Violent Ends by David Shaun Hutchinson and Other Authors (Book)

Cover

What is the context?

As a new age anthology, Violent Ends follows the decision of Kirby Matheson to walk into his school gymnasium with a 9mm pistol. After killing four students and a teachers, Matheson then turns the gun on himself and commits suicide. This anthology reflects the attitudes peers, parents, and teachers have towards Kirby Matheson. Violent Ends also follows interactions between close friends of Kirby and those he decided to save. The idea to compose such a book was made by Shaun David Hutchinson. He is a young adult author, born and raised in Florida. Hutchinson always wanted to be a writer, but thought the dream was not possible. Today Hutchinson is the author of five young adult novels. The first design for Violent Ends was for Hutchinson to write it himself as an anthology. After much though and realization that anthologies can be quite boring he chose to team up with 16 other authors. Violent Ends as a whole is 17 short stories written by 17 authors and ultimately edited by Hutchinson. Hutchinson came in contact with most of the authors during 2010 and through his old agents. With the final product Shaun David Hutchinson gives all credit of success to the other authors and puts any faults on himself.

Shaun David Hutchinson

Back Cover

What is the author communicating and how?

The themes for this anthology are things are not always what they seem and that people have more connections than meets the eye. Each chapter of the book brings the reader in close contact with a new character. Each character has a different relationship to the school shooter, Kirby Matheson. For many people Kirby is an outsider and has a very intimidating face. For other Kirby loves to play Dungeons and Dragons and has had a relationship with the same girl at his school for quite some time. Kirby and his close friends often sneak out of their houses and into lounges to play Dungeons and Dragons. Kirby has a sister and his parents keep down a strict household. What the book allows people to realize is that Kirby had many warning signs of committing such a terrible crime. The characters in the book are mostly teens in high school. While they struggle with many problems they are all connected in particular ways. In one of the chapters a waitress recognizes Kirby because his parents bought her childhood house. Though Kirby does not know his family pizza night means anything to the waitress, she secretly knows the person Kirby is. The most compelling chapter is told from the point of view of the gun and allows the deepest look into Kirby Matheson and what he does when he is alone.

Why I find it beautiful?

I find this book beautiful because it is a new-age young adult book. All books that I have read are either from one person’s point of view or multiple, but not on the level that this anthology is. When 17 different authors come together to write a book, one would think that the book would be choppy or not fit together. The editing of Shaun David Hutchinson creates a cohesive and other worldly story. On his website, Hutchinson writes a bio and explains that he always had problems with group projects. This book was his last attempt at working with a group and it was, in my opinion, very successful. I think that altogether this book has a very strong message of how people aren’t always what they seem. While many thought Kirby was a mean outcast, he tried to help anyone in any way that he was close with. It is interesting to see how the writing styles are so different between chapters. By having 17 different authors the book’s multiple point of views are developed in a different way. When one person writes from 17 characters, all the people seem to become the same. With 17 different authors the characters are better developed. 

"2 Heads" by Coleman Hell (Music)

What is the context?

Coleman Hell is a Canadian musician. He is from Thunder Bay, Ontario and is signed with Columbia Records. Hell’s debut song, released in February of 2015, was “2 Heads.” Hell now waits to release his first album in mid-2016. Coleman Hell is known for putting out self-made mixtapes. The first of these was an EP entitled VENA, released in 2014. “2 Heads” was one of the songs on this mixtape. This particular song has a sound vastly different from other music Hell produces. Coleman Hell’s genre consists of indie pop and EDM. “2 Heads” stands out due to banjo riffs done on the keyboard and a “folkier” sound. Hell’s explanation for this is that “2 Heads” will be featured on his debut album. Hell’s success developed over a short 8 months and continues to grow. His latest feat was touring with Robert DeLong, who has a very similar sound. Hell’s achievement with “2 Heads” can be seen on music charts from Canada and the United States. His debut song peaked at 9^th in Canada and 5^th in the US. “2 Heads” is influenced by classic older music.

What is the artist communicating and how?

The themes for these songs are comfort and possibility. Coleman Hell’s ultimate goal as a musician is to create good music in an unconventional way as if to bring comfort to the audience. Whether the audience listens to the song when they are upset or when they want to dance, it can be converted into anyone’s go-to song. Though Hell enjoys using piano and ukulele to create upbeat music he admires when a song is very meaningful. For Coleman Hell, “2 Heads” contains both energy and meaning in a foolproof way to allow people to dance and to think. “2 Heads” in particular is taken from the old saying “two heads are better than one.” Hell takes this saying and transforms it by explaining that if the two heads are not moving together there is a possibility to create a monster, but there is also possibility for romance. The song is ultimately based around a love story in a small town. Hell creates his own music video to this song by staging it in his hometown and recreating things he used to do. Whether to dance to or to think about, Coleman Hell’s “2 Heads” infuses love, values, and The Graduate to create a successful indie song.

 

Why I find it beautiful?

I find this song beautiful because of how the song can be translated between different people. Depending on what mood a person is in can alter their experience with “2 Heads.” There is possibility for one person to love the rhythm, beat, and use of banjo, while another person loves the story behind the lyrics. I also believe this song is beautiful because it is surrounded by a love story in a small town. Almost everyone wants to fall in love at least some time in their lives. With this song and the music video, the audience follows a modern youthful romance and a marriage. After reading interviews with Coleman Hell about “2 Heads,” he explained that the video is loosely based around when he was younger. This brings more reality into the video and pulls the audience into Hell’s life. Finally, the saying “two heads are better than one” strikes most people with a positive meaning. Hell, on the other hand, takes this and shows people the darker and monstrous side of two people being together. I think that reading articles about Coleman Hell allowed me to see another side of him and his music. I really appreciate how he wants his music to fit different personalities and moods. It means a lot when a musician wants their music to mean something, but also sound amazing. These wants are definitely translated through “2 Heads” in a positive way. 

You Know You Cannot See Yourself So Well as by Reflection (Architecture by Frida Escobedo)

What is the context?

In 2015, Mexican architect Frida Escobedo was asked to create a pavilion for the summer at London’s V&A Museum. The pavilion was to be placed in the museum’s central courtyard named John Madejski Garden. Escobedo decided instead of making a pavilion to make an adjustable stage that could be moved around for different activities. Escobedo used Aztec patterns and the structure of Mexico City as her design and layout. Each platform is either a curved or rectangular steel-framed terrace that can be moved over lawn, asphalt, and a shallow pond. In addition the legs of the platforms can be adjusted to different levels. These platforms contain a reflective stainless-steel coating that has been sandblasted to make it less slippery. Though the initial idea was a completely mirrored look, after the sandblasting the platforms are striped half opaque and half mirrored. Escobedo was picked to create this structure as a celebration of Mexican culture in the United Kingdom. The piece is entitled “You Know You Cannot See Yourself So Well as by Reflection.” This is a reference to the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. This piece stayed up until October 2, 2015 as an event space for the London Design Festival.

What is the artist communicating and how?

The themes for Frida Escobedo’s architecture was simplicity, culture, and theater. The design of the platforms are evidently simple. All of the platforms are cut as curves or rectangles and are all the same. A grid is a very simplistic design. During interviews she explained that she wanted people to interact with the piece in their own way more than know the structure as a specific thing. She always explained, also, that her architecture was secondary to people’s interactions. Escobedo’s ultimate meaning for the platforms was a representation of the many cultural influences in Mexico today. She used Tenochtitlan’s landscape as a starting point for her layout and continued by looking at the map of Mexico City. Her structure was not only meant to be a remembrance of Mexico City’s grid, but also a useful addition to the museum’s activities in the courtyard. As an architect she wanted to spark activity rather than throw Mexican culture into a design. The deeper meaning of Frida Escobedo’s architecture was of wearing a mask. She looked at the courtyard as a face and the platforms as a mask. The platforms, in her words, would temporarily change the face of the John Madejski Garden like a mask would do. As the platforms are moved around the mask and face changes, creating different characters. The platforms as a mask reminded Escobedo of the theater.

Frida Escobedo

Why I find it beautiful?  

I find this piece of architecture beautiful because of the consideration and simplicity that Frida Escobedo put into it. Most architecture is designed with the thought of how appealing it is to the eye. Escobedo’s mirrored platforms we designed with the thought of how people would interact with it. When just looking at the platforms there is not much to them and they just look like a jumbled jungle gym. After reading the interviews that Frida Escobedo had about the summer stage it was evident that there was a lot more reasoning and symbolism behind every detail. Due to the fact that Frida Escobedo is Mexican I find it beautiful that she wanted to incorporate as many Mexican and Aztec designs into her architecture as possible. It is obvious that Escobedo wanted to transform and explain her culture in a different light to people. The idea of the platforms being a mast on the face of the garden is something that most people would not think about or even imagine when looking at a stage and platforms. Once this concept is explained the title of the piece and the idea of the shifting platforms make sense. I think the architecture would have been more appealing if the platforms were completely mirrored, but safety first.   

Frida Escobedo

  

Christ the Redeemer (Sculpture)

What is the context?

Christ the Redeemer is a 98 foot tall statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The statue is the figure of Jesus Christ and was created by Paul Landowski. This Polish-French sculptor joined with Heitor da Silva Costa, Albert Caquot, and Gheorghe Leonida to complete the statue. Both Costa and Caquot were the engineers behind this piece while Leonida was the one to create the face. The full statue is located at the peak of the Corcovado Mountain and was built between the years of 1922 and 1931. The initial suggestion for a sculpture atop Corcovado Mountain was given in the 1850s as a way to praise the princess of Brazil at the time, Princess Isabel. After this suggestion was dismissed the next proposal was in 1920. At this time Brazil held a convention for donations to construct a universally Christian sculpture. The weeklong event was called Semana de Monumento or Monument Week. The reasoning behind the event was the society in Brazil at that time. Brazilian Catholics saw a godless community. The first design contained Jesus holding a globe and standing on a pedestal that represented the world. After multiple other designs and ideas the current statue was chosen. Christ’s 92 foot wide open arms symbolize peace.

What is the artist communicating and how?

The themes of this statue are religion and community. The arms of Jesus Christ on this statue point to north and south Rio de Janeiro. As they are extended the arms also symbolize peace. Many people believe that the open arms show that Jesus will accept, love, and embrace anyone who comes to him. A chapel was consecrated at the base of the statue in 2006. This chapel was the celebration of the statues 75^th year anniversary. The chapel was also consecrated to Our Lady of Aparecida. Our Lady of Aparecida is the patron saint of Brazil. This shows a continuation of religion and religious practices in the area. Community is shown through what it took to create the statue and all the people that come to see and praise the statue. The statue’s ultimate funding came from a group of Brazilian Catholics who decided to create an organization. Once the concrete structure of the statue was recognized it took multiple artists and engineers to construct the piece. On July 7^th, 2007 the statue was named one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This continues the statues representation of religion and community as people from all over the world travel to Brazil to see the sculpture at least once in their life.

Why do I find it beautiful?

I have found this statue beautiful ever since I have seen it. It is in a beautiful country, on a beautiful mountain, and has a beautiful background. After starting to research the statue I have found a different appreciation for the figure. I believe that what the statue symbolizes and what it took to construct it shows a different side to the meaning. With Christ’s arms open wide it seems to fill the body with an inner peace and knowledge that Jesus is holding his arms out to the spectator and letting them in for a hug or acceptance. The most beautiful part to me about this statue is the history and the restoration that took place in 2010. Though Christ the Redeemer is known for many restorations and additions, during 2010 the most interesting was done. Throughout the years, stairs, escalators, etc. were added to the statue, but in 2010 the statue was washed and the outer layers were replaced. During this Christ the Redeemer was vandalized when paint was sprayed along the arms of the statue. After this vandalism, Mayor Eduardo Paes spoke out calling it a “crime against the nation.” This truly shows how important and meaningful the statue is to Brazil and many other people around the world. 

Where the Wild Things Are (Film)

"Happiness isn't always the best way to be happy." –Where the Wild Things Are (2009)

What is the context?

This fantasy drama is based on the widely popular children’s book. The book was originally written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak in 1963. In 2009 it was remastered and directed by Spike Jonze. This film surrounds the life of nine-year-old Max. Max is a lonely boy who dresses up in a wolf costume. The mischievous Max is sent to bed after getting in trouble and enters a world where the “Wild Things” live. After what seems like some time, these creatures name Max their king. Once Max comes back into reality his mom prepares him dinner and he watches her fall asleep as he eats. The film has a running time of 104 minutes and was released on October 19, 2009. Throughout the film, viewers can experience live-action, actors in costume, animatronics, and computer-generated imagery (CGI). Disney, in the early 1980s, considered making a film from the book as well, but got no further than a test film. Two decades later, Universal Studios seized the rights to the adaptation and began creating an animated version of Where the Wild Things Are with the animator Eric Goldberg. In 2003 Goldberg was dropped for Jonze and a version of the book containing CGI and live-action. After the film’s release it appeared on many top ten lists.

Spike Jonze (Director) 

What is the artist communicating and how?

Where the Wild Things Are shows a steady theme of innocence and fantasy. The young character in the film has a wild imagination and even dresses up to escape reality. The opening credits, like any other movie, contain the company’s logo and other production tags, but with a small twist. They appear to have scribbling and drawings of monsters, swords, and crowns. This, though it is a small detail to the movie, turns an official title sequence into a young mind’s sketch pad further enhancing the beginning of imagination and innocence. Next, the opening scene shows Max tumbling down the stairs in a wolf costume, chasing and barking at his dog. Immediately after that Max builds an igloo and lays inside as if in a new world. This shows Max’s imagination because dressing up as an animal alters his reality and puts him in a fantasy world. At the end of the movie Max has a yearning to return home, away from his imagination, even against the will of the “Wile Things.” When he comes home he sees his mom and a soup dinner set up for him. This is his return from a wild day of fantasy.

Why do I find this beautiful?

I find this film very beautiful because it is based on a book I used to read as a child. I find it very intriguing that the director and writers of the screenplay had to expand a 338 word, 40 page book into a 104 minute movie. This alone shows the skill of the people behind the film. As the second attempt at making Where the Wild Things Are into a movie, I think if it was done by anyone else it would be unsuccessful. This movie contains many lessons for both children and adults. Some of the lessons that make it beautiful are ideas such as not judging someone by their appearance and that everyone has their own “Wild Things” in their minds. The innocence of the main character, Max, allow any person of any age to be brought into an innocent and imaginative world. The final reason this film is beautiful to me is because of the emotion it evokes. Throughout the film wonder, happiness, and sadness can be felt. We feel mystery when the monsters are first present, we feel happiness when Max is crowned king, and we feel sadness when Max leaves.

   

M.C. Escher (Art)

"We adore chaos because we love to produce order." -M.C. Escher

M.C. Escher

What is the context and how did that influence the work?

Maurits Cornelis Escher, better known as M.C. Escher, was born in 1898 and died in 1972. M.C. Escher is best known for his graphic art. Throughout his life, he created 448 lithographs and wood carvings. Most people interested in Escher’s work notice the “impossible construction” that his art portrayed. While in Arnhem, Escher failed his high school exams and was enrolled in the School for Architecture and Decorative Arts. There he studied architecture for a week and decided to switch to graphic art after a teacher advised him to. Once finished with his schooling Escher traveled through Italy for 11 years. In Italy, he sketched various scenes and ideas. With the total 2000 sketches M.C. Escher is known to have drawn, he later added these sketches into completed prints and lithographs. Examples of this are the background of Waterfall, which is his Italian period, and the trees in Puddle are the same trees in Pineta of Calvi, a woodcut. During his trip to Spain in 1922, Escher became fascinated in Regular Division of the Plane. This technique, demonstrated in the construction of Alhambra, became a hobby for Escher that he strictly pursued. He combined Regular Division of the Plane with other techniques for his drawings.

Waterfall

Puddle

Pineta of Calvi

What is the artist communicating and how?

M.C. Escher’s work can be described as communicating observation and fantasy. One of Escher’s quotes, stating, “are you really sure that a floor can’t also be a ceiling?” shows these themes in action. His work has been seen by critics and the public as being too intelligent and lyrical. While to some this was off-putting, it intrigued others. Escher’s work is shown to be naturally mathematical. He tinkered with perspective and impossible space. Many of the objects he drew were of nature that could not be physically recreated. Though many of his drawing could not be reconstructed they could easily be described using mathematics. Escher simply uses black, white, and the grays in-between to create dimensions that make the impossible seem possible. In single pieces M.C. Escher combines two and three-dimensional drawings to create mathematically challenging ideas. An example of this type of artwork is Reptiles. In this piece the lizards come out of a drawing, walk around, and make their way back into the two-dimensional pencil drawing. Much of Escher’s creativity comes from his mind and imagination rather than direct objects. Like Drawing Hands,flatness coexists with space to create artistic illusion. His distinctive techniques continue to impact art and mathematics.

Reptiles 

Drawing Hands

Why do I find it beautiful?

The artwork of M.C. Escher is beautiful to me because of its simplicity. The idea that the use of smooth black, white, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional designs can create such challenging pieces is aesthetically pleasing. Concrete lines and the ease of shading make the pieces bounce into life.  I also really enjoy how people dislikes Escher’s work because they thought it was too intellectual. This shows the fantasy that his pieces brought to the mind. What one person sees when they look at the artwork may be different from what someone else focuses in on. It gives the viewers a sense of imagination to add story and life into Escher’s work. Mathematics is a true language that is reasonably always true. This “language” used to describe Escher’s work makes impossible construction of empty space a sound description. Observation of personal fantasies is Escher’s way to understand the world around him more calmly. M.C. Escher frequently used items and places that he saw in his travels as backgrounds and starting points in his graphic art.  He also took the ideas of patterns in palaces and other architecture such as tessellation. This is beautiful because Escher makes unique connections between everyday patterns and his own fantasies. 

M.C. Escher at work

Tessellation technique