Defining Psychoborg Through Michael Jackson Morimura Essay Example

Defining Psychoborg Through Michael Jackson Morimura Essay Defining Psychoborg through Michael Jackson Morimura As an artist, one’s art may be used to depict emotion, used as an outlet for expression, or even to convey a distinctive message. Whether this may be appreciative or analytical in its purpose, Yasumasa Morimura’s depiction of the pop-icon, Michael Jackson, are certainly radical in his piece Psychoborg, from 1994. As a matter of fact, there is a clear resemblance between Michael Jackson and Yasumasa Morimura himself because he uses his art in order to identify himself and construct the Other, distinguish a transformation to create a multifaceted disposition, and creates no divergence between culture, race, and gender. In his works, the Japanese artist, Yasumasa Morimura, incorporates images of himself inserted into other famous western paintings and photographs using the computer. In this particular piece, he uses a photograph of Michael Jackson in three different poses, and inserts his face into each one. By doing so, Morimura is removing himself from his own body, characteristics, and identity, which in return embody the disposition of Michael Jackson himself. The composition being divided into 3 distinct parts, well divided into the general rule of thirds, also creates balance amongst the 3 characters depicted in this photograph. It allows for the viewer to be able to distinctively notice three different dimensions in the main character. We will write a custom essay sample on Defining Psychoborg Through Michael Jackson Morimura specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Defining Psychoborg Through Michael Jackson Morimura specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Defining Psychoborg Through Michael Jackson Morimura specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The first pose (starting from left to right) being a photograph of something superhuman which distinguishes both Morimura and Michael Jackson as individuals with animal qualities and symbolize the embodiment of someone or something other than himself. In the second pose, we see Morimura and his hands firm in a rigged pose, however his face is relaxed, seeming solitary and calm. And in the third pose featuring the character as â€Å"the freak† refers to both â€Å"Morimura and Michael Jackson as â€Å"cyborgs† rather than humans. Similarly to Michael Jackson’s Thriller video, â€Å"it is the tale of the double, the man with two selves and two souls. † Subsequently, this explains that Michael Jackson, which very similarly to Morimura, both utilize artistic methods in order to identify their Other. Through this piece, we can see that Morimura dissects his individuality and identity while placing it into another individual helps indentify himself as a charact er with dual personalities and multiple dimensions. As Joonsung Yoon states, â€Å"his artwork reveals that photography is able to deconstruct and reconstruct his own self in a new way which constitutes and realizes the self, and of our contemporary way of seeing our own absence. † We can see that Morimura uses his artwork to draw similarities between his subject(s), Michael Jackson(s), in which he is able to distinguish and establish his â€Å"Other†. As well, the photograph being black and white provides high contrast and distinction within the image. This allows the viewer to be able to differentiate the background from the 3 characters themselves, which draws attention to the rigged poses of the 3 characters. This also suggests that the one character, both Michael Jackson and Yasumasa Morimura, are in or are experiencing transformation. As this piece depicts, Morimura and Michael Jackson both being: creatures, calm, and freaks as well. The artist, Morimura believes that adaptability and flexibility are both important characteristics that both he and Michael Jackson both posses. In fact, the artist even â€Å"explained his intentions by saying he believed all people had a common desire for transformation. † By showing the different stages through diverse and contrasting poses in this piece, the viewer is able to understand the transition of the transformation in both Morimura and Michael Jackson; Morimura specifically because he is literally in transformation through his portrait being inserted into another mans body in this photograph. Michael Jackson, however, shows this through his variety of expressions figuratively through his poses. Therefore, through the transition of different poses displayed in Morimura’s piece, Psychoborg, it is clear that both individuals have numerous and diverse attributes, which are identified through transformation in his piece. In the piece Psychoborg, Morimura also breaks the barriers between race, gender, and culture. Yasumasa Morimura being of Japanese origin, places himself in the body form of an African American man, which transcends racial segregations. Joonsung Yoon expresses how Morimura â€Å"shuttles back and forth between Eastern and Western cultures. One side of the piece identifies the Western culture through the character’s outfit and attire. The piece also suggests Western cultural fragments because it is not a painting nor was it derived from a painting. The piece represents change within traditional Western art including paintings and drawings into a more radical contemporary movement, which include technological integrations from the computer. Morimura also chooses to incorporate himself into a worldly Western pop icon. Through this, he distinguishes no real distinction because he intertwines and incorporates both the Eastern and Western culture, virtually meshing them into one. Morimura transgresses his cultural territories from East to West†¦however, Morimura is not a Westerner but an Easterner. † Through the combining of a Japanese man into an African American man’s body, we can understand the integration between cultures and races. Yasumasa Morimura’s Psychoborg is a clear depiction drawing the similarities between Michael Jackson and Morimura. Morimura’s piece is extremely effective because the message presented to the viewer take on both the literal and figurative form. Through the incorporation of his own face into the body of another man, he uses his piece to identify his characteristics, and his identity, show a transformation through the multiple poses presented in the piece, and challenge cultural and racial differences between Western and Eastern cultures. Works Cited Margo, Jefferson. On Michael Jackson. New York: Random House, 2006. Morimura, Yasumasa. Encyclopedia Britannica Online, 2009, Encyclopedia Britannica. 28 Oct. 2009 . Yoon, Joonsung. â€Å"SEEING HIS OWN ABSENCE: Culture and Gender in Yasumasa Morimura’s Photographic Self-Portraits. † Journal of Visual Art Practice 2001. 28 Oct. 2009 .

Free Essays on Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a progressive and chronic disease. The passageways in many of the body’s organs, especially the lungs and the pancreas become clogged as a result of this disease. The passageways become clogged because mucus in the body because thick, dry and sticky. People with cystic fibrosis only have an average life expectancy of about 30 years. This is mainly a result of the complications of the disease. In the lungs, it can cause serious breathing problems and in the pancreas, it can result in malnutrition and corresponding problems in growth and development. Cystic fibrosis is a type of genetic disorder. This type of genetic disorder is known as an autosomal recessive disease. This means that to have the disease, a person must inherit a certain gene from both of their biological parents. If a person inherits the gene from only one parent, he or she is only classed as a carrier. This means that the person carries the gene for this disease, but does not suffer from the effects of the disease itself. If someone has received the gene from both of their parents, than this defect that occurs causes problems with the way salt and water move in and out of mucus-producing cells in the body, which causes the mucus to become thick, dry and sticky. Things such as the environment, diet, exercise or other external factors do not cause CF. It is not contagious so it can only be passed from one person to another through inheritance. Cystic fibrosis is usually diagnosed during childhood. Some babies who have the disease may show signs of it immediately but other may not develop symptoms until later on in their lives. The first respiratory symptom of CF is a cough. This will most develop into a repetitive cycle between lung infection and inflammation. This cycle results in lung damage, and as this increases, things such as shortness of breath occur and it becomes harder for the individual to exercise. This lu... Free Essays on Cystic Fibrosis Free Essays on Cystic Fibrosis Cystic Fibrosis Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a progressive and chronic disease. The passageways in many of the body’s organs, especially the lungs and the pancreas become clogged as a result of this disease. The passageways become clogged because mucus in the body because thick, dry and sticky. People with cystic fibrosis only have an average life expectancy of about 30 years. This is mainly a result of the complications of the disease. In the lungs, it can cause serious breathing problems and in the pancreas, it can result in malnutrition and corresponding problems in growth and development. Cystic fibrosis is a type of genetic disorder. This type of genetic disorder is known as an autosomal recessive disease. This means that to have the disease, a person must inherit a certain gene from both of their biological parents. If a person inherits the gene from only one parent, he or she is only classed as a carrier. This means that the person carries the gene for this disease, but does not suffer from the effects of the disease itself. If someone has received the gene from both of their parents, than this defect that occurs causes problems with the way salt and water move in and out of mucus-producing cells in the body, which causes the mucus to become thick, dry and sticky. Things such as the environment, diet, exercise or other external factors do not cause CF. It is not contagious so it can only be passed from one person to another through inheritance. Cystic fibrosis is usually diagnosed during childhood. Some babies who have the disease may show signs of it immediately but other may not develop symptoms until later on in their lives. The first respiratory symptom of CF is a cough. This will most develop into a repetitive cycle between lung infection and inflammation. This cycle results in lung damage, and as this increases, things such as shortness of breath occur and it becomes harder for the individual to exercise. This lu...

Leadership theories Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Leadership theories - Research Paper Example Leadership is ever green immortal and probably the most talked about topic. Perhaps the reason of its immortality is its relevance to our lives not only professional or business but personal and social life as well.It will not be an overstatement to say that leadership is that life-enriching and vital experiences which is crucial for our existence. Its scope is very vast which cannot be restricted to a single task, job, role or a certain organizational level. In this paper I will discuss in detail what is leadership? Different accepted styles of leadership, theories of leadership their merits and demerits and what was the need for the new theory to evaluate. It will basically be a comparative study of the two theories of leadership. What is leadership? Leadership is very vital and its importance is widely accepted. In order to understand fully different theories of leadership we first need to have a clear picture of what leadership is all about. It may sound simple but in fact leader ship is a very complex and complicated social process which depends not only the ways of thinking, vision, creativity, knowledge, skills characteristics and values of the leader but also the followers. Leadership is not all about aura and charisma of a person but a good leader is one who can see the clear picture of the present understands it’s various aspects and through his vision can guide its followers to the bright future. Good leadership (V.Gallos, 2008)is emotional; it compels drives and motivates you to achieve something. It is a continuous process of building and maintaining the relationship between the follower and the leader. In its spirit it is multidimensional which encompasses different skills, vision, process, map, issues, organization levels, cultures, policies, practices and issues. A good leader has to pass the test of time banking on the strengths and minimizing weaknesses while materializing the opportunities and avoiding the threats in the environment wit hout overreliance on any single person or process. Leadership Theories In the twentieth century theories about leadership started to evolve. Classical theories of leadership were based on traits of the leaders such remained the case for about thirty years and then it evolved to behavioral theory of leadership. There are basically six types of theories of leadership. Trait based leadership Contingency leadership Behavioral leadership Participative leadership Transactional leadership Transformational leadership All these theories concentrate only on the leader and do not take into account followers. It was observed that all these theories actually led to a prototypical leader. All the leaders were supposed to have a typical defined set of qualities, characteristics and a set of accepted and laudable behavior. This stereo type leader was a male white. These theories ignored diversity both in the gender and racial sense. According to different studies conducted these leadership theories had many biases. This will be discussed in detail below. Leader Categorization First of all we have to determine what we exactly mean by leader Categorization. Leader categorization theory (George R. Geothals, 2006) says that there are widely accepted and shared beliefs and perceptions about leaders their traits their behavior. Followers have specific and fixed views about general and specific task based upon preconceived ideas and notions about how a leader should be. It includes personal traits such as openness, active, initiator, visionary, focused, determined, interested,