Video Art- Flashes of College

So this was definitely the most difficult and frustrating project in this class so far. I had a hard time coming up with ideas and an even harder time figuring out how to make them work. Here is the final project. It took a lot longer than I was planning and the computer was lucky it did not end up through the window. Anyways, here it is. 

Music & Music Videos

The lesson on music and music videos was probably my favorite part of class. I have always been antertained and amazed by music videos. It really is a shame that MTV stopped playing them (MTV Jams and Hits is good though). Anyways, below are some videos I either like personally or thought may relate to class. 

This first group is not a group I am a fan of. However, I saw them at a conference and they are really interesting. I thought this would relate to the discussion of industrial music. Also, the video may be borderline video art. 

Street Drum Corps- Wreck

This next video is of Kanye West talking about video producer Hype Williams at the MTV awards. I believe that Hype is one of the best and most influential creators of music videos. He always pushes the envelope and sets trends. The following is a montage of Hype videos. 

The next video gets into the music videos I find great. This first one is the Eminem "Mosh" video. It was produced by a vidsual novelist who also started the Guerilla News Network. I think it is great how the visuals, song, and political message compliment each other. It is different from most of the work people expect from Eminem. 

This next video is from Kanye Wests new CD 808s & Heartbreaks. I thought it applied to class because he primarily used on old 80's drum machine and synthesizer in the creation of his new CD. We talked a lot about synthesizers and electronic music in class. 

Random Connections

This post is somewhat random, but makes some sense. I am a huge Aerosmith Fan (seen them live 8 times) and noticed a few connections between discussions in class and the band. First, many of the videos and lessons have mentioned Max's Kansas City. This bar in New York City is where Aerosmith was discovered by Clive Davis and shorty after signed to a record deal. Steve Tyler says of Max's, "You knew even the assholes were going to be famous someday. It was that kind of place … it was like lighting a whole pack of Black Cat firecrackers all at once and throwing it in the room." They sing about the Max's experience in their song "No Surprize":
Nineteen seventy one
We all heard the starters gun
New York is such a pity
But at Max's Kansas City we won

We all shot the shit at the bar
With Johnny O'Toole and his scar
And then old Clive Davis said
He's surely gonna make us a star
I'm gonna make you a star

Just the way you are

Another connection to aerosmith is the discussion of the "Avant-Garde". The band has a song titled Avant Garden on their "Just Push Play" Album. The song doesn't seem to have too much to do with the term discussed in class, but there is likely some connection. Below are is a video of the song mentioning Max's Kansas City and Avant Garden.   

Performance Art: Music Man

The assignment here was to show our relationship with technology through a performance art piece. It took forever for me to come up with an idea for this project. I thought about all the things I use technology for and how I could create a cool performance. Finally, I decided to make a statement about pirating music on the internet. Almost everyone I know has done it, and I am as guilty as everyone else. I don't know whether I am for or against stealing music online, but I think it is definitely something people should think about.

Xerox Projejct- "So Fly"

This is the Xerox Project for class. The assignment was challenging for a few reasons: 1. It is slightly awkward walking into a library or office and starting to xerox your body; 2. Trying to come up with an idea that takes your body and transorms it into a new image. Eventually, my inspiration for this design was a skull and crossbones. I then had the idea to use images of my hands to create wings. The wings definitely were my favorite part of the project.  

Made in America

Here is my Grid Art project. The hardest part of this project for me was coming up with an idea. I really wanted to stay with the technique of finding a natural grid then transforming it rather than making a grid. In the end, I made an American flag out of a grid used to ship water bottles.  It was supposed to wave, but the filler paper and a glue stopped all of the motion. So here it is, "Made in America".

Christina Nguyen Hung

Christina Hung's presentation and art are very interesting. She came across as a curious artist who is constantly changing her focus and artforms. I enjoyed the fact that all of her personal beliefs on politics and life came through in her work. Her view on the war, immigration, and other issues were made very clear. I also like the way that she is always looking for a new way to express her art and working with scientists to perfect new media for her art. I always respect artists who strive for innovation.