FA 332- Secret Word

For my FA 332 class, we chose a randomly generated word to convey with images that we found on Google. We could use variations of the word, in my case my word was guard, and I looked up words similar to it like guardian, guard, guard dogs, guardian angels. I also chose to incorporate a castle in the back to convey that they are guarding something. We had the option of taking a literal or abstract approach, but I decided to choose a more literal approach to my piece. During our critique there were some secret words that were more obvious than others, but there were also those that chose an abstracted route for their design. When people tried to guess my word, they said knight, guardian, and many very close variations of my word, but finally they did get my word. Also, we were required to choose either a photograph or scan of our word that we must incorporate, and is seen on the insignia of the two warriors shields. I really enjoyed creating this piece, and art that allows me to be creative is something that I like doing.

New Media in Art Ch 2

On page 82, Rush discusses the impact of television and how it inspired artists to create works "televisually" as he puts it. Early video artists sought out to use video technology as a form of art, which I though was interesting when Rush discusses video artists like Nam June Paik and Andy Warhol (85, 87). I wasn't aware that Warhol had done work with video art, since when I think of Andy Warhol, I think of his Pop art, but it's interesting to read that he has done work with other mediums. I have heard the concept that Rush discusses when he mentions Canadian author Marshall Mcluhan called "The Medium Is the Message (84)." Since this chapter is on video art, the medium that is the message is video art, which presents art differently compared to something like Marcel Duchamps's readymade pieces like Fountain (Rush 82). I do like video art and how it presents an artists idea's on a different plane, which is very ominous to me. When I see video art, I really admire the digital aspect of it, and I usually always say to myself, "how did they do that?" I thought it was rather interesting that Rush mentions on page 87, that Paik and Warhol's video recordings are considered art, because of their credentials as artist in other mediums, which I thought was a bit odd that he made such an assumption. Either way, they transitioned to a new way of expressing themselves, which I think is very commendable.

FA 103: My Concept and Progress

For FA 103 project 2, I am really liking where the piece is going. I didn't expect the piece to connect so well will all the different parts like the bark, branches, and leaves, but so far its aesthetically pleasing to me. I really like to do designs that are outside the box, which is why I chose something like these organic materials. I like how the bark, branches, and leaves all have a texture that doesn't require any tampering with, which to me, makes for a more natural looking design. My concept is basically machine vs. nature and I would like to title my piece Nature's Revenge, which is basically what I was going for, and how machinery really dominates the world around us, especially when an area becomes more industrialized.

New Media in Art Introduction and Ch 1

In the introduction, author Michael Rush discusses painter Richard Prince in his piece called My Best, and Rush says that Prince's "abstractions take shape in a computer before they are painted onto the canvas (7)." I found this very interesting because I wouldn't think a painter would ever consider using something like a computer because its not really traditional, but I think its great to use different mediums. On page 8, Rush explains that with the help of technology of the modern day, the concept of time as seen in photographs, is now challenged because images can be altered some much with the use of computers. This reminds me of the concept known as the photographic truth myth, since how sure are we that the images we see everyday really depict the truth, and are not some edited images, which can tell a different story. In chapter 1, Rush discusses studio performances on page 47, and I find the use of technology with art very interesting. Rush discusses the work done by Bruce Nauman and his work, but the piece that the book presents is a piece called Anthro/Socio (49). It's interesting to see the comparison of live performance art vs. studio performance art, like Nauman's, which was pre-recorded. Also, it is a peek into his personal style compared to performance art that is done publicly. I also like the style that studio performance has, and that is the private aspect and also because someone is capable of recording multiple times, which allows errors to be corrected.

The Photograph as Contemporary Art Ch 6-8

I like how on page 167, the author mentions that modern day photographers have taken a different stance for their photographs. Photographers have altered their perspective when they photograph subject matter to accommodate how images have changed from the traditional way, specifically the subject matter (167 Cotton). The change in photographers subject matter refers to history, as seen on page 165, depicting Sophie Ristelhueber piece called "Iraq," which she describes as a "fossilized vision" (Cotton). I like how the photograph shows a glimpse of the past seen through the lens of the future, rather than looking at images taken from the past and seen today. This piece was interesting to me because my uncle was involved in the Gulf War and to me, this is something that I am familiar with because of his experience there. On page 192, the author mentions that different images trigger different reaction because of "our emotions and understanding of the world"(Cotton). This is something that I have realized is true because every image has a different meaning that varies from individual to individual. On pages 192-93 the author mentions photographer Cindy Sherman, and I thought that it was interesting that she uses herself as the subject matter for her in her work like in her pieces called untitled. Chapter 8 discusses digital photography, and one piece that caught my attention was a piece by Jessica Eaton taken from her series called "Cubes for Albers and Lewitt (Cotton 236)." This is very interesting photograph experimentation and is not something I would think would be a photograph. The photograph to me, doesn't look like a typical photograph that I would usually see, it looks almost like a painting to me, which I find unique.

My Choice of Scans and Photographs for FA 332

For my FA 332 class we took three of our own photographs that attract us and also three scans that repel us. Whenever I get a chance to show my interests, it usually makes the assignment more enjoyable. I'm starting to become fond of the elements of the photograph and also the flexibility of the camera, but also the use of the scanner. As for my three photographs, I wanted to make them a snap shot of who I am, and also how photographs are even expressive and powerful, as seen with Nick Ut's work called "The Terror of War." The photographs were about things that attract me which I portrayed with one of my favorite posters, my mom's favorite dog , and also of my cologne collection. As for the scanned item's that repelled me, the first scan was of an onion, a salamander, and also of a scorpion. This project was interesting, but as for the scans, I was only allowed to manipulate it using the scanners color properties and was not allowed to use programs like Photoshop.

Attract

Repel

The Photograph as Contemporary Art Ch 3-5

On page 89, it shows Lewis Baltz piece called "Power Supply" and mentions that there was a "necessary" to color, which I highly agree with. If the color was black and white, the photo would lose a lot of its value as a photograph because it's trying to represent this the machine industry as prosperous by incorporating color. On page 92 it talks about photographer Candida Hofer, of the library in Madrid. The author mentions that it resembles and amphitheater and I also think it look like a Coliseum. It's a good shot that reminds me of a shot called "Z-axis emphasis", which shows the depth of the architecture which is very impressive. In FA 333, we are learning about camera shots, and this reminds me of a lot of the photographs like the one seen on page 92. This shot reminds me of a shot called "a frame within a frame" the author says "All the photographs in this chapter, in subtle ways, attempt to shift our perception of our daily lives (Cotton 126)." This is a very interesting thought that I never really about, and how the simplicity of an image, can carry such a deep meaning to photographs. For example, on page 128, the author talks about a piece called "The Pink Bow" by Roe Ethridge, and how it has this deadpan aesthetic, but yet to me, the folds give it a vibrancy about it and being very wavy. In the book it talks about photographer Tina Barney in her piece "Philip & Philip" and how it is a snap shot of daily life in more of a private setting (Cotton 160). Even though the photograph is staged, it still has a value that makes it feel natural because these people, as the viewer, are strangers, compared to looking at a photographed celebrity, where it feels like they are seeking the limelight. These are things that will be taken into consideration as I take my photographs for project 2 about the rhetoric of the image, as well as many elements of photography studied in class.