When the professor said that we wont be sticking to the regular essays and finals in class but we can use memes
Me:
Digital Storytelling Project Flexibility
There is A LOT of CT101 Digital Storytelling Project Flexibility..
**the video recording tutorial for this project can be found at the bottom of this post**
Professor Michael Smith introduced me to the DS106 Assignment Repository many many years ago.. I am glad that he did!
Now that we are getting comfortable with publishing blog posts to our class website, embedding media like images, GIFS, videos and hyperlinks, its time to push things further with content creation and deciding on how you will go about it.
Prof. Smith wrote the following in a blog post from a previous semester;
“In CT-101 you will have the opportunity to create many, many different pieces of media throughout the semester. Inspiration for these projects can come from a number of places. Two are websites that inspired this class and are hosted by a digital storytelling class at the University of Mary Washington.
One is their ds106 assignment repository which has project prompts that are categorized by a variety of media types (visual, design, audio, video, mashup, writing, fanfic, and animated gifs). You can browse through and sort by most examples completed, most viewed, newest, and more..
The second is also a site known as the daily create which gives a daily project prompt to “make something” using various media. If you post the completed piece with tags to the sites they feed from, you’ll see your work on that page as well.
Finally you can also find a particular site that has a media piece and/or project type of interest to you (Tumblr and/or Reddit can be fun for this – Photoshop Battles is a favorite of mine.
Browse through these sites and find two projects that you think you would like to do. One that you believe you already have the skills to do or you believe you could figure out on your own. And another (hopefully of a different media type) you don’t know how to do yet and would like to learn.”
*The ASSIGNMENT – In a New Blog Post – working from the DS106 or the Daily Create site select, describe and hyperlink to two assignments/project ideas and tell us why you’ve chosen them. What do you think you’d need learn to do them? How many of these kinds of projects do you think you should be doing in this semester so that you might learn and build both emergent storytelling skills and use new tools to create them? Why do you think these skills are or are not important? Be sure to actually complete one of the assignments and add it to your blog post. Also, be sure to leave a comment or two on one or more of your classmate’s blog posts! Prof. Seslow will go over a example in our class time and screen record the process.
**Here is the video recording for week #5 – and some insight into handling this week’s blogging assignment**
Video Passcode: 5eyVM$ET
Time To Face It, Memes Are Art
I wouldn’t consider myself a meme fanatic, however, one thing is for sure, memes are definitely here to stay, and quite frankly, I don’t understand the objection in considering them art.
The fact the you can pull a clip from anything that has ever been placed on the internet, change its meaning in order to create new meaning, AND has the ability to make one laugh, is God given gif-t.
Like any piece of art, memes take time, both in envisioning and in creating them. Memes can also be interpreted in many different ways, bringing unity, as well as creating many communities all at once. In Are Memes The New Art Form Of The 21st Century by Em Mampusti, she has a chat with 3 meme creators to discuss if memes have “evolved enough to be considered a modern art form”.
Given meme’s ability to “relay a certain thought with a funny tone” and “capture the short attention span of people online”, it’s art form certainly is modern especially when comparing to the seriousness of everything we consider actual art. Whatever that means.
Memes are a “language of its own” that is able to express and convey an emotion or hidden message by sharing ideas and emotions that are open to interpretation.
I couldn’t possibly understand anyone who is opposes memes. If you find yourself to be one of those people, I promise it is because you are finding or receiving memes that do not please your particular humor.
As for Art, for those who only believe that “true art” is everything before the neoclassicism period, it is time to face reality. The world has changed, and neither one of us should have the power to dictate what is Art or what is not. Can we judge whether it is good or bad Art? Most definitely.
Also, Mampusti mentions an important fact, that “the present we are facing now is far from normal” and memes enable the people to make humor out of bad situations that clearly lighten the mood of millions. And this particular fact, is my most appreciated benefit from memes.
Mounir Lynch’s Memes are a form of art not getting the recognition it deserves says it all in its title. Lynch’s angle is that the “artistic elements” required to make a successful meme, goes unnoticed and “never gain[s] appreciation until”, like a large percentage of undiscovered and unappreciated art out there, ceases to exist or much time has past since its birth.
In Memes, Lynch discusses all that art is, its definition, and why meme making is no different than a painting. Memes are “an emotional expression through images, and can be about any topic under the sun”, so why not accept it as an art form?
My collaboration to the meme realm.
Assignment #2- Making my own GIF post
How this class makes me feel…
My favorite tv show is One piece so i just had to post a Gif of Luffy doing something idiotic lol , i saw another post with someone reacting using One piece Gifs so its cool to see other fans as well.
Honesty I really love that this class lets us explore our creative side and communicate on a level that we can more relate to. Ive responded to plenty of boring discussion boards during my academic experience that all began with “I completely agree and liked how you…” however this feels great for a change.
When i find out there is an assignment due, this is what goes on in my brain… There is no giphy more relatable to tension than Spongebob or Mr.Crabs in panic mode. There was one giphy funny as hell that i wanted to include but i was upset its only a meme.
When i find out our homework assignment is learning to make Giphy’s.
This currently is the stage of life i’m in, all i can think about is damn chicken tenders and fries. I have been given the worst ultimatum of all time… food or fitness. I might have to side with Joey on this one.
Are Memes A Form of Art?
Memes are used in our everyday lives just as much as some of our household appliances. But the question raised as to whether they are a form of art or not– is up for debate. To me, even before researching, my answer to this question would be yes, but I couldn’t say exactly why before giving it some thought. By giving this question some thought, I “thought” to myself, “Well, what is the basic definition of art?”
A quick Google search defines art as, “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.” The phrase “creative skill and imagination” and “beauty or emotional power” stood out to me, because any form of art can conceive this– including memes. To my knowledge, memes are mainly used for purposes of amusement; to get a laugh out of them. Isn’t laughing brought up by what you would call “happy” emotions? Doesn’t it take creativity and imagination to create some of the most whimsical memes? I believe so!
Here’s my proof from the research I did on “Are memes a form of art?” (Interpret it however you may):
“Choosing the right template, deciding whether to make it a video or an image, the arrangement of panels, the cropping, what text to add — these are usually what sets apart hilarious from funny,”
“Chloe Caparas, a Customer Service Representative, crafts her own memes, not to share in a page or in a group, but to share on her private profile. ‘Whenever I think about something funny or what I think is witty, I create memes, by that I can share my thoughts with people that’s why I enjoy making them.’”
“Luigi shares the same sentiments, saying, ‘Whether sharing memes or making them myself, it allows me a way of expressing and sharing things I find funny in a creative way as opposed to posting statuses that we often find boring or obnoxious.’”
–Excerpts from Clozette article, “Are Memes The New Art Form Of The 21st Century?”
Here are some of my own memes that I created:
Pandemic fatigue be like:
Also pandemic fatigue:
But seriously, who thinks we’ll be online again in the fall?
Hope you get the reference 🙂 (I know it’s corny, but it’s the best I could do with a Miley Cyrus meme)
One of my favorite memes, that originally wasn’t known as a meme by pop culture. Another reference that only 90s/ early 2000s kids would get. (Hint, hint,– procrastination)
The Art of the Meme
ARE MEMES ART?
I don’t know if it’s an age and/or generational thing. I don’t care for it but I definitely appreciate it when it’s well done in my eyes. I equate it almost like a random (art) museum visit. Everyone’s going to have a different favorite exhibit, and some people might just feel indifferent or unimpressed. Memes are a great tool for digital communication but they are limited to just that. Humans can’t, haven’t, nor will master basic vocal interaction and here we go in a digital age making things more complicated. But anyway, that said…
But then…
Now. Since I don’t want to go and/or get lost down the meme making (Giphy.com)rabbit hole any more than I feel I have to for the day. I invite anyone reading this to my last 3 posts for the digital version of some of my backstory.
- https://ct101.commons.gc.cuny.edu/introduction/,
- https://ct101.commons.gc.cuny.edu/internet-happiness-7/
- https://ct101.commons.gc.cuny.edu/my-first-gif/
And now…
Are memes considered art?
Hi guys and gals. In this awesome class, we’re gonna learn about the wonderful world of memes. Isn’t that exciting?!! I’m so excited, I could just burst!
Before we continue guys and gals, we should learn the definition of a meme. You can find the meme definition here.
Now, let’s move on to some more fun stuff about memes. Buckle your seat belt. This train ride might get a little bumpy! 😃
So, the question is, are memes considered art? 😳
To me, the answer is yes. They may not fit into the category of classic art, but if memes are a creative expression intended to invoke a feeling, emotion or provoke thought, then the answer is yes, memes are art. To see what others say, click on the links here and here too.😃
Art is forever evolving. It’s a form of expression, a form of communication, always changing with the times. No matter what the goal of that art is, whether to convey a cultural, spiritual or political message like the hieroglyphics & paintings of the ancient Africans of the Nile Valley shown below…
…or the stylistic art of the aerosol artists (graffiti) of the 70’s and 80’s in NYC show below…see more about graffiti art here and how it became popularized and essential in early Hip-Hop. 😃👍🏿
…memes are just one form of art’s changing expression…and change is good. Change will always happen. And it’s better to embrace it than to fight it. As technology changes, surely will memes and other forms of art and communication.
A Meme =’s Art Expression.
All of your feelings could be shared on the internet, with the aid of a meme, of course. Some people may not consider memes to be art, but I do since art is about expressing oneself, whether good or bad. A meme, in my view, is a form of art.
For every positive, there is always a negative, which could be applied to Meme’s situation. A meme is often used for satirical reasons and to promote political or social consciousness in society in order to bring people together. However, there is still a negative side of it in that it is used to spread hatred and negativity on the internet.
The internet be like…
5 stages of my current mood… Sit back and enjoy…
Denial
Anger
Depression…
Bargain
Acceptance
A meme, as I previously mentioned in my statement, is called art because it illustrates how one communicates their innermost feelings, as I did in this blog.
Memes Gone Wild
Do I Consider Memes To Be Art?
Memes are gems in this perfectly imperfect world. Most of the time, it’s what keeps everything together, making a serious situation a memorable and funny moment. (A thread of some of my own memes)
This is the greatest type of art with freedom of expression, the best kind of expression.
You know the saying, “Dreams are what you make them”, well memes are the same thing, whatever you do, make sure the meme makes sense and if possible, make sure it’s something that maybe other people can relate to. 
(A thread of Memes that inspire me/make me laugh)
So, overall I 100% believe that memes are art. They can be funny, they can be sad or even serious. At the end of the day, everyone has a meme they can relate to and make memes themselves.
To Meme Or Not To Meme…
Memes are like…………. A box of chocolates …..NOPE.
Memes are like…………….
Memes are conventional wisdom…. but on STERIODS.
In their book Freakonomics ,Stephen J. Dubner and
Steven Levitt talk about the most influential people
on culture …..
Journalists and Advertisers……….
However , things have changed since the publication of Freakonomics.
With social media … EVERY ONE ( including you) is a journalist and advertiser ( even if you are unaware of it)…
The Great Debate Of The 21st century : Does global warming exist ?
Are Memes a form of ART ?
NOT EVERY ONE LIKES MEMES. Some even go far to denying them the RIGHT to be called ART.
I am on the side that says Memes are a form of art ( I hope you are too)
I will PROVE it to you. By the end of this post
all your doubts will be CRUSHED !.
Are you ready to see the proof?
( this might shock you)
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There you have it !!!!!
Still skeptical ? IM sure you are convinced by now, but I’ll show you more proof.
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And….. here is the final proof ( if you are still not convinced then LEAVE!)
I think this settles the debate…… speaking of debates.……
MEMES. The Past , Future and
FIGHTING FOR EQUALITY !!!!
CT 101 the place to learn Memeology
My favorite 2020 memes……..
My favorite meme of all time.
My Initial Reaction to CT 101
At first I was a little bummed because I’d recently taken two classes with Professor Nelson and I was afraid I wouldn’t come across a professor nor a class like hers anymore.
I really enjoyed both classes because they were interesting and I got chance to show my creativity on multiple occasions. With this being I did really well. As the pandemic progresses my ability to remain focused is becoming more of a challenge therefore the less interested I am the less motived I am.
Despite having this fear I logged on without having any expectations and remained optimistic.
My first reaction was ” this Professor Seslow appears to be very welcoming and informative”. As Professor Seslow continued to explain a bit about what the class is about and how things are going to go I knew that I was going to enjoy the class.
I am excited to see what my peers and I will create this semester! I am also looking forward to learning what Professor Seslow is going to teach us !
What Is Currently Making Ymacula Happy on the Internet
I am a big fan of YouTube. I love YouTube because it is a platform that is very diverse when it comes down to content. YouTube could be entertaining and informative. This week on Youtube I’ve been watching DIY videos. For valentines day I was surfacing the web for explosion boxes to gift my parents and boyfriend.
They were overpriced especially for something I can make by myself. With this being I searched up some DIY explosion boxes up on Youtube. There were so many kinds. I bought the materials on Amazon. I made two for Valentine’s Day and one for my aunt’s 75th birthday all for the price of one.
I took pictures of the beginning process but then I got sidetracked …
After I completed the explosion box I added some pictures, stickers and butteries. The butterflies were able to fly out as soon as they open their boxes. They loved it.
The internet is a great resource for finding different alternatives. In the future I wish to improve on making explosion boxes and venture off into making other crafty things.
Assignment 2 GIFS!
Gif or JIF?
On enrolling for CT101 I had no idea what it would be about. I was not sure what to expect. The last semester I took CT 160 and it was all about User Experience Design and creating websites/apps that were user friendly. I had actually worked with this type of blogging website so I was very familiar on how to use it. But after our professor for CT101 explained it, I knew instantly I would love this class
Creativity to me is the best element a class can have. Freedom to make something excites me and after learning about what we will be doing in this class and even what we have done so far is amazing. 
Being able to make something from your own imagination is a good feeling but being able to also see other peoples work to inspire more ideas is great and that’s why this class has to be my favorite of the semester.
This class has been different than any other class I have taken. It feels more like a fun group project with everyone contributing to make something amazing. I honestly love reading other peoples post and getting to know them through these blog posts because you see more of their personality with gifs and pictures and is a much more effective way to get to know them than posting on a discussion board. I cant wait for the next few weeks!
Assignment #2- My gif reaction to the 1st day of class
This is my first creative online class. On the 1st day of class, I was excited but nervous. Excited to be starting a creative class, but nervous because I didn’t know how difficult the class would be. I was probably more nervous than anything else…just staring, confused, billy goat style.
As Professor Seslow continued on with the class, I thought, he’s a nice guy. Then he started using terms like inbed images and hyperlinks. I tried to keep cool…tried to keep my poker face on, but emotionally I felt I looked more like this confused cat…
After class, I tried to navigate my way around the Commons site and find the first class recording to complete assignment one. That probably took me a couple of hours alone. I finally found the recording and was going back and forth between creating my post and listening to the recording like, he said do what na? (in southern accent)…
I kept at it…tried to get out of my head and have more fun with it. Finally, I calmed down and got the hang of it. Even created a gif for my first post. I previewed it to give it a look, then published it. I sat on my sofa and smiled.
Assignment# 2 GIFs
For me this course is so far really good. I was kind of skeptical about the course only cause the professor told us that a lot of people chose to drop the class only after the first session. I on the other hand loved hearing about what we would be learning in class and what my peers expected of the class. The professor seems like a really chill person and I am a fan of the types of assignments he has given us so far. Especially this one. I really like GIFs so its weird to me that I’ve never made a GIF before, nor ever thought about making one. Here are a couple of GIFs representing how I feel about the course and the things I enjoy about it so far.
Me in the first zoom session of the course hearing what we are going to be learning about and going over,
Me after finding out that we would be making our own GIFs and that the course could have a focus on animation,
Me after finding out this course doesn’t have a final exam,
Me after finding out that this course does not require me to purchase any books,
