iron

http://images.asia.ru/img/alibaba/photo/51646912/Steam_Iron.jpg

make a list of specific similarities and differences between the scenes and relationships depicted in this photograph and in Tillie Olsen's story, "i stand here ironing." after you have reread the photograph and story carefully, several times, write the first draft of an essay in which you compare and contrast the aesthetic appeal-and effectiveness-of the photograph and story.

The aesthetic appeals of Tracey Baran's photo, "Mom Ironing," and "I Stand Here Ironong," by Tillie Olsen both have the effect of understanding in the reader. It is not so much an understanding of their situation or knowing exactly who the people and situations in the photo and essay are, but more of an understanding of the relationships and struggles they must have endured in their every day lives. The two cheap drying racks and loads of clothes in the picture represent the many people, and possibly kids, the woman ironing must care for. It also represents the amount of work such a common activity as laundry takes up the woman's time. Somehow, though, the colors and textures of the clothes give a comfortable feel, being blue, neutral, colors and soft, flannel fabrics. This also adds to the blue tone of the picture, which feels sullen but calm, the appeal of such a worn life.

The aesthetic appeal of Olsen's essay has a different appeal of calm. Not that their lives have been so worn as in the picture, but that their struggles were so strenuous and complicated that the women in question had no chance but to be noble and enduring. This, along with word choices such as "glib" and the nostalgic references to the past, appeals to the reader in a touching manner. Such is not the same in the picture which has a more straight forward appeal and is thus easier to capture, the aesthetic appeal of the essay is subtle but quite effective because the reader barely knows he or she is being affected by the tone, structure, and word choices until he or she has finished reading a few times and reflects upon the work later.

Blog #2

Joel Sternfeld's photo of a memorial scene in Detroit impacts its audience to respect human life. The phrase, "When you take someone's life you forfeit your own," along with each detail of the storefront building and its environment moves a person to contemplate the person who was seemingly murdered and his effect on all other people. Each little memento from the "MOM" outlined in flowers, to the white cross on the ground symbolizing death and innocence, to the long, emotional writing on the door signifies the emotional impact many different people had on this scene. A story is also being told throughout the photo by different elements of the scene. For example, the tree blowing in the wind reveals part of a drawing on the wall behind the building which, around one man bent and covering his face and another wearing a suit and tie, the words, "Guilty, Aug 23 1993, Life in prison, Oct. 12, 199..." can be seen. The white and black writing is also mirrored on the other side of the photo by a sign saying, "Do the right thing." This was probably done on purpose by Sternfeld to frame the shot, balance it out, and drag the reader's eye across the same level as the store's window decorations of everything from posters of racecars, people, and bumper stickers to letters, plywood, and writing on the door above a "sold" sign; therefore, telling more of the story of what happened to the people who lived there obviously for a while.
When added together, each mark, of mourning and even the repetition of capital letters and the phrase "Malice Green Ave," composes the depressing tone that the photographer captured. The building itself is depressing to see, not only because it is old and almost falling apart, but also because of the two colors, pale green and plywood brown. The faded green symbolizes the loss of money, power, and strength and the puke-green inference reminds one of being sick. This could be used to emphasize the pain and struggle that encompassed the characters of this scene's every day life. The plywood in the windows and along the roof, representing poverty, work, and care, catch and drag the eye up the scene to a house in the background. With another boarded up window in the attic, this house also represents home, and brings the audience to an emotional level by imposing the thought of a life these people had fought so hard to build and keep, destroyed by a powerful act of violence. In addition to content alone, each element of the photo, including the frame, scale, point of view, structure, and context, is an important piece which combines to be able to stimulate the audience on such an emotional level. The lines framing each story of the building run parallel to the curb, thus creating three main levels of structure. The first level, on the bottom, is strictly a memorial with flowers, artwork of a man, and a cone, a metaphor for police or authority involvement. The second and most busy level is that of the storefront windows, which also aligns with most of the writing. Comparatively, the third level is blank and vacant with only the first and largest phrase written in spray paint and punctuated with handprints. This final level contains the broken, empty windows into a life once lived. The overall impact of this photo, taken from across the street, uses each of its elements to tell a detailed, emotional story of the people of Malice Green Ave.

IN THE MIND OF THE HOMELESS Video by munchiman - MySpace Video

IN THE MIND OF THE HOMELESS Video by munchiman - MySpace Video

page 7 exercise

Every person needs a place to call home, and demonstrates what the word "home" means to a homeless person. The open boxes on a bench tied together with different types of twine, rope, and ribbon provide shelter from the elements and cold, hard ground. The line of boxes also serve to draw a line across the picture, along the fence and framed by the old tree, separating the shabby side of life from the busy, blurry background most people think of when recalling a city. A small black fence behind the bench is barely seen, but could imply am emotional guard we put between our busy, daily lives around town and the obvious struggle people are enduring right before our eyes. It seems meaningless enough, but it is a small symbol to distance ourselves from the pain of the homeless and serve as an excuse not to help in a little way such as giving away a sandwich or some spare change.
Even though the background is blurred, it seems more colorful because there is more action, although there are also colorful wording on the boxes and the blankets, clothes, and what would probably be rags inside the boxes are pink and blue. Underneath what appears to be a sleeping homeless person is a box, pointing up to what would be a man's head on a pillow, saying "handle with care." This is ironic and thought-provoking to lead the reader to realize that not many things or people in life are handled with the care and compassion one seeks after a hard day. The picture, as a whole, is mainly gray, brown, and beige, representing the dull colors of a hard, rough life. Even the blurred people in the background seem to be looking down as if tired out from life itself. The overall tone of the picture is sad, sullen, and concerning. Everything from the dirt and garbage on the ground, chips in the bench, and carvings on a worn tree to the lights and colors of too many signs is exhausting. Each detail in the background emphasizes the main idea simply put in the center of the photo, a tired homeless man, asleep during the day in his cardboard alcove.

Videos:
1. documentary of homelessness (real and sad): http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=4836617
2. parody of life's struggles (fake and still sad, but on a lighter note): http://www.break.com/index/homeless-james-bond.html