Reflections

I knew quite a bit about computers before taking the digital art class since I have a web design certificate, but there is always something more that I can learn. I had written a blog for another class last semester and posted photos on flickr.  I did not experience cell phone photography with the rest of the class since the cell phone I had at the time did not take pictures. Since then I got a new phone which does take pictures. I took my first pictures with it a couple days ago at Tribute park. I wanted to photograph the sculpture there for my blog. I went to the park after work and when I got there I realized that I didn’t have the camera that I usually keep in my purse. I forgot to put it back in after taking some other photos, so I thought back to earlier in the semester – the best camera is the one you have on you. I took a few photos with my new cell phone.  After getting home, I realized that I had no way to get the photos out of the phone so I could use them in time to post before the end of class. I ordered a cable so I will be able to take the photos off the phone to use once it arrives. I went back to the park the next day and took more pictures with the camera that I didn’t have before. So I am still looking forward to seeing my pictures on a larger screen and experimenting with cell phone photography.

I had also worked with both raster and vector based programs before. What I didn’t know is that there are programs for free on the web. I’d ripped CDs before, but was not aware of the different formats that songs could be ripped to. I had never made a slide show with music or a mashup before.  Generative art and typographic art was new to me, other than old style Ascii art. I found the programs on line for making these to be fun and made more than required. I may actually want to go back and play around with those some more. While I made things with Illustrator, I never got to be an expert with the pen tool. Seeing some of the Vector art out there like the Vector portraits makes me want to learn to be better at this. I’d like to be able to create such awesome art using computer methods.

I’ve written websites before. I first learned when the web was new and you could learn just being viewing the source. Now so much is generated by programs that you need a much better understanding to be able to tell what the source code even does. Also, some things you can’t even view by looking at the source anymore. I have since learned to make websites using Dreamweaver, Microsoft Expression web and can now add Google sites as another way that I can put up a website. I still think I can improve on making my sites look more visually appealing. View my website that I started for this class.

What I’d like to learn now is how to make better vector art. I’d also like to learn about some other types of art like printmaking, painting, ceramics, etc. Although my current interest is in photography and digital art, I want to explore as many types of art as I can. I’d also like to improve my communication and people skills. Since this is an online course I probably seem better at communication than what I feel I am. As an online course it relies on written communication without all of the additional facial expressions, gestures, tone of voice and other aspects of communication in person. I am not as good at picking up on a lot of those nuances as most other people. I know many people find it harder to understand when the communication is only written. For me, I feel it puts me on a more level field as everyone else without all the aspects of communication that can confuse me.

Workers' Memorial Day and the Veterans' Glass City Skyway

Workers' Memorial Day is April 28. It was started by the Canadian Union of Public Employees in 1984. It was recognized by the United States in 1989. It recognizes workers who have died or sustained serious injuries or illness related to their work. Five people died here in Toledo during the construction of the Veterans' Glass City Skyway. Four workers from Ironworkers' Union Local 55 died on Feb 16, 2004 when a two million pound launching truss collapsed . Their names are Arden Clark II, Robert Lipinski Jr, Michael Moreau and Michael Phillips. The fifth worker, Andrew Burris died on April 19, 2007. He was a member of the Carpenters' Union Local 1138. The platform on which he was working detached from the bridge and he fell to his death.

Veterans' Glass City Skyway

This sculpture was built as a memorial to these men. It is called Tribute Memorial. It was designed by a Chicago Artist named Evan Lewis. It is 40 feet high and has kinetic elements at it's top. Centered underneath the sculpture is a plaque with the name of the sculpture and artist and the names of all of the workers who died creating the nearby bridge. According to the artist, the kinetic elements represent the constant effort of the workers who built the bridge. 

I had never visited this sculpture before and although it was a couple days later than Workers' Memorial day, it was an  appropriate time to reflect on the loss of life creating the bridge just a few years ago. I didn't know exactly where the park was just that it was somewhere on the east side near the bridge. I drove by it a couple of times without realizing it because I was looking on the river side of Front street. Then I saw it on the opposite side of the street from where I had been looking. Tributes to the dead have always been a use for art. It helps us to remember their lives and sometimes what they gave their lives to acheive.
For more information about this sculpture visit the Veterans' Glass City Skyway Tribute Memorial page on the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo website.