Monthly Archives: September 2016

Utility vs Utopia

1 Reply
This article discusses the different experiences College has to offer. Whether it is solely to prepare you to join the work force and take on a career or if it is to build your soul. While Utility U is an investment where the customer (student) is paying the consumer (university) to prepare them and give them the skills they need Utopia U shows you to find your own answers.
The images should communicate the vast difference between the two. The stuffy and conformed Utility U to the enlightening Utopia U.
For my images I chose to show students in a row solely focused on their computers and not their surroundings and then I shot 2 students deep in conversation on the steps.

Topic 2, The Lower Manhattan Revival

1 Reply
  1. The old Lower Manhattan and the old World Trade Center once was a quiet neighborhood filled with working class people working 9-5. It was considered a “parents” or “grandparents” Lower Manhattan. But now, Lower Manhattan and the World Trade Center is described as having diverse tenants and being a “24 hour, seven-day a week” type of neighborhood now. By rebuilding the World Trade Center, it attracted many different people to move around the area; and now it is probably one of the most attractive parts of Manhattan. It will take New Yorkers some getting used to; people have different opinions about the rebuilding of the World Trade Center. In the article it states that they had to bring commerce back into the city and they had to show their strength but also they will have failed if people forget why they have rebuild it in the first place.
  2. The images in the article are just showing the World Trade Center and the Manhattan skyline. The article is talking about people having different opinions about the rebuilding, why they are rebuilding, and the difference from before and now. The images should be before and after photos, images of people living there, the fire fighters father they spoke about, etc.
  3. In my opinion, before and after photos of how the streets used to be quiet and empty compared to now, when it is more lively “24 hour” neighborhood. The article also described the memories that happened on 9/11, maybe that could’ve been shown as well. I felt like the article tried to connect emotionally to 9/11 but were not successful through the images.

Results:  With my images i tried to emotionally connect people and ground zero. There are also many pictures i did take of people on the street, trying to focus on the diversity of the neighborhood. Also, what represents ground zero; american flag, flowers, people, etc.

 

What is the Point of College?

1 Reply

Some ideas to execute Utility U. vs Utopia U would be the whole environment that is expressed, by including color and lighting that will help create an appropriate representation.

In my opinion, Utility involves the investment of Education. Without that structure and that usefulness you won’t be able to pursue what it is you need to pursue. My vision for this would be an environment that is dull of color, clean, and very office-spaced. Demonstrating that there is not much color in this vision, but just planned and non-creative atmosphere. The model to me is focused, not paying attention to anything but showing that pressure of what they have to achieve. The model will be probably standing, up right (sort of like a robot) completing daily tasks. The model might be set in a dull area, nothing really happening, nothing in the photograph can grab your attention but the idea of using education as an object, but not as a passion.

While, Utopia U is stands for freedom. The ability to experiment and be educated in a non-pressured location, where you will feel safe to be open-minded and not constricted on your ideas. For me, Utopia U is more spiritual because not only do you grow in your field, but you grow as a person. I would do photographs, that show the person enjoying their time learning about what they want to learn. Where they feel respected and in a comfortable environment. It looks colorful. The model might be enjoying their time, having fun while learning. Making mistakes in a fun vibrant environment. In result, these images turned out effectively and demonstrated the differences between these two Universities.