Artist Statement

My part of the group was to take the pictures form the interview and post them onto the site. The photos I took I just tried to capture the experience and take pictures of things that haven't been shown in the photo essays or take pictures of places that I've never seen before. Previously to this whole experience I never had entered the neighborhood. Until I meet with Tony and he drove us around. I saw such beautiful houses and a changed and growing community. I had a stigma about the community, I thought that it was still how it was eight years ago. However the trip there changed my mindset about Johnson Park area . I saw the changes and by hearing the stories that Tony was telling us about the neighbors and how there untied and how many people in the community truly wants to better the community. With my camera, I took pictures of my experience, and I was looking at the neighborhood thru new eyes thru my camera lens.
On the way to our interviews I was just kept taking pictures without looking so that I could document the trip there .Also, I edited the assitant chief harpole interview, it was so long he gave such extensive answers. It was so hard to edit it down to eight mintues. Also it was hard to make the transitions good and trying to choose what was more import ant and what didnt really go with the topic of the group project. The day off our interview with Chief Harpole and Officer Torres. Most of the pictures are pictures of the exterior of the building .I just tired to capture our walk outside of the building because I didn't think that I could take pictures inside. I did seek and few in though. After the interviews I went onto Johnson's park Area's web site and looked at what they posted in regards to block watch. I found it very interesting and it was a review of what Officer Torres, Assistant Chief Harpole , and Bentley Turner has said. I really love to see and learn about how organized there block watch is . My neighborhood had one I don't know what happened. I think that Johnson's Park is a model for any neighborhood trying to establish a block watch . From this I decided for my individual project to be about the relationship between the Milwaukee police department and Johnson park area. I think that there relationship is very unique and its amazing how well it worked as is working. Especially since people tend to be hesitant to work with the police. Originally I had Rob asking the questions and then showed the response. I supposed I was going for a Barbara Walters type of interview style. I decided to rework that because I thought that with text it made for better transitions and it put more of a spotlight on the responses to the questions.

My Project

Kehinde Wiley

I found out about I found out about Kehinde Wiley form a video a couple of months ago and thought wow this is pure genius. I'm so proud of my generation, I would of never thought that I'd see paintings like his but I'm glad to see that in my lifetime there's an artist like him. What I love most about his work is that the paintings that he draws from were people that back them they identified with and the paintings that he has created and paintings that people can recognize and I hope that this will inspire and create more greatness for the generations to come.

In his work he brings light to the negative sterotypes of black men , there viewed as villans and not as heroes. Mostly those viewed as heroes are white males. His paintings are based on well-known images of powerful figures drawn from seventeenth- through nineteenth-century Western art.

He replaces the white males with models that he searches for nation wide and poses them them to resemble compostions of famous paintings.

From:http://http//www.npg.si.edu/exhibit/recognize/paintings.html

"Kehinde Wiley’s portraits of African American men collate modern culture with the influence of Old Masters. Incorporating a range of vernaculars culled from art historical references, Wiley’s work melds a fluid concept of modern culture, ranging from French Rococo to today’s urban landscape. By collapsing history and style into a unique contemporary vision, Wiley interrogates the notion of master painter, “making it at once critical and complicit.” Vividly colorful and often adorned with ornate gilded frames, Wiley’s large-scale figurative paintings, which are illuminated with a barrage of baroque or rococo decorative patterns, posit young black men, fashioned in urban attire, within the field of power reminiscent of Renaissance artists such as Tiepolo and Titian. "

Here's the link to the video:http://current.com/items/7....6335342/kehinde_wiley.htm

Current tendencies ten artists from Wisconsin exhibit at Marquette University

New Chinese Zodiac. The pieces follow the character traditions of the Chinese Zodiac, the Monkey, Snake, and such. However Xiahong Zhang created original characters made out of paper with Disney characters like the Disney Princesses, Tinkerbell, printed onto the paper. I think that Xiahong Zhang is commenting on the Americanization of her culture and how America has caught on to the Zodiac and how the Chinese Zodiac is now a place mat on your table at a Chinese restaurant. I think that perhaps the Disney images were used because nothing is more of a commercial success than the Disney Empire.

Identity

This topic of identity as been brought up a lot in the past couple of weeks in my life. I've been wondering how I'll be when I grown up ,will I change? I hope that I never do , I mean I hope that I grow as a person but I hope that my point of view doesn't change I hope that I don't get jaded by the world and because a superficial Thomas Kincdade type of artist. That would be sad, where would my point of view go where do lost point of views go?I used to to think of the art world a free from racism and everything else negative that I don't think in the world. I still do but I'm starting to realize that racism is relevant in every career .


However artist maybe have the upper hand in changing things. They /We present work in hope a paradigm shift and the viewers may think its controversial and they get what they get out of it hopeful it will change a bit of there point of views of how they view the world.Daniel Joesph Martinez, Museum Tags really stuck with me, It made me laugh at first and them to hear the stories about the museum stickers and most of the people at the show being white was great. It made me wonder if the viewers, white people in this case think of being anything else but white. Also, I think that he brings up a prevalent issue up in Hispanic cultures. The "Whitening", of the culture, I just don't understand families where the parents only speak spanish don't know very much english and there kids know english and not spanish.

How does that work? It's confusing but it's overlooked because they came here for a better life does a better life include losing one cultural identity ?No for me.As a photographer I look up to Lorna Simpson and Carrie Mae Weems . There photos are so strong in composition and the messages that the convey are relevant to there audience. Although the text may sadden or make people uncomfortable I find it humorous. I like to see peoples faces when they read there text, like in Carrie Mae Weems , Mirror Mirror when the text was read I laughed but the rest of the room was quiet.and people were uncomfortable and looked down or away.I hope to create images like them and be a voice for others like me as they are to me. Even though there work was before I was born.Rather it be because of the generation I'm growing up in or not. I love in you face work , take you outside of normal thinking patterns type work. I know it's not a genre or whatever but it's one now.

Carrie Mae Weems Mirror Mirror 1987 silver print



Daniel Joesph Martinez Museum Tags 1993 museum tags

Block Watch Neighborhood Security Ideas

Training –

All patrollers need to know how to recognize suspicious activity and sounds, the techniques of obtaining an accurate description of a suspect and/or a vehicle and how to give an accurate description of the location. Further, they should be trained and instructed on how to request assistance from police if anyone is threatened or in danger. The volunteers must proceed with caution. Don’t confront a suspect or drug dealer alone. Neighborhood watch volunteers should not take any risks to prevent a crime or to facilitate an arrest. Confrontations can occur and escalate quickly.

It is important to note that patrol groups can and should work together. Organizations patrolling their own neighborhoods can share the same radio frequency and sometimes, can go on joint patrols or when necessary supplement each other’s patrols in adjacent communities. In such a collaborative relationship,watch groups or patrols help each other expand their capacities to fulfill their missions.

Crime Mapping.-

As a result of advancements in computer technology, crime mapping is becoming increasingly sophisticated, integrated and available. Nearly every police department is using some form of computer software to collect data about crime incidents and display that information on maps for analysis. This technology is being employed by law enforcement in an attempt to identify emerging criminal activity and trends with a focus toward crime prevention. Usually these maps depict neighborhood streets and use geometric shapes to indicate the location of recent criminal activity. One of the most comprehensive efforts in Internet crime mapping is underway in San Antonio, Texas, where the police department provides district maps that link to tables of crime data. The Ft. Wayne, Indiana Police Department does not provide maps on the Internet, but posts daily activity reports. Some police departments routinely supply less sensitive crime mapping data to neighborhood watch groups and to the public via the WEB. Reluctance to make the data widely available is related to several factors including the fear of misuse and misinterpretation of the information and the need for confidentiality for some crimes, such as rape and juvenile offenses.

Neighborhood watch groups and patrols can benefit by gaining access to this data. Knowledge is
empowering and knowledge about crime patterns can be used to prevent victimization. The neighborhood watch group should do the following:

Find out about the information technology application at your local police department.
Inquire as to what type of information is available to watch groups.
If the crime data/mapping is available, ask whether the watch group can download the information.
Neighborhood watch groups should try to develop a relationship with the technology managers at the local police department so that the group can have input in the way in which the technologies are developed and implemented. However, proceed with caution. The watch group should be an advocate for the responsible dissemination of information. Confidentiality of a victim's identity and whereabouts should be assured.

Window Watcher Project.-

A Window Watcher project is yet another way to increase community surveillance. Utilize the time and energy of seniors and ask them to keep a watch from their windows at various times. Ask them to report any suspicious activity or
noise to the home base and the police. Seniors and the homebound are vital resources to be tapped not only for maintaining vigilance but also to help with mailings and other organizational tasks.
http://http//www.jpna-milw.org/blockwatchideas.htm

I really love to see and learn about how organized there block watch is . My neighboorhood had one I dont know what happended. I think that Johnsons Park is a model for any neighborhood trying to establish a block watch .

Key Telephone Numbers For Contacting The Police Department

If you are unsure of what number to call when needing police services, use this guide.

911 - Emergency
(Life Threatening, Crimes In Progress prowling, battery, robbery, shots
fired, burglary)

933-4444 – Non Emergency
(Officer needed not life-threatening, loud music, non-violent neighbor
trouble)

935-7232 District Notification
935-7231 (3rd District Station)

(Non-Emergencies Officer not needed, vacant house, nuisance complaints)


935-7411 Vice Control
Drug House Reports

559-0662 -District Level Confidential Cell Phone

Anti-Gang Unit
935-7230 - 3rd District Captain


935-7231 - 3rd District Lieutenant


935-7733 - 3rd District Community Liaison Officer
http://http//www.jpna-milw.org/keympdcontactnumbers.htm


I'm guessing that this not the list that the gave the residents,since the police officers wouldn't there numbers and email on the Internet but I think that this is what a general one would look like. Officer Torres talked about in the interview the general numbers on how to contact the police for certain issues and such.

Training

http://mhtml:http://www.jpna-milw.org/jpnablockwatchppt.mht!jpnablockwatchppt_files/frame.htm

I found this slide show presentation , I found it very interesting to know what they we told. Especially in since Bentley talked about the training that they went through in the beginning of the block watch set up.

Peer Review

I got to peer review Jackies blog. I think its unfair though I've helped her a bit with her blog. Since she had no idea what she was doing with blogger. ( She didn't even know how to copy and paste). I learned through her project what Alice's Garden offers, I just thought it was land for rent to plant on. I like the she highlighted the underground railroad story of Caroline Quarlls . I find that story very interesting. I like the set up of her blog design the gray and orange work well together the colors of the text don't clash or make it hard to read. I like that she didn't use photo bucket, I diagonal way that the photos are set up are kind of narrative.

My Part

This clip is my contribution to the final project for the group portion . Along with the photos form the day of the interview.

Assitant Chief Harpole and Officer Torres Interview

I was in charge of editing the interview of Assistant Chief Harpole and Officer Torres. It was a very long interview, Assistant Chief Harpole was very thorough with his answers and gave us so much information.

Bentley Turner Video Clip To Be Used On My Final Proj.

I took these pictures coming back form are interview with Bentley Turner. I tried to get pictures of things that I didn't capture in my photo essay. I focused more on the buildings in the neighborhood. Some that have undergone reconstruction and some that haven't.

I took these pictures the day off our interview with Chief Harpole and Officer Torres. Most of the pictures are pictures of the exterior of the building .I just tired to capture our walk outside of the building because I didn't think that I could take pictures inside. I did seek and few in though.

Jpna Photo essay

artist statement

I live about ten to fifteen minutes away from the Johnson Park area. I drive past it going downtown. It wasn't until I took this class that I began to learn about the history of Johnson Park. I thought it was interesting how it once was a downtown like community. I've noticed in the past year the renovation of the neighborhood. However I never hand entered the neighborhood. Until I meet with Tony and he drove us around. I saw such beautiful houses and a changed and growing community. I had a stigma about the community, I thought that it was still how it was eight years ago. However the trip there changed my mindset about Johnson Park area . I saw the changes and by hearing the stories that Tony was telling us about the neighbors and how there untied and how many people in the community truly wants to better the community. With my camera, I took pictures of my experience, and I was looking at the neighborhood thru new eyes thru my camera lens.

Final Media Project

I would like work with the Johnson Park Alliance, I would like to interview those in charge the program and have them discuss the mission of the program and the progress that they've made.
Perhaps interview those who are participating in the program and see how its affected there live
Or maybe spend the day with them during one of there events.
It would be a combination of interview and photos from the interviews and location

Links:
http://sub.resilientcities.org/content/Portals/0/Mke%20Health%20Alliance/Health%20Alliance%20Information%20Sheet.pdf

http://www.mcw.edu/chc/urbanprograms/JohnsonsParkHealthAlliance.htm

http://sub.resilientcities.org/content/CreatingResilience/JohnsonsParkHealthAlliance/tabid/98/Default.aspx



Another project I was interested in is to create a video based on the program what can be done about litter
I was thinking that I could document litter in the neighborhood and see what they think about it
and how they think its affects the community and what other outside of the community think about it
link:http://www.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/User/dnscms/pdf/broc/DNS_127LitterBroV13.pdf

America Land Of....

All cultures have assimilated; its part of human nature to want to belong or fit in somewhere in society even it’s a struggle. Although some people don’t want to assimilate in order to fit in with social constructs. They strive form a paradigm shift and question how invisible "white power base maintains its dominant position precisely by being consistently overlooked" (Benshoff, Griffin). We see call for paradigm shifts and new views more so in art, by those artist/ people with varying identities. We see the call to question social constructs and norms thought their work.Social Constructs affect everyone life in some aspect despite there many accomplishment in life. Gordon Parks had a career that any photographer dreams of for twenty years he worked for Life magazine there his work become iconic, he also worked for Vogue. He was the first African American photographer to do so. He also dabbled in other media's. It would seem like he was winning the fight against the "man". However he was in love with fashion designer Gloria Vanderbilt and at the time marriage was illegal for biracial couples.

Freedom was the theme of all his work.His "strategy of appropriation allows park's image to make this larger statement about social exclusion and inequality". (Sturken,Cartwright) American Gothic chronologically depicted Chicago’s southside, before the civil rights movement. His, photograph is a remake of the famous painting American Gothic by Grant Wood (1930). This painting has been remade lots of times with comically and also some question the evolving social changes in America. However Gordon Parks photo calls to question social exclusion, what life is in Chicago’s south side or what life is like for hard working minorities in America. He has replaced the pitchfork for a broom. In the photo he embodies the character, Ella Watson. He seems to be looking away form the camera as if taking this picture is taking time away form her. She works cleaning up after others, working for freedom if not for her then for her grandchildren. It looks like maybe the photo was taken in the basement of the office that she works at. The light is dim highlighting the room circularly, lighting the flag, face and parts of the broom and mop. The flag in the back is kind of blurred the stars are seem like circles . The flag it=s bended on the side and wrinkled unlike the typical crisp star spangled banner were used the seeing. The flag also replaces the wooden house as seen in the Grant Wood painting. Perhaps saying that Not everyone in America was the a classical wooden farmhouse.

Sturken and Cartwright say that the photo " is a bitter commentary on the discrepancy between the codes of this black woman office cleaner with her broom and mop before and American flag."Parks was calling to question the painting by Grant Wood by playing off the painting with the broom and mop her was showing how not all of America was represented in the painting.

The struggle for freedom began with slavery. It is a reoccurring theme in many African American artist work .Carrie Mae Weems was asked by Getty Museum in Los Angles,California to responded to velvet framed pieces of slavery photos. As the title of her works state from seeing the photos she saw what happened and cried. Her work with this photos rejects and turns history on its head. She added text and chronology placed the photos. Exploring woman's role throughout slavery. She explores individuals roles as a house,kitchen slave. She used first person text for intimacy. The red photos create a sense of warm and brings back humanity lost to these women. There no longer scientific profiles there human begins. The tone of the photos and the text calls into question our role in society and history.

All images are full of codes it shown in the framing, angle, focus, lighting, costume,setting, performance. Which creates different interpretations to get conversations started to create change.To move the paradigm shift forward. For future generations even if its just one person.

Works Cited:

Harry M Bensoff,Sean Griffin. America on Flim Representing race class, gender and sexuality at the movies. Malden,MA,Blackwell Publishing, 2007. pg.55
Marita Sturken,Lisa Cartwright.Practices Of Looking and introduction to visual culture. second edition. 2009. oxford university press,new york new york. pg82