Beautiful ending. Reflective, personal, and great representation.

conversational

I thoroughly enjoy Peng's perspective and her evidence to support that! This essay provided me with a look into a world I don't pay much attention to.

This is an interesting and relatable perspective!

I have only done VR once and from what I remember, it can be extremely realistic.

Reminds me of Richard Linklater's "Boyhood." The idea of growing up can be so compelling.

I've always thought of VR as being a sort of futuristic, video game type of thing. However, Peng is making me realize that there is a deeper element I may have overlooked. VR has the ability to let us experience other people's experiences to an extent and "walk in their shoes."

I really like Pengs seamless quote integration and her comparison of filmmakers, journalists, and game developers.

I think it's interesting how Peng continuously provides broader context.

She reeled us in, got us to care by placing us in this scene, and then in this following paragraph she takes a step back to give us context.

The introduction places the reader in the scene. I find it interesting how Peng uses "you" when describing this moment. It feels personable.

I think the recurring theme of fish has really added to this essay. It is clear that Doty finds solace in the simplicity of the fish. While odd, I understand his point of view and it intrigues me. It makes me want to admire the seemingly mundane aspects of my life because maybe, those will bring me solace as well.

I think a lot of artists use their art to cope with pain. I think it is very brave of Doty to admit that and be vulnerable with the reader.

I wonder what is was about these fish that inspired Doty so intensely

I love the freedom of poetry. Stanzas can fit together without transition words or full sentences. I think that allows the writer a lot of creative freedom.

Continues with the "investigation" analogy. I like it.

Doty's introduction for this piece, Souls on Ice, demonstrated the "sheer observation" introduction he highlights here.

I really relate to this. As a filmmaker I'm intrigued by many beautiful things but it is more rare to find something that truly inspires you enough to become the subject of your imagination.

I like how Doty circled back to that scene from the introduction. Now, as they described the fish, I can picture them too.

This really spoke to me because unknowingly, I do feel that as I read poems I imagine the words to be happening at that very moment. That is impactful.

Creating art is never neat, nor does it need to be

I think it's interesting how she describes writing the poem as an investigative process. In many ways writing and creating is an investigative process. Not only are you investigating your storyline, but also yourself.

I like this analogy despite it being a bit cliche. I think it works here.

I think metaphor can reveal to us emotions we have struggled to pinpoint.

Immediately the reader is transported to the Orlean's Stop & Shop. I really appreciate this because it grounds me and helps me to understand the tone of this piece.

An artist pours themselves into their work, and in many ways they articulate their own emotions. However, what Novak clearly states is that the unknown must be discovered as well. The character has their own thoughts and feelings and it is up to the artist and the interpreter to decide what those are.

hidden themes within art are so fascinating because they can speak volumes about not only the tone of the piece, but the artist as well

I think this point is so interesting because I've never really considered how a painting truly does mirror the artists personality and inner-thoughts. Even if they're painting a subject that on the surface level doesn't resemble them, there still may be a piece of the artist imbedded into the subject.

One painting can tell a million stories. I think Novak perfectly captures that ideal with these descriptions.

This relates to Novak's earlier comparison between Victoria's Secret models and motherhood.

I think using real life events and emotions in your art is so impactful. I do this with almost every artistic endeavor of mine.

I find this to be very insightful. As the artist, de Kooning puts a piece of himself into his work but still, he is an onlooker.

I really like this detail because it articulates the idea that a woman doesn't have to choose between motherhood and eroticism

I really admire Novak's seamless use of quotations in her work.

This description is fascinating because Novak provides the reader with two physical characteristics that are both distinct and juxtapose each other

Novak provides great emphasis on the subject's grin. As a reader I appreciate this detail because without being able to see this painting, I am able to create one in my head.

This description reveals the abstract nature of this painting. The colors Novak describes are both warm and cool, which when paired together look quite eye-catching and bold.

I like how Novak personified the subject of the painting. This makes her description much more intimate and personable.

Hannah Novak's introduction style is distinct. She sets the scene in order to give the reader eyes into a significant scene. I think it's very effective.

Every point Novak made, and each sentence was filled with substance. Her specific descriptions, opinions, and facts merged to provide the reader with themes to ponder.

Again, sexuality and horror, two concepts that juxtapose each other yet are used side by side in this film. Novaks repetition of these has really provided me, the reader, with context about the tone and themes in this film.

Another emphasis on parallels that coincide within the film.

"Gyrations" is a distinctive word that Novak uses twice within the same page. I think that repetition is worth noting.

"Struggle for air," and "outcry of passion." What Novak does so wonderfully is she highlights the parallels the Antichrist continuously represents.

I think this sentence introduces the relevant correlation between the humans and the trees.

I think this is an interesting rhetorical question to include. Novak has intertwined a theme of questioning authenticity in this essay and this question forces the reader to also consider what defines authenticity within a documentary.

Just like sex and death, beauty and destruction are polar, however when used together, the two can be greatly successful at leaving a lasting imprint.

I think this combination is really effective when presenting such a tragic event such as the bombing of Hiroshima. The fictional narrative aspects make the work more easily comprehended by the viewer.

The camera becomes a character. This is a technique I greatly appreciate in films because like I stated earlier, it feels more personal.

Handheld camera work is both my favorite to watch and to film. I think it really brings the reader into the world of the film. Rather than structured shots they get a personal view into the scene.

The other day in my Performance Strategies class my professor mentioned how when you're a part of the production process, you view the storyline in a different way. Opposite from the viewer, you're so invested in the production process, you don't experience the same "knee jerk" reactions that the audience does. I really like how Novak made a point of that perspective.

I think this is another example of the correlation between the humans in this scene and the tree. The two beings mirror each others' movements.

"Twisting roots," and "mingle with pleasure,"creates a relationship between the tree and the humans. The phrases seem to have a correlation; almost as if they mirror each other in a distant way.

The hook provides both minor shock value and an immediate scene that the reader can envision. It reminds me of a journalistic approach to an introduction. Generally articles begin with a "lede." A lede is intended to draw in the reader by providing a description of a relevant moment that relates to the piece.

Sex and death greatly juxtapose each other. However, Novak's thoughtful descriptions feel seamless. She gracefully describes such polar emotions without overwhelming the reader.

The theme of Novak's essay greatly emulates the theme of the Antichrist. She encapsulates sex and death with her tone and her explicit descriptions. I think this both keeps the reader engaged and adds to the overall tone and goal of this essay.