Sandy Hook Elementary School Tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut

(Photo from Google Images)



May the Perpetual Light Shine upon Them. 

On Friday morning, December 14, 2012, as I sat at my desk, grading final papers, I encountered some strange occurrences on campus and eventually received word of a shooting in a town nearby. The first news indicated that there were multiple shooters and one or more were unaccounted for. Overhead, helicopters circled the university as ambulances stormed down the street to Danbury Hospital, located two blocks away from my office.

By day's end, this entire area was in mourning, for the beautiful town of Newtown was now in the history books, not as the idyllic southern New England town we all love and cherish around here, but in the same league with Aurora and Columbine, Colorado and scores of other towns over which this cloud of horror has shrouded. As the names became revealed to us, many persons in the area had some connection with the, school, the victims or their families. We were all in mourning in the Newtown-Danbury area, once given the title as the 'Safest town in the State.'

No further words will come to me. Please pray for peace, understanding, and the power of love this holiday season.

Blessings,
Jeanne Iris

Charles Schulz's 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' and Iconic Realism

Click HERE to view a scene from the show.

Photo from Google Images of Charles Schulz's 

A Charlie Brown Christmas

A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles Schulz illustrates iconic realism in that Schulz creates a film with  children, iconic representatives of the Christmas season. These children, however, are independent of adult supervision as they prepare a presentation of the meaning of Christmas for an iconic Holiday performance. 

Through his humble choice of a Christmas tree, the character, Charlie Brown, demonstrates the seasonal message of hope and love while the other children learn that through collaboration they, too, are able to understand the profound seasonal message of tolerance and good will as they create a delightful celebration of Christmas.

May you all be blessed with a lovely Holiday season!

Saint Nicholas and Iconic Realism

The Charity of Saint Nicholas 

by Girolamo Macchietti, c. 1580

Saint Nicholas ia an obscure individual, but the man that many Christians honor on December 6 was most likely the Bishop of Myra during Constantine the Great's era in the 4th century A.D.  It has been said that he performed various miracles in regard to saving children from the harsh realities of that time. Eventually, he was honored in Holland, where he was known as Sinterklaas and on to the American colonies, New Amsterdam particularly. New Amsterdam would become New York City. 

Now, how does this saintly man illustrate my semiotic theory of iconic realism? 

1. He is a realistic, iconic figure. 

2. His legend presents him as one who was able to perform miracles, placing him in iconic, realistic settings, not associated with those in power at that time. 

3. Even though he had certain administrative powers within Church Law, he chose to help innocent, less fortunate children in order to transform people's hearts and bring them closer to the Mind of God. 

A Christmas Savor

Holy Family by Rembrandt, 1640.  

Oil on wood. Musee du Louvre, Paris 

I wrote this poem after hearing a conversation in the grocery store about how many bottles of cloves a woman needed for her hot mulled wine. She thought 4 bottles would do. I thought to myself, "Good gracious, woman! How much mulled wine will you be serving at this party?"

Iconic Realism: God's Son, King of the Universe, born in a humble stable, nurses on His holy Mother, Mary as any baby does with his mother. Cultural dilemma highlighted: Through humility, we learn the power of God.  

Then, I pondered about the true meaning of celebrating Christmas, drinking today versus then, arrogance versus humility, and this poem arrived: 

A Christmas Savor

What shall I drink? Egg nog or grog?

What did the Holy Family drink

on that holiest of nights?

Did Mary lean over to Joseph

after giving birth to Jesus and say,

“Joseph, be a dear and pour me 

another glass of Chardonnay?”

To which Joseph replied,

“Mary Darling, all we have is 

a little mulled wine left over

from the party the other day.”

Or…

Did a father, proud

after such a long trip

offer his lovely bride a sip

of water to give her joy

upon delivering this

beautiful, healthy boy?

Did the baby cry

in a humble home

and looking to his mum,

so beautiful and warm,

snuggle up to 

her swollen breast

and savor sweet milk

from the Mother Blessed?

© Jeanne I. Lakatos

Happy Thanksgiving! (Click the photo below to hear some lovely Thanksgiving Hymns.)

Photo from Google Images

As Thanksgiving Day draws near, and we Americans reflect upon the many blessings in our lives, I extend my sincere thanks to all of you ladies and gentlemen who have visited this blog. Your kind words and gentle spirits have meant the world to me. 

God bless! ~ Dr. Jeanne Iris

"Rudy" of the Univ. of Notre Dame football team and Iconic Realism

Daniel E. Ruettiger, "Rudy" of the 1975 Notre Dame football team (Google Images) 

                                                 

'Rudy' portrayed by Sean Astin in the film (Google Images)

In the film, Rudy, Daniel E. Ruettiger's dream of becoming a member of the iconic Notre Dame football team illustrates iconic realism in that this student, a most iconic, unlikely candidate for achievement at the prestigious University of Notre Dame, placed himself in such a candidacy through his perseverance. This action led to successful achievement of his personal goals. Rudy wasn't the highest achieving student, so no one in his family thought he could achieve this goal of attending the Univ. of Notre Dame, let alone play on the football team, but he was determined, and that determination was an inspiration. The film, portraying his struggle to achieve his goals, has become an American classic, illustrating the cultural belief that a stalwart commitment to a positive dream can contribute to its becoming a reality. 

Humbly, I am thankful to the University of Notre Dame for housing my book in their library. 

You can hear me explain this analysis on my Podomatic page by clicking HERE. 

Frank Capra's 'It's a Wonderful Life' and Iconic Realism (Click this title to view bar scene from the film.)

Photo from Google Images: bar scene from film, It's a Wonderful Life

The 1946 film, It's a Wonderful Life, produced and directed by Frank Capra, illustrates iconic realism through the character of Clarence the angel. Here, an icon of virtue takes the good-hearted man, George Bailey, by the hand to show him the positive impact he has made on the consciousness of his hometown. 

This juxtaposition of the wealth in righteousness versus the poverty of the inane demonstrates how one individual's benevolent acts can positively affect the lives and ultimately the culture of a community. 

Sándor Liezen-Mayer's Painting, "St. Elisabeth of Hungary" and Iconic Realism

Sándor Liezen-Mayer Saint Elisabeth of Hungary

Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest

During the Christmas season, we see paintings depicting the birth of Jesus. As a woman of Hungarian ancestry (Lakatos is Hungarian for 'locksmith'), I was intrigued by this beautiful painting of St. Elisabeth of Hungary by Sandor Liezen-Mayer. Here, we see a Madonna-like figure and her infant child in a lowly state with Elisabeth extending her royal cloak to them.

An example of iconic realism, this painting illustrates the humility of the origins of Christian precepts and the balance of power when this humility extends from all levels of society. Liezen-Mayer does this through the variation of color, shading, and interaction between the architecture and human figures. Tragically widowed at the age of 20, Szent Erzsébet devoted her short life to charitable works in Germany and Europe. She died in 1231, at the age of 24. Her feast day is November 17. 

Kevin Smith's Film, "Dogma" and Iconic Realism

Photo from Google Images

Kevin Smith's 1999 film, Dogma, demonstrates the application of the theory of iconic realism to a film. Throughout this film, Smith challenges consciousness associated with dogmatic points of view by placing realistic depictions of Biblical iconic characters in settings unusual for these characters. He vacillates between humor and poignancy to elucidate for his audience an awareness of the difference between one's following a religious dogma and action associated with true faith.

Thank you, Veterans! 

From Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, United States Marine Corps: 

It is the soldier, not the reporter,

who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet,

who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,

who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier, not the lawyer,

who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the soldier,

who salutes the flag,

who serves under the flag,

and whose coffin is draped by the flag,

who allows the protester to burn the flag..

Semiotic Theory of Iconic Realism: Definition and Illustration of Jesus the Christ

Below is my theory of iconic realism. 

I will bring it up to the front page periodically for reference purposes. 

Realism comprises authentic and independent aspects of the natural world, which individuals comprehend through sensory perception. The term icon describes a realistic person or realistic object, categorically perceived by a population as representative of a specific human activity or an object that bears significance to human activity. Iconic realism, then, involves the placement of an icon within the midst of a unique realistic setting, out of place for this particular icon, creating a static coalescence of the icon with the designated realism. Since both the icon and the realistic setting represent an aspect of the culture, the resulting dissonance between these two entities is the catalyst that generates enlightenment of a cultural dilemma.

An example of iconic realism would be as follows:

An artist places an image of Jesus the Christ, or a representation of this icon of the Christian Faith in the midst of a shopping mall on a Sunday afternoon, an aspect of the real world. The placement of Jesus in this setting would generate enlightenment of a cultural dilemma, reviving a new consciousness that exists within the public's cognitive dissonance of Christianity and a secular activity (shopping in the mall) that focuses on the reality of materialism, which becomes prevalent during this particular time in historically busy holiday season. 

Touchdown Jesus 

@ University of Notre Dame, Indiana, U.S.A.

Walt Disney's 'Fantasia,' All Hallows Eve, and Iconic Realism

When the Walt Disney studios created the classic film, Fantasia, I wonder if they knew that future generations would be able to view their artistry via the technology of today. This scene directly follows "Night on Bald Mountain" where satanic forces pervade this same space. In the "Ave Maria" segment, the Disney artists have drawn realistic scenes of a pre-dawn woodland. The fervor of the night transforms into a peaceful daylight, conveyed through Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria" and a silent parade of 'saintly' images carrying torches. The placement of these individuals passing through this fertile woodland illustrates that humanity finds enlightened strength in an inner peace.

 Click here to view video of Disney's 'Ave Maria' from "Fantasia"

(Photo from Disney film, Fantasia, Google Images)

Click here to view Disney's "Fantasia" Final Chapter, Part 2 (Night on Bald Mountain) 

Political Media Campaigns and Iconic Realism

As the United States Presidential 2024 election draws near, I see an even greater increase in the use of iconic realism among many of the political candidates' ads. Making sure a photo opportunity occurs in an iconic venue, be it a local diner, children's playground, senior citizen home, hospital, battle ground or board room, the television ads present these individuals as earnestly engaging in some form of community involvement to illustrate the need for cultural reform.

In contrast, campaign mud-slinging by both candidates perpetuates confusion in the public mind-set when it would help a candidate to demonstrate respectful dialogue to provide the public with appropriate incentive to vote for one candidate over the other.

Personally, I would prefer to view the type of campaign ad that uses a positive form of iconic realism, which demonstrates that a candidate may actually have an innovative thought for positive action, presented in a creative and intelligent manner.

St. Basil's Cathedral and Iconic Realism

Photo from Google Images

The Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat, commonly known as St. Basil's Cathedral, Moscow, could be an example of iconic realism in two ways:

St. Basil was a man of humble eloquence, a true scholar who lived in Cappadocia during the 4th century. This cathedral, now a museum, is located in an area of the world in which many communist leaders have disregarded the human right of freedom of expression, yet it bears the namesake of one who dedicated his life to these rights, and thus, illustrates iconic realism. This iconic cathedral, a major landmark of Moscow, brings an awareness of the cultural need for individual expression, spiritual enlightenment, and freedom to pursue scholarly endeavors.

Moreover, this cathedral was constructed by supporters of Ivan the Terrible to commemorate his military victories. A towering cathedral of delicate design with vibrant colors in fanciful appearance, constructed to honor a man of war, this dichotomy demonstrates the semiotic theory of iconic realism in that the juxtaposition causes generations to re-evaluate the negative repercussions associated with warring factions. 

Feeling and Realism in Artistic Expression (Click here to view an example of art and reality.)

Bill Shannon's 'Crutch[es]'

photo from Duck Duck Go Images from kqed.org

 

Artistic choice enables the audience to experience an historical and emotional bond with the artist. For example, if pleasure and pain are derived through the senses, then the realism with which an artist chooses to place an iconic representation will provide the audience and the artist certain sensory stimuli to which the audience responds through the experience of consciously receiving the artistic renderings (Lakatos 39). One connects with artistic expression by responding to the extension of the artist. Thus, the artist and the audience become collaborators in their interpretation of the presented work of art.

In the example of Bill Shannon's "Crutch", he explains the varying responsive communication between artist and audience. He demonstrates iconic realism in the following manner. He uses a crutch, an icon for limitation, and turns it into a vehicle of mastery, leverage, competence, and capability. Brilliant!

Pentagon 9/11 Memorial and Iconic Realism

(Photo from Washingtonpost.com)

I post this every year on 9/11, and will continue to bring it back on the anniversary of that horrific day. No, we will never forget:

The memorial in Washington, D.C. for the Pentagon victims of 9/11 as an abstract object represents each person who died at this location in the terrorist act that day.  The designers, Julie Beckman and Keith Kaseman, have created the memorial with objects, which appear on the lawn as granite benches, which one would normally associate with comfort and relaxation. They also have the appearance of airplane wings, jetting out of the ground. However, the one hundred eighty-four objects, juxtaposed to the lawn outside the Pentagon serves as a reminder of the great loss of life that day. The dedication of this memorial states:

The Pentagon Memorial contains 184 memorial units, each of which is dedicated to an individual victim by its unique placement within the collective field. The field is organized as a timeline of the victims' ages, moving from the youngest, three-year-old Dana Falkenberg to the oldest, John D. Yamnicky, 71.

Each memorial unit is specifically positioned in order to distinguish victims on board American Airlines Flight 77 from victims within the Pentagon. The memorial units representing the 59 lives lost on American Airlines Flight 77 are positioned so that a visitor to the park will face the sky when reading the name of the victim to whom that unit is dedicated. When standing at a memorial unit dedicated to a victim who was inside the Pentagon, the visitor sees the victim's name and the Pentagon in the same view. The simple but elegant memorial units are at once a glowing light pool, a cantilevered bench and a place for permanent inscription of each victim's name.

Through each season, the maple trees' beauty will contribute to the park's atmosphere of peace and remembrance, enhancing each visitor's personal experience of the memorial. (from the Pentagon Memorial website) [1]

The iconic realism of this memorial provides the visitor to this site an opportunity to reflect on the magnitude that this event has had on the culture of the United States of America and the world, in general.

---

[1] Pentagon September 11 Memorial. 2008. http://www.defenselink.mil/home/features/2008/0708_memorial/memorial.html

Gary Russo, NYC Construction Worker, and Iconic Realism (Click this title to view Mr. Russo singing.)

photo from Google Images

Those who visit any major construction site in Manhattan instantly become aware of the resilience that is needed to persevere in rebuilding an area of the world with millions of eyes attending to every detail. Cameras installed at the Ground Zero construction site monitor every movement of the rebuilding process there. These multi-sensory experiences in lower Manhattan: the cacophony from construction crews, visual monitors, and the many artistic renderings of the human reaction to the process of rebuilding, all create a living example of the semiotic theory of iconic realism.

In particular, one construction worker at the 2^nd Avenue subway site demonstrates this theory. His name is Gary Russo, and he has made it his mission to bring awareness of the beauty of music right in the midst of the barrage of sound associated with the machines involved in this subway reconstruction. Passersby experience his crooning with recorded big band musical accompaniment, and soon their sensory bombardment is melodically soothed with the songs of the musical icon, Frank Sinatra.  

       Iconic representation of art within any community develops from that community’s awareness of the connection between artist endeavor and human awareness. When the community understands that each artist is contributing to the possible transformation of consciousness, fresh ideas offer the possibility for growth in the potential for change. Thank you, Gary Russo!

September 8: The Nativity of The Blessed Virgin Mary

The Nativity of The Virgin,  c.1400-1405, painting by Andrea di Bartolo

housed at the National Museum of Art

I was searching for a painting to honor the Nativity of the Blessed Mother, Sept. 8. Looking through a number of gorgeous paintings, I decided on the one above because it was intriguing to me, and I liked the color and movement within it. I posted it on Facebook, and someone asked if it were an example of iconic realism. After studying it carefully, reviewing the various symbols of art during the early 15th century, i came up with the following information and conclusion: 

Color usage in paintings: 

Red: passion, power, and nobility, often associated with the Catholic Church. 

Blue: The Virgin Mary, purity, piety, and wisdom

Green: youth, fertility, and nature

Yellow: the sun (divine), commonly used in textiles of the Middle Ages.

Black: the color of mourning.

Joachim sits outside the main event with another man, completely overwhelmed. 

All women are inside with Mary as the focal point. 

Anne recovers from the birthing process on the bed, is served water, poured from pitcher, as in the Mass (washing of the hands). Woman pouring water is wearing black (foreshadowing Christ’s death, perhaps?)

Two women one in yellow (Divinity?), one in pink, a young noblewoman, play with a strong infant Mary, who already can stand on her own two feet after having just been born. 

Another woman in blue enters with bread and body of dead chicken to sustain Anne (another foreshadowing perhaps of the Bread of Life?)

Overhead, red molding extends throughout the entire scene and red curtain, power oversees the event, and possibly foreshadowing Christ’s death. Since it also delineates three distinct rooms, the molding could symbolize the Great Schism of the Catholic Church (1378-1417)

At the highest point, one sees the heavenly firmament: Divinity in charge of all. 

Now, to answer the question: 

Is it iconic realism? Yes, we have little, infant Mary, in the center of this wealthy family into which she was born, displaying internal and physical strength at birth, who will eventually give birth to Jesus the Christ, who gave up all of His possessions and life for humanity. This juxtaposition illustrates the importance of the human need to transform greed and abundance to humility and compassion. 

Thank you, Charles, for helping me to realize this example of iconic realism.

References: 

https://www.britannica.com/event/Western-Schism

https://knightstemplar.co/unraveling-medieval-times-colors-and-their-significance/