Video Art

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYDWctmK8XM

For my video art project, I deconstructed a few of my recent concert videos. The concept is based on the idea of someone passing out at a concert: the sensory overload, the feeling that the world is moving in slow motion, blurring lines and colors, leading to an eventual white-out. My goal was to represent this while still editing and deconstructing the footage itself. The main deconstruction focussed on the audio. When you film a video at a concert, at least in my case, you do so to capture the audio to enjoy at a later time. By slowing and editing this audio, it becomes a pale imprint of the song it once was, and seems almost more like heavy breathing than an actual song. I enjoyed exploring this concept, and hope it is conveyed appropriately.

Performance Art

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kfHNoCzvIE

For my performance art piece, I walked around downtown blindfolded with headphones on. This visually demonstrates the way many people withdrawal from the world with technology, whether they are always connected to music in inappropriate situations, or always looking down at their phones, etc. I had friends giving me commands how and where to walk, and tried to move as naturally as possible.
Let it be known that walking around a city without being able to see anything is actually terrifying.
It was nice not knowing how people were reacting, and interesting to find out when I watched the video later. I received many weird and confused looks, but no one approached me. I almost made a biker crash once, but other than that people were able to keep a relative distance. If someone had approached me, I would have ignored them completely as if I could not hear them.
Overall, it was an interesting project and I felt that I conveyed my point. I also value my eyesight more than ever.

What is the difference between advertisements and propaganda?

The goal of advertisement is to sell a product. The goal of propaganda is to sell an idea. Marketing and advertising are closely related business concepts, while propaganda is a more general communication term referring to falsehoods, untruths or exaggerated messages that individuals or groups convey in support of a given purpose or cause. In essence, propaganda is a broad umbrella of persuasive communication, and marketing and advertising are specific business applications. Truth-in-advertising and consumer-protection regulations try to deter businesses from including deceptive or misleading statements common to propaganda.

Flash Mobs/Eva & Adele

Vallès Symphony Orchestra Flashmob

This flashmob is particularly interesting because it involves instruments. I love the way there is one visible musician, and then all the others make their way out of the woodwork. Also, the camera work greatly adds to the overall visual effect of the flashmob. Seeing this in person must have been amazing, but this video itself is part of the art. I love looking at how people situate themselves to watch, like the little girl climbing the streetlight. Also, it's entertaining how people choose to interact with the performance, like various children pretending to conduct or people dancing to it. At the end, every single person has a smile on their face. This flashmob is unique and memorable.

Eva and Adele

Eva and Adele are an artistic couple, whose shtick is looking alike. They refuse to reveal their real names and ages. They have been in a relationship for 22 years, but are not married because they would prefer to marry as two women. They claim to be from the future. They are both sex performers and works of art.

Joseph Beuys

Joseph Beuys was a Fluxus performance artist. He was born in 1921 in Krefeld, a city in northwestern Germany near the Dutch border. During his youth he pursued dual interests in the natural sciences and art, and he chose a career in medicine. In 1940 he joined the military, volunteering in order to avoid the draft. He was trained as an aircraft radio operator and combat pilot, and during his years of active duty he was seriously wounded numerous times. During the early 1960s, Düsseldorf developed into an important center for contemporary art and Beuys became acquainted with the experimental work of artists such as Nam June Paik and the Fluxus group, whose public "concerts" brought a new fluidity to the boundaries between literature, music, visual art, performance, and everyday life. Their ideas were a catalyst for Beuys' own performances, which he called "actions," and his evolving ideas about how art could play a wider role in society. He began to publicly exhibit his large-scale sculptures, small objects, drawings, and room installations. He also created numerous actions and began making editioned objects and prints called multiples. His reputation in the international art world solidified after a 1979 retrospective at New York's Guggenheim Museum, and he lived the last years of his life at a hectic pace, participating in dozens of exhibitions and traveling widely on behalf of his organizations. Beuys died in 1986 in Düsseldorf. In the subsequent decade his students have carried on his campaign for change, and his ideas and artwork have continued to spark lively debate. 

Brion Gysin

Brion Gysin was a British writer, painter, and performance artist. He created the cut-up poetry technique, used by William Burroughs. Burroughs described him as "the only man I ever respected". He may have been the man to invent weed brownies. Also, he was credited with inventing the dream machine with Ian Somerville. A contributor of the beat generation, he was an influence in music, literature, and art. He died at the age of 70 from lung cancer.

Bauhaus and McCarthyism

Bauhaus was a school in Germany that combined crafts and fine arts. It was open from 1919 to 1933. The school was heavily influenced by modernism and an artistic mindset. Many artists were exiled under the early Nazi regime, spreading their art style to many different countries.

McCarthyism was the name for the fear-induced control of public media and propaganda in the 1950's. Thanks to the Cold War and extremely high tensions with Russia, Communism and everything associated with it became taboo. Senator Joseph McCarthy took it upon himself to blacklist many artists in art, music, and film that he suspected to be Communist without any legitimate evidence.

Grid Art

For my grid art project, I picked a background from the popular Super Mario Brothers series. I used M&Ms and a picture frame as my medium, which proved to be more difficult than it looks. Each M&M was individually glued down, giving it a significantly different texture than a computer generated pixelized image. Due to the constraints of the picture frame, I could not make it as large as the original image, but I was able to include every detail necessary (also that red m&m with the m facing up is my own detail, it is meant to signify mario jumping to get to the block). I would have gotten more colors if I had the money. This project resulted in me spending a lot of money and eating a lot of spare M&Ms.

Steve Jobs vs. Bill Gates Rap Battle (with a special guest)

I pulled a Joe and found something funny on Youtube. Enjoy!

What's with the Apple?

The classic apple logo was chosen for many reasons. First of all, it relates to the tale of Newton discovering gravity when an apple fell on his head. In the first logo, the apple is covered by rainbow colors, but in the wrong order. This gives a sense of creativity. The bite could mean many things: a symbol for lust of knowledge, a reference to Adam and Eve, a computer "byte", or simply to differentiate the logo from looking like a cherry. Overall, the simple logo is easily recognizable all over the world, and will remain so for years to come.

Ray Kurzweil

Ray Kurzweil is an American inventor. When Kurzweil was 15, he began his first project involving pattern recognition—teaching machines how to see and understand patterns in information. In high school, Kurzweil began corresponding with Marvin Minsky, an artificial intelligence guru at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Kurzweil chose to attend MIT partially because of his relationship with Minsky. There he double-majored in computer science and creative writing.

While he was taking classes, Kurzweil founded a company where he used a computer to match high school students with colleges. He later sold his company to Harcourt for $100,000 plus royalties. In 1970, he completed his BS at MIT and just a few years later he founded Kurzweil Computer Products, a software and hardware company. There Kurzweil and his team invented what would be one of the hallmarks of his entire career—the Kurzweil Reading Machine, which included the first CCD ("charge coupled device") flatbed scanner and first omni-font OCR ("optical character recognition") software. The machine used only 64K of RAM and was able to scan lines of text one at a time. The machine "recognized" each character as it passed regardless of typestyle; corrected the order of the characters in its memory; determined the pronunciation of the resultant words according to pre-programmed phonological rules; and articulated those words through a speech synthesizer, also created by the company.

Fun with Flipbooks

Alright so: This flipbook. Never have I seen so many sharpies, never have I been so literally intoxicated by a school project. Never have I spent so many hours coloring pages solidly, which will be remembered as one of my poorer life choices. As a very artistically-challenged person, I figured it would be better to do a coloring-based project versus something that would require actual drawing. I was so wrong. HOWEVER, I do like the end result and am reasonably proud of it now that it's finished. Many hours were put into this, and it's nice to be able to sit back and watch it move.

Without further ado, here is Over The Rainbow: A Flipbook Project.

Wendy Carlos and A Clockwork Orange

First of all, A Clockwork Orange is one of my favorite books and movies of all time. I love the language, I love the plot, and I love the idea of perspective forcing the reader to feel sympathy for the bad guy. Alex has very few redeeming qualities, but because of getting to hear the story from his perspective we relate to him.

Wendy Carlos (born Walter Carlos) wrote the score for A Clockwork Orange. Her story begins at a very young age, as she composed music and built computers. She was one of Moog's first customers, and used it frequently in her compositions. She studied electronic music at Columbia college. She went on to compose many individual pieces and work on movie scores, including A Clockwork Orange and The Shining. Not only is she an accomplished pioneer of electronic music, she also happens to be a solar eclipse photographer. She is still alive today at age 72.

I find Wendy fascinating, both in personal life and in compositions. Here is Funeral for Queen Mary for ACO:

Audio and Technicolor in Video

Last class was a fascinating look at the early history of audio being used in video. I enjoyed the satirical look from "Singing in the Rain"of how difficult transitioning to sound was for silent film makers. I had never thoroughly thought about the way sound is synced with images, and what a complex process it is.  It was fun watching the scene from Psycho, and all the different sounds that went along with it. If it had been silent, the scene wouldn't have been nearly as frightening or dramatic as it was.

Before that class, I had absolutely no idea what a process making film color was. Three rolls of film are used and put through different chemicals to make them red, green, and blue respectively. The films are then placed on top of each other and BAM there's full color. Technicolor was a multi billion dollar industry that today has been replaced with digital filming. Some examples of early technicolor use include Singin' in the Rain, Joan of Arc, and Fantasia.

The Great Train Robbery

"The Great Train Robbery" from 1903 is yet another great example of early silent films. As with "A Trip to the Moon", early special effects were fascinating attributes. I loved how an explosion near the beginning was colored orange, possibly to make it more realistic but to me it just seemed to make it surreal. It was also interesting to watch the actors interact with dummies, like when one of the robbers through a man who was obviously just a dummy off of the train. The dramatic way that guy just died was great. This video was just one more cool look at silent films of the early 20th century.

Napoleon Silent Movie

Napoleon was a silent film from 1927 directed by Abel Gance. The camera work was revered for being much more smooth than most films at the time. Hand-held cameras were used and extensive close-ups were featured. The story revolves around a young Napoleon, following him to his rise to power.

It is widely considered one of the greatest and most innovative films of the silent era. It has been screened all over the world since 1927, and still is today:

Trailer for a screening of Napoleon

This movie set the precedent for many silent films to come.

Trip to the Moon

"A Trip to the Moon" was an interesting look at early cinematography. It was fascinating to see what early "special effects" entailed, like how the smoke explosion was physically small but knocked down all five of them due to the implied effect. It had a surrealist vibe, and many small details were amusing to me. For example, the fact that they all had umbrellas on the moon and even used them as weapons. I also liked the way the camera got closer to the moon as they were traveling towards it, rather than the other way around. It was good that this video had commentary, otherwise I'm not quite sure I would have known what was going on. Overall, this was an interesting video to portray early films.

Stage Door Blog Excerpts

First of all, as a person who has been involved in stage crew for the past three years (from set design to lighting), talking about the technical aspect of theater is something I quite enjoy. Here are the videos that caught my attention:

Neil Patrick Harris: What If Life Were More Like Theater from the  2012 Tony Awards

Here we see almost every well-known technical theater trick used in just 5 minutes. Lighting and sound cues, cables, on-stage costume changes, the works. 

Peter Pan: I'm Flying

The obvious technology influencing this scene is the cable work. Without the cables being worked by some lucky stage hand, this song wouldn't be anywhere near as interesting or believable.

Guys and Dolls: Sit Down You're Rocking The Boat

The contributing technology in this scene includes lighting and the stage backgrounds.

Anything Goes: Blow, Gabriel, Blow

The lighting work is significant to this scene. The lights are dimmed, and the spotlight is focused on only her top half. Also, the costumes contribute to the upbeat and flashy number.

Annie Get Your Gun: There's No Business Like Show Business!

The extravagant lighting and orchestra onstage adds to the high caliber of this performance.

Evita: A New Argentina

The use of technology greatly enhanced this scene from Evita. Stage pyrotechnics are always fun. Also, the descending backdrops contribute to the visual political message.

Cabaret: Willkommen

The technology that is seen in the opening scene of Cabaret influences the mood of the entire production. The artificially lit background, the musicians on stage, and even the seating of the viewers enhanced the experience.

Technology is arguably as important to a production as any performance aspect. One cannot exist without the other. With time, these technologies will become more advanced, and theater will only grow.

Watching Carmen

I'm currently watching Carmen for the essay we're writing, and here is what runs through my mind while doing so:

• I never knew how many popular songs came from this Opera
• French guy writes opera that takes place in Spain and they all speak french.
• I enjoyed this part when Hey Arnold did it
• Are children common in Opera?
• boobs.
• Jose has mommy issues an Micaela is doing nothing to help with them. That kiss was way too seductive to be delivered from his mother...
• That was a very intense kiss on the forehead
• I really like that Carmen just charged into a mob of 30 girls with nothing but her fists
• Whoa they're actually not singing. I thought that wasn't a thing in opera?
• It's like how girls nowadays cry their way out of traffic tickets
• boobs boobs boobs
• They acknowledge that she's singing? Isn't that sort of breaking the 4th wall?
• legs
• Goddamn it Jose
• HA was the chair supposed to break?
• Somewhere, mere feet from the stage, there are a group of stage crew members having a collective panic attack because they need to find a new chair.
• Yet another song I didn't know was from Carmen!
• These people really throw around the word love...
• I am pretty surprised by the amount of talking.
• That doesn't look like a comfortable way to sing
• After all this singing there's no way he's not late for that retreat.
• He is sobbing into a flower. I'm not finding very much respect for this character.
• She's not a very understanding woman.
• How I love epic end-of-act finales
• Where has Micaela been?
• But WHAT are they smuggling? I suppose it isn't relevant to the plot, but curiosity...
• I love these costumes. Simple, unlike the eccentric style that has come to be associated with Opera. But still lovely and beautiful.
• Is it weird the way Micaela uses Jose's mom to get to Jose, or is it just me?
• Jose just got really fucking creepy.
• Also he looks like a hot mess.
• I RECOGNIZE THIS ONE TOO
• Jose has really let himself go
• Why do children like bullfighting so much? I think it's a pretty upsetting sport, at any age.
• This is the best Carmen has looked the entire time.
• Goddamn it she's finally happy and honest and she's about to die.
• There are people blaring pop music next door. Don't they know I'm busy becoming less of an uncultured swine?
• I will forever regret not seeing this when the tour came to Philly last year.
• He's really not getting the message here.
• NO MEANS NO GODDAMN IT this is really creeping me out.
• How many times does she have to say it?
• This is the part where you run Carmen.
• runrunrun
• So many opportunities to get away. But then I guess this wouldn't be a tragedy.
• I wonder if there is a new ring for every day, or if some stage crew member has to find it each night.
• And now there's necrophilia.
• Italian women plays Spanish woman who speaks French. Just another day in Europe?
• That was fun! Now, essay time...

History of the Jazz Age

The Jazz Age was about more than just jazz.
It was a period for the cultural expansion of music, dance, fashion, and lifestyle, taking place during the 1920's. It was most prevalent in the US.

Jazz music was created by African Americans, but was widely accepted among middle class white Americans. Radio greatly helped jazz spread into the mainstream, and jazz clubs were popular locations for hearing this music live. Dances such as the Charleston went along with it. Famous jazz musicians of the time include Loius Armstrong, Billie Holliday, and Ella Fitzgerald.

Fashion took a high and scandalous turn, particularly for women, during this decade. Women went from full-covering dresses to shorter skirts, dropped waists, and more playful styles. Many dresses included fringe or beads. The women's suffrage movement was a large factor in this newfound independent way of dress. Men's fashion was classy and stylized, with various hat and suit styles commonly worn.

The 1920's was a time of prohibition, and Speakeasies were anything but scarce. These establishments of illicit alcohol, dancing, and general shenanigans were frequented by many and enjoyed by all. The mafia payed off police officers so they could keep these bars running.

The jazz age, which was a time of great cultural progression, came to a screeching halt when the Great Depression hit. It remains a significant point in history that improved our country and culture.

Madame Butterfly Animation

The Madama Butterfly animation was interesting and appropriately disturbing. Although it wasn't very long, it summarized the most key and dramatic parts of the opera. In order to have more of an idea of what exactly I was watching, I researched the plot a bit before finishing the video. I'm glad I did, because if not I would have been mostly clueless to the strange representation of suicide in the final moments of the video. It was interesting what parts of the opera the animator put the most focus on. The three main parts of the video were focussed on the American and Madame Butterfly making love, Madame Butterfly waiting for her American, and her suicide. It is difficult to condense an entire opera down to 10 minutes, but I think Pjotr Sapegin did so eloquently.

Week 1

The lesson that intrigued me the most from last week was about the Castrati. It's mind-boggling to think that there is a whole subculture of opera singers that do not exist today. There are no true recordings, there is no way to completely recreate the sound (though the BBC method was quite fascinating), and there is no way to ever see one of these singers in the flesh.
While watching the documentary, I found myself wondering: who's decision was an individual's castration? Was it the consent of the young boy? Was it his parents? Or was it a voice mentor, who knew when a boy was destined for greatness? Was this "gift" considered a blessing or a curse to the individual? What were the psychological impacts? If the Castrati were still around today, what would society's view of them be?
It is understandable why the practice was stopped, but it would be wonderful to hear a Castrato in person. Alas, it is not possible, and we can only settle for high-tech BBC mixing methods. The Castrati are an interesting part of Opera history that should not be forgotten.

Reaction to first day:

I must say, I was pleasantly surprised with the dynamic of this class. I felt more relaxed than I have in any classes so far, the people were easier to talk to, and the subject matter was very new and fascinating to me. I am slightly anxious because of my aforementioned lack of artistic ability, but I am excited to take on a new challenge! (however cheesy that sounds...) I am particularly looking forward the electronic music portion of this class, because a) I am also taking a music recording class and it's nice that I can expound upon those lessons in this class, and b) music is what I know best. I also want to use photography as a medium for some of these projects, with look rather intimidating up front but as I said, I'm ready for a challenge. I hope that this class expands my view on art along with my own artistic ability.

Enter name.

Your name is MADISON BASS. You are a FRESHMAN at the UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA studying NEW MEDIA PRODUCTION. You want to work with LIVE MUSIC because you are very fond of concerts and go to FAR TOO MANY. You have a variety of INTERESTS. You love music, though you are NOT VERY GOOD at playing it. Your favorite genre is SKA though you like NEARLY ALL TYPES of rock. You spend too much time on TUMBLR, and this has led you to like things such as Doctor Who, Sherlock, Homestuck, and other fandoms you spend TOO MUCH TIME thinking about. You are GOD AWFUL at drawing but think you are pretty ok at PHOTOGRAPHY.  This is the first blog post for your ART AND TECHNOLOGY class which you are QUITE EXCITED about. What will you do?

Madi: Post this and go do other work.