Profile K Evaluation

Today in class Mr. Whiting came in and talked to us about the two hemispheres of our brain: Logic and Gestalt. If someone relies more on the left side of their brain to process information, they are logically centered, and if they rely on the right side of their brain more, they are considered Gestalt. Those who are logical tend to prefer having instruction, work in a neat, sequential matter, and tend to direct their focus towards details. Those which are Gestalt tend to work in a more abstract way, tend to be more curious, and focus on the big picture, without paying so much attention to details.

Through a few forms of testing our brains, I was able to reaffirm that I am a Gestalt person, who is a Profile K Learner (I got the exact same results when doing the same testing in 7^th grade).

I learn best when I am given examples of how to do things, as I have trouble following step by step instructions. I prefer not to be told exactly how to apply my thinking, because I feel as though it is restricting me. An example of this would be when writing an essay. I prefer it when I am given an example, and then am able to let my imagination take control of what I am writing. I dislike being given formatting and being told how I am supposed to do things. I use the ‘whole’, and then work with parts of the whole.

Whenever doing work or learning about a new subject, I need to be able to relate to what I am doing in an emotional level, or else I have trouble when attempting to deeply process any sort of information. For Example: When reading Julius Caesar, I was able to understand the protagonist (Brutus), because I understood what it meant to be unsure whether to trust your friends, and how easily even the smartest of people can be manipulated through the use of heavy flattery. Since I was able to relate to the story, I could comprehend the vulnerability of Brutus. Then, I place myself into his mind, and understand the emotions that are provoking his choices.

The strategies that would help me in my learning are to use visuals and constantly change the topic of discussion. Whenever working on a project or learning a new subject, I consistently turn to the use of images, pictures, and diagrams, because they allow me to clearly see the information I am trying to process. I also prefer not having to remain on one subject or topic, because I lose focus. By constantly changing the subject, I come up with new ideas, and am able to exercise my imagination and creativity.

I would like my teachers to know that I prefer being able to debate and have discussions in smaller groups, because it not only allows for my voice to be heard, but I am also able to hear everyone else’s opinions in detail. This not only shares my thoughts to other people, but I am able to see things from a variety of perspectives, and it will expand my thinking.

http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/4128/PreviewComp/SuperStock_4128R-1289.jpg

Art Mirroring Society

The oil on canvas painting, The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicholas Tulp was drawn by the talented Renaissance artist, Rembrandt, in the year 1632. It illustrates a group of scientist dissecting the body of a burglar who had recently been executed. This painting represents and reflects the culture of the Renaissance, because it shows the progression of scientific knowledge and artistic techniques. Scientific knowledge and discovery is shown through the dissection and study of the dead body. As the people of the Renaissance began to review prior discoveries of the Romans and Greeks, they started to inquire more about the world around them, and questioned the science behind the human body. When the Catholic Church began to loosen the restraints and restrictions of science, scientists were occasionally permitted to expand their research in field of medicine. This led to a better understanding of human anatomy, and instigated more research and development. Rembrandt’s painting not only displays scientific innovation, but it also shows the new methods and techniques of art that were being applied during the Renaissance. The focal point of the painting is the dead body, there is shading and detail on all the men’s’ clothing, and the corpse is anatomically accurate. These new techniques of art enhance the sense of realism and depth in the painting. In the Renaissance, people began to focus on making art look as life-like as possible, and the new styles and techniques led to more interest in patronizing and commissioning artwork. Talented and skilled artist brought attention to specific city-states and initiated rivalry and competition between the different societies. Art eventually became the center of civilization. Through this painting, you can begin to understand the influence the Renaissance’s thriving society had on Europe, and how it was reflected not only through improved artistic methods, but also through the subjects of the paintings.

Driving forces of the Renaissance

I believe that the system of guilds was the most crucial driving force of the Renaissance, because it established the civilizations' economy through the development of art and trade, thus stimulating the progression of knowledge and skill during the Renaissance. As the guilds flourished during the 15th century, newfound wealth of the city-states led to grand competitions for the most knowledge, and the rediscovery of lost wisdom. Because of its vital and influencial role in the revival of society, guilds were the foundation of the Renaissance.

image source: http://www.lessons-from-history.com/

“If you wait, people will forget your camera, and the soul will drift up into view.”

Legendary photographer, Steve McCurry, was born in Philadelphia in 1950. He first pursued documentary filming, but decided to take the road of a newspaper photographer. McCurry travelled the world as a free lance photojournalist, and photographed civil struggles in Pakistan. When he eventually re-entered Pakistan (years later), he had rolls of film sewn within his clothes. McCurry is known for being unrestrained with his photography, and going the extra mile to portray the strife of millions of people through his photos. McCurry gravitates towards people suffering and in pain, and shows the essence of their thoughts. He wants people to stare into the eyes and face of the people, to feel their agony. Through looking at one of his simple, yet magnificent photos, he takes you on an everlasting journey through a stranger’s eyes. McCurry’s vision cannot be withheld inside him. “Most of my photos are grounded in people, I look for the unguarded moment, the essential soul peeking out, experience etched on a person’s face.”

After exploring the many galleries of Steve McCurry, the photo that is always carved into my mind is of a boy running through a hall that is covered with red hand prints. The walls are bright blue, and the prints are a deep, burgundy red. The two colors collide, capturing peoples’ attention. Undoubtedly, the most intriguing aspect of this photo is the aura of mystery. It captures a fleeting moment in the boy’s life and freezes it. The scene is completely up for interpretation. The reader could create many reasons for why the boy was running. Could he be playing a game of tag, did his mother just call him to come over for lunch, or could a man with a gun be just behind the photographer? They could also wonder about the handprints. Were they little decorations for the street, or were they representing the blood of children that were shed in some kind of war? This sense of liberty McCurry set up for the viewer forms a connection, as if they were a part of the scene occurring within the frame. “A good picture makes us curious and makes us want to know more.”

When people first see the photo I think that they mainly focus on the boy running and the red hands. This is because the hands are in the front, and the boy is in the center of the photo, emphasizing the two main features. After staring at the captured moment for a few more seconds, the viewer looks deeper. After my eyes wandered around the page they kept flickering back to the orange wall on the right of the picture. This was put in keenly by McCurry because it subtly shows people the conditions that the boy lives in. The wall is cracking and slowly rotting away. The walls and floor are the background of the photo, and tell their own story of the poverty in the area. The foreground, the boy and hands, shows the intricate attributes and the background, the rotting walls, shows simplicity.

McCurry uses foreground and background, color contrast, size and position, and more in order to have world class photography. He pours peoples’ hearts out through the lens and allows their voices to be heard. Many of his photos show fear through the innocent eyes of children, or the strain on an old woman’s face and McCurry allows their sorrow to seep into peoples’ souls. He shows raw and tender moments in the lives of strangers. “Fishermen cleaning nets, families sharing meals and celebrations, artisans crafting their wares, nomads continually on the move; even the most seemingly mundane activities can be inspirational when you look beneath the surface." McCurry photos display the internal and physical pain of an average person placed in a tormenting, impossible situation. He challenges us to act. It is because of this that McCurry’s photos will endure forever. No matter how much time may pass, the distress on the peoples’ faces will never fade away, and it will stick with you long after you have shifted your eyes away from the photo. It is because of this that McCurry will forever and always be a legend.

Curiosity in Pandora and Orphan Boy

Curiosity is the underlying theme in the Greek and African myths, Pandora's Box and Orphan Boy, because they both portray how curiosity can unleash negativity and change the entire world. In Pandora's Box, Pandora receives a box from Zeus, and can’t resist opening it. The world is changed because all pain and suffering is released. In Orphan Boy, an old man receives help from a magical boy, but betrays his trust by spying on him. The boy abandons him, causing drought and famine. In both of these myths, curiosity is shown in a negative light, but curiosity has also led to discovery of technology and medicine, saving people’s lives.

(http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/19090000/19090675.JPG
http://media.photobucket.com/image/pandora/Pandora01/Pandora-1.jpg)

My Name

My name is like my own, individual brand of sticky glue. Initially, the brand name catches the attention of a passerby at a market or store. Only catching a glimpse of a few letters, they are intrigued. They must buy that glue. The customer realizes that it may come in handy someday. They purchase it. Not entirely satisfied by the glue, they chuck it into an old cupboard of pointless objects. The next day, they casually visit the market once again, and they catch a glance of this brand of glue that is perfect for their faltering chair. They try out the glue at home, and it is sturdy and tough. Eventually they run out of that glue, and now have to go and purchase something for the little chip on the coffee table. They remembered that old, forgotten glue, and pull it out of the reject cupboard. Instead of wasting time searching for more glue, they use the old one. Although it wasn’t great, it did hold things together.

If you still haven’t guessed, my name is that innocent, little, reject glue. My sister was the broken chair, who was secured by the best glue, and I was the coffee table, being held together by the discarded one. My parents were searching for a name for my older sister, and they came across mine, but they chucked it aside for the new one they had found for her. Once I was born, they settled for the name that was chucked aside.

I am not declaring that I hate my name, but sometimes it doesn’t quite express me. In Hebrew and Latin it means grace, in Japanese it signifies an apricot, and in Sanskrit it means grain. I am by no means graceful, I am not quite fond of apricots, and I am quite certain I am not a grain.
My name is like a perfectly fitted dress, but unlike anything else, this dress transforms as I do. As I am very leisurely and gradually growing up, this dress alters with me. It has become all the times my mother has shrieked my name for me to tidy my room, and my big sister squealing at me when I “accidently” wore her favourite shirt.

My sister’s name is simple, short, and like nothing you have ever heard. It flows nicely, and any nickname it has, is longer. It is only 3 words, and two of them are vowels. It can be nicknames for other names, but nothing can be a nickname for it. Her name is Lua.

My name may have seemed like the old, unwanted glue, but it is not my identity, I am its identity. It is my yellow Livestrong band that once on, never comes off. It is actually a common name, Anna, but with an interesting twist from the suffix. Many people tend to pronounce it improperly. My name has been like a veil, protecting me from feeling any frustration. I have gone through entire years allowing people to say it wrong, but as long as I know, deep down, my name, and my identity, nothing can thwart me. My name is me, but I am it. Every day, and every night I am Anissa. My name has stuck with me through thick and thin, and it will never abandon me, no matter what.

(http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/multipurpose-glues-1.jpg)

Common Themes Of Creation Myths

Common Creation Myth Themes

Throughout time, various countries have each developed a distinct representation for the evolution of mankind. Chaos, supreme creators, and separation are the three elements that unite the Egyptian, Maori, and Chinese cultures. In the Egyptian and Maori myths, originally there was a void of nothingness. The Chinese assumed that the universe was initially shaped as a cosmic egg, but within it was nothing. From these voids of nothing came the supreme creators. The Egyptians believed their creator, Atum, materialized from the chaos, and gave birth to the gods, earth, and sky. In the Maori myth, instead of giving birth to the earth and sky, the two first beings were the earth and sky. The Chinese believed that their creator, Phan Ku, came out of the cosmic egg, and fashioned our universe with his chisel. In each creation myth there seemed to be some kind of separation that was crucial for the development of the earth. In the Egyptian creation myth, the earth and sky were separated because of their love for their creator, who wanted to form the earth. The Maoris also believed that the earth and the sky were disjoined, but only because their children pushed them apart for more room. In order to complete the Earth, the Chinese say that Phan Ku needed to die and use his body to finish the landscape. Mankind then lost him, which is the justification for human suffering. From these connections it evidently appears as though in creation myths people used to think alike, even though nowadays we are such individuals. I think that the myths have endured throughout time because they help explain the formation of the world and human nature, answering the questions humans have always been seeking.

(http://faraday.fc.up.pt/cfp/Members/paccetti/black_hole_milkyway.jpg

http://www.edvard-munch.com/Paintings/love/separation_3.jpg)