Spike Lee

"Do the Right Thing"

The 1989 film Do the Right thing by Spike Lee had many key elements that contributed to the overall structure and development of the film. One of these was 'Sal's Wall' which is really the main reason why Radio Raheem was murdered by the police.

Sal is an Italian-American who runs the local Pizzeria, it is a hot spot in the town. He runs the business with his two sons, Vido (who is pro-community) and Pino (who is against the inter-racial community). Sal's wall is made up of only Italian-Americans who Sal feels paved the way for the the Italian-Americans of their time. Since Sal's Pizzeria was the local food stop and attracted much attention, when one black male starts questioning Sal about his wall it divides the two cultures straight down the middle.

Its it Sal's defensiveness and not wanting to change his wall that ultimately leads to the murder of Radio Raheem.

Sal's wall developed the movie from the very start. The film starts out with a happy feel, like its a nice community to live it, but as the film continues to develop, we see how the wall truly cause the dramatic ending.

Was Sal right, not to put up pictures of African-Americans? taking into consideration that 90% of the community were black. There is no real answer, only personal opinions. Sal was pro-community, so it would make sense that he would try and please the community by hanging up pictures of Malcolm X, or Martin Luther King Jr. On the other hand, Sal created 'Sal's Wall' to honour the Italian-Americans who he believes are great achievers. The wall was created to honour his heritage and to portray what is personal to him, not necessarily the community.

It seems Ironic that at the end of the film, Sal's wall it burnt down to the ground, and a memeber of the community puts a piuctures of Martin Luther King Jr. and malcom x. Two men who were for Black civil rights, but went about it in a very differnet manner.

Without 'Sal's Wall' there would be no conflicts between the two culturts, which is really what this film is all about.

Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright

June 8 1867 - April 9 1959

Frank Lloyd Wright was an American born Architect who produced over 500 completed works.

He produced a diverse range of works, from houses, to churches even school buildings. Sometimes also designing the interior furniture and stained glass

Frank Lloyd Wrights 'Falling water' was one of his most significant buildings.

The 'Falling water' design concept was conceived of Lloyd Wright asking Edgar Kaufman Jr. (The man whose house he was designing), what his favourite spot was.

"The Waterfall. "

Lloyd Wright quickly drew up some drawing for the Kaufman's to look at, and pitched his idea of having the house, above the waterfall rather than below.

The fact that Frank Lloyd Wright, 'falling water' design was based purely on the elements and the materials in and surrounding the site of design, and built directly into the landscape, heightens the viewers awareness of the reality of materials he employed in his art making.

Frank Lloyd Wright's field of practise was Architecture. An area of design which he was exceptionally good at. Architecture has always been a passion of mine.

I spent 10 years of my life dedicating my studies to architecture, when it came to head to University I chose Graphic Design over Architecture. I did not realise until it was time to apply that I preferred the design part of Architecture, but not the physics and calculus that goes along with it.

Frank Lloyd Wrights 'Falling water' makes me realise why I spent over half my life fascinated with Architecture. The pure beauty and elegance of this design is truly stunning. They way Lloyd Wright had Incorporated the local, native surroundings into his work is phenomenal

When I look at 'Falling water' by Frank Lloyd Wright, it does not necessarily make me think differently about Architecture, it just reinforces my feelings towards Architecture. What an amazing and beautiful discipline it is.

It is no wonder why Frank Lloyd Wright was considered

"The greatest American architect of all time"

(American institute of architects 1991)

Commodity Culture

Commodity:

Something you make to sell or exchange

Commodification:

We attach monetary value to things

ANDY WARHOL

Andrew Warhola 1928-1987

A Homosexual Artist.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, whose parents were immigrants from the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Often stuck in bed as a child, due to his St. Vitus Dance' (a nervous system disease) he became a hypo-chondriac, which caused him to be out-casted by his peers and helped to create Warhol and his mothers strong bond.

Warhol was a literal artist. He started out doing paintings personally, each one hand painted and sold as individuals. He used to call his studio a factory, this was not a bad idea as Warhol soon realised. Warhol found his works to be selling well, so made the decision to commodify himself.

Andy Warhol started mass productions of his artworks in the 1960's just after he started making his famous paintings of iconic American products, like the infamous Campbell's soup can, and coca-cola bottles.

The 1960's were also the years when he started producing his artworks of famous Americans, such as, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Troy Donahue.

Which to me look as though Warhol has been inspired by Roy Lichtenstein

He turned his 'Factory' into a literal factory, hiring a wide and diverse range of artists, musicians and underground celebrities. Using these people to help him produce these commodities. Andy had a job for everyone, whether it be cutting out stencils, or to print the pictures. Andy Warhol had an assembly line, so he was ably to produce a large quantity of works.

Andy Warhol was a great business man.

Through commodifying himself, Andy Warhol also showcases conviviality and manaakitanga.

When Andy Warhol commodified himself he enlisted the help of others to help him meet demands. His artwork went from only being produced by himself, locked away in his 'factory', to literally becoming a factory, igniting the social boundaries that Warhol had never really experienced

By the 1970's Warhol was criticised, as was being labelled a 'business artist' nothing more

On February 22nd 1987, Andy Warhol died i his sleep, after 'routine gallbladder surgery' where he went into cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)

Andy Warhol had stalled his visits to get his re-occurring gallbladder problems checked as he was afraid to see the doctors and even to enter hospitals.

A somewhat ordinary death ending such a difficult yet successful life.