Reading Assignment: Jeffrey Gibson's Sculpture

 DOUBLE-ENTRY NOTES

Before you start reading or watching, draw one line down your paper, dividing it into two sections. As you read or watch, on the left-hand side of the paper, write down one or two ideas, expressions, or sentences that strike you from each page of the reading or from every 1 to 2 minutes of the video. 

Write one or two ideas, expressions, or sentences that strike you from each page of the reading. This can be a direct quote.	Write your responses and reactions (thoughts, feelings, associations, questions, confusions, connections ...) to what you put on the left side.
“They started off as sculptures carved from driftwood found in the Hudson River — mixed with clay and foam and other materials — then were digitally scanned, cast in bronze and colored with a time-consuming patina process.”	Gibson’s process brings a breath of fresh air and a sense of relief due to the fact he started by using everyday objects/nature, that is considered accessible for everyone, and used it as a base to build off of.
Gibson infuses his Cherokee heritage with his works of art, for example, the sculpture of the deer wearing a deep red poncho and a necklace filled with blueberries titled with: “they teach us to be sensitive and to trust our instincts issi/awi/deer”. Using “Issi”, Choctaw, from his father’s side and “Awi”, Cherokee from his mother’s side.	These are beautiful and intricate pieces of art/sculptures. To be able to see a glimpse of his heritage, especially, learning through the clothing, accessories, and the specific animals he’s chosen as teachers from his heritage; is almost like a history course.
The Algerian-born French philosopher, Jacques Derrida’s book, “The Animal That Therefore I am”, delivered in France 1997, was known as the founder of deconstructionism.	I decided to gain a better understanding of deconstructionism by finding the meaning: “disassembling concepts, texts, beliefs to expose inherent contradictions, ideological biases, and unstable meanings, challenging the idea of fixed/absolute truths.” Derrida proclaimed that animals were mostly ignored in European philosophy.
In the lecture, Derrida considered the distinction between “humans” and nonhuman “animals”, pointing out that humans have been considered “rational animals” due to language, while animals are considered “others” and lower than us.	I believe that his lecture was not talked about enough in society, due to the fact that not only do most people not hear about it, but also because a lot of people still see animals as inferior. It’s interesting to see that we are considered as “rational animals” due to language, even though animals have a language of their own. We see them communicating with one another, even though we don’t understand, to be able to work in packs and more.
“Indigenous people around the world have always believed this and honored animals as ancestors or spirits who possess powerful knowledge and skills.”	I heard only about Indigenous people believing and honoring animals, rather than Derrida’s lecture. Gibson’s sculptures have portrayed the honor, respect, and love he has towards them and tries to give the audience the same information about these animals to us so we can also respect them.