ASES INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CULTURE, ART AND LITERATURE (ISSN: 3023-5480)

From Ray-Tracing to Reinforcement: Twenty Years of AI Augmentation in Blue Sky's Ice Age Franchise

2025-09-20T07:47:04+03:00

This longitudinal study examines the evolution of artificial intelligence integration in Blue Sky Studios' Ice Age franchise (2002-2022), documenting the transformation from traditional ray-tracing techniques to sophisticated reinforcement learning applications in character animation. Through a mixed-methods approach combining frame-by-frame analysis, production workflow investigation, and computational motion assessment, this research tracks the systematic adoption of AI technologies across six franchise installments. The study extends Carter's (2016) Aesthetic Harmony framework to develop a Computational Aesthetic Harmony model that evaluates AI-enhanced animation quality. Key findings reveal that Blue Sky's measured approach to AI integration preserved classical animation principles while achieving significant production efficiencies. The studio's hybrid human-AI collaboration model maintained character believability scores above 85% throughout the franchise while reducing manual animation labor by 40% in later productions. This research contributes ten AI-enhanced animation principles that synthesize traditional artistic knowledge with contemporary technological capabilities. The findings provide theoretical frameworks for understanding creative-technology integration and practical guidance for animation studios navigating similar technological transitions. The study demonstrates that systematic AI adoption can enhance rather than replace human creativity when implemented with appropriate respect for established artistic principles and cultural values.

Household Textile Production in Ancient Anatolia in the Light of Archaeological Evidence

2025-10-20T15:46:31+03:00

Abstract

This work was aimed to examine household textile production in Anatolia from the Neolithic Age to the Late Roman Period in the light of archaeological evidence. In this article, the locations of textile production places within houses, their spatial organization, social and economic dimensions are treated. The story of mankind’s textile production begins with the production of textile products obtained from plant fibers in the Paleolithic period, and changed shape with the transition to settled life in the Neolithic Age and the domestication of sheep, which became an important branch of craft within homes. This branch of craft, which was a means of gaining status in the Chalcolithic Age, was organized and became an industrial branch with the increasing population and the resulting trade in the settlements in the Early Bronze Age. Some of settlements from different periods in Anatolia, such as Kendale Hecala, Limantepe, Boyalı Höyük, Bağlararası, Sirkeli Höyük, Zincirli Höyük, Hamaç Höyük, Yassıhöyük, Ovaören and Zerzevan Castle, that yielded finds supporting domestic production, are presented. Findings from these areas, such as spindle whorls, loom weights, awls, spindle and needles, which provide evidence of textile production, prove that textile production was carried out in a planned manner inside homes in every period. This branch of production, which was controlled by women within the household, was thought to have been produced for more commercial purposes than for household needs, based on the dense textile tools in settlements such as Boyalı Höyük and Zincirli Höyük, and therefore men may have also played a role in the production process in these settlements. Weaving, an important part of the household economy, has become a form of production that indicates women's social position and creates social capital. Although this form of production evolved over time into industrial activity, it always continued to exist alongside a more professional, large-scale production form. Evidence from archaeological studies has offered that household textile production was carried out in a planned and organized manner, providing an important look into the domestic economy and culture of textile production in Anatolia.

The Emergence of the Helepolis and a Study on Epimakhos’ Extreme Example

2025-10-21T12:33:24+03:00

Abstract

Siege towers represent one of the most impressive elements of ancient warfare technology. These structures were developed to overcome the height of defensive walls, provide elevated platforms for archers and catapults, and secure the approach of other siege engines. While direct archaeological evidence is fragmentary, information preserved in ancient literary sources, together with the interpretations of modern scholarship, helps to illuminate the construction and purpose of these formidable wooden structures.

A survey of the sources reveals that the historical development of siege towers is intertwined with the names of individual engineers who designed them. Some towers are noted in the literature for their functional and modular design, others for the use of easily obtainable materials, and still others for legendary attributes that have ensured their continued fame.

Among these, the tower constructed by the Athenian engineer Epimakhos for Demetrios Poliorketes during the siege of Rhodes (305–304 BCE) stands out as one of the largest examples. Its immense size, multi-level design, combination of heavy and light siege engines, and wheeled mobility exemplify not only the engineering capabilities of the period but also the psychological impact such a machine could have on the enemy.

Siege towers were also employed in ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations, leaving behind various archaeological traces. The diversity observed in the Hellenistic period demonstrates that siege towers were not a uniform engineering product, but rather adapted to geographic conditions, strategic objectives, and the creativity of individual engineers.

Keeping the Memories and Hopes Lost in the Earthquake Alive Through Art

2025-11-17T00:11:11+03:00

The aim of the research is to examine the social effects of people who lost all their memories and hopes in the earthquake centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023. Earthquake is defined as the tremors caused by the earth's crust fractures caused by seismic vibrations in the earth. Earthquakes have negative effects on society in individual and social dimensions. Earthquake is not only a natural but also a social event. It has direct or indirect negative effects on the life of the society in the regions where it occurs. With the earthquake, infrastructure, industrial and economic factors have been turned upside down, which has caused sociological, psychological, social and social changes. At the same time, it necessitates social solidarity and cultural coexistence and cooperation. This great earthquake in Kahramanmaraş and neighboring provinces has shattered the lives, hopes and dreams of many families. Families, children, students and parents who dreamed big dreams either perished in the earthquake or they will keep these experiences alive in their memories that they will never forget. Works of art are the therapeutic subject itself. They are the aesthetic creations of the people who shape it. When we express our spiritual and mental feelings through art, both our mind and our spiritual/mental values are activated. While learning the art of modeling with clay in art studies or art activities, the therapeutic effect of touching the soil is experienced. When drawing a picture or sculpting with clay, negative emotions are transformed into positive ones. For this reason, art and creativity are associated with psychology and combined with a therapy (Acar & Düzakın, 2017:4). Memory means remembering or reminding what happened in the past. Remembering can sometimes lead to confrontation and sometimes to affirmation. When people try to remember their past experiences, they try to relive and make sense of the past. Art provides historical consciousness by keeping records of social and social events along with historical consciousness. Art transmits people's own culture, values and norms to future generations through visual and auditory art branches. With this, social memory is ensured. The visual and gigantic artistic earthquake monuments built in Malatya, Adıyaman and Kahramanmaraş keep the pain fresh in the eyes of the society, display social solidarity and show that this is a monument of solidarity.
As a result, the hopes and memories that were destroyed in the earthquake are rebuilt with the social and cultural unifying power of art, ensuring unity and solidarity. Educational projects on earthquake in schools; art activities such as painting, sculpture, poetry, drama are organized to forget the painful effects of the earthquake and to take place in social memories.
Keywords: Earthquake, Hope, Memory, Art

From Damsel in Distress to a Mole in the hole an insight into diversity of portrayal of Indian Women on Bollywood Screen

2025-11-20T08:25:49+03:00

Cinema has long been a dominant medium of entertainment in India, a country characterized by its vast population and significant socio-economic disparities. It has historically been the most affordable form of leisure, particularly for a society grappling with pervasive poverty and hunger. The relatively low cost of cinema tickets made it accessible to individuals from marginalized economic backgrounds, such as rickshaw pullers and daily wage labourers, who formed a formidable audience and shaped the way characters were depicted on screen. This audience segment played a critical role in shaping cinematic narratives and the depiction of characters on screen. The unparalleled cultural significance of Hindi cinema in India lies in its ability to act as a powerful tool for constructing dominant social images, shaping public opinions, and influencing societal identities. At the same time, it has been instrumental in both challenging and perpetuating social stereotypes. As Gupta and Gupta (2013) observe, "Indian movies have been a vital medium to communicate social insights and conditions while continuing to function as an important mode of entertainment to the masses."

Safeguarding the Family Against Disinformation and Digital Threats: Awareness and Security in Communication

2025-12-03T23:36:37+03:00

This article examines communication-based strategies to protect families against disinformation and cyber threats in the digital age. Shaped by quantitative and qualitative data, the research analyzes the psychological, economic, and social impacts of misinformation on families (TUIK, 2024; WHO, 2023), demonstrating how risks can be mitigated through media literacy, personal data security, and intra-family dialogue mechanisms. The study's methodology relies on a systematic analysis of statistics and case studies derived from recent reports by TUIK, BTK, and the Ministry of Family and Social Services (ASHB), in addition to a literature review.

The findings prove that digital resilience can only be achieved through the integration of intra-family trust, intergenerational learning, and public policies. The research reveals that disinformation reduces the quality of family communication by 45% (Counts et al., 2023), yet also shows that families with media literacy training and open dialogue mechanisms significantly improve their ability to cope with these threats. The article offers concrete recommendations for families, such as "source analysis," "digital family agreements," and "emergency response protocols," while also aiming to guide policymakers in curriculum development and regulatory frameworks. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the necessity of strengthening family communication and adopting a culture of continuous learning to establish a proactive line of defense against digital threats.

Pro-Environmental Behaviors of Private Sector Employees Within the Context of the Value-Belief-Norm and Theory of Planned Behavior

2025-12-15T15:41:10+03:00

Since the Industrial Revolution, the rapid increase in production and consumption activities has significantly intensified the use of natural resources, leading to irreversible environmental degradation in ecosystems. Today, global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution compel not only governments but also the private sector and employees to assume environmental responsibility. In this context, employees’ value systems and moral orientations play a decisive role in the emergence of pro-environmental behaviors. The private sector occupies a critical position in the generation of environmental impacts, particularly due to the intensive use of resources in production processes. The literature indicates that firms’ environmental performance is shaped not only by corporate policies and practices but also by employees’ individual attitudes, ethical perceptions, and moral values. Moral values are defined as a set of ethical principles and beliefs that guide individuals’ distinctions between right and wrong and good and bad. Values such as universalism and benevolence strengthen environmental responsibility awareness and support the development of pro-environmental behaviors among employees. Pro-environmental behaviors encompass conscious and voluntary actions such as energy conservation, recycling, waste reduction, and the preference for environmentally friendly products. This qualitative review study systematically examines national and international literature and policy documents published between 2000 and 2024, revealing that moral values are a critical determinant in understanding pro-environmental behaviors among private sector employees. When evaluated within the frameworks of the Value–Belief–Norm (VBN) theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the findings demonstrate that the integration of individual moral values with organizational support mechanisms creates a strong synergy that enhances the intensity of pro-environmental behaviors. In conclusion, this study reinforces a employee-centered perspective within the sustainability literature and emphasizes the importance of designing education programs, value-based reward systems, ethical leadership practices, and employee participation mechanisms in an integrated and holistic manner to promote environmental awareness and foster sustainable pro-environmental behaviors within organizations.

The Discourse of Hate in the Digital Public Sphere: A Comparative Analysis on the Case of Volkan Konak

2025-12-22T17:56:10+03:00

This study examines the discursive reactions and hate/lynching dynamics that emerged in the digital public sphere following the death of Turkish singer Volkan Konak in 2024. The triggering point was a post made by the Mufti of Çatalca on X (Twitter), stating, “He was one of the infidels no mercy should be prayed for such.” This statement was reported by Yeni Akit on December 15, 2024, under the headline “He was an infidel, he’s gone; no mercy for Volkan Konak,” sparking widespread reactions and ideological polarization in the digital public sphere.Theoretically, the study draws on Habermas’s (2003) concept of the public sphere, Castells’s (2013) theory of the network society, and Hall’s (1997) theory of representation, while employing Van Dijk’s (2008) Critical Discourse Analysis as the main methodological framework. Empirical data were collected from user comments under YouTube videos published by Tele1 and Halk TV, containing 3,978 and 2,145 comments respectively. To ensure qualitative depth, a purposive sample of 100 comments (50 from each channel) was analyzed.Findings reveal three dominant discursive tendencies: (1) grief and empathy discourse, (2) institutional and ethical criticism, and (3) hate and exclusionary discourse. Overall, the study concludes that the democratic potential of the digital public sphere can be undermined by the dynamics of speed, anonymity, and emotional mobilization, which foster polarization and normalize hate speech.