October 9

Visual Response

Creative Response: January 2015

   I could remember the past like it was just yesterday. Twenty-three years ago, I used to live in Kabul with my family in a middle-class home. As soon as I arrived back home from school, I would always peer through my balcony window to see if they had started to play ball yet. My mother would get mad at me because I would leave my plate half-full on the table because I heard the cheers and shouts of the kids playing.

Grabbing my shoes and maybe an extra ball was the easy part but trying to open the door without it creaking so my mother couldn’t hear took tedious planning and effort. As I slipped my shoes on and hid a tennis ball in my pocket, I bolted to the door. Holding my breath, I twisted the handle slightly every second and would stop if it started making noise. When the latch had completely detached from the door frame, I pulled the handle closer to me still holding my breath for longer than thirty seconds. Just as I was about to leave, I heard my mother calling my name frantically. I was sure that she had noticed that I had left the table without finishing the food. She came to the door and said something I didn’t expect her to say.

Mother pushed me out the door and we both ran down the stairs as fast as we could trying to not get trampled by the others that lived in the building. As we were approaching the ground, everyone started to run in various directions and mother and I did as well try to get away from the area.

Just then, as we were a less than a block away from the building, we heard the grenade explode in the background as well as sense the immense impact that it left. Hundreds of people lost their lives and their precious belongings. Mother and I were now broke and homeless but had a close relative that lived on the other side of the city. We stayed with him for many months until we could afford a place of our own. One day, while living on the other side, I traveled by myself back to our old house to see what was left. I took a rickshaw using some change I had found in my pockets a while back. As the vehicle was pulling up to the road, I noticed concrete and garbage scattered on the ground. The street was almost empty except very few people including a police standing on the side of the road monitoring the surroundings. As I was reminiscing the times I had in the place I grew up, I noticed a ball partly deflated but still intact in the pile of trash. The day of the bomb, I missed out playing the games on the ground with my friends. I picked up the ball and started kicking it around although it was intimidating for me to play in front of the officer. I expected to be yelled at for being on the road but instead, I saw a sincere smile on his face.

We stayed with him for many months until we could afford a place of our own. One day, while living on the other side, I traveled by myself back to our old house to see what was left. I took a rickshaw using some change I had found in my pockets a while back. As the vehicle was pulling up to the road, I noticed concrete and garbage scattered on the ground. The street was almost empty except very few people including a police standing on the side of the road monitoring the surroundings. As I was reminiscing the times I had in the place I grew up, I noticed a ball partly deflated but still intact in the pile of trash. The day of the bomb, I missed out playing the games on the ground with my friends. I picked up the ball and started kicking it around although it was intimidating for me to play in front of the officer. I expected to be yelled at for being on the road but instead, I saw a sincere smile on his face.

As I was reminiscing the times I had in the place I grew up, I noticed a ball partly deflated but still intact in the pile of trash. The day of the bomb, I missed out playing the games on the ground with my friends. I picked up the ball and started kicking it around although it was intimidating for me to play in front of the officer holding the rifle. I expected to be yelled at for being on the road but instead, I saw a sincere smile on his face.

October 8

Polished Visual

New phones, computers, and cars are all luxuries that we constantly craze over and have dreams and wishes to buy.But never do we take a step back and think for a second that things such as water, food and a place to call home is what some people consider a luxury. In Canada we are very fortunate to be able to leave our home knowing that we will be coming back in a  car not a coffin, but this is a reality  so many people face. We are so blinded by our own wants that we choose to be oblivious to  situation of the vast majority of the world.We should be grateful for what we have and not ungrateful for what we don’t. The photograph reveals a war torn city that really questions our luxuries and ways we find joy compared to other.

In the image  we are shown two young boys playing soccer who are being protected by a man in  uniform holding a gun. This shows  the audience that violence is so frequent within the country that it is is deemed a necessity to protect the streets with a gun.We can make this inference based on the background, the buildings are on the verge of crumbling and the children are playing on what seems to be a pile of garbage in very unsanitary conditions. The image depicts the reality that we know about but we choose to be oblivious and ignorant toward.The message that this image is trying to get through is that we don’t need money to be happy. Within Canada, we are very fortunate to have a safe place to live that is not stricken with poverty, war and constant violence. Many countries are not this fortunate, everyday they wake up having to deal with constant threats to their lives and still manage to have a smile on their face. From this image we can depict  that happiness comes from within and not the things we buy, we should also learn to be grateful for the things we have.

The image shows the audience that the most important thing in life is happiness.The boys within the image are in a poverty stricken country and are still managing to make most of what they have.This is something that many people living in Canada are not able to do . We let the slightest inconvenience ruin our entire day. We do this because we always get what we need, our basic needs have always been met. The kids in the image don’t know how it feels to have a full plate of food were they don’t have to share, they do not  care about the latest phone, or laptop.They care about making the most of their lives and making what they have work.The boys within the image are playing soccer in very  poor conditions, but do not let their circumstances get in the way of their joy.They both have two options and one of them consists of crying and feeling bad for themselves and the other is making the most out of what they have.We need to learn that buying nice fancy things is not what not what brings us true joy.

Money and fancy items is what we believe brings us joy but that is not true.Many of the world’s population is not fortunate enough to have the basic needs of life met, let alone fancy things.Yet they still live a happy life in which they make the most of what they have, even though they do not have enough. Money provides a sense of satisfaction that is not necessary to have to live a happy life. We should learn from the image that happiness doesn’t require money.

October 6

Losing Everything

      Had we not let the american’s buy enough oil? Had we not try’d to fulfill all of their demands? What did our nation do to deserve this; most importantly what did my wife and son do to deserve this. No one deserves having to go to sleep with the thought they might not wake up. Even worse you may be part of the unfortunate few who get bombed and spend their final hours in extreme pain and agony.

    At least I know my wife and unborn son had died a quick death via a landmine.

   I joined the army to save my country from the people that were trying to take it away from me, I heard about others families getting killed every single day and I always thought what I would do if I was in their position. Now it’s another reason for me to fight and protect the soldiers who haven’t lost their families, those that still have hope.

   This is one of the worst parts of my job: thinking. It’s my duty to stand on the outskirts of my bombed city to see if the american’s are coming by foot; in reality I stand here for hours with my AK-47 in my left hand thinking what life could have been.

   Today I’m thinking of my son more than ever;would he have grown up to play like the boy in front of me? How can a scene like this be so beautiful yet so ugly at the same time? The vibrant yellow sands, palm trees and grey concrete contrast each other well, but the red stains and bombed complexes tell you once it looked much better.

    Maybe I should go play with the two boys instead up standing here thinking of what I’ve lost… Pop! Pop! Pop! So that’s what a sniper rifle with a silencer sounds like. I jump for cover and try to find the fatal wound… however there was no wound? Had he missed..no they never miss. As I look over the barrier only seconds after I thought I had been shot at I see the boys are on the ground, smart kids laid down. Then I see the distinctive red stains growing on his shirt that’s when I run to them. Pop! Pop!

October 5

Polished Visual – Innocence

Journal Entry 47,

Today I went on an expedition through the slums of Iraq; I saw children playing soccer in their nearby park which was filled with rocks, dirt and broken concrete from the damaged buildings surrounding their play place. They were being watched by what seemed to be a police officer with a large weapon. I was concerned, at first, but realized the two boys took no regard to the officer’s presence as it must be a normal thing for them.

The two children appear to come from a poorer family due to their absence of footwear. On this rough terrain their bare feet must be bruised badly at the end of the day but it seems they are numbed to any pain. The gripless ball reinforces the idea they come from poverty but to them that ball is just as good as any other. The smile on their faces represents how even in an area of violence and destruction light may still shine down on them.

Through all this the police officer remains there with an expressionless face. This is when I realized that through his face it was nothing but concern for those children as he recognizes that at any moment an imminent threat may make its way into their lives. Through this it was brought to my attention that not even during the day are these kids truly safe and that even in light there is darkness.

It was this experience that truly made me feel fortunate for everything I have. But it was through the fear and uncertainty of others that made me realize how diverse each end of the world is. This made me feel uneasy as in my own home people see these people as threats and not as human beings. And personally, I felt ashamed as I spend money on things I don’t need while there are people who have nothing. But what I now realize is it is the duty of every fortunate person to help the people in need, as they may be incapable of helping themselves. Through these children I realized that through my own hardships I need to remain happy as their are people that have it worst than myself.

October 4

Certainty of Happiness

The Certainty of Happiness

                    The only certainty in our life is the act of birth and the guarantee of death, everything else in between is uncertain, it is our job to fill these spots with what we desire. It is our job to live a life worth living, feeling emotions worth sharing, and making decisions worth exploring. Many humans often go through life yearning for happiness, wasting their life away hoping they run into it. It is often uncertain to them that it is essential for us to create our own happiness. This is due to the idea that internal happiness is our most permanent commitment. This photograph is centered on two children playing soccer even when surrounded by poverty and war. The message being portrayed is that even during times of hardships, children have a tendency to create happiness within themselves.

It is uncertain what circumstances we might be put under, but if we have hope in our hearts, we are able to face them all. The focal point of this photograph lies on a man holding a gun in his hand. The man portrays possession of wealth and security, this is indicated by the watch upon his wrist and the cleanliness of his shoes. This rifle is often used to strike fear upon others while also symbolizing signs of war and dictatorship. The mans right leg is firmly placed on the higher end of the cement, asserting ideas of power and domination. Contrasting with the man’s elegance, the background displays broken buildings and trash on the streets. Easily juxtaposing the impeccable condition of the streets and buildings on the opposing side, near the man. This indicates the class differences and their heights within a society. Another striking detail is the broken slipper on the street, it is symbolizing abandonment as it lies in the middle of nowhere. Being left alone can lead to despair and unhappiness, but feeling this despair and unhappiness does not lead to being secure. Poverty is the main theme displayed by these signs as there is inadequate amounts of filth lying around the streets. These dusty buildings and filthy streets set up a mood of depression and longing.

The one certainty to adopt throughout challenges is that, life runs not according to our hardships, but rather the mindset we face them with. The background of this photograph consists of the two boys playing soccer with a dusty old net while one runs of after the ball. The boy holds an expression of joy and absolute bliss, much like sacred prayer for which there are no words. This form of joy is eternal and contagious for the people who are fortunate enough to witness it. This boy is oblivious towards his circumstances, as if he does not see the world crumbling around him. His strength lifts up the broken walls and in that moment the only thing he feels, the only thing he is able to become is ecstatic. Maybe somewhere in his heart he is aware of the danger that lies upon him, aware of the poorly established lifestyle he has inherited. Yet this boy dismisses feelings of pity and instead forces light to brighten up his dark path. Pity is a funny thing you see, you either stray from it’s grasp or it completely engulfs you, either way the choice is ultimately ours. The boy makes a wise choice, he chooses to not wait around for someone to come rescue him in his time of need, his happiness is self-dependent. Therefore, he has control over how long it will last as he did not need anyone else to offer it to him.

If you are going to be certain of one thing, make it be the idea of inspiring others through the strength you display, especially when you lack it the most. Colours have a powerful way of setting the mood of the given scenario. The colours in this photograph are overpowered by dull shades, such as brown ,green, and black. These shades represent a sense of melancholy, easily associating with the idea of death. Death of emotions, hopes and dreams are the worst form of death, as it is a type of pain we endure internally. Although in this photo the only exception to this solemn theme is the boy, as he is dressed in a bright red shirt. Even turmoil cannot wipe away the innocence that sparks and radiates within him. His bright red shirt matches the color of poppies that grew after rough times. He is symbolizing light and hope, he is our heart in human form. He is light that shines among others, that inspires and helps others recognize it as well.

There is no certainty of an easy lifestyle, but it is certain that in order to life a worth living, we must create pleasure within ourselves. We must mend ourselves and nourish our souls with optimistic thoughts, even when surrounded by hopelessness. If both our hands are chained to the ground, it is up to us to pray from our hearts. Happiness is an act that is best experienced when created rather than found. Happiness that is found is often temporary and we do not hold the power to make it stay. If we wait around for it we might be waiting forever. Forever is a fearful risk that is not worth taking. Finding happiness during hard times is a difficult task, but sometimes that is all we are able to do.

October 2

Innocence

          Innocence is the state of being free from corruption and wrongdoings- it is to be naive and pure. It is usually referred to children who, from a young age, have develop their interests to suit any circumstance or condition. Children represent innocence since they act in a loving matter- giving others around them inspiration to just pause and breath. Throughout our lifetime the restrictions adults put on us scare us, and in that doing we lose our individuality and begin to fear others denial so we act upon what seems to suitable to others around us. The reality of the world is not hidden from children, simply it is our imagination coarsening as the world puts restraints on our freedom.

 

          This particular photograph reveals a moment, what seems to be somewhere in the Middle East of children freely playing and a police officer situated on guard. The background seems like a broken apartment building maybe due to bombings. If you look closely you will see that on the left side where the children are playing, it is a free open space but on the right side, behind the officer is a white fence representing lack of freedom. The officer is standing behind the wall, indirectly hiding himself from them. As he gazes around he might be thinking about a time in his life where he acted upon his own will without any fear of judgement or danger. The children in this image show us a glimpse of what it is like to have innocence and the officer with the gun shows us what it is to feel conflicted by the loss of one’s own innocence. 

         

          An example from my life representing my loss of innocence was when the words and actions of my friends and family betrayed me to understand how the world really functions. A lot of people say highschool is either good or bad and there is no in between but for me personally, I think it was junior high where I started seeing how the words of others only reflected the person they were trying to become but their actions reflect who they were. Being caught up with peoples actions and words left me feeling betrayed. The restrictions put on me by my peers, teachers and family made me want to follow mainstream in fear of being judged and looked down upon from society. It was when I believed peoples words more than their actions that made me lose the hope I had for myself. But what I have realized in seventeen years of living is that we do not handle rejection well, we tend to please everyone because we are scared. As we get older we get restraints put on our freedom, making us pick between going along with mainstream or going along with what we truly believe in. That is how our innocence gets tested and that is when we become fearful of peoples denial.

 

          Once you lose your innocence there is no way of regaining it back in its original form, instead you regain it through courage and survival. Life will hand you hardships to thrive through. Every mistake you made will give you the power to acknowledge the person you are and once you become fearless of peoples denial you will gain confidence. Innocence gets replaced with confidence.

 

          

October 2

I need a moment…

After examining the given photograph, it is evident that the police officer is committed to his duties by patrolling the neighborhood, and happened to come across kids playing a game of soccer. Poor countries don’t have a properly developed government meaning that the individuals living in those countries have to be constantly aware of the dangers around them, such as thievery, murder, etc. This shows us that individuals living in harsh conditions due to the given state if their country will not have similar experiences as others and have to be precarious about the things happening in their surroundings.

Some individuals are not fully aware of the dangers that a simple object may pose a threat towards others. It is can be interpreted that the police officer holding a gun arrives in the midst of kids playing soccer which shows that it can impose a different meaning to the parents of the children than what was intended by the officer. Police officers are known to carry a weapon(most likely in the form of a gun) along with them on their job because of the role assigned to them. However, the rules following the usage of the guns are much different in smaller countries than in major countries such as Canada and the United States. The rules of the US and Canada states that guns are open to fire upon the command of an individual of the highest rank, but in smaller countries, they are open to fire upon the individual’s circumstances, in order to accomplish their job.  The officer may impose that they should not have to worry because they are there for the protection of the citizens. However, the parents might not trust the officer around their children because of the how dangerous the conditions of the country are and the feeling of the many possibilities of dangers. Living in smaller countries with a poor government can tell others that the individuals have experiences things unlike them, such as civil war, abuse of power/authority, etc.

In conclusion, the conditions of a country can determine the roles of the individuals and their experiences. The gun is a symbol of violence, however, can also be a symbol of protection from the reasoning behind the usage. To the individuals of the smaller countries, the condition may seem normal to them because of the things experienced throughout the years. In my opinion, this photograph does a good job of demonstrating how much suburban countries differ than major countries. In my own life, I’ve lived in Nepal for over 10 years of my childhood; ever since the early years, I was always told not to let go of my parent’s hands while outside so that I wouldn’t get lost in the crowds of people outside. I was told that there were high chances of getting lost or kidnapped so it was a must for me to always be beside my guardians. Crime in rural areas of the cities is very often heard of while living in third world countries which high raises the people’s attention towards the safety of themselves, their loved ones and their belongings. When playing with friends, I was told never to go too far away from the house and to make sure not to talk to strangers, especially the ones that like giving away free candy.

October 2

Visual analysis by Kyle

Kyle Pashulka

Creative responds

It was a sunny day outside as Jack gets up from sleeping in. Today was a special day for Jack because it was the first day of school. “Jack are you ready” his mom called as he walks out of his room. “Yes I am all ready”, he says putting papers into his backpack.

He walks out the door with his backpack on and all ready for school. As he is walking out, he hears all the other kids walking to the school talking about how excited they are to be back at school for another year. He begins to walk down the street with all his class mates going to the school.

When they arrive they meet the principal and he begins to tell them that the police will be with them for the rest of the school year for protection. Jack doesn’t really like the idea of the police being there but he keeps going about his day.

“Recess” Jack yells finally getting out of the classroom and running outside with the dozens of kids around him, all ready to get rid of all the energy that he has been keeping inside him all morning. Jack grabs the soccer ball with his friends, and they all head out to play the world’s favorite sport. 2-1 the other team is beating jacks team only by one so he takes it upon himself to try and tie up the game before he is sent back inside and be bored again till the end of the day.

He starts to bring up the ball to the upper field, he shoots and you hear a loud “DING” as it hits off the post and rolls away from the game. Jack runs over to grab the ball but someone gets to it before him.“Here you go” says the police officer in a deep powerful voice, that was to the side the whole game watching them play. “Thanks” Jacks says trying not to be intimidated. “Before you go try kicking it with the side of your foot” the towering officer said. Now feeling a little less intimated jack says “ thanks for the tip” and runs back to try and tie up the game.

Jack runs up the field this time hitting the ball with the side of his foot instead of missing now hits it dead center of the net and ties up the game. “Ringggg” as the bell went off telling the kids to go back inside to begin schooling once more. Before going back inside jack waves to the police that helped him tie the game. The police smiles and wave back signing him to go back inside. Walking back home that day all jack could talk about was how he tied the game with the help of this new friend. The next day the over there announcements they said that the police won’t be needed anymore because they were no longer in danger. Jack hearing this was saddened but he will always remember the police that taught him that was being nice and helping out will always have a huge impact on people.

 

October 1

Visual Response: Civil War

 

Guard (Voice Over):        Look at them. They’re always having such fun kicking that ball around. If only they knew that at any second we could all be obliterated; Around five seconds is all it would take. One. Jay is running up the field. Two. He is single handedly pushing up past all the other players on the field. Three. The only thing that can stop him now is Cade, the best goalie in the league. Four. Jay comes up to the goal using tremendous footwork, and within an instant, he shoots! Five.

 

Jay (V.O.):       Uhgggg, I am always the one getting the ball…I mean, I am the one who keeps hitting the ball out…but still; it’s more fun to kick the ball back at Cade. I am so glad my brother plays with me more now. I remember when he wouldn’t want to really talk to me much, but he does now, and that makes me really happy. I still don’t get why Cade always gets distracted by that guy over there; he is here to protect everyone, and to keep us safe. He does seem to give us dirty looks every time we start playing with the ball…maybe he wants to play with us! I would like another person to play with us, but I don’t think Cade would like it very much. He told me to not talk to the man, or to any man that looks at us like that, so I guess i’ll listen.

 

Cade (V.O.):       I am sorry Jay, I didn’t want to tell you what happened to our parents. I can’t tell if you believe my excuses, or not. You’re just so happy that we play together that you don’t seem to notice all of the terrible things that are going on around us, and what have been going on for the past few months. The civil war, the bombs, the explosions, the destruction, the running, the guards. The fear. I want you to keep yourself the same way, free, and happy, and so loving. You shouldn’t have to live through this. No one should have to live through this. You’ve always loved playing soccer; you always loved kicking the ball at me. I know you never want to hurt me, you just love the fake little squeal I do. The squeal that I do because it makes you smile so brightly, and laugh so much. Every time you laugh really loudly, that guard looks over at us though, never with a friendly face. His staring fills me with feelings of anger, confusion, and fear. Fear for myself, and for Jay. That guard always carries that gun around, and he never takes his finger off the trigger. I fear for Jay and I because you’re never supposed to keep your finger on the trigger unless you’re planning to shoot.

 

Canadian boy (V.O.):        I see the people on tv, and I see the things they have to go through, the terrible, terrible things that no human should have to endure. Bloodshed, yelling, gunfire, explosions, crumbling buildings, and all around chaos. Families are there; fathers, mothers, cousins, grandparents and children. There are families here in Canada too, but no one here does anything to help other than talk about it in class to help us learn, or make fundraisers for temporary events for the enjoyment of the students. I wish I could do more, I want to help but I don’t have any money, and my parents disregard anything I say about wanting to help. I would donate to a charity, but too many charities take the money for themselves, and again; I don’t have any money. So I just have to sit here, and feel useless, while innocent people get their lives torn apart and ruined.

 

The Guard (V.O.):        Five. Jay kicks the ball with amazing power, it’s heading straight towards Cade. Cade expertly deflects the ball using his chest, and lets out an incredibly awkward squeal. Jay burst out laughing, and Cade says “just go get the ball, bud.” I let out a slight smile, but quickly cover it up. I am a guard, I can’t show any weakness; I don’t want anyone to think that we are easily distracted, or that we can be seen as weak at all. Being a guard I am supposed to make everyone feel protected, as well as actually protecting them. But, it is nice, seeing them have fun. Especially in times like this. Even though they seem to be clueless on the real danger at hand, they are still trying to live their lives, and they are keeping their head up. That is why stand guard. For all the people who have lost their lives, and for the people who still have their full lives ahead of them.

October 1

Visual diagnostic- Let’s Have Some Fun

Let’s Have Some Fun!

When we are put into a situation, that has a lot of tension in it, people will sometimes lean towards fun in order to forget about the tense atmosphere created.

 

Standing still with my eyes closed, I focused on the warmth I felt from the blazing sun on my skin, the trail of sweat falling from my forehead and the shouting from the soccer players.

Not too long ago, everything was normal, the streets were busy and people were walking in all directions. Yet, no one saw this coming. A crowd of protestors came barging through, yelling, screaming, but I didn’t understand why.

I ran back to my house, only to find my parents glued to the television, watching what was taking place. However, more and more protestors started showing up, soon enough shots and gunfire were heard. My parents began running around the house trying to close all the windows, curtains, and doors. I have never seen my parents so frightened.

Days, weeks went by, and the tension thickened. I was forbidden to walk outside by myself; men with guns began patrolling the streets, their fingers always on the trigger, expecting the unexpected. Our once beautiful city now destroyed, the buildings shattered from the bombings, the people huddled in their homes afraid for the unpredictable.

Being a seven-year-old kid, I was fed up being trapped within my own house day-in and day-out. Then, an idea came to me, I invited a small group of kids to go outside and play soccer, because who doesn’t like soccer. Starting as a small group, more and more kids joined our game, even some of the adults joined in too. It felt so good to finally leave behind the tense atmosphere, even if it were just a little while.