Key Pages
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The camera4/11/06
Assignment 1: Choose an artifact which captures what it is to be human. have chosen a photograph as my artifact. More specifically it is a picture of my father, one of his brothers, and me. Other animals do not have the ability to appreciate, or understand photos. Human beings alone are capable of capturing an image to preserve it for a time when it either no longer exists, or is not in the immediate vicinity. From deceased relatives, to images of buildings and landscapes from distant lands, we are able to visualize an object that is not physically present. For a monkey, as soon as one if its relatives dies, it will never again have the opportunity to see him or her again, in any capacity. However, with the power of photography, we are able to act is if they were still around. I do not mean to say that without photography the definition of what it is to be human will change, rather that photographs immediately struck me as an artifact that figuratively and literally "captures" what it is to be human. This picture shows two generations of Okanlami men. The oldest son, my father, his younger brother, and me. Family portraits are fairly common amongst human beings, but we may fail to realize that we are the only species that has the capability to document familial ties like this. One can look at this picture an analyze the similarities and differences between the individuals in it. What is even more interesting to be about this picture is the simple fact that we are all dressed alike. I am not sure what the significance of this is yet, but when I look at the picture that is something that jumps out at me. Pictures are not only a mere representation of the people that are in them, but also the people that were around when the picture was taken, and the circumstances surrounding it. I look at this picture and immediately swell with pride because it was taken at my sisters graduation from Duke University in May of 2004. As the old saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words," and many more feelings and memories.
And here is a photograph of my sister the same day. Just for the sake of putting it up.
