GOCA

This cow and windmill atop a tall white pillar symbolizes the old, as it embarks on the old frontier of past times when only the peaceful country surrounded you instead of the rumbling city. This clever display of artifacts captures those who are attentive of their surroundings. The city holds many interesting objects and people.

After walking around a bit downtown we came across this guy, who is on the watch out as he is atop a rock to get about a foot taller to observe the landscape with his telescope. I’ve seen this one before, but never really looked at it like today. Now that I’m looking for the art downtown, there really is a lot.

My path led me to come across an old U.S. storage mailbox seen near the judicial building. Not sure if this is mailbox is still in use and its condition is very worn. This piece could be restored to help prevent water damage. I like seeing this U.S. storage mailbox in this current condition because it shows how maintenance and care have not been taken, becoming forgotten, yet it remains here on a high traffic area in downtown.

This is another watchout statue symbolizing the old times with the depticted by the clothing and broken wheel wagon. The man can be seen protecting his woman with his shotgun as she holds the lantern to lookout ahead. Taking the picture at night with a dark backround provided more ambience and meaning to the artist’s intent. If only the lantern was working they could see.

This large display of a television captures the present with its symbolism of the connectedness of world-wide media. Even though a large telephone or ipad could be shown as well to show the current technology, the television shows the beginning of technology invading into our homes and businesses.

This piece symbolizes the future with its bright lights and unique design. The piece as a whole resembles a lighted bench. I would love to have this in my home or backyard.

Part 2

Berger makes it obvious throughout this chapter that if the viewing experience is altered than the meaning is also altered. Seeing things in a different surrounding, through your TV instead of its original setting or a reproduction can change your perception of the meaning.(Berger, 24) When looking at a reproduction of an original piece, it doesn’t matter how detailed it can get. If you know you’re looking at a copy, then it automatically takes away the credibility and the experience. Seeing the original is also better because with reproductions, you miss out on a lot of details and the feeling or originality.(Berger, 17) when having copies or reproduction it degrades the value of the original because it gets displayed in different places when its value is based off of its rarity. The fact that the images in the art show do not have any replicas ensures it to be a onetime viewing only, which also changes the meaning of the viewer’s perspective.

The artist depicts his daughter in numerous photos enduring a long recovery process of a broken leg. Being surrounded by the pictures in the show created an atmosphere of the story and could have only happened in person. The artist set up the pictures to have the viewer walk the journey with the girl combining motion and emotion. Every photograph captures a different moment in time this girl had along her journey of recovery. The artist wanted to represent her struggle and triumph to an audience using motion by causing the audience to walk along the walls where the photographs were displayed.  The amount of photos also showed how long and agonizing the recovery was for the young girl. With having numerous photographs instead of only one or a few also gave you more time to absorb the emotion. By being in a room by itself, the show also created a feeling of being alone and presented the girls feeling of separation from everyone else.

Works cited: Berger, John. Ways of Seeing. London: Penguin 1972.