Chohnny's Public Finance and Fiscal Management Blog 2016 - Article #2

China's parliament proposes new environmental tax benefits: State Media

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-tax-environment-idUSKCN11413L

For years China has been discussing new tax laws to reduce emissions from heavy industry. Now their parliament has proposed increasing tax benefits for companies that cut pollution by more than the national standard. I think this is a great way to encourage companies to reduce emissions and that it could be very effective. Rather than punishing companies and getting a lot of negative attention and feedback, this is an incentive that they can get behind. If it is passed, the companies would have to reduce emissions to at least half of the national requirement, and would then only pay half the taxes levied for air, water and soil pollution. However companies in the agriculture and transport sectors are excluded from the tax law because they are much smaller polluters than industrial companies such as steel, oil and coal. But I think they should be included in some way, to help encourage more environmentally conscious behaviors on their part as well. But this is a step in the right direction overall and I think people will react more positively to it.

Chohnny's Public Finance and Fiscal Management Blog 2016 - Article #1

With More People Hitting the Road, It’s Time for a Carbon Tax

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/with-more-people-hitting-the-road-its-time-for-a-carbon-tax/2016/09/11/87eb0f4a-7085-11e6-9705-23e51a2f424d_story.html?utm_term=.1f3a2e18f049

This article shows that despite efforts being made to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, Americans are now burning record amounts of gasoline. The efforts that have been made to encourage a more sustainable and environmentally conscious nation are backfiring in some ways. The article states, "...higher fuel efficiency might also encourage some people to drive more than they would have otherwise, because their gas bills are lower." This shows that by improving technology and making cars more efficient people actually may be driving more. Therefore, the next step would be to enforce a carbon tax to ensure people are more conscious about both big and small actions that can help to reduce emissions overall. Although the Obama administration has worked towards this, it seems as though a carbon tax is out of reach for the time being, as it is talked about frequently but there are no actions by Congress to back it up. 

Moyra Davey

            In Moyra Davey’s article she is very passionate about the value of an image however unplanned and informal it may be. Davey had been thinking of this concept for a while and kept her ideas on her computer, she goes on to say, “All of the quotes hover around the idea that accident is the lifeblood of photography.” Accidents in all forms of art are what make up something new and unexpected that everyone can appreciate in a new way.

            The article explains many different forms of art in which there are similarities that all have in common. One example is that writer’s block is not just for the writer, but for all art forms. Similarly, all art forms are to be appreciated for their little and accidental imperfections that may not originally be wanted. Without these little details, the images seem to lose their originality. With images and writing alike, Davey explains that one must let it carry itself away, accidents and all.

            I really enjoyed Davey’s perspective. The accidental image and letting ideas flow into directions not originally thought of by the artist makes them more beautiful. The unique mistakes are what make an individual’s work go to another level and beyond the norms of the art world.

Maria Lind

            In Maria Lind’s article, she discusses her experience curating as well as the idea of social practice in the art world. Lind places a great deal of importance on social practice, not just for the sake of the overall art world but also for the audience involved in it. Although the idea of social practice has not fully evolved in the art world, Lind expresses that this is where art should head in the direction of.

            The works Lind discuss were created in order to raise awareness of an issue through social experiences and bringing people together. An example of this is the website created called Schleuser.net, by artists Ralf Homann, Farida Heuck, and Manuela Unverdorben. These artists created the website in hopes of giving a better portrayal of immigrants. Although I question that this is an art movement, and not just a general idea in helping people and improving people’s perceptions, I do see how it does take a sense of art to successfully create this. Lind sees this as a unique and creative idea which is very obviously agreeable.

            Lind explains that the ‘minors,’ those who are not consumed but the art world such as the ‘majors,’ are the future of the art world and social practice. Sooner or later both the general art world and museums will expand their reach to social practice. They will see the value in the ideas of the ‘minors.’

Hito Steyerl

In Defense of the Poor Image

            Hito Steyerl’s article explained that there is value in all forms of media to some degree. At some point however, all images no matter what the media are obsolete. Whether it is time, technology, or the over use of an image, all images seem to inevitably die at some point. Steyerl argues that all images are worthy of respect no matter the quality, however I disagree.

            Once resolution is lost and overall quality I personally do not enjoy nor do I respect the image. Every image to me has an expiration date, after being edited and losing the quality it once had, there is no point to argue that the image has any sense of life to it. Progression is important in many aspects. Although Steyerl has a valid point that all art deserves some respect, at some point it is time to admit that it is out dated and time to move on and progress in the art world. The internet and social media does make society used to this wide array in quality of art, so a lot of it is valued now in the same way. However, just because people mindlessly view the internet and social media without thinking about the quality, it does not mean that there is no difference. The difference will be clear with the years to come.

            Steyerl makes a very interesting point that all images are to be respected, which I agree with in that all art should be respected. Then again, that does not mean that the image should still be used. It should be put to rest at some point, and make way for progression in the overall art world.

Jerry Saltz

Clusterfuck Aesthetic

            Art critic Jerry Saltz, a critic for the Village Voice, describes the idea that artists are displaying the artistic style of what he calls the, clusterfuck aesthetic. Saltz describes this style as, “grandiose and testosterone-driven,” and however harsh this may seem one cannot help when viewing the artists that he discusses that there is some truth to this.

            Going through the artists they each have their own style, however different and out of the box they may seem. My particular favorite is the Lee Walton's "Experimental Project." Personally I like the idea of participation in any art setting if done correctly and meticulously. Walton leads people around the city on basically a mysterious treasure hunt. Saltz explains that he goes to great efforts to get it just right and uses the little details to make it a unique piece. I am not sure what exactly draws me to think this is a great idea when it seems so basic, but I think as I said it is including anyone who wants to participate and using the little details to get it just right.

            Saltz picked many unique artists all with different mediums. I particularly enjoyed Walton’s work, making people run around the city on his own personally made treasure hunt. Bringing people together in different art forms and having them participate is an art form that should be more appreciated, even if it has a ‘clusterfuck aesthetic,’ Saltz brings to the light that it is just as valuable an art form.

Curating My Work, and My Plus 1

 

 

For this project the class had to come together to create a show. The theme chosen was a monochrome color show. It was to be filled with artwork from around the Reno area, inviting any artist to participate. Our class would then approve the pieces to make sure they fit into the chosen monochrome theme. However, there had been little to no submissions, perhaps because the theme may have been difficult or perhaps because of marketing challenges. Our class then chose to submit our own work, as well as have everyone find at least one other person's work to submit as well. I submitted 3 paintings for a triptych, each were as close to monochrome as I could comfortably achieve, and each consisted of one color. My plus one was from my roommate who likes to paint, and I had seen her painting a blue eye the night before. I asked if she could make it monochrome, all shades of blue, which she did, however I wish I had specified and clarified all in the same tone of blue. Then again, upon seeing all the submissions both my pieces as well as my plus one fit right in because we opened up the parameters a bit. We then installed the show, and had a one night showing. We worked together to hang the pieces properly in a gallery style. Although here and there, there had been issues in communication and not everyone was on the same page, in the end the show looked better than I thought it would and I enjoyed it. My favorite part was a students interactive piece in which she wore all white and you could paint on her. I learned that putting together a show takes a lot of time and that it is important to try and find a common goal in every aspect of the show.