AnnaN



I choose smoking marijuana as my social issue, because in my opinion it is a huge problem in teenage environment, because of high popularity all over the world and especially in America. I did it to educate some people, that even though there are not many people, who died because of smoking weed, there are many bad effects it causes. It is very important for people to realize that, because even though they most likely won't die as a effect, they can still destroy their lives. Just problems with memory is a huge effect that can change our life constantly. I think it's a big problem that needs to be eliminated.

There were many different problems I had while making this project. At first making clay figure was very hard, because I have never did something like this, so I wasn't sure if I'm doing it right and if it will stick together after firing. The other problem I met with was the picture of marijuana leaf in the background, because it wasn't big enough for piece of cardboard I choose. I decided to burn the edges in the end of making process, because the composition wasn't like I expected it to be. I also had to make decision while cutting the picture of eye, because the way I cut it at the beginning didn't look good. The other problem was with the title, because I wasn't sure what color would be suitable, but it was right decision to make the shadowing around word "bad".

Overall I think my piece is quite successful, because it shows that marijuana is bad and it is supported by the effects it cause to the body and by some other facts. The composition looks interesting and grab people's attention. Although tags with the effects that are connected by the black ribbons could be bigger, because they are hard to see from far away and make audience to come closer, which basically has some benefits as well. I feel like burning the edges made all composition work together. If I would have more time to do that project I would print the marijuana leaf in bigger size and also make the title bigger.

1)What is the social issue and what is the artist's viewpoint? What do you see in the work that supports the viewpoint? 2) As you observe the piece, what emotions are provoked? What artistic elements does the artist use to provoke the viewer's emotion?

This piece shows little baby laying in the bed, and probably dying and adults that can not help the child and rescue them, which is shown by the person in the foreground, that is clutching her hands to her head. It gives the audience feeling of helplessness and grief. This picture brings to my mind the times when medicine wasn't so well-developed and there were many people dying, because nobody knew how to help them. I also think the piece shows poverty, what is also the reason why nobody can help the child. Besides poverty, the main social issue shown is dying, especially in young age.

Emotions that come to my mind while looking at the picture is mainly sadness, because of the dark colors. The hard lines artist used to draw it also brings the feeling of frustration. The gestures of the person in the foreground bring feelings of despair and helplessness. The people in the background that are presented in light colors brings hope to the picture. It looks like they count on some help that will come, it also looks like they are praying.