mymindwonthush

[mymindwonthush]

The sun lingers low, its golden light spilling across the fields, shimmering on the calm sea, and gilding the sails of ships steady in their course. The world, oblivious to tragedy, moves on. A plowman carves holes into the earth, his shoulders bent to toil, while his ox moves forward, heedless of the distant splash that ripples on the canvas. Above, a shepherd, crook in hand, gazes towards the sky at clouds. At the painting’s edge, the ocean swallows a pair of flailing legs. The plowman tills, the shepherd gazes, the fisherman casts his net, and the ships glide across the horizon—steady, serene, unbroken. Life continues, as it always does, unbothered by the tragedy of one young life against the inevitable forces of nature.

I chose Pieter Breugel's Painting: Landscape with the Fall of Icarus

I focused on the ordinary, the plowman tilling his field, the shepherd scanning the sky, the fisherman immersed in his work. To reflect the painting’s depiction of a world that carries on unbothered by the fall of Icarus. The descriptions of their steady, unaffected actions echo the stillness and detachment.

[mymindwonthush]

Bill Violas Ascension explores themes of spirituality. transformation, and transcendence through water. The video art piece displays a slow motion central visual element submerging in water yet slowly rises back up. The submerged man shows symbolism in baptism- a form of rebirth but also death, where water is often correlated with crossing into the afterlife. The slow motion movement also creates a metaphor for the struggle of life. I ultimately chose Bill Violas Ascension is a video are piece ultimately because of the title. There is a contradictory play between the title and image. The title being Ascension yet there is a man ascending into the water. I admire how Bill Violas captures all aspects of life such as birth, death, and unwrapping of consciousness. The blue light reflecting on the water shows Jesus sacrificing himself on the cross. As the man comes up behind you can see shadows casting behind him as though he has gained his wings.

[mymindwonthush]

HAMLET ACT V SCENE I

Two "clowns" or grave diggers, dig a grave for Ophelia before arguing about her burial due to her committing suicide. Seems as though Shakespeare used a comedic stand point with this. In the video the characters do look a bit corky and uncoordinated giving them a clown appearance.  Hamlet and Horatio enter and question one of the grave diggers and as he is he discovers a skull of Yorick, King Hamlets Jester, he then realizes that everyone fate eventually ends in dust, death. Claudius, Gertrude and Laertes insults the Priest for him to grant rights for the Christian burial. Hamlet expresses his love towards Ophelia even though he acted as if he despised her before her death.  This scene shows how emotional Hamlet actually felt towards Ophelia with everyone around him pulling him back and the dark black and blue background it emphasizes the characters like a spotlight. I chose this scene because of the themes. Love being one, Hamlet acts as though he hates Ophelia then displays his love for her so immensely it gives me chills. We've all loved hard before it gives a sense of comfort that love is a very powerful drug we've all experienced. "I loved Ophelia; forty thousand brothers / Could Not, with all their quantity of love,/ Make up my sum. What wilt tho do for her?". Death/suicide is also a big theme that is talked though out the scene. The whole scene is set in a graveyard. The use of skulls symbolizes death. Hamlet realizes everyones ending fate. Hamlet is always thinking about suicide giving context to the famous words "To be or not to be" and Ophelia's ultimate fate in committing suicide.

[mymindwonthush]

The film follows Ada, a mute pianist who is sold into marriage in New Zealand. She communicates through her music and develops a complex relationship with her husband and a local laborer. The tone is emotional, showing desire, oppression, and self-expression. The theme would be the power of music and female empowerment. Dr. Strangelove centers around the Cold War tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. Jack D. Ripper goes mad and orders a nuclear strike on the Soviet Union without authorization. A particularly effective scene is set in the War Room, where the President, military advisors, and Dr. Strangelove discuss what’s going on. This scene captures the film’s satirical tone and highlights the absurdity of military. The scene shows close-ups of the characters’ faces, emphasizing their expressions of panic and confusion. The large round table creates a sense of confinement reflecting the pressure and tension of the moment. The cuts are quick and shaky, enhancing the chaotic atmosphere. The rapid change in cuts between characters creates a sense of urgency while highlighting the contrasts in their personalities.

[mymindwonthush]

Module 9 Assignment: Photographer’s Eye

Food. Food is my comfort. Food makes me forget Food brings happiness to my eyes the way someone were looking at the love of their life. Food can trigger emotions, holds memories, and can actually activate your brains reward system.

Nostalgia. Food has always helped my depressive episodes. One of my biggest comfort foods are tostones. Every chance I get to make tostones I do. The crunchy firm texture hitting my tongue brings me right back to me sitting in my abuela's house in Puerto Rico helping her in the kitchen smash the plantains down and fry them, my abuelo outside smoking a cigar, my little primos laughter fading in and out as they ran all over the "yard". The joy and carefree life I once lived.

Love. Food is my love language. If I am sad, please do not ask what can you do to fix. Simply doordash me some food and send me on my happy way. Tacos especially just connects with my dopamine system a little to well, one could say it causes the happy dance while eating. The tender al pastor meat with a sprinkle of the sour lime and the tangy cilantro and onions can turn any bad day to a good one.

Connection. Pizza is my escape. It connects me to both sides of my family. My mothers side being from Chicago and having the deep dish real sausage and peppers authentic marinara sauce. My grandfather on my moms side owned a pizzeria and you'd think I wouldve gotten tired of it. But now I crave more than ever. My fathers side is from NY the thin flaky authentic NY slice can never go wrong. The buttery crunchy crust is no match to me. Just call me the hungry hungry caterpillar.

Satisfaction. There is nothing like ordering chinese to your home, playing your favorite movie, and grabbing your blankey. The way this picture is calling my name on a friday night I can guarantee I have found my friday night plans. The sweetness of the sauce mixing with the golden juicy chicken is simply chefs kiss, so simple yet so satisfying. It brings me back to every winter when all I want to do is turn off all the lights, put on some pjs and cuddle with the loml. I yearn for this everyday.

The final course. What once was a delightful creamy very well put together cheesecake (pink for breast cancer awareness) is now just a memory of deliciousness. It reminds me of the casino as thats where it was ordered. But it also reminds me of creativity. How a simple cheesecake turned into a beautifully decorated inspired rose. Here is where I get a bit sad, as I know like everything else, this too has to come to an end.. I cannot go without dessert. Some call it big back while others call it.. The final course.

[mymindwonthush]

Different sh*t different day

Do you know the expression "same sh*t, different day"? We wake up every day stuck in a routine, but are we really stuck? Or do we just get comfortable and not realize yet we complain every day how its the same thing over and over, and if we could just have some change, we'd be happy. Every day I wake up, go to work, drop off the kids, and have small talk with my fiancé, yet I still felt as though I wanted more, as though I wanted out of this routine so bad. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong. Two months ago this day it wasn't the same; two months ago was the day my life was changed. I woke up at 5:45am and started my morning routine with my son, my fiancé, and his kids. Just like any morning, I woke up first, made breakfast, and woke up everyone else in the house to get our day started. But only this time, my fiancé was already up and in the bathroom getting ready. Not thinking anything of it, I woke up the kids and had them eat breakfast, and as I'm cleaning up, he dashes out the house, murmuring he is late. No hug, no kiss, just left. I brushed it off as he did state he was running behind even though he works the same time as usual. I drop off all the kids at school and head to work. I don't text him, as he usually texts me once he gets to his jobsite. It was starting to get past 12:00 p.m. and I was worried. I tried to call but got no answer. I finally get a text back at 2pm, and what I thought was just another day turned out to be our last day. The text read, "I am sorry, but I cannot do this anymore." My heart sunk, and my body began to shake. Why would he state that? Its just another day, right? But it wasn't. When I got home, most of my stuff was already packed. He asked me if I could move out and how long it would take. No remorse, no sympathy. I gathered what belongings I could fit into my car and drove for hours trying to piece out everything, if there were any signs. Within 5 hours of that text, my life changed; I no longer had my person or a routine. Now here I am two months later, new home, new routine, something I could've sworn I yearned for. I'd do anything if I could just go back to my routine, my person, my life, my "same sh*t different day" routine.

[mymindwonthush]

In the beginning of William Faulkner's poem "After 50 Years," it is describing an older woman who has passed away and has become a memory and provides a dark and lonely setting. Within the first couple lines, "Her house is empty and her heart is old, and filled with shades and echoes that deceive," it is an allegory showing like her house, her heart, is old and empty. As it shifts, the central image within the poem is an elderly blind man who is longing for his deceased lover and attempting to reconnect with her through the faint memories of her physical presence. It is a sonnet following the 14-line structure, depicting a female character who recurs throughout Faulkner's other poems, such as "A Rose for Emily" or "Dry September." As he is describing her, the flow changes to a more light heart and elegant view. Faulkner uses vivid imagery to present the weight these memories hold on his brittle, broken heart. The descriptions of his experiences, nature, and the seasons create a vivid story, as though you yourself are reliving these memories and reflecting on them. The passage name serves an important symbol itself, as the number 50 represents a significant milestone in life, and approaching the end of one's active life phase as well as him being blind symbolizes the fading memories of his other half. The act of "reaching out" serves as a metaphor, despite it being impossible; it represents the desire he has to feel her presence one more time. Towards the end, we are back feeling trapped and confined, and his memories of her are coming to an end as she is not there anymore to create new ones with him.

[mymindwonthush]

The place I once called home. A fairly small house as it’s a one bedroom one bath. A welcome home mat greets you at the entrance to wipe your shoes from the charcoal colored pavement. Outside looking in, it looks small but as you walk inside you’ll meet a cozy welcoming energy and spacious living room filled with a furry gray rug, couches, and dim lighting. The house is a domestic space as it is a private space filled with culture. There is an accent wall painted black with a large tv hung on the wall while the rest of the house is white creating almost a focal point to the living room and with the dim lighting create a movie theatre atmosphere. It’s unique because it was once mine and my partners visuals combined. My favorite shades of grey with his gothic taste blossomed our fortress..

My house. A case of stairs with witn an earthy colored carpet at the front when you open the pastel colored front door. Although more spacious it is quite lonely. Three bedrooms and two baths the possible themes are endless. Me, myself is quite plain. I mentioned my favorite color is Grey in all shades. I chose the theme to be gray. In my bedroom, i chose to keep the theme of our once home.. our combined theme. The living room is cold and hollow as it is barely used and the other two barely exist as it hasn’t been used at all yet. A part of me is not ready to start on the rest of the house, nothing can be compared to my once so called “home”. I love having my own space but is it anything to really celebrate if it’s empty and you’re alone? Can you tell which one I prefer?

[mymindwonthush]

Francis Albert Sinatra, born in Hoboken, New Jersey, is considered Hoboken's most famous son. Which came as no surprise when the 6-foot-tall bronze Frank Sinatra statue, located along the Sinatra Park section of the Hudson River waterfront walkway, was created. Sculptor Carolyn D. Palmer dedicated the statue on December 12th, 2021, which would have been Sinatra's 106th birthday. The statue depicts Sinatra, aged 45, leaning against a lamppost and tipping his hat. It is without a doubt Hoboken loves Frank Sinatra. He is a great representative of the many talents of those who live in Hoboken, a small city filled with an abundance of raw talent. The statue was designed to give Sinatra a tribute for representing  Hoboken in the best way. Sinatra stated, "I've met people in cities all over the country, but folks here in Hoboken, well, they're just wonderful—that's all." The statue signifies culture and expression. Even the walls around the park are decorated, and there's even an amphitheater where events and concerts are hosted. Although the whole park is dedicated to him, the statue in particular stands alone,  drawing most of the attention to the statue itself creating an invisible spot light .  The creator mentions how it took multiple attempts to get a good representation of the talented singer as it was intended she wanted to keep the 40-50 year old look to the statue and even added that the post light was orange because it was the singers favorite color. She chose the leaning pose because it was a reminiscent of his 1954 " songs for young lovers" Album cover. The statue truly depicts the amazing Frank Sinatra.

[mymindwonthush]

The Calling of Saint Matthew by Caravaggio has been considered to be one of the greatest paintings ever. Within the painting, Caravaggio depicts Matthew, a covetous and gluttonous tax collector, to renounce his worldly possessions and take a different approach to life when Jesus had called upon him. The painting reflects the very moment Matthew realized Jesus Christ was calling him. The use of light is very important within this painting. using light and shadow to add drama and focus. It seems as though the figures within the painting are captured by the shadows, and it is only the light beaming across the wall that reflects the hands pointing at Matthew that intensifies the painting, symbolizing the arrival of Jesus and all his glory. Caravaggio brings life into the painting with his use of vivid colors, contrasting the reds, golds, and greens with uses of different textures within the painting, such as the clothing fabrics and feathers, hair, and even flesh. The Calling of Saint Matthew provides its audience with the same uncertainty as Matthew, whether or not to accept Jesus Christ and walk in his footsteps or to stay within reach of the next temptation that intrigues us. What draws me to this work of art is that it always seems to be hindering in the back of my mind. It seems to be so easy to stray away from God with all the distractions life creates; we seem to forget what the real priorities are. We do not forget to go to work in the mornings or fill our cars with gasoline; we do not forget to put on our shoes and shower every day, yet we still somehow forget God. God can wake us up every day of our lives, yet we cannot make prayer a priority because we are so distracted with outside things such as work, going out, and chasing the next "bag" of money. With Jesus, we do not need to worry; we simply pray and release our worries to God. We seem to be so distracted with everything else in the world; what if we got a chance to look up and realize Jesus' hand has been there reaching out to us this whole time?

[mymindwonthush]

It seems as though my mind has been on a constant repeat of Vincent Van Gogh's words, "I put my heart and soul into my work, and I have lost my mind in the process." It seems as though it is easy to fall obsessed with perfecting what you are focused on to the point it could be the one thing destroying you. Ive always admired A Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh through the dramatic details of the sky. As he stated, "I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day." This piece of art reflects Van Gogh's inner emotions, showing that, although given his mental state, on the inside he's vibrant and alive. I myself spend an hour or two every night watching the stars, admiring their shapes and colors. I feel as though it gives me a sense of reality as everything is quieting down and I can finally hear my own thoughts without anything hindering me from getting my attention. I interpret the swirling stars he portrays to resemble the mental state he was in as he created this masterpiece in a mental institution. At this moment of my life, I too feel as though life is very chaotic, and I could reciprocate the feeling of uncertainty, instability, and emotional intensity. Additionally, I admire this artwork because it does seem to correlate as an optical illusion. Within his painting, there isn't a sharp difference in luminance between his stars edges and the sky around them, making them seem "twinkling," just as the stars in our very own sky. This painting has so many aspects to observe that each time I glance, theres a new emotion, a new detail, a new view to the painting. And within a year, my observation will change, and I will have a new perception of The Starry Night. 

[mymindwonthush]

DESIRE

Hello, my name is Desire. I enjoy reading, exercising, and traveling. I like to challenge myself to try new things, even if I feel nervous. I have a tough time expressing myself through words, as my mind is always racing with an abundance of thoughts at once, so I discovered that expressing my feelings and thoughts through pictures and music has been easier. Currently, I am starting a career in healthcare, and I am excited for what the future has in store for me. Follow me as I show you more about myself, learn more about myself every day through this course, and learn about others.