Arts & Ideas in Medieval and Ancient Times

California State University, Chico Humanities 220, section 1 Psychology major. var _wau = _wau || []; _wau.push(["small", "3bcgfncvshhq", "akq"]); (function() {var s=document.createElement("script"); s.async=true; s.src="http://widgets.amung.us/small.js"; document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s); })();

[breahumn220]

The word I chose to describe my space is "separate." I debated for a long while on what this word should be, as I was unsure how to incorporate it into the material we'd reviewed. I ultimately chose separate because I could relate it to the ideas of Ancrene Wisse, although, admittedly, to much lesser degree. In Ancrene Wisse, the narrator describes how the anchoress must be entirely isolated from the comforts of the world in order to ensure a pure heart, as you couldn't have both of these things at once. You were either granted purity or worldly comforts, and a choice had to be made. In my space, the two are incorporated. Although not through religion, there's a sort of purity that incorporates itself into my space. It's not pure due to religion or a belief, but it's pure because it's mine. It's a space that I created for myself, and it's separate from the things I have to share with the world. It creates a sort of isolation from the rest of the world wherein I can connect with my own thoughts and ideas, rather than those of a higher being. It's a place that I feel whole because it's separate from the rest of the world, and it's a space that I really enjoyed writing about this past semester.

[breahumn220]

It's just the way things are.

[breahumn220]

Spatial Observation: Response 4

The three videos that I chose to discuss were from branerhumn220, sunthumn220, and katiehumn220 (Roaming in Roses). I chose these videos in particular not only because of their aesthetic appeal, but also because the interaction that each has in the public sphere interested me as well. Specifically, I was interested by the lack of control that these spaces had because of the public sphere they are integrated in; it removes control as an aspect in their posts, which seemed interesting to me. They all provided a sort of solitude as presented by the posters--all of which were made without narration, instead providing the space to talk for them. It allowed the spheres of other people and nature to take over, rather than providing their own narrative, letting the spaces speak for themselves.

[katiehumn220]

Roaming in Roses

This is my video of me walking through my chosen space, the George Petersen Rose Garden. Not much noise can be heard in the background throughout the video except the sound of my footsteps. At one point, a man can be seen and heard in the video talking on his cell phone about the Giants baseball team winning the World Series yesterday. Also, the faint sound of birds flying around and chirping in the background can be heard. The main focus of the video was to showcase the roses, and how many different colored and sized roses there are. The rose garden is a perfect place to go if you want to relax for a bit because, as you can tell from the video, at certain times during the day when not many people are out and about, the environment is very calming and can be a stress reliever. On a day like today, when the wind is blowing slightly, the smell of the roses can be detected anywhere you walk in the garden. Narrow rock pathways can be seen in the video too, which allow people to easily walk through the garden and see all of the roses and birds and bees that often frequent the roses.

[sunthumn220]

As I walked through the campus as I usually do, I found myself outside of Kendall Hall. The gentle, sloping curves of the arches and domed roof were hit with the warm fall light hit the bricks in just the right way to make everything seem warmer even though the temperature would have you thinking otherwise. At this moment I noticed how everything had come together in the right moment and time; the cool breeze hitting the skin, while the warm bricks seemed oddly comforting and the hustle and bustle of the campus providing a familiar sound in the background and I was brought back to why I chose Chico. The campus Chico state resides on is one of the more beautiful that I have seen. While there are other flashier campuses, Chico’s is slightly understated while remaining distinct and bold. The alternating building styles from cold metal and glass to the warmer brick and stone gives the campus dynamic and the forest that surrounds us is simply breath taking in fall. It allows you to feel more connected to the campus and the community as a whole. Kendall Hall will always be a beautiful building that no other campus has, and it serves as a catalyst to bring student to come learn for years and years to come. 

[branerhumn220-deactivated201506]

Where the River Flows

I had to shorten this video to about 50 seconds because my 60 second video was too large to upload. 

Walking through this space calms me down because I just think it is so peaceful. From the creek water flowing down the stream to the birds singing in the trees. It all seems to hide the collection of voices that murmur in the background. I started my walk through this space by the water because that is my favorite place to be. The white noise created by the distant water hitting the rocks below my feet as I stand on the quiet little beach. The sand crumbles beneath my shoes as I walk along the beach and the leaves crunch as I walked back up the steep hill that leads back to campus. On top of the hill is where I saw the Chico State emblem and its dedication below it. The sun reflects its light through the trees as it creates a glistening effect on the water.  My journey on this path ends with the view of caution tape and a metal gate that warns students and staff to not cross the bridge. This is where the most recent tree fell, causing the bridge to collapse into the creek below, which flows on back to me in my space.

[breahumn220]

All Mimsy Were the Borogroves.

I decided to remain in the confines of my space for the duration of this video because I felt that exploring the surrounding area might corrupt what is meant to be a solitary space; by keeping the area within itself, the space itself remains the emphasis of the film. I chose this title from a line in the nonsense poem Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll. This particular line describes the drab, "miserable and flimsy" life of an imaginary, wingless, extinct breed of parrot that resided in the same forest of a vicious, chaotic creature that the protagonist must slay. I chose this reference due to the bird decals found on the wall of my room; I felt that a heavier focus on this area was important, as it's really the only section of my space that had yet to be shown or described to my audience in any way before this post. It's one of the few items that I, personally, feel characterizes my space; it's one of the primary things I use to identify the area with. Like the borogroves, the birds represent a small, generally overlooked part of an area (or poem in the former case), existing apart and without interference from the outside world. 

Music: Step by Vampire Weekend

[breahumn220]

Spatial Observation: Response 3

I found interest in the three images I chose to reblog due to their similarities and differences both in relation to my own image and each other's; as well as the comparisons that can be made between each individual map and the poster's original image of their space.

"Inside my Bedroom Walls" offered a more interesting perspective to the original idea of a flat and direct map that initially comes to mind. Rather than creating a more aerial perspective that one might expect from a map, the author provided a more detailed, three-dimensional image to the audience. This interested me because of the similarities with this image and the author's original image; it provided, rather than a sort of vague key or outline to the audience, the same amount of detail that you might see in being there. I found this to be a more creative approach, and it interested me greatly.

The image of the stadium interested me the most, specifically due to the differences between the author's initial image of their space and the map that they'd produced for this specific assignment. In the original post, they'd pictured the stadium "from a spectator's view;" whereas this provides a much broader spectrum for the audience. In the original image, the viewer is strongly influenced to look at the space through a very specific viewpoint--as a spectator to a sport or event. They're placed in the bleachers of the stadium, being shown the somewhat distant view of the track. The uniformity of the hard, repetitive lines presented do little to encourage imagination or any deviation from what the audience might initially see. As opposed to the limited, directed view as given by said original picture, the map of this space opens it up greatly to the viewer. With this space, the audience is able to see the entirety of the stadium without bias; they aren't influenced to look at once specific area, giving them a greater sense of freedom. 

Lastly, "Seeing from Above" provided a wonderful perspective of the Centennial Plaza. The detail provided by the author interested me greatly, as she incorporated color and detail into her map, rather than offering a more vague key to things that she might find important or interesting.  The only symbol offered on the key is a small, red heart, representing the author's favorite spot in the Plaza. I found this to be a powerful part of the map, luring a sense of connection from the audience to the image. It's no longer just a picture drawn by an unknown specter. It becomes, through the simplicity of this heart, a place where a person has been and breathed in and lived in, where someone sat and thought and decided that a particular space made them feel a certain sort of happiness. The space evoked, from the author, an emotion; and thus, it does the same for the audience.

[mvanghumn220-deactivated2018121]

Seeing from Above

My map is drawn from the above and is in a south to north direction. The boundaries of my map is from the middle of the grass on the left to the middle of the grass to the right side, with the road on the south to where the plaza hangs off as a cliff over Feather River. In drawn in the trees, mushroom in the grass and the bushes at the edges of the sidewalk. My piece mainly focuses on the circle, where the rocks and fishes are at, wrapped with the garden beds. 

[romerohum220-2]

This is my space, Chico stadium from an Ariel view. I screen shot this view courtesy of Google Earth, as you can see the picture is a little dated. Notice the lack of green paths in the bottom left hand corner, that is what I can see i do not know of any other dated items maybe you all can find some. I like this picture of the Stadium because the natural light opens up the space and at the same time it casts dark shadows. It also is very linear with the lines around the track, horizontal lines from the bleachers and the lines that make up the game. The overall shape is oval with lines as a pattern compared to the squared off spaces surrounding it.

[gomezhumn220]

Inside My Bedroom Walls:

The walls are the boundaries that enclose my private space from the hallway public space. I chose to draw a picture of my room because I could personalize it as much as I wanted to. The “up” of my room is towards the blue bed and the “down” part of the map is toward the door. I included not only my side of the room but also my roommate’s side because the picture felt incomplete without her side.

[breahumn220]

X Marks the Spot.

For my space, I chose to produce a map in the form of a treasure map. Although the original and plain outline of my room exists within it, I felt as though creating an outline in this way might better present to the audience the feeling or atmosphere presented by the space that--from the allotted, general bird's-eye view--may not otherwise be conveyed. In short, there is very little that occurs in my room by itself. As depicted, in it resides a simple bed, desk, and chair. To me, it provides a solitary area wherein I can escape from my surroundings and relax. By rendering it within the form of a treasure map, the juxtaposition of the simplicity of my space contrasts with that of the chaos of the surrounding area. The other areas of the apartment (e.g. the bathroom, the kitchen, etc.) are presented in the forms of islands because they're unincorporated in the space that I chose to observe--they're separate entities that, whilst they reside in the surrounding area, don't necessarily pertain to my space. The "x" on the map leads to the bed because it serves in the primary purpose of the room: to relax, and I felt as though this was the best method to convey that to the audience.

[breahumn220]

Spatial Observation, Response 2

The two posts that I chose to reblog were entitled "Second Floor Audio" and "By the Creek." Either of these audio posts interested me because of the focus on a quiet environment, which permitted me to compare them to my own post.

In "By the Creek," the steady flow of the creek is constant and rhythmical; the sound exists in a form that's not necessarily harsh, but makes itself overtly present. The sound is smooth and calming for the most part. While it initially becomes the primary focus of the audience, its continuity eventually fades into the background. The ripples of the water becomes secondary, permitting a sort of expectation to the listener. Because it's always there, the audience expects it to be. It creates almost a sort of trust between the listener and the audio--the audience asks or expects, and the audio delivers. It permits a sense of relaxation to the listener. On occasion, the wind breaks the continuity of the water, eliciting the audience's attention; the break is constant enough to leave intact the overall sense of calm, but unusual enough to pull attention away from the creek itself.

In "Second Floor Audio," there's an overall sense of quiet. As stated by the poster, it's not absolute silence, and the presence of others is made clear by sound of the shuffling papers in the clip. The sounds aren't harsh or obnoxious at all, instead providing a sense of comfort. It informs the listener, very clearly, that they're not alone. The ambience, however, remains one of hush and serenity. It was something that pleased me, and the contrast of the post within itself caught my attention.

The reason that I chose these two posts to discuss is because of the contrast and similarities between my own post and theirs. Like my own, both of these posts revolved around a sense of quiet, without being absolutely silent. "By the Creek" initially caught my attention primarily because of its location in relation to the mood that it set. While it's set outdoors with "people… not very far from this spot," there's still a large focus on solely the stream. The presence of people didn't disturb or break the tranquility of the area. Similarly, in "Second Floor Audio," what interested me most was the focus on the lack of solitude presented by the author, despite the hush of their surroundings. The amenity of having others around you without breaking the tranquility and peacefulness of the area interested me.

[beccaandhumn220]

Visit Original Link

Second Floor Audio

In my audio recording there is almost no one talking the loudest things in the clip are people shuffling paper, closing/opening their backpacks, and the sounds of the doors from the stairwell and bathrooms. I like that it is quiet but not dead silent. You can cough without fear of disturbing everyone on the floor. The loudest thing in the video was at the end when the person behind me was packing up their belongings to leave. I went into the library originally planning to walk in and walk out but I got to my favorite seat and I sat down and ended up staying there for over an hour. It is so relaxing and the noise level is just right that I sit down and just lose track of time.

[branerhumn220-deactivated201506]

Visit Original Link

By The Creek

I spend a lot of time at the creek on campus. I find the flow of the water beneath the bridge to be very calming. It is nice to have a peaceful little escape between classes where I can just clear my thoughts, enjoy the liquid of the water flowing at its steady pace, and relax my mind enough to forget any problems I might be having. People are not very far from this spot, but their constant chatter seems to be covered by the sound of the creek flow. It is easy to get lost in the peace that seems to overwhelm me when I am here. There is nothing but beauty and solitude in this privately-public space. It is almost as if no one else exists and I am alone just listening to the serene sound of nature take me away.

[breahumn220]

Sounds of Silence

The space that I chose to observe is a quiet one. The constant humming of the fan from the window exists for the futile purpose of combatting the muggy heat; it pulls and throws the strings of the blinds in and out to bang against the wall. The sound is repetitive and hard; the rhythm is unchanging, but it's calming in a manner. Apart from this, the confines of the room are silent; there's no one else there to talk, no bed squeaking, nor the creaking of a door. Beyond the walls, though, there's a plethora of noises. From the window, you can hear the footfalls of strangers as they wander the grounds of the apartment; some of them are out on strolls with their friends, some of them are walking their dogs, and some of them are just there to be there. A sort of movie night is unfolding in the living room; my roommates are laughing, but their speech is muffled through the door. Some friends are scooting chairs around on the linoleum floor of the dining room onto the soft carpet to situate themselves. The silence is overwhelming within the confines of the room without a doubt, but it's inevitable that the sounds of the space outside of mine will seep through the cracks.

[breahumn220]

Spatial Observation: Response 1

The three images that I chose to reblog for this response were "Rose Garden," "Growing Up," and "The Wall." I chose these three in particular because both the contrast and vague similarities between my own post and these three interested me, and I wanted to further elaborate on them.

With "Rose Garden," the audience feels what can be perceived as an almost immediate sense of calm. The colors are bright, without being obnoxious. The leaves are soft and intricate, intertwining with one another, mesmerizing the viewer in a sense. A building can be seen in the background; its hard, straight lines offer a sense of structure and stability to the image overall. It isn't what's seen first, nor is the viewer initially drawn to it through the lines or patterns presented to them through the picture. It's something found later by the viewer's will, enforcing that it's not necessarily there to distract the audience from the relaxation of the garden, but rather to offer a sort of balance to the scene.

"Growing Up" offers an interesting perspective to the viewer. The edges of the trunk are hard, but not harsh; the subtle curves in its silhouette make the tree seem strong and sturdy without making it intimidating or unappealing. The repetition of the lines almost offer a sort of familiarity to the audience; the vertical pattern lures the eyes of the viewer upward into the intricacy of the foliage, providing softer and more rounded edges in correspondence with the leaves. The range of colors are bold and do well in their ability to catch the attention of the audience, but are recognizable enough not to catch the viewer off guard. All in all, I chose this picture because the contrasts within itself interested me--the boldness with familiarity, and the strong but mild shapes. I found it aesthetically pleasing, and it seemed to act as a median between what we might perceive as relaxation (seen in "Rose Garden" and "A Place to Myself") and work ("The Wall").

In "The Wall," the  angles, edges, and texture of the wall itself present a harder, more serious demeanor to the audience.  The sun makes what the viewer might perceive as being the goal (the top of the wall) seem almost unattainable--out of view and hidden from those trying to see it. As the audience's eyes are drawn upward, the steps and bolts which they'd be expected to grip become smaller; the image gives the viewer, ultimately, a sense of "almost." It doesn't lay out everything--it just implies it. It presents it as being there, but as something that the audience has to work for. It presents effort.

In relation to my own image, I decided to choose these three in particular because the contrast interested me. I was pleased in the fact that all of these pictures were taken outdoors, as it opposes my own picture. I kept my window closed, the blinds shut, and the door locked. From what the viewer can observe, there's nothing but darkness outside of the window, and subject to the image, nothing else exists but the small area presented in the picture. There isn't any visual hint or indication of trees or any organic material anywhere near the scene; it's limited, closed off, and solitary. The images I chose present a world that has potential and depth. Even that which presents the same overall ambience (i.e. "Rose Garden") of relaxation and tranquility still shows a "world" beyond the primary image (e.g. in the building in the background). In "Growing Up," what can't be seen in my own image is shown fully, emphasizing itself through the natural lines and shapes of the tree. "The Wall" is, perhaps, the farthest off from mine, presenting what seems only to be endeavors, adventure, and achievement to reach an unseen place. They were all visually appealing, well thought-out, and interesting pieces that I took pleasure in viewing.