Cultural Revolution

The original image speaks by itself. Two men, who I imagine as associated with a local government or as members of an urban planning company are discussing future urbanization plans for that given community in front of a map. Abandoned buildings and blighted infrastructures have always been part of the scenario where I grew up, in downtown Madrid. Personally, I see those urban spaces, invisibles for some members of the community, as great opportunities for creative discussions with members of the community about our loss of connection with natural life. Also, that discussions can generate concrete purposes for creating social public spaces that address the needs of a particular community. This dialogue can start with the following questions: How can infertile and desolated landscapes become a more amiable place that restores an ecological equilibrium? What are the connections between the fabric of our urban life and natural landscapes?

My transformation of the original picture wants to make visible the lack of participation of community members in urbanization planning. Therefore, I explored the disconnection between the real necessities and struggles of residents with the future of the public spaces that are supposed to acknowledge the needs of communities. I reflected with my collage the underestimated potential on members of the community in making concrete and positive contributions to their surroundings. This imaginary community has transformed the blighted buildings into a vertical garden and has considered the need of the community to be able to see the sky while traveling from place to place.

By Violeta

Original Image Citation: no photographer / artist given. National Geographic Magazine. Volume 158, Nº4, October 1980, pg. 497.

Nothing is Safe

Original image citation: Jenkins, David. Time. December 30, 2013.

Remixed by Rebecca Hsieh

The original image depicts a shark hunting a seal. Even though sharks are seen as predators, they are also prey. Over 100 million sharks are slaughtered every year by humans even though only about 12 people a year are killed by sharks. Sharks are killed for food, jewelry, skin care products, and even for sport. One large issue is shark hunting for their fins where fishermen will catch sharks, slice off their fins whether the sharks are alive or not, and then throw them back in the ocean leaving them susceptible to attacks by other predators. Unfortunately, my culture highly prizes shark fin as a means to show off wealth and I, myself have had shark fin soup. It is hard to change a materialistic, selfish way of living but we can start by building awareness. There are 18 different species of sharks that are on the endangered species list. They are crucial in maintaining the eco-system by keeping other populations in check. Due to their menacing appearance, people are not as willing to help protect sharks when sharks deserve it. Sharks take about 15 years to mature and do not lay eggs so the population of sharks have already suffered a great decline due to all the shark hunting activities.