vle – Page 12 – arts, ink.

“Luh Croy”: The Unauthorized Rebrand

February 8, 2019February 6, 2019 vle Leave a comment

La Croix: we all know it as the sparkling water packaged in bright, multicolored cans. Whether you love it or hate it, you can’t deny La Croix’s revamped global presence and rising popularity. It seems like everybody is obsessed with the beverage.

Oust, an Atlanta creative agency took it upon themselves to refresh the brand’s image (unofficially). Sick of carrying around a nerdy, outdated-looking can, the designers set to create a new image. Throwing away the cans that “look like the set of a tv movie set shot in the 1980s,” the team delivered a modernized update, complete with humorous descriptions of different flavors. Perhaps your favorite is Pamplemousse, “the stuff dreams are made of,” or Pure, a can of “sparkling beauty.”

There’s even a petition you can sign to officially rebrand the La Croix branding: https://luhcroy.com/

What do you think of this potential new look?

Hail to the Gradient

February 1, 2019January 31, 2019 vle Leave a comment

Gradients, or swatches that consist of specific colors that change gradually, are omnipresent in the world of art. Personally, I love a nice gradient–they’re inexplicably pleasing to the eye, with fluid changes of hue that similarly appears to occur in the seamless blending of a sunset.

In visual arts, a gradient refers to a directional change in color/dimension. For example, there are axial (one side to another) and radial gradients (circular). They’re everywhere: in app userfaces, in advertisements, in posters. Gradients are commonly associated with digital art, where they are easier to produce and more conducive to modern design trends. However, they have been seen in fine arts around the 20th century in painting and photography.

Walker Art Center explains that gradients are “edgeless and ever-shifting,” transitioning across an undefinable spectrum. Light is a spectrum, gender is a spectrum, identity is a never-ending spectrum of possibility. They remind us that nothing is ever definite.

Check out these awesome gradient-related things below:

The Magic of the KonMari Method

January 25, 2019January 24, 2019 vle Leave a comment

If you’re an avid Netflix-watcher, life-organizer, or overall tidy-enthusiast, you’ve probably heard of the KonMari Method. Developed by expert, author, and star of the new series “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo,” this method of cleaning is aimed to transform your living space and your life. In the new Netflix show, Marie and a translator visit a new family each episode, and help them to organize various belongings and get rid of junk. I, for one, am drawn to Marie’s respectful and orderly fashion; it appears that everything she says and does has a clear purpose. At the end, the participants find themselves happier, and their relationships are stronger, also bringing joy to the viewer. Who knew that this show could be so alluring? (I may have spent three hours cleaning my dorm room after watching a few episodes).

The simple approach centers around this philosophy: if the item does not spark joy, throw it out (after you thank it!). It also encourages people to start with clothes, then books, miscellaneous items, and finally sentimental items.

On first glance, the KonMari Method seems extremely simple; I was a skeptic at first–why is the concept of tidying up driving everyone wild? The central idea of KonMari speaks volumes to people around the world to change their lifestyles and declutter. Its effectiveness comes from the significance Kondo places on mindfulness. A lot of times people find themselves accumulating things they don’t use over the years, piling up in their homes. Taking the KonMari approach allows you to reflect on your belongings and life experiences, while moving on to a new chapter.

So, take some time to relax, tune in to Marie Kondo’s Netflix series, and perhaps go to town on your living space after. And don’t forget to be thankful!

The Myth of the Model Minority

January 18, 2019August 5, 2019 vle Leave a comment

Recently I have embarked on a new art project on how my identity has been shaped and how I am seen by others. As an Asian American, I sometimes feel out of place–I was born in the United States and can barely speak my native language, so does that really make me Asian? On the other hand, my racial identity is something impervious to social forces–I am and will always be Asian American. Specifically, to inform my project, I recall things people have said to me or even things that my parents have said to me.

One common stereotype is the myth of the model minority. Asians are often portrayed as nerdy, awkward, and high-achieving; as an extreme example, they might spend all their free time when not studying to be a doctor playing the piano or the violin. Seemingly, they are an example to others of how the American Dream can be attained through hard work. While some people, Asian or not, are able to attain success and wealth by diligent work, which is impressive and quite amazing, the model minority stereotype is problematic and dangerous.

Stereotypes are considered harmful, even if they seem to depict a certain group in a favorable light. Yet the model minority myth popularized in media categorizes an entire racial group into one box. Despite the many different identities people carry, being Asian immediately labels you. It erases other significant facets of one’s identity. This is especially deleterious to mental health. When a person of a specific group is expected to perform to a certain level, it puts a great amount of pressure on them, as if they are representing the entire group despite being just one person with intersectional identities. That stress can heavily contribute to anxiety and depression among a host of other mental illnesses, and is considered burdensome for a race that is always portrayed as quiet and never needing to speak up. Beyond surface level, the stereotype of the model minority can be very damaging in the long run.

The bottom line is, not all Asian Americans fit into this tiny constructed mold. Some do, and that’s okay. It’s important to consider the big picture and remember that everyone is unique.

Who is Big Chungus?

January 11, 2019January 11, 2019 vle 23 Comments

Recently, a meme has circulated the internet featuring a gluttonous Bugs Bunny named “Big Chungus.” The character was originally shown in the cartoon Wabbit Twouble from 1941, and has become massively popular in the past few months despite its brief resurfacing in 2017 on Reddit.

The word “chungus” was allegedly created by Jim Sterling in 2012, a freelance video game writer, who incorporated the word in various articles, and is defined as “meaning anything and everything.” Redditors in 2018 then ascribed the term “Big Chungus” to the image of obese Bugs Bunny photoshopped onto a Playstation 4 video game cover.

Now, memes of the absolute unit Chungus have morphed into jokes internet-savvy users spread across social media channels, such as a lovechild of Big Chungus and Ugandan Knuckles, or Big Chungus appearing in various movie scenes for example.

Although the meaning of Big Chungus still remains elusive, it illustrates the absurd creativity of the internet, spreading nonsensical jokes with no apparent value except to bring joy to viewers. Who is next?

John Cena and the Complexities of Man

January 5, 2019January 5, 2019 vle Leave a comment

[Cue high-energy intro music here!]

John Cena, a professional WWE wrestler and actor, is also known for his charisma and unexpected sweetness, thus drawing appreciation from fans around the world. He is a diamond in the rough, an example of a superstar who uses his talent and celebrity to better others’ lives while still having a fun time.

Originally portraying a trash-talking rapper, WWE promoted him to face of the company, shifting his character to a Superman archetype. He has acted in numerous films and regularly guest stars on TV shows. Cena also speaks Mandarin (which he learned to help WWE expand internationally) and in 2005 released an album titled with the popular catchphrase “You Can’t See Me,” showcasing his many talents.

John Cena is also known for his philanthropy, working on causes such as the Make a Wish Foundation, where he has granted the most wishes in history (500!). Turning his brolic character into a multidimensional person capable of being both strong and sensitive, badass, and compassionate, I honestly wish more celebrities were like John Cena.