Thesis (M. Sc. (Computer Science))--Rhodes University, 2005.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Freie Universität Berlin, 1979. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 250-261). Also available on the Internet.

Many computer graphics applications make use of virtual humans. Methods for modelling and rendering hair are needed so that hairstyles can be added to the virtual humans. Modelling and rendering hair is challenging due to the large number of hair strands and their geometric properties, the complex lighting effects that occur among the strands of hair, and the complexity and large variation of human hairstyles. While methods have been developed for generating hair, no methods exist for generating African hair, which differs from hair of other ethnic groups. This thesis presents methods for modelling and rendering African hair. Existing hair modelling and rendering techniques are investigated, and the knowledge gained from the investigation is used to develop or enhance hair modelling and rendering techniques to produce three different forms of hair commonly found in African hairstyles. The different forms of hair identified are natural curly hair, straightened hair, and braids or twists of hair. The hair modelling techniques developed are implemented as plug-ins for the graphics program LightWave 3D. The plug-ins developed not only model the three identified forms of hair, but also add the modelled hair to a model of a head, and can be used to create a variety of African hairstyles. The plug-ins significantly reduce the time spent on hair modelling. Tests performed show that increasing the number of polygons used to model hair increases the quality of the hair produced, but also increases the rendering time. However, there is usually an upper bound to the number of polygons needed to produce a reasonable hairstyle, making it feasible to add African hairstyles to virtual humans. The rendering aspects investigated include hair illumination, texturing, shadowing and antialiasing. An anisotropic illumination model is developed that considers the properties of African hair, including the colouring, opacity and narrow width of the hair strands. Texturing is used in several instances to create the effect of individual strands of hair. Results show that texturing is useful for representing many hair strands because the density of the hair in a texture map does not have an effect on the rendering time. The importance of including a shadowing technique and applying an anti-aliasing method when rendering hair is demonstrated. The rendering techniques are implemented using the RenderMan Interface and Shading Language. A number of complete African hairstyles are shown, demonstrating that the techniques can be used to model and render African hair successfully. / GNU Ghostscript 7.07

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Thesis (M.S.)--Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, 1991. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-06, page: 2714. Abstract precedes thesis as [1] preliminary leaf. Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 27-28).

M. Tech. (Department of Visual Arts and Design: Fine Arts, Faculty of Human Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / Problem statement This study investigates black women’s diverse hairstyles through art. The main research question is: How can black women’s diverse hairstyles be understood through art to appreciate the meaning attached to these hairstyles? The research question is informed by a black feminist theory. Objectives of the study Based on the research problem, the objectives of the study were first, to find out how black women’s diverse hairstyles could be understood through art to appreciate the meanings attached to these hairstyles. Secondly, to examine similarities and/or differences between how Lebohang Motaung (hereinafter referred to as Motaung) and Lorna Simpson (hereinafter referred to as Simpson) construct and express meanings of diverse hairstyles in their artworks. This was done by means of analysing the two artists’ artworks. Thirdly, to find out what or who influences Motaung’s choice of hairstyles, which was done by conducting an in-depth individual interview with Motaung. Fourthly, to find out what or who influences Simpson’s choice of hairstyles, which was done by reviewing the literature on Simpson. Fifthly, to explore how Motaung and Simpson interpret their physical appearance based on their hairstyles. Research design and methodology The empirical investigation focused on analysing black women’s diverse hairstyles by means of analysing artworks of Motaung (black South African female artist) and Simpson (black American female artist). This study contextualises black women’s artworks as visual responses to patriarchal, social subjugation and objectification of black women’s hair, by using black feminist epistemology through artistic production. Data collected through visual material were analysed using Barnet’s (2011:37-38) critical analysis of artefacts strategy. Barnet’s steps of critical analysis include description of the artefact, interpretation of the artefact, analysis of the artefact and personal report. The analysis of the artworks enabled the researcher to compare and contrast the artworks of the two selected participants. The researcher first analysed the black South African contemporary female artist, Motaung’s (b.1992), work as a visual form of resistance to masculine control of images of black women’s hairstyle representations and self-definition. The researcher believes that Motaung creates self-defined artworks that appreciate the beauty of black women’s hair and she demystifies the ambiguous meaning attached to black hairstyles. Secondly, Simpson’s (b.1960) artworks were analysed in the study to understand what or who influences her choice of hairstyles. The researcher found it appropriate, for her study, to focus on Simpson, because she is a prominent contemporary black American feminist artist, who explores the concept of black hairstyles, focusing on themes such as race, gender and identity formation. Furthermore, one in-depth, individual interview was conducted with Motaung. The analysis was based on black feminism that enabled the researcher to listen to Motaung’s views and be part of her portrayal of black women’s diverse hairstyles. The qualitative data collection and methodology were guided by ethical considerations of the Vaal University of Technology for undertaking research. Ethical procedures were followed regarding selected participants for both artwork analysis and the interview. Five themes emerged from this analysis, namely Motaung’s personal background, black hair politics, conceptual work, choice of medium and working process, art influencers and artwork clarification. Black women’s diverse hairstyles In contemporary times, black women’s hairstyle representations are highly politicised as black people strive to reclaim their identities. The changing meaning of what is good hair for black women is highly controversial; some black women consider natural hairstyles as good and authentic hair for black women, because they embrace the Afrocentric beauty standard that was degraded by whites since the colonial era. On the other hand, other black women are comfortable with altered hair that is viewed as a European beauty standard, because altered hair has become part of black women’s culture and identity. The literature review suggests that historically, narrow European-centric beauty standards have deemed black women’s natural features as unattractive and unprofessional, especially their textured, curly to kinky hair. These restrictive ideals have left black women in a compromised position, having to adhere to certain societal norms for the sake of upward mobility, whether that is getting ahead professionally or fitting into a myriad of social environments in which they can be accepted. Main findings From the literature review, the study found that there are controversial viewpoints regarding what is or is not suitable for black women in terms of their hairstyles. The controversy led to black women’s hairstyles being discussed constantly in binary opposition of good/ bad hair, natural/ unnatural, Afro-centric/ Eurocentric, authentic/ inauthentic, African/ Western, low/ high self-esteem, amongst others. The literature further indicates that there is a need to conduct a study that embraces diverse (both natural and unnatural) hairstyles to get rid of the politics, oppressions and binary oppositions placed on black women’s hairstyles. From the analysis of the two artists, Simpson’s works were found suitable for this study because her body of work links with that of Motaung’s, in terms of concept, style, theory, content and technique, despite the fact that these artists are located in different geographical contexts and settings. From the individual interview, the study found that Motaung was prompted by black hair politics, such as the politics of exclusion of black hairstyles, such as afros and braids in educational institutions and work places. Such politics inspired her to create artworks on black women’s diverse hairstyles. Motaung focused on natural hairstyles because she wanted black women to see what they can do with their natural hair. By using natural hairstyles, Motaung wanted to challenge the misconception that natural hair is not beautiful. The study also found that Motaung focused on unnatural hairstyles because there is bias against black women who wear synthetic hair. Motaung created artworks using synthetic hair to make a bold statement that synthetic hair is not fake hair but rather extra hair, which black women can use to self-express and self-define. Recommendations ● The study recommends that self-definition is a black feminist strategy that black women can use to self-insert and self-represent using diverse hairstyles. The act of insisting on black women’s self-definition validates black women’s power as human subjects, against structural patriarchal forces and beauty standards that are continuously set for black women. ● The study recommends that it is significant for black women to embrace diverse hairstyles, to get rid of the politics, oppressions and binary oppositions placed on black women’s hairstyles. ● From the artworks of Motaung and Simpson, the study recommends that it is significant for black female artists to produce artworks on diverse hairstyles to diminish oppressive structures that are placed on black women’s hairstyle representations.

1944 m Lietuvoje prasidėjo partizaninis karas. Daugelis vyrų išejo į miškus kovoti su okupantais. Šioje kovoje neliko nuošalyje ir moterys, jų vaidmuo buvo labai svarbus. Prireikus jos, petys petin kovojo su vyrais prieš enkavedistų būrius, slaugė sužeistuosius, palaikė ryšius tarp skirtingų partizanų apygardų. Ryšininkės perduodavo svarbę slaptą informaciją: apie susitikimo vietas, slaptažodžius, naujai įsikūrusius bunkerius – slėptuves, perduodavo slaptus dokumentus. Kad jų nesuciuptų ir neperimtų slaptos informacijos, moterys perduodamus laiškelius slepdavo. Jos buvo išradingos. Lankydamasi druskininkų rezistencijos ir tremties muziejuje sužinojau, jog laiškeliai buvo slepiami ir plaukuose. Ši istorija mane sužavejo, tad nusprendžiau šią idėją perteikti magistro baigiamajame darbe. Savo kūrinyje vaizduoju 9 lietuvaitėms būdingas ilgų plaukų šukuosenas, kuriose paslepiu savają žinutę. Mano perduodamoje žinutėje įrašyti žodžiai iš „Tauro“ apygardos ryšininkės žvalgės Julijos Čepaitytės – Simanaitienės slapyvardžiu Undinė sukurtos baladės apie partizano likimą. Ši baladė skirta partizanui „Kovui“ Jonukui Stačiokui atminti. Po balade autorė parašė. „ Šias eilutes sukūriau 1950 m. liepos 10-11 d., pati būdama be namų ir laisvės, netekusi savo pirmosios tikrosios meilės ir karštai mylinčio tikro draugo, kuris buvo tarsi švyturys pavergtoje tėvynėje. Tavęs aš niekad nepamiršiu.“ Manau baladė puikiai atskleidžia priežastis dėl ko Lietuvos moterys taip pat išėjo į miškus kariauti... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / In 1944 the partisan war in Lithuania began. The most of the men went to woods to fight against occupants. In this fight the woman’s role was also very important. They were fighting against NKVD the same strong as men do; they also were nursing injured people, keeping connection between different partisans’ counties as postal workers (signallers). Signallers were transmitting very important confidential information: about meeting places, passwords, newly constructed hiding places – bunkers, transferring secret documents. In fact that women could be caught and secret information taken, they were hiding all mails. And women were very resourceful. Visiting ‘’Resistance and Deportation Museum’’ in Druskininkai I’ve got news that secret mails were hiding in women hair. This history improved me so much so I decided to convey this idea in my Master's thesis. In my work you can see nine different long hairdressings what characteristic of Lithuanian women. In all these hairdressings I hide my secret message. In my transmitting message there are words from ballad about partisan’s destiny which was created by signaller Julija Cepaityte – Simantiene (known as Undine) from “Tauras” county. This ballad is dedicated to partisan Jonukas Staciokas “Kovas”. After the ballad writer wrote: “These lines I created in 1950, July 10-11. itself being without a home and freedom, lost my first true love and real hot loving friend who was like a beacon subjugated homeland. I will never forget you." In... [to full text]

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2016-09-12T13:12:51Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Célia Regina Reis da Silva.pdf: 3189263 bytes, checksum: 96680011e5d2439383b35f72977be744 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-12T13:12:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Célia Regina Reis da Silva.pdf: 3189263 bytes, checksum: 96680011e5d2439383b35f72977be744 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-14 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This study raised and analysed issues related to kinky hair, understood as a territory of insurgencies in reexistence aesthetics in the decoloniality of bodies, beings and knowledges made invisible by the hegemonic Eurocentric cultural pattern. The research, carried out in the poor areas of São Paulo, focused on cultural collective movements, in which young Afro-Brazilians manifest themselves through Black and peripheral literary narratives and performances, with poetry readings, songs, plays, blogs, magazines, adornments, clothing, grafitti, tattoos, particularly kinky hairstyles in intercultural, intertextual and mediatic relations, expressing their Blackness, in a perspective of a “corporeal semiology”. They are current cultural identity practices in a productive dialogue with the past, in a continuous Afro diasporic struggle for culture and (self) representation in the racial relations of modernity / Esse estudo levantou e trouxe para análise questões relacionadas a cabelo crespo, entendido enquanto território de insurgências em estéticas de reexistência na decolonialidade de corpos, seres e saberes invisibilizados por padrão cultural hegemônico eurocêntrico. Trata-se de pesquisa realizada na periferia de São Paulo, onde atentamos aos movimentos de coletivos culturais, nos quais jovens afro-brasileiros manifestam-se através de narrativas literárias e performáticas negras e periféricas, produzindo saraus, músicas, teatro, blogs, revistas, adornos, vestuário, grafite, tatuagens, em especial penteados crespos em relações interculturais, intertextuais e midiáticos expressando sua negritude, na perspectiva de uma “semiologia corpórea”. Trata-se de práticas culturais identitárias atuais em diálogo profícuo com passado, em luta contínua afro-diaspórica pela cultura e (auto) representação nas relações raciais da modernidade