Elizabeth

The social issue used here is war and the artists viewpoint is that war should end. In his piece he has a peace conference steeped in the blood of the soldiers that have died. There is also the words "WAR TO END WAR" used as ammunition of a machine gun. He is showing the horrors of war - WWI. He shows trench warfare and death. And all while the war is going on the politicians are taking away causing the deaths of more soldiers. While I look at this piece I feel like politics take to long to stop a war that is unneeded. The soldiers are dying needlessly waiting for the signal for them to go home. I feel that peace is paid for with the blood of many soldiers. I feel sadness for the deaths of all the soldiers that are dying, and anger at the inability of bureaucrat for not stopping the fighting sooner. The artist uses reds, tans, and other colors of war to evoke feelings of sadness and uselessness. He also uses blacks and whites to show bureacrats being separate from the soldiers. I chose this piece because it caught my eye and it felt powerful like one of Winston Churchill's speeches. They are strong and evoke emotions to stop a wars. I am not really a violent person but the blood and inactivity of the politicians grabbed me and pulled me into an era were war was fought by soldiers but was sustained by bureaucratic hoowie. I chose this piece because I think war is necessary evil that is being controlled by politicians that don't know when to quit. I chose this piece because World War 1 was the bloodiest war of its time and the painting showed it.

I chose my theme because I had it for my English 11 social issue research report. I chose it for that class because I have liked science fiction stuff since I was little and my dad watched __Star Trek__ and __Star Wars__ a lot. I have always enjoyed watching those types of shows and movies and it hasn't faded as I have gotten older. After I started watching __Stargate SG-1__, I began wondering about the strange drawings and writings throughout history that were about depicted strange devices, and creatures, that came from the heavens. I have always wondered what they really were, and if we were really alone in the universe. The universe is, after all, infinite and filled with planets similar to Earth, so why should it be that we are the only sentient beings in the vastness.

While I was creating my poster I had a tough time figuring out how to place everything so I could get my point across. There were somethings that I just knew where I wanted to have them while others I put them in a spot and then asked the opinion of the teacher. I would get critiqued about the placement and I would have to decide whether or not I agree with the teacher or if I like the thing is. When getting my point across I had to really think about it. I put some quotes on, but they were enough so thought about writing on it. I think it worked. I also had some trouble figuring out how I was going to pull my figure into the piece. Someone suggested I have another galaxy spiraling into the poster while putting colors in to make it seem as though the spiral was part of the first galaxy. I think my piece is successful in persuading/conveying my point of view. It is subtle, it plants the seeds of doubt in how a person perceives the universe but not enough so they are easily convinced. It plants just enough doubt to get people thinking. I think the question marks and the question are working because they make me think. I don't think the Easter Island statues really work all that well unless someone knew what they were and how they are. I also think that my figures stance wasn't the greatest because it doesn't convey the theme unless someone imagines that the figure is in awe of all the information and has fallen under the weight of it all. If I had the chance to do this project again I would not do it differently because I think it conveys what it is suppose to and is great just the way it is.