The movie Angels and Insects has a dark storyline about the relationships that take place in a mansion between the aristocrat family members, and also their relation to workers and servants. Animals are used as metaphor to unfold the narrative.
For example, William is a scientist and a guest in the mansion, who is helping Sir Halard, the owner of the house, with the organization of his private collection. William is attracted to his daughter Eugenia, who is depressed after her fiancé passed away. In a scene, William brings out rare butterflies to show Eugenia. The butterflies fly over them, but also stick to her body. He then takes out moths to show and tell, but when the moths stick to Eugenia’s body, she screams for help. This particular scene, to me, indicated the good/bad about Eugenia’s character. The butterfly was used to convey emotions of happiness and delight, while the moth was used to let the viewer know Eugenia dark side. As the story progresses we find out about Eugenia’s secret and the controversy happening in the mansion.
This movie brings up some questions about the use of animals as metaphor to understand stories and people. How were these metaphors created? Why do we think of a bird as a free animal? Or moths and roaches as sings of darkness? Could these metaphors be reversed?
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Dogs are on my mind
After many attempts to ask my parents for a dog as a kid, I remember resorting to pretending to be one. My oldest sister also liked my idea because she was the trainer that commanded me. However, my role as a dog started to be problematic when I chose to be a biting dog. My sisters and friends decided to give me the nickname of perro Chihuahueño*, which I translated to mutt. I find it strange that at the age of six, I was offended by not being seen as an imaginary purebred dog. I wanted to be Lassie!
Dogs are on my mind lately because they are the one animal that is considered part of a family, lives with us in the house, and humans breed them for certain traits. For example, the movie Best in Show is a parody to the culture of dog shows. However, the movie doesn’t go too deep into what is that makes a dog win best of show or the breeding opportunities from winning. The terrier that wins isn’t necessarily the most spectacular dog in terms of physical, but it is the dog that seemed the most obedient and loyal. On Chapter V of the novel Beautiful Joe, there is a line where they describe a dog as a good dog because “he is patient, quite, and obedient.”
Recently on CNN they made a segment on a guy who photographs his dog with food on his head. This animal stories and others seen on the segment are told because we are surprised by the well-behaved animal. To watch the video click here.
*Until writing this post I believed a perro Chihuahueño translated to a mutt. My sister thought it was a made up name. However, according to wikipedia, a Chihuahueño dog is the Spanish name for Chihuahua... I was a purebred after all ;)
Dogs are on my mind lately because they are the one animal that is considered part of a family, lives with us in the house, and humans breed them for certain traits. For example, the movie Best in Show is a parody to the culture of dog shows. However, the movie doesn’t go too deep into what is that makes a dog win best of show or the breeding opportunities from winning. The terrier that wins isn’t necessarily the most spectacular dog in terms of physical, but it is the dog that seemed the most obedient and loyal. On Chapter V of the novel Beautiful Joe, there is a line where they describe a dog as a good dog because “he is patient, quite, and obedient.”
Recently on CNN they made a segment on a guy who photographs his dog with food on his head. This animal stories and others seen on the segment are told because we are surprised by the well-behaved animal. To watch the video click here.
*Until writing this post I believed a perro Chihuahueño translated to a mutt. My sister thought it was a made up name. However, according to wikipedia, a Chihuahueño dog is the Spanish name for Chihuahua... I was a purebred after all ;)
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Refelctions on Cute and Anti-Cute
This past summer the lions at the Milwaukee county zoo had three cubs. Every time I visit the exhibit, I can’t help simile and say “aaaww, how cute!” The cub lions are adorable with their big eyes, big paws and small furry bodies. Harris on “Cute, Quaint, Hungry and Romantic” says that the big eyes and furry bodies are needed for the cute factor. For example, all animals reproduced as “stuffed animals,” have the furry material for the structure of the bodies, even if they are animals with fur or not.(See turtle below)
[Jan. 28th, 2012, http://www.bbtoystore.com/store/FPL_CS5_bigeyeturtleG.html]
Another ingredient needed for an animal to be cute is that it needs to be clean (it doesn’t poop or have any bodily fluids). I believe part of the reason we respond to the big eyes and small bodies is because we want to nurture and help others. However, I do truly think that if an actual animal or toy with big eyes and small body was covered with unknown fluids, my respond would be that of anti-cute – “yuck!”
Another ingredient needed for an animal to be cute is that it needs to be clean (it doesn’t poop or have any bodily fluids). I believe part of the reason we respond to the big eyes and small bodies is because we want to nurture and help others. However, I do truly think that if an actual animal or toy with big eyes and small body was covered with unknown fluids, my respond would be that of anti-cute – “yuck!”
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Low Tech/No Tech: A Juried Plastic, Pinhole, and Camera-less Show
One of my 4 x 5 pinhole photographs made in the Low Tech/No Tech: A Juried Plastic, Pinhole, and Camera-less Show at the Vermont Center For Photography. Too bad I can't make it to the opening today! For more info click here.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
Photogram
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