reaction to Renov

This text opened a door into the insight of those in which we have read such as Barthes, Foucault, Derrida etc. Discussion over the logistics behind the collection of information required to entertain such ideals these authors share. Relates this back to the film-maker as artist and author. I understand where Jimmy and Kim are coming from when they say it is a more 'readible' text but for me it was more academic literature regarding techniques of gathering and presenting material rather than actually being allowed into an author's intimate message. I think that is why I would rather read from 'Barthes by Barthes' I feel as though I am being allowed into a sacred space----that not everyone is allowed--and that which is rarely given---maybe like a blog

Reaction to Obsessive becoming

diverse use of layering. images of destruction by fire, buildings toppling. In the foreground boys might be boxing or playing with toy guns. Was this a metaphor for his own upbringing and the hardships that are articulated by the narraration and the text? I think that I was overly conscious of Barthes idea of the punctums. Daniel Reeves has created this film by using photos and video documentation to represent significant life altering occurences. Similarly to Roland Barthes use of photography to provide 'studium' and 'punctum' to relay his writing. This juxtaposition of imagery that are both innocent and the harsh--bianaries. A vulnerable youth and the idea of the traumatic realities of what humanity is capable of--images of war. Vietnamese burn victims---children in the Warsaw ghetto. I think the film was a bit too lengthy I think it should have been edited in such a way that it was more to the point ---that is how he differs from Barthes. Reeves goes on a visual tangent that is hard to follow. Barthes was successful by way of being more articulate.

reaction to Roland Barthes

I can apreciate his use of photos with his text. He mentions a metaphor of the imagery to a constellation one must be at a distance in order to see the fuller picture---just like reflection on ones own existence. Touches upon the what we have mentioned repetitively in class---the aspect of the ever changing self. pg 56 'I am a symbol of my immediate self'imagunary 'I' is impertinent' would Barthes think it impossible to capture the true self in some medium at all? On page 50 talks about the his ear;y childhood game of prisoner's base could this be comparable at all to Foucault? As well he discusses the aspect of having a physical body and that there is really no use for it---defined by migrane and sensuality Is this similar to Descartes idea of dualism---the mind and body being two totally seperate entities?

reaction to Foucault

I thought that this text was a bit more dense compared to the Foucault we read for last class. My understanding of it was that he was describing the use of sex as a confessional tool starting with the Medeival times to the time of the writing. Pleasure equals truths--- truth equals the confessional ritual---sex equals a confessional ritual. Over time with the development of a different understanding of the human body i.e. we see our selves more in physiological terms we are organisms, as well as evolving more complex relationships. The priciple of the type of confession Foucault discusses early on has changed.

I do not know in fact how we can relate this to some of the other text? or my personal life but I am sure there will be more light shed on this reading during class

reation to 'Nobody's Business'

I suppose at the age that Alan Berliner's father was at the time he was filmed----he is dealing with his ever approaching mortality. He has lived a full life definately had a share of obstacles that shaped his adult and senior life---mainly the divorce from Alan's mother. Now is concerned with those alive i.e. his grandaughter. He has no wish or longing to realize his roots or reminice over his past.

Because this film is so short only an hour ---this aged man's entire life is squeezed into this time frame. It is rich he has accomlished quite a bit. At the end of my existence if an hour length film was to depict how I functioned on this world--would it be as high quality and interesting as Oscar Berliner?? Would anyone be willing to view it?

reaction to Foucault

What I think is worthy of addressing in the beginning of this text is to me Foucault uses terminolgy such as 'critical ontology' and the statement, "the main political problem is the politics of ourselves". These cues signify the type of introspection that can be somewhat burdensome ----yet eventually result in becoming aware of self. Interesting that he later says you must sacrifice in order to gain.

"Self has not to be discovered but to be constituted through the force of truth" After World War two and the writings of Descartes their was more weight on the indivual creating the reality of their 'self' ----you stood alone- transform and modify until you have come to a destination you are content with.
The section pertaining to exomologesis brought back memories of Lynn Hershman's 'Electronic Diaries'. Exomologesis--Recognition of an act. Her over consumption of high caloric food along with the rituals surrounding them are in a way making a physical recognition of her realiztions through self exploration. Can this be comparible to a sort of penance? I know that fasting is... can Hershmans technique be seen within the same context? I think so.
In order to truly define and be aware one must go through a metamorphisis in order to evaluate one's stance within the broader spectrum of existence. This at times can be somewhat painful.
Mentions chanting monks that are in constantly consious of the self through this physical action. Interesting idea confess so that you can truly know yourself.

Reaction to Rene Decartes: Discourse on Method, Optics, Geometry, and Meteorology

This Text is pertinent to what experiences I have had in Graduate school thus far. Getting an MFA one is expected to hold a mirror up to the self inorder to develope their work. From gained experiences and previous knowledge gathered in undergraduate a body of artistic work is expected to arise . From this point one is expected to mold oneself and search for truth within theis own frame of existence. Decartes expresses his gratitude for his time as a youth he spent researching---but it seemed like for him the more he read and improved his knowledge the less he really understood. That is when he had the epiphany that he must turn his studies inward. This is when he truly began to understand his being.
It appears from this reading that he is trying to discern God's role Comparitively to geometry specifically the triangle one with three perfect sides---this is how he imagines God and rationalizes/imagines him.
I found it beneficial to read the section concerning ideas. Much of the time in my own work I feel a bit self conscious and riduculous to say the least----Maybe I am interpreting him wrong but Decartes states that if we come from God and God is perfect and our ideas come from us if there is any confusion or obscurity it is something within ourselves---we need to be introspective to cure or come to terms with whatever is hindering our creative thought processes. That is what I gather from this text --I find it optimistic to think in this way. I enjoy the style in which Decartes writes as well it is very visual making suggestions of shapes and colors for me atleast makes the literature more pleasurable.

Reaction to Michelle Citron's : Home Movies and Other Necessary Fictions

Interesting to see the correlation between this work and that of Hershman. They seem to both be self destructive, have a tendency towards a depressed disposition, as well as had a male family member abuse them. There must be some relation to the medium of film being utilized for the process of 'confession' in hopes of moving forward. These woman as well have in common the use of bing eating as a way to punish and deal with strong emotion otherwise unthwarted. "I stood outside my body and watched myself abuse it. I knew my behavior was a sign of a deep disturbance, but I couldn't name it, nor could I stop myself" (Citron). This text is so reminiscent of Hershman's Electronic Diary I would not be able to decipher the one responsible for it. Citrons text further explains her film Daughter Rite which is beneficial to understand the context of the home videos a bit more of the history behind it and why these snipits are significant to her story. I dont understand why the title of this has the term 'fiction' just how fictional is it?

Reaction to Lynn Hershman: Electronic Diary

This documentation of a middle-aged woman's daily struggle were both jarring and thought provoking. She has a testimony or series of confessions that eat away at her , compelled her to the point of recording her inner turmoil. Is she using this cycloptic eye of the camera to somehow clense herself and in some hope rid herself of the compulsions that plague her? In some way I do think she is utilizing the camera---making it a type of cinematic therapist.
We witness her ups and downfalls she informs us of her childhood where she believes all this trauma originates. What for me was quite painful to attempt to understand was how much her current state had been melded by males she had relations with. Her father who apparently beat her as a small child, her husband who disappeared, she even discusses and compares herself to Hitler---dracula. These seemingly horrible figures she is drawn to and somehow relates to. This is reminiscent of Leigh Gilmores text on the weight of an absent male---"Just wait until your father gets home"----why is it that these men have somehow so intensely impacted the entirity of her psyche even down to her eating habits She has taken to food as a substitute for a male lover/partner maybe it wont be as painful as a tangible male with a 'y' chromosome.

reaction to leigh gilmore autobiographies

Gilmore really relies upon Zami Lordes work A New Spelling of My Name. This author has both the issue of being a woman, black and her sexual preference. She claims to want to have the best qualities from both her mother and father wanting to know what it is to be both male and female.

I think that it is interesting that when looking at a piece of art work one is inclined to speculate the gender of its creator. Sometimes its a rather exciting guessing game trying to decipher and decode particular cues associated with the work being feminine or masculine. Usually bulky steel, welded metal sheeting, lathed wood, stoneware sculptures I tend to assume they were made by a male artist. PIeces done on fabric using solf hues or ---slip casting or thrown vessels I associate with the female. A lot of the time I guess wrong but always in the back of my mind my curiosity and assumptions I try to justify. Is this what GIlmore is referring to when she relates the autobiographer with the interpretations of the reader?