Why Is There Dough on Her Head...

'Whisper In My Mask' Explores The Stunning Complexities Of Disguise
By: Priscilla Frank

Source: Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/29/whisper-in-my-mask_n_5726086.html?utm_hp_ref=arts

      The TarraWarra Biennial art show is a melting-pot of art and expression, taking place outside of Melbourne, Australia. The exhibit this year, "Whisper in My Mask" seems to carry a mysteriously questionable theme of disguise. It consists of about twenty Australian artists, all with the parallel vision of expressing the concept of "masking"onself, who still manage to present each piece in the most unique of ways. This concept of "masking" may give off a sense of human artificiality and fear of expression, whereas within the pieces, it represents the opposite. Within the "disguise" is where the story lies. The artwork is not merely presented in the form of a picture, but rather expressed in such a way as to be absorbed by all the senses. And the concept of "hiding" the self is not viewed at negatively in the art, but rather as an expressive form of beauty, protection, or effect. "Disguise manifests as trace, inscription, erasure, secrets, camouflage, whisperings, dreamings and subterfuge" (Frank, 1). A mask does not hide, for the mere acceptance and expression of hiding is rather revealing. It conveys a meaning, whether or not completely meaningless. Disguise is questionable; it is real and there is feeling behind it. What it hides, it reveals. And it is not often what is seen, but rather the reason beneath it.

     Art, in its entirety, is rather unimaginable. It is broad, and it is thought provoking. Yet too often, art is repetitive. It is everywhere, daily, and therefore, it is unnoticed. Art can be too clear; rather empty. With the confusingly ironic concept of  “disguise”, art takes on a different form. Such curiously strange works are subjective, as in they allow ones view on life to become that. Everything hidden is not fake. Everything fake is most probably not hidden. Art is not merely a time-consuming painting of a sunset on over-priced canvas. Art is within earth, land, behind a story, beneath a “mask”, beneath all that is concealed. And such art is confusing, calming. It has the ability to provoke thought; rather brain numbing in a paradoxical sense. 

Søren Dahlgaard Helen, Dough Portrait                    Polixeni Papapetrou, Melancholia (artist's daughter          

                                                                                            in a series of vintage clown masks/wigs) 

            

                                          Tony Garifalakis, Untitled from the Bloodline series

But is the Doctor Not Always Right?

“Lying With Lions and Lambs: Why Clergy Should Help Heal Sleeplessness”

By: Rubin Naiman, Ph.D.

Source: Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rubin-naiman-phd/lying-with-lions-and-lamb_b_5695410.html?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living

           

            The article above, explains sleep in a spiritual perspective. It presents an idea, stating that in the present day, sleep has become too much of a scientific phenomenon. The idea of sleep is linked only to scientific understanding of the brain and body, and sleeplessness is therefore, treated with medication. The context of the article, however, states a different approach. It presents the idea of the lion and the lamb (image seen below) lying down with one another. The lion represents strength and aggression, while the lamb presents the idea of innocence and compliance. It is stated that sleeplessness is due to a “personal and cultural imbalance of lion and lamb” (Naiman, 1). The inability to sleep has a strong connection to hyper arousal (a state of increased physiological tension and/or anxiety) which represents an excess of “lion” in the person. The inability to give in to sleep represents a lack of the “lamb”. By viewing sleep as a spiritual aspect of life, one can approach sleeplessness in such a way, where they allow their body to become submissive to sleep, rather than “fire heavy rounds of sleep medications to stun the lion” (Naiman, 1), as the medical industry encourages. The article also connects the idea of sleep to religion, stating that there is “a link between religious doubt and poor sleep quality” (Naiman, 1). Therefore, by developing trust to a certain entity that is above oneself, a feeling of safety is developed, and submissiveness can occur with ease.

            The article above can pass on a great amount of knowledge to the reader, as well as change their entire outlook on the human body, and life with its many established institutions. In the present day, a majority of society is heavily dependent on conventional medication. That, however, covers the problem rather than fixing it from the root. Therefore, medical issues treated with Western medicine often return. Many spend their lives living a certain way, which they think is both normal and necessary, because that is what has been done for years past. By reading such an article, where a completely different view is presented on a health issue easily treated by medicine, one can understand that what is common and regularly occurring all around is not all that exists. By changing ones outlook on life in such a way, the article has the possibility of improving both the knowledge of people, as well as their many conditions. Through the information presented in the article, one can come to the conclusion that life, as one knows it, is not the only life there is.

"Speech to the Troops at Tilbury" SOAPST

S- Getting subjects ready for war, under Queen Elizabeth’s faith, encouragement/support, and leadership.

O- 1588, war between English troops and Spanish Armada (at Tilbury).

A- English troops.

P- To encourage, to ensure, to motivate, to instill confidence, to ensure loyalty, to prepare.

S- Queen Elizabeth

T- Courageous, humble, powerful, encouraging, trustworthy, confident.

a.     By viewing and understanding the SOAPST for Queen Elizabeth’s “Speech to the Troops at Tilbury” the reader perceives a general background on the speech, understanding the reason for it (occasion), as well as the context it contains (subject/purpose). By seeing the tone of the speech, the reader can thoroughly understand the emotions and feelings the speech conveys (the pathos aspect of the writing). Viewing the speaker to be Queen Elizabeth, the reader understands this as a sense of ethos/credibility, affecting the way he/she perceives the speech itself. The speaker being such a powerful woman-figure in history completely changes how one grasps the writing. Being that the English troops are the audience of the speech, the reader may have greater success in comprehending why the speech contains such passion and encouraging faith and emotion, as Elizabeth must do just that to truly prepare the soldiers for war.

b.     This speech is fairly effective in delivering its message to the intended audience. Queen Elizabeth uses a great amount of pathos working towards her purpose of preparing the troops for war. By appealing to them on an emotional level, she skillfully achieves the action of instilling strength, confidence, and trust in the soldiers, therefore getting them mentally prepared for war, as she can no longer do much physically. She also accomplishes this task through her diction, with the mention of emotion provoking words such as “God”(Queen Elizabeth, page 40), “loyal hearts” (Queen Elizabeth, page 40), and “my loving people” (Queen Elizabeth, page 41). War is, for the most part, an emotional experience, and Queen Elizabeth seems to understand this. She is aware that she is speaking to the troops, and refers to them and herself as a whole to instill in them the idea that they are not alone, as well as “her people” to instill in them a sense of fear or motivation to fight, as they are not only fighting for themselves, but for the greater whole of an entire nation, amongst which the ruler has instilled her full trust and confidence into the victory of. The speaker being Queen Elizabeth herself makes the speech both credible and worth listening, as it will most likely deliver an important, powerful message. Although lacking logos, the Queen is still able to deliver a powerful speech, emotionally appealing to the troops facing war, to whom logic and facts, at such a moment, would serve no useful purpose.

Amul Cooking Butter

     

In the image seen above, ethos, logos, and pathos work together, creating a fairly effective and persuasive advertisement. Ethos is evident as the brand name of the butter, "Amul", is seen both on the packaging and in the text, as well as the top right corner. In the bottom of the advertisement, ethos is also present as the name and email of the marketing company is printed, making this an overall credible source of information. Logos is seen in the text in the lower left, where it is stated that the butter is “made from pure, fresh milk” and is available in 100g and 500g packages. This information is stated as facts, and can be backed up through evidence (provided in the ingredient list or on the packaging itself).  Pathos is present in the lower left statements stating that the butter “makes good quality gee” and “makes tasty dishes”. These statements appeal to one on an emotional level, as food that has both superior quality and taste attracts consumers as well as makes them happy while eating it. Pathos is also visible in the statement “I’M INTRODUCING AMUL COOKING BUTTER TO YOUR KITCHEN”. With this statement, one feels a sense of comfort and ease at using the product, taking out of consideration the idea that it is only meant for the average Indian cook, seeing that it is rather for the masses. The final evidence for pathos is seen in the cheery image of the Indian girl herself, where her pleased facial expression gives off a sense of joy and assurance that using this product will result in delicious food and happy people. Overall, the advertisement is seen to be effective, as it presents itself as an Indian brand of butter, but still manages to make the product marketable for all consumers. The words used such as “pure, fresh, tasty, and good quality” make the butter seem wholesome, clean, and palatable, resulting in an urge to buy the product. The mention of the butter being available in both 100g and 500g packages presents more variety, which consumers find both convenient and approachable. And, as if putting a bow on the entire package, the smile on the Indian girl’s face leaves one with the idea that by using this product, they will be both happy and satisfied at the flavorful meals they create. 

A Paradox, Reminiscent of My Life

     I do not like books, and yet I find myself writing about my favorite. I can manage getting “lost” amongst the subdued stillness of my life, and do not look for it in a book. I often see it being difficult to talk about a book, as I find its entirety to be a silent experience. I do not believe a book is ever about the story, just as I believe life is not about what is happening at the moment, but rather all else that is occurring as I perceive this life “happening”; or whether I will take away a part of this said experience, or leave it forgotten, to disappear into a hopeless pit of oblivion. Both amuse me. The story of a book never attracts me much like my experience of reading it does. But the story is simple; a boy and a tree, taking too much and realizing when nothing is left, that nothing was needed. I enjoy the questionable permanence presented in a tree. I find wonder in the simplicity of a life, or story. I am amused by the wandering diversity of a life; one that can be summed down so simply into a mere few pages, in which one sees not an elaborately fictional story, nor an alluring mystery or action novel, but a simplistic perception of a life that is otherwise imperceptible. Aside from the somewhat insignificant context of an object or phenomena, I find value in the intangible aspects it may provoke. The story provokes memory of inexistence. As I encounter the book, I am presented with the past, in a form where it exists outside of life and existence, and I feel as if I am no longer here, but rather there. And passing by The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein on a library shelf, I may stop and pick it up, to flip through the pages of such a simple book; one which I have managed to complicate.