1/24/2020 0 Comments National Parks As Playgrounds1. My reason for deciding National Parks are playgrounds * A National Park is an area set aside by Government for the protection of the environment. National Parks should be preserved but at the same time they should be enjoyed by members of the public which makes me have the opinion that they should be places for current enjoyment, i.e. playgrounds. * I do not think that National Parks are museums because museums are buildings used for storing and exhibiting objects of historical, scientific, or cultural interest. * Also, I do not think that National Parks are Sanctuaries because these are known as Nature Reserves which protect plants, birds and wild animals for their own sake. 2. Additional reasons why I consider National Parks are playgrounds * In England, National Parks were defined by Act of Parliament (1949) as “areas of great natural beauty giving opportunities for open-air recreation, established so that natural beauty can be preserved and enhanced and so that the enjoyment of the scenery by the public can be promoted.†I believe this to be a very interesting point. * I believe National Parks are playgrounds because they are enjoyed by visitors, and are not kept just to be preserved. They should be enjoyed while they are still here and Government needs to ensure that the National Parks are properly managed to preserve them for future generations. * All National Parks provide basic opportunities for walking, riding and fishing but some provide specialist attractions e.g. caving and pot holing in the limestone areas of the Brecon Beacons and the Peak District. National Parks provide the facilities for over night accommodation and the use of walkways and trails for visitors free of charge. 3. Data information to support why National Parks are playgrounds * Park passes can be purchased by email, at Parks Canada service Centres in Calgory and Edmonton, at some gas stations and outdoor equipment stores, as well as at the park gates, and at automated pass machines. * Local book stores sell maps, guides and books on low impact camping. * Campsites are close to roads for access by recreational vehicles. Most have flush toilets, and some have showers. Only the Tunnel Mountain site near Banff, and the Lake Louise Trailer Park have electricity hook-ups. Both sites are open throughout the year. The others are open in the summer months only. Fees are between $10 and $20 a night, with an extra $3 firewood. * Banff has it's popularity, it's ecological and cultural importance, it's contribution to the economy and it's service to visitors all serve to create a park that is quite unlike any other protected area in Canada. * Banff is a place where people can discover the wonder of the natural environment and appreciate first hand the richness of the heritage. It is also a place where people recognise their role in the Eco-system and act accordingly. * Costa Rica has 60% services * Tourism in Costa Rica now has more than 781,000 tourists each year. Giving it the 69th biggest tourist industry out of 176 countries world wide. * Costa Rica's National Parks contain volcanoes, cave systems, tropical forests and long sandy beaches many of the 781,000 tourists visit the National Parks. They include scientists, naturalists and Eco-tourists as well as sight-seers. * Costa Rica is an L.E.D.C, the GNP is very low but the life expectance in very high – 76 years. * Many National Parks are located within easy access of major conurbation's. This has allowed a large number of visitors including those who live in urban areas to visit areas of natural beauty such as the Lake District and Tortuguero National Parks. This is mainly due to the large growth of the motorway network e.g. the vast road systems in the North of Costa Rica, which has allowed driving times to be reduced and has also lead to reduced driving distances between conurbation's and National Parks. * Banff National Park's vegetation includes alpine meadows covered with flowers. There are campgrounds and trailer sites for visitors, as well as hotels in nearby towns. The great influx of visitors has made difficult the maintenance of Banff National Park as a conservation area, and it has become mainly * Costa Rica's National Parks help to protect many of the countries 208 species of mammals, 850 birds, 220 reptiles, and 132 amphibians as well as 9000 plants. a recreational area. are bred and protected National Parks may contain birds and animals 6. The large numbers of people entering National Parks could begin to change the Parks. They could cause problems such as congestion, ruining natural habitats, the gradual erosion of footpaths and vegetation and the overcrowding of “Honeypots.†Therefore visitors need to be managed to make sure that these problems don't occur this can be achieved by giving guided tours, only allowing a certain number of people to enter the park or setting up toll systems where visitors have to pay to view the scenery or experience the wide range of activities the park has to offer. The final solution to dealing with the problem of too many tourists is to use zones which can help to protect wildlife and allow Eco-systems to be maintained, they can help the park authorities because they allow the control and management of visitors coming in and out of the park. The only problem with zoning is that it prevents free access for visitors. Banff National Park is managed because it allows nature to flourish and people from all around the world can take part in the life of the park and also allows the richness of life to be respected and celebrated.
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The Impact of Information Technogoly in Public agency - Research Paper Example The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a US government agency attached to the Department of Justice with its headquarters in Edgar Hoover Building, Washington D.C (FBI, 2012). The US government established the FBI in 1908 with a core mission of investigating federal crime, enforcing federal laws, enhancing national security, and bringing criminals to justice (Hamilton, 2007). Its priorities include protecting the United States from terrorist attacks, protecting civil rights, combating public corruption and all forms of crime, protecting the United States against cyber-based attacks, supporting local and international partners, combat transnational criminal organizations, and protecting the United States against foreign intelligence (United States Department of Justice, 2010). To realize its priorities and mission, the FBI relies on domestic and foreign Intelligence, Law Enforcement Communities, federal government support, and top class information technology to improve its operations operational and enhance the effectiveness of the agency. However, with the recent and vibrant technological advancements terrorist and criminals are now using recent technologies to launch attacks to its allies and US. Hence, to remain reliable in its commission, the FBI requires the best of information technology to keep in pace and curb the high-tech insecurity. As such, the FBI has developed the FBIs IT strategic plan and initiated measures of acquiring the best information technology professionals, digitized its operations, and maintained the FBIs IT enterprise and website (United States Department of Justice, 2010). This has been significant in providing technical direction FBI business processes, maintaining the FBIs technology assets, and providing high-tech identification and information services relating to national
The Internet is a unique global communications medium used today by billions of people all over the world. It is the same observation of Steve Case, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of America Online as reported in the article titled AOL Chairman: Web Shapes Politics, by Eun-Kyung Kim, an associated press writer for the Los Angeles Times. Steve Case stated that the Internet plays the role of a catalyst for real social and political change in a worldwide scale. One of its great strengths is the ease with which it spans the globe. Information flows as effortlessly from Washington to Russia as from one building to another in New York, and through five or more countries all in one day. No one can imagine that five years ago, the World Wide Web barely existed and that e was just the fifth letter of the alphabet. Case predicted that the times have changed and that the next U.S. president will launch the Internet Century and that it is the presidents job to make sure the era helps make lives better around the world. Case emphasized the importance of reinventing the governments policies on issues affected by a newly connected nation. Free expression on the Internet, if protected and maintained, enhances democracy, culture and economy not just in the United States but also in a global scale. The Internet is a democratizing medium, uniquely suited to the promotion of human rights, but threatened by governmental restrictions. These observations by Steve Case can be compared to Jon Katz article, The Netizen: Birth of a Digital Nation, where they both shared the same opinion on the issue concerning the publics right to know about information collected, disseminated and maintained by the government in order to increase public accountability and awareness. Unfortunately, in the United States, domestic policies have not been fully supportive of these rights. The US Congress has enacted censorship legislation attempting to control the content on the Internet and limit the freedom of communication through the Communications Decency Act of 1996. Fortunately for the new digital nation, these laws have been ruled unconstitutional by the courts yet members of Congress continue to press other restrictive measures and proposals. Both Case and Katz believe that government-mandated use of blocking and filtering can restrict freedom of expression and limit access to information. Katz emphasized freedom on the Internet more than anything on his article.
12/10/2019 0 Comments Surrealism in Art and PhotographySurrealism in Art and Photography
A fundamental problem for fine art photographers is to distinguish themselves from this morras of photographic folklore, somehow to separate themselves from all these common men who know how to make pictures with cameras, and to convince us all that what they do is special. (Christopherson, 1974) The aim of this rationale is to situate my professional practice within the historical and theoretical contexts explored during my university studies. This essay will deal with establishing the fact that fashion photography does not have to be just about fashion by emphasizing the art in my pieces and consequently creating fine art photography. The first part of this analysis will examine the nature of photography which has become the medium of my practice. Second part consists of consequent research on fashion photography and sequent analysis and discussion. In order to link it with art, the background of Surrealism will be briefly outlined. The final analysis will consider key features of my practice. Can be a fashion photography considered as a true art form? What theories, quotations or articles are in agreement with this subject matter? What are characteristics of art photography? Research has shown that photography was born in eighteen thirty nine and is regarded as everyday medium that communicates concept visually. Roland Barthes (1980) defined photograph as aid which help us to be informed about the world. Furthermore, one should not forget the Susan Sontags theory take pictures as you travel what suggests that collecting the photographs means collecting the world. (Susan Sonntag, 1977) Charles Baudelaire (1859) suggests that photography depict the stupidity of masses, whereas P.H. Emerson claimed that photography was an independent and potentially great art from capable of expressing thoughts and emotions beyond the scope of the other and older art forms. (P.H. Emerson, 1975) In agreement with Emerson, this contemporary medium embodies the way of expressing ideas, expressing myself within my practice. Photography is more than a medium for factual communication of ideas. It is a creative art . (Ansell Adams, 1952) The question whether photography can be considered as an art has been discussed especially in sixties and seventies. It has been found out that in nineteen sixty eight was born the relationship between photography and art. In a Grundergs opinion, it has all started when photographers regarded photography as an art form and simultaneously artists have accepted camera in their practice. (Grundberg, 1987) On the one hand, there were artists who thought that camera is repressing imagination. On the other hand, some of them believe photograph is purely metaphoric. In agreement with the second statement, it has been found out that photographs symbolize the metaphor for artists experience. In other words, it serves the purpose of visualizing artists ideas. In a view of these facts, it is quite likely that if the art is about self-expression than the photograph which is used for expressing emotions, ideas or attitudes, must be regarded as an art form. The first person in history who wrote about photography as art was P.H. Emerson, British photographer and writer. He preferred aesthetic and emotional side of the image rather than the subject. Perhaps we should point out the fact that between nineteen seventy and nineteen ninety photographs has been equipollent with other contemporary arts. Which art movement has affected the development of a photograph and is also significant within my practice? It has been Surrealism, art movement that came into being in nineteen twenty four in Paris with leader Andre Breton. It may be true that surrealist group was the most controversial but on the other hand their expressions were positive and optimistic. To explore the voice of their inner selves, they focus on imagination, mysticism, dreams and mediation. This unreal art movement and photograph as a medium of realism seem to be totally different. Man Ray, American artist who has been considered as representative surrealist photographer had been interested in photography because of personal development. His theory which suggests that photography emphasizes visual sphere between forms is could be in agreement with considering photography as art form. He has also contributed by invention of photographic technique of solarisation. Although it may be true that Surrealism has had impact on a photograph, the most crucial point made so far is that it has significantly inspirited the development and nature of fashion photography. It would be unfair not to mention the fact that Man Rays surreal photographs breathed new life into fashion photography. What is the nature of fashion photography and what is its connection with art? History of fashion is connected with photos by Baron Adolph de Meyer who published them in nineteen nine for magazine Vogue; however the relationship between art and fashion is recognized from renaissance. Anne Hollander (1994) claimed that fashion is art because it is capable of creating complete figural images psychologically real and modern. She also states that as artists turn to fashion, cloth designer turn to the fine art in order to explore the connection between fine and applied art, a sense of pure form and a sense of design to use. In a book entitled ´Fashion Theory´, Rosetta Brookes makes the point that You could say a painting is designed to go on the wall, but if it was made as fresco, where it was part of the wall, would you say it was not art because it was practical? (Rosetta Brookes, 1992) The question whether fashion can be consider as art is questionable and criticised, however these arguments seem to confirm that idea. Fashion does not have to be something people wear, fashion is also an image. (Viktor and Rolf, 1999) Some critics suggest that fashion photography is just about depicting garments or models without any context behind it. It is questionable whether all kinds of fashion photographs are the same, or if there are artists whose images are portraying art with strong artistic context behind it. In this case it is important to highlight and analyse work of surrealist fashion photographers and related theories of critics. Rosetta Brookes (1992) has stated that fashion photographers have to capture the moment where the real world reproduced itself. She wrote on fashion photographer Helmut Newton that his fashion images are embodied in the dualism o the world itself. Judith Clarke (1998) discussed work of surrealist fashion photographer Erwin Blumenfeld who obviously removed fashion photograph from commercial form to its origins art. To support mentioned arguments it is worth stating that Metaphor and meaning of fashion were at the heart of surrealist visual language. (Richard Martin, 1987) It has also been found out that fashion represents for surrealist escape from ordinary to extraordinary. The radical change within fashion photography happened when Adolf de Meyer add shimmer into his images which embodied artistic photographs. This approach has removed the presentation of garment. Consequently it has evoked expressing of emotions. Martin Mukacsi (1933), Hungarian photographer who has transformed the course of fashion photograph when he blurred his photograph. The aim of photograph was to influence woman and let her apply it on her life. According to Roland Barthes (1983), three fashion styles exist. While the first one is objective, second one is more romantic with dream-like elements. The last one is represented as caricature. In agreement with Barthes, all of these specific fashion styles signified unreal. On reflection, it seems more accurate to say that there are lots of facts and theories underpinning the subject matter. The fact, that photograph is medium appropriate for expressing ideas and that for artists influenced by surrealism it embodies the escape from reality, is important statement not only for the subject matter but also for my professional practice. What are the features of Surrealism and other key aspects which are essential within the context of my work? The first thing that needs to be said is work of surrealists consist of dream-like elements. Additionally, the lecture on psychoanalysis let me to research Sigmund Freud and subsequently his book Interpretation of Dreams. In this book he suggests that all dreams derive from our experience and that is the reason why they are reproduced in our dreams. He is also describing the connection between content of dreams and waking life where he suggests that waking thoughts appear in dreams only when they are pushed to one side by thinking activity of the day. (Sigmund Freud, 1913) It is important to add that elements of dream-like representations are abounding in paintings of David Schell. Within my practice, there has been noticeable interest in interpretation of dreams in general. To illustrate this point, here are some examples of dream quotations that have inspirited my creating. There is nothing like a dream to create the future. (Victor Hugo, 1802-1885) To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream: not only plan, but also believe. (Anatole France, 1884-1924) You may say Im a dreamer, but Im not the only one, I hope someday you will join us, and the world will live as one. (John Lennon, 1940-1980) Another characteristic feature of surrealistic movement is unreal fantasy world. At this point is necessary to emphasize the influence of theorist Jean Baudrillard and his book called Simulacra and Simulations. Basically, he negates the reality as we usually understand it and suggest that world we live in have been replaced by simulations of the real-a copy world. According to Baudrillard, the false reality of Disneyland is presented as imaginary to make people believe all surroundings are real. The best example to understand the theory is watching the news on television of two people having an accident. He states that experience of the man and woman who were directly involved with the affair are the only ones to experience the reality and to anyone else it is just simulation. (Jean Baudrillard, 1981) Inspirited by his theory, the subject of my work is to create the hyper real world for viewers while acting in my photograph experiencing the real world. In other words, the subject of my work which may not be noticeable is to take the viewer beyond reality. The argument being put forward here is similar to quote of Bert P. Krages (2005) Knowing abut your subject is useful even if that knowledge does not seem to relate directly to the visual aspects of what you are trying to photograph. It worth stating at this point that there is another aspect of my work emerging. It is a well-known fact that the woman as an object has been representing by many artists, especially surrealists and fashion photographers. Women embodied muse for artists as Man Ray or Edgar Degas. Research has shown that Edgar Degas was French impressionist who is celebrated as the master of drawing the human figure in motion. His favourite theme was women who were captured in their activities. Man Ray also found his motivation in women and is best-known for his avant-garde photography. His images provide the viewer far more differences than similarities of original model. Besides these artists it is essential to mention the influence of lecture called Human Body in Painting and Photograph where this subject has been discussed and analysed. After two years of creating, this subject matter within my practice has been transformed into performance. Performance art came into being in nineteen sixty in United States and has been representing visual artists. By nineteen seventy it was already acknowledged as global term and regarded as art. There is plenty of performance artists therefore it is compulsory to focus on artist with the greatest impact. It has been Marina Abramovic who is regarded as grandmother of performance and also Jemima Stehli who creates self-portraits by using a mirror. However, the most influential artist in addition to this topic is Cindy Sherman. Her personality has had important impact on photography as well as on my own self-directed practice. Her personality is celebrated as one of the most influential and respected American photographers in the twentieth century. Using designer cloths she was trying to point out contemporary problems of modern age and investigate ideas and images of female in media, society and nature of the conception of art. Andrew Sargus Klein (2006) claimed that Sherman endeavour to erase the notion of the voyeuristic photographer- instead, the observer is the viewer. Although some critics believe that her images are just self-portraits, however her quotation is in disagreement with this statement I am trying to make other people recognize something of themselves rather than me. (Cindy Sherman, 1982) Patty Chang (2000) states that performance art and photography are opposites, but both define a non-ordinary space by establishing parameters on it- a space that depends on the observer to make it come alive. To conclude this part, it is myself performing in my photographs. The aim is not to present myself, but to present my ideas through photographic medium. The performance feature provides me the sense of freedom in what I do and what I want to depict. It symbolizes the pure pleasure of playing, acting by using my body as non-commercial silhouette. The purpose of the performance element is to express myself, my ideas and be the one who is manipulating the viewer and who is trying to communicate with audience. However, influenced by Cindy Shermans thinking, the endeavour of my work is not to recognize something about myself, but to let people discover something about them. Not only has performance art originated in nineteen sixty, but also Psychedelic art. It is undeniable that hallucinations, illusions and imagination illustrate key features of surrealists. Edmund Critchley (1987) suggests that hallucinations are obvious in psychical illnesses but can also be experienced by normal people and became source of inspiration for art. It is generally known that Salvador Dali, the most surrealist from other surrealists, has applied in his art making hallucinatory features what caused the fact that his art was difficult to understand. Not only hallucinatory features are important for my practice, but also illusions and imagination. According to Edmund Critchely (1987) illusions, the conscious and unconscious of the form of stimuli provide much of unexpected in art. An alternative approach might be quotation of Sigmund Freud (1927) Illusions commented themselves to us because they save us pain and allow us enjoy pleasure instead. We must therefore accept it without complaint when they sometimes collide with a bit of reality against which they are dashed to pieces. Apart from hallucinations and illusions, imagination is also important within the subject matter and my practice. It is a well-known fact that surrealists style uses visual imagery from subconscious mind to create art without the intention of logical comprehensibility. An alternative explanation might be that they have rather used their imagination. We would even go so far as to say that Albert Einsteins (1879-1955) quotation Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere- in other words, imagination is more important than knowledge- is in agreement with this argument. To sum up information stated above, the purpose of using hallucinatory feature and illusions is simple- the aim is to offer a pleasure to viewer and experience something scrupulously honest. As mentioned above, psychedelic art came into being in nineteen sixty and represents attitudes of underground sub-culture. Steven Heller (2010) claimed that psychedelic art €¦was language used as a code for a revolutionary generation. The features of this art are mainly bright vivid colours and surreal sense which have been manifested within art, fashion and music. The most essential fact contextualizing my practice is using contrasting beautiful colours for purpose of transporting the viewer into fantasy world. In addition to colours, colour theory and specific psychological meaning of single colour. It has been found out that colour is sensed by eye, however the perception of it takes place in mind and it serves sense of illusion and distance. By using different shades and tones at different images, the purpose of the colour is to evoke emotion while looking at piece of work. Therefore I agree with quotation of Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Colours, like features, follow the changes of the emotions. Which other features are significant for surrealistic creating? In addition to illusion, it has been found out that many surrealist but also fashion photographers have used mirrors or mirror effects in order to mystify the viewer. My early influence originated from pieces of Gilbert and George, contemporary controversial artists. The effect of mirroring is result of digital manipulation of the image. Works of the most contemporary fashion photographer, David LaChapelle has astonished me because of undetectable manipulation. He is also applying surreal feature and narrative within his creating. However, the digital manipulation is not the only aspect within existing process of my works. Firstly, there is a need of finding a place which seems appropriate and first of all, interesting. Most of the time, damaged and messy localities are investigating in order to use their complex composition when creating unreal world and transforming them into fantasy landscape. Important fact to highlight is that the place is never staged; however it is always in its natural-found condition. Secondly, the appropriate dress, accessories, entire appearance, pose and mood have to be chosen. Finally, there is another aspect of composing the eventual shoot and also managing the right angels and camera settings. With the help of tripod or an assistant is the picture taken and consequently edited. Although the picture is taken, it is not the end of a process at all. Certainly, it can be said that my work is process based. The other side of the coin is, however, that it can also be argued that it is based on digital manipulation of an image. Nevertheless, the manipulation consists of changing colours slightly and sometimes it consists of the use of mirror effect. These arguments suggest that the work is processed based where the digital manipulation of image is becoming a part of the process. |