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HOW AM I NOT MYSELF? A SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS OF IMAGES
Title
HOW AM I NOT MYSELF? A SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS OF IMAGES.
Creator
Main, Michael, Congdon, Kristin, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
There has been much debate in the history of philosophy aimed at determining what it is, exactly, that makes a person who and what she is. Varying theories have offered a wide range of concepts in pursuit of the answer to this question. Some thinkers, such as B.F. Skinner, have claimed that it is observable behavior patterns that determine who and what a person is. Yet other thinkers, such as Carl Jung, have attributed unconscious motivators as being determinative in deciphering who and what...
Show moreThere has been much debate in the history of philosophy aimed at determining what it is, exactly, that makes a person who and what she is. Varying theories have offered a wide range of concepts in pursuit of the answer to this question. Some thinkers, such as B.F. Skinner, have claimed that it is observable behavior patterns that determine who and what a person is. Yet other thinkers, such as Carl Jung, have attributed unconscious motivators as being determinative in deciphering who and what a person is. Jung claims that it is the conscious and unconscious working together that determines who and what a person is. The purpose of this thesis is to discover evidence that supports or disproves the theory of self in which the unconscious and conscious work together to determine who and/or what a person is. This is done by semiotically analyzing the Visual Products (VP) of Visual Product Producers (VPP) who were or are afflicted with Bipolar Disorder. This thesis consists of the semiotic analysis of selected works by Jackson Pollock, Virginia Woolf, Vincent Van Gogh, and myself (Michael Main). Semiotic analysis studies how meanings are generated as opposed to what meanings are generated. It should be noted that semiotics was used strictly as a method of analysis and not as a guiding philosophy. In examining how the works of the selected VPPs generate meaning, it is hoped that evidence is produced that proves or disproves the theory of who or what a person is as determined by the interaction of the conscious and unconscious.
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Date Issued
2011
Identifier
CFH0003792, ucf:44776
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0003792
THE LEGACY OF ANDRE SMITH
Title
THE LEGACY OF ANDRE SMITH.
Creator
Seibert, Ginny, Congdon, Kristin, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Jules Andre Smith was an architect and an artist with an aspiration to build a retreat where artists could explore and develop new ideas. In the late 1930s, due to the generosity of a benefactor named Mary Louise Curtis Bok, Smith embarked upon an undertaking that fulfilled his ambition. He created a legacy known first as The Research Studio and later as the Maitland Art Center. The intent of this thesis is to document and journey through Smith's legacy, and answer the following two questions...
Show moreJules Andre Smith was an architect and an artist with an aspiration to build a retreat where artists could explore and develop new ideas. In the late 1930s, due to the generosity of a benefactor named Mary Louise Curtis Bok, Smith embarked upon an undertaking that fulfilled his ambition. He created a legacy known first as The Research Studio and later as the Maitland Art Center. The intent of this thesis is to document and journey through Smith's legacy, and answer the following two questions: What is the symbolic meaning behind the imagery? Why design six acres of architecture dominated by Mesoamerican and Christian-influenced iconography? The data collection process consisted of interviews; reviews of the City of Maitland council meeting minutes; readings of court documents, newspaper articles, and books in Smith's personal library along with a literature review related to the iconography surrounding the walls and floors of Smith's compound. Interviews with those who knew Smith consisted of open-ended questions related to Smith's character, his association with the artists, his work habits, his reasoning for choosing the unlikely mix of Christian and Mesoamerican-influenced art, and the artist-in-residence experience. A recap of the meetings was mailed to each of the parties consulted for verification of the content. The judicial system played a crucial role in mapping Smith's legacy following his death when an unfortunate set of circumstances found his work the object of three legal proceedings in Orange County, Florida. To unravel all the charges and the final judgments, hundreds of microfiche records were reviewed and eighty pages printed for re-review before completing the section of this document pertaining to the legalities surrounding the facility's future. Over 100 newspaper articles were catalogued and coded based on their relevant time periods. Collectively, they contained information related to Smith's early years in the Maitland-Winter Park area, events leading up to the building of his artists' retreat, and the fate of the vision following Smith's death. Before I began a literature review to decipher the meaning behind the sculptures and reliefs, I photographed and categorized many of the images by subject. This process included reviews of over sixty books and articles. Additionally, an expert in the field of Mesoamerican culture, Dr. Arlen Chase, was consulted regarding some elements of the iconography. Preceding my conclusions, the reader is given a tour of the grounds followed by a comparison of the imagery to the appropriate cultural representations.
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Date Issued
2005
Identifier
CFE0000831, ucf:46679
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000831
MINDFULNESS AND AUTHENTIC CREATIVITY: DEVELOPING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
Title
MINDFULNESS AND AUTHENTIC CREATIVITY: DEVELOPING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE.
Creator
Cockrell, Brittany, Congdon, Kristin, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The contemporary society of the United States of America is becoming an increasingly stressful environment to live in. Our rapid advances and developments in virtual, electronic, and high-speed technology have led us to a lifestyle that operates more quickly. However, our attachment to such a face-paced lifestyle has unfortunately led us towards an increasingly stressful lifestyle. This research focuses on identifying our current society's perceptual outlook and illustrating how the practice...
Show moreThe contemporary society of the United States of America is becoming an increasingly stressful environment to live in. Our rapid advances and developments in virtual, electronic, and high-speed technology have led us to a lifestyle that operates more quickly. However, our attachment to such a face-paced lifestyle has unfortunately led us towards an increasingly stressful lifestyle. This research focuses on identifying our current society's perceptual outlook and illustrating how the practice of mindfulness can help reduce the anxieties, struggles, and mental flaws which cloud our perception. The intent of this thesis is to show how the practice of mindfulness is beneficial towards our mental health. The practice of mindfulness originated within the Buddhist tradition and has evolved into a new area of interest in the fields of mental health, psychology, philosophy, and humanities. Also, the connection between the practice of mindfulness, and the practice of authentic creativity, as demonstrated in playing the piano, is illuminated within this research. Authentic creativity thus serves as an enlightening metaphor for the elusive practice of mindfulness, and creates a more vivid understanding of the concept of mindfulness. For this thesis I have conducted a literature review in the areas of philosophy, religion, aesthetics and cognitive science. Also, I am actively participating in my research by personally practicing mindfulness and piano. Part of my methodology involves critical thinking on the personal level as I am writing journal entries about my views and thoughts concerning these processes.
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Date Issued
2011
Identifier
CFH0003842, ucf:44698
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0003842
PAINTING THE SUBLIME LANDSCAPE AND LEARNING TO SEE NATURE ALONG THE WAY
Title
PAINTING THE SUBLIME LANDSCAPE AND LEARNING TO SEE NATURE ALONG THE WAY.
Creator
Browne, Deborah, Congdon, Kristin, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
My thesis is one artist's response to the question of the relevance of landscape painting today, focusing on the communication of the idea of environmental stewardship. The process of studying nature and transferring that vision to canvas promotes greater understanding of the beauty and complexity of elements that comprise ecosystems. The artist possesses a creative impulse finding satisfaction in making artwork that expresses a love of nature as part of a larger worldview. If done well,...
Show moreMy thesis is one artist's response to the question of the relevance of landscape painting today, focusing on the communication of the idea of environmental stewardship. The process of studying nature and transferring that vision to canvas promotes greater understanding of the beauty and complexity of elements that comprise ecosystems. The artist possesses a creative impulse finding satisfaction in making artwork that expresses a love of nature as part of a larger worldview. If done well, the persuasive power of such art may be enormous. Comprised of oil paintings and written work, this thesis establishes a way of approaching both landscape painting and the natural environment. Literature pertaining to the contributions of landscape artist Frederic Church, varying aesthetic theories, nature writings, and selected contemporary artists are discussed. The focus then turns to particular landscape elements, introducing the artwork created for the thesis. The thesis concludes with the artist's purpose statement.
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Date Issued
2008
Identifier
CFE0002020, ucf:47620
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002020