Thursday, October 15, 2009

Artist Statement


 

The Academic Community

 

            Our project focuses on the academic community of the University of Arizona. We chose this particular community because it is one that every student is a part of or can relate to. To capture the essence of what this community is all about we headed to the library. The main library at the university shelters numerous people all with a common goal of knowledge. We took pictures of objects that are easily found in a library. For example, we posted images of bookshelves, desks, and study rooms. We chose these subjects because we believe that when people see a book or desk they automatically associate those objects with students and the academic world. They represent knowledge and studying. We also included pictures of people studying or reading. This conveys the idea that these people are most likely students who believe in the power of school, and that it will assist them in obtaining their long-term goals. Many of our pictures are close-ups, focusing on very few objects just like the image “Read not Taught”. That picture shows a series of lined up books in a shelf. There are other pictures for example: “Lost in Thought”, that depict a different angle, specifically a bird’s eye view. The composition of all of our pictures is meant to strengthen our message. Through our subjects, we wanted to a literally attach an image to the hard work that one must commit to while in school. All of the objects are indicative of the environment that is found in a library and therefore part of an academic community. We believe our topic is meaningful because even though it involves only students, it ultimately interconnects with the entire Tucson community. For example, students will eventually take a place within society after they graduate and in the long run, they could bring about many positive aspects to the entire Tucson community. But we all have to start somewhere, and that somewhere could be in a study room at the library or between the bookshelves. Overall our pictures were meant to demonstrate what the student encounters while in school and how important and influential the academic community is to the rest of society. 

The Time for Knowledge



By Monica Ruiz

“The aim of education is the knowledge, not of facts, but of values.”-William S. Boroughs

Lost in Thought

By Monica Ruiz

" A mind once stretched by a new idea never regains its original dimensions". - Anonymous

Read Not Taught



By Logan Mumford

Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing worth knowing can be taught. ~Oscar Wilde, "The Critic as Artist," 1890

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Study Away


By Logan Mumford

Education is an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity. ~Aristotle

Study Break

By Lidia Pacelli

This photograph seems to lighten up the mood of the library. The books that are photographed do not look scary on intimidating, but lovable and fun. They look like books that people would read for a study break or on their spare time. The orange book in the front does not look like a library book and seems misplaced along with the other books sticking out in the back. This picture lightens the mood of studying and shows that there is a lighter side to the academic community of the U of A library.

Endless Abyss of Books




By Lidia Pacelli

This photograph is a little bit scary. It is very dark and the shelves of books are a little bit intimidating. The focal point of the picture is the light on the bookshelves in the back which, to me, look like they are sneaking forward to come out of the page to attack the viewer. I choose this photograph because it made me feel that the bookshelves were overwhelming the people studying in the library and scaring them away with the dark bookshelves on the side, and the light ones in the background.