(#4) Penn State Party School

After listening to the podcast about Penn State, I couldn't help but laugh. I found it humorous that people were walking around with stop signs, peeing wherever they felt necessary, and taking cover in the local residents homes after a late night of drinking. Obviously these things sound immature and childish to most people, but to those who have experienced college and found themselves a couple beers deep know exactly where these crazy kids heads are at. All and all I thought this podcast displayed a very true, but unfortunate side of Penn State students. Sure we like to cut loose on the weekends and partake in shenanigans will almost for certain be regretted at a later date, however through all of this negativity, our true colors sometimes fail to shine through all the crap. First and for most, we are Penn State STUDENTS. We slave over a mess of books and papers, monday through friday, week after week just trying to maintain that GPA that runs our lives. It's very easy to overlook the effort we put into our school work when someone only sees what happens on the weekends. Looking back on the podcast, for the most part, I wasn't angry, but I did feel misunderstood. I hate to be associated with a negative connotation just because one year my college voted itself the number one party school. This to me is the epitome of judging a book by its cover. One of the first things we learn is not to base one's character off of how their outside appears. Get to know them and you might be surprised. Yet situations such as this continue to occur. What I found to be pretty amazing about the pod cast was the narrators voice. In the beginning, the narrator had a very condescending voice, as though they were going into this with the idea that Penn State was a bad place and they were just trying to bash the school. However, towards the end, you begin to notice that they are sympathizing with the college students and can't help but feel a commonality. Hopefully we never make the mistake of voting ourselves into that position again. It will be ten times worse the next time due to the more recent events having occurred here.

(#3) What is art

There might be a million and one ways to go about looking at what exactly art is. I'll start with the most broad generalization I know... a piece of art is anything the evokes a reaction. Tired, sad, happy or down right pissed off at the world. It doesn't matter. If you felt differently after you viewed this "art" than when you walked in, then it did it's job. As far as substance goes, art can range from a painting to a piece of music to a diesel engine. It all depends on what your craft is. Art is not only limited to what Picasso was capable of creating or what Hemingway was able to write down, it runs much deeper than that. Art could be a quarterback threading a pass between two defenders, Michael Jordan dunking from the free-throw line, or perhaps crafting the perfect rocking chair. What one person views as art may be completely different than another persons take on it. Sort of changing my own view on art... I feel like art could be described as one person perfecting their craft in whatever way appeals to them. If you manage to parallel park in only three moves then I suppose this could be called art. I've successfully managed to further my confusion on this topic by writing this blog...

( #2) Art Museum Visit

Title: The Artist and the Seven Deadly Sins

Artist: Fritz Eichenberg

Materials: Wood engraving

Year: 1975

In this particular portrait, Eichenberg depicts himself at work surrounded by seven deadly sins. It appears that these sins seem to drive his creative process. Despite the sins; gluttony, greed, envy, laziness, wrath, pride and lust, the artist appears to be working diligently. This piece displays, in a unique way, how the negative things in life (sins) are able to drive a creative force rather than slowing progress. To me, this piece of art displays the way that our human faults can sometimes define who we are. Bad habits may lead to bad actions, but they may also breed creation. The first time I looked over this piece I felt as though something was looking over my shoulder. I think I might have even turned to make sure no one was there. After looking over the carving a couple of times I realized how many of our actions are influenced by the negative influences in our lives. I've never considered my faults as a possible force behind the positive things I've done in my life. Looking back on some of the things I've drawn, my best work was done when I was angry or thinking about something I shouldn't have been thinking about. Listening to music also helped me see the significant role our negative influences play on our creative thinking. Kurt Cobain was notorious for writing songs which originated from a troubled soul. Speaking of notorious (hehe), Biggy Smalls wrote rap lyrics about murder and the horrible things he did while trying to live with the struggles of life. These are two incredibly awesome, well respected artists whose creative passion came from something far from positive and happy.

Eichenberg is an artist known for his works concerned with religion, social justice and non violence. This particular piece does not seem to display any or his trademarks making it a bit of a stray. Eichenberg developed his anti war sentiments after world war 1. Despite the aberration I think he still managed to get his point across. I feel as though this particular piece speaks more to our creative side. It sort of encourages you to expand your horizons by considering the negative or evil side that everyone has from time to time. Don't allow it to consume you, but rather embrace it and use it to your advantage. Allow it to instill you with another perspective on art.

To be honest, I was so happy when I heard we were going to visit the art museum. Partially because I could sleep another 15 minutes, but also because I've been looking for a reason to check it out. It turned out to be much better than I had anticipated and I will for sure be returning, even if it is just to evoke creative thoughts. Visiting this art museum has caused me to want more! I will find bigger museums and run through them with an open mind.