Author Archives: Shirley Mak

Posts by Shirley Mak

Comments by Shirley Mak

"Despite the fact that the pianist isn't really playing anything, the piece wasn't as boring as I thought it would be. From watching the video, we hear the high-pitched whirring sound and occasional sniffing and creaks. But the live audience must have heard some things differently. Like many other pieces, this piece must be heard differently each time it is performed. I was wondering how the pianist knew how long to play the piece for. Was there a little clock hidden somewhere?"
--( posted on Dec 6, 2010, commenting on the post A Silent Night…Literally )
 
"There is violin slapping too. Remember when we saw that last song in the Year of China Concert? The violinist Blanca Gonzalez slapped her violin! I didn't even know that was possible."
--( posted on Nov 28, 2010, commenting on the post Slappin’ the Bass )
 
"The art is amazing! Daniele is very talented. I especially like the tree time-line. I think it would be cool if he put the environments of the animals for some of the pictures. That way, it would seem even more realistic."
--( posted on Nov 20, 2010, commenting on the post Hand Art )
 
"I remember these back in high school, and I think they're really creepy! It's probably the fact that they aren't real, but it's also because their voices are really strange too. In a way it is like bringing a manga character to real life...or "realer life". Some vocaloids even have their own background story!"
--( posted on Nov 20, 2010, commenting on the post Vocaloids: A big Japanese sensation isn’t even a real person! )
 
"I think this post really fits your love for sneakers (as you have already mentioned). But it is a really interesting concept to see the sneakers on a bike, and I agree with Alex. Who knew it could actually ride! But then again, the rubber on the bottom of the sneakers may work as the rubber wheels?"
--( posted on Nov 16, 2010, commenting on the post Shoes Are More Than Just For Your Feet )
 
"I like how he isn't really using the gum as a medium, rather as a canvas. I agree with Susan and Praveena though that it is really cool! I like the bright colors, and I think that if I saw them on the sidewalk, I would not want to step on them. It might stop traffic a little, but at the same time I think it would brighten my day."
--( posted on Nov 7, 2010, commenting on the post Chew, Spit, Paint )
 
"I think that is absolutely brilliant and innovative! It's also a great way to get the drivers to stay within speed limit, that is, if they want to get the pitches and rhythm right. I think it is really cool, and if in the near future engines can become absolutely silent, the sound would be even cooler! It almost seems kind of magical, like the roads are singing to you."
--( posted on Oct 29, 2010, commenting on the post The Real Street Music )
 
"Having deflated body bags as costumes is an interesting concept, albeit scary. I wonder how they can breath and see in those bags? But with the bags, you are more aware of the shape and the restricted movements of the body. Their arms are kind of trapped in that pose in the deflated body bags."
--( posted on Oct 13, 2010, commenting on the post Art Becomes Alive )
 
"I have seen that video before too! I thought that it was an amazing talent that the beatboxing flute player had, because not only is beatboxing hard, but beatboxing into the flute while playing a tune most be really hard. I really like the video where he played the Super Mario tune. I really wonder if anybody else can do such a thing."
--( posted on Sep 29, 2010, commenting on the post Beatboxing = The Art of Urban Vocal Percussion )
 
"I enjoyed today's experience, especially because this was the first time I have been in such a setting. Also, I really enjoyed the vivacity the performers brought to the pieces. It was really great to watch, especially the cellist. The clarinetist was a little more comical to watch. I also admire how synced Todd Reynolds was with the clarinetist, especially with the syncopated rhythms. The amplifiers really brought out the sound, and each stroke of the bow for the violinist and the cellist were clearly heard, which made the experience more exciting. And the food was good (especially the tater tots), but the water was pricey. It was a nice setting for live music. I felt that the music itself was interesting to listen to. There second piece played by the clarinetist and the violinist stayed in constant dissonance until the end, where it ended in resolution. It gave off a lot of tension, which I guess was the purpose of the piece. The last piece, although long, was enjoyable. It was interesting to guess when two of the instruments were together, and when they were each playing separate melodies. Overall, it was really fun to watch and listen to. Shirley Mak"
--( posted on Sep 28, 2010, commenting on the post Le Poisson Rouge )
 
"When I heard about this project, I thought that it was really cool, because you can actually play the pianos! They weren't like the other art pieces that were placed around the city during summer. I saw one at Coney Island and another at City Hall. They were really cool, because they weren't just pianos, but they were each painted differently too. Also, I think that that the woman in the print dress is actually clapping on the off beat, which is probably harder to do. She probably felt like going against the crowd."
--( posted on Sep 20, 2010, commenting on the post Play Me, I’m Yours )
 
""Bodies in Urban Spaces" really stood out to me as innovative and strange. It was very cool and thought provoking at the same time. I think two of the pieces in "Bodies in Urban Spaces" could have been a statement on urban life, and the concentration of the human population. But perhaps that is too literal. The whole festival does seem very interesting though. ~Shirley Mak"
--( posted on Sep 7, 2010, commenting on the post Crossing the Line 2010 )
 
"I think this sand animation video was one of the most touching and amazing videos I have ever seen. It effectively and creatively tells of the grievances and sadness that results from war. The combination of the sand animations, the music, and the artist's movements and intensity made the whole thing an experience. I wish I was there. Art like this can tell the story much better than anything else. ~Shirley Mak"
--( posted on Aug 31, 2010, commenting on the post Kseniya Simonova: Art with Sand )