Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Presentation
I did my presentation on the film Blade Runner which can be found on Josh Glassman's blog
Friday, November 5, 2010
Text and Illustrations
When I read the assignment for today, the first thing that came to mind was William Blake's interperatation of the Book of Job, where he creates illustrations of how he views the scenes depicted in the story. The text on the page is not Blake's original work. It all comes from the bible. The illustration I wanted to do a close reading of is:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2453/3575016707_910079b42b.jpg
The Book of Job in the Old Testament of the Bible is a tale regarding suffering. William Blake illustrates the entire Book of Job including an illustration of Satan “smote[ing] Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.” This image of Job being cursed with boils is an extremely striking and powerful depiction. The illustration mirrors the text significantly, yet Blake’s own interpretation is incorporated in the image as well. Both his choice of text as well as the surrounding images he chooses to add to the page are important. Readers gain a much greater appreciation for the text once they are able to grasp Blake’s connotations through the illustrations. One of the first things you notice in the illustration is the frame around the picture that presents an ominous view with crickets and spiders and unidentifiable creatures crawling about. We are next drawn to an exceptionally detailed drawing of Satan, which alludes to his magnificence, dominance, and power over Job. Moreover, he depicts Job’s wife; kneeling at his feet; alluring readers to empathize with the suffering of Job and his wife. Finally, Blake includes the image of the sun setting off in the distance. This minor detail is without a doubt the most significant emblem in the illustration. It is a metaphor used to describe the sheer darkness Job is experiencing in his life. As lightness descends from Job’s life, so does the sun descend from the Earth. The relationship between the text and these specific images chosen by Blake will give readers an understanding of the written work to a much greater extent.
At the very top of William Blake’s illustration on page 6, he chooses to include the words Job worshipped to God after discovering that all his worldly possessions had been stricken from him, and was left with nothing. Job shaves his head and falls to the ground and says, “Naked came I out of my mothers womb, and naked shall I return thither: The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” William Blake chooses to include this passage at the top of the page to reinforce the suffering that has been suddenly brought upon Job. The fact that he chose to include this passage (illustrating Job’s unfaltering faith) on the same page as the illustration of Satan smiting Job with boils creates a powerful juxtaposition of forces – and demonstrates clearly that that Satan still does not believe that Job is truly faithful to God. As a reader, one could be confused as to why God allowed Satan to curse Job with boils after the latter had already passed Satan’s first test. Some people may believe that Blake’s interpretation is that the Satan character simply possesses so much evil, that he not only took away everything of importance in Job’s life, but then proceeded to scar his body and cause him tremendous amounts of pain.
In Blake’s illustration itself, the aspect I found most intriguing was the drawing of Satan. Because the Bible gives no formal description of what Satan looks like at this point, this illustration is William Blake’s perception or conjuring of what Satan should look like. I found this interesting because it is not how I perceived the Satan character to look like at all. The first significant difference I notice about Blake’s interpretation of Satan’s image versus my own is that he is naked. His lack of clothing of any kind is a representation of his status as “a son of God.” Blake portrays Satan as a young man, with muscles that all appear chiseled. His arms are outstretched, and in his left hand he is pouring something down onto Job. Satan is standing over Job, with one foot on his stomach to keep him down. Job appears in a position of complete compliance. The text on the page states that Satan is going to “smote Job with sore Boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.” The image that William Blake portrays of Satan standing over Job is metaphorically demonstrating his complete control and power over everything in Job’s life, including his the latter’s body. Job is on his back, in a position of defeat, and Satan’s foot keeps him pinned to the ground.
Another important aspect of the drawing in relation to the text is the image of a woman crying at Job’s feet. I can only assume that this woman is Job’s wife. I found it interesting that Blake chose to include her in this illustration since she is not mentioned in the text on this page. She is kneeling, fully clothed, with her head in her hands. I wonder what she is doing at this moment in the illustration. Did Blake wish to suggest that she is praying to God at this point? Or is he depicting her as a broken person, in a terrible state of emotional pain, almost fetal-like in her position. I interpreted her presence as to reinforce the fact that she is all Job has left. For Satan has left Job utterly dismantled by the loss of his animals, health, and children. But the words at the top of the page, “The Lord gave & the Lord hath taken away” represent Job’s losses, because the Lord blessed Job with an extremely fortunate life - many children, hundreds of animals, and good health, only to allow Satan take everything away. But they also extend to his wife, for she too, has lost everything of importance. Although his wife is a very minor role in the story and is not mentioned in the text, Blake includes her in his illustration, for her suffering is great as well.
As mentioned in the prompt, Blake’s illustrations are very carefully planned out, and little details are frequently crucial to the larger effect Blake attempts to produce. One detail I noticed about the illustration was the fact that it was located outside. Off in the distance, the sun is setting, and a black cloud appears to surround Satan. I view the sun as “setting” versus “rising” because it is on the west side of the illustration and as mentioned earlier, the image represents “Job’s” fall. The symbol of night and darkness is prominent in the illustration. The sun could represent all the good fortune that the Lord brought upon Job in his life, and is now setting - leaving Job alone in the darkness. After Job is cursed with boils he ultimately lashes out at God and wishes to have answers as to why this is all happening to him. He ultimately even wishes for death. The darkness in the distance could be Blake’s portrayal of Job’s feeling of darkness within himself.
William Blake does an excellent Job of interpreting the Book of Job. He picks and chooses only the most important pieces of text, and his illustrations are powerful in depicting the horrible suffering that Job experienced. The illustration on page 6, of Satan standing over Job is conceivably one of the most disturbing yet beautiful images portrayed by Blake. It is important to Blake that Satan be portrayed with such magnificence because he wishes to instill the notion that Satan is ultimately dominant. Every detail about Satan alludes to this; from the menacing expression, to his naked body- in which he’s depicted as young, strong, and powerful. Satan’s foot, a minor detail, is a significant image because it is the “force” that is keeping Job pinned to the ground. Had this detail not been incorporated into the illustration, Satan would not appear to be as powerful as he is described in the Bible. Every small detail in the illustration is incorporated with meaning, but the most significant images to me are the sun and the dark cloud, because they represent so much of the symbolism in the book of Job such as good versus evil, compassion versus suffering, and the power struggle between light and dark forces in the world. Blake has done an exceptional job of embellishing Job’s story with his detailed and meaningful illustration.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2453/3575016707_910079b42b.jpg
The Book of Job in the Old Testament of the Bible is a tale regarding suffering. William Blake illustrates the entire Book of Job including an illustration of Satan “smote[ing] Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.” This image of Job being cursed with boils is an extremely striking and powerful depiction. The illustration mirrors the text significantly, yet Blake’s own interpretation is incorporated in the image as well. Both his choice of text as well as the surrounding images he chooses to add to the page are important. Readers gain a much greater appreciation for the text once they are able to grasp Blake’s connotations through the illustrations. One of the first things you notice in the illustration is the frame around the picture that presents an ominous view with crickets and spiders and unidentifiable creatures crawling about. We are next drawn to an exceptionally detailed drawing of Satan, which alludes to his magnificence, dominance, and power over Job. Moreover, he depicts Job’s wife; kneeling at his feet; alluring readers to empathize with the suffering of Job and his wife. Finally, Blake includes the image of the sun setting off in the distance. This minor detail is without a doubt the most significant emblem in the illustration. It is a metaphor used to describe the sheer darkness Job is experiencing in his life. As lightness descends from Job’s life, so does the sun descend from the Earth. The relationship between the text and these specific images chosen by Blake will give readers an understanding of the written work to a much greater extent.
At the very top of William Blake’s illustration on page 6, he chooses to include the words Job worshipped to God after discovering that all his worldly possessions had been stricken from him, and was left with nothing. Job shaves his head and falls to the ground and says, “Naked came I out of my mothers womb, and naked shall I return thither: The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” William Blake chooses to include this passage at the top of the page to reinforce the suffering that has been suddenly brought upon Job. The fact that he chose to include this passage (illustrating Job’s unfaltering faith) on the same page as the illustration of Satan smiting Job with boils creates a powerful juxtaposition of forces – and demonstrates clearly that that Satan still does not believe that Job is truly faithful to God. As a reader, one could be confused as to why God allowed Satan to curse Job with boils after the latter had already passed Satan’s first test. Some people may believe that Blake’s interpretation is that the Satan character simply possesses so much evil, that he not only took away everything of importance in Job’s life, but then proceeded to scar his body and cause him tremendous amounts of pain.
In Blake’s illustration itself, the aspect I found most intriguing was the drawing of Satan. Because the Bible gives no formal description of what Satan looks like at this point, this illustration is William Blake’s perception or conjuring of what Satan should look like. I found this interesting because it is not how I perceived the Satan character to look like at all. The first significant difference I notice about Blake’s interpretation of Satan’s image versus my own is that he is naked. His lack of clothing of any kind is a representation of his status as “a son of God.” Blake portrays Satan as a young man, with muscles that all appear chiseled. His arms are outstretched, and in his left hand he is pouring something down onto Job. Satan is standing over Job, with one foot on his stomach to keep him down. Job appears in a position of complete compliance. The text on the page states that Satan is going to “smote Job with sore Boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.” The image that William Blake portrays of Satan standing over Job is metaphorically demonstrating his complete control and power over everything in Job’s life, including his the latter’s body. Job is on his back, in a position of defeat, and Satan’s foot keeps him pinned to the ground.
Another important aspect of the drawing in relation to the text is the image of a woman crying at Job’s feet. I can only assume that this woman is Job’s wife. I found it interesting that Blake chose to include her in this illustration since she is not mentioned in the text on this page. She is kneeling, fully clothed, with her head in her hands. I wonder what she is doing at this moment in the illustration. Did Blake wish to suggest that she is praying to God at this point? Or is he depicting her as a broken person, in a terrible state of emotional pain, almost fetal-like in her position. I interpreted her presence as to reinforce the fact that she is all Job has left. For Satan has left Job utterly dismantled by the loss of his animals, health, and children. But the words at the top of the page, “The Lord gave & the Lord hath taken away” represent Job’s losses, because the Lord blessed Job with an extremely fortunate life - many children, hundreds of animals, and good health, only to allow Satan take everything away. But they also extend to his wife, for she too, has lost everything of importance. Although his wife is a very minor role in the story and is not mentioned in the text, Blake includes her in his illustration, for her suffering is great as well.
As mentioned in the prompt, Blake’s illustrations are very carefully planned out, and little details are frequently crucial to the larger effect Blake attempts to produce. One detail I noticed about the illustration was the fact that it was located outside. Off in the distance, the sun is setting, and a black cloud appears to surround Satan. I view the sun as “setting” versus “rising” because it is on the west side of the illustration and as mentioned earlier, the image represents “Job’s” fall. The symbol of night and darkness is prominent in the illustration. The sun could represent all the good fortune that the Lord brought upon Job in his life, and is now setting - leaving Job alone in the darkness. After Job is cursed with boils he ultimately lashes out at God and wishes to have answers as to why this is all happening to him. He ultimately even wishes for death. The darkness in the distance could be Blake’s portrayal of Job’s feeling of darkness within himself.
William Blake does an excellent Job of interpreting the Book of Job. He picks and chooses only the most important pieces of text, and his illustrations are powerful in depicting the horrible suffering that Job experienced. The illustration on page 6, of Satan standing over Job is conceivably one of the most disturbing yet beautiful images portrayed by Blake. It is important to Blake that Satan be portrayed with such magnificence because he wishes to instill the notion that Satan is ultimately dominant. Every detail about Satan alludes to this; from the menacing expression, to his naked body- in which he’s depicted as young, strong, and powerful. Satan’s foot, a minor detail, is a significant image because it is the “force” that is keeping Job pinned to the ground. Had this detail not been incorporated into the illustration, Satan would not appear to be as powerful as he is described in the Bible. Every small detail in the illustration is incorporated with meaning, but the most significant images to me are the sun and the dark cloud, because they represent so much of the symbolism in the book of Job such as good versus evil, compassion versus suffering, and the power struggle between light and dark forces in the world. Blake has done an exceptional job of embellishing Job’s story with his detailed and meaningful illustration.
Monday, September 6, 2010
My Avatar
A World Wide Web Culture
In class last week, we began discussing facebook and how it compares and contrasts itselt to having a blog site. As a frequant facebook user, I can definitely say that I see a definitie difference in updating my facebook page, and sitting down and writting a blog. Creating a blog requires much more critical thinking than it does to go onto facebook and update your status. Creating a blog is creating a spacific space on the web that is completely about YOU. Facebook you are simply one of millions of users, and it is easy to get lost among the countless profiles that exist.
After our discussion in class, I began thinking about facebook and what it represents. I really feel like facebook has boomed into becoming a culture that is shared around the world. No longer does one have to be in the same geographic location to be apart of a specific culture in which they live. Now, with the internet and the blossoming of sites like Facebook and Twitter, people from all over the world are connected. The instant one logs on to facebook, they gain access to hundreds of photos, relationship updates, and much more. I have to say, I never really thought about facebook in terms of my own life, and now that I have, it almost concerns me. The vast amount of information that is availible for literally anyone to gain access to is frightening in a way.
Although frightening, there are many beneficial aspects to having a culture develope over the internet. Family members who have never met in person before can become connected over the internet. Pictures can be shared for friends and family to see and stay in touch from thousands of miles away. Dating and long distance relationships have become a reality for more people now that the internet has created fast, easy, and convinient ways of staying connected. Facebook and other tools like email and video chat have led to a world wide phenomenon. Over the past 10-15 years the internet has taken over, and created a completely new universe that is availible on the net.
After our discussion in class, I began thinking about facebook and what it represents. I really feel like facebook has boomed into becoming a culture that is shared around the world. No longer does one have to be in the same geographic location to be apart of a specific culture in which they live. Now, with the internet and the blossoming of sites like Facebook and Twitter, people from all over the world are connected. The instant one logs on to facebook, they gain access to hundreds of photos, relationship updates, and much more. I have to say, I never really thought about facebook in terms of my own life, and now that I have, it almost concerns me. The vast amount of information that is availible for literally anyone to gain access to is frightening in a way.
Although frightening, there are many beneficial aspects to having a culture develope over the internet. Family members who have never met in person before can become connected over the internet. Pictures can be shared for friends and family to see and stay in touch from thousands of miles away. Dating and long distance relationships have become a reality for more people now that the internet has created fast, easy, and convinient ways of staying connected. Facebook and other tools like email and video chat have led to a world wide phenomenon. Over the past 10-15 years the internet has taken over, and created a completely new universe that is availible on the net.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)