sunnyisrandom's video: Clearer skies and a clearer vision

|| Introduction || In our Art 65C course, we were asked to create a final project that pertains to our main topic: Art and Sustainability. We were challeneged to think about a specific topic/issue and make a statement through our project. As to what we actually do for the final project, we were given a lot of freedom in what we could do; some students planted vegetables while others focused more on visual elements, writing a poem or creating a webcomic. After some deep thought, my focus went to current events, specifically the clear skies that we have been experiencing due to the quarantine. My initial project proposal solely focused on this aspect, disregarding all of the other tragic events that have been occurring alongside our beautiful skies. With the feedback given by our professor and our T.A., I shifted my project’s focus to incorporate the darker side of the quarantine: rising death tolls, protests, hate crimes, suffering of medical workers, etc. || My Vision || There are many tragic events that have been set off by the current pandemic. In my eyes, and many others likewise, this is the consequence of our treatment of the environment; though we spoke of environmental justice, numerous changes that were promised weren’t being realized. Some believe that this pandemic is a way of “cleansing” the planet and restoring the environment to its natural state, as shown in the sky. But we achieved this at what cost? This short film calls attention to the dichotomy between improvements seen in the environment and current tragedies. It also serves to question our current system, specifically its conduct toward the planet as well as its people. The film’s purpose is to make the viewers take all these things into consideration and, at the end, look at our skies with a new bittersweet feeling. - Articles quoted in the video(in order) - How Coronavirus Spreads: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html 8 Minutes and 46 Seconds: How George Floyd Was Killed in Police Custody: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/31/us/george-floyd-investigation.html - News clip audio used (in order) - China's toxic smog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nFZaSbkf0U 1st case of coronavirus confirmed in US: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMc280EtXxs Schools and businesses continue to close in efforts to contain the coronavirus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEAxBu7ObzA Coronavirus outbreak: Protesters in California demand end to COVID-19 lockdown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcDRLSgiCRM US President Trump doubles down on using “Chinese virus” term for COVID-19: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThT-GAKwXpY Asian Americans report rise in racist attacks amid pandemic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0VqLKnXWP4 Nurse Shares Heartbreaking Reality of Health Care Workers Fighting COVID-19: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdqMd-070hs Growing Protests Nationwide After Death of George Floyd: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeNhQxDuIWc&t=42s Protesting Crowds Could Pose COVID-19 Surge: Health Officials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYHKyTurUBE