Modern Art as Creative Expression Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Modern Art as Creative Expression - Essay Example The essay "Modern Art as Creative Expression" analyzes modern art. It is true that in some modern art, some non-representational designs found its way in museums and art exhibits to provide lessons on the aesthetic approach by seeing the surface of things, not their meanings, subjects, and all the connotations they may have for us. Personally, the issue should not really be whether one hates or loves modern art. Each and everyone is entitled to one’s personal opinion. However, one must closely evaluate what values have modern art provided today’s generation – what legacy would it give to the future generations. Modern art, as averred by Bishop through The Spirit of Modernism was shaped by turbulent events like war, fascism and the rise of the mass society. These factors have profoundly influenced the unconventional, non-representational designs expressed by contemporary artists. Jackson Pollock’s painting which removed all subject matter in consideration could either be treated as a subject of the I-thou (or intrinsic relation) leaving viewers to a feeling of resignation by leaving things as they are. It, however, provides the opportunity for practicing the aesthetic approach in humanities. Definitely, the artist has a reason for creating art in the way that was presented. The interesting part is to decipher diverse angles, dimensions, and perspectives accorded by non-representational art works. Modern art offered artists with opportunities to go beyond traditional rules in art and expression by a free flow.

Compare and contrast the prescriptive and descriptive schools of Essay

Compare and contrast the prescriptive and descriptive schools of strategy using relevant business examples to support your analy - Essay Example The Prescriptive Schools Prescriptive School is primarily consists of the following distinct sub-schools: Design, Planning and Positioning (Mintzberg, et al., 1998). Here, it is imperative to explain one by one, the said strategy schools under the Prescriptive umbrella. Design School. It views strategy as being the fulfillment of a precise match between the strong and weak internal traits of the organisation and between the external threats and opportunities. Design strategists in the upper management communicate the goals and means of the organisation to the lower members of the corporate hierarchy. Thus, the staff obtains the responsibility to execute the strategy. This particular school of strategy can be linked with SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) Analysis methodology of business experts and corporate planners. As noted by Pahl and Richter (2009), SWOT is not only limited to corporate organisations and business entities, in truth it is even more applicable to government units, non-profit bodies and even to individuals who desire to succeed in certain endeavours. Planning School. With its roots in systems thinking, urban planning and cybernetics, this particular school sees strategy systems as controlled and products of conscious processes of formal planning; in a word, strategy is a cerebral and formal activity (Mintzberg, 2007). It gives heavy emphasis on the structure of the strategy: specific steps and techniques organised in checklists. In this school, responsibility heavily rests on the executive body of the organisation, yet the implementation is still at the hands of the staff. Detailed attention is given to objectives, programs, operating procedures and budgets. This particular school is popular in governmental institutions in the United States and France, where the old adage ‘A stitch in time saves nine’ is culturally embedded. While planning is generally a good idea, it has been noted that it also has its inher ent weaknesses: rigidity, time-consuming and expensive. Seifert (2003) emphasised that planning has a tendency to make the whole management process inflexible and would curtail individual creativity and initiative. Positioning School. Anchored mostly on the rule of economics and advocated by Michael Porter in 1980 (influenced by the works of the ancient military strategist Sun Tzu), the positioning school believes that strategy should be based on generic positions through an analysis of industry situations and market dynamics. This is especially true to those strategists who require reliable information from research before any strategy can be developed. Expert workers, firm consultants, military officers are most inclined to follow the doctrine of this school. Specifically in business, the department called Research and Development has been of utmost significance during the past few decades. Its emergence, which can be attributed to the teachings of this school, has been precipitat ed by competition where trends are constantly examined. As opined by Remenyi and Williams (1998), the field of marketing is also one of the great benefactors of the ideas espoused by this

Reflective statement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Reflective statement - Essay Example Understanding various laws was quite interesting; I was able to not only develop familiarity with various concepts in law, but also apply them to various real life situations with great ease and command. Although I still feel I am not as confident while applying the laws to real life scenarios as I ought to be, I believe this course has sown the seeds for my interest in this subject which was previously absent. The course helped me realize the importance of law which previously I thought was merely the concern of lawyers and law practitioners. I soon learnt that Law has a lot of scope, be it any form of business or any aspect of life. Law is not necessarily the art of the lawyers; it is something each individual ought to be aware of in the highly institutionalized and regulated world of today (Lubet, 2008). This course has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and understand the implications of Law on personal and professional life. It has encouraged me to pursue Law as a career, also because of high returns in this field. I feel I have now developed the appropriate aptitude for taking up law as a career. Most importantly, however, I have understood the political, social, global and ethical context in which the doctrines of law are manifested. This, I believe, is critical to my survival in a highly interdependent globalized world. I was able to submit all the portfolio pieces well in time because of the support of my instructor and colleagues who helped me in understanding the requirements of the portfolio and helped me in analyzing data and relating it to the field of law. The portfolio completion revealed a lot about me that I myself was unaware of. I learnt I was organized, responsible and punctual because I submitted my entire piece in due time with well organized work. I was not like majority of the students who run out of time and then go running for completion of the work at the eleventh hour. This is something that has boosted my self confidence in other courses as well. However, I did face difficulty in applying the doctrines of Law to real life examples and relating them with real life situations. I had to read the law twice or thrice at times, in order to attain a firm grip on the doctrines. Nevertheless, the internet was an invaluable tool and I learnt a lot about how to get the right information at the right time on the internet. A lot of concepts that intrigued me were clarified by my search on the internet which helped me in timely completion of my portfolio. The most enjoyable aspect of this course was that it enabled me to think beyond the obvious; that is it stimulated my thinking abilities by enabling me to critically analyze a wide array of situations in which law can be applied. Case studies were very enjoyable and perhaps were the best aspect of this course because they usually involved team work which was fun in itself. Case studies enabled me to apply whatever I had learnt in the course and to think critically about various laws, their effectiveness and usability in various situations. This was, for me, also the most interesting aspect of this course as I learnt to not just solve problems in the light of global, social, ethnic and legal context but also how to work in teams. Thus, this course enhanced the much needed interpersonal and problem solving skills in a team setting which also posed challenges. At times, team work was difficult and the team would approach a deadlock when one or more members would prove to be

Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey Essay Example for Free

Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey Essay If you visit Qinling Mountain and walk through the forests, you may see some golden figure swinging from trees to trees. They are golden snub-nosed monkeys, which I think are the most beautiful kind of primates in the world. Golden snub-nosed monkeys are famous for their golden hair and pale blue faces. Another obvious characteristic of this kind of monkeys is that there are no bones in their noses. With these features, you can easily recognize them. Golden snub-nosed monkeys are about 66-76cm in length, but their long tails are 56-72cm long. Male monkeys are 16. 4kg, while female monkeys are 9. 4kg. (Chinese golden monkey – interesting fact) They are usually founded in groups in temperate places such as conifer and broadleaf deciduous, so their mainly food is leaves. However, they eat different food in different seasons, such as fruits, seeds and buds. (G. S. M Taxonomy, Morphology, Ecology online) Golden snub-nosed monkeys are kind of vulnerable animals because they have many natural enemies like goshawks, wolves, leopards and foxes. Voice and actions are two main ways they use in communication. (G. S. M Behavior online) If you hear high screams, probably there are predators approaching monkeys. Golden snub-nosed monkeys are rare and endangered and have already been listed in IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources). According to the research, they have three main threats, which are lumbering, residential areas and hunting. (Yongcheng, L. Richardson, M. 2008) What’s more, it is believed by some people that golden snub-nosed monkeys’ fur can cure rheumatism, an illness that makes joints or muscles stiff and painful. These years, many nature reserves have been set up to protect them. But because golden snub-nosed monkeys can only produce one baby each time, the amount of them is increasing slowly. They need more care and love and we humans are deserved to do that.

Examining The True Definition Of What Globalization Means Cultural Studies Essay

Examining The True Definition Of What Globalization Means Cultural Studies Essay It seems that nowadays just anybody can say something about globalization, or at least they think they can. No matter if they are scholars, social scientists, activists, politicians or ordinary people. A lot of people use the term globalization to push their own political agendas, like far left/right wing politics or feminism (see as an example Ruether 2005), in scientific (or better, scientific) journals that dont respect the scientific rigor. Others think that globalization is bringing cultural uniformity, but it seems that this is not true, there is a change in diversity (see Schuerkens 2003). But, when we are looking out for a definition of globalization we find a great confusion, and the more we search the more the image of globalization gets blurred, and theres no agreement on a unified definition of globalization. So while there is no agreement about what globalization is, the entire discourse of globalization is founded on a quite solid agreement that globalization is (Bartel son, 2000:180). It seems that the word globalization was used for the first time in 1962 in an article entitled The US Eyes Greater Europe, in The Spectator (Cerami cited by Van Der Bly 2005:877)  [2]  . Now, 47 years later, the word globalization is used on the Internet much more than the older words socialism (first time mentioned in 1837) and communism (first time mentioned in 1840) together, and even more than capitalism (first time mentioned in 1854) (Van Der Bly 2005:878)  [3]  . Economists already have a more or less commonly accepted definition of globalization and that is an international economic integration that can be pursued through policies of openness, the liberalization of trade, investment and finance, leading to an open economy (Van Der Bly 2005:875). They are developing also indicators in order to measure the openness of an economy such as trade flows, amount of foreign direct investment, portfolio capital flows and investment. Sociologists, on the other hand, didnt succeed to build a common definition. As a matter of fact also the existing definitions have some problems, as we will see, with their scope, extension, field, etc. We can still dream about the sociological indicators of globalization  [4]  . Lets see first some of the most important definitions and features of globalization. For the dialectic Globalization-as-a-Condition vs. Globalization-as-a-Process Van Der Bly dissects Tomlinsons definition of globalization that is (as cited by Van Der Bly 2005:880) an empirical condition of the modern world, which I call complex connectivity. By this I mean that globalization refers to the rapidly developing and ever-densening network of interconnections and interdependencies that characterizes modern social life. Van Der Bly finds logical flaws in this definition because it defines globalization explicitly as a condition, but the rest seems talking about a process. So, is globalization a condition of the modern world or a process? If it isa condition in wht it is different from modernization or modernity? If it is a process the term leads to a neglect of the present, and that leads to the second dialectic. In the dialectic Globalization-as-Reality vs Globalization-as-Futurology, Van Der Bly explains that sociological studies of globalization can easily fall in the trap of futurology because it is not clear to what extent the reality relates to the concept of reality that is skatched (2005:882). When globalization is defined as a process it is implied that it refers to an outcome that is in the future which, by definition, cannot be measurable and definable. For this reason the possibilities to use the concept globalization as a research framework are restricted, so sociologists must turn to futurology and use its research methods such as scenarios, trend analysis, chaos theory, simulation games and mathematical modelling. So, because we must go in the future it is very unlikely that there will be reached a consensus over the definition of the concept. Another problem that rises with the concept of globalization as a process, and we fall in the realm of futurology, is that usually it is not presented to the public as futurology, so it creates fear (nightmare scenarios) or false hopes (utopias). In either way, as Van Der Bly says, it creates the iamge of a powerless individual, or evena powerless society, which has no free will to construct its, always unknown, future (2005:883). For the dialectic One-Dimensional Globalization vs. Multidimensional Globalization Van Der Bly says that even though a concept of a multidimensional globalization is more or less accepted by sociologists, it makes even more difficult to to clarify the term and give it a meaning because it reduces the possible significances. How could that happen? Well, lets think about globalization of economical flows, then about globalization of politics, then about the globalization of arts and culture, and so on What do these globalizations have in common? Not much, the least we can say. This multidimensional approach, as Van Der Bly says, surely fits the reality and its interconectedness among different fields of society and human behavior, but then it blurs the term with intrinsic contradictions and paradoxes that are absent in a more one-dimensional definition of globlization (as the economic one). So, we can conclude that multidimensionality leads to an underestimation of internal contradicti ons of globalization. (Van Der Bly 2005). Van Der Blys suggestions for the future of globalization are the following: sociologists should consider the idea of globalization as the idea of an open society, and discuss which empirical parameters indicate the level of openness of a society  [5]  , as economists have done with the openness of the markets. Sociologists should aim to strive for a commonly accepted definition that explicitly creates space for human agency and focuses on clarity (2005:891). Bartelson (2000) distinguishes three senses of the idea of globalization in the sociology of International Relations (macrosociology): Globalization as Transference Globalization as Transformation Globalization as Transcendence Globalization as transference means that globalization is an intensified transference or exchange of things between preconstitued units, be they political, economic or cultural. Thus conceived, globalization signifies a process of change that originates at the level of the unit, mainly in terms of the unintended consequences of the interaction between units. (Bartelson 2000:184). In this sense globalization is not very different from older concepts as internationalization and interdependence. Globalization as Transformation means that globalization is a process of transformation that occurs at the systems level, and it affects the system as much as it affects the identity of the units (Bartelson 2000:186). Globalization as transcendence means that globalization as a concept implies the transcendence of the distinctions that together condition unit [in the Interntional Relations sense], system and dimension identity (Bartelson 2000:189). It is a concept that dissolves the divide between inside and outside. It also despatializes and detemporalizes human practices as well as the conditions of human knowledge, and it projects them onto the global as a condition of its existance (ibid.). Bartelson thinks that globalization has a position that the concepts of civilization and revolution had before and during the French Revolution, since these concepts also lacked stable referents, but functioned as vehicles of social change by signifying change in its purest, most necessary and irreversible form: change as the condition of possible objects and possible identities in a possible future (Bartelson 2000:193). We can note the futurologist approach. For Sparks the various theories of globalization are not an accurate guide to the investigation of the world (Sparks 2007). Sparks distinguishes weak and strong theories of globalization. Weak theories are concerned with structures of domination, with the centrality of the economic in social explanation, with the destruction of less profitable forms of cultural production by the large capitalist corporations, and with the articulation between these capitalist corporations, and the political and military power of the state (Sparks 2005:135). These weak theories, according to Sparks, are better understood as a development of the imperialism paradigm. On the other hand, the strong theories, according to Sparks, have sufficient common underlying features to constitute a paradigm. From the point of view of media and culture Sparks finds five main elements for this new pardigm called globalization (2007:136-138): Understanding globalization requires a new methodology that is radically non-reductive, otherwise well be unable to find evidence of any direct relationship between, say, Backs autonomous logics of media products (culture), their international trade (economics) and the exercise of state power (politics). Symbolic exchanges, and international circulation of media products, are today central to the functioning of the global world in the way that the exchanges of raw materials and manufactured commodities were central to earlier epochs. The global epoch is characterized by the fact there is no dominating or controlling centre to the contemporary world In the global epoch, it is no longer viable to talk of isolated national units, either of economic life or culture. The global epoch is marked by the erosion of the power of the Westphalian state system, in economics, politics and in culture. [Sparks took this idea from Beck] Sparks concludes that none of the five elements mentioned above hold water. He takes one element after the other and deconstructs them (see Sparks 2007:138-150). In short, the USA is still the single greatest economic power in the world  [6]  , culture industries are not greater than other sectors, immigration is not a new phenomenon in the USA nor in EU countries, or anywhere else (and, after all, the majority of world migrations happen inside the various states), teh process of urbanization is not new, it has at least 200 years (Marx wrote about it more or less 200 years ago), the states are more interdependent but nevertheless they are still states, Internet may be global, but a quarter of the population of the planet dont have electricity (so, no Internet for them), etc The final conclusion is that [t]heories of globalization, as currently advanced by such writers as Giddens, Beck and Appadurai, are far from providing an accurate picture of the contemporary world that they ar e virtually useless (Sparks 2007:152). What can we say at the end? Well, it seems that current concepts of sociology are not necessarily obsolete and a paradigm shift is not systematically required (Martin et. al. 2006:513). Sociologists have discussed the concepts present in the Globalization Theory for at least 90 years. Many authors had the good idea to think a little bit more about the concept of globalization, and they found out that the concept is pretty empty. So, we can pose a question: Is globalization a concept that should be used in the social sciences? We can use plain mathematics too. If the term globalization hasnt a particular meaning, or various classical theories can easily digest various meanings and theories of globalization, in my humble opinion then, globalization is nothing, zero. And what do you get when you multiply zero by any number? Right, you get zero. Thats whats going on in the social sciences with the concept of globalization, we get a lot of theories built on sand, and eventually they will fall one day. Also Van Der Bly says (2005:879) that [t]he disadvantages [of the concept of globalization] arise exactly because confusion is caused by the combination of broad and yet undefined and implicit points of reference in the subject. If something means everything, eventually it becomes nothing []. We should bear in mind the bad fate of another unclear, blurry concept from the recent past, that of postmodernity that lost all its credibility, and makes laugh people from other scientific fields (for example, see Sokal 2008). Sociologists, in my humble opinion, should avoid another trap of that kind. My suggestion is to avoid the concept of globalization in any form, to use theories that hold water and that have shown a great endurance in the past time, and maybe to get along with analytical sociology, but thats another paper.

The Fate of Food Essay -- Health, Unethical Methods, Chemicals

The Fate of Food The hidden methods used to produce the food we consume today are unethical. These methods include the usage of chemicals, and abuse of workers and animals. The process of producing food goes on everyday but as consumers, we are unaware of how it is done. A vast majority of Americans are not aware of the highly mechanized structure of the industrial food system. Determined to capitalize on profit and production, social responsibility and food safety has taken a backseat to the industrial food system. The three most significant problems of the industrial food system are animal cruelty, the lack of biodiversity, and the treatment of farm workers, and these problems can be resolved by creating more efficient food agencies, government subsidies for small organic farmers, and agencies that protect farmers’ rights). The industrial food system is the cause of animal cruelty because of factory farms. The treatment of farm animals is â€Å"barbaric† (Blatt 2008, 195). The procedure for raising farm animals is inhumane. Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) is a process of the industrial farming system that separates animals from their natural habitat and confines them into farmhouses with thousands of other livestock. (Walsh 2009) In modern factory farms, animals are crowded into dirty, windowless farmhouses and cramped in â€Å"wire cages†, and â€Å"gestation crates†. (Niman 2009, 101) Hogs for example are confined in these factory farms for twenty-four hours a day. This raises a lot of issues because these animals will never have the chance to raise their families, enjoy free-range, or roam in grassy fields. Newborn piglets are separated from their mothers. The animals are deprived of access to fresh air and are fed through ... ...d health. I propose the creation of the Farm Workers’ Labor Protection Agency (FWLPA). Through the FWLPA, farmworkers can address their concerns without fear of being fired or deported. The FWLPA will work with OSHA to apply its safety standards to individual farms. Farmers prior to being hired will be taught safety standards and ESL classes will be provided twice a week to immigrant farmers who do not speak English. Workers’ compensation, living conditions, and wages will be respected as part of the FWLPA’s standards which will include a $10 dollar starting pay, and overtime pay. Industrial farm workers face dangerous work conditions and should be rewarded accordingly. With the creation of new and efficient agencies, the industrial food system in the United States will lower health issues, protect animals and workers’ rights, and develop a sustainable strategy.

Symbolism of Albrecht Durer Essays -- Master Engravings Art Essays

Symbolism of Albrecht Durer Albrecht Durer completed the â€Å"Master Engravings† in the years 1513 and 1514. With these three engravings (Knight, Death, and Devil, St. Jerome in His Study, and Melencolia I) he reached the high point of his artistic expression and concentration. each print represents a different philosophical perspective on the â€Å"worlds† respectively of action, spirit, and intellect. Although Durer himself evidently did not think of the three as a set, He sometimes sold or gave St. Jerome and Melencolia I as a pair. In the engraving, Knight, Death, and Devil, it appears that the hero (the Knight) is gaining a moral victory over death. The Knight has often been interpreted as Erasmus’s sturdy Christian soldier who scoffs at death and the devil as he goes about God’s work in his journey through life. The conception of the ‘Christian soldier’ embodies and ideal of manly virtue which the traditional instincts of the Germanic race, German mysticism and Northern versions of Renaissance ideals all contributed to form. The Horse is represented in full profile as to show off it’s perfect proportions; it is forcefully modeled so as to give its perfect anatomy and it moves with regulated step of the riding school so as to give demonstration of perfect rhythm. The fact that a beautiful setter is running by the side of the horse completes the picture of the Christian man as known to the Late Middle Ages – the man who armed with faith and accompanied by religious zeal, symbolized by the faithful hound goes on his way along the narrow path of earthly life menaced by Death and the Devil. From the gloom of this â€Å"rough and dreary scenery there emerge Death and the Devil. Death wears a regal crown and is mounted on... ...giving them away together and that collectors looked at and discussed them side by side. No less than six copies were disposed of as pairs while only one copy of the Melancolia I was given singly and no impression of the Knight, Death and Devil changed hands together with either of the two other prints. In the years 1513 and 1514, Albrecht Durer completed what is now known together as the â€Å"Master Engravings,† Knight, Death, and Devil; St. Jerome in His Study; and Melencolia I. In general each print represents a different philosophical perspective on the â€Å"worlds respectively, of action, spirit and intellect. Bibliography Panofsky, Edwin. The Life and Art of Albrecht Durer. 4th ed. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1955. Waetzoldt, Willhelm. Durer and His Times. translated by R.H. Boothroyd. London: Phaidon Press Ltd, 1950.