Are you okay?

Today in ruokay day. At least in Australia... which means it was yesterday for them but today for us. Yeah. Think about it.

So yeah, Are you ok? Ask your friends. It means alot to them that you care. I assume you have friends.

IP is highly frustrating because not one of my advisers seems to understand what I want to do. The exceptions are my boyfriend, Joe Trumpey, my mom, and some close friends. Basically, more rational minded and not necessarily art minded people who are not in my section get it. I admit, it's my fault for not being able to express myself well and its my challenge for choosing such a complicated project. But really? Really? REALLY? I don't think my GSIs and professors understand what they don't understand. haha. They seem to think I don't know what I want. False. I know precisely what I want, and don't want. I just don't know how to tell you people. Exasperated Sigh. In any case, let me attempt to organize my thoughts here.

Facts:
My IP is a narrative illustration.
I'm using the myth of Sisyphus as a metaphor for life.
Life is struggle. (cite: Buddhism, Camus, general philosopherizers)
Like Camus, I agree that we cannot rely on the future for our happiness.
We must appreciate the present to be actually happy.
Therefore we must imagine Sisyphus as happy.
Happiness is different for everyone, but for me the most essential and basic happiness in nature.
I will convey this happiness in Sisyphus by illustrating the marvel of the mountain.
To really reach viewers and convey that Sisyphus is really content with his burden he must actively choose to start over once he finally reaches the summit.
Important factors in my work will be lighting, composition and facial/body expression. These are always important in art, but they are integral to my piece to achieve my message.

Challenges:
Bridging the gap between being content with labor and the American need to consume and to have is going to be largely difficult. People, in general, are very opposed to seeing Sisyphus as a happy person. Even though their lives are largely like his eternal duty they are abhorred to think of his destiny as theirs. Getting people to accept the mountain as a metaphor for their life is hard to imagine.

Unknown:
How many panels it will take. Oh lord I don't know.
Does it matters if people understand it? I expect everyone to take away different interpretations, and obviously not everyone is going to agree with me. There are plenty of great art works that are great because they are a mystery.

Blarghhh. So that's where I am right now. The most important thing I learned this week was when Joe said that I'm more interested in the cultural relevance and not the myth itself. The myth is a metaphor, a vehicle, not the entirety of the work.

In any case. LOOK AT THIS!
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/glance/8100244/200-new-species-found-in-png

Bats! Must have a panel of bats! Yay! No one is surprised!

Also:

SHE LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE NANA. THIS MADE ME SO HAPPY. CAPITAL LETTERS.


So in conclusion, there are several people who I find highly inspiring that make me super excited for IP. And then there are some people who make me wanna hit my head on a wall... such is life. :) It should be my prerogative to surround myself with talented people who understand where I'm coming from. Like you. :)
I hope you have a nice day!