The Detroit Institute of Art

One of the gems of the motor city, The Detroit Institute of Art, is a beacon of knowledge and inspiration for all those who seek it. Offering much worldly knowledge and even just a day of fun, the DIA is a wonderful place that you should definitely come to see. With its expansive collection of stunning artwork, and historical items from around the world, coming to this museum is a great way to find inspiration to do something magnificent and creative, to learn of the world's many amazing cultures and their styles of art, or just a fun way to spend an afternoon with friends and/or family.

The main attraction of the DIA is its extremely diverse collection of artworks, varying from the many different art styles and cultures of the world. The large variety of art styles that the museum presents is awe inspiring. From the ancient to the modern, realism to abstract, the assortment of artistic trends seems to be different with every turn. These styles and techniques in artworks can greatly differ from culture to culture, but also from time period to time period, and artist to artist even in the same time period. Each gallery is fashioned to complement the pieces displayed there, so each one is distinct. The setting often shifts with the time period and regions the artwork hails from. With over 100 of these galleries and 66000 pieces in the collection, it is very easy to get lost in the experience of taking it all in.

The differences in culture do somehow all tie together. If you look long enough, you will begin to see that the many people on this earth all share similar troubles, conflicts, and desires. All of which manifest into the art that is exhibited. Each problem is met with a solution that the culture deems the best way to deal with it. These solutions are often distinct to the specific region and people. Each piece on display is one person’s( or culture’s) unique way of dealing with issues that we all face in our day to day life, or at least, at the time the piece was made. In learning about the different pieces, their backgrounds and purposes, we develop a greater understanding of the many different cultures around us.

Even though it is most well known for its massive collection of art works, the DIA also holds an astonishing number of historical pieces. Each exhibit tells a story, which the museum staff is more than happy to share with their visitors. Below each exhibit is a description of the piece, its meaning and its artist. It also shares the period its from, important events that may have inspired it’s creation, what it represents and, if available, the use of the piece. These pieces of history can draw one in far more effectively than any school book because they are physically and changeably there. These artifacts are able to be inspected and analyzed a little more closely because they hold the visitors' interest and curiosity.

Through the DIA, visitors grow to be more aware of other cultures, practices and traditions, as well as their own cultural identities. By becoming more in touch with one’s cultural background and past, you do not only become more worldly but you learn a little more about yourself. We are not defined by our heritage and culture, but they do still make up a large part of who we are, and it can be a fruitful experience to learn more about it. Many Detroiters come to this museum for just this reason and are met with a massive mural depicting the automotive industry of Ford motor company. The mural, painted by Diego Rivera, made up of twenty-seven panels, is a tribute to the growth of Detroit. It wraps around several walls, depicting many events, such as the growth in technology and medicine. This mural leaves many meaning and interpretations up to the audience, allowing them to make their own connections to the piece. As the people in the photograph to the left gaze up at the mural, say that they could make out the loss of Native American land, the Industrial Revolution, and even the birth of humanity.

On one of my many visits to the DIA, I was able to learn a little more about my heritage and the ways in which people celebrated the holiday. This particular visit was very close to the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos. So, the artworks presented in this exhibit were all hand made altars made in order to celebrate.These altars are made to honor the memory of the dearly departed. Each one was full of life and color. They were all strikingly unique and beautiful. However, the one that caught my eye the most was named “Bridging the gap”. It was decorated with bones and many bold colors like the others. However, this one had two skeletons standing on either side of the entrance to a small bridge that extended behind the skeletons. The bridge was adorned with flowers and candles, with a few touching pictures of the subject of the altar set upon it. The bridge of the sculpture is meant to represent the connection to the spirit world the altar has, and the specific loved one’s journey to and from it on the holiday. I see it as a way of saying that no matter what, we are still connected to the ones we love; even in death. This sculpture holds a great deal of meaning to me and gave me a new perspective of the concept of death as well as insight into the way the people of my heritage view it.

The DIA is fun for all ages, it has large beautiful halls and many interactive stations with which children can learn more about the different artworks in the galleries. These stations sometimes challenge the child to partake in eye-spy games to locate interesting works of art, and are then rewarded with an interesting factoid about the piece. The DIA is a place in which children can experience different art of the world and develop a connection with other cultures. In order to ensure increase their reach to as many minds as possible, admission is free to all residents of Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland counties.

Not only does the DIA broaden your views of different cultures and artworks, this is an environment that fosters creativity and inspiration. It is often that seeing so many different works of art and beauty created over the course of human civilization, awakens a surge of creativity, drive or an inspiration to create, in a person. This sudden burst of motivation to strive and make something beautiful yourself, to make a contribution to the many miracles that have come from so many people all over the world, is something that touches visitors everyday. It is a wonderful way to end a trip in the city and is a definitively a feeling worth leaving with.    

Dealing With the Struggles of Student Life

These pictures represent a collection of struggles in a college student's life,
and ways in which we deal with them.

Having only 15 minutes to spare, this student went to the University Center food court to purchase a
sandwich to eat during her lecture to compensate for missing breakfast. With this small window of time,
Sarra decided to quickly check her assignments she would need to finish that day and fill her water
bottle enough to last her through the hours she will spend running back and forth from her classes  

As another broke student leaves the bookstore, her pockets are drained. However, her debt is
complete as she leaves with the precious books her course requires from her. Many students are
unable to get their books at a reasonable price because they are ill-informed of other sites and stores
that sell and rent out the same books for significantly less money.

The book in this picture was offered for rent by the U of M D bookstore for $126. However, the same
book on Chegg was only $24 to rent, and was still in great condition.

We all know what it is like when all the material for quizzes and exams gets to be overwhelming.
The overload of information is so daunting that you barely know where to begin studying. All the
hours of exhaustion and emotional abuse we put on ourselves, all in order to get that perfect grade
that we so desperately need. In times of struggle and confusion in their courses, these friends find
comfort in collaborating their study skills and forming a group. When studying, the more the merrier!
By studying as a group, you are able to see the material from another viewpoint and have someone
there to help correct your mistakes.

As students, it can be difficult to break out of the constant studying and other requirements of life
and actually look for the fun in it. The boulder in this  picture is what I like to call the “Ever-Changing
Rock” and is located near the University Center. Every now and then, different student clubs will paint
their logo or a special design of their liking on this rock, so it is always changing. The rock acts like a
showcase for the student club since it grabs our attention easily and arouses our curiosity about the
club. Through student clubs, students can take their minds off of studying by doing enjoyable things
such as organizing activities, fundraisers, etc. It also grants them easier accesses to resources like
internship opportunities and networking.

With all the hours of studying and planning, it can be difficult to set aside time to exercise and stay
in shape. This sedentary lifestyle is what created the “Freshman Fifteen”,the menace that slows the
metabolism of college freshmen nationwide. However, this is what the Field house is for! The building
in this picture is the fitness center at University of Michigan Dearborn. Students will often work out here
and participate in a number of sports and activities in its ice hockey rink and basketball court. Because
it is on campus, there is no need to take more time out of your schedule in order to commute to a gym,
you only need to walk from your dorm or last class and begin sweating off the Fifteen. The best part is
that it is free to U of M D students.

When I first looked at this image, I was a little shocked that this was an issue. It did not seem like something that you would need to make an argument for because the act of giving your seat to someone who is pregnant seems like the simplest act of humanity/human compassion/kindness/sensitivity/empathy/or decency you could possibly preform. However, I suppose it can't be all that simple if there is a movement dedicated to giving a pregnant woman a seat on the subway. The image invites more consideration of how to be generous as well as some annoyance at the young man who is oblivious of the tired mother-to-be without a seat. The image is meant to first call awareness to an issue of a lack of common courtesy, then persuade the audience to act. The image is meant to allow the audience to make their own conclusion of who should take the seat. This conclusion was prompted by the way the image was presented and the viewers perception of the characters.

 The subject of the image is a mother who is with child, who is being forced to stand on a subway while a seemingly healthy man is reserving his seat. The largest force of persuasion in the image is it's appeal to the viewer's pathos. By allowing us to sympathize with the soon-to-be-mother and her child, the creators are appealing to that sense of pathos. If you look at the faces of the individuals in the image, you are able to see the differences in their expressions and their emotions. You see that the pregnant woman is not smiling. She is standing straight while she is holding the baby in her womb, which is massive in relation to the rest of he body. We can see that the weight must be taxing and cannot help but sympathize with her as she stares longingly at the occupied chair. However, the man seems to be perfectly content in his seat, eyes closes as he relaxes and jams to the music in his headphones.

 Through the image, the viewers are able to see inside the woman and the man and what they hold inside their persons: the unborn child in the woman's womb, and the mug of beer in the man's stomach. The audience is prompted to compare what the two individuals in the frame hold in their person and to judge which is more important. Between the alcoholic beverage and a human child, most would empathize with the child right off the bat and see it as more important. It is not an inanimate object and is more relatable, therefore, it holds the audiences sympathies.The image was made more personal by showing only the mother and the man, the one seat and the cargo they posses(the child and beer). It highlights that there is only one seat, putting the pressure on the man lounging in that seat.

 In the statement at the top of the image, "Give up your seat to someone carrying something more important", the creators are referring to the comparison of the child and the man's last alcoholic drink. Then, the statement at the bottom of the page, "Stand Up For The Pregnant", expresses exactly what the movement is about and what the right thing to do would be. It gives a line of action to follow after you have made your judgement of which cargo is more important; the beer or the child?


In order to appeal to the audience's sense of ethos, the creators provided below the statement "Stand Up For The Pregnant", the assertion that they have been "Supporting pregnant women for over 20 years." This is put there in order to show the audience that they are a creditable source and can be relied on. 

In the research article, A Study of The Relationship Between Scheduled Free Play and Academic Achievement Among Thirdgrade Students in Texas Elementary Schools, Joshua Carty argues to convince his audience of the benefits for allowing children scheduled time of physical activity and creative play. In order to answer his research question, "Does elementary school student participation in scheduled free play, also called recess, significantly increase the percentage of students passing the thirdgrade TAKS for Reading and Mathematics?", the author/researcher sites many sources; such as past researchers, their data, and the author's own findings. The researchers that the author of this article uses for reference include Anthony D. Pellegrini, David F. Bjorllund, and Eric Jensen. Carty based his findings on the information collected by researchers previous to him and his own observations of the children’s behavior and survey results. Carty uses this abundance of data to evaluate the affects recess has on elementary school students. Therefore, it is an argument of evaluation. This paper's rhetorical appeals lies mostly, if not entirely, with ethos and logos as the author is constantly backing up his claims with highly credible sources and thoroughly explaining the logic behind his methods. Carty’s audience would most likely be college students, teachers, other researchers, and anyone who would be interested in reading a research paper.

 https://0-search-proquest-com.wizard.umd.umich.edu/socialsciences/docview/1873603759/A822335913AE40E0PQ/10?accountid=14578