Art Reviews

Mark Langan is an artist who is living in Cleveland, Ohio. He is skilled in many different artistic mediums. Since 2004, he has focused on making art out of cardboard. He uses corrugated boxes, a mat, a cutting edge, a razor knife, and non-toxic glue. With these, he turns the cardboard boxes into amazing works of sculpture. While making cardboard art does use up a good bit of the boxes that people throw out, Mark Langan will be the first to say that it doesnt do as much as needs to be done in the move to recycle and reduce what goes into landfills. However, he says it is something and thats better than nothing is, and cardboard art certainly draws attention to the fact that the boxes are much more useful than to just fill up dumpsters and landfills. It really helps draw attention to the recycling movement.

While many sculptors struggle to find those who appreciate their art, Mark Langan has had a good bit of success finding venues where his cardboard art is appreciated. He has had sculptures commissioned by both large and small business firms throughout the United States, some of them very well known. Recycling firms, packaging companies, various manufacturers, and other industries and organizations all have asked for his sculptures to represent their logo, company, or simply to decorate their lobbies. Some companies even have his cardboard art hanging in their boardrooms and perhaps this helps to remind them to pay a little more attention to the environment in the work that they do.

While cardboard may be a surprising medium and may be in abundant supply, it is not the easiest medium for an artist to work with. To make his amazing sculptures, Mark Langan sometimes spends up to 100 hours working on each piece. He carefully cuts the cardboard into the shapes and designs he desires, and then glues them into position. It is careful and precise work, requiring the kind of patience that many people simply dont have. Thanks to this, and Mark Langans amazing creativity, there are unique cardboard art sculptures for everything from a homage to a painting to corporate logos for famous TV shows. Some of his pieces are even interpretative to religion, and these are not only celebrating the religion, but bring new life to religious stories by using symbolism to represent different aspects, all in a beautiful sculpture that draws the eye and forces the mind to understand.

While Mark Langan doesnt particularly like the term green art many people revere him for making artwork that is good for the environment and good for peoples minds, as many people are simply amazed at what can be created from simple cardboard boxes. Unless you see his sculptures up close, it is impossible to tell that they are made from cardboard. Many look as though they have been carved. It is not until you get up close that you can see the intricate details in each piece and truly appreciate the beauty of cardboard art.

One of my favorite stories to tell is about the time my brother-in-law’s girlfriend got her black belt in karate…

She had her big flashy test…kicked the bag…sparred other girls (and a couple of guys that looked like girls!) with the foam booties and gloves on…did her kata with the appropriate “snap” in her movements…very nice.

Now, I’m not a complete jerk, so I let her have her moment. Congratulated her, hobnobbed with the karate “master”, and ate a piece of the sheet cake with little icing karate dudes on it….

That was until a couple of months later at a family graduation party when she began to tell all the girls how the type of “karate” she studies is great for fitness (ok), fun (ok), and self defense (BZZZZZ!).

I had stood what I could, but I couldn’t stands it no more…

I walked right up into the middle of the gaggling girls, singled her out and flat out asked her, “Tell me the truth…If a 225 pound man attacked and tried to rape and kill you, can you 100%, honestly say that you would know what to do? Could you save your own life?”

There was a deathly quiet pause as every single girl in the room visualized that horrible situation in their own minds. Then came the same answer I’ve heard from every single women martial artist I’ve ever met in my life who doesn’t train with us…

“Ummm…I guess not.”

Here in the United States there seems to be a government agency looking into just about every consumer industry in an effort to protect people from scammers, hucksters, and other assorted con men or corporate swindle.

Unfortunately, for women who are looking for a martial arts style that will provide them with a way to defend themselves, there is no government agency licensing or even looking into instructors or the proven effectiveness of the claims.

Therefore there is an over abundance of inexperienced, untrained, liars who claim they are teaching self-defense. These frauds will often teach a style that sounds and perhaps even looks good on the mat, but lacks any value in real combat.

Moreover, dealing with criminal rapist scum is no time for a woman to find out that her “training” was really just cardio kickboxing in disguise… So share the following information with a woman you care for.
Examining the profiles of rapists gives incite into a dangerous enemy.

The Power-assertive rapist considers himself manly and is the one most likely to commit date rapes. This type makes up 44% of rapists and will try to con a victim and gain her trust, but will have no problem using whatever level of physical force he needs to take control.

The Anger-retaliatory rapist hates women and will look to brutalize and punish them. He looks for targets of opportunity and will most likely beat you unconscious then commit rape. This animal makes up 33% of rapists and is easily enraged.

Power-reassurance rapists account for 21% of rapes and often spies on or stalks his victims since he lacks the confidence to have a normal relationship with women. In his twisted fantasy, he sees himself and the victim as lovers, and will force her to wear lingerie and kiss her while seeing the attack as lovemaking. However, using violence is not out of the question if it comes down to making a woman give in to his demands.

The Anger-excitation is the worst of the lot. A sexual sadist, this sick bastard only makes up 5% of all rapists. He has his attacks preplanned and victims can be women he knows or just spots haphazardly on the street. He derives sexual pleasure from inflicting pain and will tie up, gag and torture women for days on end. So vile is this creature that he will even film or photograph his victims so he can relive the attacks. He is the hardest to catch of the group because he usually kills his victims when he’s through.

During an attack your mind will be racing and you won’t be thinking clearing about what kind of rapist you are dealing with and what approach to take, but what all experts agree on is that a “properly trained” woman who fights back early DOUBLES their chance of escape…AGAINST ANY SIZE OR STRENGTH ATTACKER.

The Department of Justice reported that 93,934 women were forcibly raped in 2005 (They’re still calculating ’06)…These numbers are completely unacceptable as women can and should know how to defend themselves.

In Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, safety is listed right after breathing and eating. Personal protection is too important to be left to the police alone, or to depend on others for help.

Teaching and learning a martial art is ok as it has plenty of redeeming physical, cultural, social, & mental benefits. However, what people (especially women) need to understand, is that 99% of martial arts are NOT legitimate methods of self-defense.