Presentation by Kevin Tavin

Kevin's speech caused me to deeply contemplate "What kind of visualizing do we engage in private or public, and what even constitutes as public or private? What do we share? How does our behavior change in an audience versus one-on-one, or with a new person behind closed doors? What type of opinions, information, and reactions do we engage in publicly?"

Anti-terrorism efforts such as TIPS: Marine Watch, Highway Watch, and Block Watch.  These initiatives must have been the lesser-known news during the time of Bush's presidency. They recruited members of the public sphere, such as USPS mailmen, to become informants for anti-terrorism. 

Another piece of lesser-known news was the UN's cover-up of Picasso's Guernica for Colin Powell's address. Neither the United Nations nor our own country would agree to make visible an protest painting that inspired many to seek peace over war for years. It was seen as "too sensitive" while our Defense officials discussed plans of invading Iraq. 

Another notable observation of the news-media complex made by Tavin was the publishing of two articles from major news networks that racially profiled the victims of Hurricane Katrina.  I think the presence of deeply ingrained racial inequalities is what's driving this one. 
The role of an educator of visual culture is to shape by way of critical thinking and response, rather than sensationalism or fear.  The student, in American culture, is exposed to very graphic media in many channels, and while the art teacher can open the lens for that student to respond to media for the benefit of others.  

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