Reaction Paper Number One

Miracle

The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of a miracle is definitely not trimming my toenails and the scents of rain and almond oil. When I first think of memory, it reminds me of the movie 50 First Dates. When Drew Barrymore suffers from a memory impairment. Each night that she goes to sleep her memory is erased from that day, and she believes that everyday is her fathers birthday. This movie breaks my heart to see someone that you love go through that and be able to explain to them everyday what happened, I could not imagine life without a memory or having to be reminded each and everyday who I am. The article took me a few times to read before I was able to connect with and understand the message that the author is trying to portray. I found it interesting how complex the human mind really is and the ability to connect a simple task like trimming toenails to jealous gods. The mind is a beautiful thing, and it could also be treacherous. It allows you to imagine, dream, hope wonder remember and be a unique individual. Hope can also drive someone insane and can be a dangerous thing. People rely on their memory to do everyday tasks and also use it to remember and broaden their view of the world. Every person also has the ability to retrieve and repress memories and events that they have been through in their lifetime. Art allows you not to forget your memories and express them in creative ways. This reminds me of how I write poetry and scrapbook, the little tags next to the pictures and the poems that I incorporate all tell a story of my life that allows me to retrace my childhood and walk through it step by step again. The description and the details put into the artwork allows me to be like I was in the moment.

The pictures from this issue really amaze me and are really eye catchy. The first picture that really struck my eye is the “Gate” by Zeke Berman. Abstract is really eye popping and catchy to me, and it allows your mind to wander and create of the picture what you think it looks like. When you first look at it looks like it is a broken window shattered by a rock, also in the background it looks like there is a window sill in the background. Black and white pictures also are really appealing to me, just adds a touch of elegance to the room.

The next picture that really stands out to me is the “Child in Rubens’ House, Antwerp” by Todd Weinstein. The expression on the girls face looks like she is concentrating really hard and by her hand expression it looks like she might be terrified of something maybe something in the foregrounds stimulated her memory and it was a reaction. Another thing that stands out in the picture is the picture that looks like it is leaning off the wall and it is kind of shadowed so you cannot make out what was in the picture. It allows someone looking at this piece to visualize and think of something that might make her react in such a manor.