John McCain is to OLD!

John McCain is too old!

John McCain is more of the same old politics, and more of the same old politicians that have plagued Washington for pretty much my whole lifetime. We need a President who can stand on his own (not in a wheelchair) and lead us out of our current crisis! Who knows, McCain could develop Alzheimer's by the time he gets in office.

We need a President who can STAND for our country!

"Art, if you want a definition of it, is criminal action"

After reading John Cage's essay again, I really found it interesting. He's right, art is criminal in how it "conforms to no rules". Continuing on Cage's ideas, into the future, art is going to become even more criminal with the help of the computer. As we know, the creation of "4:33" was revolutionary in the sense that the composer wasn't just one person, or one artist, but the audience as well. This is huge. The computer will go on to show us how much of a criminal art really is - and how badass it can be. Artists are going where they have never gone before with digital artwork, sometimes completely user-generated. Rather, the person viewing the art, creates their own 100% personalized experience branching off only in a direction the original artist pointed them in. This creates for endless boundaries that Cage only began to conceptualize.

Dream Sequence Sound Project

I used a hand recorder to record sounds such as the tv, snoring, doors opening and closing, cell phone ringers, etc. Then, I paired them with a variety of sounds from AU's Audio Tech sound library to really make the dream come alive. Be sure to turn it up loud, and listen through a speaker system or headphones to get the full experience. Enjoy!

Burroughs invents Hypertext? Kinda...

I had to read this essay twice. After the first time, I didn't really understand the cut-up or fold-up technique because of the complex language he used to describe such a simple physical thing. Then I realized, that these techniques are just physical techniques to create the same effect that a hypertext does online. Or at least that's how I perceived it. One must keep in mind that these guys were working in the 1950s and 60s so their ideas were pretty innovative as well as never before seen. The way they connect it to space and time is very interesting. Clearly, they had bigger visions for the idea than hypertext, but I'm sure that they would be satisfied with its unlimited boundaries on the internet.

What is the artist's final goal?

When first walking down the stairs and recognizing the installation, I became quite curious. What was the artist trying to achieve? Surely he wants to engulf the viewer in his artwork. Though, I thought the artist must be seeking something deeper. With the ceiling creating a round dome over you, lights could potentially be placed anywhere in the final product, creating literally anything the artist could imagine. I am really excited to see the final piece, as I believe it will truly be one of a kind in form and in mind.

Situational Tour

The rustle of the metro calms in the distance,
gravel crunches with each step,
the sun slaps the back of your neck.

Looking back, you are one of many,
the Capital, so powerful in the distance.

Approaching,
Sweat rolls down your cheek,
a smile widens.

Some sit to relax,
others continue the journey
attracted, envious.

The base coming into view...
follow the path...
you're almost there.

The tallest point in the city,
So meaningful, powerful.
So insignificant, powerless.
Freedom roars in front of you,
ever so quietly.
the flags wont stop waving,
You wont forget.
You continue.
Your shadow lengthens.
The beat of your heart quickens.

Shes behind you now, but shes made her mark.
her beauty nearly touches your feet.

Holding their ground,
they occupy,
but I'm sure they'll share.

A family,
undisturbed.

eye contact.
a moment.
then part.

re-united.
that final point.
you've made it.
glaring at you so proud.

Sit back.
Relax.
Take in the moment.
the peace.
the gratitude.
the serenity.

Engulfed in a Different Reality

I found the narrative in the installation A Season in Hell to be very interesting. Upon entry, the installation immediately sets the mood, with the darkness, cool air and audio. Then once one begins reading in the first part, the language used adds even more to this alternate reality being created. One sees things once familiar to them, such as political buildings and figures but this time in a new context, construing their previous impression. These figures and events once familiar, are re-introduced, and in a way re-created by the installation in a way never before seen. I thought this was the most interesting: how the installation took figures and events once familiar to the viewer and re-created them inside this new context to make them once again unfamiliar and new.
With that, the narrative was able to recreate feelings and understandings of political and social conditions during times of crisis through our minds seeing these events in the new and unfamiliar context of the installation. This is very powerful, as once doesn’t expect such a shock when walking into such an exhibit. The artist was able to immerse a viewer in such an environment where their previous outlook could be totally left behind, putting them in this alternate reality.

Situational Tour Idea

The National Mall represents a lot about our country.  History has been made there, time and time again, making this location very powerful in what it represents to people.  Its significance to our country is one hard to grasp, as it means so much for what this country stands for and what our country has become.  It is a symbol of freedom and a symbol of peace.

 

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Birth of a new world

I found the "Birth of a New Medium" piece very informative and interesting. I think it is really cool to think about how these scientists came up with these basic ideas of storing information that would lead to something as complex as the Iphone. This is why I chose my title. Computer memory opens up a new world of possibilities as we, living in this generation, have begun to experience in the wonders of new technology. Its not going to stop either. With new technologies being created everyday, I don't see why this generation of technology wont begin to grow exponentially deeper into the future. The building blocks that these scientists began to construct work only upwards in what can be created next- a computer as complex as the human brain?

Candice Breitz's Mother + Father: What is the goal? Up to the viewer's interpretation?

The piece titled Mother + Father by Candice Breitz really struck me as bizarre. Though, as I watched it more and more, the emotion really struck me. The out of context presentation of these character’s dialog while only capturing their figure against a black backdrop really allowed for the viewer to pay attention to the character and their emotion. Breitz also utilized repetition of certain phrases, sounds, and expressions to further stimulate her audience. I found all of these aspects to be fascinating as the piece was my favorite in our museum visit.
After viewing the piece, I began to try and put myself in the artist’s shoes to see what they may have been trying to achieve, and further, if they had achieved that in me as a viewer. It was clear that emotion stood out. The shouts, the cries, the anger and the seriousness were presented very well, allowing the viewer to easily connect to the characters, sometimes passionately. In my opinion, this was a strength of the piece. I figured this must have been a goal of the artist based of the fact that it was done so well.
Though, the more I reflected on my viewing of Mother + Father, the more I realized how much one could get out of it. How it could be interpreted in so many ways. A Mother or Father viewing the piece could react totally differently than I, as a son viewing the piece. That also brings me to think about the artist once more. Is she a mother? Could that have influenced her to create the piece in the first place?
Mother + Father is a remarkable piece of art to be interpreted by the individual viewer, however that may be. I think this is what makes it so special.