Popular Street Artists

During a walk along the streets of most urban centers, one may encounter various artworks displayed on walls. The government does not sanction a sizeable percentage of these artworks. Street art refers to the illegal visual artwork. Street artists usually undertake their work despite the risk of arrest.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Popular Street Artists specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Various street artists have gained worldwide popularity due to their street artworks. Some of the street artists include Alexandre Farto , Christian Guà ©my, Banksy, Shepard Fairey, and Brian Donnelly. Banksy is a controversial street artist whose works are in walls in London, Brighton, and Bristol. Banksy has even exhibited his artworks on the walls of West Bank. Banksy’s real identity is still unknown. However, various sources claim to know his real identity. Banksy has many fans due to his exquisite works of art. Ban ksy has several celebrity fans who include Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Christina Aguirela (Joseph para 3). Banksy has satirical artworks that use dark humor to express their message. Banksy began his career as a graffiti artist during the early 1990s. Initially, he was a member of the DryBreadZ Crew (BDZ). During the turn of the millennium, Bansky ventured into stenciling due to the less time that it takes to stencil. The shift to stenciling enabled Banksy to gain popularity in Bristol and London. Most of Banksy’s artworks have anti-establishment messages. He uses police officers, children, soldiers, and the elderly as subjects that enable him to express himself. In 2004, Banksy made a sizeable number of fake  £10 notes that had the portrait of Princess Diana instead of Queen Elizabeth. In an effort to discredit the Bank of England, Banksy satirically replaced the words ‘Bank of England’ with ‘Banksy of England.’ During the Notting Hill Carnival, a certain individual dished out the fake money to the crowd.Advertising Looking for essay on art? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The notes fetched  £200 on e-Bay. Banksy uses street art to express his political views. Some of the views may be controversial. Banksy also helps in the development of other artists. He hosts various exhibitions that provide other artists with a platform to exhibit their work. In 2008, he hosted the Cans Festival in London. The festival provided a platform for various graffiti artists to display their skills. This has enabled Banksy to become one of the most famous and influential street artists. Alexandre Farto is one of the most famous Portuguese street artists. He uses the pseudonym Vhils. Vhils has been a street artist since the tender age of 13 years. He started his career by painting on trains. Vhils is a graduate of arts from the University of Arts London. Vhils credits his current popula rity to the platform that Banksy provides other artists to enable them portray their skills. There are artworks of Vhils in Moscow, London, Lisbon, and New York. Alexandre Farto adopted the name Vhils, since he liked spraying the letters (Jones para 3). Vhils started doing street art at the tender age of 13 years. When he was 17 years old, he started having a different picture of walls. Walls told the history of his country. This motivated Vhils to start carving into walls to reflect the changing times. Vhils has various street artworks of everyday heroes (Jones para 6). These artworks are in various countries across the globe. Vhils tries to use street art to chronicle the changing times. Therefore, his artworks help in social development. The Cans Festival provided Vhils with a platform that enabled him to attain his current popularity. During the festival, his work appeared alongside that of Banksy. Since then, Vhils has done several shows on his own.Advertising We will writ e a custom essay sample on Popular Street Artists specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Vhils has held various shows in Lisbon, Paris, and New York. These shows have enabled Vhils to display his skills. In addition, the shows have enabled him to express his ideas. The shows also fetch Vhils a considerable amount of money. Another famous street artist is Christian Guà ©my. Guà ©my uses the pseudonym C215. C215 is a 38-year-old French street artist who hails from Paris. The countryside background of C215 made him lack any connection to graffiti or stenciling work until he was 15 years old. However, upon doing some graffiti at the young age he became bored with graffiti. He only returned to do graffiti work in his adulthood. The wish to create a souvenir by painting her daughter’s face on the streets was the main factor that motivated C215 to venture into street art. However, his street artworks gained huge popularity prompting him t o become a professional artist. Therefore, C215 did not set out to become a professional artist. He became a street artist by chance. C215 grew outside the street art culture that influences most of the modern street artwork. C215 is opposed to the repetition, overconsumption, hype, and cynicism, which characterize most modern street artwork. C215 uses his artwork to give hope and dignity to the society. In so doing, he uses his artwork to shape a new civilization. Most of the artwork of C215 consists of portraits of people. He uses beggars, homeless, and refugees as some of his subjects. These subjects enable C215 to use art to express himself. These subjects help in refocusing the society on forgotten people. C215 uses artworks in various cities around the world. Some of the cities include Barcelona, Rome, and London. C215 is also involved in other commercial artwork activities.Advertising Looking for essay on art? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Shepard Fairey is one of the most popular American street artists. Fairey, 43, hails from Charleston, North Carolina. Fairey’s involvement in art started in 1984 when he was 14 years old. The quest to hone his skills motivated Fahey to join the Rhode Island School of Design from where he obtained a degree in Fine Arts in 1988. One of the earliest works of Fairey is ‘Andre the Giant Has a Posse.’ Fairey created this piece of art while he was still studying at the Rhode Island School of Design. Soon after graduation, Fairey ventured into professional artwork by creating a small printing company. The company specialized in silkscreens and artworks on various clothing. This enabled Fairey to develop his art skills. Later on, Fairey helped in the formation of various companies that were involved in professional artwork activities. One of Fairey’s most famous pieces of artwork is the Barrack Obama ‘Hope’ poster. Fairey also has various street artwor ks. However, these artworks have landed him in problems several times. The risks involved in street artwork require artists to do street artwork discreetly. Street artists may face litigation from various parties due to vandalism of their property. This is because street artists work on other people’s property. However, this does not prevent street artists from portraying their artworks in various public places. On February 2009, police arrested Fairey due to his graffiti. Fairey uses street artwork as an avenue that enables him to express his ideas. In addition, Fairey has murals in several countries. Some of the murals are in London and Copenhagen (Bofkin para 1). Brian Donnelly is another popular American street artist. The artist uses the pseudonym KAWS. KAWS hails from Jersey City, New Jersey. KAWS began doing his artwork by doing graffiti in Jersey City. In the 1990s, he relocated to New York City. In New York City, KAWS began his career by subverting the imagery on var ious billboards and advertisements within the city. In so doing, he created attractive pieces of art. These advertisements remained in their reworked form for several months. This increased the popularity of the artist. KAWS has been involved in various commercial artwork activities. During the late 1990s, he designed vinyl toys, which were popular in various countries. The success of the toys prompted him to form partnerships with various companies for the manufacture of clothing. KAWS also designed the bottle of Dos Equis, a Mexican beer. Some of the artworks of KAWS include several acrylic paintings and sculptures. KAWS has remodeled various popular iconic figures. These figures include Mickey Mouse and the Smurfs. The artworks of KAWS have enabled him to use his artwork in mass-produced merchandise. KAWS has produced various artworks that have been commercially successful as mass-produced merchandise. However, KAWS continues to engage in various fine art activities that do not i nvolve mass production. KAWS shows how artists can take advantage of existing commercial opportunities while remaining true to their profession. Works Cited Bofkin, Lee. â€Å"Street artist Shepard Fairey unveils largest mural in the UK.† The Guardian. 2012. Web. Jones, Alice. â€Å"Vhils: The art of urban decay.† The independent, 2012. Web. Joseph, Claudia. â€Å"Graffiti artist Banksy unmasked†¦ as a former public schoolboy from middle-class suburbia.† MailOnline. 2008. Web. This essay on Popular Street Artists was written and submitted by user Grace Stevens to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Negative Impacts of Smoking on Individuals and Society

Negative Impacts of Smoking on Individuals and Society Introduction Each cigarette smoked, shortens life by 11 minutes. It can affect the strength of bones and the color of teeth. Stamina gets reduced, owing to decreased blood circulation. Smoking is the root cause of different kinds of cancers, the most common being lung throat cancer.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Negative Impacts of Smoking on Individuals and Society specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It also decreases our body immunity i.e. the power of body to resist illness. It also reduces fertility in men as well as women. It deprives the skin of oxygen and as a result, the skin loses its texture. Hence, a smoker will appear to be 5 years older than his/her non-smoking counterparts. Tobacco consumption is an addiction similar to the addictions of alcohol, drugs or even sex for that matter. An addict of such habits cannot come out that easily. While efforts should be made to discourage such an addiction, such mea sures should be taken that keep the new generation spaced out. Then, we know that the problem is not incessant and the focus of the approach can be centralized. This would make the job a lot easier. The main culprits of spreading this addiction are the tobacco products manufacturing companies. They should maintain some code of conduct. But their profits are based on the sufferings of others. I am saying this because an addict doesn’t buy the product out of choice, but out of compulsion and addiction. The companies are to blame for promoting the tobacco products in a deceptive manner. If at all any tobacco manufacturing company wants to promote its products, it should be based on facts. The hazardous side effects of smoking should be highlighted in their advertisement campaigns. A simple mention of â€Å"Smoking kills† or â€Å"Smoking is injurious to health† on the packs is not enough. Moreover, they should respect the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). But despite restrictions to entice teenagers, their marketing is such that the youngsters are allured to try out smoking. The â€Å"cowboy† campaign of Marlboro cigarettes is a paradigm. Due to this campaign, the sales of the company increased manifolds. Smokers’ diseases and higher death rate by smoking Smoking has an ill effect on almost all the parts of a human body. In general, smoking leads to deteriorating health conditions of smokers. According to reliable sources, smoking has lead to â€Å"269,655 deaths among males and 173,940 deaths among females in the United States† (Adhikari et al, 2008, par. 3).Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Ira Ockene claims that, â€Å"As many as 30% of all coronary disease (CHD) deaths in the United States each year are attributable to cigarette smoking, with the risk being strongly dose-related. Smoking also nearl y doubles the risk of ischemic stroke† (Ockene, par. 1). Chronic bronchitis is one of the most common diseases found in smokers. Patricia Macnair claims that, â€Å"Smoking is the most important cause of chronic bronchitis† (Macnair, par. 8). A claim made by the authors of an article is very astonishing in the sense that, â€Å"The adverse health effects from cigarette smoking account for an estimated 443,000 deaths, or nearly one of every five deaths, each year in the United States† (â€Å"Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking† par. 2). A table depicting the annual death rates caused by smoking is at Appendix 1. Passive smoking affects non-smokers Passive smoking is as dangerous as smoking. Besides inhaling the dangerous smoke, the smokers exhale the remnant smoke. This smoke is also very dangerous when it mixes with the surrounding environment and goes into the lungs of the non-smokers, making them passive smokers. â€Å"Evidence suggests that exposure to secondhand smoke also can result in adverse health effects, including heart disease in non-smoking adults† (Institute of Medicine, 2009, 1). Non-smokers’ diseases and death rate caused by passive smoking Jinot and Bayard found â€Å"suggested evidence in the data that passive smoking may be associated with lung cancer (OR = 2.01, p0.03 for a one-sided test), but that is based only on the crude odds ratio in unmatched data and needs to be confirmed by a more thorough evaluation of the data† (A-102). A subsequent study was conducted and Jinot and Bayard claim that the results showed that â€Å"any effect of passive smoking on risk of lung cancer or other smoking-associated disease is at most quite small, if it exists at all† (A-104). Medical cost and insurance caused by smoking and passive smoking Just to put forth the quantum of money involved in the treatment of smoking related disease, a study conducted by McGhee et al can be very informative. McGhee et al conducted a research that showed that in Hong Kong (in the year 1998), â€Å"The annual value of direct medical costs, long term care and productivity loss was US $532 million for active smoking and US $156 million for passive smoking; passive smoking accounted for 23% of the total costs† (McGhee et al, 2006). The study further claims that â€Å"Adding the value of attributable lives lost brought the annual cost to US $9.4 billion† (McGhee et al, 2006). Governmental efforts to reduce the smoking rate A majority of health effects of smoking were known almost 40 years back. However, governments were moderate to react to the increasing health hazards. Even though there are many strategies (anti-tobacco strategies) being developed by the nations across the globe, the smoking-related deaths continue to escalate. Now there is a general understanding that in order to decrease smoking rates considerably, governments need to embrace a complete new approach to control tobacco . This might as well incorporate a variety of measures.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Negative Impacts of Smoking on Individuals and Society specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Like, a boycott of tobacco promoting and advertising; restraints on smoking out in the public places and in the work environment; increase in tobacco taxation clubbed with measures to check pirating; huge and striking health warnings on tobacco features; smoking discontinuance and health training crusades; and to follow the guidelines agreed by the health community rather than the people in the tobacco business. Strict laws should be enacted instead of waiting for voluntary control on smoking. Given the huge trouble that smoking places on health department, governments in advanced countries have reacted by presenting an array of tobacco control measures. On the contrary, the less developed countries have shown greater and effective results of their campaigns against smoking. So there is a lot to learn for governments of developed nations. A global treaty to contain tobacco trade can be very effective in reducing the diseases and loss of lives. Following are some of the initiatives that can be taken by the government. Public information campaigns Society can participate at par with the government in such campaigns. Awareness about the perilous side effects of smoking should be spread at a warfront level. Higher prices This policy has been tried by a few countries and the results were encouraging. The logic behind this, in my opinion, is that in adolescence, the children have limited pocket money and if there is a price rise, they will be left with no option than to reduce their smoking. Total ban on advertisements As mentioned earlier, the â€Å"cowboy† campaign gave such a masculine effect that people were mad about Marlboro. If, at that time, the campaign would not have been approved by the government, today, for sure, the number of smoking addicts would have been much less. The government should learn from its past follies and put a ban on any sort of advertisements regarding tobacco products. More health warnings with emotional touch â€Å"Man is a social animal†. He is attached to his family and friends with so many emotional strings. If the health warnings touch these emotional strings, it will definitely create a positive impact and people will try to keep themselves away from the hazards of smoking.Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Ban on smoking at public places Success in today’s world means progress. Progress means to be on the run for better prospects. Better prospects can’t be achieved sitting at home. A person has to spend most of his time in public places; office, railway platform, bus station, etc. So if smoking is banned at public places, automatically the quantum of smoking will be reduced. Celebrities should be involved People are greatly impressed by celebrities and their life styles. So if celebrities are involved in anti-smoking campaigns, I am sure it will help in achieving the motive to a great extent. Conclusion In concluding this paper, it is understood that whatever said and done, the main responsibility rests on the government and the society. The government should take stern measures to uproot this evil. The society also has a major role to play in rooting out this evil. Adolescence is the time when most of the habits are developed. This period is most crucial for the develop ment of a human being’s personality. If certain evils are kept away from him throughout this period, it is quite possible that the person will remain aloof from inculcating a habit of such things. In my opinion, the age limit for the consumption of tobacco products should be 21 years. For addicts, quitting smoking is a battle that can be won by controlling the urge and by having a strong will power. Annotated Bibliography Adhikari, B. Kahende, J. Malarcher, A. Pechacek, T. and Tong, V. (2008). â€Å"Smoking – Attributable Mortality, Years of Potential Life Lost, and Productivity Losses – United States, 2000 – 2004.† Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 57(45), 1226-1228. Print. â€Å"Smoking – Attributes Mortality, Years of Potential Life Lost, and Productivity Losses – United States, 2000 – 2004† is a report compiled by B. Adhikari, J. Kahende, A. Malarcher, T. Pechacek, and V. Vong. The report is part of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and is sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services. The report is very informative and up to date. The authors have also provided a table that shows the annual deaths and estimates of smoking-attributable mortality (SAM), years of potential life lost (YPLL), and productivity losses, by sex and cause of death. The results pertain to the United States from the year 2000 to 2004. Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking 2010. Web. cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/effects_cig_smoking/. The article â€Å"Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking†, sponsored by the ‘Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’, makes the reader to comprehend the various ill-effects of smoking. The author has also included some astonishing facts and figures of smoking-related diseases. Even though the author hasn’t gone into the depth of everything, the article definitely includes a detailed list of the diseases associated w ith smoking. Since the targeted audience for this article is the layman, the language used in this article is very simple and explanatory. The author has used some authenticated sources for getting the information included in the article. Institute of Medicine 2009, Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Cardiovascular Effects: Making Sense of the Evidence. PDF file. 9 Apr. 2013. iom.edu/~/media/Files/Report%20Files/2009/Secondhand-Smoke-Exposure-and-Cardiovascular-Effects-Making-Sense-of-the-Evidence/Secondhand%20Smoke%20%20Report%20Brief%203.pdf. The article â€Å"Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Cardiovascular Effects: Making Sense of the Evidence† is a report published by the Institute of Medicine, in 2009. In addition to educating the reader about the serious hazards of smoking, like coronary heart disease, the report also includes the reports on the effects of ban on smoking. According to the report, there has been a reduction in the heart attack cases due to the implementation of prohibition on smoking. One negative aspect of the report is that due to the fewer quanta of available data, the effect of the ban on non-smokers could not be established. Further research includes the effects of indoor smoking prohibitions. Jinot, Jennifer, and S. Bayard. Respiratory Health Effects of Passive Smoking: Lung Cancer and Other Disorders, Washington, D.C.: Diane Publishing. 1993. Print. The authors, Jennifer Jinot and Steven Bayard, wrote the book â€Å"Respiratory Health Effects of Passive Smoking: Lung Cancer and Other Disorders† in the year 1993. The book is very informative as far as the physical and chemical aspects of the cigarette smoke are concerned. The authors have given in-depth details about all such properties. The author’s view (in fact, findings) about passive smoking is that the passive smokers are not affected to a great extent by passive smoking. According to them, the effect is very nominal. The authors have also included some studies in their book and have used the data to arrive at certain conclusions; the one on passive smoking is one of them. McGhee, SM, LM Ho, HM Lapsley, J Chau, WL Cheung, SY Ho, M Pow, TH Lam and AJ Hedley. â€Å"Cost of Tobacco-related Diseases, Including Passive Smoking, in Hong Kong.† Tobacco Control 15.2. (2006): 125-130. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Web. The journal titled, â€Å"Cost of Tobacco-related Diseases, Including Passive Smoking, in Hong Kong† has been written by the authors, SM McGhee, LM Ho, HM Lapsley, J CHau, WL Cheung, SY Ho, M Pow, TH Lam and AJ Hedley. The authors aim to bring forth the details of expenses incurred by the government in treating the smokers and the passive smokers. The journal is a well written one and includes information from reliable sources. The authors believe that the expenses incurred on the smokers and the passive smokers are a total loss to the society and as such, the government should take stern steps to curb th is menace. Adhikari, B. Kahende, J. Malarcher, A. Pechacek, T. and Tong, V. (2008). â€Å"Smoking – Attributable Mortality, Years of Potential Life Lost, and Productivity Losses – United States, 2000 – 2004.† Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 57(45), 1226-1228. Print. Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking 2010. Web. cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/effects_cig_smoking/. Institute of Medicine 2009, Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Cardiovascular Effects: Making Sense of the Evidence. PDF file. 9 Apr. 2013. iom.edu/~/media/Files/Report%20Files/2009/Secondhand-Smoke-Exposure-and-Cardiovascular-Effects-Making-Sense-of-the-Evidence/Secondhand%20Smoke%20%20Report%20Brief%203.pdf. Jinot, Jennifer, and S. Bayard. Respiratory Health Effects of Passive Smoking: Lung Cancer and Other Disorders, Washington, D.C.: Diane Publishing. 1993. Print. Macnair, Patricia. n.d. Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema and COPD (‘Smoker’s Lung’ ). n.d. Web. netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/smokerslung.htm. McGhee, SM, LM Ho, HM Lapsley, J Chau, WL Cheung, SY Ho, M Pow, TH Lam and AJ Hedley. â€Å"Cost of Tobacco-related Diseases, Including Passive Smoking, in Hong Kong.† Tobacco Control 15.2. (2006): 125-130. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Web. Ockene, Ira. n.d. Cigarette Smoking, Cardiovascular Disease, and Stroke. N.d. Web. http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/96/9/3243.full. Appendix 1 Source: cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5745a3.htm#tab

Changing organizations is as messy as it is exhilarating, as Essay - 1

Changing organizations is as messy as it is exhilarating, as frustrating as it is satisfying, as muddling-through and creative a process as it is a rational one - Essay Example It is complex in its paradigm and encompasses myriad issues which directly or indirectly impact organizational performance. Palmer et al., (2009) argue that changing organization is ‘as messy as it is exhilarating, as frustrating as it is satisfying and as creative a process as it is a rational one’ which actually sums up the challenges of meeting them successfully. The paper would be analysing the statement from myriad perspectives and would look at the change per se because they bring with them the paradoxes that are confusing but pose challenge for the managerial leadership to identify new opportunities in them (McMillan, 2008; Osborne & Brown, 2005). Indeed, they are exhilarating experience for the leadership as they would like it to change into facilitators of success. Thus, businesses make efforts to identify drivers of change to anticipate them and exploit them for not only competitive advantage but also for survival. Changes become important factors that serve as motivation for management to introduce new ways to improve and improvise performance. Organizations need to change mainly because of pressures from external and internal factors that significantly impact organizational performance and credibility (Morgan, 2006). The major drivers of change are described as below: Scholars have defined globalization as ‘the diffusion of goods, services, capital, technology, and people (workers) across national borders’ (Sirgy et al., 2004: 253). The movement of people across geographical borders has been important paradigm that has redefined social structure and considerably influenced business dynamics in terms of inter-dependency of resources. People have become key elements of business necessitating understanding of human psychology in a multicultural society. Diversity has become a reality and business needs to utilize their competencies for improved outcome. At the same time, globalization has considerably expanded the scope of business with