Data Visualization

    I agree with the statement made by the woman in the video that presenting information in a visual format is the fastest way for some to engage with that information.  I think it is much easier to conceptualize or understand data if we can physically see it; for example, graphing information, in terms of mathematics or science, makes it easier to understand and, thus, draw conclusions from.  Visualizing data can make complex information more accessible and easier to understand for most people.
    The video included various works of data visualization, but what specifically caught my attention was the piece in which a light represented the amount of McDonald's restaurants in the United States.  McDonald's itself is no glamorous or artistic place, but the way the information was presented, through lights, made it look like a eye-catching piece of art.
     Like Tufte said, "we are seeing to learn."  Through data visualization, we look at art as a way to easily absorb new information.  Personally, I am a visual learner, and it makes most sense to me to physically see the information rather than have someone verbally give the information to me; therefore, I find data visualization a very effective way to learn.

Visual Analysis of Post Modernism Project

    The mediums used in this piece were paint, as well as images that were cut and pasted.  Brush strokes are evident in the green painted section.  The composition of the piece includes radiating lines that come from a center, focal point.  Each part of the piece brings the viewer's eye back to the portion of the piece that is photoshopped.  The composition is symmetrical; each side is equally balanced with objects.  There are two color schemes going on within the piece.  First would be analogous of green and yellow.  Second would be triad of yellow, red, and blue.  There is various use of line, including implied line around the focal point, and lines that come out from the focal point as well.  The value is generally dark, it is mostly gray or black with a contrast of white.
     The denotative meaning of this piece is a photoshopped image of robots surrounded by painted objects and cut and pasted photos of dated technology.  The connotative meaning is the evil and danger that can be associated with the use of robots or advanced technology.  The dark ominous colors represent the risk of advanced technology, such as artificial intelligence.  Also, robots themselves are not designed to be colorful or have a human-like personality, which again ties into the dark colors that represent technology's lack of emotion and personality.  The ideological meaning is the dispute between society about whether or not robots will make life better or whether they will overcome the human race and take our place in society.