Author: Enock Mecheo

Final reading response

The reading delves into the concept of consciousness and its relevance to self-awareness, acknowledging that while ancient practices may not seamlessly align with the demands of today’s world, they emphasize the significance of liberating ourselves from societal norms and impulsive tendencies. This understanding sets the stage for exploring the notion of “flow,” where we immerse ourselves fully in a task, experiencing deep engagement and focus. According to the reading, achieving a flow state requires seeking out challenging tasks that align with our skill level and avoiding overly difficult ones. It also highlights the importance of controlling and aligning our thoughts with our goals to enhance our overall well-being.

Building upon these insights, I find myself contemplating the integration of flow elements into our work lives. The author’s exploration of sports, games, and other activities as transformative tools for altering reality and discovering joy resonates deeply with me. It prompts me to reflect on how we can intentionally shape our mindset to overcome self-doubt and fears, as discussed in the book “Art & Fear.” By consciously constructing our consciousness in such a manner, we have the potential to uncover newfound joy and fulfilment in our creative pursuits, fostering a continuous state of flow throughout the creative process. This underscores the vital role of our mindset and approach in unlocking our creative potential while cultivating a heightened sense of engagement and satisfaction in our work. By embracing this understanding, we can navigate our creative journey with purpose and intention, harnessing the power of flow to enrich our lives and creative endeavours.

Final Paper

Title: Reflecting on the Creating Journey – A Play between Kaka and Enock.

Setting: NYU Berlin residence. Kaka (an imagined character) and Enock, who has been taking the Creating J-term course, are sitting in the common area, engaged in a conversation.

Kaka: (Excited) Hey Enock, I heard you’ve been taking this Creating J-term course. Tell me all about it!

Enock: (Formal yet engaging) Oh, it has been quite the journey, my friend. This course has opened up a whole new world of creativity and exploration. I had the chance to use various tools like Photoshop, Stable Diffusion, Runway, Soundtrap, and iMovie. Trust me, I felt like a wizard weaving my creative spells with these magical tools!

Kaka: (Laughs) A wizard, huh? So, what kind of creative avenues did you discover?

Enock: (Thoughtfully) Well, my friend, I delved into visual arts, audio production, motion graphics, and even 3D art design. It was like stepping into a playground of limitless possibilities. Who knew there were so many ways to express oneself creatively?

Kaka: That sounds amazing! But I’m curious, did you learn any special techniques to generate ideas?

Enock: Ah, you’ve hit the nail on the head! This course introduced me to the power of lateral thinking. It’s all about breaking free from traditional thinking patterns and exploring unconventional ideas. I learned to ask “why” questions and challenge the status quo. It’s like being a creative detective, unraveling the mysteries behind the problems we face.

Kaka: (Intrigued) Detective Enock on the case! What other techniques did you explore?

Enock: (Engagingly) Well, my friend, in addition to lateral thinking, I also dived into vertical thinking. It’s like going deeper into specific ideas and concepts, mining them for all their creative potential. And let’s not forget the art of brainstorming! I learned techniques like random stimulation, reversal method, and analogies. It’s like a playground for the imagination!

Kaka: (Laughs) A playground indeed! But tell me, did this course offer any moments of tranquility amidst all the creative chaos?

Enock: Absolutely! I discovered the wonders of meditation and slap showering. Trust me, my mind felt as calm as a serene lake, and my creativity soared to new heights. It’s like finding inner peace while tapping into my creative flow.

Kaka: (Amused) Inner peace and creative flow, quite the combo! But what about those dreaded artist’s blocks?

Enock: Ah, the artist’s block, my eternal nemesis. But you know what? Short deadlines were my secret weapon! They pushed me to overcome those blocks, unleashing a surge of resourcefulness and creativity. It’s like a race against time to create something magnificent.

Kaka: (Laughs) The pressure cooker of creativity! But did you find any inspiration from the readings?

Enock: Oh, the readings were eye-opening! They delved into the inner workings of creativity, artistic inspiration, and the power of imagination. They broadened my horizons and deepened my understanding of the creative journey. It’s like having a compass to guide me through the artistic wilderness.

Kaka: (Impressed) Enock, my friend, this course sounds like a rollercoaster of creativity and self-discovery! It’s like exploring uncharted territories within yourself.

Enock: (Grinning) That’s the beauty of it, my friend. This journey has transformed me, igniting my creativity and opening doors to new possibilities. It’s about embracing the unknown, facing challenges head-on, and finding beauty in the creative process.

Kaka: (Reflective) Well, Enock, it seems like you’ve truly embraced the artist within. Your experience has been nothing short of inspiring!

Enock: (Gratefully) Thank you, my friend. I’m grateful for this course and the doors it has opened. The creative world is vast, and I’m ready to leave my mark in it.

(They continue their conversation, sharing laughter and stories, celebrating the joy of creativity and the transformative power of their journey.)

[End of the Play]

Ming Ping class visit

  1. His art emphasizes decolonization, which aims to move away from Western-centric narratives, deconstructing stereotypes and addressing imbalances between different cultures.
  2. He uses Choreography by organizing bodies in both time and space, creating a harmonious composition.
  3. Art, including dance, is not solely dependent on the artist’s technical skill but also on its impact and the underlying meaning it conveys. This connects with the philosophy in East Asian culture, emphasizing the concepts of “purpose” and “usefulness.”
  4. Solidarity and togetherness play an important role, emphasizing that everyone is in this together. He emphasized that it is crucial to strive for understanding, recognize one’s privileges and biases, and work collaboratively.
  5. Artists should recognize their role as channels rather than relying solely on their individual talents. It is also essential for artists to question whether they are the right people to address certain topics.

Creating Assignment June 5th(Quest of Elements).

For this assignment, the 2 random words were: Game and motif. I created a board game called Quest of Elements.

The “Quest of the Elements” game is an interactive text-based adventure implemented in Python. In the game, the player assumes the role of a character who embarks on a quest through different locations to acquire elemental powers. At the beginning of the game, the player selects a character class from a list of options, each with unique attributes such as health, attack, and defense. The player’s objective is to navigate through various locations on the game board, including difficult terrain, ancient ruins, and battles with dangerous creatures.

When encountering a location, the player is presented with a description and a chance to perform an action. The success of the action depends on a predetermined success chance. Successful actions lead to progress, while unsuccessful ones result in health loss.

In battles with creatures, the player engages in turn-based combat, strategically choosing attack and defense options. Both the player and enemy have health, attack, and defense attributes, and the battle continues until either party’s health reaches zero.

Throughout the game, the player’s health is constantly monitored, and reaching zero health leads to the game being over. However, defeating enemies grants the player powers, adding a layer of excitement.

The game provides options to continue playing or quit after each encounter.

#!/usr/bin/env python3
# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
"""
Created on Sun Jun  4 16:35:46 2023

@author: enockmecheo
"""

import random

# Define the player classes
player_classes = {
    "Knight": {
        "health": 100,
        "attack": 20,
        "defense": 15,
    },
    "Mage": {
        "health": 80,
        "attack": 30,
        "defense": 10,
    },
    "Rogue": {
        "health": 70,
        "attack": 25,
        "defense": 5,
    },
    "Druid": {
        "health": 90,
        "attack": 15,
        "defense": 20,
    },
}

# Define the game board
game_board = {
    "Terrain": {
        "description": "You navigate through difficult terrain.",
        "success_chance": 0.8,
        "health_loss": 5,
    },
    "Ruins": {
        "description": "You explore ancient ruins for clues.",
        "success_chance": 0.6,
        "health_loss": 10,
    },
    "Dangers": {
        "description": "You face dangerous creatures in battle.",
        "success_chance": 0.4,
        "health_loss": 15,
    },
}

# Define the elements
elements = ["Fire", "Water", "Earth", "Air"]

# Define the main game loop
def play_game():
    player_class = select_player_class()
    print("You are a", player_class)

    player_stats = player_classes[player_class]
    player_health = player_stats["health"]
    player_attack = player_stats["attack"]
    player_defense = player_stats["defense"]
    player_elements = []

    while True:
        print("\n---------")
        location = select_location()
        print("You encountered", location)

        location_stats = game_board[location]
        location_description = location_stats["description"]
        success_chance = location_stats["success_chance"]
        health_loss = location_stats["health_loss"]

        print(location_description)
        success = perform_action(success_chance)
        
        if success:
            if location == "Dangers":
                player_health, enemy_defense = battle(player_health, player_attack, player_defense)
                if player_health <= 0:
                    print("Game Over. You were defeated!")
                    break
                elif enemy_defense <= 0:
                    player_elements.append(random.choice(elements))
                    print("You defeated the enemy and acquired an element!")
            else:
                player_health -= health_loss
                print("You successfully completed the action but lost", health_loss, "health.")
        else:
            player_health -= health_loss
            print("You failed to complete the action and lost", health_loss, "health.")

        if player_health <= 0:
            print("Game Over. Your health reached 0!")
            break

        play_again = input("Do you want to continue? (y/n): ")
        if play_again.lower() != "y":
            break

    print("\n---------")
    print("Game Over. Thanks for playing!")

def select_player_class():
    print("Select your player class:")
    for i, player_class in enumerate(player_classes):
        print(i+1, "-", player_class)
    while True:
        choice = int(input("Enter the number of your choice: "))
        if 1 <= choice <= len(player_classes):
            return list(player_classes.keys())[choice-1]
        else:
            print("Invalid choice. Try again.")

def select_location():
    return random.choice(list(game_board.keys()))

def perform_action(success_chance):
    return random.random() <= success_chance

def battle(player_health, player_attack, player_defense):
    enemy_health = random.randint(50, 100)
    enemy_attack = random.randint(10, 20)
    enemy_defense = random.randint(5, 15)

    print("Battle Begins! You vs Enemy")
    print("Player Health:", player_health)
    print("Enemy Health:", enemy_health)

    while True:
        player_damage = player_attack - enemy_defense
        enemy_damage = enemy_attack - player_defense

        player_health -= enemy_damage
        enemy_health -= player_damage

        print("\nPlayer deals", player_damage, "damage to the enemy.")
        print("Enemy deals", enemy_damage, "damage to the player.")
        print("Player Health:", player_health)
        print("Enemy Health:", enemy_health)

        if player_health <= 0 or enemy_health <= 0:
            break

    return player_health, enemy_defense

# Start the game
play_game()

Midterm Essay Response

The creative piece that I chose is this animation short film by Osro:

The video encapsulates the essence of art by effectively portraying a universal feeling. It captures the struggle that everyone can relate to but struggle to articulate. The animation portrays the heaviness one feels when battling fatigue, and it does so excellently. The teacher in the animation is a standout character for me. Despite only one student remaining awake, he continues teaching. Instead, when that student falls asleep, he sits down and joins in. This showcases his care for his students and reveals his exhaustion, although he never lets it show in front of the class. It accurately captures a feeling that can only be truly understood through experience.

A particularly impactful moment is when the teacher removes his glasses, revealing his eyes and shedding his previously stoic expression. This signifies that it’s not just the students who are tired; teachers also experience burnout. However, both students and teachers feel trapped in this cycle as it reflects the societal norms we’re accustomed to. We fear to change and seek structure, adapting to this lifestyle subconsciously. Yet, in this fleeting moment, nothing else matters. As they drift off to sleep, they find peace, free from societal expectations and the world’s chaos.

At 2:11 in the video, there’s a striking black-background sequence where the main character imagines or hallucinates running around, desperately attempting to awaken various versions of himself. However, as the sequence intensifies, he encounters a peacefully sleeping baby version of himself and an aging, dying version who shakes his head, indicating that it’s not worth continuing the futile pursuit. This breakthrough snaps him out of his dream state, and he chooses to allow himself to rest finally. It’s a touching reminder to treat ourselves with gentleness and to stop fighting and punishing ourselves for our natural needs.

The video is a beautiful expression of art. The colors, artwork, expressions, and atmosphere are realistic and relatable. The use of color captures the essence of the depicted emotions in a truly impactful and meaningful way. The classroom is adorned with shades of blue, creating a serene ambiance. The walls are painted a soft, pastel blue, symbolizing a sense of calmness and tranquility. The color blue is known to promote focus and concentration. Black color has been used to create a strong contrast against other colors, making them appear more vibrant and prominent(1:42). Black is also used to create silhouettes, where the absence of color defines the form(2:17-3:02). This technique also adds a sense of drama and intrigue to the characters, leaving room for interpretation and imagination. The level of detail of the artwork is amazing, showing intricate texture for a classroom setup. This attention to detail brings the animation to life.

Art and fear(pg23-36) reading response.

As an individual who appreciates art and has personal experience as a creative, I find the author’s discussion on the fears and misconceptions artists face to be highly thought-provoking. Doubting one’s abilities is something that many artists have encountered at some point in their artistic journey. It is comforting to know that these doubts and insecurities are not uncommon.

I believe that creativity is a fluid and collaborative process influenced by various external factors and that embracing the accidental nature of artistic creations is okay. Recognizing that art is subjective and open to audience interpretation can help alleviate the pressure to conform to a particular standard.

The author’s emphasis on commitment, learning from mistakes, and continual improvement resonates deeply with me. It reinforces the notion that talent alone does not guarantee artistic success. Perfectionism, in my opinion, can hinder artistic growth, as it limits exploration and experimentation. Taking risks and venturing into new directions are essential for personal and artistic development.