John Berger Essay Essay

While in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, I traveled through the different galleries and their various cultures; discovering all sorts of arts from Contemporary art, to American art, Japanese art, and even the Egyptian art where I could appreciate the complexity of mummies. Throughout all these diverse cultures of art, I was questioning myself and started to wonder how I could understand art beyond others’ opinion about them. Moreover, I realized that it was a question John Berger, critic of art and author of the Ways of Seeing, raised in his essay, and it is a question that will always be raised while demanding how to understand a certain art. Walking through a room where various French artists had their paintings exposed, I fell in front of the artwork (see above) painted by Paul Gauguin. I did not choose a French artist to make me remember the French culture that I am missing here in Boston, nor to pretend that the French are advanced in art, but a way to analyze and understand, with the experience of a famous art critic, an artwork from an artist who astonished me in my previous art classes. D’ou venons-nous, Qui sommes-nous, Ou allons-nous? By Paul Gauguin I chose a painting that had a warm expression, and complex story emanating from it. As the title of my essay indicates, the title of the painting translated in English is â€Å"Where are we from? Who are we? Where are we going? So many questions in the title and the painting, but there were as much coming through my mind while studying this image. This artwork is very ambiguous because I do not know how to start looking at it. I can observe people appearing half naked in the foreground, but we cannot really tell why they appear there. The statue in the back makes the questioning more obscure. It seems lik e an Oracle that gives people their destiny, and that is maybe why they all look so sad. Truly, I felt that this image was a representation of my origin country, West Indies, by the color Gauguin used. He used the blue to symbolize the ocean surrounding the island, and the mixed race of the habitants by the warm and beige color or the characters. I felt as if I was in the center of the painting, more precisely in the position of the child being observed in the right corner, and waiting to be reassured. I also felt like the person in the middle of the painting, standing up and waiting for answers while traveling through this painting. Gauguin’s artworks are extremely complicated to decipher, so are they to analyze. Gauguin is an artist I studied back in France in my art classes. Consequently, I had seen many of his works, and even the painting I chose; However, I had never asked myself how knowing about his life could help me study his paintings. I was taught in my art classes how to analyze art in a more technical way than in an analytical way like Berger supported. Indeed, when we were looking at the entire structure of the painting with my art class method, we were focusing on the brush strokes, the color, the tone, lines and forms, and the composition of the painting. If I had to describe the work of art I chose based on technical features, I would examine the painting saying that the brush strokes could express many emotions at the same time, and describe the painter style and art movement. Gauguin was also part of the post-impressionist painters with artists such as Paul Cezanne or Van Gogh. Post impressionist art was more focused on color, lines, outlines and perspective. Concerning Gauguin, the complexity of shapes is very important in his paintings due to their abstract significations. In fact, the lines were not straight; they were round and suggesting bodies that we did not see in art before. Moreover, the color had its importance. Post impressionist artists like Gauguin used color and color combination in order to create ‘vulgar’, ‘calm’ or ‘bold’ impressions (Robert Hughes). The analysis of the painting I just did was very technical and structural, but in no sense relevant for understanding the thought process as Berger explained. I was subject to mystification as John Berger explained in his essay as â€Å"the process of explaining away what might otherwise be evident† (103). Indeed, mystification appeared while I was looking at the painting. I could sense a certain limit of my understanding due to the previous art classes I had. In other terms, it meant for me that words were coming before seeing whereas seeing should come before words as Berger deciphered in his essay. My mind was already set for a certain critic about the painting based on the knowledge I had; Consequently, I could not have another point of view vis-a-vis the painting I was staring at. Although I learned a lot from my art classes, especially how to describe an artwork contextually, the observations and point of view of Berger about art gave me enough elements o have a complete analysis of an image, both contextually and historically. Using Berger as a guide for art description helped me to learn more about the painting historically, and much more about the painter himself to have a complete understanding of the artwork. Prior to this assignment, it had never occurred to me to use the biography and the background of the painter in order to facilitate my understanding of the painting. When Berger quoted â€Å"When we see a landscape, we situate ourselves in the it. If we saw the art of the past, we would situate ourselves in history. † (100) in the essay led me to start the analysis of Gauguin’s painting in a very different way. Actually, when I focused more on the painter’s life, and follow Berger’s analysis, I learned that Gauguin wanted to commit suicide after he painted this image. Plus, even though there was a caption under the image saying that it was his last painting, I would not have noticed that it was his last painting, which refers to what Berger described when he talked about Van Gogh’s last painting. Berger cited â€Å"The way we see things is affected by what we know or what we believe† (97). Clearly, it means that the details you know about a certain painting will prevent you from analyzing it innocently. Based on the art experience I acquired in class, I would have said that the image implies sadness because of the choice of colors, which were darker than his previous works. However, I think that the title gives us more details about his thoughts while he was painting. Through reading of artistic reviews or even my art book, named Shock of the New by Robert Hughes, I discovered that this work of art should be read from right to left, with the three main groups of people illustrating the questions that are asked in the title. The first group with the three women looking at the child represents the beginning of Gauguin’s life, making a reference to his parents, then there is the group in the middle which symbolizes all the experiences he went through while being a young adult. The last group shows an old lady close to death because of the darker color he used, moreover, there is an odd white bird at her feet, which could represent the guide to heaven. In the background of the painting, there is a blue statute, which represents what Gauguin described as the hereafter. This painting seems like a flash back of his life, and these three questions lead us to comprehend him better. Gauguin left a lot of non-answered questions about this painting, considered as a testimony to his life by many critics of art. Indeed, this painting is very complex. I learned by reading my previous art book, that Gauguin wrote a letter to his friend stipulating the reasons of the painting. In this letter, Gauguin said that he had decided to commit suicide in December; therefore, he wanted to paint on a huge canvas all the things he had on his mind for so long. Things he absolutely wanted to paint before his death. In this letter, Gauguin also confessed that the value of this painting is so much ahead of his precedents, and that it was a one of a kind that he could not nor would not try to produce a better painting. This sentence clearly explains that he reached the height of his life, and that now he drew this painting, there was nothing else he could do better or similar except terminate his life. Gauguin was wondering a lot about the existence of the world, and this perpetual questioning led him to the entitlement of this painting. As I said earlier in my essay, each group of people appearing in this painting is applied to a specific question of the title. Those questions made me think about my own life. Indeed, the questions he used are somehow important to everyone to really understand the meaning of their lives. Berger said â€Å"The way we see things is affected by what we know or what we believe† (97). While looking at this painting, I could recognize some events of my life, for instance, I could recall where I am from and what are my origins, as well as how I did to accomplish such academic success and arrive in the United States. Furthermore, due to my art background, I could understand better the expression and feelings Gauguin was trying to deliver in this painting with his powerful colors and thick traits. Approaching art is not easy at first glance, thus approaching it with different methods makes it more difficult to understand. Throughout my life, I have been able to view art in many different context, either artistically speaking when I was in art classes in France, or analytically this year when I had to analyze art with the support of an art critic opinions. For me, both ways were complementary to each other and drastically improved my understanding of art. Complementary in the sense that I could rely on my technical knowledge of art to understand the structure of a painting, and also analyze the story of the painting as Berger mentioned to fully understand the underlying message of an artwork.

HR Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

HR - Essay Example An employee starts learning different skills required to perform the job. Employee development is a future oriented process. The main purposes of employee development include improving quality of the employees, retaining key employees, and incorporating technological advances. â€Å"An employee in need of career guidance can speak to the HR director of his or her company† (Jeffress, n.d.). Some of the most effective learning theories that HR planners use to improve employee learning include reinforcement theory, social learning theory, and goal theory. Some of the learning styles used in the process of learning include divergers, assimilators, convergers, and accommodators. Employees learn through observation, experience, and interactions. In employee development process, HR planners help employees identify their needs and development goals in order to make them initiate the development process. Gordon (2006) states, â€Å"Employee development programs are essential to improve morale as well as to motivate the employees to perform well†. Some of the methods used in the employee development process include assessment, formal education, job experiences, and interpersonal relationships. Structured development plan are very useful for employee development. â€Å"Structured development plans encourage greater understanding of the job role† (Nathoo, 2011). â€Å"Employee development programs are essential because they help create workplaces that promote excellence† (Ganapati, 2005). Employee learning and development are those processes, which make employees productive, skilled, and competent enough to carry out their job responsibilities in accordance with the strategic directions of the company that ultimately leads the company towards the achievement of competitive advantage in the

The Cost of Benefiting From Corporate Social Responsibility Essay

The Cost of Benefiting From Corporate Social Responsibility - Essay Example Because the field is a relatively new effort by business and the effects of their actions are so far reaching, it is necessary to quantify what benefits a company derives from CSR as well as demonstrate to the public the benefit that society gains from it. The cost of CSR, sometimes met with a negative response, needs to be examined with an understanding that the benefits in some cases may be mutual and what may be good for society may also be good for business. Measuring the benefit that CSR has to a company has been complicated by the reluctance of business to embrace the concept and provide reasonable reports and audits. A forthcoming report from St. Andrews University contends that less than 4% of the world's major corporations produce CSR reports, and the results have been characterised by Rob Gray, professor from St. Andrews, as, "at best useless and at worst highly misleading" (qtd. in Edwards, 2006). There are, however, some economic indicators that can be used when comparing companies that have a strong CSR reputation to those that do not. Profits, revenues, customer loyalty, market response, worker safety, and legal liabilities can be examined for the impact they have on a business. Societal benefits that arise from worker and product safety, a clean environment, and ethical practices are readily apparent. However, more intangible benefits may not be as readily quantified, but may be reflected in better company reputation, brand l oyalty, and public perception. When measuring CSR as an overall effect on a company, there is some correlation between good company citizenship and lower profitability. Indicators that can be measured indicate an overall negative effect on top CSR companies and their annual net income growth (Laffer, Coors, & Winegarden, 2004, pg. 5). It may be misleading to infer that market leaders also have the most ambitious CSR programs, for as Laffer, Coors, and Winegarden, 2004, conclude, "It is likely, therefore, that the businesses that are inclined to engage in CSR initiatives tend to be those that are already financially successful and that can afford the added CSR overhead" (pg. 6). Short-term benefits from CSR that are realised by society may take place at the expense of a company's core mission of generating profits. However, when CSR traits are examined on an individual basis, the results may reveal benefits for both the company and society. Worker safety is a paramount consideration for a company with strong CSR traits. The demand of a safe workplace is a mainstay of worker advocates and has, in many cases, been forced upon business through increased regulation. Workers have benefited greatly from these actions as the work environment continues to improve. But has business also reaped rewards from investments in safety Or has safety had a negative effect on profit Alcoa, the world's largest aluminium producer, made a strong commitment to safety in 1987. Since then its accident rate has fallen by 90% and is 10 times better than its industry peers (Jackson & Nelson, 2004). During this same period, Alcoa has been able to outpace the industry and its nearest competitor, Alcan, in both revenue and profitability. Safety contributes to profitability through a

Business Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility Case Study

Business Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility - Case Study Example One moral standard is core ethical values. The first component of core ethical values is trustworthiness. The recall and transparency in dealing with the crisis was effective in restoring the trust and confidence of consumers. The second component of core ethical values is responsibility. McCain took an important step in affirming that Maple Leaf was assuming full responsibility for the Listeria situation. The third component of core ethical values is caring. After realizing that Listeria had caused 21 deaths, Maple Leaf recalled its products. This is because the company did not want to be the cause of any more deaths in Canada. McCain said that if he had known in advance that Listeria in the meat products would cause 22 deaths, he would have taken all measures to save those lives. The fourth component of core ethical values is citizenship. As of 2009, Maple Leaf was following the new Listeria policy that was set up by the federal government. Because Listeria is ubiquitous in the env ironment, Maple Leaf has also taken measures to educate people about the fact that Listeria is resident in most processed foods, and as such it is important to boost one’s immune system as this is the basic way to fight the routine exposure to Listeria. The second moral standard is relativism. Maple Leaf failed to report that Listeria had been detected in their products as early as March 2007. This is because, unlike other meat processing plants, Maple Leaf felt confident because the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) kept approving their products. The spokeswoman for Maple Leaf, Linda Smith, felt confident that if the USDA did not sanction the company, then any Listeria that had been detected was manageable and there was no need to cause mass panic. The third moral standard is egoism. Instead of focusing on the 22 people who had died from Listeria and the numerous sick people who consumed Listeria-infected products, Maple Leaf was more

Macroeconomic Theory and Policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Macroeconomic Theory and Policy - Essay Example The neoclassical economies aim at creating long term solutions for the economic problems with effects of inflation and government regulation being critical, while for Keynesian economies, immediate results form a major platform where the policies focus on short term goals(Evans & Seppo 2007, p. 89). This was a system that established rules for financial and commercial relations in mid 20th century among the major industrial states worldwide. This led to establishment of International Bank of Reconstruction and Development and the International Monetary Fund. The major features of the Bretton Woods System were obligation of every country to establish a monetary policy which maintained an exchange rate of its currency to US dollar as well as ability of IMF in bridging the temporary payment imbalances in terms of gold (Evans & Seppo 2007, p. 89). Stagflation in economics describes the situation when the rate of inflation is high leading to slow rates of economic growth and high rates of unemployment. This results when economy is stagnant increasing the rates of inflation. The situation raises economic policy dilemma as a result of exacerbation of unemployment by decreasing the rates of inflation. In version of the Keynesian macroeconomic theory dominant during the late 1970s and at the end of World War II, recession and inflation were regarded to be mutually exclusive with relationship between them described by Phillips curve. Kaldor proposed an international buffer stocks system meant to raise the prices for commodities after they become too low in order to help the developing incomes from producing and developing nations after the prices raise too high (Evans & Seppo 2007, p. 89). European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) was introduced in 1979 in UK by European Community with the aim of reducing the variability and achieving monetary stability in preparation for the Economic and Monetary Union. UK joined ERM with the aim of improving its stability in

Policy, Power and Politics in Health Care Essay

Policy, Power and Politics in Health Care - Essay Example People are presently refusing the vaccine which is necessary in preventing a large outbreak and it will need to be made mandatory. There are also specific things such as wearing a mask in caring for all patients that will need to be done to protect our healthcare workers. This new policy will need to occur immediately in order to protect the greatest number of people. The World Health Organization reports that 414 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2012, (fluthreat) including over 177,798 deaths. The global total number of fatalities has increased by 2047 since the previous update just one month ago. This is a increasingly virulent outbreak of a mutated virus. There are also more outbreaks of SARS and Avian influenza (health.gov) Together there have been over one million deaths. Many experts are tying the increasing numbers of outbreaks to the increasing amount of heat in the summer with the last four years being the hottest summers on record and the expectation that with global warming there will continue to be an increase. H1N1 is pandemic in Asia, Europe, The Americas, Africa, and the South Pacific and there have been reports of small outbreaks in all other countries (WHO). H5N1 or Bird Flu started by affecting birds and being transmitted between birds. In the past it affected mostly water birds and domestic birds such as chickens. In the beginning, almost all human cases were from exposure to domestic birds being raised by those people but there are now reports of this virus being transmitted between humans (Poutanen, Low, & Henry, 2003). It is expected that this will be a new human influenza pandemic this fall. SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME (SARS) is a global (Cameron, Rainer, & Smit, 2003).phenomenon that is getting worse fast. It is

Using Demand Management Policies to Promote Economic Growth in the UK Essay

Using Demand Management Policies to Promote Economic Growth in the UK - Essay Example Economic growth can be defined as a measure of a rise in the Growth Domestic Product (GDP). It is for this reason that we determine whether a country is undergoing inflation or growth and the cost of living of a particular country. To better understand the definition, the term GDP should be made clear. The latter gives a sum total of the production of a given country for the year in question. The total sum comes from adding the government, business and citizen’s expenditure and deducting it from all exports of the country (McCombie and Anthony 43). This will give a general idea of how the market is performing against other international trading markets. The current economic level as explained earlier can be attributed to a number of factors. One of them is that the government has been against the policy of owning property by the public and has also declined the expansion of welfare programs for the public. Nevertheless, the country has an enviable service industry with proper and modern facilities in place. These facilities can be traced to the banking sector, insurance and other business entities that have sky-rocketed the economic growth. Ironically, industries are not in the limelight anymore. As for the forecast economic growth, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has much to say about the future of the United Kingdom. They report that the world is undergoing a recovery phase, but certain factors will inhibit this progression. High risks with no guaranteed returns continue to challenge investors, which can diminish growth; added that the financial aspect and business opportunities are low. Mr. Daniel Tarling-Hunter, an economist explains why the economy may be falling apart (Thompsons 22). The three reasons that he puts forth are linked to an increase in the rates of unemployment, adding that there is increasing inflation in the region leading to people’s distrust in the government. He adds that this may change in the middle months of 2012 d ue to hosting of the Olympic Games and an overall decrease in inflation. The economic policies of the UK gear towards a decrease in the manufacturing and production industries. This has caused a stir among the renowned economists of the country. The government has been instrumental in providing policies aimed at enhancing even and proper financial growth all over the country. For instance, it has tried to promote business and its prospects in a view to increase employment in the region. There have been four policies instigated to help economic growth. One of them is the fiscal policy targeting the finance sector which has been out of hand since the public is borrowing large sums of money to pay expensive mortgage thus enhancing debt. The monetary policy will aid in ensuring regulation of prices for greater stability in the trade market while the microeconomic policies will target at drawing the country into a better stand in the world economy by looking into issues of taxation syste m and business system. Increased government spending refers to the act of the government to influence the economic setup of a country by acquiring more goods and services than it had previously allocated in its national budget. There is an overall rise in the total demand of the country during such periods. It is part of the fiscal policy by the government to control spending in the country. It could have a positive or a slowed impact on the country’s economic prospect. When there is less spending by the government, the rate of GDP goes under since it