Who is Mona Lisa?

Everybody knows about the painting “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci but the question is who is Mona Lisa?

Some say that the lady in the painting is Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a wealthy Florentine cloth merchant, Francesco del Giocondo. Therefore, the alternative title of the painting is La Giocanda. There were even others that said, that it was his mother. However, according to the structure of the Mona Lisa’s face, some say that it was a structure of man that Mona Lisa was probably his assistant and probably lover, Salai.

Then according to Jeanna Bryner, the transparency of the veil shows da Vinci’s first painted a landscape and then used transparency techniques to paint the veil atop it. Then she noticed a change in the position of the left index and middle finger. At the elbow there was repair around at that part from damage due to a rock thrown at the painting in 1956. Also the left finder was not completely finished.

            Then in the year 2015, a group of archaeologists discovered the remains of Lisa Gherardini, one of the rumored models of Leonardo Da Vinci. Her remains were found in the Sant' Orsola convent in Florence. 

“I’m convinced it is her,” Silvano Vinceti, an art historian who led the research team, told The Telegraph.

“There is a strong compatibility between the results from our archaeological and historical research and the results from the carbon dating. It is highly probable that the remains belong to Lisa Gherardini.”

After finding the remains, they are compare DNA samples from the remains and the DNA that extracted from two of the five children that Gherardini had with her husband. However, when the children's remains were discovered in the tomb Basilica of Santissima Annunziata in Florence, their bone fragments have been badly damaged due to flooding of the Arno River. Because of this they cannot provide enough DNA samples to make a comparison, according to  Prof Giorgio Gruppioni, the head of the forensic anthropology laboratory at Bologna University. Although they haven't given up, they are finding solutions and techniques in order to solve the mystery. 

However there were some critics that pointed out that the remains belonged to another woman. Well, we wouldn't know unless further study is conducted. For now, Mona Lisa still remains a mystery. Who is the woman behind that famous smile? 

Life outside Technology

Technology has taken over the society together with social media. That people spend most of their time online. I’m for one am the same. When I first received this blog as project, I was worried what to talk about Technology. Well I could say that I like to spend my time online watching movies, updating myself with the latest news or trends and also chatting people from a long distance. Back in elementary, it became natural for everyone to have Facebook. 

Then when I entered high school, I learned a lot from social media. It even became one of the topics in our conversations with my friends. We talk about music, movies, idols and many more. Then came the time to say goodbye. When I graduated high school, my friends and I went to different schools to pursue our dreams. However thanks to social media I was able to keep in touch with them from time to time. 

That’s a good thing about social media. However, as I engross myself in social media the more it affects my life. There are times when I forget what really matters and I cannot take back what’s already done. There are times when I forget to do my homework or my projects. That when the deadline comes only then I’ll cram. And also I cannot live without my laptop since I always need it for designing. 

Thinking about today’s media, I’d say it has its own advantages and disadvantages. But when did I ever go without checking my Facebook or my emails. When was the last time did I ever hangout with my friends and forget about technology? When was the last time when I just enjoy my life free from social media?

Outside social media we can spend more time with our family, relatives, friends etc. We can get to know other things that social media cannot show. Also we can create more memorable smiles and laughter. “Sometimes we have to disconnect to make a connection.”Sometimes We Need to Disconnect to Make a Connection."

Education Then And Now

You know it’s kind of amazing how people evolved when technology was introduced. When I was in elementary, I remember my teacher would use chalk to write lectures, reminders and home works on the board. Then when I reached high school, the chalk board evolved to white boards and projectors. Whenever the teacher uses the projector to present the power point lectures, we have to be quick in taking down notes while listening to the teacher. Then now in college, there are no differences from high school and yes of course we take down notes. However, in college you can just take out your phone, take a picture of the lecture or reminders that are written on the board. There! Notes. Otherwise the teacher would just upload it on facebook and there. We have a copy of the lecture. How easy is that? Back in the old days, there were chalks and dust. Now selfies and projectors.

Also in school, some students don't use the dictionary often since one can access it online. Its just one click and away. Even research. Same thing when comes to other books. I mean why go to the library when you can just search it online. So basically wherever you go the phone is there for you. LOL :3 Some students bring their laptops, even I do it. But if you're traveling far, its better if you don't bring because 1, the weather and 2, its heavy. 

However, in school there are limits to what the teacher can teach you. They’ll only give you lectures and teach you the basics then it’s up to us to master it. The same thing goes to youtube. On youtube you can access any tutorial you can want. From there you can learn basically anything. It can give you the information you need but it will never show you how to be professional since it’s up to you whether you want to master it or not. However in school, the teachers will give you the basics and the knowledge about their functions. So each has its own advantage and disadvantage. 

Media Today's Art

In this society, people may be affected by the media but everything around them is affected as well. Like Arts; in a traditional way people use paint brushes, oil pastel or even pencil to sketch their ideas. But when Technology was discovered, people now use a number of softwares to create their designs. It is easy for them because one mistake you can easily undo it unlike on the actual canvas or paper you have to repeat it all over again. Unless you use other methods to cover it up. There may be disadvantages as well there are advantages. Also another thing is sharing and publishing your artwork. The fastest way is uploading it online or if you want you can present it to an art dealer or something. But to be honest most people will just take a picture and then upload it online. Even doing your artworks digitally is quite easy once you know how the tools function. You can create animations, make objects that can move and make them transform. 

Anyone can be an artist, a designer, creator, etc. But it takes time and effort to become a professional. Thanks to technology it made the artist's work easier.

With effects it can make your artworks eye catching. Make's it look cool that you want to make as it your desktop wallpaper. I know I would. That's one of the best thing in using today's technology. However, as an artist it is a challenge.

Back in high school, I remembered how much knowledge I lacked when it came to digital art.

Actually at first I wasn't good at drawing. I can't even draw a star or person. Until I learned about anime from my friends. I learned lots of things from it. About life, advice, how to draw and more importantly not to give up.

Before entering college, I honestly didn't know what course to take. I envied others who already have their goals and dreams unlike me. Well I do have dreams but felt like it wasn't meant for me.

                                                             

Then I learned about Multimedia Artist. I knew by then that it was the choice that I should take. Finally I went for it. Although when I entered college there were actually a lot of my classmates who are far better and far more enhanced than me. I said to myself, "Aimee, you made it this far. If you give up now, do you have the right to call yourself a fight?". And you know actually I'm glad that I found myself some rivals because if it weren't for them I wouldn't have gotten this far. 

Anyway the reason why I chose Multimedia Arts was because I love to design and create my own animations. That's why I am thankful for this era. Since technology can make my designs look real and alive. 

Media Kills

As technology evolve and improve, people nowadays engross themselves in social media. In social media you basically can do anything, share any information, contact people from any place; in short things became easier to do things. However, there are dark things hidden behind the screen that others do not know. Below is a short example.

Justin is one of those teenage boy who spends his time in the society of media. In this society, let’s say Facebook Justin lied about his background. In school, he was always bullied whenever he has problems he would resort it by using the society of media. Then he met this girl who goes by the name Lorie. Then he has been chatting with this girl who goes by the name Lorie. She is beautiful, with a slender body and a long beautiful hair. They have been chatting almost for three months and they felt like it was time for them to meet. And so they did. However, it was disappointing since the person that Justin wanted to meet was an illusion. Lorie turned out to be a gay. It seems that Justin’s classmates wanted to play a prank on him by using Lorie as their game plan. Justin was crashed and humiliated. The next day, everybody at school heard about it and he became the laughing stock in school. Justin couldn’t take it anymore that he resorted in taking his life.

Another terrifying story is that, Allison who is addicted in playing the latest online game committed a crime. It happens that when she was focusing on the game, her three year old brother interrupted her. She was so mad that she bashed the keyboard onto her brother’s face. And then beat him until he died.

It’s true that the internet is useful however from what I’ve learned, it also promotes bullying. There are good things and as well bad things. Since the internet provides information, anything is possible. One can learn things by himself and discover things throughout the world. You can show your talents as you share it online. You can also find your friends and contact them. Enjoy and entertain yourself. That’s one of the good things when it comes to the internet. But we must prevent cyberbullying since it will not only hurt the person but can also destroy a life. Also don’t let the internet influence you or let it control you. Furthermore, don’t be confuse with which is the reality. So be careful and wise. 

TeLePhones

Before I lack knowledge when it comes to cell phones, the only phone I had was a t        y  . It was fun pretending to be talking to someone on the other line. I received my first cell phone when I was in grade 5 since my parents have work and I had to stay at home. I remember it was Nokia, it was not touch screen and the graphics was old. But I was quite happy since I get to experience to have a phone. Well the only thing that interests me was the games, “Impact”. I never knew what was the cell phone was for or what is it used for. I didn't know the functions or the controls. All I did was explored and went with my guts. And also I know that when my mom calls just answer; even though it took me time to know what to press. It became really frustrating to hear it ring every now especially when you're busy then suddenly it rings. Arrgh!! Really frustrating. Also I kept forgetting and misplacing the phone that my mom kept scolding on why I didn't answer the phone. That's why I don't want to have a phone in the first place. :3

When time passed by, cell phones became a trend. My classmates would go around asking others for their phone numbers. A classmate even asked for mine but at that time I didn’t know what a phone number was. Then I noticed an object in her hand, it was a phone, although it was also it was a little different from mine. It was also Nokia but it was narrower and it was colorful than mine. I found it interesting because it was different, interesting and eye catching. And the games  were interesting and fun. The graphics was a spot on that I can't stop myself from playing it. But still I didn't like having a phone since you have to carry it around with you. And you have to always keep it on and normal. (sigh) Then my mom bought a new phone. The brand was Nokia, it was pink and sliding. It was quite cute. It has camera, a video cam and a recorder. It was an improved, modernized model. It caught my attention right away and I immediately wished that it was mine but sadly it was not. Dear Santa when can I have a new phone? Sincerely Me. 

Then later on, more discoveries happened when I reach the 6^th grade. I found out that you can listen to music using your phone. You can also call other people. I even memorized my number. Ha! Finally. Then I found out that their phones have a camera on it. And some are wider, like the phone, “Blueberry”. I didn’t even know that you can name a phone from a fruit. Such an amazing discovery I made indeed. There were actually phones that are different from each other. Amazing!

Then as I continue to know about phones and their functions, I became engrossed in having it with me everywhere I go. Especially when me and my best friend became text buddies, the phone became a necessary device to keep in touch with each other. That's why to me it feels natural to have it with me and I would be devastated when I lose or misplace it. It also became a habit to check my phone whether I messages or miscalls. So no matter how far apart we may be we can easily keep in touch thanks to my buddy, phone. :D The only problem was that I had to spend money on load. Why can’t load be free?