The assignment for this project was to create and paint a mask that reflects the way that you were socialized. first I brainstormed how I was socialized, I got stuck on this until I had the idea of think of good ways I was socialized. my idea for my project was to make a mask about me abandoning mediocre media and try to seek for more original and better media online. First thing we did to create our mask was to cover our faces in plaster to get the right shape, second we did tons and tons of sanding afterwards to get as smooth as possible for painting. My design in the mask I did a half of a face turning and looking at the door on the top right. I personally didn't really think I stretched myself in this project that much because I didn't really put a lot of time into the actual mask it's self, it does have smooth sanding and i don't really have a nice job at painting. I did talk to Stephen for help for the mask essay and I did get help from other people to mix together paint to get tan.
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Spongebob, Makeup, And Beer
Sam Sturm
I really liked the mask project because we could really express how we have been socialized. My family has taught me the importance of taking care of the things you have and to be thankful for them. For example, I don’t really care what type of phone I get and I always accept any gift. I have seen too many examples of middle class children getting extremely steamed and annoyed from not receiving a 1000 dollar phone and not accepting the gift even though it benefit them further. Thank goodness I have not been socialized by this.
When I received the mask brainstorm sheet I brainstormed of bad ways of socialization because I studied the bad aspects like racism and gender stereotypes but there are also so many good ways of socialization. I couldn’t think of any bad ways of socialization for my project so, I chose the better side of socialization to base my project around. My design for my mask is a face looking left at a door; the symbolization is supposed to mean leaving unrefined mediocre mainstream media behind and then to strive to find more content that exceeds the norm. A example is Youtube. Youtube exceeds the norm because it is a place where anyone and everyone can post and make videos for free instead of people hoping it could get featured on tv.
The most interesting thing about socialization is the effect that watching something like a childrens cartoon can have on a person. For example, take the show Spongebob. It takes different elements of being a child and transforms it into mature jokes for childen and adult alike. When you watch Spongebob when you’re a child you are Spongebob because he is optimistic about everything. He teaches kids to reflect his behaviours and when you watch Spongebob as an adult you look open the world the same way that Squidward does which subtly tells you to not be so pessimistic and to not be like a “Squidward.” It’s truly powerful.
Socialization can be both good and bad. If you watch something like beer commercials or makeup commercials. after watching a beer commercials you would think that men are basically strong, romantic, or party animals. They are telling you “if you drink our beer you are sophisticated and cool”.
Socialization for women after watching a makeup commercial you would think that women are “ugly beasts” without their makeup, I mean not really but that’s some times how a women feels when they go out without makeup on. Ask yourself this question: have you ever seen a women at a professional event without any makeup on, probably not.
In conclusion, Youtube and Spongebob have changed millions of children's lives--both for the better or worse. What we you watch, consume and, tell other people can change their lives forever.