Dennis Jenders

My Thoughts on TRUE Skool

Dennis Jenders — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:38:33 +0000

I applaud the blog entry by Mary Louise Schumacher of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel concerning the disagreement between Alderman Robert G. Donovan and community organization TRUE Skool.

I completely support self expression, and the genres of street and graffiti art. Just because you can not appreciate or understand a piece of art does not mean that it still is not art.

While I support the mission of TRUE Skool, I can also understand how a community could misunderstand the intentions of the mural in question. Are we encouraging more illegal graffiti? It seems like a logical question.

Personally, I believe the larger issue at hand is how Alderman Robert G. Donovan handled the situation. His coarse statements and childlike behavior does not fit the definition of a community leader. This man had the opportunity to use this controversy to promote the activities of TRUE Skool, bring a community together and help resolve differences in opinion. And if that was too lofty of a goal, he could at least informed everyone that self expression and art takes on many forms, whether we can all agree on its beauty or not.

The problem with street and graffiti art is that it has grown out of criminal and illegal activity. Namely, placing a mural or tag on property you do not own. And it is understandable that a neighborhood could come to the conclusion that the activities of TRUE Skool appear to be supporting illegal art and vandalism without taking time to understand the organization and their mission.

When you look at a neighborhood that is full of tagging you frown upon the people who did it, as well as the eye sore it becomes. But TRUE Skool actually works with kids that have committed vandalism by forcing them to clean it up and apologize to the community.

I can see how some people would see a legal mural contributing to the problem. I can understand how someone who can not appreciate the genre could call it crap. But in my years, I have seen many pieces of art in public and private museums that I do not understand and in my opinion, visually displeasing.

Art is not without controversy. What about The Holy Virgin Mary, a 1996 collage by Chris Ofili, an award-winning British artist, which incorporates elephant feces? That was an extreme form of art and it ended up in a public museum.

How about the famed street artist Banksy? He contributions to the art world are almost always illegal. But the visual message is pleasing, thought-provoking and often a surprise. All part of the equation of self expression and art.

Alderman Robert G. Donovan owes the organization and children an apology. It is never OK to diminish the hopes, dreams or talent of a child. If we do not agree with the way they are expressing themselves we should find a constructive way to achieving their goals and growth.

The fact is he had the opportunity to work with the organization to support legal graffiti art and condone illegal activity. He chose to throw that opportunity away. If he, and others in the community, believe art only exists on canvas – then work with TRUE Skool to support that formal education. Or at least support a forum for them to learn from more traditional artists.

And in return, I hope TRUE Skool can use the opportunity to educate their kids and the community on the prejudice they are faced with. Continue to encourage their skills and dreams – while doing so legally.

Lakers and Celtics Foursquare Badges

Dennis Jenders — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:00:39 +0000

2010 NBA Finals Foursquare Badges

As the Los Angeles Lakers face elimination today in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, this may be your last chance to collect one of these limited time Foursquare badges.

You can unlock the 2010 NBA Finals Los Angeles Lakers or Boston Celtics Foursquare badge by shouting “Go Lakers!” or “Go Celtics!” when checking in to any venue. Upon doing so you will be rewarded with one of the following messages:

Stand up! You’ve unlocked the Celtics badge for showing your Boston pride. Watch the Celtics take on the Lakers in The Finals 2010 on ABC! “Go Celtics!”
Stand up! You’ve unlocked the Lakers badge for showing your L.A. pride. Watch the Lakers take on the Celtics in The Finals 2010 on ABC! “Go Lakers!”

Unsure who you are cheering for? You can indeed earn both badges by shouting “Go Lakers!” and “Go Celtics!” at the same time.

This is where I would have really liked Foursquare to limit your choice to only one badge. Foursquare could have checked if you previously unlocked a Los Angeles Lakers or Boston Celtics badge so you would not be awarded the other.

Open Carefully

Dennis Jenders — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:02:53 +0000

Open Carefully, originally uploaded by Dennis Jenders.

We have many industrial influenced designs in our offices at Laughlin Constable. This is a look at one of our doors, with a very nice depth of field. I really love my Canon 50mm 1.8 lens.

Three Sols

Dennis Jenders — Mon, 31 May 2010 16:04:02 +0000

Three Sols, originally uploaded by Dennis Jenders.

Happy Memorial Day 2010. As I was relaxing over the long, three-day weekend, I thought I would grill-out on Monday. I did, and through the course of my meal I had a few beers. What better way to spend a warm summer evening than with a grill and a beer?

Empty Parking Lot at Dusk

Dennis Jenders — Sun, 30 May 2010 16:04:48 +0000

Empty Parking Lot at Dusk, originally uploaded by Dennis Jenders.

A look at an empty parking lot in Racine. Again, the colors at dusk were just wonderful. I love the juxtaposition of the desolate parking lot with the very busy and exciting sky.

Sunset in Black and White

Dennis Jenders — Sat, 29 May 2010 16:05:30 +0000

Sunset in Black and White, originally uploaded by Dennis Jenders.

A black and white sunset? I wasn’t sure I would like the way this turned out. I was pleasantly surprised by the final product. The skyline and reflections certainly help the composition.

Aging Guardian II

Dennis Jenders — Fri, 28 May 2010 15:20:39 +0000

Aging Guardian II, originally uploaded by Dennis Jenders.

Another look at the green monster, the fence right outside of Joey Buona’s in Milwaukee.

Under the Bridge

Dennis Jenders — Fri, 28 May 2010 02:59:21 +0000

Under the Bridge, originally uploaded by Dennis Jenders.

No, it’s not just a Red Hot Chilli Peppers song. Here I captured the Main Street Bridge in Racine, Wisconsin … including the Root River, Clock Tower and bike path.

Main Street Bridge at Dusk

Dennis Jenders — Thu, 27 May 2010 02:58:08 +0000

Main Street Bridge at Dusk, originally uploaded by Dennis Jenders.

Another look at the Main Street Bridge in Racine, Wisconsin.

As seen on a plaque on the bridge:

“On May 23, 1609 the present state of Wisconsin was included in the ‘Great Patent’ of the Plymouth Company.

On October 10, 1699 a fleet of of eight canoes bearing a party of French explorers entered the mouth of the Root River to seek shelter from a storm on Lake Michigan.

These explorers were the first white men to visit what is now the city of Racine, Wisconsin.”

Main Street Bridge Blurred

Dennis Jenders — Tue, 25 May 2010 15:21:45 +0000

Main Street Bridge Blurred, originally uploaded by Dennis Jenders.

A moment in time, the traffic blurred across the Main Street bridge in Racine.