Life

http://www.pbs.org/art21/images/bruce-nauman/violins-violence-silence-1981-1982?slideshow=1

Definition: The right to live shall be held sacred and without fear, unless in times of self-defense.

Reflection: Life is important because without the right to our own safety and protection, there would be nothing to live for. Taking away the right to live is like taking away some one's place in the world. By caging someones 'life' you cage their mind as well; there would be no creativity, and no growth within our nation.

Analysis: In Bruce Nauman's "Violins Violence Silence" the artwork is saying that if we let violence take control-and away-our right to live, we will lose our right to speak, as well as our grip on humanity. When you first look at the arwork, you notice the words of violence, showing the hold fear would have on our lives if we lost our right to live. Then, you notice the words "Violin" on the outside of the picture. I think this is saying that within the violence, we would all lose our courage to stand up for our rights, for a violin makes nothing but a sad, quiet noise. Lastly, you see the words "Silence" jumbled up in eachother. This concludes the artwork, for with fear dominating our every move and nothing left but soft wails in the distance, there are is no beauty or justice in the world. Everything 'good' falls silent. 

Liberty

http://www.pbs.org/art21/images/cai-guo-qiang/inopportune-stage-one-2004?slideshow=1

Definition: The freedom to be who you are-to think, belief, live-without the government or others telling you otherwise. 

Reflection: In my opinion, liberty is one of the most defining CDV's of our nation. Liberty is what separates us from a dictatorship or communistic government. Without our individuality we would be nothing but drones controlled by a higher power, and we would lose our democracy.

Analysis: In Cai Guo-Qiang's "Inopportune: Stage One" he shows that if we let our minds wander free, the this brings can bring beauty and progress to the world.  Explosions are usually filled with fire and destruction, but he uses calming, peaceful tones to portray this. This tells me that some explosions-of ideas, project-can leave good aftereffects on our lives. I also see this through the car, which after  the explosion is left undamaged and brand new. This tells me that if we let our minds explore power in a 'moral' way, no harm will be done to us or the people around us. We will still have roads to "drive" on if we do not destroy them in the process. 

The Pursuit of Happiness

http://www.pbs.org/art21/images/cao-fei/a-mirage-cosplayers-series-2004?slideshow=1

Definition: We have the right to our own happiness, as long as it does not infringe on the happiness of others.

Reflection: If a country cannot provide happiness for its citizens, there is nothing to protect them from. A person cannot live if they are dying emotionally. If a government truly wants to take care of their citizens, they will make them happy. 

Analysis: In Cao Fei's "A Mirage (COSPlayers Series) she shows the idea that it is okay to pursue your own happiness, as long as you don't harm others in the process. By the bright colors and unique qualities of the people and animals, it shows that everyone has a diverse array of things that make them happy. However, the ruins in the background tell the idea that although something might make you happy, it is not worth it if it harms others in the process. The dark balloons that the boy is holding reminds me of this question: If harming others is what makes us happy, is that really something to be happy about?

Justice

http://www.pbs.org/art21/images/richard-tuttle/%E2%80%99village-i-sculpture-i%E2%80%99-2004?slideshow=1

Definition: All people should be treated fairly in the process of trial, making desicions, and society obligations.

Reflection: It is important that we not only include equality in our individual rights, but in our judicial rights as well. Treating a citizen fairly includes equality in crimes as well. We must not judge others by the person they are, but by the laws a court laws out on justice.

Analysis: In Richard Tuttle's "Village 1, Sculpture 1" he illistrates the idea that if we do not keep justice in our country, we may fall to peices. Our country is made up of a variety of laws that together make up the constitutional foundation of our nation. This is shown by the various peices of wood that make up one big sculpture. If One of those peices of wood were to break, the whole sculpture would crumble. This relates the the fact that if we do let one law slide, another will. People's obediance of our laws tie the whole thing together, illistrated by the wires wrapped around the wood. We must keep justice in our system to ensure the survival and stability of our nation, as much the wood must be glued tightly together so it may stand as one sculpture. 

Equality

http://www.pbs.org/art21/images/mel-chin/revival-field-1991?slideshow=1

Definition: Everyone has the right to the same legal, political, economic, and social rights no matter what gender, sexual orientation, race, or religion you are. 

Reflection: Equality is the foundation of every other CDV of our country. If we keep value equality, everything else will follow. 

Analysis: In Mel Chins "Revival Field" he illustrates the benefits that equal rights have on someone's individual growth, and how it benefits the sustainability of their nation. By giving the plants equal space to grow, it shows that if you let opportunities be open to everyone ideas will sprout everywhere, shown through the various plants within each section. The healthy look of the garden also illustrates the idea that if we give everyone the same "water" to drink, the life and government will be sustained by the freedom of the people occupying it. 

Diversity

http://www.pbs.org/art21/images/sarah-sze/seamless-1999?slideshow=1

Definition: The differences in each others lifestyle, background, and culture is a strength of our country, and must be respected and celebrated.

Reflection: If we are open to the cultures of various people and nations around us, we will progress not only from our citizens but others countries as well. We must accept and respect our allies to make allies. 

Analysis: Sarah Sze's "Seamless" Shows that if we all come from the same attitude, the citizens of a country can come together to make something beautiful. Each golden rod stems from the same way, showing that each person's values stem from the same foundational desires; family, loves, safety. However, the different colors or accents that are hanging off the golden rods show that through these foundational values comes slight differences in each other. If we were to realize that we all connect in some way, we could come together to make something beautiful, just as the accents off the rods bring color into the artwork. 

Truth

http://www.pbs.org/art21/images/laurie-simmons/walking-gun-the-music-of-regret-2006?slideshow=1

Definition: The government must not lie too it's citizens, nor the citizens must not lie to its leaders. 

Reflection: Everyone must respect, and be honest with each other in a nation. If we continuously lie to each other, it will weaken the trust we have with our government and our people. Truth creates a bond that cannot be broken. 

Analysis: Laurie Simmon's "Walking Gun/The Music of Regret" shows the danger we will be to eachother of the rulers and citizens of a country do not trust each other. A citizen is at mercy of the leaders of a country, and they trust that their decisions will ensure their safety. This reminds me of the "headless chicken" phrase which is shown through the fact that the dancer has no upper body. Because of this, the government has full control over us. The dancer has a gun in place of her head, which illistrates the idea that we trust the government wont pull the trigger on us. We are almost like a walking disaster that we hope wont be set off. 

Patriotism

http://www.pbs.org/art21/images/an-my-l%C3%AA/target-practice-uss-peleliu-2005?slideshow=1

Definition: We must love and devote ourselves to our country, and the values that it lives by.

Reflection: It is important that we care about each other within a country. This helps us look out for eachother and are well being, so that others can not tear down our foundation. If we stand strong and devote ourselves to the survival of our country, we will not fall. 

Analysis: An-My Le's "Target Practive, USS Peleliu" shows that if we defend and stay prideful in our country, we will be able to survival against any harm that comes our way. The soldiers in the photo illistrate the value of devoting ones life your country to ensure the survival of others. The fact that they are willing to risk their lives shows the devotion and love we have for our nation. Also, the black and whitness of the photo remains me of peace. Although the colors are sad, as war always is, we must take pride and compassion in our soldiers for the things they do for us. If we help each other and care for one another-as do these soldiers-we will live in peace for many generations. 

Common Good

http://www.pbs.org/art21/images/allan-mccollum/the-visible-markers-1997-2000?slideshow=1

Definition: The citizens of a country must work together promote the well being of their community, and benefit the welfare of their country as a whole.

Reflection: Working together establishes connections between others. If we unify each other into one nation, we will be stronger, more prosperous, and happier all together.

Analysis: In Allan McCollum's "The Visible Markers" he expresses the idea of how uniting together in our differences can bring happiness to everyone. The differences in color in each of the identical caps show that although people have different "spots" we still are part of one core being and have the capability to relate to one another. By doing this, we can all benefit each other and our community by coming together and working towards a better future. Shown by the "Thanks" written on top of the caps, the message reads that if we do this, we will all benefit each other's happiness.

Rule of Law

http://www.pbs.org/art21/images/rackstraw-downes/the-pulaski-skyway-crossing-the-hackensack-river-2007?slideshow=1

Defintion: Both the people of the state and its rulers must each follow the laws that govern their country.

Reflection: We must all follow the same laws to keep fairness, equality, and balance within a nation. If only one group was to follow a set of rules, the other group would become to powerful over the other. We must each respect the laws of the state and each other to keep a sense of democracy within our country. 

Analysis: In Rackstraw Downes "The Pulaski Skyway Crossing the Hackensack River" he illistrates the importance balance has so that a country may travel to greater progress and stability. The various supports under the bridge represent a countries government. The government must support and guide the people of a country so that they do not fall and drown within the economic and political troubles of their nation. However, the people, represented by the bridge, must follow the path and guidlines the government lays out for them to ensure their safety, growth, and help the country progress as an honest, unified nation.