Fieldtrip to Will's:
Making a living off of art is a much different than producing work in the academic world. Will definitely exhibits this very well. While it would be hard to see his work as if produced as a student or teacher, his murals have a small niche that is quite accommodating. It is hard to define for me if his work has value and how it falls into line with the rest of the world of art that I know. His work is much more in line with illustration and other commercial arts. Which brings up the obvious question, "is it art?" To me the answer would be no. Mostly because if I were to produce similar work, I myself would not see it as such. For the most part I think this is an elitist attitude that is rather dumb, but I cannot easily break from this way of thinking. I have had quite a hard time struggling with what exactly I am trying to do with school and my practice. Somehow this relates. There has been definite times this semester when there has been questioning of what I am trying to produce. Influences from outside opinions have mostly destroyed my collected approach and sent me into what is the worst possible state of confusion. The decision has now been made to stop listening to what others say even if they appear to be legitimate and are coming from instructors. Will seems to be very successful at starting on path and staying on it, at least until it is necessary to move on.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Class Commentary: 08-04-07
Identity Project Viewing, continued:
Well, today was even more impressive as far as the projects and their appeal. Sarah's piece was unexpected; the way of using a slide show to create a type of rudimentary stop animation was novel, at least to me. The choice of song was very strong. In a way it was a little disappointing to hear that she selected it after hearing it during commercial, but that doesn't take away it's impact while viewing. Nicole's work had a lot of interest in the social aspect of the work. I would have a hard time conceiving work with similar means of social interaction, mostly because I avoid group social interactions where things can be scrutinized. Perhaps it is for the reason that in Nicole's work she took and distorted everything she was given. It was fun but it has a dark side that is slightly subtle. Finally, Jennifer's was my favorite. Jennifer's and Nicole's work had many aspects in common. It was amazingly playful, due mostly to the means of construction. The playfulness contrasted nicely with the darker subject matter. It was a non-serious look at something that is serious but rarely taken seriously. Her method of almost ridiculous aesthetics made the unhumorous stand out.
Well, today was even more impressive as far as the projects and their appeal. Sarah's piece was unexpected; the way of using a slide show to create a type of rudimentary stop animation was novel, at least to me. The choice of song was very strong. In a way it was a little disappointing to hear that she selected it after hearing it during commercial, but that doesn't take away it's impact while viewing. Nicole's work had a lot of interest in the social aspect of the work. I would have a hard time conceiving work with similar means of social interaction, mostly because I avoid group social interactions where things can be scrutinized. Perhaps it is for the reason that in Nicole's work she took and distorted everything she was given. It was fun but it has a dark side that is slightly subtle. Finally, Jennifer's was my favorite. Jennifer's and Nicole's work had many aspects in common. It was amazingly playful, due mostly to the means of construction. The playfulness contrasted nicely with the darker subject matter. It was a non-serious look at something that is serious but rarely taken seriously. Her method of almost ridiculous aesthetics made the unhumorous stand out.
Class Commentary: 08-04-02
Identity Project Viewing:
The work that we viewed today is noticeably stronger than the earlier works this semester. Connections are much stronger between the formal and conceptual dimensions. It also seems that everyone is more engaged in the production. Drakes work was quite interesting in how he was using very modern skills and technology to construct his work. Which it seems that most of the class has bypassed this and gone to a more traditional route(me included). It could potentially date Drake's piece. But it definitely creates a more contemporary and, in a small group, a level of higher social relevancy. After talking to Drake at the brainstorming session, I was interested in the outcome of the final piece. It also reminded me of the work of Sam Durant. I cannot recall the works by Durant exactly or the conceptual aspects, but there are some parallels. Much of what Durant was doing with his sound pieces involved the past and time. Incorporating iconic performances and musicians into new contexts gives Durant's work this feeling of time.
The work that we viewed today is noticeably stronger than the earlier works this semester. Connections are much stronger between the formal and conceptual dimensions. It also seems that everyone is more engaged in the production. Drakes work was quite interesting in how he was using very modern skills and technology to construct his work. Which it seems that most of the class has bypassed this and gone to a more traditional route(me included). It could potentially date Drake's piece. But it definitely creates a more contemporary and, in a small group, a level of higher social relevancy. After talking to Drake at the brainstorming session, I was interested in the outcome of the final piece. It also reminded me of the work of Sam Durant. I cannot recall the works by Durant exactly or the conceptual aspects, but there are some parallels. Much of what Durant was doing with his sound pieces involved the past and time. Incorporating iconic performances and musicians into new contexts gives Durant's work this feeling of time.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Class Commentary: 08-03-31
Presented: Brandon Boan
Well, first off it would be interesting to say that at least two people I know have taken classes with him in the past. My first experience seeing Brandon was mere minutes before class when I passed him in Architecture's hall. He obviously was not a architecture student, but I wasn't sure where he belonged. It was quite a surprise to see him walk into the class with Malena and it seemed to add up that he would be coming to our class. It was interesting to hear him speak, he was quite good at articulating ideas. Brandon's work was not quite as impressive but still was interesting also. Speaking to Todd Payne, I mentioned Brandon's speaking ability. Todd said that, in his classes that he was in with him, he also was very well spoken but his work was not to the level of his speaking ability. Which brings me to the thought, which is more important: successfully speaking about your work or successful work. Both seem to rely on each other. If I was going to have to say one I would have to say that speaking is more important as a strength. It is harder to have someone promote for you than to have help in the creation of works. In a way you would be directing and supervising which could have it's advantages.
Well, first off it would be interesting to say that at least two people I know have taken classes with him in the past. My first experience seeing Brandon was mere minutes before class when I passed him in Architecture's hall. He obviously was not a architecture student, but I wasn't sure where he belonged. It was quite a surprise to see him walk into the class with Malena and it seemed to add up that he would be coming to our class. It was interesting to hear him speak, he was quite good at articulating ideas. Brandon's work was not quite as impressive but still was interesting also. Speaking to Todd Payne, I mentioned Brandon's speaking ability. Todd said that, in his classes that he was in with him, he also was very well spoken but his work was not to the level of his speaking ability. Which brings me to the thought, which is more important: successfully speaking about your work or successful work. Both seem to rely on each other. If I was going to have to say one I would have to say that speaking is more important as a strength. It is harder to have someone promote for you than to have help in the creation of works. In a way you would be directing and supervising which could have it's advantages.
Class Commentary: 08-03-19
Brainstorming:
Well, I didn't get much feedback from this; mostly because the difficulty of verbalizing a medium and concept I don't fully understand. At the time of the discussion, the technical aspect of video making was preoccupying most of my thoughts. The previous Two days before I was trying to figure out how to get the video, that I had recorded, transfered to my computer for editing. After researching my problem I discovered that the camera that I was using was poorly designed and lacked the most readily available method of transfer. The firewire connection was only made to upload still pictures and not video. Checking a video camera from the library was out of the question; I would have to keep it for at least a few days. Finally, I was able to acquire a camera and started my production.
Well, I didn't get much feedback from this; mostly because the difficulty of verbalizing a medium and concept I don't fully understand. At the time of the discussion, the technical aspect of video making was preoccupying most of my thoughts. The previous Two days before I was trying to figure out how to get the video, that I had recorded, transfered to my computer for editing. After researching my problem I discovered that the camera that I was using was poorly designed and lacked the most readily available method of transfer. The firewire connection was only made to upload still pictures and not video. Checking a video camera from the library was out of the question; I would have to keep it for at least a few days. Finally, I was able to acquire a camera and started my production.
Class Commentary: 08-03-17
Mcoll Center Fieldtrip:
It was nice to see work with the primary mode of communication being expression through physical interaction. Some works were more effective than others. My favorite being the pieces where the painted areas were touched to produce sound. To touch the painted areas was to create unexpected results; only by playing could you try to determine what was going to happen. Distilled is the very essence of childlike learning. Through trial and error results are hypothesized then tested until results are considered certain. The success of the pieces relied certainly on the attraction of touch and feedback, which is able to keep the viewer entranced long enough for the process of learning to take place.
It was nice to see work with the primary mode of communication being expression through physical interaction. Some works were more effective than others. My favorite being the pieces where the painted areas were touched to produce sound. To touch the painted areas was to create unexpected results; only by playing could you try to determine what was going to happen. Distilled is the very essence of childlike learning. Through trial and error results are hypothesized then tested until results are considered certain. The success of the pieces relied certainly on the attraction of touch and feedback, which is able to keep the viewer entranced long enough for the process of learning to take place.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Class Commentary: 08-03-12
Playfulness is where Tim Hawkinson's work emerges from. To counteract the full effect of childlike fun there are elements of darkness. In Überorgan the soft billowing forms exude the idea of fun, but with scale there is a menacing take over of space that creates an uncanny feeling. Scale has thrown the piece into a monster that cannot be fully comprehended and understood. It is if a mad scientist had created this monster, just as Frankenstein created his, by combining flesh with technology with the results being a hybrid without a true reason for being or soul. Which brings the name of the piece into focus, Überorgan. Hawkinson has directly referenced the body; he has created a superbeing's body part. Running continuously without fault of exhaustion, better than human, but ultimately this leads to its fault.
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