Knowing what's happening now in Palestine, this song is even more emotional and jarring to hear. And knowing that it was sung in 2009? I had no idea how long this conflict had been enduring and this song really brings out the heartache that the conflict brings. It's also portrays how both sides are suffering and humanizes everyone - something that is really missing in common discourse today and social media where you often see people villainizing one side or the other.

This concept of "access" is a great way to analyzed the public art we documented! Public art is unique in the way it travels to its audience - it happens in day to day occurrences. People of all kinds passing by may access it by chance. It can communicate the culture of a neighborhood by its public location.

I think something that's unique about the ambiguity of art is that it isn't an outright message. Sometimes when a message is outright it gets suppressed and censored. But art can pass by unseen and be interpreted and felt and communicate the message at heart.

This description makes me think of an artist I was once inspired by named Ai Wei Wei. He's a Chinese artist and activist that creates critical art that comments on China's democracy and human rights.

I love this conceptualization that power is the control of information. While information is commonly seen as related to education and work, art is a form of "communication" and therefore art can pass on information as well, but in a more emotional or subversive way than our official education system or corporate systems.

Per my question earlier "why is it a big deal" I think this point connects it together. Selfies are changing photography as a art from being a way to preserve memories to a way to communicate with others.

Why is it a big deal? I'm curious how the author will develop their comparison, since in a way I don't view "selfies" as an "art" like expressionism or portraiture were genres of art.

I agree on this point. Selfies are shared via a different platform that old portraiture. It's shared online, oftentimes to 1000+ people, and most of them you don't really know. They are an expression of who someone is and subconciously involves building quite an intentional image of themselves.

Seems like the author is comparing the painting of a portrait (takes time) to a smartphone (instant self-portrait)

The term "selfie" started trending around 2012-2013. If I remember this is when facebook and instagram really started booming.

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Selfie definition & meaning. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selfie