Social Awareness Contradition

Entry #4
2009-2010

Back in 2004 Dove started their Campaign for Real Beauty. This campaign was targeted at woman - telling us and encouraging us to realize that everyone is beautiful in their own unique way. A powerful message is being sent out to all who listen to this campaign. Here is their mission statement. Dove really wants woman to realize the kind of effects that the media has and how often we are all bombarded with images that can makes us all question if we are truly beautiful.



Later Axe Body spray started their Axe Effect Campaign Ads. Many of us are already very aware of what these commercials are like, men using spray - and women chasing after them. Leading men to believe that using this spray will truly make this happen! (as if!!!)



Here is the KICKER!!! Axe and Dove are owned by the same parent company - UNILEVER!!! (This is a company who has been named as one of the 2009 World's Most Ethical Companies list by the Ethisphere Institute.) So tell me this - how can this be right - one parent company with two "kid" companies with two completely opposing views!

So here is some food for thought....

1) How do you feel about the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty? Do some quick research if you don't know what this is about because it is worth knowing.

2) How do you feel about the Axe Effect Campaign? Does it make you laugh hysterically or roll your eyes in disgust? Tell me why?

3) Do you think that a 'parent' company has some responsibility in ensure that all of their different sectors uphold the same sort of beliefs and values? Tell me why or why not.

Are They Kidding Me?

Entry #3, 2009-2010

Advertisements have been around ever since products have been made and the makers needed to sell them. Quite frankly that has been longer than any of us have been around. Some ads in the 50's and 60's used some great design concepts and had some pretty good messages, whereas other ads, well ... make one wonder and ask "were they joking?" Take a look at these ads closely and comment on each message that you see. Some will surprise you. Give us your opinion of the ads telling us whether or not you think the messages you see are appropriate. What do you think allowed these types of ads to run in the first place. What might these ads suggest about society in North America at the time? can you compare these ads with ads that are running today? What do you supposed these ads say about gender roles? Use your analytical skills to process what you see.

Hey Guess What! I Can See You...

Entry #2, 2009-2010

On October 7 2009 Google launched their new application called Google Street View. This application allows people to search addresses and view from street level, photographs that were taken of that area. Google decided to drive around selected cities with vans that had a 360 degree view video camera attached to the top of the van. When completed, they compiled all these images to create one large 360 degree photographic map.

Although this is very exciting technology - there are a lot of issues at stake. Take a moment and look up your personal address. What do you see? Is there a photograph of you online that was taken without your permission? If you are in a public space - does your likeness become public domain? What kind of privacy laws are being broken? Do you agree or disagree with what google has done? Google claims to be protecting your privacy by blurring out the faces on people and the numbers on license plates. Do you think that this really helps to deal with the privacy concerns that many will have if they see their likeness online? Tell us what you think about the whole situation.

Welcome!

Entry # 1 - 2009-2010

As part of your media arts / communcations technology course you will be required to create and maintain your own media arts / communications blog. Blogging has quickly become a very popular form of communication and online journaling.

Through this course your will be required to reply to reply to six different media / technology issues or topics that will be posted here for you to respond to on your own blog. Each response must be no less than 300 words and should have discussions relevant to media arts and communication technology. YOu will also be required to respond to 6 other people's blogs with thoughtful ideas and comments. The evaluation for this unit is found in your unit guide. Once you have completed all tasks (which will take you several months) you will submit your unit guide, with a list of the six blogs that you responded to, for evaluation.

Happy Blogging!
Mrs. P.

Congratulations!!!

2008-2009 Entry #7

Congratulations! We have reached the end of the media arts/communications technology course! It is our hope that this course has taught you everything that you had hoped and more! As part of your unit 18 Just Prove It! mark we are asking you to complete your last blog entry for the year.

Think back to all of your assignments from this year: the multiple exposure, the circus collage, the pattern, the eccentrick inspiration and lastly your final project the weccentrick video. For each of these assignments, discuss your works, the trials and errors and what you feel is the strongest component of each piece. For each artwork you have done, you must write on paragraph as well as post the image to your blog for all to see. (if you are able to it would also be great to post your video - if you have the capabilities.) IUt is not necessary to reply to other people's last entry as they are strictly for the teachers to see your progression throughout the year.

EccentricK!

2008-2009 Entry #6

Every year the basement of Mary Ward gets converted into one of the greatest art shows in any of the Toronto high schools, dare I even say in all of Ontario! Now is your chance to talk about any of your experiences, favourite moments and favourite art works that was on display. For this blog, take the time to comment, discuss and share your thoughts about 1) the art show and the whole experience and 2) select one piece of art work and discuss what you liked about it and why you liked it so much.

Excuse Me While I Answer My Phone...

2008-2009 Entry #5

Cell phones have come a long way, but have we? Society has grown accustomed to life's conveniences - cell phones, ATM's, online banking, and the list goes on.  However, our etiquette surrounding the use of this technology has definitely changed.  We've been taught never to eat with our mouths full, and to always say please and thank you, or to cover our mouth when we sneeze and to say "excuse me" when we need to pass.  So why don't we know what manners to use when using cell phones?  People drive and speak on their cell phones, students text each other during class, or they speak on the phone in the most inappropriate times. There is a time and a place to use a cell phone, yet few of us are clear as to what that is.  What do you think? In this blog I would like you to not only explain your thoughts surrounding cell phone use and manners, but I would also like you to identify 5 rules that you think are necessary to follow when using cell phones.  Happy typing!      

"Everything is Amazing and Nobody's Happy"

2008-2009 Entry #4

I was driving in my car, on my way to work one day, when I heard this clip on the radio. In it there is a comedian by the name of Louis C.K. who says a few things that really got me thinking. Watch the clip and then read on...




So after hearing what he has to say - how much of it do you feel is true? How often do we take for advantage all of the technology that is around us? Technology advances at such a fast rate. Take for instance the cell phone. Invented in the 1940's - but really only became popular in the last decade or so. As a teenager I never had a cell phone, or an MP3 player - I had a walkman and later was lucky enough to get a discman. All this technology is really a very new trend that has many people wrapped around its finger. I have to admit that I am even stuck in this web of technology. I have a cell phone that I never leave the house with, an iPod that I love to listen to, a laptop that I rely upon to surf the web, type out notes and let us not forget about emails and facebook!

In your response think about and discuss any reactions you have to the video clip. Discuss how important technology is in your life. What are the items you just can't live without - or could you? Ask your parents about technology that exists today that never existed when they were young. With technology advancing at such a fast rate - what else could humanity possibly invent that isn't already out there in one shape or form. Share your thoughts and ideas with the class.