Dear Reader

Dearest Reader,

Welcome to my Creative Response Journal.

This journal is my assessment item for the subject KKB418 Cultures and Creativity.

There are eight posts, each a response to the topic of each lecture or reading during the semester.

I chose to put my journal in 'blog' form because I thought it was the best way to form a personal journal of sorts, and combine mixed media I wanted to use.

The journal began life in an ordinary A4 sketch book, where I did several drawings and idea formations to place onto this site.

I hope you enjoy,

Sophie

Cities as Performative Spaces... a gallery of sorts...

I’ve chosen to create a gallery of sorts for the creative space of Brisbane. As a quickly growing city, Brisbane has become a mix of old and new, fashion and tradition, dirty and clean and is ever changing. Brisbane is a performance space. The creative are joined in mixed media, fashioning a city of colour and light, and experience. I believe this is proper response to the subject of "Cities as Performative Spaces". Below are some samples of Brisbane as a creative space.


Traffic Light Boxes:

Throughout Brisbane, the public are invited to dress up those plain green boxes next to the traffic lights. The response has been enormous, with professional artists, schools and just about anybody with a paint brush taking on the challenge. Here are some of my favourites. (Images taken from Brisbane City Council Website at
http://svc189.bne146v.server-web.com/artforce/search.asp?submitted=yes&title=painted)

The Powerhouse:

Another example of locals gettin' creative. Used as a performance space, the building itself is a landmark of the infamous graffiti style.

Suncorp Stadium:

Brisbane sporting scene’s pride and joy. A fine example of modern architecture and host of many concerts and events.





Doggett St Studio:
One example of the emerging Brisbane creative scene. Doggett St Studio has a vault of information for artists and enthusiast in relation to all the creative happenings in Brisbane.
http://www.doggett.com.au

Through the lens of others...

“Photographs are as much an interpretation of the world as paintings and drawings are’ (Susan Sontag).

My response this week derives from this quote. I chose a response to stimulus type answer, using a photograph of a model (called Izabel from http://models.com/model_culture/50topmodels/top50.cfm?fnumber=50&lnumber=46 and three possible perspectives of this picture. The responses are purely creative, and do not reflect the personal opinion of Izabel (at least I assume not!).

As well as the photo, I included my own drawing. This drawing is based on an image of a model which has been drawn in my own interpretation of something like a self-portrait.

I imaged the person in the photo with a low self image, something opposite to what the photo suggests and I drew perhaps what the person in the photo may see themselves as.

As I mentioned it is purely creative, but I think plausible. A photo reflects an image of person into someone else idea of what that person is.

(Quote from reading: Edwards, Sue, Photographs as Interpretations of the World. (no other citation information available – refer to unit reader p 223))

Response #1:

Sultry, sexy and sure.

To be her, would to be it.

Response#2:

I’m not sure how old I was when the fear of failure, and the fear of others set in. I suppose it’s always been there, I just realised it was there one day. I became so aware of it I couldn’t shake it, and now it’s stuck there, like a hair in a bowl of soup. Its there, you can see it, but you’ll be damned if you can get rid of it.

And then everything else came all at once. Fear, awareness, self consciousness, judgement of others and it all just snowballs. It would be better if it was a staggered process, but for some reason all the dominoes fall at once.

This sounds like pointless dribble, but there is a meaning to it all.

The image of me is not what I expected it to be.

I can see my portrait, but I do not understand what I see. I’m not saying I don’t like it, I’m definitely curious about it, but it is a different person to what I see.

Around the eyes, don’t you see it? There, self assurance. And the upward curve of the mouth, is that happiness? But surely there should be fear, not fear sorry, but that sense of waiting for everything to go wrong, just wait, you’ll see it.

I wonder what everyone else can see?...

Response #3:

This is a photo. That’s all it is, how can I possibly tell you anything about this person when it is clearly only a still of one miniscule moment of a trillion miniscule moments – I therefore can conclude nothing, except she’s got great tits…

and now for something fun!

A crossword is something that makes you think about the meaning of a word or a phrase, and what it could mean. I chose to use a crossword to represent the keywords used when discussing Asian religion and creative forms combined. As well as informative, it's a fun way of finding answers and guidelines in a wealth of information. There are many sorts of images and techniques I might have used, but this crossword gets to the root of subject and gives factual information about relevant topics related to the subject. Good Luck!

Across

4. A Japanese verse from in three lines of five, seven and five syllables repectively.
6. Buddhist monster head that symbolizes time that guards gateways.
7. The ***** of life.
9. A religion stressing that human existence is pain, caused by desire, which may be overcome by contemplation and a right way of life.
12. A blank or empty area
13. Japanese word for ‘dark soul dance’.
15. Element expressing natural emotions, darkness, femininity, softness
16. Past, present and future regarded as a continuous whole
18. A pathway to nirvana through the spheres of formlessness.

Down

1. The pursuit of wisdom and knowledge.
2. Is an extreme form of contemporary Japanese dance theatre influenced in part by the ma concept.
3. Centre of spirituality in Hindu cultures: The merging of spiritual and physical control.
5. The harmony of opposites and the spheres and realms of metaphysical space are also illustrated in Buddhism through cosmic diagrams.
8. A religious, philosophical and cultural system widespread in India, having many gods and goddesses but regarding them as different forms of one supreme source of life.
10. Element for congenital goodness, brightness, masculinity, firmness and openess.
11. A natural symbol a stable universe, something that holds earth and sky together.
14. A symbol of totality and spiritual growth.
17. Japanese spatial-temporal phenomenon

Answers:
Across: 4.HAIKU6.KALA7.WHEEL9.BUDDHISM12.SPACE13.ANKOKUBUTO15.YIN16.TIME18.ZEN

Down: 1.PHILOSOPHY2.BUTOH3.DANCE5.MANDALA8.HINDU10.YANG11.MOUNTAIN14.TREE17.MA

Politics and Creativity...

In response to the lecture on politics and creativity, I drew from the stimulus given at the start of the readings, the humorous cartoons and images sending up politicians and politics.

I thought about the idea of creativity in politics and the Australian response which led me to thinking about how media responds to media.

Typically, the Australian sense of humour is seen to be satirical, dry and sarcastic. Every week in major newspapers there are humorous caricatures sending up prominent politicians and whatever the latest ‘hot topic’ is.

Programmes such as CNNN, The Glass House and even The 7:30 Report all regularly refer to recent politics and make it look as foolish as they can.

Even serious issues such as war, poverty, detention centres and health care crisis do not escape the dry and even sometimes true jokes about government and those within.

In my opinion, one of the best satires that draws from politicians and the ‘creative’ movements within parliament is the weekly interviewer and interviewer skit played by Brian Dawe and John Clarke on The 7:30 Report.

I have therefore this week provided a link to one of their send ups. The most important point to make is often the humour they use is simply just imitations of the real deal. Obviously, they have no agenda to promote any Australian party so they use clever humour to pick holes and make all the importance look a little foolish.

It is just another example of how creativity and humour can be used to cast another light of creativity within the world of politics. Here is a link to the John Clarke and Brian Dawe skits, take a look and see what I mean...

http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/7.30_clarkedawe.htm

Also, take a look at the digital net versions of ABC 2, where recent sendups of current news are on The Chaser News Alerts.

http://abc.net.au/cnnnn/

Fashioning the Body - The Sopranos

WOMEN + POWER + MONEY = ONE DESIRABLE FAT SLOB.
The representation of masculinity in The Sopranos.

The Sopranos is centred around a New Jersey Mafia family, the Di Meo family, with Tony Soprano as the leader. The series is follows story lines of mob wars, family, wealth, murder, crime with Tony Soprano at the centre of it all.

The ideal of body image in the show is unique when compared to body image in most other American prime time dramas. The show provides an interesting interpretation of the power culture of the American Mafia. One very important element of this interpretation is the representation and symbolism of body image.

Avi Santo’s article “This Thing of Ours: Investigating the Sopranos” analysis the symbolism of body image in the show. Santo concludes, power is very much represented through consumption – and the ultimate symbol of consumerism in the show’s culture is shown through weight.

Santo writes, “Increasingly, the size and shape of the body have come to operate as a market of personal, internal order (or disorder) - as a symbol for the emotional, moral, or spiritual state of the individual” (p75, 2002).

Rarely in the show are overweight males linked with failure, in fact, it is very much the opposite. This is somewhat opposite to the mainstream idea of success in American Western culture.

The representation of power and masculinity in the show can be divided into four categories: Women, Power, Money and Indulgence.

All of these combined equal power and masculinity.

Therefore, Tony Soprano is at the height of masculinity – women, money and power. His appearance identifies this features, it lights him up in flashing neon as the dominant one, the leader, the boss. He is the ultimate consumer and does not believe in moderation of anything.

The first significant element in the equation of Tony’s power is his attitude towards women. Tony, as in all aspects of his life, shows no concern for limitations. As put by character Gloria Trillo just prior to making love, “You really are in love with yourself… You deprive yourself of nothing”. Tony is constantly unfaithful to his wife. His list of women include his wife Carmela, his mistress Irina, his ‘midlife crisis mobile’ girl, Gloria Trillo, strippers at Bada-Bing!, Connie, the born-again secretary at Barone Sanitation and fantasies with his therapist Dr Melfi (Santo, p76, 2002).

The second element is power. He has power in its most primitive form and power in his every day dealings. He is leader of the mafia; he is the most powerful man in his world. In his own words, "I'm the motherfucking fucking one who calls the shots”. He is the leader of both his personal and professional families. Tony calls all the shots. He organizes murder, assault, trades and various other less-than-moral dealings. He has the power over lives. What better way to represent this by looking powerful?

The last two elements of the equation can be merged as one, money and indulgence. As already mentioned, Tony shows no concern for limitations. He is always eating, smoking and sleeping with various women. Anything he does is done excessively. Tony is very wealthy, his children go to expensive schools, he drives an expensive car and he lives in a lavish house. Hardly any of his personal indulgences are done with style, just excessiveness. To put it simply, Tony is a total slob.

All of these elements combined representations of his role and position. His weight and activities are symbols of his masculinity and his power. Do not question his authority, just get him another cheeseburger.







Bibliography:

Santo, Avi (ed.) (2002), “Fat fuck! Why don’t you take a look in the mirror?” Weight, body image, and masculinity in The Sopranos” in Lavery, D (ed.) This Thing of Ours: Investigating the Sopranos, New York: Colombia University Press, pp 72 – 94.

The body as a cultural product

I looked at the specific idea of a tattoo and why a person may wish to subject themselves to a certain level of pain that will leave a most permanent scar. Within the social environment I am involved, a tattoo is rarely a symbol a long lasting cultural or religious tradition, in fact, it is more likely to represent a rebellion to western tradition. I looked at reasons beyond my own little world, and found a tattoo can be a very clear significant cultural icon. A persons body is perhaps one of the only things an individual can truly own. Perhaps that is part of the reason why is it so offensive to a person when that right is not respected. My response therefore consists of two things. The first is a ‘how to’ on selecting a tattoo that is right for you. It touches on some of the general reasons/motivations behind an individual’s choice to get a tattoo. The second is an interview conducted with myself. Yes, I too have joined the millions who have a tattoo. I asked myself the most annoying (and common) questions I have gotten about my tattoo.


Why did you decide to get a tattoo?

I got a tattoo because for me, it was the first true independent choice I could make that was going to last for a lifetime. I was chafing at the bit for a taste of freedom, and it seemed a good way to remind myself that independence comes with lasting consequences.

What did you decide to get tattooed on your body?

I had the image of three birds flying, each a little further from the other. Once again, another ideal of freedom.

On which part of your body did you get the birds tattooed, and why?

I got them done on my right shoulder blade. It hurt like hell. It looks like they are flying off my shoulder. I chose my shoulder because it seemed like the only decent place for them, given the design they would look a bot silly anywhere else. Also I can cover it up when I don’t want it to be seen, such as when I’m in a job interview or something!

Do you regret the choice of getting a tattoo?

Not yet I don’t! No, I’ve only had it for a year so it’s still a bit of a novelty. I might get some more detail added to it if I can handle the pain! Hopefully in fifty years time I’ll still feel ok with it!




How to get a tattoo.

Step 1.
The first thing is too decide is how you would like the many injections of ink to leave its permanent mark. Be it shape, colour, letter, word, symbol, directions, animal, male, female or miscellaneous.

A few things to consider when deciding a tattoo that may or may not influence your excellent choice.

Culture
Religion
Age
Gender
Sexual preference
Social standing
Criminal record
Level of intoxication
Right of passage
Pride
Power
Masculinity
Femininity
Reaction
Pressure
Symbol
What are you being influenced by?

Step 2.
Once you have decided what you would like, next think about where you would like this tattoo, how big, how many etc? If it helps, refer back to the check list to assist your final choice.

Step 3.
This is the moment! Think carefully what your actions are representing. Are you comfortable? You may be in this position for some hours. At any time you may take a break and have a drink of water. Bleeding is normal.

Step 4.
Have cold feet? Did you know that celebrities such as Britney Spears, Pamela Anderson and Nicholas Cage all sport tattoos? Did you also know that Winston Churchill and Price Charles also have tattoos?

Now don’t look as this symbol of your past, fashion sense, cultural and social background, imprint of your society and very personal permanent symbol is adhered!


ALL DONE! ENJOY!

Manga!

MY CREATIVE RESPONSE STEMMED FROM THE IDEA OF TRADITIONAL VERSUS NOW. MANGA, IN MY OPINION, APPEARS TO BE SOMEWHAT OF A CONTRAST TO TRADITIONAL JAPANESE VALUES.

MANGA IS IN NO WAY CONSERVATIVE, IT ADDRESSES MANY ELEMENTS OF SOCIETY THAT ARE STILL CONSIDERED TABOO OR DEFINITELY NOT MAINSTREAM ENTERTAINMENT. PERHAPS THE BEST EXAMPLE OF THIS IS THE RAPE STORIES AND “LOLICOM” MANGA – CHILDREN LIKE APPEARANCES WITH VOLUPTUOUS SEXUAL BODIES.

A VISUAL REPRESENTATION THAT PROVIDES A GLIMPSE OF WHAT MANGA IS SEEMS A GOOD WAY TO INTRODUCE IT. THOUSANDS OF TITLES AND GENRES MAKE IT VERY HARD TO ADDRESS ALL STEMS OF MANGA. THE KEYWORDS LISTED PROVIDE A GOOD BEGINNING ABOUT GETTING AN IDEA OF MANGA AND THE DIRECTION OF MANGA.

Frameworks for understanding other cultures and perspectives...

FRAMEWORKS FOR UNDERSTANDING OTHER CULTURES AND PERSPECTIVES...

My interpretation this week is of the idea of the kinds of framework that was discussed in the lecture. The idea of a global sense of communication and cowboy and planetist perspectives got me thinking about the individual perspective.

My argument is, while having the models and categories of the types of perspectives – being the framework; it’s the individual perspective that determines the final outlook.

These individual perspectives may be a result of one of the categories. An example of this might include an Aboriginal learning in school about how Australia was colonised and the successes of colonisation – this might lead to a very personal sense of injustice and therefore a sense of hatred towards Australian settlers.

So I started thinking about what’s inside the frames. To me, it’s the lens.

My response gives some brief examples of how differences in other people and cultures have been seen, with a brief response to each.

I chose fairly well known comments because I think they are the messages that are representative of a wider opinion, when they were said the speaker/writer knew there would be many to hear their message.

They provide an example of some lenses within certain frames. Take a look...