California, Eames house Essay Example for Free

California, Eames house Essay Constructed in 1949 in pacific palisades, California, Eames house is a landmark of mid-twentieth century modern architecture. It was owned by design pioneers, husband and wife, Charles and Ray Eames. The Eames’ gracious live-work life- style continues to be an influential model. ( Eames house) The design of the house was proposed for a case study house program for Art and Architecture magazine. The idea was to hypothesize a modern household, elaborate its functional requirements, have an architect design the home, use modern materials and construction processes, and then actually build the home. The Eames’ proposal reflected their own household and their own needs, a young married couple wanting to live, work and entertain in one undemanding setting in harmony with the site. (Eames house) A site near the coast, on Pacific Palisades, once a part of private estate was selected. The initial design proposed consisted of a raised steel and glass box projecting out of the slope. According to the final design, the house was tucked into the slope with a concrete wall on the uphill side. A mezzanine level was added, making use of pre-fabricated spiral stair that was to be the lower entrance. The upper level holds the bedrooms and overlooks the double height living room. A courtyard was also introduced, separating the residence from the studios. The revised scheme only required one additional beam. The 17 feet tall facade is broken down into a rigidly almost Mondrianesque composition brightly colored panels between thin steel columns and painted black. The entry door is marked with a gold leaf panel above. The row of eucalyptus trees was preserved along the exposed wall of the house, providing a visual contrast to the bold facade of the house. The Eames house is considered the most successful both as an architectural statement and as a comfortable, functional living space. ( Eames house) Works-cited page Eames House, wikipedia the free encyclopedia, 6-12-2006, Retrieved on 10-12-2006 http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Eames_House

Suicide Essay -- essays research papers

Suicide The natural end of every human life is death. Some people, for reasons that have never been fully understood, choose to end their own lives. This is called suicide, which means literally "self-killing." For all the uncertainty that has surrounded the phenomenon of suicide, his assessment of the problem is probably as accurate as any. The individual, in seemingly hopeless conflict with the world, decides to end his or her existence in what amounts to a final assault against a society that can no longer be tolerated. In so doing, the person tries to obtain a final revenge on everything and everyone that have caused their feelings of depression. Sometimes suicide has been used as a form of execution. Perhaps the most famous such case is that of the philosopher Socrates, who was required to drink hemlock to end his life in 399 BC, after being found guilty of corrupting the youth of Athens. In the 20th century the German general Erwin Rommel took poison rather than be executed for his role in a plot to oust Adolf Hitler from office. In some societies suicide has had social ties. In Japan, for example, the customs and rules of one's class have demanded suicide under certain circumstances. Called seppuku or popularly known as hara-kiri, which means "self-disembowelment" it has long been viewed as an honorable method of taking one's life. It was used by warriors after losing a battle to avoid the dishonor of defeat. Seppuku was also used as a means of c...

How Innovative or Original Can a Successful Artist Be? Essay

Art – How innovative or original can a successful artist be? Art is considered to vary across culture and also through time. Art considered as a masterpiece by this group of people might not even be appreciated by another group of people. Art changes through time and the value of a certain artistic piece might increase or decrease through time. Art is what defines a culture, thus it is regarded by many as the main (not sure we could say this, I think you wanted to say something else)aspect in a culture’s construction. Art function as an emotional gratification for an individual. It also contributes to social integration and it serves as a social control tool. It also preserves or challenges the status quo. Artist will usually have their image or idea embedded into paintings, dances, songs or even poems. These artists are trying to make a symbolic statement through their artwork and sometimes their arts document and convey a vast array of their own experience of life. Very good point However, art changes through time and the symbolic statement made by artists back in their days might not be understood by the modern generation and these arts will start to lose value. Music is the perfect example. The music trend changes through time. Bee Gees used to be a very popular musical group and everyone in the 60’s and 70’s knew them. As time passes, the group faces stiff competition from new and younger artists. It cannot be denied that Bee Gees is one of the most successful groups of all time, but no one can stay popular forever as art changes through time. To the older generation of 60’s and 70’s, the playing of Bee Gees music on radio recalls good old memories but the younger generation would seem to think that Bee Gees can no longer be the voice of their generation and prefer other genre of music. Being innovative or original at a certain era would bring an artist success, but these successes do not last long. good obeservation Music transfers feelings and ideas of the artists. Everyone is able to relate to a certain type of music. One of Michael Jackson’s songs, ‘Heal the World’ was a big hit when it was first released. Jackson said this is the song he was most proud to have created. The music video features children living in countries suffering from unrest, especially in Burundi. This song was used by Jackson as a communication tool to tell the world of the actual reality going on in countries that were still suffering from unrest. ‘Heal the World’ was used as a satire, to ridicule nations who were still in war so that they will change or stop what they are doing. Through this song, Jackson was able to produce an emotional impact and transmitted the knowledge to the public that humans should be the one healing the world and make it a better place for everyone to live in, instead of destroying it. Michael Jackson, being able to adapt to different themes and various genres, this allow him to be original and innovative and has led to him being successful. Even though Jackson has passed away, his music is still being appreciated worldwide. Anthropologists generally agreed that value of an art is based on the role and status of the artists in the community and this is further proven when Jackson’s death did raised the value of his music as he was regarded as the ‘King of Pop’ and his contribution to music, dance and fashion proved to something that will never be forgotten. Today, Van Gogh’s work sells for unprecedented prices and is some of the most treasured and highly sought after in the world. His  Portrait of Dr. Gachet  sold for $82. 5 million in 1990, making it one of the most expensive paintings ever sold. In his time, however, Van Gogh was an unsuccessful, starving artist. He produced more than 2,000 works of art, but sold only two during his lifetime. Van Gogh, suffering from mental illness and further depressed by his lack of success, committed suicide at the age of 37. His post-Impressionist style, filled with emotion, movement and vibrancy, was not popular during his life but would go on to influence decades of artists that followed, and his works remain some of the most highly regarded paintings in modern art. Van Gogh’s art was not appreciated by the people of his time because his artwork wasn’t able to communicate to the public in a way they can related to or learn to relate to. They thought he was just another want-to-be artist who wasn’t going anywhere with his artwork. This also proved that the value of someone’s art is related to the role and status of the artists in the community. Van Gogh didn’t belong to an artist organization or famous art school and his family was neither rich nor famous so he was constantly looked down and no one took him seriously. Jason Mecier creates portraits of famous celebraties using junk, sweets and pills. The San Francisco artist builds collages from unusual materials that he feels suit the personality or life of the subject. The above is a portrait of Amy Winehouse constructed from 5,000 multicolored tablets. Mecier created this portrait to honor the singer’s short life. He captured the tragic star in a poignant pose depicted by colorful medications as part of a series of mosaics inspired by celebrities who battled drug abuse. Jason Mecier used his arts to make a symbolic statement and his symbolic meanings were encoded in the materials and techniques used. He is indirectly transmitting the knowledge that drugs and alcohol abuse are deadly as Amy Winehouse died from alcohol abuse. Mecier, being an innovative and original artist, his portraits were able to gain international attention and have featured for many years in national consumer magazines and prestigious galleries. To say art provides enrichment to humankind is not exaggerating. People have been inspired by thought provoking creations, from Van Gogh’s to Mecier’s art, from Bee Gees to Michael Jackson’s music. However, being innovative and original doesn’t mean you will enjoy instant success. In fact, I think it’s that confluence of commercial success and artistic greatness that makes recent artists so successful. In previous periods, great artists were rejected in their time, but nowadays some great artists are revered in their day, rewarded with wealth and fame, without sacrificing their art.

A Dolls House, a Play by Henrik Ibsen Quotations

A Dolls House is a famous and controversial play by Henrik Ibsen. Here are a few key quotes from A Dolls House. Is that my little lark, twittering out there?...When did my squirrel come home?(Helmer, Act 1) There can be no freedom or beauty about a home life that depends on borrowing and debt.(Helmer, Act 1) Its a sweet little bird, but it gets through a terrible amount of money. You wouldnt believe how much it costs a man when hes got a little song-bird like you!(Helmer, Act 1) Yes—some day, perhaps, after many years, when I am no longer as pretty as I am now. Dont laugh at me! I mean, of course, when Torvald is no longer as devoted to me as he is now; when my dancing and dressing-up and reciting have palled on him then it may be a good thing to have something in reserve.(Nora, Act 1) Still it was really tremendous fun sitting there working and earning money. It was almost like being a man.(Nora, Act 1) I should just love to say—Well, Im damned!(Nora, Act 1) Hasnt a daughter the right to protect her dying father from worry and anxiety? Hasnt a wife the right to save her husbands life? I dont know much about the law, but Im quite certain that it must say somewhere that things like that are allowed.(Nora, Act 1) Many a man can save himself if he admits hes done wrong and takes his punishment.(Helmer, Act 1) An atmosphere of lies like that infects and poisons the whole life of a home. In a house like that, every breath that the children take is filled with the germs of evil.(Helmer, Act 1) Almost everyone who has gone to the bad early in life has had a deceitful mother.(Helmer, Act 1) To be able to be free from care, quite free from care; to be able to play and romp with the children; to be able to keep the house beautifully and have everything just as Torvald likes it!(Nora, Act 1) Your squirrel would run about and do all her tricks if you would be nice, and do as she wants...Your skylark would chirp about in every room, with her song rising and falling.(Nora, Act 2) It is no use lying to ones self.(Rank, Act 2) A wonderful thing is going to happen!(Nora, Act 2) Nora, darling, youre dancing as if your life depended on it!(Helmer, Act 2) When I lost you, it was as if all the solid ground went from under my feet. Look at me now—I am a shipwrecked man clinging to a bit of wreckage.(Krogstad, Act 3) When youve sold yourself once for the sake of others, you dont do it a second time.(Mrs. Linde, Act 3) Someone to work for and live for—a home to bring comfort into. That I will do, indeed.(Mrs. Linde, Act 3) Why shouldnt I look at my dearest treasure?—at all the beauty that is mine, all my very own.(Helmer, Act 3) One cant have anything in this life without paying for it.(Rank, Act 3) At the next fancy-dress ball I shall be invisible...There is a big black hat—have you never heard of hats that make you invisible? If you put one on, no one can see you.(Rank, Act 3) Do you know, Nora, I have often wished that you might be threatened by some great danger, so that I might risk my lifes blood, and everything, for your sake.(Helmer, Act 3) The black, cold, icy water. Down and down, without end—if it would only end.(Nora, Act 3) From this moment happiness is not the question; all that concerns us is to save the remains, the fragments, the appearance.(Helmer, Act 3) I have existed merely to perform tricks for you, Torvald. But you would have it so. You and papa have committed a great sin against me. It is your fault that I have made nothing of my life...Our home has been nothing but a playroom. I have been your doll-wife, just as at home I was papas doll-child; and here the children have been my dolls. I thought it great fun when you played with me, just as they thought it great fun when I played with them. That is what our marriage has been, Torvald.(Nora, Act 3) If Im ever to reach any understanding of myself and the things around me, I must learn to stand alone. Thats why I cant stay here with you any longer.(Nora, Act 3) I have another duty equally sacred...My duty to myself.(Nora, Act 3) That I dont believe any more. I believe that first and foremost I am an individual, just as you are.(Nora, Act 3) You dont talk or think like the man I could bind myself to. When your first panic was over—not about what threatened me, but about what might happen to you—and when there was no more danger, then, as far as you were concerned, it was just as if nothing had happened at all. I was simply your little songbird, your doll, and from now on you would handle it more gently than ever because it was so delicate and fragile. At that moment, Torvald, I realized that for eight years Id been living her with a strange man and that Id borne him three children. Oh, I cant bear to think of it—I could tear myself to little pieces!(Nora, Act 3)