Art and Life

consumerist.com/2011/07/philadelphia-saves-2-million-by-not-prosecuting-pot-smokers.html/ Under Philadelphia's new Marijuana laws, it is legal to posses up to 30 grams of pot without being prosecuted.  The offenders are given the alternative option of attending a 3 hour drug class in exchange for a clear record.  This class does cost $200, but this is an improvement compared to the previous fines that added up to over $500.  Police officers approve of the new system and now have more time and energy to use arresting serious criminals.  Police also told the public that there has been no noticeable negative impact on the community.

I enjoyed our visit from the artist Scott Scarboro.  I took a particular interest in what Scott said about using what you have and I like his fearless approach.  He likes to tinker with things and learn how to work out problems as he goes.  Scott's projects with children's toys are cute in a dysfunctional way, or as he says they are "homely".  The incorporation of materials of personal importance is a subtle way to give art layered meaning.  Scott's decision to use materials already in his posession a practical choice that teaches us that you shouldn't have to go to the store to get art supplies.  He is an inspiring artist for his relaxed attitude and ability to have fun with his projects.

This artist is Japanese and uses a combination of 2D and 3D art by placing sculptures in front of paintings.  She likes to play with light and color to create a dramatic and movie-like quality with her artwork.  I especially admire the manipulation of both light in her paint and the way that light interacts with 3D forms.  In doing so, Ohata creates a harmony between her sculptures and paintings.

Last Thursday's field trip took me to areas of louisville that I've never seen before.  It's easy to get excited about the recent developments in the Ville, like the restaurants and housing built at Cardinal Town or the shiny new KFC Yum center.  With state of the art accommodations popping up left and right, one has to wonder if there is any money left to clean up Louisville.  Our city is known nationwide for air pollution.  After visiting rubber town and the landfill site I wondered what has been done to help clean up these toxic parts of town.  Thankfully, Louisville's recent community efforts have been helping improve our environment.  Concentrations of the most common carcinogen found in our atmosphere have been lowered 75% since 2005.

This was a little awkward to photograph.  The cans are meant to be picked up and turned around.  The words and cans are part of a series but don't need to be read or viewed in a particular order.   

Wood burning stove, handmade from steel cans

Blogging is Theraputic for Teens by Scott Sincoff Being new to blogging, I would have to say it has made a nice outlet.  Most news stories about the internet's social scene involve cyber bullying or the negative implications of social media on today's adolescents.  Scott Sincoff's article looks to the positive effects of social media on the lives of teenagers.  A recent study conducted by The University of Hafia in Isreal selected stressed out high school either write in a blog or an old-fashioned diary.  Two groups of students were told to write about their emotions or social conflicts in a blog twice a week.  Another two groups were told to blog about whatever was on their mind.  The other groups were told to keep a traditional, private diary.  Results of the experiment yeilded that students who were able to publicly write about their personal troubles experienced a greater mood improvement versus those who kept a private diary....