Change!

March 17, 2008 - "I'll Get It!" by Barry Blitt

It has already been determined that Obama will be the Democratic Candidate in the upcoming election and we are even close to seeing who will be the Vice Presidential Candidate, but we are at least still able to comment on this cover.

This cover was made at the time of the "Red Phone" issue that arose during Primary Season.  Now, many people have debated who would do a better job and all of the issues in this day and age, but the most striking thing I find about this upcoming election is the concept of change.

For me, this will be the first Presidential election that I am eligible to vote in (I have been able to vote since last year.).  I know that whomever the nation and I vote for will definitely be a huge change in this nation's history.  And I am really looking forward to it!

The Fashion Craze

March 10, 2008 - "Blossoms," by Ana Juan

From this year's Style Issue, we are presented with another cover produced by Juan that captures the essence of a modern and relevant topic: the fashion and style industry.

Today's fashion is something that is often thought of being something very bizarre and strange to the average American.  In this picture, which depicts a model dressed for some show perhaps, there is a flashy and chaotic atmosphere in the image.  The model's hair is black and blowing in the wind, as if she were walking briskly down a runway.  The blossoms on her dress seem very natural, as if they are growing on some sort of vine, chaotically growing all over the place like in a forest or field of flowers.

In all of this ruckus, the blossoming flowers encompass the spring feeling.  The bright colors of the flowers is reflective of the bright and new days of summer that are to come.  They also point out the beauty, or at least what society has determined to be "beauty," that is found in today's fashion industry.  Even though many people may think that fashion is stupid or weird, there is still a large amount of skill to create these clothes.  Designers often have to spend many hours sewing, cutting, and matching different kinds of fabrics together.  These skills require a large amount of training and practice.

Thus, because there is so much skill involved, style and fashion has become an art form.  The designers are trying to discover innovative designs that would appeal to a person.  Despite all of the money that is involved, the ultimate goal for the artist to capture someone's taste and satisfy them.

The beauty of it all is that fashion and style is not only for the high and mighty.  In wearing the clothes that we are wearing now, there is our own personal style.  Each style is unique and has its quirks, and despite them seeming normal to us unlike "high fashion," they are all crazy and beautiful.

Ending Trends

March 3, 2008 - "Fading," by Ana Juan

In this issue, we are presented with an image that captures an older era, fading away.  The face, formed by the smoke drifting away depicts someone of a past era.  At first, I thought that the image was a silhouette of Abraham Lincoln, but upon closer examination of the image, I realized that it was someone else.  At the moment, I am still unaware as to whom is depicted on the cover, but it is clearly someone from the past.  The fact that the image is formed by cigar smoke is further evidence of a depiction of the past era because cigar smoking is something that has recently gone out of fashion.

All of this is symbolic of change that is taking place.  The man formed by the smoke reminds me of some kind of rich investor of the early 1900s.  The cigar just strengthens this thought because I often think of cigar smoking as something done in celebrations often in the presence of wealthier people.  The fact that the title is "Fading" may be symbolic of this wealthy man's wealth fading away as we, today, similarly are entering a time of economic uncertainty.

The image is a sad one.  The man is looking down and you can tell that he wears a stern expression on his face.  As we head into these troublesome times, I feel that Juan really captures what many Americans may be feeling today.  These seem like bleak times for our country, for we are surrounded by such darkness, violence, uncertainty, and despair.