
 who is it for? Who do you want to see it?
it is for everyone in the United States to see. Also for Humanity, i believe that everyone should see no matter what age. Racism is so ugly, and disgusting. 

Consciousness Monument

Ignorance begets ignorance. Many of the issues, injustices, discrimination and belligerent hate in this world stems from ignorance, a lack of understanding and the absence of true reflection. Too many people fail to see things as they truly are or even fully evaluate and see themselves. If we were to be more conscious beings, so many social issues would be minimized or even no existent. This especially goes for issues of racial, gender and sexual identity discrimination. If you were mentally conscious and enlightened, there would be no desire to harbor blind hate; if you spent your time seeking the realities and truths, you'd have no time to generalize based on perpetuated, widely inaccurate stereotypes. People are so used to just regurgitating what they've been taught to told as opposed to thinking for themselves with a awakened, open minds. I'd want to create a monument that simple gets people to think with simple questions. These questions would plant seeds for reflective thought.

What I have in mind is a gigantic 500 ft2 bullet and waterproof white screen being placed in a historically important location/city of each state. I'd carefully select the cities. Some city would be chosen because of a historical event that took place there or because of a lack of adequate education etc. Basically, it will be placed in a location that I feel "needs" a touch of awakening or that holds deep significance. The text will be written in bold black letters. At the top of every hour, a reflective question would be posted. I would have my own questions but I'd also allow submissions to be made via social media. Those submitted question would, of course, be screened and carefully selected. People would be that much more involved and therefore more invested and interested. I'd also post quotes that, in my opinion, are simple but inspire deep thought. Examples of questions: "what is truth?", "what is normal? Why?", "is gender nurture or nature?", "what are you living for?", "do you live to work or work to live?", "when did you abandon your dream? Why?" And quotes like: "the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story" - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. There would be even deeper, more philosophical questions posed as well. At the bottom of the screen will always remain the phrase "stay woke", coined by Erykah Badu, which means to stay aware of what is REALLY going on around you. The media oftentimes clouds what matters and peoples' thought process so I'll be utilizing media to do the exact opposite.

Blog Post #9

Topic: Latino Discrimination.

Reasons: I picked this because this affects many latinos throughout the U.S in various forms.

Art Form: I would like to describe this in the best way i could express it better which is through a drawing.

Appearance?: A simple drawing using pen, paper and color pencils.

Display Area?: In the internet for everyone to access it and for it to be spread, maybe in a specific place such as a blog.

Audience?: Everyone such as the latinos that feel targeted, the people that don't give latinos enough credit, or anyone that feels discriminated against, Latino or not since we're all human.

Monument Project

Topic: Animal Testing

I picked this topic because I wanted to let people know about animal testing and why scientists proceed in this project.For example, did you know that in the U.S, 90 percent of the animals are being tested in laboratories? Or maybe you didn't know that every animal gets killed during these procedures. I am against animal testing because these animals are being harmed very severely. Scientists manipulate their genes, they are forced to exposed to chemicals and drugs,and also inflict pain on the animals. A good artwork that would represent my ideas about testing animals is a drawing of an animal is being forced to be tested. The three elements in my drawing are a small, white bunny, with a medium-sized green needle on the right side of the drawing. In front of them will be a large black "x" mark. These elements will take over the drawing. If I could post this drawing anywhere, it would be where I live,in Astoria, NY. A good place to start small. My audience is the townspeople and the biologists.

Source

http://www.hsi.org/campaigns/end_animal_testing/qa/about.html?referrer=https://search.yahoo.com/

Draft Worksheet for Final Paper

What is the topic/cause/idea?

My topic will be about how some people believe that they aren't creative but they can be if they try.


Why did you pick this? What do you want people to know about it?

Being creative is difficult that is it why I picked this topic because I can personally relate. I want people to know that even though being creative is a challenge, non creative people can also think of something better than what we except.


What would make a good monument/artwork to communicate your ideas on that cause/idea?

A good monument to communicate my idea would be a big banner that says "You're Creative Whether You Like It Or NOT!"


What would it look like? What would it be made of? Be specific - size, materials/medium, etc.

It would be a big banner that will fill up the board with unique writing. It will be written in anyway with any color.


Where would it be?

It would be in front of an art classroom so that everyone is able to see it.


Who is it for? Who do you want to see it?

This is for people who don't think they're creative with art, so that they are able to get a little inspiration by a person who knows how they feel about being non creative.

post# 9

-What is the topic?

My topic is causes and effects of "Global warming".

- why did I pick this?

The reason I picked this topic because Climate change is the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time, responsible for rising seas, raging storms, searing heat, ferocious fires, severe drought, and punishing floods. It threatens our health, communities, and economy... etc. It also has threatened to other living things like plants and animals.Therefore, I chose this topic to show global warming's causes and effects.

-What would make a good monument/artwork to communicate my ideas?

The "Earth" is our home and some people are destroying our home to earn some money without knowing the repercussions. However, small island country like Kiribati is vanishing from the earth due to higher sea level. My artwork will show the impact of global warming on them and It will give an idea to people/countries to take action against this crisis before its too late.

-what would it look like?

My artwork would be a drawing and medium of this drawing would be pencil colors, number two pencil, and paper.

-where would it be?

It would at Manhattan time square because many people from around the world come there to visit. So, the people would see the drawing and realize that it is not only one country's issue it is the whole world issue.

-Who is this for?

The monument is for all the people around the world/countries to aware about the consequences of climate change.

Blog post 9

The topic I chose for this project is based on the increasing murders on transgender women.
I picked this topic on behalf of being in the LGBT community as well its 2015 a lot of people are being socially accepted. Even though the Supreme Court ruled to legalize same sex marriage there are still issues in LGBT community that needs to be addressed. The main concern was same sex marriage but now and what has been is to keep people in the LGBT community alive and secure.  Being aware about this matter was the hearing on the news of transgender women being pushed into trains or murdered in the streets demonstrates there to be an improvement. The number of transgender women has increased in the U.S especially in 2015. "1,731 reported murder of trans and gender variant people" since 2008 alone ( The Cut,Dayna Evans). There may be more that aren't documented. Transgender women of color, Black and Latina, are individuals to be more targeted. Amaro says, "We live in a time when there's an increased visibility of transgender people like Laverne Cox, Janet Mock, Caitlin Jenner," (fsrn.org). People became more aware about transgender individuals and most of the feedback was positive but it also did backfire. In 2009, President Obama signed the Hate Crime Prevention Plan for transgender protection but so far it hasn't taken affect. It may also be because trans genders are visible some say but it also does create awareness and a closer step to handle another dilemma (fsnr.org,Larry Buhl).

Transgender women are discriminated in housing, health care, education and employment. It leads trans people to undergo a difficult time also leading to be victimized. But my first realization of people in the LGBT community still facing difficulty after the big moment of legalizing same sex marriage is what I mentioned earlier a women being pushed over onto the subway tracks. So I'll be including it in my artwork to represent this issue.

The artwork will be a poster, a drawing divided into four sections where trans people are most likely to be effected which I'll draw backgrounds involving a hospital, subway, school, and a home. It will involve a slightly broken mannequin with women clothing positioned differently in each section representing vulnerability. There will also be a reflection of red and blue lighting as well to show the danger trans people encounter. The red and blue light will be the only part colored on the white piece of paper to get the idea of lacking public authority on the locations I referred to as well rough outline on the mannequin with the locations lightly outlined.

I'd post this canvas in schools, hospitals, social network, and subway stations. Basically where there are a lot of people to at least get a glimpse of it or the social media since everyone is attached to technology. I want kids, teens, adults, everyone to at least be conscious of this matter but it will be for trans activists and supporters to know they aren't alone. You can spread the awareness by #Iamtrans

   

BP #9

What is the topic?
The criminal justice system in the United States and in countries all around the world is often inefficient and favors the wealthy over the poor. The intention of my monument is to create awareness of the failures of the criminal justice system here in NYC and around the globe.

Why did I pick this?
In NYC, thousands of people suffer unfairly in the hands of the criminal justice system, people are held in Rikers Island without official criminal charges, the underprivileged are harassed by the police and arrested for petty crimes like hopping subway turnstiles, leading to loss of employment and child services splitting families apart.
In countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran and North Korea, people are denied their human rights and imprisoned for minor infractions and thought crimes. My monument will call attention to these issues among others.

What would make a good monument/artwork to communicate my ideas?
Rikers Island is currently overflowing with inmates to the point where the city has set up prison barges on the river to deal with the overflow of prisoners. My monument would be a scaled down recreation of a prison barge in a public area in Manhattan to show to the public the meager and inhumane living conditions of prisoners trapped in the criminal justice system in NYC.

What would it look like?
The monument would be a sculpture, the medium would be some kind of metal as it will be displayed outdoors and will need to withstand the elements.

Where would it be?
The sculpture would be placed in a public area in Manhattan, most likely in Battery Park, or another are where large amounts of people congregate. Rikers Island is far out of the view of the public and this monument is meant to call attention to the fact that the criminal justice system in NYC is in need of dire changes.

Who is it for?
This monument is for residents and visitors to NYC. Anyone that might be unaware of the dark truth about the hardships of struggling to live in this city under constant surveillance and fear of being arrested.

G.U.N.S

What is the topic/cause/idea?

My topic is gun ownership,gun deaths,gun homicides,injuries and deaths from guns and costs of gun violence in the United States. 

Why did you pick this? What do you want people to know about it?

I picked this topic because, guns has become such a huge issue in the the U.S. People are killed from guns every day, month and year. Did you know? "More than 30,000 people are killed by firearms each year in this country and more than 30 people are shot and murdered each day,1/2 of them are between the ages of 18 and 35. 1/3 of them are under the age of 20.Homicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-24 year-olds and the primary cause of death among African Americans of that age group (http://heedinggodscall.org/con tent/pfctoolkit-10). I want people to acknowledge what guns are doing to our society and how it effect the youth population. Every time I look at the News  a teenager is shot and killed by a gun because of a gang related member. This is a problem because guns are the root too all of our fear and life death.

What would make a good monument/artwork to communicate your idea on that cause/idea? 

I decided to make a sculpture of a giant gun in the middle of time square and this giant gun will be shooting out sliver paper in the shape of a bullet. this sliver bullet paper will be able to open for people to read a fact, opinions,and quotes about guns. I want to make my sculpture so big because I want to grab the News and public eye for them to broadcast my sculpture so other people would be able to view my Giant Gun.

What would it look like? What it made of? 

Title: G.U.N.S.
Author: Dijonai English

Materials:  black cold metal, warm sliver copper for the bullet paper, and ink.

Height: 550M

Where would it be?

New York (Time Square)

Who is it for? 

I want to get everyone's attention ages 12-35.

The topic I have chosen for this project is the sexualization of women in advertisements. I chose this because as a woman living in NYC or America in general, everywhere you look there is an advertisement for something. Buy this peanut butter, buy these underwear, buy this iPad. And within those most of the time there is some sort of underlying sexualization. Like this commercial for Bavaria Beer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMCtpOwBdlY). or the commercial for Carl's Jr. and Hardee's commercial (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1krJqn3smbI) or even this commercial for dog food with the women in her underwear and bra (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oitYLuiNEpw). Why is it that the media feels that the way to get the attention of their customers is to have half naked women that have nothing to do with the product? The answer, is that sex sells. We teach our children that it's okay for women to be seen in this way and not as themselves. Let's try to change the perception on our women. I had the thought to make stickers and a series of stills made into a video to try to inform people on this issue. The stickers would have a sexualized picture of a woman with piece of food or clothing and some sort of slogan like, What if this was your mother?, obviously subject to change but that would be a start. The videos would be made up of pictures and interviews by women speaking on their own experiences and their opinions on the topic. The stickers would be posted all over Times Square and down 34th street  since these are some of the biggest centers in NYC. The videos would be spread across social media such as Facebook, twitter, Instagram, YouTube, tumblr, etc. I want everyone to see it and realize that this is not acceptable.