Icons Project
Below is my icons project essay, self portrait and personal reflection.
“Can you please pass the sugar Brooklynn?” says Albert Einstein as his wrinkles tighten at the shocking bitterness of his black coffee. On this lovely Saturday winter morning, I am sitting with my great grandfather’s cousin Gustav Bucky and Albert Einstein for a cup of coffee to discuss ideas for our newest invention. “What if we designed solar powered socks so that on days like this, the socks will automatically heat up your cold feet?” exclaimed Gustav Bucky. “Great idea but definitely not as impressive as the Bucky screen on the X-ray that you came up with a while back” I say as I sip on my hot peppermint tea.
Albert Einstein, one of the fathers of the atomic age, and my icon, is famous for his many breakthroughs in math, science and mechanics. Einstein was sponsored for United States citizenship by a man named Gustav Bucky in 1940. The two men were close friends and colleagues with Gustav Bucky being Albert Einstein’s personal physician. Once Einstein was an official citizen, they filed a joint patent for a light adjusting camera together. When Einstein died of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, his named lived on forever and inspired millions to work hard and to be dedicated.
I have been greatly influenced by the action of my great grandfather’s cousin, Gustav Bucky, by sponsoring Albert Einstein. It has emphasized the importance of support and faith and can be related to my everyday life. I am a sponsor in the way of supporting small businesses like my local dance studio and by interning at a small startup online company called Tracy’s Closet. Similar to how Gustav Bucky was there at the beginning of Albert Einstein’s career, I was present at the start of my dance studio’s opening and got the opportunity to watch it blossom over time and gain more instructors and students. I was present to see the tedious process of gaining customers and although there were times of frustration and disappointment, it is rewarding in the end to see that they are now offering classes for children with special needs. When the class was introduced, it was hard to adjust, which is why most dance studios do not take take the risk. The class also gives me an opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and volunteer to assist the class. Watching the children dance instantly brings me joy and reminds me that dance is fun and I shouldn’t take life too seriously. When I see a new dance student or an online user, it reminds me to continue to support the small ideas for they often bloom into larger, more impactful and successful ventures.
It is interesting to look back on my past and see that I am continuing similar traits. It makes me proud knowing that my great grandfather’s cousin helped someone grow and their victories were exposed to the world. I strive to be like Gustav Bucky and Albert Einstein in the way that they aim for success and show leadership. I will continue to do this by assisting those who are at the beginning stages of a project and bolster those with an idea and help them run with it. Brooklynn confidently responds to Einstein, “I will pass the sugar.”
“Can you please pass the sugar Brooklynn?” says Albert Einstein as his wrinkles tighten at the shocking bitterness of his black coffee. On this lovely Saturday winter morning, I am sitting with my great grandfather’s cousin Gustav Bucky and Albert Einstein for a cup of coffee to discuss ideas for our newest invention. “What if we designed solar powered socks so that on days like this, the socks will automatically heat up your cold feet?” exclaimed Gustav Bucky. “Great idea but definitely not as impressive as the Bucky screen on the X-ray that you came up with a while back” I say as I sip on my hot peppermint tea.
Albert Einstein, one of the fathers of the atomic age, and my icon, is famous for his many breakthroughs in math, science and mechanics. Einstein was sponsored for United States citizenship by a man named Gustav Bucky in 1940. The two men were close friends and colleagues with Gustav Bucky being Albert Einstein’s personal physician. Once Einstein was an official citizen, they filed a joint patent for a light adjusting camera together. When Einstein died of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, his named lived on forever and inspired millions to work hard and to be dedicated.
I have been greatly influenced by the action of my great grandfather’s cousin, Gustav Bucky, by sponsoring Albert Einstein. It has emphasized the importance of support and faith and can be related to my everyday life. I am a sponsor in the way of supporting small businesses like my local dance studio and by interning at a small startup online company called Tracy’s Closet. Similar to how Gustav Bucky was there at the beginning of Albert Einstein’s career, I was present at the start of my dance studio’s opening and got the opportunity to watch it blossom over time and gain more instructors and students. I was present to see the tedious process of gaining customers and although there were times of frustration and disappointment, it is rewarding in the end to see that they are now offering classes for children with special needs. When the class was introduced, it was hard to adjust, which is why most dance studios do not take take the risk. The class also gives me an opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and volunteer to assist the class. Watching the children dance instantly brings me joy and reminds me that dance is fun and I shouldn’t take life too seriously. When I see a new dance student or an online user, it reminds me to continue to support the small ideas for they often bloom into larger, more impactful and successful ventures.
It is interesting to look back on my past and see that I am continuing similar traits. It makes me proud knowing that my great grandfather’s cousin helped someone grow and their victories were exposed to the world. I strive to be like Gustav Bucky and Albert Einstein in the way that they aim for success and show leadership. I will continue to do this by assisting those who are at the beginning stages of a project and bolster those with an idea and help them run with it. Brooklynn confidently responds to Einstein, “I will pass the sugar.”
Below is my personal reflection that was an assignment given by Randy after the icons essay and self portrait was due.
Overall, I am very proud of the work I produced for the first project of my junior year, the American Icons project. The few components took lots of time and dedication to make quality work but was worth all of the the time and effort I put in because my artist's statement for a 10/10 and my photo got a 9/10.
Once I was done with editing my own essay, I took time to critique over ten of my peers essays. This was helpful for them but to me as well so that I could compare our work and steal some of their good ideas and writing techniques. I have quickly become a good critique from being at High Tech High Media Arts. I have learned that all of my edits and critiques should be kind, helpful and specific. I also need to make sure that my comments explain thoroughly what the author needs to fix. For example, instead of saying change this sentence, give them an example to work with to see how they can improve the wording of the sentence. This also allowed me to brush up on some grammar rules because I found that a lot of my peers struggled with basic punctuation concepts. If I were grading myself on this category, I would give myself a 10/10.
The process of taking a self portrait was a lot more difficult than writing the essay. When I finalized my continuum I knew that I wanted my picture to look like I was showing respect, appreciation and support. The first photo I took was a picture of my looking at a picture of Gustav Bucky and Albert Einstein that I was holding in my hands. I was not thrilled with the simple outcome but it was a start. My second draft was better but it was not until my third draft that got the message I wanted to show across. My final photo is a picture of me standing holding up Gustav Bucky and the names of my internship with Albert EInstein above me representing that he is my icon. My hands are supporting the pictures up and I have a happy smile on my face to show pride and confidence. If I were grading myself on this category, I would give myself a 10/10.
The process of writing my artist’s statement went surprisingly smooth. I spent a lot of time of my first draft which I usually don’t. After a few rounds of critique from my peers, I was not getting enough feedback. I had Devan read my essay and he suggested that I talk less about Albert Einstein and about his life and more about why Gustav Bucky sponsored him to come to the US. I found that the two men were very close friends and that Gustav was actually Albert Einstein’s personal physician. After many more rounds of critique, I adjusted my tenses, made sure all of my grammar was correct, formated the paragraphs and was “done” with my paper. If I were grading myself on this category, I would give myself a 10/10.
Although I did not get very much help from my table members, I took a leadership role during group work for this project. My group had some trouble staying on track with the protocol times but I made sure that everyone had a chance to speak and got all of the feedback they needed and wanted form the group. It was very beneficial for Devan to check in with us after every round of presenting to adjust times. He would ask us what went went and what we could improve on in order to get the feedback to benefit our writing and self portraits. During these sessions I asked lots of clarifying questions that helped the artist focus their intent and purpose of writing. If I were grading myself on this category, I would give myself a 10/10.
Kai said that “the thing that stuck out to me most that I thought was so creative was the ending. I like how you tied it back to your opening paragraph, it really made it feel like a story.” This was my goal for this writing and I am glad that my audience could follow along with a clear beginning and end. My partner also said “I think the most positive thing about your writing is that you were able to create a piece that to an extent read as a story rather than a paper.” This thoughtful answer made me proud of the work I turned in. I think my self portrait was simple and understandable and my partners said the same thing. “I can clearly see your icon through your photo.” I can continue to improve my work by getting more critiques before the final is put into Iconic. Kai also thinks that, “you should remind the reader about the conversation.” This would make it so that none of the readers will be in the least bit confused. This reflection goes into detail of how I would grade myself on this project and I answered very truthfully. I spend time and effort into my reflection on the project and hope to show that I am confident in my work and that I am proud of my work ethic for this first project.
Personal Grade
Critique: 10/10
Portrait: 10/10
Essay: 10/10
Group Work: 10/10
Reflection: 10/10
Overall, I am very proud of the work I produced for the first project of my junior year, the American Icons project. The few components took lots of time and dedication to make quality work but was worth all of the the time and effort I put in because my artist's statement for a 10/10 and my photo got a 9/10.
Once I was done with editing my own essay, I took time to critique over ten of my peers essays. This was helpful for them but to me as well so that I could compare our work and steal some of their good ideas and writing techniques. I have quickly become a good critique from being at High Tech High Media Arts. I have learned that all of my edits and critiques should be kind, helpful and specific. I also need to make sure that my comments explain thoroughly what the author needs to fix. For example, instead of saying change this sentence, give them an example to work with to see how they can improve the wording of the sentence. This also allowed me to brush up on some grammar rules because I found that a lot of my peers struggled with basic punctuation concepts. If I were grading myself on this category, I would give myself a 10/10.
The process of taking a self portrait was a lot more difficult than writing the essay. When I finalized my continuum I knew that I wanted my picture to look like I was showing respect, appreciation and support. The first photo I took was a picture of my looking at a picture of Gustav Bucky and Albert Einstein that I was holding in my hands. I was not thrilled with the simple outcome but it was a start. My second draft was better but it was not until my third draft that got the message I wanted to show across. My final photo is a picture of me standing holding up Gustav Bucky and the names of my internship with Albert EInstein above me representing that he is my icon. My hands are supporting the pictures up and I have a happy smile on my face to show pride and confidence. If I were grading myself on this category, I would give myself a 10/10.
The process of writing my artist’s statement went surprisingly smooth. I spent a lot of time of my first draft which I usually don’t. After a few rounds of critique from my peers, I was not getting enough feedback. I had Devan read my essay and he suggested that I talk less about Albert Einstein and about his life and more about why Gustav Bucky sponsored him to come to the US. I found that the two men were very close friends and that Gustav was actually Albert Einstein’s personal physician. After many more rounds of critique, I adjusted my tenses, made sure all of my grammar was correct, formated the paragraphs and was “done” with my paper. If I were grading myself on this category, I would give myself a 10/10.
Although I did not get very much help from my table members, I took a leadership role during group work for this project. My group had some trouble staying on track with the protocol times but I made sure that everyone had a chance to speak and got all of the feedback they needed and wanted form the group. It was very beneficial for Devan to check in with us after every round of presenting to adjust times. He would ask us what went went and what we could improve on in order to get the feedback to benefit our writing and self portraits. During these sessions I asked lots of clarifying questions that helped the artist focus their intent and purpose of writing. If I were grading myself on this category, I would give myself a 10/10.
Kai said that “the thing that stuck out to me most that I thought was so creative was the ending. I like how you tied it back to your opening paragraph, it really made it feel like a story.” This was my goal for this writing and I am glad that my audience could follow along with a clear beginning and end. My partner also said “I think the most positive thing about your writing is that you were able to create a piece that to an extent read as a story rather than a paper.” This thoughtful answer made me proud of the work I turned in. I think my self portrait was simple and understandable and my partners said the same thing. “I can clearly see your icon through your photo.” I can continue to improve my work by getting more critiques before the final is put into Iconic. Kai also thinks that, “you should remind the reader about the conversation.” This would make it so that none of the readers will be in the least bit confused. This reflection goes into detail of how I would grade myself on this project and I answered very truthfully. I spend time and effort into my reflection on the project and hope to show that I am confident in my work and that I am proud of my work ethic for this first project.
Personal Grade
Critique: 10/10
Portrait: 10/10
Essay: 10/10
Group Work: 10/10
Reflection: 10/10