The phenomenon that is FACEBOOK!

Social networking has seem to become quite a big interest of mine as it has become such a quick and largely growing industry phenomenon.
I've highlighted Mark Elliot Zuckerberg facebook ( launched in 2004) as I've never been one for sharing all my details with random people online but even I find myself using it!

I remember when I started University ( 3 years ago) teachers and students suggest we all join this website as it was not a public networking site but a private network mainly for university students, so I thought yeah why not it;s a good way of getting in touch people on my course etc.

Since those three years it has become a world wide public site and anyone of any age can join( so yeah its like any other social networking site)!
Well no, the speed in which facebook has grown is immense in comparison to similair sites such as bebo and myspace which have been around for years. The publicity facebook has developed is massive, I think this is only website that has developed mass awareness in a positive way. I would say its one of the most most popular and commonly used site with people having their parents as friends!

Even having a separate facebook application on the iphone and blackberry goes over my head.





Large companies, organisations and business's are using facebook as a platform for promotion and advertising with links like ' find us on facebook' and setting up their own facebook groups and pages which allowing the general public to 'join' groups or 'become' fans.


Ive seen facebook used in product placement through different forms of media, through song a more commonly the TV. For example I was watching Hollyoaks ( not the most broad porgram, I know) and they were discussing facbook updates.




I often find myself hearing and reading terms such as 'facebooking' ' facebook stalking' and 'facebook raped'. When did something like rape become a part of popular culture?

I've got a few questions that I think I need to research

Is some like facebook and social networking going to take over meeting up with someone and having a real chat face to face?
What is peoples need to social networking?
Is it craze or do people have a real dependancy to it, if so why?
Is social networking bringing about a whole new language?

Social media in plain english.

leelefever and it is described as:

A short explanation of social networking websites and why they are popular.
This video comes in an unbranded "presentation quality" version that can be licensed for use in the workplace.
Its a a 3.44 minutes video is a creative and simple video outlining the principles of social medialeelefever Twitter in plain English
Social networking in plain English
World wide web in plain English

Take a look at their website www.commoncraft.com to view the other presentations.

Urban Art

I came across another blog where I found some very interesting images of urban grafitti photography courtesy of PhotoSIG.Visit the website on www.photosig.com to take a look at some really great photos from everyday photographers.

Graffitti has been an interest of mine, yes I know it is illegal and can be distructive, but it can also create some amazingly emotional pieces of artwork.
The graffitti ( done by unknown artists) is so raw and intense, which I feel is what real art is all about. Something that is created in a moment of raw passion that could probably not be created again.

I love urban art and the sub culture that graffitti has created, I feel there is real colour culture that can be seen through a lot of street art that you would never see in a art museum. If we could consider every surface medium are place as a blank canvass I think that some underground artist's would be abe create some pretty amazing artwork.
personally seeing some graffitti that you can see has been really though about and worked on is more inticing and though provoking than seeing a piece of 'modern art'

Oxford and Keeble College

I recently visited Oxford for the first time even though it’s only down the road. I absolutely fell in love with the place; it's a beautiful place with so much character and history. I was a complete tourist and decided to go on the open top bus tour, it was pretty great though I got to see some the most historical parts of Oxford and learnt some interesting facts.

Take a look at the building that houses starbucks, I've never seen one with so much character!













I also loved the old sign posts, I know its a pretty random thing to notice but its small details like these that I think personally makes a place historic, its gives it a sort of grandeur and elegance instead of the standard boring sign post with missing letters of chipped paint that you will see in most places.










A friend of mine was working at Keeble College ( Oxford University Halls) so I had a quick peek around the main grounds. As soon as you walk through the main doors you enter the college gardens, which was an experience in its own it had a well landscaped grass middle with lowering steps with the main building surrounding it. I love the way the layout of the building and grounds was designed it creates a real atmosphere, as if you have just walked into a scene from and old movie and left real life behind.
Below are a few shots of the Keeble College grounds:

Silve Tree Sculpture

Above are some images of a silver tree that is in the centre of slough high street, something that I often passed and had never really noticed until I looked up one day.
It's a massive steel structure about 10- 12 feet tall with coloured steel birds hanging from the branches.
On some of the leaves, which unfortunately are quite hard to read are parts of poems written in many different languages ranging from English, Punjabi, Arabic, Urdu and Tamil. I think its quite an inspiring way of bringing all native tongues of all diverse communities in Slough together in one one way. It's not a sculpture that is trying to make a statement but a subtle way of welcoming being from all backgrounds.

By Lauren Luke

I know its not an inspiring piece of art but I think it's inspiring to see how a regular woman has got the opportunity of a life time and created a career out of setting up make- up tutorials through using viral online media ( youtube).
She has been approach but one the the largest cosmetics brand Barry M (who are well knows for their use of colour and artistic flair) to complete on-line tutorials for their website.

She is now a celebrity in the cosmetic business and has now launched her own make- up brand Lauren Luke and has her own website www.bylaurenluke.com where she has designed pallets that create individual looks ( supporting the tutorials she originally uploaded on youtube).

I'm also liking the artwork on her website and her make-up brand, its fresh and funky instead of being professional and expensive, I think the reason why she's such a hit is because she's an average joe doing something she loves, I like the idea of aspiring to something that is real and not out of reach

Artwork in Slough highstreet

It incorporates designs developed by artist Bhajan Hunjan, through workshops with Fusion, a local dance company for young people.

Poetry from around the world is being hand carved on sections of granite - in the paving, around trees and on the granite plinths and benches.

Throughout the High Street there are 10 poems carved into the granite in languages representing many of the communities who have chosen to make their home in Slough – Welsh, Punjabi, Urdu, Arabic, Polish, Caribbean French, Iranian, Hebrew, Mandarin and Turkish.

Each poem is carved in its original language alongside an English translation.

Artist Alec Peever said: “When poets write, their poems are normally printed in books but now the poems have been carved and are a permanent fixture there to be read every day.

One of the main pieces of poetry in the centre square, I walked past in many times but actually took the time out to read it, Below is a video below :

it reads: Far far away on a distant planet
There lies a stone unseen untouched
It can be seen only with closed eyes
As you see your loved ones
Amarjit Chandan – Punjabi

It's a inspiring way of bringing people from many different backgrounds together to show the diverse range of culture's that reside in one community.

Paris Jackson

Yesterday was the emotional memorial for Michael Jackson a true musical genius, legend and not forgetting a father and brother .This was an event that will be will be a part of history

I've noticed that people have been remembering Jackson the entertainer, at work people are often listening to his classics, even when out clubbing venues are playing his music in dedication.

Why did I find this fascinating??

I am amazed to see peoples response to the death of an iconic man but also a person that they did not know ,how people can be so emotionally attached and feel bereaved .

It was not only a memorial but also the first public appearance of Michael Jacksons Daughter Paris ,11.

It was as if the whole world knew about this remarkable event, if people weren't at home watching it they were catching video links online or on their phones.When I logged onto facebook peoples status was directed at Paris's speech they had written "you are not alone Paris' and " your father was a great man".
I found myself watching the news feeds after reading these posts about her speech..

Paris Katherine Jackson words were "Ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine".
I think that this was the point is when it struck home that Jackson was not just and entertainer but a father to three children, who have now lost their father.
Its amazing to see how just a few simple words can touch the publics heart.
This is making me wonder how deep and powerful words can really be, does everything have to be visual?