Wednesday, May 21, 2014

I am...

I am so very excited for all of you! Everyone that spoke at today's Graduation Ceremony did such a wonderful job. So much so that I dare not compete with their words of wisdom. That being said, I found this sweet little video, "I am...". Yes, today is the day you decide who you are. Every day is that day.

“We are the choices we make.”
― Patrick Ness

"Today I choose life. Every morning when I wake up I can choose joy, happiness, negativity, pain... To feel the freedom that comes from being able to continue to make mistakes and choices - today I choose to feel life, not to deny my humanity but embrace it."
- Kevyn Aucoin

"I am a..." from Andy Martin on Vimeo.



Bird Sounds Visualised

Ever since I learned about Wassily Kandinsky, I have been fascinated with the connection of senses. What does music look like visually? How is color linked to frequency and vibration? It's all so intriguing.
This little video captures bird sounds using a digital audio recorder. The information is fed into a computer and the vibrations activate particle effects.
By Andy Thomas.

Bird Sounds Visualised from Andy Thomas on Vimeo.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Congratulations Seniors!

It has been such a pleasure to work with you all. While I will miss your smiling faces, I am happy to see you advance in life. Best wishes to all of you!
Warmest,
Ms. Rapp

“I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”
― Henry David Thoreau, Walden: Or, Life in the Woods



Photo by Maya Rapp (age 10!)

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Quote o' the Year

Oh my, where has the time gone? I used to put a quote o' the week on the blog. I suppose this quote will be my "quote o' the year" simply because it has probably been that long since I had one on here! Someone shared this quote with me, and it really resonates with me. When you are feeling down, or like it's not going to get better, just think of this quote:

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Can artists change the world?

As I was updating the printmaking lesson, I came across this great video featuring the artist William Kentridge. When I was in college I had the opportunity to view Kentridge's work. To this day I am still in awe of Kentridge. His artwork is amazing, but more importantly, his message is powerful. His work explores social injustice in South Africa. Please do read the accompanying article about Kentridge from the MoMA here.