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From East to West (Video 1)

steveleecloser

Originally published at steve lee now!. You can comment here or there.

This video is part of a series of simple videos which marks a slow drive thru the East Side of

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blurrysteve

Originally published at steve lee now!. You can comment here or there

French literary theorist, philosopher, critic and semiotician Roland Barthes’s essay, Rhetoric of the Image, is a key text for undergradute students like me who are studying in the arts (or in my case, the fine arts). Having read the piece for three different classes now, I’ve decided to post my thoughts on the article online. As a lot of my followers know, I have used my website in the past to post my own movie reviews, creative writing pieces, photographs, and articles related to crime prevention as well as to the various controversies I helped bring to light that happened at the Kwantlen Student Association. But as I become more focussed on myself and the career I want to pursue in the fine arts, I have made the decision to focuss this site solely on my interest in fine arts, film and creative writing. Other aspects of my life that I still want to have online (maily, my old humour site as well as information regarding the past controversies at Kwantlen) will be transfered to dedicted sites of their own. This posting of my brief examination into Barthes’s essay marks my first serious post related to themes and ideas I am exploring as I work towards finishing my degree in visual arts. I hope you enjoy it!

Theorist Roland Barthes

The title of Roland Barthes’s essay, Rhetoric of the Image, lays down the groundwork for the main argument of his essay, as the word “rhetoric” refers to language that is used to persuade or influence people; and the word “image” refers to a reproduction or imitation of the form of a person or thing. As such, the “rhetoric of the image” simply refers to images used to persuade or influence people. In his essay, Barthes explores a number of important issues, including whether or not images hold meaning given that they exist as representations of something else and whether or not there are limits to the meaning an image can hold. Barthes also uses an analytical system to deconstruct an advertisement for Panzani pasta products in order to explore how images constitute a language and how an image can be read for a variety of literal and symbolic meanings as created in those images. Barthes chooses to deconstruct an advertisement because of the fact that by its very nature, an advertisement is designed to sell something through a very precise, clearly defined, constructed and understandable manner.

Barthes's examined image: an advertisement for Panzani

Panzani itself is a large scale production company that originated in Europe, making pasta products since the 1940s. Today, Panzani sells its products in more than fifty countries including Canada. When one visits the Canadian website for the company today ( http://www.giovannipanzani.ca ), they come across an advertising package that is still very much reminiscent and reflective of the messages Barthes described when he wrote Rhetoric of the Image. Specifically, Barthes argues that the linguistic message serves two functions, firstly, to act as an “anchor” and secondly, to relay information. This is apparent in the advertisement where the denoted message is based on the text in the advertisement (the caption and labels); and the connoted message based on the word “Panzani” which connotes “Italianicity.” Barthes also states that the literal message, or the denoted image (which, Barthes argues, in its purest form is not possible but people still recognize the analogic relationship between the photographic image and the real world) exists without a code (non-coded) through the placement of tomatoes, which represents tomatoes and through peppers, which represent peppers, etc. Finally, Barthes explores the symbolic message, or connoted image, which serves to strike at the heart of the article as these act together to form the “rhetoric of the image.” Specifically, this is apparent in the advertisement where the white sack signifies the return from the market; the tomatoes, onions and pepper signify freshness; while the composition and colours of the Panzani product packaging signifies Italianicity; and the entire collection of all the objects signifies a total culinary service; and the overall composition signifies the idea of a still life.

Overall, the way Barthes deconstructs the image is a useful exercise, one that an artist or other interested party could attempt to do on their own with other advertisements or images; as developing an understanding of how images can be constructed and given meaning is not only a useful tool for those making art, but it is also a useful tool for those who are criticizing or critiquing images as well as for the layman who wishes a deeper understanding of how images in society can encourage or entice him into taking some sort of action (such as buying pasta). By contrast, one wonders if the level of analysis Barthes uses to analyze advertisements be applied to artistic images or to images shot by non-professional everyday people (such photos taken by family members on vacation or during the holidays; or photos taken by people at a rock concert; etc.)? Certainly, the images created by artists may be as carefully crafted as those crafted by individuals creating images in advertising; however, there are times when artistic images are created “accidentally,” with no forethought or intention for any one particular end (or message). Nonetheless, those images would likely still end up holding meaning, even if that meaning was not originally intended, or if the meaning was stumbled upon during or after the completion of the creative process.

Furthermore, Barthes does not closely examine the question that exists in advertising in regards to the possible effect of cross-cultural connotation. While he does note that he was considering how the Panzani advertisement operated in France and noted that it wouldn’t operate in the same manner in Italy he doesn’t address how the advertisement might work in say North or South America. Of course, Barthes died in 1980, and did most of his writing in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, when the world was a lot smaller. There was no internet, more than half the world stood behind an “iron curtain,” and it was not as easy to travel around the world and share information as it is today. As such, images (and more specifically, advertisements) created during this time were likely for a western audience. Had Barthes been writing today, there is little doubt that he would have likely revised his ideas with consideration to how images appeal or read across cultural boundaries.

Finally, the essay is written in fairly dense academic language that can be difficult to get into, read and grasp. For example, at the start of the essay, Barthes argues how:

According to an ancient etymology, the word image should be linked to the root imitari. Thus we find ourselves immediately at the heart of the most important problem facing the semiology of images: can analogical representation (the “copy”) produce true systems of signs and not merely simple agglutinations of symbols?

But with dense, academic language like this, a reader may have had to work to define certain words in order to understand those words and sentences in context with the overall essay.

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image problem fixed

steveleecloser

Originally published at steve lee now!. You can comment here or there.

The problem I was having with my WordPress template that I talked about in my last post is fixed. I was having issue trying to upload my own photos to randomly be used at the top of this page. Turns out that WordPress doesn’t allow images larger than (I’m guessing 5MB). The one photo I was starting with was over 8MB, while the rest were under 5MB. So after resizing the problem photo, it uploaded, as did all the others I wanted to start with.

The photos rotating right now are from a series I did on Windows for my Photography 3 course at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Right now, I don’t have these photos anywhere else online, but one day I suspect some of them will end up on my flickr.

I also got the summary that is due today done this morning as I had planned (although it was very tempting to sleep in!).

Off to class. Be good to each other,

- Steve

a new day begins as another ends…

steveleecloser

Originally published at steve lee now!. You can comment here or there.

It’s really late. Well, maybe not really late. It’s 1:30am on Monday, January 31, 2012.

2012. Where do the days go?

Overall, I guess I’m feeling okay tonight. I know there is a lot to do this week and soon I’ll feel the stress of crunch time.

Of course, instead of revising, proofing and finishing (it feels good to use those words, as opposed to the word ”starting,” cause, yes, I have started them), some reading summaries for two of my classes tonight; I spent a couple of hours on my website trying to improve my WordPress layout. I’m glad that I got some things working, such as the grouping of links to different media sites I belong to (which you can find to the left of the screen) and changing the theme of my site. I’m a little upset that I couldn’t get WordPress to upload photos of my own artwork to use as the header photo but I guess I’ll leave that till another day.

So to close my work on WordPress for tonight, I’m writing this quick post to see if what I write here will also automatically post to my LiveJournal blog and then I’ll either catch some zzz’s or work on those summaries. I may just catch some zzz’s and wake up round 6:00 am to revise them.

Talk soon,

- Steve

allergies suck...

steveleepainting
I've been sneezing now for just over an hour, pretty much non-stop. In 2008/09 I was retested for my allergies and found I was allergic to dust, dust mites and molds. At that time I was put on shots which happened weekly and now monthly. I supplement the shots still with antihistamines such as Reactine. I don't get attacks as often as I used to, but when it does it sucks.

No exercise since my bike ride, although I did a lot of walking around downtown Vancouver on Saturday taking photos of Canuck fever.

I also got a lot of painting done yesterday but have more to do today. I plan to make a post about my latest series of paintings, my inspiration for them along with some of my frustration with them sometime soon.

I did a bit of work on updating my movie list again, adding some recent additions to the list. I'd like to finish updating "L" this weekend.

Anyway, I have to run to the store, then take Jessie to work!

Chow for now,

- Steve

tired but energized...

steveleecloser
My legs are feeling the pain of three years worth of little to no regular exercise. Because today I dragged my lazy ass out of bed at just after 8am and went for a 45 minute bike ride. It wasn't the elaborate route I had mapped out a few days ago but it was a part of it. I went up to Five Corners and back down thru the side roads of Morgan Creek. And I found my endurance is lacking, the slight slopes took a bit out of me! But it was nice to be out in the fresh air. And it was a start. No more procrastinating. I'll probably stick to this smaller route for a few weeks as I build my endurance up. I may supplement the outdoor stuff with some time at the gym as well. I see no reason why I can't be out there daily again except for tomorrow as I am taking the car in for servicing and it has to be at the shop in Burnaby by 7! But that doesn't mean I can't go later in the day or even hit the gym tonight.

When I got home I took advantage of the morning sun and watered my flower beds, then came in and enjoyed a shower.

I want to go through my kitchen today again and make sure I have no junk food. But first time for breakfast!

As a friend would say - "chow for now."

- Steve

back again....

steveleecloser
It's almost 2am and I can't sleep. So I turn to my IPad to write a bit again.

A week ago I took the bikes in for a tune up. I attempted a tune up of my own but the pump wouldn't work. And I didn't get round to getting a new one. I had also gotten, in the past, a water bottle and I had my old lock for it but neither would fit on what is a fairly new bike. I'm sure there are ones that will fit but I don't have the patience to locate ones that would so I asked the shop to do it. Then it will be done. Yes, it will cost some money to do this but I know if I didn't it wouldn't get done. They were to have been ready Tuesday and they were going to call when it was ready but I haven't got the call yet and with class I didn't have time to check up on it. But I will today. Hopefully they will be done and Saturday will mark the first time since I left Vancouver that I will once again ride. I have a route worked out I think - my own tour de White Rock perhaps, fairly flat but a good distance comparable to what I'd do in two hours daily when I lived downtown (around the Seawall starting at the Bayshore Hotel and under the Burrard, Granville and Cambie bridges over sometimes to Granville Island or just straight from Science World down Main Street, thru Gastown home to where I started at the Bayshore). My new route I envision, I think will take me up past Five Corners, along a series of quiet streets that will link to Marine Drive, then up 140 to 32 and back home. I'm guestimating that route will take a good two and a half hours. It'll be nice to do that again. And I've ordered a bike rack for my car so I can still go places like downtown for my old Seawall route or for when I do a few road trips.

It will be good exercise. When I used to bike daily I easily shed 30+ pounds over the course of a few short months. I'm tired of being a fat ass.

I also register for class's in the morning. I've applied to retake a few fine art courses I withdrew from a few times in 207-08 when I had my depression. I want to finish what I couldn't before, so I can apply for the Fine Arts Diploma and be closer to the degree and making the art I want to make.

Anyway, time for some rest. Talk soon!

Life as I know it...

steveleecloser
Today is the first morning in a long time that I wanted to get out of bed at 5am and go for a bike ride. But, alas, I did not. Why? Well, I tried filling up the tires while cleaning my garage but the pump didn't work. I guess I could have walked it to a gas station but if anything is wrong with the tires I would have had to just walk back with it. At least it would have been some exercise. I think I may just load my bike and my girlfriends bike up and take them to a bike shop to have them do a check up on them as we haven't used them since 2008! Then they can grease, lube, check and get them working so I don't kill myself going downhill to find the brakes not working. And they can sell me a pump that works!

Last night I had some strange dreams, from a nightmare that ended with man eating goldfish that wouldn't die to a dream with Charlie Sheen temporarily living in my old Student Union and me inviting him to see Craig Fergusson with me later this month. I started writing a blog about the dreams but it was taking to long on this phone so that will have to wait! Think of it as a reason to come back - to find out more about my dreams! ...or think of it as a reason to run away!

Anyway, time to get up. This is my first blog written whilst still in bed. Makes me feel special. And lazy in a way only a Westerner living in North America can feel...

LONG TIME, NO POST...

steveleecloser
I'm not even sure when I last posted here. I don't know what got me to log in again, but I have. I liked writing here, it allowed me to keep myself up to date about what was important. About what I was doing and what I needed to do. And that's not a bad thing.

Since I last posted here, I have joined twitter, but I try to limit my account on twitter to nonsensical ramblings, as if I were some kind of stand up comedian writing punch lines for my own late night talk show. You will rarely find a serious post about reality there, unless it is a retweet of something interesting (like a quote by the Dali Lama). For a time I did set up a second twitter account, which I used to post interesting quotes. But neither are meant to update anyone about what I'm doing. For example, you will never find a tweet of me saying "My god, I'm so late, on my way to the bus for a meeting at noon," although you might find a post like that here, on my blog.

In looking at some past blog posts, I see that I used to post on a number of topics including the following, when applicable:

- a drafting table blog (posts about my art & writing);
- a food & exercise blog;
- a personal blog
- a quotes blog;
- a vacation blog; and
- a work blog.

So that gives me something to work with. I'm still out of shape, so I see myself using the food & exercise topic tag as being an area I should keep tabs on - so I can shed my beer belly and combat my sleep apnea.

Right now, my art is my work as I'm finishing a BFA and I'm also no longer involved in student politics. I have not worked for the Kwantlen Student Association since March 31, 2010 (although I'm not totally removed from it - I have been working on revamping the information I had on my personal website about the corruption that occurred from 2005-06 at the Kwantlen Student Association), and I can honestly say that I don't miss it a lot, although I do worry for the future of the Association, given stuff I have recently read and heard (from time to time I MAY write about that too).

But mainly, from now on, I see my blog focussing on me, my interests and my artwork. I hope it will become a focal point of my website, which I hope to revamp over the summer, tying together my interests and the different places where I can be found on this crazy thing called the internet (be it Epinions, Facebook, Flickr, MouthShut, LiveVideo or Youtube).

Chow for now,

- Steve

a new day

steveleecloser
Well, it's 10:30am on a Monday and I'm glad to say that my personal website is sort of back online... I've re-formatted it into WordPress, but still have a lot of work to do. You can see the page here:

http://www.steveleenow.net/

I still have to re-post the old parts of my website that I want to have up still > the Kwantlen, Humour and other sections will come soon. Old reviews that I had posted in the ART (including my old poetry and writing), WATCH, READ and LISTEN sections will be re-formatted into blog posts over the holidays. Overall, it should make it easier for people to find stuff that I've written in the past.

I like the Word Press format as it allows me to still post things to LiveJournal, Flickr, Youtube and other sites, but have it all stream into and feed my main website.

For now, it's off to work, then class.