Valery's Ankle

Topic: Valery's Ankle

Questions (I know I only needed two but I came up with four):
1. How does underground art become popular?
2. How has film essay evolved into a form of art?
3. What are the political implications of making an underground film?
4. What was the historical and political context of the film and the message behind the film?

4 resources:
1. Book:
Title: New American filmmakers : selections from the Whitney Museum of American Art Film Program
Published: New York, N.Y. : American Federation of Arts, c1976

2. Book:
Title: Film art : an introduction
Authors: David Bordwell, Kristin Thompson

3. Article:
Title: Translating the Essay into Film and Installation
Personal Author: Alter, Nora M.
Journal Name: Journal of Visual Culture

4. Article:
Title: Just call it Moscow in Motown
Journal Name: State, The (Columbia, SC)

The Power of Photography and Film

Before the invention of the photograph, people relied on stories and memories to translate the past. Although photographs have been useful tools in understanding the past, they have also allowed for the elimination of interpretation. Film and documentaries rose from photography and similar to it, the artist caters to a certain audience by placing emphasis and drawing attention to a particular theme or interpretation. Because Hollywood creates history through its clear manipulation of the public’s ideals, even documentaries must be viewed with skepticism and critical awareness. Film must be seen as a form of communication, rather than a chronology of history.

To Sontag, a photograph is a documentation of history. She believes that photographs are necessary to the understanding of an experience, “Such images are indeed able to usurp reality because first of all a photograph is not only an image (as a painting is an image), an interpretation of the real; it is also a trace, something directly stenciled off the real, like a footprint or a death mask” (Sontag, 350). Photographs are chronicles of the past. They tell a story, yet leave the viewer to his or her own interpretation. Critical Art Ensemble stresses the authority photography and film have over the viewer’s understanding of a piece, while Sontag believes that photographs are pure traces of history and powerless, in the sense that the interpretation is left to the viewer.

Lauren Glass
October 14, 2007
Superfund and Onondaga Lake

The Superfund program began in 1980, in order to clean up some of America’s most polluted areas. Although eight hundred and eighty-six sites have been cleaned since Superfund’s introduction, this year only forty high-priority waste sites have been cleared, leaving 1,203 dangerous areas on the “National Priorities List”. Fewer harmful regions are being decontaminated, as a direct result of lack of funding. This financial crisis is putting the one out of four Americans living within four miles of a hazardous waste site in danger (Knickerbocker).

Most often, the polluter of an area donates the money necessary for its cleanup. From 1980 until 1995, taxes on oil and chemical industries and an additional income tax on other corporations raised funds for the clearing of sites that were unclaimed. Presently, Superfund is nearly bankrupt, due in part, to the fact that Congress did not renew these fees when they expired in 1995. Senate Democrat Barbara Boxer and a small number of other democrats in the Senate, desire a revival of this tax, mainly affecting oil companies. The reinstatement of this tax is vital in order to provide the funding necessary to clean affected sites (Knickerbocker).

Superfund directly affects many inhabitants of Onondaga County, particularly members of the Onondaga Nation. Onondaga Lake is one of the most polluted lakes in the United States and was added to the Federal Superfund National Priorities List in 1994 (Onondaga Nation, Onondaga Lake 'Clean-Up' Plan). This 4.6 square mile lake has fallen victim to countless years of pollution abuse by sewage and chemical companies, who infect the water and produce “waste beds” (Landers). These “waste beds” reside along the lake’s shore, some of which span sixty-five feet or higher and occupy about one third of the lake (Landers). Onondaga Lake contains many chemicals that are poisonous to humans, such as mercury and many other carcinogenic substances (Landers). Piles of waste now lay where people were previously able to fish and swim. The once thriving ecosystem has been mutilated. Large amounts of phosphorus and ammonia deprive wildlife of oxygen; killing the wide variety of fish that once inhabited the lake (Onondaga Lake 'Clean-Up' Plan).

The Onondaga Nation is strongly affected by the pollution of Onondaga Lake. On June 17, 2005, the Nation sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Environmental Conservation, demanding change and threatening legal action (Statement of the Onondaga Nation Concerning the Onondaga Lake Superfund Site: The Nation’s Sacred, Spiritual, Historic, Archeological and Environmental Interests in Onondaga Lake.). On March 11, 2005, the Nation filed an action in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York requesting, “declaratory judgment that certain lands and waters in New York State, including all of the lands and waters constituting the Onondaga Lake Superfund Site, are owned by the Nation” (Statement of the Onondaga Nation Concerning the Onondaga Lake Superfund Site: The Nation’s Sacred, Spiritual, Historic, Archeological and Environmental Interests in Onondaga Lake). The Department of Environmental Conservation responded by ignoring the desires of the Nation and scripting their own plan. They did confer with members of the Onondaga Nation. The Nation was merely presented the inadequate plan, and was not given formal speaking time to object to its conditions and try to appease the situation. Many members of the Nation feel betrayed by the agency, “Their visit to the Longhouse was perfunctory, almost an afterthought. In all likelihood, the plan was already in print” (Hill). Sidney Hill, the chief of the Onondaga Nation Council of Chiefs, concluded that the Nation’s sacred connection with the lake was not taken into consideration and because Superfund is so financially unstable, the program seems more interested in a “quick fix” to quiet the public, rather than actually remedying the situation.

The Onondaga Nation believes that the remedies outlined to clean the lake are insufficient. The plan would only clean up a portion of Onondaga Lake and place sand caps over Mercury, rather than removing the deadly chemical from the lake. The Onondaga Council of Chiefs pled for the removal of all harmful toxins that damage and destroy life in and around the lake. The Nation is further upset by the clear disregard of their spiritual and historical ties with Onondaga Lake and how its pollution has affected and continues to affect aspects of The Nation’s lives. Although the four hundred and fifty-one million dollar plan is said to take care of much of the cleanup necessary to revive Onondaga Lake, the plan appears to be only a temporary solution to the lake’s contamination problem. A permanent and more effective solution would cost around 2.16 billion dollars (Onondaga Lake 'Clean-Up' Plan). The proposed plans, which includes dredging up much of the lake’s soil, capping areas of the lake’s floor and treating the water (Statement of the Onondaga Nation Concerning the Onondaga Lake Superfund Site: The Nation’s Sacred, Spiritual, Historic, Archeological and Environmental Interests in Onondaga Lake), unless remedied, not only hinder the public from experiencing the beauty of the lake, but also deprive future generations of The Onondaga Nation of experiencing the sacred importance of Onondaga Lake.

Although the pollution of Onondaga Lake goes widely unnoticed by a majority of the nation, inhabitants of Onondaga County must live in close proximity to the toxic lake, endangering their lives and the lives of their future offspring. In the past, the lake was a place of leisure, providing visitors with an area to swim, fish and simply enjoy the beauty of the natural environment. Presently, the lake is considered by many to be the most polluted lake in the nation, despite poorly designed clean-up efforts. The Onondaga Nation has been the source of much controversy concerning the pollution in Onondaga Lake thus, educating and informing people of the poisons in the lake. They have produced a following of people who concur that the steps being taken to clean the lake are frivolous. Although, the Nation has ruthlessly fought to return the lake to its purest form and has helped spark some change, their efforts have largely been ignored. They will continue to fight until they are content with the cleanliness of their sacred lake. More money must be spent in order to successfully clean the lake. The government should provide a higher budget for Superfund and new fundraising techniques must be discussed. Because, at times, it is difficult to determine which corporation polluted where, all industrial companies must be taxed, in order to prevent the deterioration of the natural world. If a company is proven to be the sole polluter of an area, that company must be given certain financial flexibility due to the taxes collected. Superfund should provide an amount of money based on how large and how contaminated the region is. If the cost exceeds the ability of Superfund, the company must be held fully responsible for the complete clean up of the infected area. If pollution is ignored, members of Onondaga County and other areas on the “National Priorities List” will continue to suffer from the short term and long term affects of living near an area of toxic waste. Our lakes will continue to be polluted, wildlife in and around the lakes will cease to exist and disease will spread to those living near the affected areas.

Works Consulted:
Atlantic States Legal Foundation. "Onondaga Lake Superfund Update." Atlantic States
Legal Foundation, Inc. 6 October 2007 .

Hill, Sydney. “Our Debt to Nature”. Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation Working in Solidarity with the Onondaga Nation. 2004. 12 October 2007. .

Knickerbocker, Brad. “Superfund Program: A Smaller Cleanup Rag.” Christian Science
Monitors. 2003. 2 October 2007 .

Landers, Jay. (2006) New life for Onondaga Lake. Civil engineering, 76(5), 64. Wilson Applied Science Full Text. H.W. Wilson. Syracuse University Library, Syracuse,New York. 3 October 2007 .

Onondaga Nation. "Onondaga Lake 'Clean-Up' Plan." Onondaga Nation. 2005. 4
October 2007. .

Onondaga Nation. “Statement of the Onondaga Nation
Concerning the Onondaga Lake Superfund Site: The Nation’s Sacred, Spiritual, Historic, Archeological and Environmental
Interests in Onondaga Lake.” Onondaga Nation. 2005. 6 October 2007 superfundsite.pdf>.

Superfund and Onodaga Lake

Lexis Nexis

onlakepartners.org

epa.gov


The Superfund program began in 1980 and called for individual taxpayers to pay eighteen percent of its total cost. Since then, the costs to individuals have risen to fifty-three percent. Although 886 sites have been cleaned since Superfund’s introduction, this year only 40 high-priority waste sites have been cleaned, leaving 1,203 dangerous areas on the “National Priorities List”. Fewer harmful regions are being cleaned, as a direct result of lack of funding. This financial crisis is putting the 1 out of 4 Americans living within four miles of a hazardous waste site in danger.

Most often the polluter of the area donates the money necessary for its cleanup, but there are many dirty areas that have yet to be claimed. From 1980 until 1995, taxes on oil and chemical industries and an additional income tax on other corporations raised funds for the clearing of these sites. Presently, Superfund is nearly bankrupt, due in partial to the fact that Congress did not renew these fees when they expired in 1995. People are divided as how to appease the situation. Senate Democrat Barbara Boxer, and a small number of other democrats in the senate, desires a revival of this tax, mainly affecting oil companies. Others deem this tax unfair, as the pollution is no longer solely the fault of the companies. Some believe that there should be particular industry taxes forcing the polluter to pay, while others believe that Superfund causes too much trouble and should eliminated. Because Superfund holds even those parties whose pollution contribution is extremely miniscule responsible, those apposed to Superfund, consider that people looking to invest may shy away from previously industrialized areas so that they are not eligible for culpability. Although Superfund will not be eliminated, new strategies for raising money for Superfund are being debated throughout the United States.

Hendricks Chapel Anti War Panel

Hendricks Chapel was full of emotion and a sense of togetherness as the girl duo, Emma, took the stage. Their guitars shook the chapel, as their soft voices sang of freedom, war and motherhood. Anti war buttons were being sold and money was being collected to support future demonstrations. Soon after Emma excited the crowd, the panel took the stage.

Dahlia Wasfi spoke first explaining her views on the General Patreas report and the status of Iraq now, compared to the country’s status before American occupation. Wasfi opened her remarks by mentioning that she was half Arabic and half Jewish and has many relatives in Iraq. She eloquently stated that the general’s report was “a load of crap” and post American occupation; Iraq now has AIDs and a horrible job market. She discussed September 11 and how it affected her, personally. She was working at Georgetown University’s Hospital and after the attacks she had to endure racist comments from her co-workers, including one doctor who believed that “we should just nuke them”. The ridicule eventually became too much and she quit her job. Wasfi has taken countless trips to Iraq and has seen first hand the damage that this war has caused.

Scott Ritter spoke second. He was the United Nations chief weapons inspector in Iraq from 1991 to 1998. Ritter, expanding on Wasfi’s discussion, grabbed the audience’s attention by explaining that just because he is anti war, that in no way means that he is anti the troops. He made this clearer by using a firemen analogy. No one likes fire, but people support the firemen who fight the fires. Ritter, then discussed the importance of America leaving Iraq. His argument went beyond America’s departure, as he believes that America needs to take care of the soldiers and help out with the financial burden that we have caused in the Middle East.

Last to speak was Jimmy Massey, who had the young men and women who have served in Iraq stand up. They received a standing ovation from the crowd. He referred to them as his brothers and sisters, as Massey explained his own experiences serving in the military. He explained that soldiers are given the order to “shoot now and ask questions later”, which he vehemently disapproves. Massey went on to give his “wish list” for the future course of the war. He, as the other panel members expressed before him, believes in the abdication of American troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. Although Massey pointed out that his last wish is extremely unlikely, he wishes that every member of congress who was pro war would be forced out of office. It is congress’ responsibility to monitor the executive branch and protect America from partaking in wars such that this.

I knew I was in my element as soon as I entered Hendricks Chapel. My father and I have attended many anti war protests and I always enjoy standing up for something I believe in. I thought all of the speakers were very well spoken and appealed to their audience. The ten to fifteen minute speeches were long enough to get the panels’ point across and short enough to hold the audience’s attention. Their evidence was clearly presented and by the nodding heads and clapping hands of the audience, I could tell that everyone was extremely engaged in the speeches. I was surprised that the majority of the audience was older. I had hoped that there would be a good number of students attending the panel, in order to educate themselves on the politics of our country. Whether you are pro or against the Iraq war, I believe that you have to educate yourself in order to fully take advantage of everything our country has to offer. I find it very sad that so many young adults, my age do not care about politics or the future of their country. I was extremely moved by the veterans who attended the protest and the panel, many of whom were young men and women who served in Iraq. I love that people were voicing their opinions and standing up for what they believe in. I wish more people cared about the status of our country as much as they care about Britney Spears’ weight and ill fated comeback.

Work Cited:

Since my footnotes did not transfer when copying and pasting from word to my blog, I reprinted my blog with page numbers from my sources. Sorry for the mixup!:

Binh Danh’s exhibit showcases the eternal consequences of war. Although the Vietnam War ended in 1975, Binh Danh’s pictures allow the viewer to transcend time and evoke a sense of reality and thought that otherwise might have been ignored. Binh Danh goes beyond the standard, yearbook style of printing photographs of war casualties by imprinting images of the lost lives onto foliage. These imprinted images are “symbolic of the jungle itself, bearing witness to scars of war that remain in the landscape” (Guth, Laura. Assistant Director of Lightwork). Binh Danh’s work displays the scars embedded not only in the landscape, but also in the hearts and minds of all those affected by the war and ultimately all those who come to view his work. These scars force the viewer to question ones own ideas about the Vietnam War and the current war in Iraq. Personally, I am vehemently opposed to both, the Vietnam War and, the present War in Iraq. Thus, Binh Danh’s exhibit reinforced my own anti war sentiments. Allowing me to view the images of real people, induced my own sense of actuality, “Such images are indeed able to usurp reality because first of all a photograph is not only an image (as a painting is an image), an interpretation of the real; it is also a trace, something directly stenciled off the real, like a footprint or a death mask” (Sontag, 350). As Susan Sontag explains, photographs are a piece of the real. Binh Danh’s pictures are traces of lives lost, “Photographic images are pieces of evidence in an ongoing biography or history. And one photograph, unlike one painting, implies that there will be others” (Sontag,358). Looking at these photos, one is forced to grasp the enormity of what they represent. These were everyday people, such as you or I, who were killed in the jungle of war, and whose eternal souls are now on display for others to view. Although Binh Danh’s exhibit is meant to be impartial about the war, it invokes thought and strong opinions of both sides of the spectrum.

Binh Danh's Exhibit

Binh Danh’s exhibit showcases the eternal consequences of war. Although the Vietnam War ended in 1975, Binh Danh’s pictures allow the viewer to transcend time and evoke a sense of reality and thought that otherwise might have been ignored. Binh Danh goes beyond the standard, yearbook style of printing photographs of war casualties by imprinting images of the lost lives onto foliage. These imprinted images are “symbolic of the jungle itself, bearing witness to scars of war that remain in the landscape” . Binh Danh’s work displays the scars embedded not only in the landscape, but also in the hearts and minds of all those affected by the war and ultimately all those who come to view his work. These scars force the viewer to question ones own ideas about the Vietnam War and the current war in Iraq. Personally, I am vehemently opposed to both, the Vietnam War and, the present War in Iraq. Thus, Binh Danh’s exhibit reinforced my own anti war sentiments. Allowing me to view the images of real people, induced my own sense of actuality, “Such images are indeed able to usurp reality because first of all a photograph is not only an image (as a painting is an image), an interpretation of the real; it is also a trace, something directly stenciled off the real, like a footprint or a death mask” . As Susan Sontag explains, photographs are a piece of the real. Binh Danh’s pictures are traces of lives lost, “Photographic images are pieces of evidence in an ongoing biography or history. And one photograph, unlike one painting, implies that there will be others”. Looking at these photos, one is forced to grasp the enormity of what they represent. These were everyday people, such as you or I, who were killed in the jungle of war, and whose eternal souls are now on display for others to view. Although Binh Danh’s exhibit is meant to be impartial about the war, it invokes thought and strong opinions of both sides of the spectrum.