TROLL AVE.

When I was thinking of people to profile in our video assignment, no one specifically appealed to me: I was thinking about service/hospitality jobs (i.e. barista, waitress, bartender), because of how the shots would require a natural action that illustrated an action-centered story line (because of our 5 shot, no-edit constraint) and also because that felt like the general idea in our class.

I started thinking about unusual things I could make a story out of, instead of following that common thread of convenience. I decided on the Fremont Troll because of how artistically iconic it is for Seattle, not to mention Fremont’s own eclectic identity. I was actually surprised at the coherence of the story line created.

I didn’t realize how many people passed the troll every day, and started realizing how the Troll might be personified—patient; a rock of creative expression that has become the watchdog under the bridge, rather than a mythically menacing troll. Busses full of tourists were constantly pulling up to the troll, pausing, and driving away; cars full of families stopped by to take pictures. People were posing with the Troll in different ways—climbing him, walking around him, sticking their heads under his nose, etc. Perhaps it’s a little presumptuous stretch to say this rock sculpture displayed a magnanimously patient aura as it became a spectacle—maybe I’m giving inanimate objects too much credit. But the history of the Troll resurfaces and implicates itself in the admiration of its many visitors.

I do think this has to do with Identity; especially being an iconic Seattle piece of art (… it was in 10 things I Hate About You), it seems like Seattleites are of course aware that the Troll is there, but doesn’t receive any overt “public relations” or community appreciation. Perhaps if people realized how personable and endearing the Troll has become through its historical presence, they’d take better care of it in order to preserve him (as well as keep the area safe).

Troll Ave. N from grace yang on Vimeo.

via rushofblood.tumblr

Hello my dear readers. My dear, darling readers.

I awoke to Seattle enshrouded by gentle mist. The breath of Zeus is upon us.

But seriously, I’m so proud of how productive I am today.

What I have completed:
Health screening for Rome. Researched $$$ for vaccinations. Got an official Washington State Issued ID Card. Got a library card at the Seattle Public Library, where I am visiting for the first time.

All before 12:00.

I’ve also scheduled an interview for a story I’m reporting on for my class– COM 495, “SUPRAPRINT” by Professor Florangela Davila.

I would blog on my story, but I sorta don’t– because I’m weary of how many people are actually in Mars Hill Church, and I don’t want to have them “reading me” before I interview them. That’s incredibly self-indulgent of me, to think that I am quite that important for them to be concerned about, but no matter, no matter, self-indulgence comes and goes like the wind.

This is a ridiculous post. Does anyone else create things and destroy them precisely because they don’t have conviction in their coolness??

I have more conviction in others than I do in myself. Why does this sound terrible?

In NEWS: Yes-men front man Andy Bichlbaum pulled a stunt press junket when he impersonated a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and announced that the chamber would reverse their previous stance on global warming policies and instead support taxation of carbon emmissions. He was interrupted by an actual member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce– see their live hoax here. Hilarity only increases when the “real man” arrives on the scene– and an actual statement from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was released denouncing the hoax as an obstacle in “seriously discussing the improvement of global climate change in the world” (not a direct quote– just something like that). Losers.

Some things are for sure: these incredible pieces made my jaw drop:

 

via butdoesitfloat.com

 

via butdoesitfloat.com

via butdoesitfloat.com

 Epic pieces for epic day(ze).

Love,

Graceee