Rut #7 - Trash, Brady Edwards

"One man's trash is another man's treasure." Taking this idea further, "one man's struggling idea is another man's brilliant one." My roommate had thrown out his bulk-sized pallet of eggs (apparently the guy eats 5 dozen a week, which explains why our apartment always smells like IHOP) and thought to discard it permanently. It occurred to me that the pallet, which was designed to house and protect eggs in transport, would probably serve a similar purpose with poster boards and notes, if cut and carved away properly. I'd propped up poster boards and had figured that it was good enough and would no doubt get similar results with paper.
Well, I would come to find out in class that paper did, in fact, not work with it at all. Thankfully, Nate, in his infinite, Nike-branded athletic wisdom, suggested that a phone be propped up on the paper stand instead. Voila! A masterpiece, a work of art, a functioning phone stand turned out of trash. It may very well revolutionize the world as we know it. That's why it's important to keep your trash close, and your clever friends closer.

Brady Edwards

The BUS--Nate

Taking the bus was an interesting experience. Luckily the bus wasn't too packed with people when I went. I decided to go for only short bus ride. I took it from Provo to Orem. I went shopping and went back home. One of the things I learned was patience. I couldn't just hop in my car and go when I wanted to, but I had to wait for the bus to arrive according to its schedule. There was an older looking lady who looked like she lived a humble life. She looked tired--like she had been walking every where that day. She looked grateful for a ride. I didn't really talk to her, but I did smile. It made me grateful for owning a car. I like to get places fast, so I don't know if I will take the bus again. But I did learn some patience and to be more grateful. Once thing I did like is that I could do homework the whole time. So the ride was actually pretty beneficial and efficient.

Here's the pic of my art assignment

Trash... Rut exercise #7. Frank

So....I was digging through my trash can and I saw a lot of things that I could make but then I remembered that I had to give my amazing trash art to somebody. That was the part I was worried about most was giving my "art" to somebody. So I decided to make something for a baby in my ward.  It was something that could be torn apart by a babies hand but wouldn't harm them either.
The picture is basically a bunch of plastic pieces put together to make a silly face. the pieces were glued down with non-toxic glue. The eyes are made of cupcake holder wrappers and the nose is made of a plastic lemonade packet. The mouth is made of an old cloth that was used as a decoration on a mason jar. It was all glued down on a paper towel.

When i gave the "art" to the family they were a little taken back like what the freak is this thing but they took as a joke and we had a few good laughs.

This assignment made me pretty observant of what was in my trash can and how I could use it to make something out of it. It really has shown me how much I waste that can be used for other things.

I remember one time I saw a family use shower curtain rings as a toy for a toddler like a key ring. I thought that was so clever and resourceful. I hope that I can be that clever and frugal to come up with those types of ways to keep my future children entertained.

Here is a picture of the baby toy.

Get out of your Rut #7 Olivia Clyde

If you want to see the world through a different lens, then take a ride somewhere on a UTA bus. Tells us what the experience was like, what is one new thing you learned while riding the bus? (Take pictures if you want) Please respond to these questions on the blog by creating a blog post. Also, you must comment on at least 5 of your classmates posts. (please put your name alongside the title of your post under “title”)

Taking the bus was indeed, a new experience. It's not often that I use public transport, since an old-fashioned car can suffice here for most of my travel needs. It's not often that I get to experience life in a moving room with perfect strangers. I decided to head to the front, because that's where all the action is. It's the perfect spot for getting the most people-packed view. Granted, it's more likely that everyone will be staring directly at YOU as long as you're facing them. That's the peculiar thing about people--we fascinate eachother and staring is contagious. 

There was an older, possibly on the crazy side man, trying to give some passengers a run, or ride, for their money. He continued to pose to them questions that were intrusive and overbearing, and they did their best to ignore him. I was touched to finally see a woman lean in and stick it to the man, when all seh had been was an innocent bystander. It certainly made the man swallow his tongue-- and the people that he had been bothering were prompt in their exit. Whether or not they evacuated a few stops early is still a mystery to me. Funny how you simply can't get that experience when riding lone.

People would board, exit, board, exit. They respected the bus driver and his rules. No one dare go over the line, entering his territory. It's nice to observe people taking in the world, whether on their iPads or through the UTA windows. Some sleep, absentmindedly, and probably deservedly since their days are undoubtly no less stressful than mine.

I thought it was a marvelous opportunity to get acquainted, albeit small, with the human race. Think I'll catch a ride more often. 

Painting Rut

Finally I can put this up. I left my painting in SLC after we presented in class because I had to go directly from class last week and I had to switch bags once I was down there.

So for this painting I chose this character because I wanted to paint something at least a little bit easy to look at so I hid behind humor. It might be making grand assumptions to assume that the work is funny, but I think it is so hopefully that counts for something. Painting was super fun. I've been kind of working non stop on my portfolio and doing this was super therapeutic. 

Song Lyrics Rut - Gabe McFadden

Here are my lyrics. I kind of made it a gag song because I struggle to write regular music. From this I learned that I still don't like writing songs. My sister is a singer/songwriter and has enlisted my help because I am a self proclaimed writer and I have never enjoyed it before. This was no different. I love writing, but I am just supremely uninterested in songwriting. I have a weird block about original music. Very rarely have I heard good "original music" from a non signed musician and I fear being lumped with those whose talent I don't admire.

I am a classically trained violinist and I have also never really written my own melodies. I think my biggest block isn't talent or not understanding music theory, it's just I really don't like doing it.

Without further ado:

Beneath the waves, she mopes and whines and cries.

She yearns for grass and hills and clear blue skies.

The Princess hates the fauna that abounds.

She’s blinded to the beauty that surrounds.

She swims in search for ways to sate her drive,

when fin’ly to the Sea Witch she arrived.

“I’ll give you legs and lungs and grace my sweet,

just trade your voice and tail and gills for feet.”

Controlled by want she hastily agreed.

For her tail and voice her dream they would impede.

A waving wand, a flash of light, a sting-

a dream fulfilled, a change the spell did bring.

She kicked and stoked, ‘neath waves she flailed around,   

without her gills the princess slowly drowned.

With her last thoughts before she passed away,

She realized now the error of her way.

Ungrateful girl floats slowly to the shore,

At last she gets the skies that she wished for.

 

Get out of your rut #5

Songwriting

Post the lyrics on your blog entry-also, what did you learn from this creative exercise? What creative muscles were most used? 

Sweet Baby Jane

"I remember the da you came, it was a noon in June
The end of the waiting game, fun time comin' soon
I said nothing but "hi," you did nothin' but cry,
That's ok, you were my Sweet Baby Jane

(Chorus)
Now we won't own up that she's grown,
Cuz she'll be on her way,
She take the stress out of the mess, how could I ever say "goodbye?"
Come on, Janie, stay-stay-stay!

To my rescue she came, when I stepped off teh plane,
Taller- Sweeter- But forever "Jane, the Pain,"
We laughed, learned, and cried, enjoyed the summer ride
You were there for me, my Sweet Baby Jane

(Chorus)
Now we won't own up that she's grown,
Cuz she'll be on her way,
She take the stress out of the mess, how could I ever say "goodbye?"
Come on, Janie, stay-stay-stay!

The guys and all their drama, think it's time for a walk
Oh wait I'm dressed like a boy, that bunny's 'bout to stalk-
Mamma's sittin' the kitchen, sure to give us a lickin'
But bring it on------- I'll blame sweet Baby Jane.

(Chorus)
Now we won't own up that she's grown,
Cuz she'll be on her way,
She take the stress out of the meess, how could I ever say "goodbye?"
Come on, Janie, stay-stay-stay!

1. This exercise taught me that it definitely takes some thought to dive in to something that is meaningful enough to someone that they would sit down and write a song about it! I sat there for a while trying to decide what mattered most to me that I would do such a thing .

2. Creative muscles that were most used were certainly thinking of a rhythm and MELODY as I composed the lyrics. I've always been one to write poetry, not meter or anything regarding music. This was defintiely pushing some new limits, and a wonderful experience. I'm excited to sit down and hammer this out at the piano---as well as share it with my wonderful sister who is soon to leave on her mission...... she and I became best friends this summer after I got back from mine, and I was so glad for the chance to make a tribute to her.

Rut...ROCK N ROLL!

So honestly...this has been my favorite rut assignment so far. I really enjoyed coming up with creative words and ways to describe something. This song is based off of a book called the scorch trials. I really have no idea how I came up with the idea but it just started happening and I tweaked it and worked with it and came up with a song story. I learned that I really do like writing and if I could apply to both art direction and copy, I would. I really liked this because it made me think of how can I make rhyming sentences and words work together to tell a story about a book. It definitely got my creative juices flowing. Enjoy!

Rock and Roll Fantasies.

THE SCORCH.

(Verse  1)

My life is a constant entrapment of lies that twist and tangle and beguile.

I cringe in the blaze and wonder and ponder if my life is really worthwhile.

(MUSIC SCORE)

It often may seem in this world that we live like you’re nothing but just getting old.

There are kids in the world that work very hard and for pennies and nickels are sold.

Chorus:

Life is a game

Life isn’t fair

Life isn’t true

When you’ve got the flare.

But I’m gonna die

Please don’t get near

The people that rule.

Put things in your ear.

The cranks and the shanks who will tear you apart are the ones that we all must avoid.

Don’t trust the women who’ll stab you in the back and make sure your life is destroyed.

(MUSIC SCORE)

The voice in my head tells me I used to be kind and I signed up for this years before.

“Wicked is good” and inked on my neck “That I must be killed by group 4.”

(CHORUS)

(BRIDGE)

The cure does exist, or so they say.

But were smart and immune and must always obey

“Take it out!” I proclaim, “Take it out right away!”

I will not be molded like some piece of clay.

(CHORUS)

Rut Exercise #6

How did you feel as you were doing this project? How did you choose the subject matter of your painting?

I wanted to make something that involved precision. I decided that I would take painters tape to create the lines and the main triangle in the middle. 
I felt like I was in High School again working on a piece for class. It felt kind of nostalgic. 
I was painting a GEOLOGY art work. The different lines represent different layers of rock and then the blue and orange paint represents the fault lines. The black, yellow, purple, and green lines are all old rock layers and the orange and blue lines are newer rock formations that have cut through the old layers of rocks. I call this piece "When We Were Young." 

ENJOY!!!!!!

Rut #6 Art

How did you feel as you were doing this project? How did you choose the subject matter of your painting?

It felt freeing. I can't believe I've waited this long to explore watercolor. Of course there's been the typical exposure to it in elementary school-- but this is different and new. It's a vastly differently medium than say crayons or markers. I felt like my imagination kind of expanded right then and there as I mixed primary colors to make new magnificent ones. There didn't seem to be enough room on the cardboard for my next invention of hue. 

I felt resentment, that I don't get out much. I regretted my confinement to the same two or three blocks that I walk or run on a daily basis, and longed to be out in the open more. When that does happen, few things compare with nature's proximity. I gush when I catch a glimpse of a few stars here at night! 

I chose it because my favorite color happens to be orange. It just was kind of how the painting started--- with the top layer, that proved to be a sunset I'd hope to see when finding myself alone. Pretty soon the landscape followed suit, until eventually my favorite part--- the meadow flowers. I used the bottom of my paintbrush, the handle, for the small weed-like effect. 

Anyway, I plan on trekking out there really soon. Come with? Haha, I really enjoyed the project and hope to employ water color more frequently for personal pleasure!

Finding 7

Who thought this up, I'm curious to know. What a clever way to portray a Converse sneaker. There's the green, and then someone broke through the leather soles to see the opening of an alligator's trap. It's weird, kind of eerie, and fantastic. I think it might peak the interest of any teenage boy on the fence about buying a pair of the 70's most iconic shoe- and the 21st century's most retro one. Sold. 

Rut #5 Brady Edwards

This is something I wrote recently, when my grandfather had his heart attack while driving and crashed his car. He held on for a couple of weeks, trying to get stable and recover. His condition progressively got worse until he passed away in the middle of the night. It gave me a lot to think about, and a lot to write about. After my parents got divorced and my dad seized the house, my family was homeless for a time. They moved up here to Utah and stayed with my grandfather. He took them in while I was on my mission and helped raise my family while I was gone. I meant a great deal to my family, and so losing him evoked a lot of emotion and feeling from us and the extended family. Family as far as hawaii and Germany came into town to see him, saying their piece and grieving. I turned to a notepad and started writing this, and have since finished it for this assignment.



The Patriarch

So you find yourself in a car crash, breathing "save me from this."
Between the lines and compressions
we realize what we've missed.

With broken ribs and breaking heart, oil pools all over the floor;

Horizon's rim, the Far Lands,

as we pry open the car door.

They call it a sore chest, a saved life.
But was it only meant to be for a night,

were we not supposed to save his life?

Raise our hopes just to say goodbye,

Oh why?
Did we not break his ribs hard enough?
Is this karma calling out our bluff?
Leaving him by himself for so long,
one with a heart so soft, eyes so worn, hands that were firm but never felt too rough.

How could you say he's meant to die?
That mask's what's keeping him alive!

The tender feelings, their youngest cries.

How can you say he's no longer there, when he just held my hand and looked me in the eyes!

You've got it all wrong, listen to me!
He needs us like he needs that IV
Drip hooked up to his swollen hands,
We sit and talk and fight and walk
and cry and pray and finally stand
Circled around the man meant to die;
But what if he pulls through again tonight? 

Hands to head, her last goodbye.
Stony confessions, oh, now she cries, because she thinks he sees a white light.

So last night, my cries mingled with his flat line
I lie flat, lying about the divine
I know he got there, I just don't know at what time
Unpaved roads, the bumpy car ride
HOME.

I've never seen a snow like this.
Lapels pinned with a bloom that winter's mist
Can't touch or wear out. On the surface
   the season's defied, but her beat isn't missed.
I carry my patriarch. I carry my patriarch.
When a role model becomes an ancestor.. Your paradigm is inclement as weather.
Now he's watching, it's time to do better.
Cuz now my role model has become my predecessor. 

I learned the power of words, and how they can take you back to a place, make you re-feel a feeling, and experience what we often have a hard time recalling. It was interesting, finishing this song. I've come up with a tune for it, but haven't transcribed it or written it out, though its sound will match the content. I envision it being more of a heavy, fast paced song, harsh but orchestrated. The whole ordeal felt the same way, so it only seems fitting.

Hopefully the sorrowful nature of the situation isn't what you hold onto, having read this. I'm doing great, the family's better, things have calmed down and returned back to normal. The imagery and word choice of the song is meant to make a person feel something, provoke thought and gratitude for what you have, then keep going.

Finding 6

Whoa. Written in the body:
Like an old Western your Khakis have now been colorized.
Having the Grandfather I do, I can't help but think I know what this ad is talking about. Hahah, and love every second of it. Everyone respected a good pair of khakis, but that was more like between 2002 and 2006. The majority have rolled with the wardrobe punches and realized that color is the new khaki--- integration is also the new racism. Haha, A very clever version of what I believe? would be a Gestalt piece of work.
The pose works nicely as well, and everything ties well in to the only color of the picture. Great ad.

Rut #4 New Food - Gabe McFadden

So this one was actually kind of hard for me-- growing up in California with a mom who runs a relatively successful food blog means I have been exposed to most types of food. I couldn't really find a cuisine that was offered here in Provo or SLC that I hadn't had already. However, late Friday night I got a call from a friend asking to go with her to Black Sheep Cafe. I have wanted to try it, but have been reluctant to because it is one of the "trendy upscale" restaurants here in Provo and after trying and being EXTREMELY disappointed with Communal (great atmosphere, cool space, attractive staff, innovative ideas--but poor execution. In any other city, Communal would be a massie flop. But I digress).

Anyways-- we went and I had pork jowls for the first time and I also ate radishes, which I thought I hated and I'm sure I've eaten them before but not since I can remember so hopefully those count too. I also had cactus pear in my dessert which I had never had before.

$42 dollars each later I was finally satisfied with a Provo semi-high end eating establishment. The prices are high enough to keep out the rif-raff but not nearly as expensive as a meal in LA so I am content. I'm mostly joking-- I'm only pretentious for dramatic effect. But the food was good.

Rut 4 New Food--Nate

I went to Chick-Fil-A and tried their grilled chicken nuggets. I'm a big fan of chicken nuggets. The grilled nuggets were messy and had lots of juice/ water at the bottom of the container. I did feel much healthier after eating them though, which is definitely a benefit. I don't think I've really changed, I've always been one to try new foods. But I do think if a fast food chain is trying to go healthier than I should too.

Rut #4 Frankie FInan

So... Yesterday my wife and I decided that we wanted to go to the asian market on state street that is right across Fresh Market. We had never gone before and we wanted to see what they had. Well...when we first walked in the store smelled of fish and seaweed and then after a little while, you get used to the smell. We were perusing around and we didn't see anything that was of interest to us until we saw the frozen  and refrigerated section of food! They had so many things but most of them I had tried before either on sushi or some other asian form. Then I saw it, the thing that I had never tried before and had been scared to for the longest time. BALUT! Balut is a duck (or other bird) egg that has a semi formed duckling inside of it. I'm not going to lie...i'm not scared to be adventurous when it comes to food but this was different. I was just imagining how it tasted and what it would be like. We bought two to take home because we both had to try it. We got home and decided to prepare ourselves with water and puke buckets just in case.  Then it was time...we both bit into our Balut eggs and both looked at each other in such disgust! It was awful!!!!!!!! There was a nasty, rotten smell that accompanied the egg. Neither of us finished out eggs but we did swallow two bites of our eggs. Plus neither of us had to use the puke bucket. It was hands down the most disgusting things i've eaten and i've eaten MANY gross things before in my life. Heres a picture of what it looks like. These are  not the ones we got but same idea. 

Finding #5

Welcome to the world of Pryaniki. Once upon a time I spent some time in the Motherland. A roughly 18 month time period, Russia and me. Over the course of those months, I was exposed to a wide variety of exotic European treats and delicacies that seemed to cushion the blow of any stressful gospel lesson. Haha, cookies, chocolates, candies, all accompanied with scorching hot herbal tea.

My mission companion and I were able to have a mini reunion up in Salt Lake-- complete with our very own trip to a LEGITIMATE Russian GROCERY STORE.
There, among the array of sausages, breads, and ice creams, we cam across these little babies.
Pryaniki-- the firm, crunchy, soft, and sugar coated dreams come true. Apparently they're even more phenomenal when warmed and microwaved, but any form of glucose can send me reeling, honestly. SO GOOD! It's a temptation to not down the entire bag in a matter of seconds! They come in all varieties, some carmel-filled, and these happened to have  tint of cherry flavor.

My search for happiness ends here. I loved the blast from the past and trying priyanki, cherry flavored! It was neat to reach out and go above/beyond my usual Smith's run that involves few things outside of turkey, apples, and oatmeal.

Brady Edwards, Rut #4

A couple of days back, I went out on a limb and tried the dreaded food, caviar. I've always found the consumption of unborn fish eggs to be a little horrifying and have, thus far, passed on the opportunity. But I found myself sitting at a sushi restaurant with my girlfriend, and remembered the challenge to try something new. I ordered it, I ate it, I had tiny little explosions of strange juice go off inside my mouth, I accepted it.
   It wasn't fantastic, but it wasn't the big drummed up thing I'd made it out to be in my head. Often, I find that the bigger issue is more of getting around the big, bad thing my mind has conceived. I don't know what it is about people or why we assume the worst and catastrophize everything, but it's something I seem to have done for caviar. I thought I'd throw up, or at least hate fish for a good while. But nothing happened. I ate it. I moved on.
     I've learned that I probably need to be doing more new things, as I apparently have more reservations about it than I than I expected to. Though I can't say I've drastically changed in any particular way, I can say that trying new things is something I've been meaning to do. Maybe this will be a step in the right direction.

Brothel Poster, Brady Edwards

Brady Edwards.

Gabe McFadden Poster !

Born Into Brothels Poster--Nate Austin

Finding #4

I thought this was extremely clever. The dog's body, shape, coloring, all embody a loaf of bread, ready to be sliced. The way the artist has used the wrinkles of his back to resemble the cutting line for stacked slices is fantastic. The copy is tiny: "you eat what you touch," letting all dog lovers know that when it comes to petting house pets, there's a price to pay. The product is to help sterilize whatever harm you may have inadvertently caused yourself, preventing any further damage.

The simplicity, the cutting board, the design is outstanding. Very clever!

Movie Poster Born Into Brothels...Frank Finan

Movie poster!

I feel that this poster represents well what the movie is about and it draws people in to look at it and want to see the movie.  

When people actually have the time, care, and creativity to do something with fruit as intricate as this, it deserves to be on our blog. I am constantly pressed to consult my mother when it comes to chopping up an unfamiliar piece of fruit for family dinner. Watermelon is no exception. Someone saw the 3D elipse and saw a turtle. WHO does that? Genius it is, to think of carving in its contours atop the fruit to mimic the reptile amphibian. On top of it, other green pieces have been added to include limbs, extremities, and garnish. The berries are genius, although I'm not quiet sure where the actual inner contents of the fruit have disappeared to.
This is creativity at its finest.

Why I'll never be a slutty indian man - RUT #3 Brady Edwards

     I feel like the closest thing I've seen to an international film is Slum Dog Millionaire, and only because it gave me a small taste of what Bollywood and the lives of Indian citizens are like. Watching Born Into Brothels: Calcutta's Red Light Kids was like watching home movies of the humanitarian trip I never took and reliving all the emotions, moments, and experiences that were never mine to have. The lives and stories and events Zana Briski was able to capture and share with the world were consistently breathtaking in that they were among the most horrible things kids could ever be raised around. 

    The lifestyle of prostitution was exposed as a kind of vicious cycle in Calcutta, bitterly inherited from one generation to another. One might assume that breaking free of the shackles that hold a generation down would be the only thing the would parents want for their children. It came as a great shock to me when, at the end of the film, updates regarding the children's' whereabouts frequently stated that parents refused to let them leave. They were held back, forced to drop out of school, made to stay in the brothels, and ultimately were doomed by their miserable progenitors to suffer the same fate as them. I feel like that alone demonstrated why, generation after generation, families didn't move on from the filthy lifestyles and try to find something better. They held each other back, they wanted everyone to live in misery with their decisions, and they didn't want anything good to happen to just one of them. 

     It was interesting to also see how mature the children were. Their observations, made through the lens of their new cameras, were insightful and unique. The pictures they took captured what the dirty world of Calcutta looked like from about four feet off the ground. The way Avijit was able to expound on how the subject of a picture seemed to extend outside the framework of the shot showed the bright mind that was being suppressed by his environment. It was easy to see why filmmakers like Zana Briski felt compelled to share their story with the world. Humans with sweet personalities, genuine curiosity and infinite potential were wasting away in these awful whore houses. They were taught to embrace what life they had been handed, expect little else, and cling to it jealously.

     What amazed me was after all the excitement that came with having their photos displayed at shows, and after getting a real taste of what's out there and available with an education and a bit of hard work, many of those children still decided to return to the brothels. Was it because it whoring was the only life they knew, and because of their origins and upbringings they felt like they didn't qualify for a better life? Did they shy away from new opportunity? 

The film moved me and left a lingering desire to, in some small way, do my part to help children in my immediate circles of influence realize their own infinite potential, and make sure they try and reach it.

Finding 3

Born into Brothels-Nate

Born into brothels was an eye opening film. Of course I knew places like that existed, but what sad lives they live. Kids born into the worst situations. However, some of the things I took away from the film are the kids still seem to be happy despite their poor circumstances. Despite being worked and treated harshly they still seemed to have a sense of happiness. They still giggled and laughed and were eager to learn. My favorite line of the movie was one girl said that if she could live anywhere else she would live somewhere with education. That put things into perspective for me. We are blessed with an amazing opportunity at BYU. There are people who would do anything to have a chance to learn and grow and gain skills at a school like BYU. I need to redouble my efforts to take away as much as possible from BYU.

Rut #3 Frank Finan

Last night I had the opportunity to watch the documentary called Born into Brothels. So i'm not going to lie, I was really NOT looking forward to watching the movie and "wasting" my saturday night with my wife. It's the only night we have together where we can go out and do something so going to go see a movie that was an assignment was the last thing I wanted to do. After watching it, my wife and I both said that we loved it! Reading the subtitles was kind of a hassle a first but after you get the hang of reading it, it's not so bad. I understand why this movie won an Oscar because it is very well done. It really grabs your attention from the beginning and keeps your attention throughout the entire movie. I was hardcore routing for the photographer the entire time to get that one kid his visa so he could go to Amsterdam. The movie is very emotional on many different levels and I think that is why it was so successful. The emotion of the parents, the children, and the photographer. I really did enjoy this movie. This is the second film that i've seen in the international cinema that have been assignments and they both have been awesome! I guess I should go more often.

-Frank

Rut 2

I did something that I never had done before, like we were supposed to do. It was a simple thing, but it changed my view on life.

I was driving in Lehi, UT by Thanksgiving point. There's a park n ride area just off the freeway. I had met my family to go to salt lake to do various family activities. They dropped me off later and as I was pulling out there was a mother and son (around 20 years old) that were stranded on the side of the road. They had the typical cardboard sign that said, "Help!" Then it read, "Need money for gas and hotel." I drove by and thought what I always think, oh they're just trying to get money or this is probably their job, or how do I know they aren't lying. All my thoughts could have been correct, but who am I to judge. I was driving off and decided to pull out a $5 bill to give to them. As I approached them I felt sincerely bad by their condition, real or not. I put the $5 back in my wallet and pulled out $20. I felt like they need it more than I did. So I rolled down my window and gave them the money. They were elated and joyful. I drove off and thought about it. What are we if we have money and we don't help out those in need? We've all been helped along the way by various people in our lives, both seen and unseen. Sometimes the help is monetary, sometimes its simply time, or an ear to listen or a smile or kind word. This time it was $20 that someone need more than I did. It felt good helping someone who seemed less fortunate and in need of help.

Rut 1

I thought the Plexus 29 was truly amazing. They way the light hit different strings and the way the piece was put together made it a truly unique experience. Its cool to see how so many little strings combined together can create such a masterpiece. It makes me think of the scripture in Alma that by small and simple things/means are great things brought to pass. Now that scripture can be applied to many different things, but I believe it applies here. Just one string reflect the light couldn't create the rainbow of colors that it did. Even two or three strings couldn't produce the array of colors that were produced in this piece. But many many different strings, each individually not meaning a whole lot, but together they create something special.

The block plan series was really neat. I think for me it showed provo in a different way. I often see it as this small college town, but the block town showed it as well thought out, historical, and of great variety. As I saw the different descriptions of the block plan and the layout I thought of many memories I have had both growing up and now living in Provo as a student. Different place remind me of different experiences. I remember walking across the campus drive footbridge to attend one of my first BYU basketball games when I was a younger lad.

Rut 2 Part 2.... Gabe McFadden

So I guess I have to be honest now:

My thing that I did that I was previously too scared to do wasn't getting a lip piercing. I have actually always wanted to convince to a group of people that I did something crazy and impulsive and that I was hard core and a rule breaker.

I don't think it worked.

I have always wanted to see how far I could push some of the gray areas of the Honor Code and I've wondered if I could carry it off with confidence to make it believable. I hope I succeeded in seeming sure of myself and I was able to make my piercing seem real.

So many people here at BYU are very scared of skirting the line and take less and less risks with dress and appearance for fear of the ever looming and omnipresent Honor Code Office. I understand that I have an alternative look and I have been known to wear some weird outfits. I work very hard to temper myself as to not make bad first impressions on my professors and classmates--I have found that if I start out looking crazy, people are less inclined to trust, talk to, and like me. Whereas if I look more approachable at the beginning of the semester and slowly start to pull out my crazier outfits as the semester progresses, people respond more positively and see my crazier clothes as cool and unique instead of intimidating and weird.

I wanted to throw all that away and see how everyone would react to me being crazy right off the getgo...

Rut #2, Brady Edwards

      For the better part of childhood, I watched my dad reach out to complete strangers. People pulled off to the side of the road often had a handle on their situations, but on occasion, our stopping the car and asking if we could help yielded great service opportunities and grateful people. It extended past people with cars and mechanical problems, as my dad would sometimes offer rides to strangers walking on the side of the road. I always thought it was cool, and I never once felt like I was in a dangerous situation, because I knew my dad, the adult, could handle it.
     I had a shocking realization the other day: I'm now that adult. I have my own car, I have decent mechanical knowledge, I'd be able to handle any physical threat that could surface; I mean I pay my own bills and everything for crying out loud. In light of this revelation, I determined to start assuming that role in some small, preliminary way. This lined up fantastically with our assignment and so with a deadline looming overhead, I decided to find someone to assist off the side of the road.
     My opportunity came the other night as I was driving home at 2am. I saw someone wheeling a suitcase and carrying a backpack and carry-on up University Ave, presumably from the Provo Trax Light Rail. He looked tired and cold, though he was partially bundled up. I drove past him initially and kept going for about a quarter mile. Indecision pulled me in both directions. What if he was some sketchy hobo? What if he shanked me and took my car? What if he's got a gun? I recognized my geographical location (provo), and realized that this was probably the safest city on earth to pick up random strangers, and so went ahead and turned around.
     I pulled over, rolled the window down, and asked this guy where he was headed. He said he was just getting back into town and that his apartment was a coupe of miles down the road. I offered him the ride, and after loading up his bags, he hopped into the passenger seat. I learned his name was Jeremy, and that Jeremy was actually kind of an odd dude. He avoided answering questions directly and would instead answer with something hardy similar. Additionally, he asked that we go and pick up another friend of his who was also out wandering around on the street, apparently looking for Jeremy. I started questioning whether this was actually a good idea, but went ahead and looked for his friend. We found him, he piled into the car and off we went to their apartment. I dropped them off, they expressed gratitude, and I drove home.
     I don't know if my giving Jeremy a ride had a lasting, meaningful impact on his life, but I know that for me, it represented stepping out of my comfort zone, assuming a new role, and traipsing into the unknown. It ended up working out, and I felt pretty cool for carrying on my dad's legacy.

Rut Exerise #3

Run.

The unthinkable had been thought, but it didn't stop there. The unthinkable had been considered, pondered upon, mapped out, and executed.

You have .3 seconds to book it and salvage whatever portion of reputation you have left. 

I had always wondered what it would be like to "eat it," in the meeting Mecca of all social circles--- Provo, Utah. The land of meaning, the land of love, where everyone cares about anyone. This place, moreso BYU campus, is perpetually teeming with youthful fresh meat. Many may hold your future in their hands. Potential is around every corner, so don't mess up. At least that's what we've been conditioned to think and believe. It all counts on the hallowed grounds of this university, so own it like you would a runway stroll. But what if---- what if there were some divine moment, some happenstance split second to do just what society fears most? What if I were to go against the grain (and ground), by publicly humiliating myself in the most tragic trip-and-fall of all time?

Let me preface this by saying that my brother and twin sister's support certainly served as the catalyst to this sudden outburst of confidence. 

So my brother, a little overzealous to make use of this brand new video camera, beckoned us up each flight of stairs in the Harold B. Lee library. Up we went, to the infamous top floor. It's where scholar-like genius abounds, and Pi's final digit is counted. What better atmosphere for shaking things up could there be?

My brother found the optimum location for catching as much as possible on tape. The three of us carefully selected an array of textbooks from off the shelves. In hand, the books started at my waste and stacked to the tip of my chin. Perfect. With a little strategy, I lined up. Lights, camera, action. 

I took the silent steps that felt like walking the plank. Fifty students studied in mute solitude. Not on my watch---- my foot passed the designated target for eating it. I intentionally allowed moving right food catch the back of my left, stunting a successful step and thus propelling me in to mid-air. Correspondingly, books when flying and landed with a blissful, scattered heap around my prostrate person. I had face planted on the floor, and lie there, arms outstretched. Success.

I held the pose for the space of 3 downbeats, certain that my critic counterparts had had ample time to process the biff. I lifted my head of the floor and dramatically threw my head left, right, forward, then bolted like I'd never bolted before. Up, up, and AWAY. Disregard the hour I'd just spent looking up call numbers for my compiled stash of literature. My fifteen seconds of lame fame were almost up. 

Stewart and Samantha came dashing after me, and the next time I remember any of what happened was when we were outside the building, catching our breaths among the exhausted laughter. 

That, my friends, is what I would call a showdown.

It was SCARY. I literally didn't know what would happen, how I would be judged, what the consequences would be. But, I can now say that I royally ate it, tripped and notoriously fell in a very very public setting.
I have the evidence to prove it, seeing fifty shocked heads turn to process the poor girl who will never know friendship again. 

For the 15 seconds of videotaped gold, Stewart and Sam will now be in my debt forevermore. 

Haha, what a wonderful assignment. 

PS, I totally ripped a hole in the left knee of my jeans because of it. 

#No regrets. 

Peer Pressure and Punk Rock! - Gabe McFadden

Rut 2 - Gabe McFadden - Peer Pressure and Punk Rock!

This was actually really difficult for me-- I honestly feel like I've done everything that I want to and there isn't much I've been too scared to do. I was fortunate enough to spend the weekend with some friends in SLC and while I was up there, my good friend Tori decided to get another piercing in her ear. With nothing better to do I tagged along. Once there I spoke with Tori and our other friends about how I have always wanted to get something pierced but didn't know what. For a long time I wanted my eyebrow done but I had heard that that hole never closes completely even if you stop wearing the ring or post. I've been toying with the idea of a lip piercing for a long time but never really entertained the idea because it just seemed a little bit too crazy. But this weekend I was apparently feeling super punk rock and so getting a little tiny hole in my face seemed like less and less of a big deal.

I had already purchased my first skateboard the day before and now I was sitting in a piercing studio with my friends and an assignment to do something spontaneous that I have never done before. So 20 minutes and one (surprisingly painless) pinch later, I got a lip ring.

I learned that it actually wasn't as scary and painful as I anticipated, I have the capacity to be very impulsive, peer pressure is real, and lip rings make you feel super punk rock.

I guess I'll have to take it out when I go to the testing center....

I'm writing my full response now but I couldn't wait!! Here is a sneak peek of what I did that I've always been too scared to do!!
Pic!

Gabe

Rut Exercise #2 Frankie Finan.

So as I was watching "The perks of being a wallflower" I was interested by something a lot of the teenagers decide to do in this movie. As they're driving down an interstate in Pittsburgh, one person from the group sticks their head out the moon roof of the car and feel the breeze on their face. I told myself that is hat I want to do but I want embellish the idea a little bit so what I decided to do is the same concept have someone drive my Toyota 4runner as I stick my body out the moon roof and feel the breeze on my face. The thing that I decided to add was that I would sing a song as loud as I could as we were driving down center street. I felt center street would be the best location for this because you can't really go that fast so safety was not an issue and there were many people who could enjoy my beautiful voice (Sarcasm for sure.) I decided to sing Adele's "Somebody like you" song because that is what was on the radio at the time.  I really enjoyed it actually even though I received many disturbed/weird looks from my adoring fans.  I would recommend to anyone that they should do this or at least try, it's super easy to do, it costs no money(except gas i guess), and all you have to do is sing!  No shame guys! No shame!!!

-Frankie

Finding #2 Olivia

If state of mind (and stomach) doesn't explain why this ad piqued my interest, nothing will. I come from New Jersey, moreover New England- the country's superior region for the world's best bagels. Under the search for "bagels," up came this interesting design. Someone has taken a piece of bakery bread, and personified it with PROTEIN. A whopping piece of what appears to be sausage has become a playful, savory human tongue. Combined with the grain, it makes an actual smiley-face, tongue style. How clever is that. There are no eyes, no nose, just the fluffy white bread with a delicious slab of meat to make one's tongue water. Also, the design is simple---and is genius in that the eyes can't help but start from the top-left, note the image, then follow the picture down towards the product being advertised. Except for labeling, the ad achieve a lot, even void of words. Good ad.

Brady Edwards, Plexus 29 & Block Plan Series

Brady Edwards

      Plexus 19, instead of taking what I know and squeezing it through the eyes of the artist managed to take what's familiar and make real the intangible. It was massive to scale, it was captivating to the eye, and, per design, made color fly around and move as you stared up at it and walked underneath. I've seen fleeting glimpses of the color spectrum my whole life in the water of my sprinkler, in the moist air after a storm, and in looking through windows. To see it turned into something that isn't ephemeral, but has substance and can be stared at, was really cool. The artist also gave one of the sides of the piece an interesting bend, like the colors were being bent against something.

      Like me, I imagine the artist has seen spectrums of color throughout his life. You can't catch them, you can only appreciate them until they're gone. With the right kind of imagination and enough color thread, he made a really cool piece of art that transcended a canvas, a frame, even a wall.

     The same can be said for the Block Plan series, but in an opposite kind of way. The city of Provo has been around me for years, and though the city buildings aren't towering or too impressive, they're constant and are a very real part of my life. It's possible that the artist felt the same way, and wondered what it would look like, turning Provo into a piece of art. Containing Provo to a canvas doesn't do the town justice, though. It would only follow that in the same way we've seen portrayals of music flying off of paper, or words coming off of pages, so too should Provo be expressed.

      The artist seemed to allow the familiar imagery to stand on its own to viewers, choosing to use minimal color and detail. They're buildings we all recognize, and so having them stand as basic representations of their larger forms seemed to be impressive in and of itself. The rectangles, the blue lines that wrapped themselves around the cityscape, both on the wall and on the 3D cutouts that ran around on the floor, it all made for an enjoyable visual display.

Gabe McFadden Goes to the Museum!

I enjoyed Block Plan Series much more than I enjoyed Plexus. I liked that it was relevant to provo and I thought the style of illustration was very unique. I think the artist’s voice was very prevalent in her work which, to me, is the most important thing it art. That is the reason I actually didn’t like Plexus that much. I’ve seen that type of art before and I’ve seen it done better. I love color theory and studying the way colors work together and I think that rainbows and sun rays are kind of generic, tired ideas. Some of the other similar exhibitions I have seen have used their respective space and colors much more effectively.

I think Kim  comes up with her ideas seeing the world slightly more in a unique way than Gabriel-- I feel like her instillation took more skill in balance as many of the sketches were juxtaposed with colored almost cubist looking elements.

Art is difficult and very subjective, so I judge it purely based on if I react to it. Positive or negative, a reaction is a reaction and art should make me feel something. For example, I hate Rothko I think his art is basic and boring and I have never been able to see the hype behind it. However, I soon realized that my vehement reaction was a very strong reaction which, to my displeasure, forced me to give credit to his talent. I feel that Gabriel bored me, I saw it and basically thought “this again?” Whereas at least I hadn’t really seen something that looked like what Kim had created.  

Rut Exercise #1 FF/ Block Plan

Plexus No.29

Well the artist certainly succeeded in piquing the interest of all to enter the building. Never have I seen a piece of artwork that has so quickly made people drop what they were thinking, doing, or where their feet were taking them, to understand what was going on before or above them. This piece of artwork is creative in the sense that it can make anyone stop and reflect on what they are beholding. There are not many things in life that are striking enough to distract someone from a crazy agenda in the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life.

There are several strands of various colors of the rainbow, all in the ROYGBIV order, juxtaposed next to each other. Assembly must have taken quite some time to order to string them closely together and secure them to the wall at different angles. The light that floods in from the window adds to the beauty of the piece, as it bouncing off and illuminates the vibrant strings even more.

Block Plan Series

The first thing I thought of when I saw this exhibit was M.C. Escher's work. I remember being astounded by the way that man could mold and mesh dimensions to dissolve in to one another, as staircases became eternally impossible to escape. Also, the graphic image of it, with geometrics and stencil-seeming technique make the piece captivating. It would take a creative mind to invent such a design within one's head. Someone was certainly going for form versus function, because the design would be difficult to construct, should each element be 3-Dimensional.

It is not something that I would hope to recreate in my living room, it simply doesn't have that kind of appeal. It is, however, proof that reason can be defied in art.
Creativity really factors in, as the shapes twist. It is amazing how it starts out on the wall, stretches across to the middle until it finally pops off the wall, then descends in a stair-like fashion below, until it falls again on to the floor, back in to the second dimension.

It was interesting to see the photograph of this similar piece of artwork stretching across Provo roads. It seems to demonstrate ambitions of the artist to extend this new type of art to different locations, and stretch the barriers for art confined to the flat wall of a museum gallery.

Rut Exercise #1 Frankie Finan

Plexus No. 29:

-With this piece of art what struck me as creative was the way it presents itself.  At first glance you don’t even realize it as being a tangible work of art but as a prism effect that has entered into the MOA.

-What made this piece creative was that someone took simple things like different colors of strings and made it into an astounding prism –like work of art that really makes you look at its detail.

-Honestly, I have no idea this idea came about. I would think that maybe one day one artists was sitting in the MOA looking up at the skylight and wanted to use it as art. Why not take advantage of all the space of the art museum. It seems like he noticed the light coming in and decided that you could make a prism out of that light.

Block Plan Series:

-What struck me as creative was when I walked in the room and it looked as if the pieces on the wall weren’t actually on the wall but that they were extensions off the center piece. The trick of the mind was really interesting.

-I think what was really interesting about this piece was kind of what we talked about in class last time about how everything is a remix or a copycat of something and this is exactly that. The artist has taken different parts of a historic town and turned it into a contemporary piece of artwork.

-I think that the artist started seeing some history/growth in the town of Provo and noticed that it would be nice for people to know what Provo is all about in a cool and new way.  Show the audience who are either natives to the town or are just passing by for a short time. 

-Frankie Finan.

Finding #1

If that isn't the finished product of bizarre, what will be? I have heard of physical bodies being compared to certain foods before, but never have I envisioned the legitimate crossing of the two. Someone took the step to make an inanimate fruit become animate. He or she has provided the piece of produce with a pair of seemingly humanistic legs. The legs are not simply attached  to the fruit, but have truly become part of it. The artist has chosen an interesting texture for the brush strokes, which almost gives the pair of legs a somewhat furry look. There is perspective, shadow, variation, chiaroscuro, and everything a viewer could want. It's just that darned pair, or "pear" of legs that makes this image so exciting.