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In What Our Flag Stands For
Drawing by Jason, with a little help from Velda
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California State University, Dominguez Hills
University of Wisconsin, Parkside
Created: September 28, 2006
Latest Update: Setpember 29, 2006
jeannecurran@habermas.org
takata@uwp.edu
jeanne's Critique
Jason. thank you for letting us put up your first versions for the exhibit. Although we shared your work in class, I was amazed at the difference of my reaction when I see it in an exhibit setting. In class I missed the fact that the field for stars was starless, in the lower right corner, stars replaced by Lethal Injection. That's quite a comment, and a connection I hadn't thought of. Where I expect to see stars, heavenly bodies, our place in the cosmos, you remind me of killing, albeit state killing.
And you've given an official status to the drawing: National Report. We sure have had a lot of those lately, haven't we?
Most of us couldn't observe closely across our discussion circle when we shared in class. I know you said something about your drawing, but it was when I saw it here on the site, clearly, that I realized that all the concerns you wanted to highlight were expressed in words actually taken from the current newspaper we were using. All you added was "LIFE IN THE U.S. NOW." There's a good point for discussion, isn't it?
Nice work, with tight links to to several of the issues we need to introduce into community dialog, with families, friends, and neighbors. jeanne
Questions and Suggestions
Because you used actual wording cut from the newspaper, the contrast is low. Wording on the flag doesn't leap out, for it's dark gray against lighter gray. If you want that printing to stand out more you might try using the fill tool in a paint program:
Notice that you could use that same technique to dark the lines around the star field or the words "Lethal Injection." What effect would that have on the image? Would it make that particular section of the image more pronounced that you want it to be? Would it draw the eye first and foremost to a message you'd like to put out there, but not with such intensity, if you want some other messages to be heard, too? Your art work, Jason, your choices. Good work, jeanne
You could use the fill tool to darken the blue blackground on which you put the flag, also. Here's what it would look like:
You could use that same fill tool and brush to make any color changes you like to your work:
This gives you a way to experiment with adding contrast, changing lines, emphasizing some parts of your drawing, making people look closely to notice other parts. I can help you if you need help to do this on the computer, but be sure to make the changes you wnat on your actual art work. There's something about having a real piece of art work you can touch in reality that matters.
If you want a change, like National Report in a deep black on white, that wouldn't be easy to put on your original. But you could print it that way from the computer version on white card, and cut and paste it onto your original.
The technology is just a tool. Just remember to give every change a new number, like flag04.jpg, flag05.jpg, flag06.jpg, so that you don't save a change over something that you liked earlier. jeanne
Peer Comments and Questions
- You don't have to be original on this. Jason will appreciate simple compliments. Most of us do. I'll ask questions and make comments. Let Jason know if you have those questions, too. Agree or disagree with my comments as you like. jeanne
