VIDEO ART

This is my video art piece entitle YARD WARS. I was exploring the idea that nothing new can be made, only imitations can be made. Also I was commenting about how in this day and age anyone with any type of camera can broadcast whatever they want all over the world, which is a fascinating concept. I was excited to incorporate what I learned about Adobe Flash into the video. My friends and I had a lot of fun making it, as you can see from the credits. We might make more in the future.

Class for the week of 12/2

This was our last week of class before finals.  We managed to explore video art a little bit more and dive into electronic music's evolution.

By far and away, Bill Viola is my favorite video artist that we have covered in class.  His vivid imagery has been the most compelling so far.  I really enjoy his juxtapositions between fire and water.  The fact that he uses a lot of slow motion allows for the viewer to fully capture and comprehend the images.  Honestly, I can't get enough special effects.  I simply love them.  I'm just utterly impressed by little things like "Who Framed Roger Rabbit."  Viola's man on fire looks very natural and the effects are integrated seamlessly.  I was very much reminded of the Human Torch when I watched that video.  Likewise, his use of water reminded me of Aquaman.  Considering Viola's decision to go with just one man either on fire or bursting with water associates the subject with iconic imagery.  With this iconic imagery, its easy to see why I would associate the videos with ideallic heroes.

On thursday, we went over electronic musicians, some new and some familiar.  There was one musician who created a program that would convert his sketches into sound.  This was a very interesting and exciting concept to me. Unfortunately, the sounds that were made were absolutely horrible.  They were so bad that I had to cover my ears.  It really does make me think though; what sounds would be generated from my sketches?  Would it be pleasant music? Epic music?  Film score music?  Or would it also degenerate into mindless feedback?  I would love to find out.

As for the other musicians, I'm not a huge fan of techno.  I prefer it blended with rock and/or jazz music.  Although I was familiar with Benny Begassi's version of Satisfaction.  My girlfriend loves that song and plays it frequently.  I'm not entirely sure if anything was really taken from the Rolling Stones' version besides the word Satisfaction.  Hmmm...

Well, overall it was a good semester and I learned a lot about artists I wouldn't normally hear about, so it was pretty interesting.  It beats the hell out of normal art history classes, for sure.