Dissimulate is defined as someone that will “conceal or disguise (one’s thoughts, feelings, or character).” As an introvert I am not so open with my feelings. I find myself drawn to art that reflects hidden thoughts and feelings. 

     In the Ekphrasis assignment, I wrote a poem based on Jeff Wall’s photo. Wall’s photo, After ‘Invisible Man’ by Ralph Ellison, the Prologue, is based on a novel called Invisible Man. Wall’s photo captures the loneliness of the character in the novel. I was drawn in by this photo because it captures the exhaustion of the person and how honest a person is when they are alone. When I was writing based on the man in the photo it was easy for me to write about. The poem I wrote from the photo shows that he is more open about his feelings when he is alone. His thoughts and feelings are only really known by himself. 

     In the Tragedy Scripted and Staged assignment, I wrote about act I, scene II of Hamlet. In this assignment I wrote about how Hamlet demonstrates the concealing his feelings throughout the scene. I chose this scene because it was easy for me to see how Hamlet was hiding his feelings. For example, he would present himself differently based on who he was around. He would be formal around his mother and uncle, less formal around people his age, and he was gloomy when he was alone, as seen in his soliloquy. This related to me because I am not open with my negative feelings, the same as Hamlet hiding most of his negative feelings. However, Hamlet was open about some of his thoughts to his mother and uncle during this scene. Though, he was not as open as he was during the soliloquy when there was no one around to hear his thoughts. 

     In the Anatomy of a Scene assignment, I analyzed a scene of Get Out. During the scene of Get Out there were a lot of hidden feelings and motives. The protagonist Chris was suspicious of his girlfriend’s family. He was not open about his suspicions which seems common for people until they have a solid reason to confront the person or people that they are suspicious of. 

     In the Musical Theme assignment, I made a playlist about changing the world we live in. While some songs were open about what they were saying, there were some songs that reflected hidden thoughts. For example, the song Revolution by the Beatles there were events tied to the lyrics of the song, but the meaning of the lyrics were not worded in a way that outright states the meaning. In the song Waiting on the World to Change by John Meyer, the song talks about seeing problems in the world and wanting to change them but not knowing how or having the power to change them. So they just bear with the problems and keep their feelings of disappointment in the world and hold onto hope that things will change. I found this song relatable because I also see the problems in the world and feel like I do not know how or have the power to change these problems. 

     In the assignment Poetic License I analyzed the poem Riddance by Rae Armantrout. The poem is about a relationship that has a cycle of having a problem and being brought apart, then eventually getting back together. This poem is written in the perspective of one of the people in the relationship. The person that recognizes the problem seems to have not talked to the other person in the relationship about this cycle. This poem shows the hidden feelings the person has about the cycle. I was drawn to this poem because it was easy for me to recognize that this was a poem about someone recognizing their true feelings, but not yet open about it with others. 

     In the Abstract Images Assignment I analyzed the painting Interrogation by Ali Banisadr. When I first saw this painting I noticed the beautiful and vivid colors; however, with a closer look I saw that it was much more chaotic. I was drawn to the painting Interrogation, because it hides the disturbing realities and feelings behind what appears to be a beautifully colored abstract painting. I am not usually drawn to abstract paintings, however I was drawn to Interrogation because of the hidden meaning behind it. 

     In art I typically find myself searching for hidden thoughts and feelings. Whether I am consciously or unconsciously looking, I find myself drawn to the hidden meanings. 

After “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison, the Prologue

Jeff Wall

I chose to write an ekphrasis insipired by Jeff Wall’s photo.

      Some details in the photo such as the amount of light bulbs and crowded walls are brought up in the poem. The first four lines of the poem were in reference to the light bulbs in the photo. The first four lines are saying he blends in around people, but can be himself when he is alone. The “forgotten treasures” in the poem was a reference to the crowded walls in the photo. The “forgotten treasures” also had a double meaning and was used to talk about the guy in the photo. The last two lines of the poem were talking about the forgotten treasures in the man’s room, but was also saying the man has been overlooked and has value as well. The guy in the photo seems tired. He is sitting down wearing pants with suspenders and an undershirt, while his shoes lay nearby. His appearance suggests he just got home from a tiring day of work. I used his tired appearance in the poem to communicate that the man may be overlooked or undervalued in his everyday life, but can be himself while he is alone.

Bill Viola: Ascension

Bill Viola: Ascension

     In Ascension, the video starts off with a black screen then a person plunges into the water. The person has their arms extended outward. The video seems real time while jumping in, but feels slower while the person is sinking downward and rising back up. The light in this video highlights the person and the area they are floating up to. This video seems to be about spirituality, because the person jumps into the water with their arms out, which looks like a crucifix. The focus is on the person because that is where that light is, the person then floats up into the light. Floating up into light is commonly used to represent someone going into heaven. This video seems to focus on life and death. The slowness in the video allows the viewer to appreciate the visually pleasing effect of the person plunging into the water. Ascension also uses sound, the use of sound and the underwater viewpoint made it feel like I was there watching from underwater. The sound used in the video was soothing and reminded me of ASMR. This video makes the viewer stop and appreciate the sounds and visuals. This video could also be trying to communicate to slow down and appreciate the beauty in the sights and sounds around you .

Hamlet

Act I, scene ii: A room of state in the castle.

      I picked this scene because it introduces many important characters, feelings, and events that are important throughout Hamlet. Such as, using the conflict with Norway as an excuse for the quick marriage of Gertrude and Claudius. This scene also introduces Hamlet’s feelings toward Gertrude and Claudius, as well as their feelings toward Hamlet’s mourning. At the end of this scene, Hamlet is told about a sighting of the ghost of his father. Which he then decides to join watch in hopes of seeing his father’s ghost. Hamlet meeting his father’s ghost is important, because that is when he learns the truth about Claudius, which sets up Hamlet’s mission to expose the truth about Claudius. My interpretation of Hamlet from reading was that Hamlet goes from depression from losing his father, to gradually going insane throughout the play. My interpretation from reading seemed to match the staging. Watching the staging, Hamlet seems excited to meet the ghost of his father, which did not really translate from reading. The staging brought Hamlet’s character to life by showing the transition of his behavior around different people. For example, when he was in the presence of Gertrude and Claudius, Hamlet was formal, when he was by himself he was gloomy and angry. When Hamlet was speaking to Horatio, Marcellus, and Bernardo he was more excitable and less formal than he was around Gertrude and Claudius. In the staging, Claudius and Gertrude were on a platform and Hamlet was off to the side. Most of the scene Gertrude and Claudius speak to Hamlet while standing on the platform. Claudius came down from the platform to lecture Hamlet about his mourning being “unmanly”. By using the platform in the staging it shows the hierarchy, Claudius and Gertrude are higher up than Hamlet, and Claudius came down to Hamlet’s level to lecture him about his unmanly mourning. 

 The movie I chose to analyze is Get Out (2017). 

      This scene in Get Out is a dramatic scene that takes the previous suspicions in the movie and makes them feel more real and confusing. This scene lets the viewer know something serious is going on and builds suspicion. The people besides Chris (the protagonist) and Andre(the guy in the hat), were trying to make it seem like everything is normal and cover up their secret. The scene starts out with a somewhat weird question, which is presented as a normal cross cut conversation scene. Chris turns the question over to Andre, who gives an answer Chris did not expect. While Andre is talking, the scene is cut to a shot of Chris’s camera flash, there is a wide shot of the surprised reaction of the group, which makes the situation feel more weird. It cuts to Andre and this scene is dead quiet which makes the scene more dramatic as it shows Andre’s pained expression and blood dripping from his nose. The silence is then broken with sounds of water and dramatic music while Andre starts saying then screaming “get out” while he walks toward the protagonist. Andre is shown pushing Chris screaming “Get Out”, there are multiple cuts in this scene showing different angles which makes it feel fast and chaotic. Andre is then pulled away screaming and the sound of his scream is used in a L-cut which carries over to a calm scene of the group talking in the living room.

Synopsis of The Devil Wears Prada 

      The opening of the movie cross-cuts between Andy(the protagonist) and other women getting ready for work. This scene shows how Andy is different from the other women that work at the fashion magazine she was applying for. Shortly after Andy gets to the place she is applying to, the boss(Miranda) shows up earlier than expected. This turns into a fast pace scene with the cross-cuts of different people in the office running around trying to make everything look perfect, while Andy is confused, and Miranda calmly walks to the building. During this scene the camera moves with the characters movements adding to the fast pace feel of the scene. Andy gets the job, and starts the job in a happy relationship, has friends, does not care much about her appearance or fashion. Andy struggles her way through the job, which is shown by fast pace cuts of her doing vague tasks assigned by Miranda, while receiving an endless amount of phone calls from work. After wanting to quit, Andy is confronted by a co-worker saying he does not want to hear her complain when she does not take her job seriously. Andy then gets a makeover, and she tries harder at her job. Andy starts putting her job before her family, friends, and boyfriend. Andy later begins to see how putting work first has affected Miranda’s family and marriages. She also begins to see how people are willing to mislead and exploit others within the business to get ahead. Miranda says she sees herself in Andy, Andy denies this but then realizes it is true. After this realization Andy quits, makes up with her boyfriend, applies to a job in journalism, which is where she wanted to work in the first place. Andy then finds out she got a good recommendation from Miranda, which she did not expect. The movie ends with Andy walking past her old job and she sees Miranda, Miranda does not acknowledge Andy’s wave but smiles to herself as Andy passes. 

This photo collection shows that we separate ourselves from the scariness of nature by living in houses. We only bring in non-threatening representations of nature into our houses. We end up treating nature as a decorative object.

Title: Orchids 

This picture of orchids by a window shows the inclusion of pretty flowers in one’s house, while showing a glimpse of the natural world outside. The piece of nature that is kept inside is beautiful and non threatening in contrast to what may be outside of the window. 

Title: Plants on the Window Sill

The plants we bring in our houses are treated as decorative pieces usually dressed up in pretty pots. Usually in nature cacti are large pokey and uninviting, however as house plants they are bred to be small and visually appealing.

Title: Fish Tank

Whether it is a small bowl for a single fish or a tank full of fish, fish tanks are common in houses. Having fish as a pet is an example of using nature for decoration. Having fish as a pet is different from other pets, because there is very little humans can do to interact with fish. The main reason people have fish is for aesthetic value.

Title: Nature Paintings

Including nature in one’s house in the form of art is very common. Nature scenes, animals, or other nature elements are represented in a non-threatening way in the form of art. The representation is commonly in the form of paintings, photos, sculpture, and sometimes through recorded sound.

Title: Plush Gator

Stuffed animals and toys commonly represent animals in an inviting or cute way. The Gator in the picture is soft and inviting, however a real gator is nothing like that and would not be welcomed into an average person’s home.

Humans tend to remove themselves from the dangerous aspects of nature by living in houses. The representation of nature in houses tend to be non threatening or domesticated, for example breeding smaller cuter versions of cacti or having plush representations of dangerous animals. Nature is treated as decoration or an aesthetic piece within homes.

The theme of my playlist is changing the world we live in. This theme involves songs that talk about the desire to change the world, recognizing the problems in our society, as well as encouragement for the listener to do what one can to make a positive impact on the world. I chose this theme because I see that there are many things that need to be changed in the world, but I also do not know how I, just one person can make an impact. Many people feel the same way, so music that communicates that feeling is important. It is important because it makes people feel heard and can provide encouragement to not give up. 

Revolution, The Beatles 

This song ties to the theme because it talks about disagreeing with and wanting to change the government. This song demonstrates how rock and roll used counterculture subjects in their music. This song uses contrast by using different instruments and singers and tones. 

Land of the Free, Joey Bada$$

This song ties to the theme because it recognized problems within society, specifically the United States. This song also expresses a desire to change these problems. This song uses Rhythm by delivery of the lyrics. 

Waiting on the World to Change, John Meyer

This song ties to the theme because it talks about being able to recognize the problems in the world but not being able to do anything to change it, but still having hope that it will change. This song has an upbeat sound and the singer has a soulful voice. Which can make the listener recognize the sadness of the world today but feel the hope for the future. 

Change, Carrie Underwood

This song ties to the theme because it recognizes the problems in society and encourages the listener by saying even small things can make a difference. This song uses theme by changing the melody within certain parts of the song. The song starts off slow, then changes to be more loud and upbeat when saying that small things can change the world. 

If You’re Out There, John Legend

This song ties to the theme because it expresses the desire to change the world and encourages listeners to join. This song communicates hope and a bright future by having an upbeat sound. 

I Won’t Back Down, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

This song ties to the theme because it encourages people not to give up. This song uses the dynamics of the vocalist to create the mood for the song. 

I woke up this morning and lazily went about my usual morning routine. I made my bed, got ready for the day, then made coffee. While I drink my coffee I usually play a game on my Nintendo Switch. However, this morning I could not find my Switch anywhere. I looked on the charging dock, in the carrying case, on my desk, and it was nowhere to be found. I tore apart my room looking for it worried that if I could not find it soon I would not have time to play. By the time it was time for me to start my assignments for the day I finally found my Switch. I found it under my bed, which is where it probably ended up after late night gaming the night before. Since it was time for me to get started on my classes, I ended up putting my Switch away in its carrying case. Disappointed I went to my desk and got started on the work for my classes for the day. I was occasionally interrupted with thoughts of the Pokemon that I could have caught had it not been for my irresponsible late night gaming habits. 

The poem I chose is Riddance by Rae Armantrout. 

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/150947/riddance

This poem is talking about a pattern in a relationship, the pattern is recognizing a problem and fixing it. The lines “Ok, we’ve rendered the rendition how often?”, seems to imply that there are countless problems that they keep going over. The word “weather” used in this poem seems to be the process that happens after the problem is brought up. The lines, “Shall we talk about the weather worsening four times faster than expected” shows that the pattern is getting worse. These lines can also suggest that the people in this relationship have run out of things to talk about and have resorted to small talk, since talking about the weather is usually considered small talk. Following the lines about the weather worsening are the lines, “until the joy of pattern recognition kicks in?”. These lines imply that the only thing left in the relationship is the process of the “weather” or “fixing” their problems. The final lines, “until the crest of the next ridge is what remains of division”, implies that the next problem can easily bring them apart.

The speaker in this poem is someone in the relationship that has recognized the truth to the pattern they are going through. The use of diction in the poem makes it sound like a bad storm, but the connotation of the words shows that the writer is actually talking about a relationship. The word “weather” is used as a metaphor for the process of fixing or working through problems. 

The domestic architecture I chose is my house. My house feels bright and open. The living room, dining room and kitchen are all one big room. The kitchen is separated by an island, and the living room has a high ceiling. The house feels bright due to the front door, back door, and back sliding door being glass, so they let in a lot of light during the day. The house feels bigger than it actually is due to the high ceiling, brightness, and open living space. 

Another place I go to frequently is a bookstore called Barnes and Noble. This store is a big open space that uses half walls to section off places, like the kids area and Starbucks. The use of half walls makes the building feel open. The front of the store has big windows. The building has high ceilings with lights. The ceilings are not conventional flat ceilings, and the front doors are big wooden doors with glass panels, this makes the building feel older, but in a good way. 

Comparing the interior of my house to Barnes and Noble they have some similarities and differences. A similarity of their interiors would be the use of windows to make the area feel brighter. Another similarity would be the use of high ceilings and openness to make the room feel large. A big difference between my house and Barnes and Noble would be that my house feels a lot newer. I enjoy both buildings. I enjoy open and bright buildings, but I also enjoy buildings that feel a little older.