After discussing visual culture in class, I began to realize how much art has influenced everyday visuals that we see. Commercials and advertisements have become such huge productions and in mass quantities. Even art itself has become commercialized through mass printing and using commercialized objects as the subject matter.
People today have become creatures more susceptible to images over literature. Appealing to the population has become easier through the media. Advertisements are borrowing common images seen in art such as Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” and Andy Warhol’s “Marylin” and “Campbell’s Soup.” Articles are connecting today’s youth with the classical history of art from the past by revamping it with today’s culture. Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” has been recreated with Mona Lisa replaced by Monica Lewinsky. We discussed how Mona Lisa and Monica Lewinsky are tied together with the bond of having a secret. Mona Lisa’s smirk was depicted by Da Vinci but left mystery to the viewer, wondering what she was thinking about. Monica Lewinsky is the modern day Mona Lisa, in the public eye with a secret that everyone seems to know.
Advertisements are also using art to complement their layout. Absolute Vodka ads are very reminiscent of Andy Warhol’s single print of “Campbell’s Soup.” The layout is simple with the object presented in the middle. Minimal shadowing is used around the bottle, emphasizing the bottle. Warhol’s art is commercial because of his use of commercial products. Campbell’s soup is very recognizable; making everyone see beyond just a soup can when it is screen printed onto a canvas.
A big part of visual culture is appealing to the demographics that it is trying to reach. Using art to influence modern day visuals is connecting the past with the present day generation. Comic relief used in today’s visuals pulls in the viewer. By relating past history to present day, visual culture appeals to the new and upcoming demographics.

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I like the work of Glenn Ligon. His ideas that he used expressed himself in a way that was very creative and seem to be well thought out. He uses many different forms of art to express his ideas and thoughts. Text in his work was also very useful to catch his messages.

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One thing that has always particularly interested me about news programming is the speed by which televion both introduces an issue and then how quickly it leaves the cultural news of the day. The speed by which the VA Tech shootings exited "Breaking News" is baffling-- we, as a country, have not even come close to undertsanding the cultural implications of such an event and yet is already off the news.

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Looking back at all the television I’ve watched throughout my life, it is really hard to pinpoint one particular genre that I like more than any other. I really think the biggest thing in attracting an audience is in the story lines presented, which can be done across a large variety of genres. I feel as though if an audience can connect or relate to a show that is the most significant piece of the puzzle. That being said, I would say I tend to watch a lot of shows merging the characteristics of drama and comedy. The biggest thing in that is how true to life many of the situations can be; at no point in life is everything fall of your seat hilarious, but at no point is everything serious. A good television show is about finding that happy medium between the serious moments and the funny, light hearted ones.
Unfortunately, it seems as though we as a public have bought into reality tv which is why it is still around. However entertaining these shows may be to some individuals, I really don’t see the value in them to the viewing audience. The value comes in the financial rewards being reaped by the networks from all the advertising money brought in by a show using pre-determined twists in a plot line to dupe people into watching. I think that if these shows were really all they are made out to be, they wouldn’t need to throw surprises into the formats to draw viewers in, rather they would be able to show a more natural situation. But that isn’t what America wants; they want to be able to benefit through their happiness by watching others suffer through ridiculous situations most will never even imagine of encountering. But then again, it is the job of the networks to exploit what is hot at a given moment, and right now that seems to be reality television, so I give props to those executives who are seeing all the benefits of our infatuation with voyeurism.

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Like many of the people who have already responded, I would name comedy as my genre of choice in television. Although I like many newer live action comedies, a potentially embarassing amount of my time is spent watching cartoon comedies such as The Simpons and Futurama (and to a lesser extent South Park and Family Guy). These shows provide an interesting twist on traditional sitcom-type comedy and storylines by eliminating the boundaries of live action production. Animation allows for expansive storylines that would be extremely expensive, or impossible to produce in a live action show. While these shows still focus on dialogue, and often do it better than live action shows, there is another element of comedy that can be derived from the freedom they have, such as the antics of a doctor who happens to be a giant crustacean on Futurama. These shows also eliminate the laugh track, which as others have mentioned, is becoming increasingly cliche. By allowing the viewer to decide for themselves what is funny, it adds an element of credibility to a format that is generally considered to be for children

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In response to Whitney's comment about the sitcom/comedy in television, I believe that the laugh track is a lazy and uninspired tactic that will hopefully fall out of practice shortly. My favorite TV genre is the comedy, most notably ones that do not have a laugh track; those that have something new to offer the genre. While newer (better) examples of the comedy genre continue to have the same signifiers - simple plots, interesting yet non-complex characters, plots that can easily be wrapped up in 30 minutes - as those in the past, I believe that the genre is moving in a good direction. Realism in comedy is important; things are funny to a subject when he or she can relate. Comedies such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, Arrested Development, and The Office are strong examples of this trend.

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If I had to choose one genre as the most valued in American culture, I would have to go with the sitcom. While there has been an obsession lately with "Reality" TV, the sitcom is still considered most valuable by most. I think most people know that "Reality" shows are trash, even if they watch them. I feel like the sitcom is a very "Americanized" genre that provides the easiest way for people to relate to the characters on the show. They provide cultural codes that most people can identify with and understand. And because the sitcom is such a broad genre (it can follow any type of person or group of people) it can be valued by any person. They also deal with popular issues, without getting too serious. And the humorous aspects provide comic relief.

-Zach

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1)I would have to agree with Dan, I believe sports are the most enjoyable genre to watch on television. There are many great shows on television that are enjoyable but you do not get the type of narraration or camera angles that you do when you are watching sports on TV. The games are always in your face action, which might be the reason I enjoy it so much, because I am an action junky. There are many sports that are sometimes better to watch on television rather than live because you do no get the narraration and facts throughout the game like you do on TV. A good example for me would be something not so popular such as baseball or golf. In baseball the different camera angles play a big part in letting the viewer be part of the action, like the way the camera angle changes when the batter hits a line drive down the first base line, it allows us to see if it was fair or a foul ball. With this camera technique sometimes we are able to disagree with the call because we actually have a better angle or view of the ball than the referee. Also with sports on television the broadcasters and commentators can pull up stats and personal achievements that we might have not known about. They also do cool specials on players, maybe telling their life story and the obstacles they had to get over to get to that point in their life. I just feel with the sports genre on television we are able to understand the players and the game better while watching it on TV. Also for people that may not be too familiar with the sport the narraration from the commentators explaining every play also plays a big part in allowing us to understand what might have just taken place.

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Reality is America's genre. These programs supposedly bring a greater sense of reality than other genres such as sit com, drama, or soap opera. They create a sense of reality through hand held cameras, "night vision shots and by placing the viewer in you are there situations through editing. Reality programing is also bound to the early days of moving image media and its ability to bring the viewer to far off places and situations. These shows have seemed to parallel the rise of the internet and individualized entertainment made availble by TiVo and its off shoots. In an age of increased electronic communication viewers wish to be involved in their television programs to a greater level. Shows like American Idol and Survivor allow viewers to direct the action and personal interactions of the cast members by voting them off the show. These shows also send very American messages. Voting on American Idol follows the electorial process. The supposed open casting on many of these shows signal that anyone can strike rich in this country. And while a hollywood movie star may be a celebrity, Sanjia on American Idol is still a regular person. One of us whom we can identify with and choose to vote for or not. Interestingly the reality style has crept into other shows. "Drive" for example is a drama about what seems to be a different take on "The Amazing Race." I though Chris'(?) comment about wispering during golf relates to reality programing. Reality television viewers seem to have a similar imediate realationship with what is being shone.

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Probably the genre I enjoy the most is sports. I especially enjoy golf because it is also my favorite sports to play. I love how all of the crew for NBC or whichever network is covering the tournament whisper when a player is ready to hit. Even the main commentators always speak in really quiet voices even though they aren't anywhere near the golfers. I have even caught myself doing it while watching the coverage. Of course they have hundreds of cameras all over the course, of which 95% of them are trained on Tiger Woods, 3% on the guy who is leading (usually Tiger), and the other 2% on the rest of the field. I like the replays and especially the super slow motion of the players' swings and ball contact.

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