Project #6 Self Portrait

For this project I knew I definetly wanted to use text. I liked the idea of having words to describe me. But as you can imagine I could only think of so many on my own so I asked my friends via Facebook to describe me in 4 words good or bad. These are the words that were put on there. I used all the words even the “bad” ones. I chose this picture mostly because it was one of the only ones I had that wasnt just my face or from shoulders up. I also thought it said something about who I am too because the coat shows I live in a cold climate, Colorado I have lived here my whole life and it is part of who I am.

Assignment #6

April Zemyan

Assignment #6

Ch.3 Reading

What are the major themes in digital art and why?

The first major theme that is mentioned in the book is artificial life. The book says this is one because it is something that is so widely researched and unknown people are naturally curious about this topic. I think it is a major theme because it is a natural thought as well but also because people like to think of the future and how they can accomplish tasks easier than what they do now. I think people want artificial life to exist because it would help humans out.

 The second theme mentioned in the book is artificial intelligence. The book mentions this important theme because people and artists want to take something that seems so unreal and make it real and believable. The book also mentions that artists yearn for the connection with artificial intelligence and art. I think it is an important theme because like artificial life, people are naturally curious about artificial intelligence. I think it is interesting and a major part of science to explore life outside of our own form. I have interest in life outside of earth and believe there is life on other planets so for an artist to create that and make it seem real it makes my opinions stronger and can back up some ideas that I have.

 Another theme in digital art that is mentioned in the book is telepresence, telematics and telerbotics. This is a topic I am unfamiliar with but after reading further in the chapter I learned more about it. Telepresence is the idea that one is not actually present in a conversation. This idea is becoming more prominent with the technology that is emerging. I think this is an important idea in digital art because it allows artists to explore the process of telepresence and create pieces based on an old concept but a changing concept. I learned that telematics is the combination of computers and telecommunication. The book mentions a timeline piece that shows the desire for an expanded, global consciousness in connection with consequences that computer meditated communications may induce. I think this is an important piece to digital art because it explores the issues and conflicts of communications. The term telerbotics refers to the manipulation of robots and a robot installation in the internet. I think this is important because it explores the idea of robotics and art combined.

 Another theme that the book mentions is body and identity. This idea in art is important because it can explore elements that aren’t really you. The idea of identity in the digital world is something that is ever changing and can be anything the user wants it to be. I think the body is also another example of manipulation. With the digital age, body manipulation is a big thing and can be changed by the user. I think these ideas are both very important because I think people like the thought of changing themselves digitally.

 The next theme the book mentions is databases, data visualization and mapping. This is one that I am familiar with because of the artist I chose to do my paper and presentation on. I think this is one of the most important themes because it allows for useful information to be organized digitally and in a presentable manner. I learned while doing my research on Wattenberg that there are many forms and a lot of the data that is shown digitally can be used for many different things. This is prominent in research and putting together presentations that are easily understood.

 There are many more themes in the digital art world. I believe that everything can be digital art in some way. These are just a few of the main focuses that I think are important. The book mentions more, I think this book and class has taught me a lot of ideas that I was unfamiliar with before.

Samuel Beckett Review

Title : Creepy!

                When I first came upon the Samuel Beckett piece I was apprehensive about going into the dark room where I couldn’t see a thing and sitting down to watch a small screen with only a mouth.  The day I went to the MCA it was gloomy outside so this piece sort of added to that mood.

               I sat down and began listening. I did not read the description of Beckett’s piece right away.  As I was listening I had many thoughts but tried to concentrate on what was asked, the connotation and denotation of the piece.

                I’ll start with the easier of the two, denotation.  There was s dark screen with only a mouth showing. Red lips, white teeth, no face other than the mouth.  The television was small. The room the television was set up in was pitch black.

                Now I’ll touch onto the harder of the two, connotation.  Where do I even start? I brought a notebook into the room with me, and although I couldn’t see anything I wrote down a few words: rambling, no sense, scared, frantic, loud and fast.  Going off of these words I would say the connotation of Beckett’s piece is a woman, which can be told by the voice, trying to explain something.  I feel like she is in state of panic and whoever she is talking to doesn’t understand what she’s saying. I want to say she is not in her right mind, just because of how quickly and randomly the words are coming out of her mouth.  I watched the piece for about 30 minutes and as I was sitting there I couldn’t figure out when the talking stopped and started.  This is why I wrote down rambling, because it didn’t seem to have a beginning and end to it.  One of the things I found interesting and I can’t be sure because the television was so small and since I couldn’t see where I was going I didn’t want to walk up to it, was that the woman appeared to be African American. I got this impression because of the lips of the woman.  They seemed dark and the teeth seemed very white. I am not sure if this is significant to the piece or not.

                This piece threw the rest of my day off; all I could think about was what she was trying to say! When I got to a computer the first thing I did was look up Samuel Beckett mouth. I realize this may have been against some rules but in all fairness I did see the piece first and had no prior knowledge until after I had formed my original opinion.

                When I searched for the piece I was actually able to watch it again and listen carefully to the words.  I am still convinced the woman is African American. As I listened to the words over and over it became clearer that the woman is recalling a traumatic experience. I am very creeped out by this piece. This might be Beckett’s goal, if so he has succeeded for me. Although the piece scares me, I can’t take my eyes from it or stop listening!

                Also in my research I found the piece is part of Beckett’s “Not I” monologue. When I read further about this piece I learned that it was inspired in Ireland and depicts a woman who was left as a child and then experienced a traumatic experience.  I also found that Beckett didn’t want people to think this experience was rape, this sure fooled me. I was convinced it was rape or a bad thing because of what I got out of the situation the woman describes (dark room, no sound, can’t feel anything.) I feel like I still don’t know what I’m supposed to take from the piece.  Even when I watch it over and over it still puzzles me.  I keep asking, what is she saying? Who is she? Who is she talking to? I’m not sure if these are all things that are answered and I just missed the answer or if they the viewer is supposed to wonder what is going on. I also keep wondering how this was possible, it seems like it would be technologically hard to just put light on the mouth and not show any other features of the actress. Also after looking up Beckett and learning when he produced his art I wonder if it was expensive to produce a piece like this since I would assume most of the equipment was just coming out.

                If I had a phobia of teeth or hated the dentist I think this piece would bother me.  I don’t mind the teeth though. I am interested in seeing the other versions of this piece that I came across while doing my research.

                I am kind of glad I saw the piece alone so no one else’s opinions influenced mine; however I still felt awry for the rest of my day.  I know after reading that the piece wasn’t meant to be creepy but that is the one word I would describe this as.

Animation Concept/Execution

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qh-B1FzeogA

I would like to do something with weather but more specifically lightning, as my concept. But I would also like to incorporate text into it.

I will execute this by combining text and weather together and possibly adding a “human” figure.

Project #2 Image management

PART These images are important and interesting because of the technology and brain power involved in space research. Space technology has changed and continues to change everyday. But this wouldn’t be possible without the power of the human brain. The brain is capable of incredible things.1

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47813518@N06/sets/72157623721847982/

PART 2

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47813518@N06/sets/72157623731529250/

14-Day project link

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47813518@N06/

For this piece I wanted to explore the life of a student journalist. I found stuff that I used in the newsroom. I put together these items because I thought they were a strong representation of what it means to be a journalist. I also liked them because they had some of me represented in them.

Poster Assignment #5

This piece went a little deeper for me. I have known many people who have skin cancer and my sister is actually a tanning regular. I have been trying to discourage her for years. I wanted to put the message out there that skin cancer is real and if you are going to be outside for more than 10 minutes you should put on the sun block. I thought most of the people in class caught onto this. I actually like that it was in black and white because the message is black and white itself. In the sun you might get cancer, out of the sun you won’t.