Recently, I heard about an art related documentary called “Crazy Art” that I really want to see. It is about three different artists from California that all have Schizophrenia. The film follows their lifelong struggle with the illness, but it also focuses on how art has helped them cope and find a voice.
For those of you who don’t know what Schizophrenia is: it is a mental illness that causes delusions, hallucinations and constant bombardments of voices. For the three artists, they originally turned to drugs and alcohol in order to stop the voices, but these methods often made them destructive and suicidal. This documentary shows how they’ve each found solace by creating art.
‘Without art, I wouldn’t be alive,’ is something they all believe in. Art provides them with a distraction from their chaotic world, but it is not a cure. They still hear voices and need strong medication. But there is something about art that “organizes” the brain. This concept is still fairly confusing to doctors, but not new. Many people believed that Vincent Van Gogh suffered from several medical and mental disorders, but at the peak of his psychiatric symptoms, there was also a peak in the artistic world. Why do you guys this is the case?
So as Alyssa and I were on our way to Iolanthe this afternoon we both remarked on the beautiful subway mosaics. Being the dork that I am, I took out my new camera and snapped some photos. These murals were amazing. Some of them went wall to wall and covered entire passageways in the subway. I wondered, who made these gigantic pieces of art? Who decides what piece gets to go up in which station? I’ll investigate and get back to you. For now, here are some of the pictures I took today:
Do you think ballet is on a path to becoming an obsolete art form? Well that is what one Jennifer Homans, dance critic for The New Republic, scholar at NYU, and former professional ballet dancer, seems to believe.
Homans argues that “ballet companies have become ‘museums for the old,’ that too many dancers have traded artistry for ‘unthinking athleticism,’ [and] that [modern] choreography ‘veers from unimaginative imitation to strident innovation.'”
The New York Times, in response to Homans’ book from which the above is quoted, interviewed a handful of dancers and critics to see their views on ballet in today’s world.
Sarah Kaufman, a dance critic for the Washington Post, argued that though Homans claims may have sound founding, this is often due to economic situations rather than lack of talent or artistry. Edward Villella, a former dancer with the New York City Ballet, also described financial challenges as a huge obstacle for ballet companies.
My favorite response to the question of whether ballet is a dying art form came from Michael Chernov, husband of a dancer who this year opened the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet in New York. According to Chernov, “it’s not form that’s the essence of art — it’s content. If the content is deep, then the form will find itself.”
I believe that Mr. Chernov’s words can be applied to all forms of art, and that he has a wonderful approach to doing so.
And I personally do not believe ballet is in danger of extinction. Do you?
Canstruction is a really creative way to inspire charity with art. Canstruction, a non-profit organization, holds competitions in cities where artists use canned food to make large structures. When the competition is done, all the cans of food go to foodbanks in the city. Canstruction in New York City is being held in the World Financial Center (near Battery Park). The participating 25 teams together used an estimated amount of 100,000 cans to create structures located in the first and second level of the World Financial Center’s Winter Garden. All of these cans will go to City Harvest after the competition is done, to feed the homeless and hungry in New York City. These structures depict different images, often an image that somehow encourages people to fight against hunger. Here is an example of one:
Can Mario 1-UP Hunger? by Severud Associates
“Can Mario 1-Up Hunger” was really cool and clever. Unfortunately they didn’t have Luigi as well.
I had a lot of fun going around looking for the 25 structures in the World Financial Center. I really liked how on the poster-boards placed next to each image, the main ingredients were listed. For Mario, I think the main ingredients were cans of green beans, tomato sauce, refried beans, black beans, sauerkraut, bean salad, and sweet potatoes. Mario actually has a different colored hat in the back!
I’m not sure whether the artists can only used canned food, but some of them got creative.
Here is one of my favorites, called “A Smart Way to End Hunger”.
While waiting for Philosophy class to start today, a few of my classmates were huddled around a laptop, amazed at the concept of Vocaloids. You basically make your own lyrics and melody, and by using the Vocaloid synthesizing software, you can create your own fictional character to sing along to it.
Yamaha’s Vocaloid software became immensely successful after Crypton Future Media used this engine to develop Hatsune Miku, the singing Japanese pop sensation. The biggest catch is, she isn’t a real person! The blue haired, school uniform dressed girl made her debut on August 31st 2007, after Crypton Future Media used Vocaloid 2 software to take voice samples from a voice actress named Saki Fujita at a controlled pitch and tone.
And here you have it! Hastune Miku, the pop-singing sensation!
This futuristic diva recently had her own sold out concert! (Click here for article) She had a live band, millions of fans with glowing sticks, and stood on stage singing some of her greatest hits. Of course, the person onstage doing all of the dance moves and singing was a “3-D hologram.”
Crypton plans to hold many more concerts in the future with Miku and her friends (oh yes, they didn’t just stop at one sensation, though she is the top hologram here) in other places besides Japan. Even here in New York, there are many fans of this anime-esque icon.
Would you see this as a stroke of genius or just plain frightening? The article provided above states that it’s a good way for people to make their own content and share it with people. Think ugly basement nerd with no singing talent who can write lyrics and create some beautiful music. I myself have heard from cousins and friends that it’s not Miku or her artificial voice that makes them go crazy, but the lyrics themselves. Japan always seems to be one step ahead of the rest when it comes to technology, and it would not be surprising if Vocaloids did start making more of an impact on the music industry.
That’s not necessarily a good thing. I myself, prefer a real person with a naturally good voice to use their music to connect with fans. Ignoring Vocaloids for a second, a good number of “singers” on the charts have their voices “mixed and fixed” until it doesn’t even sound like what they originally sung. So all in all, while I am old fashioned and would prefer someone talented and real to take us by storm, Hastune Miku and her other hologram friends wouldn’t be the worse addition to modern culture.
Here is a video of one of her hologram performances from her last concert!
Actually, looking at it a couple more times, I think it’s a little creepy..
I was reading an old Reader’s Digest magazine and came across an article about artist Guido Daniele. He does a lot of body painting work, but his hand paintings are probably what he is most well-known for. What is hand art exactly?
Here’s a picture that might help you understand:
Guido Daniele paints realistic images of animals onto people’s hands in different poses. What’s cool about this idea is that the hand has to be perfectly positioned or else the illusion is not as effective. If you look on his website, you can see how the artist creatively thought of different poses to represent a specific animal. The image of the deer (on the website), for example, required three hands: one for the head and two for the antlers.
Another cool thing that Daniele does is that he uses the lines of the hand to add to the piece. For example, in the image of the elephant below, he used the wrinkles and creases of the fingers to add to the piece, since that is how elephant skin looks like.
A lot of Daniele’s work is used for advertisements, so you may have seen his work in magazines or photos. I’ve definitely seen this At&t advertisement on the side of a bus before:
Unfortunately, photos are the only way he can document the pieces he creates, because the art is not permanent. The paint is easily washable.
“Anselm Kiefer: Next Year in Jerusalem” is a new exhibition currently at the Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea. It’s special because it is Kiefer’s first exhibition in New York in eight years. The New York Times said Kiefer’s pieces “blend painting, sculpture and set design; incorporate elements of filmmaking, performance and photography; and marshal the forces of history, literature and religious thought.” I think this makes the exhibition very interesting, because you can explore a theme through the use of different art mediums. Although a gallery with only paintings can also be very profound and moving, I think “Next Year in Jerusalem” can attract a wider audience because it has more variety, and everyone can find a style of art that they like.
Kiefer's "Cetus"
Another interesting thing about the exhibition and about Anselm Kiefer himself is that he was born in the last few weeks of World War II, and so his art deals with human suffering and devastation in order to reflect that time period. Some of the pieces are the fuselage or engine of a vintage airplane, a thorn bush with flames, and a wedding dress covered in shards of glass. Kiefer’s paintings also carry a heavy and gloomy mood, with the use of dark paints. Even “Cetus,” a painting of an enormous mountain landscape and a field of dead stalks, brings up the image of death and war.
When we hear the word “symphony,” famous works by Beethoven and Haydn usually come to mind first. After this immediate reaction regarding the Classical, perhaps Romantic composers such as Dvorak and Mahler are recognized as well. There seems to be a general connection between the term “symphony” and tonal music, since the consonant pieces are so well-known. All listeners should take note, however, that a symphony can feature music so dissonant and atonal, it may be categorized as noise.
Glenn Branca is a successful minimalist composer who has been giving birth to experimental symphonies since the early 1980’s. The American musician strives to achieve sounds that present themselves as alien and as if not from this world. What a better way to do so than to experiment with the modern phenomenon of musical atonality?
Like any artist, Branca’s works have become more complex over time. His first symphony, Symphony No. 1: Total Plexus (1981), featured many electric guitars, which he had been experimenting with previously. Using other common instruments, including keyboard and percussion, he intended to create an extensive theater-like piece. Branca’s curiosity with sound began early; for instance, he used unconventional resources for his guitar strings. This inspired him to completely reconstruct instruments for his 1982 piece, Symphony No. 2: The Peak of the Sacred. These creations, resembling the timbre of a zither, were utilized for further harmonic exploration. Microtonality with harpsichords began with Symphony No. 3: Gloria (Music For the First 127 Intervals of the Harmonic Series) (1983), and his touring career launched with Symphony No. 4: Physics (1983).
Noise level increased in 1984 with Symphony No. 5: Describing Planes of An Expanding Hypersphere. The piece, featured below, contained simple instruments again to be performed in an acoustic space. This time, however, the music had such intricate harmonics that it actually simulated the sounds of absent instruments, such as voices and strings. These illusions cannot translate well onto recordings, unfortunately. This is something we had experienced first-hand with Michael Gordon’s piece, “Timber.”
This video is a clear example why live performances are better than the recorded aftermath. The drums cannot be heard well over everything else, and our computer speakers cannot deliver the same exciting vibrations and emotions that Branca could directly feel. The cacophony he creates sounds as if it would appear in a cinematic score, like that in “Inception.” Without percussion, it feels as if the piece has little to no movement, which makes his dynamic conducting seem excessive. Combined with the music/noise created, it looks as though he’s controlling an exorcism, not a symphony.
If you are interested in reading about his later works (Symphonies 6 through 15), you can find the article here.
Symphony No. 15: Running Through The World Like An Open Razor (Music for Strange Orchestra), which is Branca’s latest symphony, is actually being performed at Le Poisson Rouge this Sunday! I’m sure that it would make a wonderful outing for anyone interested.
If it wasn’t for this article , I probably would not have known that the man who designed the interior of one of the most popular stores in SoHo, Uniqlo, was Masamichi Katayama. I remember the first time I walked into this store was because I was drawn in by the modern and unique showcase in the middle of the store that I saw outside as I was walking pass during my frequent shopping trips on Broadway.
After reading this article and seeing the work he has done, I realized that Mr. Katayama is now my most favorite interior designer. He has truly made building and stores an amazing sight to see. What made me like his work the most is the modern feel I get when looking at his works, which kind of exemplifies the change in appearance of our society compared to even a decade ago. For popular brand name stores, customers can now appreciate the brand’s facility along with the fashion itself. because of Katayama. His other impressive works include the design of a “Nike” store in Japan, “Godiva” in the Harajuku district, and most of the “A Bathing Ape” stores. The most unique aspect of the “Godiva” building he designed is the ceiling made to look like melting chocolate.
The ceiling of melting chocolate
Katayama’s work is very creative as he plays on the factor of relating the design of the building to the type of store he is designing. What struck me the most in the article was when he said, “I would like to create a building that includes every possible facility such as a hospital, a school, a hotel, retail stores…To create a town within a building.” Now, that would definitely be a sight to see.
One of his newest projects will be debuting soon in Midtown Manhattan when the new Uniqlo branch opens up on Fifth Avenue. I can not wait to visit that venue, ready to see what he has “in store” for us. (Like my play on words?) This will be his fourth conribution to the Uniqlo stores, his other two designs are located in London and Paris branches.
Anselm Kiefer, a German painter and sculptor has opened his first exhibition at Gagosian Gallery, New York since eight years. After reading the article , Kiefer’s work really impressed me, visually and intellectually with the messages he attempts to portray. His works incorporate materials such as straw, ash, clay, lead, and shellac. The materials stem from nature, industrial, and man-made.
His works are characterised by a dull/musty, nearly depressive, destructive style and are often done in large scale formats. In most of his works, the use of photography as an output surface is prevalent and earth and other raw materials of nature are often incorporated. It is also characteristic of his work to find signatures and/or names of people of historical importance, legendary figures or places particularly pregnant with history. All of these are encoded signals through which Kiefer seeks to process the past; this has resulted in his work being linked with a style called “New Symbolism.”
This exhibit really exemplifies a slightly different side of him through his new work of blend painting, sculpture and set design. Kiefer also incorporate elements of film-making, performance and photography, and marshal the forces of history, literature and religious thought. Although, he still keeps his original flavor intact by leaving the element of addressing controversial issues in recent history like the Holocaust. He was born in the last weeks of World War II, and the human cost and devastation of that conflict remain the spine and the hook of his art. For example, one of his works displayed in the exhibition is called “Occupations”, which signifies his expanded ambition, and a determination that we not miss the point and never forget what happened about six decades ago.
For all you science people out there, the American Museum of Natural History has an exhibit for you. This exhibit, “Brain: The Inside Story” opens tomorrow. This particular exhibit is described as more of an show. There are pieces of artwork as well as larger displays and more interactive parts to keep everyone interested and involved.
In the article, the exhibit appears to be somewhat of a letdown from an artistic standpoint. It is very educational, the main focus of the exhibit being on brain topography. It teaches about language, reason, and memory; the arrangement of the brain according to evolutionary archaeology; and electrical impulses through the brain, just to name a few.
The curators of the exhibit include a team of researchers and specialists in neuroscience. The team is led by Rob DeSalle, who worked along with Joy Hirsch and Margaret Zellner. The time and effort they put into gathering information and artists for the exhibit is evident by the variety of artists they have used as a part of the show. I’m sure the exhibit would definitely teach me some things about the brain in a more creative way, but if I was looking for more of an art show, it would not satisfy my desire.
I’m one of those kids who grew up idolizing “The Nightmare Before Christmas”. I fell in love with Tim Burton’s weird and sometimes disturbing artistic style. Now at MOMA there’s an exhibit featuring the work of Tim Burton. According to this art review, the exhibit itself isn’t very impressive. The writer actually refers to it as “a letdown”. Nonetheless, I think its pretty exciting to see popular television and film styles at an established and well-respected museum. Known for his wide-range of films from “Edward Scissorhands” to the first 3-D stop motion movie, “Coraline” Burton is known for his glorification of the child outcast who is always a little too weird and a little too sad to be considered mainstream. As his work enters this mainstream I hope he continues creating a style that is both heartbreaking and offbeat.
So it’s currently 4 in the morning, and quite a few of us attend the premiere of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. In short, it was completely AMAZING!!! As expected, there were a lot of people there and even though it was past midnight everyone was extremely excited for the movie, we laughed, we cried, we cheered, and we jumped. I looked forward to seeing the movie, but I can honestly say that it was much better than I expected. The movie was funny, exciting, and so many things at the same time. I would totally go see it again, because I just loved it!
Now to talk about more the arts part of the movie. The special effects were really great, the music made the movie much more interesting. Since it is a movie about wizards, there has to be flying, magic, and other amazing factors. The special effects of them flying, changing into different people, it was so cool. It’s honestly amazing what our modern technology can do with the arts. The music of the movie was match perfectly with each scene. I don’t really want to give too much away since I think everyone should see it!
We didn’t get to watch the “Animaniacs” patter song that I was talking about so let’s take it to the blog! The “Animaniacs” episode is actually called “HMS Yakko” as a parody of Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S Pinafore. They have many patter songs and all are pretty comical. One of there songs is entitled “I am the Very Model of a Cartoon Individual”. Others are very informational educational ranging from the U.S. capitals to the nations of the world. The choice of patter song for an educational purpose is genius, because as Professor Smaldone told us it fits a lot of information into a small window. Another patter song that I enjoy is from the show “Scrubs.” This show has a completely musical episode and one of the songs is actually set to the tune of Modern Major General. I had not realized this until class today when I recognized the melody from the video we watched. I definitely will enjoy this ranting patter song more now because I know what inspired it. Obviously Gilbert and Sullivan have had a profound impact on music and on pop culture, I just didn’t really know how much of an impact they have had on me until today.
What sets theater apart from the film and movie industry is it’s 3-D element – that the actors are as real as you yourself sitting in the audience. However, these days, many theater productions are adding digital and 2-D elements to the productions. Projections are being used to add to the setting where scenery sometimes cannot suffice. At times this can be extremely effective (such as in “Angels in America”), yet at times this can be overwhelming and obtrusive (as in “Women on the Verge Of a Nervous Breakdown”). It seems as if at times the use of digital images and screen projections are being used to aid the audience in determining the historical and social contexts of the play – as if they are incapable of figuring it out themselves. In some theater productions, actors interact with the 2-D installments. For instance in the Wooster Group’s 2007 production of “Hamlet” live actors engage in dialogue with a film of the Broadway stage production starring Richard Burton. Similarly, in the Kneehigh Theater Company’s “Brief Encounter”, the actress steps through a screen that is portraying her life.
This introduction of film and 2 dimensions into the theater has been contrasted with the recent obsession of creating 3-D films and movies (Avatar, Jackass 3-D.. ahem, Doron). The two worlds are now crossing over and experimenting with the different dimensions and their interaction. The author of the NY Times review ends the article with the question “How do you feel about the marriage of live theater and film technology?” so I want to ask you the same thing. Do you feel that film and digital projections should remain a genre of their own or do you think that theater can benefit greatly from this new introduction of technology into its productions. Although the author believes this to be a “perverse competitive spirit” of the theater world to compete with the movie industry, I think theater will be enhanced by this new addition. I believe that the theater world has begun to introduce digital projections because they are facing heavy competition with movies, which are both cheaper and capable of being digitally altered and edited to produce films that engage audience viewers and affect their emotions.
It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Many people confirm this idea, since art welcomes various interpretations; with a motley range of perspectives, a simple image can be analyzed in many different ways. However, when art is used as propaganda, rather than for the sake of existing solely as creative expression, perhaps it speaks more than a thousand words.
Walk down any street in New York City. How many people do you pass by smoking a cigarette? These toxic fumes dominate the street life of this area, as well as in other countless cities throughout the world. Federal drug regulators are well-aware of this issue, and have announced 36 new warning labels to be placed on the products. These images, intended to cover half of the packaging, will display the graphic and unsettling consequences of tobacco use. Since the Food and Drug Administration does not have the authority to fully ban the product, they must dominate regulation instead.
Although the United States was the first to apply textual health warnings to tobacco products (i.e., “Surgeon General’s Warning”), more and more countries plan to take a similar course of action by adopting the images. In fact, the pictorial warnings will be a requirement in the United States by October 22nd, 2012. Dr. Lawrence R. Deyton, director of the Center for Tocacco Products in the FDA, states: “Sometimes images that are not as graphic may be more powerful in terms of changing behaviors.” From what we have observed in modern art, this is a very true statement. The pieces that we have seen at the MOMA, for example, were not very complicated externally, but certainly had an intricate and underlying message. Again, images speak louder than text.
This idea is not particularly original. Artwork has been created as propaganda in the past as well, intending to display a particular message for a wide audience. However, it does come across as shocking, since the visual images are being superimposed on the product directly. The stimulation of thought is what is important in this case. What do you think about this proposal? Do you think the FDA has the right to place these warnings on products, or does this violate freedom of speech? Do you think the art will be successful in getting its point across?
Additional ideas spurred from the idea mentioned in the article can be viewed here.
Behind every great piece of artwork, no matter the form, there is deep emotion. An artist (painter, musician, actor, etc.) simply cannot perform or create something beautiful if there is no fiery passion behind it. That is why the greatest of the greats in each respective art division, such as Midori, Andy Warhol and Martha Graham attract such large audiences. When people can relate to a piece, whether they can explain why or not, I think it is largely due to the fact that they feel a connection emotionally to it somehow; if the work of art is passionate, whether it stems from the artist’s feelings of remorse, sadness, elation or any other strong emotion, it will speak to many.
The reason I bring this up is because of an article I came across in the New York Times about Denis O’Hare’s role in the TV show “True Blood.” O’Hare, who is a tony-award winning actor, will now be playing an ex-mental patient in the new show “Elling.” From what I read about his emotionally charged, intense performance on HBO’s show, I think that he will be phenomenal in this type of extremely high strung character (who was described as a “frightened obsessive, afraid of answering the telephone or leaving his apartment, and who frequently loses his temper”).
Connecting to what I said in the first paragraph, O’Hare’s celebrated acting was especially noted in True Blood during a scene during which O’Hare rushes into a meeting for equal rights and gives a manic monologue saying that vampires are superior to humans. The point here is that O’Hare discussed that for the emotion for this scene, he conjured his own angry feelings about gay marriage laws because he is gay and this is extremely important to him. Using feelings from such a very serious and pressing matter in his life is why I believe this particular scene is so passionate and remembered. I would love to see O’Hare perform in a Broadway show with as much fervor as that frightening, electric scene in True Blood.
As we all know, Seminar 1 explores the Arts in New York City, hence its namesake. However, how often to do we encounter an arts event in Manhattan featuring art on, well, Manhattan? That’s were Herbert Katzman comes in. A Chicago native, Katzman moved to New York City and fell in love with it, even embracing his surroundings as his muse. Known for his abstract expressionism, Katzman’s pieces feature scenes of New York, especially its bridges, skyline, and landmarks. Although the New York art scene moved to a more contemporary wave, Katzman kept true to his style. Why follow trends when one can master an art? The blend of colors and movement clearly show that Katzman perfected his style. Glorious Sky: Herbert Katzman’s New York features more than 80 works, both paintings and works on paper, and is showing at the Museum of the City of New York through February 21.
Every year on Thanksgiving Day, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade takes place. This year will be the 84th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! The tradition started in 1920s, and this is the second oldest Thanksgiving Parade in the United States. Millions watch this event either on their television or in the streets of New York City, it’s a day that many look forward to all year long. The balloons are always colorful and fun, and it’s just an exciting thing to witness. In the past, there has been balloons of Scooby Doo, Mickey Mouse, Mr. Potato Head, Spider Man, and many, many more.
The parade is packed with entertainment, each year cast members from Broadway shows perform in the parade. This year will be the cast of American Idiot, Memphis, Elf, and, Million Dollar Quartet. A lot of effort is put into this parade to make it so spectacular! There are so many art forms involved, such as music, dance, and of course the parade balloons themselves.
I’m sure this year will be another amazing parade and I can’t wait to see the show!
There is no doubt that music plays an important role in facilitating people spiritually for all kinds of religion. One of the earliest and most known examples is the Gregorian chant of the Middle ages. However, sacred music of not only Roman Catholicism, but in other denominations as well are often overlooked artistically. Thus, Lincoln Center started the White Light Festival for the fall season, its new annual fall festival that is “focused on music’s transcendent capacity to illuminate our larger interior universe.” During this festival, the “spiritual dimension of music as manifested in different cultural and musical traditions” is explored, where performances ranging from Western religions to Hinduism is played.
The festival is supposed to end tomorrow, November 18, but the performance of the Manganiyar Seduction has been rescheduled to November 22 and 23. Hindustani classical music, folk music, and songs from Sufi Muslim roots are performed on a color, multi-level set. It’s a dramatic piece that starts with a single voice, joined by another, and another, and later with an accumulation of instruments.
I wish I knew about this festival earlier, but I’ll be sure to check it out next year.
As kids my twin brother and I always had places to hide and play, but we weren’t lucky enough to have our own xyloid haven. If you read that sentence and think that I’m talking about seeking refuge in a xylophone, you’re not far off. The prefix “xyl” means wood(xylophone=wood phone), therefore you probably all realized that I’m referring to the childhood staple of a Tree House. Tree Houses are eco-friendly structures that have has many uses over time. They have been used as shelter for”tree sitters”(people protesting the destruction of forest), they are the common housing style for a New Guinea tribe called the Korowai, and obviously they have helped many young children become the coolest kids on the block. Besides being eco-friendly Tree Houses are not really subject to building regulations which means you can add on that wooden dining room you’ve been “pining” for (nothing like a good tree pun). This is all well and good, but you might be asking “why is Doron telling me this seemingly useless information and what does it have to do with art”? Well to answer your question Professor Smaldone, I recently came across pictures of some of the coolest buildings I have ever seen, and amazingly they are all Tree Houses. Some of these Tree Houses were built for environmental reasons, and their owners live in them year round. Others are used as natural getaway where people can meditate and relax. Even more astounding are the plans to GROW A TREE HOUSE! The Tree House has been associated with child’s play but after seeing these awe inspiring creations I can view them as a very interesting type of architecture. Many of the complex and funky Tree Houses I saw use innovative technology to enhance the Tree House image we may have in our minds. They are truly an amazing arboreal union of nature, technology, and art.
After seeing Susan’s post about the MysterGuitar Man, I realized that technology has caused people to be able to make music using regular everyday objects. For example, my friend showed me this one Youtube video the other day that involved using cellphone sounds to do a cover of Pachelbel’s Canon, which is apparently a very famous and popular classical piece. I am sure many of music people will immediately recognize this piece but as a non-music major with very little knowledge of music, I had to do a little research to find out that that piece was composed by German composer, Johann Pachelbe. When I looked it up though, I actually did recognize it because I have heard it before but I never knew the name of it.
I thought it was really creative and amazing that the guy in the video above was able to make so many sounds with a cellphone and then put it all together. I never thought a cellphone could actually have so many sounds. It really shows how technology has changed the different factors in society.
Another video that used a similar concept used an instrument I had never heard of before: zither. This is a string instrument that is most likely to be found in countries like Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, and even China. In the video using this instrument, he did a more modern song. That’s why I found it very interesting that a very modern technological object was used to do a cover of a old song while a older piece of instrument was used to do a cover on a new song. See the video below:
In The Invisible Dog Art Center in Brooklyn, Richard Garet’s “Electrochroma” will be presented from September 25 to November 28 of this year. “Electrochroma” is an audiovisual creation that combines electronic sound and moving kinetic and abstract images. In creating this show, which lasts 52 minutes, Garet was experimenting with sound and image, trying to discern the relationship between the two. Garet is also trying to create a certain digital environment and see how the audience reacts to the sounds and images. This reflects Garet’s interests in human reactions to natural and artificial environments. In the minute excerpt, the show seems to be a little seizure-inducing. The Village Voice review thought that the show would drive the audience towards delirium. “Electrochroma” starts off with quiet pulsing beats. It eventually gains momentum, and the magnitude of the noise can reach high levels of intensity. The excerpt is from one of the quieter, slower parts, but you can kind of get the idea of the show. Personally, I would be interested, but a little apprehensive to go see it.
By now, Rihanna is a household name. Her latest album, “Loud” premiered today, and the reviews are in. This album, unlike her previous album “Rated R” is fast-paced and upbeat, featuring songs where the star flaunts her flirtatiousness and sex appeal. “Rated R” was a dark and moody album, following the assault made by her then-boyfriend Chris Brown. In this album, Rihanna reasserts herself as a party girl, ready to get “Loud”. Rihanna’s music is all synthesized, pop music, or “club bangers”, as is appropriate. Rihanna’s music contends with other pop music singers such as Kesha and Lady Gaga, but Rihanna has been on the music scene long enough to hold her own, with a fan base that is ever-growing. On this album, Rihanna collaborates with other well known artists like Drake, and a personal favorite, Nicki Minaj. Rihanna’s music doesn’t necessarily present anything “new” to the table, however it is her unique voice that sets her apart from her musical peers. Rihanna originates from Barbados, and she plays up her West Indian accent well in her songs, especially “Loud”‘s “Man Down”. On top of all this hype, RiRi is also sporting a bold new look, bright red hair that has already been termed “Kool Aid-tastic”. MTV’s Kyle Anderson says that “at times the album’s lurid sexuality can feel forced: kink as oversold diva commodity. What Loud showcases best, though, is a star undefeated by her worst circumstances — and finding redemption in exactly the kind of pop nirvana that made her famous in the first place.” Well said.
Rihanna was featured on the New York radio station Z100 this morning and will be performing tonight on David Letterman, in the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City. New York City seems to be especially excited about this new Rihanna milestone.
How would you like to walk around with a camera implanted in the back of your head? You don’t have to, but it’s exactly what Wafaa Bilal, an assistant professor of photography at New York University, is doing. In a few weeks, Bilal will undergo surgery to install a camera in his head, which will then take pictures at one minute intervals. The images will be streamed to a computer database and then appear in different sequences, some in real time, on monitors in an exhibition space at the Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha between December and May. The work is called “The 3rd I” and the idea behind it is to “comment on the inaccessibility of time, and the inability to capture memory and experience.”
Professor Bilal
This project is very controversial, as it questions the privacy of Bilal’s students. And although he has volunteered to wear a cap while on campus, NYU officials don’t want the cameras on at all while Bilal is on campus. Bilal is known for his controversial work, including “Virtual Jihadi,” in 2007, where he hacked a video game to upload an avatar of himself hunting President George W. Bush.
I think this is a really interesting project. Sites like Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, and Youtube make it easy to share personal information, photos, and videos instantly. An exhibit like this can really shed light on society’s obsession with constantly being connected to technology, where the boundaries of privacy are almost nonexistent.
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