Lorna Simpson: Manipulation of Spectatorship

Lorna Simpson is a highly recognized African-American artist who has expressed her creativity and skill through photography, and more recently, movies. She did her graduation in the School of Visual Arts in New York and her post graduation at the University of California in San Diego (ArtFacts.net, 2007). Her work is somewhat abstract and has a very subtle meaning. She usually uses literary elements such as metaphor, biography, portraiture and narrative fin her work. Many of her works deal with concepts of ‘blackness’ and ‘feminism’ (Armendi, 2001). Lorna Simpson became popular in the mid-1980s with her large scale black and white photographic works of art that combined photo and text in a novel manner. What is most characteristic about her work is that she always makes the spectator think, self-reflect, and finally arrive at the meaning of the work. This gives the viewer the thrill of having solved a puzzle. In the words of Marianne Kurylo-Litvak, â€Å"Simpson manipulates spectatorship by utilizing the Brechtian method of distanciation that relies on audience participation through speculative detachment†. (Kurylo-Litvak, 1998) General Style: Laura Simpson uses a technique commonly known as photo text, which combines figurative or nonfigurative photos and text. Usually, in the works of Lorna Simpson, the figures have their backs turned towards the viewer. Even when it is not so, they do not make eye contact with the viewer. Her female figures are simply dressed and do not follow evoke any open feelings as most figures in photography do.   But the author in a manipulative manner uses these obscure figures as a screen to portray the discrimination in our society of the black woman. She presents them with a sort of curious detachment that can be seen in investigative films. Sometimes, she uses pieces of texts along with the mural-size huge black and white images that give only partial meaning to her work. The rest of the meaning has to be pieced together by the thinking viewer. More recently, in her work that is being exhibited at Sean Kelly, one finds that Simpson has also given up the use of the human figure. Instead, she presents empty, urban and natural settings. The emptiness of these works seems to express human loss and desire in a very effective and powerful manner (Heartney, 1995). One finds that most of the works of Lorna Simpson focus on sadness. The texts seem to talk about the emptiness and loneliness in urban life. The totally unknown places in the photographs seem to symbolize the emptiness of relationshions in urban settings. The lack of color and polish in the black and white photographs creates a sense of mystery and helps to dig out faded memories within the viewer. Simpson often removes the background or the faces of her subjects so that she can remove any kind of identity to the image (Morgan, 1990). The power of the artist in bending the viewer to her angle is clear in the way she uses the black female body in her works. There is nothing much revealed about the model in the photographs. Even faces are hidden and this underlines in a subtle manner, the way black women have been seen across the ages – as de-faced bodies. Again, Simpson uses fragmented bodies to indicate vulnerability and domination. The viewer can see only some part of the body such as the back of the head,   or back of the body or an arm or a knee. This shows that the black women has never been fully portrayed to the extend that a viewer can understand her (Lorna Simpson for the sake of the viewer). Analysis of Specific Works: There is â€Å"The Car† showing a narrow street that is stretching beyond and arch-covered pathway. Somehow the included text makes it clear to the viewer that the narrator must be sitting within the auto that is parked clearnly in the foreground. The words â€Å"small cramped room within a room† together with other text suggests that maybe these random thoughts are coming to the author just before sex in the car (Heartney, 1995). There is   a series of black-and-white photographs titled â€Å"9 Props,† each of which focuses on a single object in an empty room – a solitary vase, cup or goblet. The text in each photograph refers to figures that are missing around these solitary objects. This allows the reader to understand that these images refer to earlier photographs by James Van Der Zee. Simpson, in a very fine and yet powerful manner indicates that the black middle class continues to be invisible. Lorna Simpson's photograph Waterbearer was reproduced in 1987.   A black woman with shabby hair is seen fro the back, pouring water from a jug and a plastic bottle, one in each hand. The text included in the photograph says: â€Å"She saw him disappear by the river They asked her to tell what happened Only to discount her memory†. While the figure of the woman is calm and lacks emotion, the language shows the emotional disturbance that this woman may be carrying. Here, Lorna Simpson allows the reader to consider the history of the black people and how the history can reveal subconsciously hidden memories. (Hooks, 1993). In 1989 Lorna Simpson made Guarded Conditions. It depicts a   braided black woman in working shoes. She is shown in three images with minor changes in her body position. This is then repeated in a serial manner. The work seems to indicate the model’s changing notions of her own identity (Marshall, 1989). The position of the feet and hair are slightly rearranged in these images and in the middle row of photographs, the right hand alternately embraces, then caresses the left arm. Along with the photo, there is a rhythm of the words â€Å"sex attacks skin attacks,† which titles the prints. Guarded Conditions has been intellectually interpreted by various artists (Copeland, 2005). In a December 1989 review, an art critic found a link between a newspaper article reporting the brutal beating and rape of a black woman by two white securing guards and the work â€Å"Guarded Conditions†. Three years later, a curator wrote that this picture portrays â€Å"a double-sided metonym of racial sufferance†(Copeland, 2005). In his view, the isolated body of the woman invokes â€Å"slave auctions, hospital examination rooms, and criminal line-ups,† while the duplication â€Å"of the turned-back figures †¦ calls up images of those women who stand guard against the evils of the world on the steps of black fundamentalist churches on Sunday mornings† (Copeland, 2005) Stack of Diaries, 1993, portrays a black and white photo of a stack of diary books; in the foreground tehre is a multileveled metal stand that holds stacked glass panels, with black-lettered text-fragments rendered in subtly distinct styles (bold script, italics, etc.) pressed into the glass. The different styles seem to imply the presence of different voices. The viewer is encouraged through these phrases to explore why the writer of the diaries has so much confusion in identities. In Twenty Questions   (A Sampler), Simpson shows a woman's back, her features hidden and masked by a lush har that is long enough to cover her neck revealing only the vulnerable shoulders and the upper back which is covered by a simple calico chemise. The questions included in the photo are: â€Å"Is she pretty as a picture† â€Å"Or clear as crystal† :Or pure as a lily† â€Å"Or Black as coal† â€Å"Or sharp as a razor†. Though the subject does not face the viewer, the viewer is forced to look at her judgmentally and the text is specifically aimed at encouraging the viewer to dig up recorded history and   past experiences in his brain to come up with an answer (Lorna Simpson by Okwui). Conclusion: Overall,   one finds that Simpson’s photo-text constructions are like puzzles inviting interested viewers to solve. There are clues provided by the text. Maybe the author was stifled in trying to express the subtle thoughts through text form. By including both picture and text in the imagery, Lorna Simpson grasps the viewers attention for a while, allows him to reflect on all possible meanings in the context of history and contemporary society and give unique interpretations that might also be based on his own personal experience. Her new works attract the viewer to dig out meanings that are hidden between symbolic pictures and fragments of text. Some people may accuse the author of allowing too much freedom to the viewer in interpretation. However, it cannot be denied that her works invite the viewer to examine closely, think deeply and finally give directions to arrive at conclusions that orient the viewer towards her own opinion. This is the effective manipulation of spectatorship as found in Lorna Simpson’s work of art Bibliography: Online Sources: Marshall, Peter (2007). More Work and Selected Links† ‘Guarded Conditions' (1989). http://photography.about.com/cs/photographersaz/a/aa021604_2.htm ArtFacts.net (2007). Lorna Simpson.http://www.artfacts.net/index.php/pageType/artistInfo/artist/2932 Print Journals: Copeland, Huey (2005). â€Å"Bye, Bye Black Girl†: Lorna Simpson's figurative retreat. Art Journal, Summer, 2005. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0425/is_2_64/ai_n15338133 Heartney, Eleanor (1995). Figuring absence – Lorna Simpson, photography, Sean Kelly gallery, New York, New York. Art in America, December 1995. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1248/is_n12_v83/ai_17860708 Marianne Kurylo-Litvak, The Art of Lorna Simpson: Challenging Preconceived Notions with Invisibility Imagery, thesis, Queens College, City University, 1998, 17. Decter, Joshua (1994). Lorna Simpson – Josh Baer Gallery, New York, New York. ArtForum, January 1994. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0268/is_n5_v32/ai_15143646 Hooks, Bell (1993).Lorna Simpson: Waterbearer – photograph. ArtForum. September 1993. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0268/is_n1_v32/ai_14580117 Morgan, Joan (1990). Lorna Simpson: words of art – photographer uses technique known as photo text. Essence, December 1990. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1264/is_n8_v21/ai_9132098 Books: Smith, Roberta (1990). Review/Art; Linking Words and Images Explosively. The New York Times. July 20, 1990. Armendi, De Nicole (2001). Lorna Simpson’s Public Sex Series: The Voyeuristic Presence and the Embodied Figure’s Absence. ATHANOR XIX. Rivelli’s Books. http://www.fsu.edu/~arh/events/athanor/athxix/AthanorXIX_armendi.pdf Lorna simpson by okwui Lorna simpson by for the sake of the viewer. Files used: Simpson-resourcepacket (Lorna Simpson by okwui) AthenorXIX_armendi Art_Journal_Summer_2005 Lorna Simpson for the sake of the viewer ;

Chipotle Grill Case Study Essay

What does a SWOT analysis reveal about the attractiveness of Chipotle Mexican Grill’s situation and future prospects? There are a lot of things about Chipotle that have kept them successful in previous years. Opportunities and strengths depict that presently the company has a strong and positive image in its established markets which is mainly in the U.S., U.K. and Canada. Strong brand recognition drives the company. Customer loyalty allows a long-term positive impact to Chipotle, which enhances company value. Targeting a group who is health conscious, environment friendly and loves Mexican fast food keeps Chipotle on the forefront of success. Chipotle has an extensive line of nutritionally balanced menu items derived from both organic and naturally raised ingredients. This idea led to the concept of â€Å"Food with Integrity† (Gamble, Thompson, Jr., & Peteraf, 2015, p. 303). Chipotle’s reputation encases ethical and charitable standards along with healthy choice s for the consumer. Chipotle is â€Å"company-owned†, not a franchise so maintaining integrity is easier. Customers may choose to dine-in, take-out, and even order online to pick-up in the restaurant. These options have strengthened the company by offering convenience and availability to the customer. The brand also has a bright future in the untapped regions and with ample scope of introducing new food items in its menu. The creator of Chipotle came up with five core elements in which to base the strategy of the establishment: †¢Serving a focused menu †¢High quality, reasonably priced, convenient menu items †¢Operational efficiency †¢Friendly staff †¢Awareness and respect for the environment Chipotle’s Strategy Chipotle’s strategy is one of differentiation. Specific types of food that can be produced through local, environmentally conscious, farmers at an affordable price point is a primary goal. Offering natural food raised from local, organic vendors that customers respect yet still at an affordable, fast food price, creates a stand apart from the competition. Another way Chipotle differentiates from the competition is through human resource practices. People from all ethnicities are brought together to bridge cultural and linguistic gaps between both employees and customers. Chipotle  has a team dedicated to empowering, educating, and training employees to increase internal promotions, cultural sensitivity, and communication skills. The company prides itself on hiring from within and providing employees with opportunities to grow. The key element of Chipotle’s strategy is â€Å"Food with integrity† (Gamble, Thompson, Jr., & Peteraf, 2015, p. 303). Sourcing supplies from natural, organic, and sustainable, and environmentally friendly growers/producers is an essential strategy is maintaining market standing. Not many restaurant chains, if any, can say they are consistent in this practice, which makes Chipotle rise above the rest. More and more people are making the choice to choose to eat healthier which makes Chipotle an excellent choice and places them in a strategic place in the fast food industry. With more healthy choices than other fast food establishments such as Taco Bell, consumers are more likely to choose Chipotle. Another key element to the strategic plan is operating efficiently in an aesthetically pleasing environment. Even though it is fast food, Chipotle doesn’t offer a fast food setting when dining in. With a modern theme of bamboo or stained concrete flooring, pendulum lighting, and outdoor patios where available, Chipotle has reduced the cost of building and maintaining new establishments but still managed to keep the aesthetically pleasing, not-so-fast food ambiance. How does Chipotle Mexican Grill’s competitive strength compare against that of Taco Bell, Qdoba Mexican Grill, and Moe’s Southwest Grill? Chipotle is not as visibly prominent here in the South as it is in other states compared to Qdoba Mexican Grill, but more so than Moe’s Southwestern Grill. In recent months, Chipotle expanded into the Memphis area in the Poplar/I-240 area in a new shopping center near Target and Best Buy, surrounded by a variety of other restaurants and businesses. Chipotle, Qdoba, and Moe’s all strive for market presence by positioning themselves in areas convenient to shopping centers, in strip malls, and near business centers. They are equal in the â€Å"Employment Practices† category as all strive to promote from within and offer strict training and development programs focusing on expanded knowledge through certification processes. The differences that stand out, allowing Chipotle to excel strategically are in Customer Service, Menu Selection, and Quality. Chipotle prides itself on  having a genuine concern for the patron by hiring individuals from all walks of life and et hnicities. Whatever language a customer speaks, or ethnic background they are from, there is probably a Chipotle team member who can connect with them to walk them through the dining experience. Qdoba Mexican Grill and Moe’s Southwestern Grill have attempted to connect through customer service and experience but are not making as strong of a head wave as is Chipotle. There is truly a unique dining experience to talk about at Chipotle that draws patrons back for more. The menu selection at Chipotle consists of the highest quality natural and organic selections from local growers and farmers. Fresh sweet corn, organically grown cilantro, organic chili and pablano peppers, grass-fed beef, and free-range chicken are just a sampling of the examples of quality raw ingredients used by Chipotle Mexican Grill. Through high measurements of sustainability in sourcing of these raw ingredients to construction of each restaurant, Chipotle has easily earned a 10 in this category regardless of the price point associated with the final product. The quality of the food served at Chipotle is always above par. The cooking methods allow flavorful, robust, creations to be made in a short amount of time without damaging the integrity of the raw materials. Through consistent accuracy and quality measures, aesthetically pleasing plating is also displayed with each order, down to the containers in which to-go orders are placed. What does an analysis of the data in case Exhibit 1 reveal about Chipotle’s financial and operating performance? Financial201220112010 Asset Turnover1.6371.5921.637 Inventory Turnover179.4188.6189.7 Liquidity Quick Ratio1.8162.6021.873 Current Ratio2.9253.1833.301 Investments/Shareholders Earnings Per Share8.846.885.76 Profitability Gross Profit Margin27.1%26.0%26.7% Operating Profit Margin16.7%15.4%15.7% Net Profit Margin10.2%9.5%9.7% Return on Capital22.3%20.6%22.1% The inventory turnover ratio shows that they are able to turn over their inventory very quickly. The asset turnover ratio shows that they are able to convert their assets into sales. Their liquidity ratios are good because above 1 is good and above 2 is even better. Their Earnings Per Share show that the company is trending to increase profitability and their shareholders should see an increase in value. The profitability margins have been able to grow over the past years. The financial well being of Chipotle is stable and improving. Unless something drastic occurs, anticipating the rise in revenue and value years from now, a positive future will be in store for Chipotle. Key Strategic Issues Chipotle has many strengths that make it an attractive company but they also have some weaknesses. In recent years, competitors have started offering healthier menu options at lower price points. Taco Bell’s cantina menu is much like the Chipotle brand in which it offers more of a lighter southwestern flare than traditional Mexican dishes. The menu pricing at Chipotle is higher but is due much in part by the use of organic and natural selections, some of which are difficult to obtain in winter months. With difficult growing seasons across the United States, Chipotle may have to choose to change their menu in winter months. With limited menu items and ingredients that have price volatility it may not be a smooth establishment in new states and countries. Competitors are the largest threat to Chipotle. As previously stated, other fast food restaurants are adding lighter fare to their menu at a lower price that Chipotle. With the continued high costs of natural and organic menu o ptions, menu prices may have to change to keep margins stable. Another impact to the bottom line could be rising healthcare costs that may require a shift in employment for many restaurants. Chipotle has multiple opportunities to expand into other states as well as internationally. With locations in the District of Columbia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and France, Chipotle managers should be well versed in the workings of International business management. With expansion into other countries and the continued use of locally grown and raised staples, Chipotle would stand to make substantial profits in countries like  China and India. Adding ingredients indigenous to each local area would promote the brand customers have grown to admire. As restaurants like Taco Bell and On the Border sell their products in grocery stores, Chipotle could follow suite and add profit to their bottom line. Restaurants like Swanky’s Taco Shop have alcohol and beer on the menu, now so does Chipotle in some states. Continuing this growth in other states would be a plus for growth as well.

Activity-based-costing (ABC) in practice - the factors affecting the Essay

Activity-based-costing (ABC) in practice - the factors affecting the successful implementation of an ABC system - Essay Example ABC also provides useful information about the cost of the product which is helpful in decision making (Weetman, 2012, pp. 85-88). According to Drury, ABC method can be used for various cost management applications like customer profitability analysis, business process management and value chain analysis. According to some other management accounting literature ABC can be divided in four genres like contingency research, basic research, critical research and consulting. It can be seen that type of the contingency research is one of the most important development on the topic of ABC. However, some countries have given more attention to the contingency based research. Johnson (1990) has described that ABC, ROI and Variance Analysis are the most important concept of management accounting in 20th century. According to Mitchell (1994), ABC system got high profile popularity by the work of Kaplan and Cooper. Bhimani and Piggott (1992) have stated that Activity Based Costing has many important benefits over other costing systems like it increases the cost accuracy of product and provides more comprehensive information about cost incurred to ensure better performance. It also provides more accurate data which helps the managers to take better decisions and increase efficiency for sensitivity analysis. It is also considered as a valuable model which adds value to the organizational activities and transactions. According to some research studies, respondents told that they are satisfied and they think that ABC provides more accurate costing result than the traditional method of costing. These studies have also stated other benefits like accurate profitab ility analysis for customers, positive behavioral effect on employees, accurate insight into cost behavior and causation and better measurement of performances. According to Mitchell and Innes (1991) have stated that Activity Based Costing gives more relevant costs

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OM8025 assignment 7 - Research Paper Example The question on how management can merge various cultures into one cohesive and dynamic work force becomes a challenge. To acquire success in any projects, blending of cultures while maintaining perspective and respecting each culture’s unique attributes must be studied and implemented. This research seeks to establish how management can merge various cultures into one uniform and vigorous working class, focusing on project perspective and understanding how diversity in the work place impacts on work production. This paper also aims to evaluate how peculiar qualities in Third World cultures can affect their ability to work with each other; and also how their cultural differences can eventually be merged into a coherent and positive work relationship. An organization is composed of people – people with different level of skills, knowledge and culture. In order to achieve the single goal of the organization, employees with different individuality must learn how to work with each other. Thus, to deal well with this diversity, the managers have to implement recruiting, mentoring, promotion methods, and strict policies on sexual and racial discrimination. Furthermore, if the underlying culture of an organization does not change, all other efforts to support diversity will fail (Daft 431). The research aims to answer the questions relative with cultural differences and cultural blending of various culture into one uniform and effective work force from a project perspective. Specifically, it aims to answer the following questions: Introduction of internet into the developing countries plays important role to the economic development. However, there some of the drawbacks associated with it such as unemployment since most of the businesses will be carried over the internet. Developing nations like the Philippines, Haiti, Uganda, and Afghanistan are facing these problems. However, because of the improvements associated with technology,

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Fieldwork project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Fieldwork project - Essay Example Not-A is necessarily impure, a random catchall, to which nothing is external except A, and the principle of order that separates it from Not-A.† Along the same lines, Judith Lorber states, â€Å"from society’s point-of-view one gender is usually the touchstone, the normal, the dominant and the other is different, deviant, and subordinate. In Western society ‘man’ is A, ‘wo-man’ is Not-A† (Lorber, J. 22). Bri could not grasp the concept that his wife was independent, sharing in the same responsibilities. With that, their marriage began to crumble. My personal feeling is his wife realized men have a historical, unfair advantage over women. Men are afforded a greater number of economic resources, such as quality education, higher-paying job opportunities, as organizations tend to be â€Å"monopolized by men† (Lorber, J. 23). Based on my experience, I completely agree with Lorber, and I feel that my perception of Bri’s wife†™s reasons for leaving is accurate. Bri’s wife was a very successful doctor; she did not want to give up her career and â€Å"do most of the domestic labor† (Lorber, J. 23). It is possible Bri and his wife could have negotiated, settling on a compromise that they would both be able to live with, but they failed to do so.