George MacDonalds The Princess and the Goblin :: MacDonald Princess Goblin Essays

George MacDonald's The Princess and the Goblin In his novel The Princess and the Goblin, George MacDonald has cleverly crafted an underground society populated by a distorted and "ludicrously grotesque" race. Within the body of his tale, he reveals that these people are descended from humans, and did in fact, once upon a time, live upon the surface themselves. Only eons of living separated from fresh air and sunlight have caused them to evolve into the misshapen creatures we meet in this story (MacDonald, 2-4). MacDonald calls the beings goblins, and while they certainly may fit that definition from a 19th century point of view, they are far more akin to the dwarves that we have come to know from classic stories like Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and popular games like "Dungeons & Dragons," as well as countless movies, cartoons and video games. Still, it is clear that MacDonald had a considerable knowledge of folklore and mythology and that he drew upon that background to help evoke and manifest a convincing culture of underground dwellers, or little folk. There seems to be little agreement, at least in a modern world of mass communication, of what exactly a goblin is. The origin of the word appears to come from the medieval French town of Evreux, which claims to have been haunted by a demon named Gobelinus (who may or may not have been, at one point, an actual living person). From there the term evolved to refer to any small spirit or creature who (unlike modern interpretations of the word) may be either good or bad, but is almost certainly mischievous (Wiseley). Dwarves, on the other hand, are also small creatures, but the popular connotation is one of a generally amiable and hard-working being who lives underground building mines. MacDonald's creations fall somewhere in between these descriptions, but they probably lay closer to the latter. Scandinavia and Germany are the primary homes to the legends that inspired both MacDonald and many other writers both before and since. The Scandinavians spoke of the land that the dwarves hailed from, calling it Svartalfheim. This land of "dark elves" was described as a dark, cold realm of caverns, sounding convincingly like the twisting, black underground tunnels which Curdie is forced to blindly explore. An alternative to this hidden land was Nifleheim, a land of the dead that could also easily pass for MacDonald's subterranean labyrinth (Mott).

Financial Forecasting †Time Series Models Essay

The economic recession felt in the United States since the collapse of the housing market in 2007 can be seen by various trends in the housing market. This collapse claimed some of the largest financial institutions in the U.S. such as Bear Sterns and Lehman Brothers, as they held over-leveraged positions in the mortgage backed securities market. Credit became widely available to unqualified borrowers during the nineties and the early part of the next decade which caused bankers to act predatorily in their lending practices, as they could easily sell and package subprime mortgage loans on leverage. This act caused a bubble that would later burst when unqualified homebuyers began defaulting on their loans causing a tremendous downfall in the U.S housing market. Understanding which direction key market factors, such as the housing market, are going can help re-establish stability in the market, which is at an all-time premium. This paper is designed to help better predict the direction of the housing market in the future via the use of time series models, in an effort to re-establish a sense of stability in the housing market. The following chart (Figure 1) represents the time series data for non-seasonally adjusted home sales in the U.S. (NHS) from January 1975 to February 2012. The length of this period is significant because over a long period of time we can analyze trend, seasonality, cycles, and irregularity allowing us to better understand the future direction of the market. Trend is the long term change in the level of data. We can find trend in the data by simply looking at the chart and observing the general direction of the data over a long period of time. These trends can be deduced to a consistent change in the mean level of the data over a significant period of time, keeping in mind that seasonality will occur year over year therefore annual recurring changes to the level of data should not account for an increase or decrease in the trend mean. Seasonality is the regular fluctuations in levels of data in a time series that occur every year at the same time of the year. Seasonality is often see n in data that fluctuates regularly in accordance with calendar seasons. When analyzing this data we must also take into account cycles. Cyclical data can be recognized by it smooth elongated upward and downward movements on a long term scale. These reactions are more irregular than seasonal patterns, but more regular than a change in the trend. Generally the cause of a cycle is less apparent right away and occurs because of the ups and downs in the economy making it harder to predict. In Figure 1 we can observe a distinct upward trend until late in 2005, with strong seasonality, and three distinct cycles. The final component that we must acknowledge is irregularity. Irregularities are the random fluctuations that are not affected by the other three components making it the hardest to predict or rationalize. There is some irregularity in Figure 1, but it does not seem to be dominant as most of the fluctuations noticed in the time series could be rationalized by one of the previous three factors. Data source: National Association of Realtors One way to verify a trend in a time series is to analyze a k-period plot of autocorrelations, also known as an autocorrelation function (ACF). If a trend is present we should notice a gradual decline, however if we see a steep decline we should note that there is no trend. In Figure 2, which represents time series data for non-seasonally adjusted home sales in the U.S. (NHS) from January 1975 to February 2012 we can observe a gradual decline meaning a positive trend is present. Additionally we can use the rule of thumb stating each value in the 12-period plot of ACF is greater than .0947 (2/446) and thus greater than the upper limit, representing statistical significance from zero and concluding that a trend is present. Now that we have verified the presense of a trend in the data we will look to verify the seasonality we saw earlier represented by regularly reoccurring fluctuations in the levels of data in accordance with the calendar seasons. To do this we will use an autocorrelation function for the first differenced new home sales data. We will use a larger sample, in this case 24 months, so that we can see the regularly reoccurring fluctuations from one year to the next. When we look at the graph in Figure 3 we notice great increases with lag 12 and lag 24. The jumps seen in lags 12 and 24 confirms the presense of seasonality as they are above the upper limit representing statistical significance. F Time Series and Regression Models for New One-Family Houses Sold Since the NHS data has been shown to have trend and seasonality we will evaluate the data using four different time series models and compare the results of each to see which model is the most accurate. The models we are going to use are the Modified Naà ¯ve model, Winters Exponential Smoothing model, Time Series Decomposition, and Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA). We will also test a multiple regression model to attempt to forecast future NHS, while taking into consideration independent variables. Regression models determine the future direction of the dependent variable based on the forecasts of the independent variable(s). Often times this can lead to a less accurate forecast as too much emphasis is being applied to the correlation of the independent variables to the dependent variable. In reality large ranges of macroeconomic data such as NHS vary because of numerous variables that may not be taken into account. The Multiple Regression model in Table 1 will have NHS as the dependent variable and use the 30-year conventional mortgage and the Seasonally Adjusted Disposable Person Income as the independent variables. This data comes from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. We are going to use two separate periods in our analysis. The first period that we are going to use is our historical data from January 1975 through August 2011. The last six months of model from September 2011 through February 2012 is our hold out model in which we test the forecasted NHS results against the actual NHS during the same span of time to test the accuracy of the models forecast’s. We will use ForecastX software to run the models in an attempt to determine which model is the most accurate and thus should be used to forecast NHS to obtain the clearest picture of the future direction of the market. The two error measurements we will use to determine accuracy are mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and root mean square error (RMSE). To obtain MAPE, we first divide the forecast error or error (actual value – forecast value) by the actual value to yield the percentage error and then calculate the mean of the absolute percentage errors. For RMSE, we first square the forecast error and then take the squared root of the mean of the squared errors. Multiple regression model| 29.54%| 19.07| 32.07%| 105.58%| 43.12| 176.00%| *The mean for the historical period is 59.46 and the holdout period mean is 24.5 We can deduce the most accurate forecasting model from Table 1’s forecasting error results. The model with the least amount of error is the most accurate, which in this case is the Time Series Decomposition model with exponential smoothing for the historical period. However the ARIMA model contains the least amount of error for the holdout period which would leads me to believe that it would be the most accurate indicator over the six month time period from March 2012 to August 2012, however when the model is run over the entire range of data to forecast the next six month period the upper and lower limits drastically trend away from each other each month resulting in a very vague forecast with little confidence. Therefore we will use the Time Series Decomposition to forecast the ex-ante forecast from March 2012 to August 2012. As I touched on earlier, the housing market is a key indicator as to the overall health of the market. Like other markets, the housing market is a victim to cyclical fluctuations. However, if investors and market participants can accurately forecast cyclical fluctuations in the housing market or in interest rates they will have more confidence in the market and be able to make more aggressive moves, spurring economic activity. The forecast summary in Figure 4 shows a continuation in the current NHS cycle through July 2012. This information could be used by a real estate investor to gain insight as to the right time to buy. If NHS continues to decline then we can assume that prices will continue to fall with it, and an investor can wait for the right time to buy real estate at the lowest price. Conclusion The current outlook for NHS for one-family homes in the U.S. according to Figure 4, is seemingly positive. We have experienced a great recession since 2007, and in that recession we have reached depths unrealized since 1975 for NHS. This is shocking because of the population inflation in the country throughout that time, and is really telling of the severity of the recession we endured. Although, with that being said I think that the depleted NHS statistics will encourage investors to jump in and start buying up new property, as well as family that might have never been financially able to do it before. With these low levels in sales we have seen some tremendous deals becoming available, and at the same time banks are starting to lend again. Considering all of those factors I think that NHS will again start to trend positively. References [1] â€Å"Total New Houses Sold: Thousands.† Economagic: Economic Time Series Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2012. . [2] Wilson, J. Holton, and Barry Keating. Business forecasting: with forecastX. 6. ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 2009. Print. [3] Forecast X 7.1. John Galt Solutions, Inc.

My trip to the San Diego Museum of Man

A museum is an institution that collects artistic documents, objects and artifacts with scientific and historical value. It is an open to public place that enables people to widely see and explore collections for the purpose of learning, education and enjoyment. Museums preserve collections and make them available for the benefit of public viewing. The San Diego Museum of Man is a museum that contains various artifacts related to anthropology. Anthropology is the study of human kind throughout time and across all cultures. It is the science that deals with the origin, behavior, and also the physical, social and cultural development of human beings. The San Diego Museum of man is a non profit institution that preserves life and history of human kind. The San Diego Museum of Man is definitely a lot more impressive on the inside than the outside. After a long walk from the parking lot, I laid eyes on the old building and did not have high expectations. I merely thought of this as a `class project` something I `had to do`. Once inside I asked the ticket salesman where I could find the museum`s mission statement. He quickly pointed at a wall to the left side of the building, which read: `The museum of man gathers and shares discoveries of anthropologists. Right underneath the mission statement was the first exhibit, the first humans (hominids). Hominids are human like creatures divided into Australopithecus known as the oldest and Homo known as the youngest. I remembered this from chapter one. The museum had an impressive exhibit that allowed for me to see and reinforce all that I had learned about the first humans. I liked the realistic displays that allowed for me to visualize what each hominid actually would have looked like. I liked the exhibit that compared the different tools used throughout time, from the earliest stone tools used by humans compared to those used now. I enjoyed the interactive exhibits. One in particular allowed for me to attempt to guess what group of hominid certain skulls belonged to. I learned that the cheek bones and eye sockets were used to identify. I was also able to try to guess the age of remains. It was very interesting to see and actually get a chance to practice how this is done. The exhibit is unique in such a way that it allows the guest to actually touch almost all of its content. Inside the museum you can see yourself traversing millions of years, it is like you can actually see the way of life and the image of our ancestors. The museum not only offers a view about the past of human kind but its future as well. Visitors can also go through the human lab in which they can see a glimpse of the future of human evolution, the future of human race influenced by scientific innovations in the form of gene selection and cloning. It is like going through different worlds, the past and the future. There was also a small exhibit on the ancient Egyptians whom I always find fascinating. I was able to view the ancient Egyptians way of life and learn the importance of anthropologist and archeologist in the understanding and interpretation of their culture. I was able to see some mummified remains of children which I have never actually seen before. The ancient Egyptians mummified their dead because of their belief that when someone died their soul would temporarily leave the body. After the body was buried, the soul would then return and be reunited with the body. However, the soul needed to find and recognize the body for it to live forever. It is said that the earliest ancient Egyptians buried their dead in the desert letting the heat and dryness of the sand to dehydrate the bodies. This process of burying creates lifelike and natural mummies. Later the Egyptians began to bury their dead in coffins to protect them from the animals of the desert. And then they developed a method of preserving bodies, the process include embalming the bodies and then wrapping them in strips of linen. Today, this process is known as mummification. This mummified remains and other rare artifacts for over 3,000 years old including coffins and amulets show the Egyptians concern for the after life and their value for their dead love ones. I enjoyed the exhibit however I felt it could have been larger. I wanted to learn more about the ancient Egyptians, their culture, society and their religious beliefs, rituals and ceremonies. My favorite exhibit of all was the Mayan exhibit. The society of Maya includes art, astronomy, mathematics and literature. I was fascinated by these people hearing about them in class. It was very intriguing to be able to visualize these people. I learned a lot about Mayan architecture and was amazed by the giant Stella's with Mayan hieroglyphics. I can say that the Mayan architecture if of a unique beauty. The walls are made of mud or stone covered wood poles that hold together  the two sided hay roof. Outside of their internal economic attention, architecture consumed their time and energy so much. I gained more insight into their culture and learned that they had their own form of dance. They had very decorated dress and weapons with feathers and beads. I read and learned that they had what is called `Xibalba` or `the ball game`. It is said that this ball game is a confrontation between good and evil. This ball game has played an important role in the Mayan's culture and sometimes takes the form of sacrifice rituals and sometimes a game of chance. In whatever form, it always symbolizes the timeless struggle between good and evil in which the outcome is governed by supernatural powers, something beyond human skill and capability. This ball game is a vital part of the Mayan creation story and a fable of light defeating darkness and life prevailing over death. I have lived in San Diego for a long time and this was my first trip to the museum. I think the museum did live up to it`s mission statement. It does contain discoveries and artifacts about anthropology that sure is important and really interesting. Visiting the San Diego Museum of Man is really worth the time and effort and the new knowledge is really worth storing in the mind of every visitor. In addition, it does not only provide knowledge and information but enjoyment as well. You will surely be fascinated with all of the exhibits in the San Diego Museum of Man. I would definitely recommend it to others and I plan on going back again in the future. It is one spot that San Diego should be proud of. Works Cited: San Diego Museum of Man. 2006 Retrieved August 8, 2007 from Anthropology . 200). Retrieved August 8, 2007 from Sheldon, J.   2000. Explore Ancient Egypt. Retrieved August 8, 2007 from http://www.mfa.org/egypt/explore%5Fancient%5Fegypt/         

7 Big Logo Trends for 2019

7 Big Logo Trends for 2019 A logo is a representation of a brands aesthetics and values. Its an opportunity for the designer to express what the brand is and what it stands for- and be convincing. Logos must be powerful and they must provide enough conscious and subconscious information to be remembered.Designing a logo is not an easy task. Graphic designers and companies make use of design tricks, advertising tips and color psychology to ensure theyll come up with a truly memorable logo that will call to action. Existing logos need to be updated over time and adapt to the companys current need and aesthetics. In fact, most powerful logos have been redesigned at least once to ensure they will remain fresh and relevant. A successful logo will represent the brands core values adapted for a current audience, and that would mean being in touch with most modern big logo trends. From minimal logos to elegant typography and artistic vibes, here, we look closely at the seven biggest logo trends for 2019.A successful l ogo will represent the brands core values adapted for a current audience, as well as be in touch with most modern big logo trends. Photo by Roman Pohorecki from Pexels.The power of GeometryAll geometric shapes are deeply symbolic and semantically charged. The meaning of each shape is instantly recognizable in a logo that relies on its simple lines and geometry. A square or a circle is a representation of structure and order while a simple line could be one of continuity. For 2019, geometric logos are conceived in bright, warm color palettes that appear more attractive to the eye. Zendesks or Alos fresh logos are two of the best examples in this category. Mix bold geometric shapes with colorful palettes. Clean and minimal but strong, suggests designer Claudia C, in TheLogoCreative, Its all about giving life to something people having seen a lot of already.Bright colorsColors enhance emotions and create emotional responses, and its no surprise they remain a strong trend for 2019 logo designs. Bright colors are taking the lead and can be adapted to several kinds of brands that want to communicate their optimism and positivity. This is a design trend that works well when combined with other trends mentioned here, particularly with geometric logos and gradients.Bright colors are a trend that can be spotted in all creative fields, from fashion to graphic design, as part of an overall 80s comeback that took design by storm. Combined with gradients such in the new ProTools logo, they communicate a sense of youthfulness and positivity to a Millennial or Gen Z audiences.MinimalismMinimalism is a trend that has been around for years but for 2019, it comes up stronger than ever. A clean, simple logo looks powerful and elegant- two core values that most brands are eager to communicate. Major brands have been redesigning their existing logos by removing all detail, sometimes to the point of a single sans serif, as seen in Saint Laurent and Burberry. Simple, clean lines; no decorative elements; and a strong font make for powerful, minimal logos that work well across media. In fact, one of minimalisms greatest qualities when it comes to logos is that it looks equally strong on social media, packaging and promotional material without the need for redesigning.This years minimalism is more an art of fine lines and basic graphic elements that elevate the brand. Minimalism is less a style than a weapon; clearing away noise so a message shines through, clean and naked, says 99designer Ian Douglas. A minimal logo shows that the brand is focusing on its core values and qualities, making basic shapes stand out for their own.Gradient logosGradient logos are a relatively fresh trend that was fueled further when chosen by mega brands such as Instagram. They are fresh, eye-catching and can elevate a simple logo to a visually stimulating experience. While some may think gradients are a rather simplistic choice, the trend goes strong in 2019, with bright colors and in teresting combinations, as in Apples new logo.The new gradient logos make use of fresh color palettes to convey the brands youthfulness and optimism. Shocking pinks and electric blues are some of the colors of choice for powerful gradients that stand out, as in the new Firefox logo.Hand-drawn logosSometimes it just takes more than simple industrial design to communicate a brands flair and values. Enter hand-drawn logos, a 2019 trend that allows full use of a designers creativity to create a unique message. The list of the tools that can be used to create a hand- drawn logo is endless, from traditional gouache to watercolors and pencil drawing, all work well.Handwritten lettering is a visually similar logo trend that is also going strong for 2019.This is a logo choice that communicates a brands personality and artistic flair. The new Kune Handmade logo is a great example of a watercolor feel while the Lolas Beauty Bar is a great example of handwritten lettering use. Eddie Lobanovskiy from Unfold also believes that people are tired of looking at busy things. Thus, a hand-drawn logo with plenty of white space is the perfect antidote.Hand-written lettering is a logo trend that is also going strong for 2019, communicating a brands personality and artistic flair. Photo by Ovan from Pexels.Three-dimensional logosMaking your logo three dimensional is a great idea to make it stand out from the crowd. In fact, three-dimensional logos are a huge trend in design right now, with many brands following it. This is the season for strong, semi-flat logos that appear to have been lifted out of the page and into space. Logo designers use various techniques to achieve a 3D effect- clever design, gradients and use of negative spaces are just some of them. The new Gmail logo is a successful adaptation of the semi-flat technique to create a strong, memorable logo that can stand out even when used online. Three-dimensional designs are also very powerful when combined with geometric d esigns, producing a feel of elegance and uniqueness about the brand.Shapeshifting logosVariable logos are the hottest trend right now, with many brands opting for designs that can be responsive and adjust in several environments and uses. These several variables allow the brand to customize its logo to serve different purposes in different settings, online and offline. These logos are powerful, dynamic and generally fall into one of three sub-categories:Generative logos- Those are the logos that are designed to change as the designer has incorporated a certain algorithm to pre-decide when and how they will vary. They can look really impressive and can evolve the brands story even further.Responsive logos- Logos that can adapt to appearing great on every device- be it a mobile phone, a desktop or a tablet. In essence, all major brands, such as Chanel, are actually investing in responsive logos. Those logos can also vary contextually when used for packaging.Variable logos- These logos change from campaign to campaign. In fact, the logo designer creates a basic logo as a canvas and then differentiates it in terms of design details or colors, with each variation promoting a different element or service.Vertical logosVertical logos require a letter-stacking format that looks extremely interesting and eye-catchy. Its no wonder then that vertical logos were a strong design trend for 2018 and continues to be in 2019. In elegant and complicated arrangements, vertical logos often incorporate graphic details such as contrasting colors and symbols in a clean, columned structure. Their weakest point? Its difficult to appear equally good and become truly versatile when the digital environment shifts, so they may need some redesigning.Heraldic emblemsSome brands are all about tradition and heritage, and they need to communicate those values in a strong and recognizable logo that catches the eye. The idea of using emblems and coats of arms in still going strong in 2019 and ma y be the perfect choice for heritage brands. From traditional wine brands to educational institutions and from apparel companies to eateries- heraldic emblems are the safe yet stylish choice for quality with a history.Metallic logo designsNot long ago, metallic logo designs were considered fit only for jewelry retailers and sometimes beauty brands. In 2019, many brands seem to take advantage of the aesthetic value of metallics and the sense of high-class coolness they offer to a brand. In clean cut or more elaborate designs, silver or rarely gold metallic logos are the epitome of modern chic, as they look great with even the simplest design. In simple lines and combined with the new geometry design trends, silvers and golds make all brand logos stand out.Illustration-inspired logosSometimes you need a logo to illustrate the hyped, playful side of a brand, as well as showcase the actual service offered at one. Enter illustration-inspired logos and funky designs that replace some of t he logos letters. This is a trend that looks fun and catches the eye. Still, it requires exquisite design skills, as the illustration needs to be properly placed in the logo and always reminisce of the letters missing. A heart design for an M or a pair of glasses for a double o are just some of 2019s best illustrated logos so far, with more predicted to come.

Open Class Words - Definition and Examples

Open Class Words s In English grammar, open class refers to the category of content words- that is, parts of speech (or word classes) that readily accept new members. Contrast with closed class. The open classes in English are nouns, lexical verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. Research supports the view that open-class words and closed-class words play different roles in sentence processing.   Ã‚   Examples and Observations All the words in a language can be broadly divided into two categories, open and closed. The closed category is so called because it does not easily accept new words. Its members are fixed and do not usually change . . .. The open category . . . contains nouns, verbs, adverbs, and descriptive adjectivesexactly those parts of speech that remain open to new additions . . ..Words in the open category are usually further divided into simple and complex words. Simple words contain just one morpheme (house, for example, or walk, slow, or green), whereas complex words contain more than one (houses, walking, slowly, or greenest).(Thomas E. Murray, The Structure of English. Allyn and Bacon, 1995)Open-Class Words in Telegraphic SpeechExamples of open-class words are those belonging to the major part-of-speech classes (nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs), which in any language tend to be quite large and open-ended. that is, an unlimited number of new words can be created and added to these c lasses. . . .One familiar variety of language in which the distinction between open-class words and closed-class words is important is known as telegraphic speech. The term telegraphic derives from the kind of language used in telegrams, where considerations of space (and money) force one to be as terse as possible. HAVING WONDERFUL TIME; HOTEL GREAT; RETURNING FLIGHT 256; SEND MONEY; STOP. Generally speaking, in telegraphic forms of language the open-class words are retained, whereas the closed-class words are omitted wherever possible.(Adrian Akmajian, et al., Linguistics: An Introduction to Language and Communication. MIT, 2001) Open Class Words  Ã¢â€ â€ Closed Class Words[O]pen-class words can evolve into grammatical words over time (grammaticalization). It is an essential part of the dictionarys task to describe this evolution. For example the verb ought (ought v.) has evolved from being the past tense of to owe to the condition of a pure auxiliary. Moreover, open-class words can develop senses that constitute fully grammaticalized lexical items, while retaining their original character in their other senses. For example, the verb to let (OED let v.1), the original meaning of which is leave or allow to pass (Branch I), and which retains a number of lexical meanings, developed in Middle English and still has an imperative auxiliary use with the infinitive (let us go).  Or an inflected form of an  open-class word  may develop an independent use as a grammatical word, for example the conjunction providing. Additionally, grammatical words can develop from compounds that start out as straightforward  syntactic constructions: for example, as and also from all so.(Edmund Weiner, Grammatical Analysis and Grammatical Change.  The Oxford Handbook of Lexicography, ed. by  Philip Durkin. Oxford University Press, 2015) Other Relevant References Complex WordsGrammaticalizationMental LexiconMonomorphemic WordsWhat Are Word Classes, and Whatever Happened to the Parts of Speech?

Research Paper on Artist Ai WeiWei Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

On Artist Ai WeiWei - Research Paper Example The website, took on the form of Wikipedia introduces individual under different categories. Ai WeiWei’s page also has sections each discloses different information about him; however, all descriptions are negative, violent and written with diminutive words. Moreover, at the bottom of the page, instead of a list of references is a long list of links to more unfavorable articles written about him. In contradiction to the assaulting websites, Ai’s Twitter has numerous Chinese followers voicing out their supports to the controversial artist. Although his domestic supporters appear to be in big number as the amount of donation to his tax bill rises high within a short period of time; his Chinese followers are as a matter of fact scarce when compared to the entire Chinese population. Unquestionably, it is inevitable for every public figure to attract people who oppose him or her; however, Ai’s publicity is drastically a polarized one. . Ai WeiWei, the Chinese celebrit y artist is possibly the most well known living Chinese artist on an international scale, while his fame is positive to most westerners and some Chinese audiences, his role as a dissident displeases his government and a great populace that still live up to the ideology of the Communist Party of China; the traces that lead to the contradiction of the differences in opinion between his Chinese onlookers can be found through the examination of the making, product and aftermath of the artwork Fairytale. Ever since I can remember, I saw my father living without freedom. Realizing that after I had grown up, I am still living a life without freedom is terrifying. The artist Ai WeiWei’s life story is one that has been repeated and well exposed to his international audiences. In Ai’s case, his background is destined to be the center of attention to his Chinese viewers. Moreover, his background is the precept to acknowledging the propaganda behind his artworks. It is also imposs ible to omit the introduction of his father, as his biography is one that bears the process of what became today’s China. Ai Qing, a representational figure of the Chinese Red Poet was born to a wealthy landlord in the Zhe-Jiang province during Nationalist China. Due to his resourceful background and flexible politic, he was able to study art and later went to France. As the Communist party came into power, Ai was at first praised but soon misread as a pro-rightist figure and forced to be send to labor camp in Xin-Jiang, a remote province that borders Russia, Mongolia and many other countries in the dry and desolate region. Ai’s unfortunate encounter with Communist China was not a unique one. As soon as Mao came to power, the Chinese people were under strong censorship [†¦] Ai WeiWei was raised under harsh conditions until he was nineteen when the family was finally granted the permission to move back to Beijing. Ai WeiWei’s acrid upbringing did not extingu ish his passion for art. After his return to Beijing he was enrolled in the Beijing Film Academy and later traveled to the U.S. where he once attended The Parsons School of Design. Living in New York with an energetic life style, the artist was nourished with the freedom of the country and actively participated and witnessed major art movements and protest events. â€Å"Thank the Motherland, Thank the Party † is the phrase a Chinese person must say upon his or her receiving of an honor. If an

Media Journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 4

Media Journal - Essay Example in her Ballet class and she often hears them pass weird remarks about themselves such as their skin is blemished or with pimples or that they had had a fat day. Some of them went to the extent of saying that they looked disgusting. Being a blogger herself, Julia brought this problem to the attention of other bloggers by starting an online petition drive. Julia took it a step further by taking the Seventeen Magazine to school and showing it to many of the kids, both boys and girls and asked them if they agreed with the petition where she asked the Seventeen Magazine to â€Å"commit to printing one unaltered — real — photo spread per month.† (Julia Bluhm, 2012) Most of them agreed with it and signed the petition. In fact, the total was a staggering 46,000 people. Julia, with the help of her mother and a few friends visited the Seventeen Magazine office and held a demonstration outside. Ann Shoket, the editor -in - chief invited them inside and both parties thrashed out the problem together. Even though the editor explained that things like freckles and moles could be covered by make up, Julia was not convinced stating that it was not possible to cover up everything and so strongly feels that they were using digital