Midterm Question
1. The white space around a poem is the silence that surrounds the sound of the lines of that poem. It can be used as a contemplative space where you begin to analyze and dissect the poem's meaning. It is like the space around a sculpture in that same way. It is the area that becomes your surroundings and therefore begins your relationship with it. You become part of that space and so part of that particular work.
2. Presentation is a first glance at a subject manner. Representation is a replica, a reflection of that subject manner. It is a second hand account. A presentation of the subject in its pure from that is true to itself. A representation can take on a different form or perspective giving new light or different meaning. Cognition is how you or the artist sees and values a work. Recognition is the cultural acceptance of value of a work.
3. A sonnet is a poem with 14 lines. In "In an Artist's studio" the form of the sonnet helps to follow the poem. In a sonnet the first 8 lines setup the situation or problem and the last 6 gives a response or reply to that situation. With this formula we can see that the first 8 lines introduce us to the artist's subject, the "one face", and tells us all about her. Then the last six lines is the artist's response to her image is one of want and desire. The 8-6 format helps us to pick a part and decode the poem and so separates the two parts of the poem.
3a. The rhythm of "Aunt Jennifer's Tigers" fits with the concept of prancing tigers. At the same time, the rhyme and rhythm are in a very tight pattern not allowing for any deviation. These two factors help represent the content of the poem. Aunt Jennifer embodies tigers as a way of living vicariously through them. They represent creatures that are free, proud, and pouncing. The rhythm reflects this. However, the tight rhyme pattern illustrates the idea that she could not or would not break free from the control of her husband. This is an excellent example of how form intertwines with context.
4. Each of the three men's paintings symbolizes and gives insight into their lives by showing their interests. Serge's white painting shows that he likes to be different and wants to be a collector of art. The fact that he got it only because its an Antrios shows that he only appreciates things and finds them valuable only if they are brand name or done by someone famous. He values others' opinions before his own. IN this way he is superficial and probably why he is a dermatologist. Marc's landscape shows that he likes logic and reality. He sees things as how they are and doesn't want to interpret and doesn't see and meaning behind abstract works such as Serge's painting. He is an aeronautical engineer and so likes logic and see things as they are. Yvan's painting is one of his father's. He hung it up for that reasons only, he doesn't even like it. It shows that he values his father and other's wishes. He aims to please people and has good morals and values. Because of this he took over his fiancé's uncle's stationery business. He feels obligations to help people and keep the peace.
5a. The joint drawing shows that Robert was willing to give of himself to help the husband really see what it was to be blind. He was willing to share his experience with the husband and teach him how to really see. He accepted working together to accomplish a goal. The husband showed that he wanted to learn from Robert and was willing to do so. In closing his eyes he began to actually see and experience more than he was used to. He became more participative and willing to accept and learn about difference than he had before.
5b. Robert, being blind, is able to separate the concept of a physical visual experience from a greater perception of it. Robert will never be able to actually see a cathedral, but by drawing one with the husband he is able to get the concept of the ceilings, the people inside, the greater undertaking that is a cathedral. The joint drawing changes the husband in a significant way. He held a false perceptions of Robert, he was unwilling to see him as anything beyond misguided and misapplied stereo types. The drawing is transformative for the husband, allowing him to experience the wonder of touch as a form of sight as well as a purer sense of what is beautiful. When Robert asks how the finished product looks, the husband does not open his eyes, but still remarks at its beauty. He finally allows himself to appreciate Robert and the experiences that can be had if he just chooses to have them.