Exploring an Object: Toilet Paper Roll - Coursework Example

Yuan Wang AAD 251 11/11 Exploring an object I choose to discuss a toilet paper roll which is a three-dimensional object. It is made of rolls of toilet paper wound upon a hollow core of cardboard (Coakley 425,530). The toilet papers are made of a material that can disintegrate in water and can be found in all households. It is large to fit in the palm of an adult. The toilet paper roll under analysis is white in color and is cylindrical in shape. The value of the toilet paper roll is light. It has several pieces of paper put together to form a two-ply sheet and then they are rolled around a hollow core of a cardboard. The texture of the toilet paper is soft and has a dotted pattern. The aspect of repetition is seen from the dotted patterns in the toilet paper sheets. There are several folds at intervals that are perforated so that the toilet paper is cut clearly. The toilet paper sheets take the shape of a square which gives it consistency when a person is using it. When unrolling, the toilet paper moves in various directions according to the position it is placed. The toilet paper roll, therefore, follows a circular rhythm when used. In reference to light and shadow, the toilet paper is translucent. This implies that it can allow some light through when subjected to a source of light. When the toilet paper is put at an angle of 90 degrees one can only see the pattern on the toilet paper but when it lays on a flat surface, the various layers of the toilet paper are visible. The hollow cardboard core is rough and compact and consists of an interior white color and exterior brown color. The brown color is concealed by the rolls of the toilet paper but once the roll is finished the color is visible. Whereas, the white color is visible via the hollow part, the hollow part is made of hard paper than the one used on toilet paper rolls, and it is not soluble in water. The toilet rolls are also perfumed with a sweet, mild scent. The perfume brings a feeling of freshness and the white color a sense of cleanliness. The color is appealing and creates a feeling of confidence. As per the categories of visual arts, the toilet paper belongs to functional art category (Lecture notes, AAD 251: Arts and Visual Literacy). This is grounded on the fact that it is made from various types of papers to make the whole object, and I bought it from a retail shop. The toilet rolls are made of soft paper while the hollow part is manufactured using a cardboard. It is a good object because it is functional proved by the fact that I use it on a regular basis and do not need to give so much care when handling it. The toilet paper is not sensitive compared to other fine art categories for instance fine art pictures that require a lot of attention when holding it depending on the nature of material used and the value of the piece (Lecture notes, Design: Judging Design ). Tactics and strategies According to Darts (2004), visual culture is an important direction for modern art educators who are dedicated to studying social justice issues and promoting democratic principles through their teaching. This research looks into how visual culture education can strengthen students to understand and meaningfully participate in the cultural and ideological struggles placed within the everyday visual encounter. The author studies the work of resistance theorists and socially participating artists, including culture jammers, with an aim to support and inspire the learning and teaching of visual culture. The research concluded with an examination of culture production as a pedagogical strategy within the visual culture environment for producing and facilitating student understanding, awareness and active engagement in the socio-cultural realm (p. 313-327). In an article by Manovich (2009), it is clear that visual arts attract a lot of people that leave the author wondering if the people’s identities and imaginations are more strongly colonized by commercial media that in previous century. He argues that today people make their cultural products that go after the templates established by the professionals and/or are dependent on professional content. In the journal, the tactics are defined as the methods in which persons negotiate strategies that were established for them. A perfect example of a strategy is where governments or corporations creates a city layout, driving, and parking and signage rules and publishes official maps. Tactics refer to how people walk through the city, for example, wandering aimlessly, navigating through favorite routes and taking shortcuts. This is to say that people cannot physically reorganize the city, but can adapt it to their needs by selecting how to move through it. After reading the information from the two journals I realized that in my case, the strategy of the toilet paper is to be used in bathrooms of personal households, offices, restaurant and any other place suitable for their use. The tactic in this case is how I decide to use the toilet paper, for example, in the bathroom, using it to wipe off dirt from my hands, shoes or an object that is dirt. This is to say that I cannot change the way the toilet paper is manufactured, but I can use it for various purposes that are suitable. In reference to the visual tactics and strategies notes, the audience of the toilet paper is people living in modern lifestyle (Lecture notes, Visual Tactics and Strategies). For this particular group, it brings a feeling of relief. Thinking about the toilet paper, I find that there is an attraction that promoted this object. One strategy that is used is nurturing and family fun, and the technique used is bandwagon. The toilet paper is an object that is used by the whole family. This is evident from a commercial where, the parent is seen taking pride in training their kids on how to use the toilet well (Lecture notes, Visual Tactics and Strategies). The toilet paper is intended for all types of people regardless of their social status or age. I remember a saying that says ‘animals do not use toilet paper and do not need it because they do not walk tall. In the band wagon method the toilet paper is viewed as a product that is used by many people and this could be used to appeal to the class of potential buyers to get on board and use the object (Lecture notes, Visual Tactics and Strategies). For example, people living in uncivilized communities, do not even know the need for this object. These people are used to a different lifestyle and use other materials for the same purpose as a toilet paper. People living in the uncivilized areas may view the toilet paper as an expensive commodity which will just go to waste however such a commercial might motivate them to test the product. The toilet paper is used in properly built washroom. The use of the toilet paper is environmental friendly because it soluble in water and easy to decompose. This makes the environment clean, presentable and good for anyone to live in. When interacting with the toilet paper it brings out the feeling of greatness and pride and not using it brings a feeling that something is wrong with you. I learn to appreciate myself more and the object for the various purposes that it can be used to accomplish. The toilet paper is used by people who are hygiene conscious and is associated with the contemporary lifestyle (Lecture notes, Visual Tactics and Strategies). Image styles The image style that is significant to my experience with the object is representational art. Representational art is where an object is clearly recognizable for what it claims to be. The toilet paper has an abstract resemblance human neck. The object indicates the relationships of a person to nature. The toilet paper is manufactured from trees and is intended for human use (Lecture notes, Image Styles). Representation art stimulates the left hemisphere of the brain through its intellectual content and gives non-verbal stimuli to the right hemisphere of the brain (Fuzzy Logic 101). In my encounter with the toilet paper roll, it is easy to see from far that it is a white roll but until I had a closer look did I notice the patterns on it and its texture. The white color provokes the sense of class because white is associated with a class. If the toilet paper roll was in black color, I believe that no one would want to be associated with it. The dotted lines and the perfume enhance the look of the toilet paper roll making it look extravagant. The toilet paper could be viewed from the perspective of functionalism style. The object is good and performs its motive well. The purpose of toilet paper is to make the washroom encounter enjoyable. The way the toilet paper is designed with absorbent papers makes it comfortable and serves the purpose well (Lecture notes, Image Styles). The way the toilet paper is packaged in a circular manner makes it easier for use, and this could be related to the style of expressionism. This is because the object provokes the emotions of confidence and pride (Lecture notes, Image Styles). You and the object One way that I could influence my experience with the object would have been to dye the roll to achieve a different color. A different colored toilet paper roll will not generate a feeling of class and cleanliness but on the contrary it would bring a feeling of low class. In addition, I would change the conditions of the toilet paper, for example, by making it moist. In this case it will evoke the feeling of mess, dirt and unhygienic, something that is very disgusting. Using the Gardener’s Intelligence Domains, it assumes that the human organism has seven clear units of functioning. The seven functions were leveling vs. sharpening, scanning, tolerance for unrealistic experiences and constricted vs. flexible control. The author marks these units intelligence each with its measurable and observable capabilities (Morgan 263-269). I am an individual who loves cleanliness and order and the use of the toilet paper complements my personality (Lecture notes, AAD 251: Arts and Visual Literacy). The bodily-kinesthetic intelligence guided the exploration of this particular object (Lecture notes, Human Intelligence Domains). I did not know much about the toilet paper but through a close look and touching it helped me understand the object. The fact I enjoy looking at the environment and enjoying the nature has developed my naturalistic intelligence, and this has perfected my ability to interpret, observe and establish meaning from the environment (Lecture notes, Human Intelligence Domains). The white toilet roll stimulates a feeling of ease and calm, when touched its softness and fluffiness encourage one to go on and use it. Its fragrance brings about the feeling of comfort and on personality it brings about composure. It is a common belief that white represents purity; therefore the color white on the toilet paper roll is consistent with the belief. I employed the methodological bias where I used touch and sight to gather data and discover the motive of the toilet paper. With my personal bias, I view the toilet paper as a very essential part in my life, and I need it for daily use. As suggested by Maslow values are importantly equivalent to requirements, and they are hierarchical in nature. The levels are founded on deficits in that individuals tend to value what they lack at the next greater level. For a higher level to become important, he lower-order level must be satisfied. Only one value is greater than others at a given time (Kahle et al. 111). In my case a toilet paper roll that is of high quality and cost effective will satisfy the basic needs of individuals to use the washroom, for example, cleaning one after using the toilet. In social motives, I would be more interested in a toilet paper roll that is of high quality. By this, I mean one that has the right layers of toilet sheets and which is absorbent and easy to flush. The fragrance is okay but also if they are in various flavors would be more exciting. The toilet paper roll has influenced by choice through the white color and the fragrance. It has also influenced my response to the object because it is preferred over other products of toilet paper rolls that do not possess the same qualities. Findings Maker’s intent Yes, I experience the toilet paper in the way the maker had intended because when I need a toilet paper roll, I always go for this particular product because it has distinctive features from others. I have also discovered other ways of using the toilet paper roll that may not be the manufacturer’s objective such wiping dirt off my hands, using it to for easy art experiences that provide hours of creative arts. A good example is when the toilet paper roll is used to make art objects for children whom they love because of their look and texture after the glue is dry (Sherrill, Standke and Armbrust 27). Design The quality of its design is standard. This is because most toilet paper rolls are in a cylindrical shape. This kind of shape does not occupy a lot of space therefore it is perfect for most of the environment they are used. On the other hand, if manufacturers would venture into other shapes that would fit the standard sizes of the current toilet paper rolls would be creative and more challenging to consumers. Surprising/unexpected discovery During my exploration, I discovered that the hollow core of the toilet paper had several rolls of the cardboard. This discovery caught me by surprise as I did not know this before the exploration, I just imagined it was a solid, hollow cardboard. Conclusion In conclusion, the toilet paper roll is an important part of daily experiences that is fulfilling to persons. Without the toilet paper rolls, the life in the bathrooms would be miserable and frustrating. This statement reminds me of a proverb “every cloud has a silver lining” meaning some people may visualize something as valueless while in the real sense it is of high value. The toilet paper fulfills the basic needs of human beings because food is one of the basic needs, and people need to visit the washroom regularly. The toilet paper is associated with a sense of dignity in the society and with individuals who have a sense of hygiene is upheld. As a visual object, the toilet paper roll arouses mixed reactions in individuals who are in contact with it. Works cited Coakley, Dan. Scented fresh rolls. U.S. Patent No. 6,425,530. 30 Jul. 2002. Darts, David. "Visual culture jam: Art, pedagogy, and creative resistance." Studies in Art Education (2004): 313-327. Fuzzy Logic: A Framework for the New Millennium. , 1999. Print. Flora, Sherrill B, Linda M. Standke, and Janet Armbrust. Art Experiences for Little Fingers: Open-ended Art Experiences That Help Young Children Explore Their World!Minneapolis, Minn: Key Education Publishing Co, 2005. Internet resource. Kahle, Lynn R., et al. "Maslow’s hierarchy and social adaptation as alternative accounts of value structures." Values, lifestyles and psychographics (1997): 111-138. Lecture notes, Human Intelligence Domains. Lecture notes, AAD 251: Arts and Visual Literacy Lecture notes, Image Styles Lecture notes, Design: Judging Design Lecture notes, Visual Tactics and Strategies Manovich, Lev. "The practice of everyday (media) life: From mass consumption to mass cultural production?." Critical Inquiry 35.2 (2009): 319-331. Morgan, Harry. "An analysis of Gardners theory of multiple intelligence." Roeper Review 18.4 (1996): 263-269 Read More