Blog Post #1
Hey guys, what's up? It's your host, Connor, and welcome to the big hefty literature zone where you get big hefty knowledge of literature. Today, I'll be dumping a whole mess of literature down your frontal lobe. So sit back, get some grapes and enjoy.
Summary: Wing Young Huie has a long-running project of photographing the diversity of St. Paul neighborhoods. The project is titled the University Avenue Project (2007-2010). He published the image that I am using in 2010 on University Avenue. The image itself is untitled and has no information available. On the first examination, the image consists of a mosque where dozens of men are praying on the floor. However, one man is in a wheelchair in the center and is leaning forward to pray instead of getting on the floor. On a deeper level, I feel that this portrays the American view of disability in general.
Rather than a negative connotation, I also believe that the image shows the alteration of the American view. No longer are we discriminating against those with disabilities but accepting them into our different faiths. They are part of society and deserve a spot amongst us. This is the point that Huie is making rather than society excluding.
Response: Both Wing Young Huie and Margaret Atwood use a similar layout and color in order to portray different concepts of "othering." Despite a different viewpoint on the concept, they both have a similar theme of transparency, allowing for a more open diversity of audience and perspectives. For Huie, the layout includes a central point, the man in a wheelchair in which the eye is drawn to. For Atwood, this central point is Offred. Both represent the group that is "marginalized" per se but the tone is radically different for the two (in my opinion). The color proves this as well. Despite a brighter color scheme of reds and blues, Atwood's text is quite dismal and depressing. I feel that this is to show how individuality can be diluted and categorized whilst having a positive appearance. On the other hand, Huie stuck to a black and white scheme in order to bring more attention to the importance of true genuine individuality (not saying disability is individuality, just the importance of diversity). Both of these are open enough to where a different perspective could reveal an entirely different conclusion. For example, for Huie, one could state that it is a comment of the monochromatism of society rather than the opposite (a pessimist). For Atwood, one could state that her work is a more of comment on the negative results of an imbalance in power (a feminist). It just depends on the perspective.
Summary: Wing Young Huie has a long-running project of photographing the diversity of St. Paul neighborhoods. The project is titled the University Avenue Project (2007-2010). He published the image that I am using in 2010 on University Avenue. The image itself is untitled and has no information available. On the first examination, the image consists of a mosque where dozens of men are praying on the floor. However, one man is in a wheelchair in the center and is leaning forward to pray instead of getting on the floor. On a deeper level, I feel that this portrays the American view of disability in general.
Rather than a negative connotation, I also believe that the image shows the alteration of the American view. No longer are we discriminating against those with disabilities but accepting them into our different faiths. They are part of society and deserve a spot amongst us. This is the point that Huie is making rather than society excluding.
Response: Both Wing Young Huie and Margaret Atwood use a similar layout and color in order to portray different concepts of "othering." Despite a different viewpoint on the concept, they both have a similar theme of transparency, allowing for a more open diversity of audience and perspectives. For Huie, the layout includes a central point, the man in a wheelchair in which the eye is drawn to. For Atwood, this central point is Offred. Both represent the group that is "marginalized" per se but the tone is radically different for the two (in my opinion). The color proves this as well. Despite a brighter color scheme of reds and blues, Atwood's text is quite dismal and depressing. I feel that this is to show how individuality can be diluted and categorized whilst having a positive appearance. On the other hand, Huie stuck to a black and white scheme in order to bring more attention to the importance of true genuine individuality (not saying disability is individuality, just the importance of diversity). Both of these are open enough to where a different perspective could reveal an entirely different conclusion. For example, for Huie, one could state that it is a comment of the monochromatism of society rather than the opposite (a pessimist). For Atwood, one could state that her work is a more of comment on the negative results of an imbalance in power (a feminist). It just depends on the perspective.
I thought your introduction did a good job of showing off your personal writing style and drawing the reader in from the start. Regarding the analysis of the picture, I agree with your argument that the photo is a celebration of American diversity and growing tolerance for a variety of different cultures. I think the picture simultaneously seeks to make the man stand out and blend in with the others. The fact that he is not kneeling is obvious, yet the grayscale coloring emphasizes the uniformity of the group. Therefore, I think the black-and-white color scheme was intended to show how human identity transcends physical characteristics rather than focusing on the significance of individuality. It is difficult to fully understand the author's message, as art is subjective and interpretations will vary from person to person. I enjoyed your inclusion of how perspective influences the lens through which someone views an issue, which ties back to the writing styles we have been talking about (postcolonial, psychoanalytical, marxist, etc.)
ReplyDeleteTo start with I thought your introduction was a great and attention grabbing hook that drew the reader in, so props for that. I really loved your analysis of the image and its meaning, particularly how you chose to look at it through two contradictory viewpoints, I thought that was pretty profound writing.To expand, I think both your analyses for The Handmaid's Tale and Huie's photo were pretty well developed and meaningful. However, I think that your connections between The Handmaid's Tale and Huie's photograph could be expanded on, rather than just tasking the reader with making the connections, or inferencing. Overall I think this post was rather meaningful and well written.
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