Visual communication, such as photo essays and storytelling, offer a unique approach to conveying information that differs greatly from traditional text. While text-based communication relies heavily on language and the reader’s interpretation of it, visual communication uses images to convey meaning and emotion. Photo essays, for example, use a series of photographs to tell a story, and the images themselves are often powerful enough to evoke an emotional response. Storytelling through visual media, on the other hand, can use a combination of images, text, and sound to create a rich, immersive experience that engages the viewer’s senses. While traditional text-based communication certainly has its strengths, the power of visual communications lies in its ability to transcend language barriers and connect with people on a deeper, more emotional level. Therefore, I believe that visual communication has more advantages and benefits towards viewers.
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Photojournalists have a professional responsibility to document events as they unfold and not interfere with them. In this particular case, the photographer, Kevin Carter, was covering a severe famine in Sudan in 1993, and the photograph in question captured the tragic reality of the situation. He faced criticism for not helping the child in the picture, who appeared to be in distress. However, Carter later explained that he had been advised by aid workers not to touch the children because they could have diseases or be carrying lice. I believe that it's important to prioritize one’s own safety when operating in dangerous and volatile environments, but I definitely don’t think he should’ve showcased her as art in such a suffering moment. For example, he waited 20 minutes to get the “perfect” angle of the scene, in which helping from a distance by scaring the vulture away earlier and possibly giving the child some shade to cool down, would've been the better option. Take a picture of a tree in the background, that’s art, not this life or death moment.
After watching the social experiment about vandalism and the connections to race, I observed that stereotyping will always be present in society, even in a generation today that tries to avoid such beliefs. I believe that one of the main drivers of stereotyping is cognitive biases. Humans have a natural tendency to make quick judgments based on limited information. This can lead to stereotypes based on a person's physical appearance or cultural background. Stereotyping can be particularly insidious because it often occurs unconsciously. People may not even realize they are engaging in stereotyping behavior. Socialization is another factor that contributes to the perpetuation of stereotypes. Children are often taught stereotypes by their families, friends, and the media. These stereotypes can become deeply ingrained and may go unchallenged for a long time. Fortunately, there are steps that can be taken to slightly combat the act of stereotyping. Education and awareness-raising campaigns can help to challenge stereotypes and promote understanding and acceptance of diversity. Only by working together can we create a world where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their race, gender, sexuality, etc.
Canadians recently observed Pope Francis delivering an apology on Canadian soil for the immense pain some Catholic missionaries caused in residential schools. Another apology was also given by the Toronto police chief towards the black community after race-based data had been released. From my research and my beliefs, I believe that these apologies were effective in a way that can help Canada improve its ways in the upcoming future. The Pope and police chief, two individuals with such great power and authority, acknowledging the wrongdoings of a structured community they’ve built upon, makes others do the same – not just acknowledge but to reflect. For example, so many people blindly believe that there was no problem in the way society has treated both of these minority groups, this is why it’s especially important to have a leader figure speak up about these issues so that the same mistakes won’t occur again.
Both apologies obviously don't forgive and erase the pain caused but it's something that will spark more action taken toward justice being served. These apologies serve a small percent of justice that minority groups in Canada deserve after decades of suffering. The apology from the Pope towards the Indigenous community, and the apology from Toronto police towards the black community gets the ball rolling on the truth being more acknowledged by the public and people of power, hopefully, making a change for our next generation. After watching Hasan Minhaj's presentation discussing the broken policing system, it reminded me of the many people over the past couple of years whom have yet to seek their truth and justice in accordance to police brutality and misconduct. Daunte Wright, Andre Hill, Manuel Ellis, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Atatiana Jefferson, Aura Rosser, Tamir Rice, Jeremy David Mardis. Know their names. Say their names. These are just 10 lives, 10 moments of thousands of the last 10 years, where the police who are viewed as trusted and are called to protect all communities, have wrongfully demonstrated the opposite. At just 6 years old, Jeremy David Mardis is one of the youngest victims of police shootings, proving that police practices across all boards should be examined, no matter which community they're serving. Yet, there was no charge on file for the death of this innocent boy, alongside many other civilians that have not received their justice either. Hear them. Because how many more lives does it take?
It is important to note that police officers are entrusted with significant power and authority to enforce the law and protect public safety, so why must some feel so afraid of them? I believe it's the occurrence of police brutality, where in many cases, these government officials are protected by a system called 'qualified immunity'. Therefore, when the police fail to take accountability for their wrongful actions, it hypocritically goes against their role in our society, as well as the principals of justice, fairness, and the rule of law. It sends a message that they are above the law when no action is taken and creates a lack of trust, especially among marginalized communities who may already feel disproportionately targeted by police. So answer the question. How many more lives does it take? How many to realize that these state of affairs are completely unacceptable and unfair. To these victims, and to their families. It's crucial to work together to address these issues that go unseen by higher authorities, and to strive toward a more just and equitable society for all, because there shall be no more lives for it to take. I’m an artist, but what does that really mean? What is art?
I struggle with the word, "art" because it’s so loaded and could sound very pretentious. If you search for the definition, no two answers are the same. So in my mind, Ambrose Bierce was really onto something when he offered this entry in his 1906 Devil’s Dictionary: “art, noun. This word has no definition”. It’s not that there aren't plenty of meanings out there, it’s just that I find them lacking in some way, or incomplete, or so watered down that they’re meaningless. Take Oxford’s: “The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.” Wait, human creative skill? Do we really want to say other animals are incapable of making art? And there are definitely artworks that I appreciate for neither their beauty nor their emotional power. Like a Thomas Hirschhorn installation I can find thought-provoking, but not beautiful or emotionally powerful, really. To me, saying how you’re supposed to respond confines the experience. But is it impossible to define art? Or worthwhile to even try? Well, I don’t think that we need a definition for art for how wide-range it could be, but all it really is is a creative idea in a perceivable form. You could think of it like a pizza, there are all types with different toppings and forms, it’s a large variety that we’re looking at. Sometimes it’s very complex with many layers of meaning, sometimes it’s shallow and topical. Sometimes the ideas can be very profound, and sometimes it’s just humorous. Some ideas are meant to provoke, and some ideas bring us calm and comfort. Ideas can be wholly original or derivative. And the delivery of these “artworks” can be in many ways, just like how a pizza delivery can be by a car, a bike, walking, or simple just pick-up. Art can come in hundreds of forms like paintings, videos, installations, anything you can really think of. Because all in all, if we think of art as a creative idea in a perceivable form, it’s easier to see that the Mona Lisa, a literature poem, or even a banana taped to the wall, are art. Anything can be art, it only counts on the intention. |