This blog is an updated equivalent to a journal where records, pictures and comments on my assignments are to be shared with my peers, professor, and the world.
The video attached above features one of the most lifelike body projection I have ever seen. The lighting is so masterfully altered so that the video projection is extremely vivid and transforming. Face tracking technology has made this ever more so possible than just a stationary face. I rather enjoyed the many faces the model had projected onto her. My favorite projection throughout this video was the robot face that opened up as if the model was an android. There should be a vegas performance based solely on body projections. It is so inviting and enthralling for audiences of all ages. There are endless possibilities with a performance such as this. Overall, I am getting increasingly impressed with the technology and art that transcends the human mind.
The Civilization franchise is a revered game series in which computer players can build their own civilization and engage in turn based strategy while war's are waged, and history takes its course. Personally I have never played any of the civilization games before, but am familiar with the turn based strategy structure that Age of Empire and Starcraft are based upon. For anyone who is into gaming, these are great games to play that involve critical thinking and tremendous patience to reach certain milestones. The game using history as its frame of reference, infuses many historical events around the graphic design and structure of the civilization franchise. For those who appreciate period based games, this is one to play. From the gameplay posted on the official Civilization website, the graphics are sharp as well as visually appealing. Sid Meier and his team do a great job blending the graphic art with technology for a new Civilization game every few years.
Wayang Kulit, the Indonesian theatrical performance of shadow puppets, is deeply ingrained in the country's culture, history, and livelihood. It is so important that there are three specific regions where it has become infamous for this art form. Careers, theaters, and pass times have been created as a result of this cultural performance. Wayang Kulit can be used to describe the current social structure of Indonesia, give out sermons, and a medium of education as mentioned in the video. It can also be used as a medium for dispersing information to the people. It is seen as an ingenious cultural heritage of Indonesia and the world to many Indonesians, often synonymous with the identity of the country.
In the video a man who now works as a Dalang, a shadow puppeteer, was taught since the age of three to master Wayang Kulit. As a Dalang he is expected to orchestrate the puppet movements in synchronization with the music and dialogue, as well as play instruments at the same time. According to the video, a single performance can use up to 400 different Wayangs, each with their own characteristics and distinct features that contribute to the storyline.
Much like Wayang Kulit, American theater has shared its history with storytelling and performances. Puppet shows, marionettes, and films have been used to achieve many similar goals that the Indonesians seek with Wayang Kulit. Despite the low technological integration that the Indonesian theatrical performance has, it still requires a great amount of skill and has remained true to its origins. American theater unless specified as solely one type of show has evolved to a more contemporary style. This change has developed in order to satisfy the ever-changing interests of the American public. Adaptations from classic performances have now become common and most of the old styles are performed for a sense of nostalgia or urge for avant-garde trends.
The link above directs you to About.com where readers can learn about the history of the battery By reading this article, it becomes clear that the battery was far from a modern day invention. In fact its concept dates back to the 18th century, when Benjamin Franklin coined the term battery. According to the article, he described it as "an array of charged glass plates" . The concept of containing electricity in a confined space for future use may seem like a mediocre explanation of an electrical cell, however, at the birth of this concept was a groundbreaking technology. By the mid 19th century improvements had been made and further revolutionized in 1859 when Gaston Plante, a French inventor made the first rechargeable battery. It was only in 1901 when Alkaline batteries were invented and 1954 when solar cells reached the market. All of which are taken for granted now that almost every small appliance or device requires some form of battery. With a majority of the world carrying around their own personal rechargeable battery cell in their pockets on the daily basis, it is difficult to forget about its humble beginning. Yet somehow society still manages to overlook this detail integrated into their cell-phone(s). Perhaps it is all the distractions and applications that can be installed on today's smartphones. Consideration towards the battery only occurs when the owner has expended their battery life low enough to where they receive notification. It is during this event that the owner experiences a sense of panic and then urgency to recharge the cell takes precedence in order to remain connected to the digital world. The point of all this being that despite being disposable as well as negligible in many modern day instances, the battery has had a long journey since its introduction to the world, one that if suddenly nonexistent would change the lives of many.
Steamboat Willie, the first fully synchronized sound cartoon by Walt Disney, is a classic animation that spans many generations. Being known for its iconic characters Mickey and Minnie Mouse, this cartoon had everything I personally like in a film. The storyline was well developed, attention to detail was present, the character appeal in the protagonist, and humor. In the video posted above, a short clip of Steamboat Willie can be seen. The video opens with the Steamboat, which is given movements to certain non-mechanical components as if it were alive. The smoke stacks, steamboat whistle and crane hook are given lifelike characteristics. Right away it is established that conventionally inanimate objects can possess conscious actions. This is seen in many other cartoons as well, yet is worth noting since the supporting animations contribute to the overall persona of Mickey Mouse, one of the most recognized characters in all of the world. He is so iconic that he is the first cartoon character to ever star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. As the clip continues, the innocence of Mickey Mouse can immediately be seen as the over joyous steamboat worker is going about his day at work. This can be seen throughout Mickey's career and lends reason to why is he so beloved. With only 7 minutes and 22 seconds in this clip, this animation features so many movements and details that help build the storyline. After having completed my own 200 page hand drawn flip book animation, I can only imagine how long it took to finish such a storyboard. Walt Disney and his animators were extremely creative with this tale of Steamboat Willie, which years after being considered an adult still find this cartoon appealing to my inner kid. It brings about happiness, childhood memories, and an adolescent innocence that not many cartoons have. Having created an animation for this class myself, can say almost anyone even the untalented can create an animation, but creating one that captures the viewer's attention such as this is difficult.
Walter Benjamin, author, philosopher and cultural critic shown above (Courtesy: http://image.slidesharecdn.com)
Walter Benjamin's essay, The work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction brings attention to technological innovation and its impact on art. He uses art forms such as photographic negatives, lithography, and copperplate etching to describe how imitation has become more prevalent over the years. Stemming from mass production, curiosity, greed and self-interest, replication have always existed.
Benjamin argues that in principle, all works of art are able to be replicated. With many objects, structures, paintings or drawings, this is perhaps true, however, there are exceptions to this principle. Many pictures are considered works of art, featuring a specific time or event that transpired. In the example of a volcanic eruption, an event that occurs very rarely, it would be difficult for someone to reproduce a picture that someone took on a specific day, time, angle, lighting, etc. Even if the imitator managed to meet all the same criteria, there is such a minute statistical chance that someone would be able to get an identical picture. In the sense that someone could digitally scan the picture or use a negative and "replicate" it, is a possibility but is still a challenge to physically recreate. There are many forms of art, some easier to imitate than others and some not. In my opinion, performance art is not replicable. It can be imitated but not 100% replicated. Stage performers can practice and rehearse their routine as frequently as possible yet will not be able to perform the same time with consistency. Each interaction with other performers, the physical condition of the performer at the time, mood, and attention to detail are all contributing factors that make replication almost impossible. Overall, my take on the matter leaves me to believe that Walter Benjamin is wrong in stating all works of are replicable. There are certain forms of art that are unique in that they are not replicable by the nature of their appearance, circumstances, or properties. Benjamin, Walter. "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction." Modern Art and Modernism. Auckland, N.Z.: PhotoForum, 2007. 218-20. Print.
Above is a depiction of what a Minstrel show performer would generally look like
(Courtesy: sideshowworld.com)
Today in class we watched Blacks on Vaudeville, a documentary on Vaudeville displaying its history and its correlation with minstrel shows. Minstrel shows, the poorly reenacted representation of how Black Americans, slaves, or "Negroes" entertained themselves during this time period. Beginning in 1843 and lasting till the mid-20th century, minstrel shows featuring musical and dance performances for crowds all over America (Minstrel Show, 2016).
Personally, I do not care for Vaudeville or minstrel shows either. As part of history I recognize minstrel shows as a point in Vaudeville's evolution, however, I cannot sit through a viewing without utter dismay. The shows reflect a point in time in which discrimination was very commended, with the specific goal of dehumanizing the Black American people.
The documentary highlighted the shows and its rising popularity in the 1840's. Before watching this segment, I had no idea that there were actually Black American minstrel performers. I always had the impression that it was a Caucasian person with black face, generating stereotypical propaganda to an all Caucasian crowd. To my surprise, I was wrong. Apparently the minstrel shows, featured some willing Black American participants, attendees and supporters. Understandably, for Black Americans at the time the wage was probably better than most paid positions, treatment was bearable, as well as the chance to perform on stage was rare. Some of these performers even used their talent, skills, and resistance to stereotyping to gain popularity amongst their community. As mentioned in the documentary, the Nicholas brothers are revered for doing just that.
The first minstrel performer to receive national recognition and have their performance considered that of a human was Bert Williams. In the documentary a frame shot is paused, displaying a quote by George Washington Carver, best known for developing a variety of uses for crops such as peanuts, then leading numerous speaking engagements as a symbol of African-American achievement (McMurry, 1991). The quote reads, "Bert Williams has done more for the race than I have. He's smiled his way into people's hearts" (Crazybluezzdaddy, 2012). As of 1910 he was the most respected comedians on the American stage and was the first Black American to be admired by people of all races. Overall, there is a collection of good stories of Black American performers leaving their impact on Vaudeville's history, however, those that were not featured are to be even more considered. With its racist and stereotypical motif, it is no wonder why minstrel shows began to disappear just as the civil rights movement started.
Below is a portion of the documentary by PBS, originally aired on November 26, 1997.
"minstrel show". Encyclopedia Britannica.Encyclopedia Britanncia Online. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 24 Feb. 2016
McMurry, Linda O. "George Washington Carver." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 1991. Web. 24 Feb. 2016.
Crazybluezzdaddy. "Blacks and Vaudeville: PBS Documentary." YouTube. YouTube, 29 May 2012. Web. 24 Feb. 2016.
Tuesday's class involving paper airplanes was a great learning experience. It bridged the gap between 2D material and 3D models. It was curiosity that lead man to reach new heights and discover flight. Pioneers in China around 400 B.C., discovered the earliest form of flight with the invention of the kite (Shaw, 2014). Since this event, many other innovators and inventors went on to create their own flying mechanisms bringing them closer to the modern invention of the airbus. Most notably are Leonardo da Vinci, The Wright Brothers, and Alberto Santos-Dumont (JACO, 2016).
Before class it was each student's responsibility to act as innovators and inventors, using previous paper airplane designs to craft our very own models. There were no restrictions to what a student could craft, leaving creativity as well as imagination unhindered. Personally, it was a far greater outcome without the existence of guidelines or a criterium. As for my model, I searched many sources which had claimed to feature the best design, however, I ended up testing the few that I thought to be promising but reverted to a model that had worked for me in the past. Many of the other models caught my attention with colorful and rounded designs.
The competition between the class revealed that some had the most creative, shortest, longest, and most aerodynamic designs. I personally liked moving out to the parking garage giving each student the chance to demonstrate how aerodynamic their paper plane was. During this event, it was Joey and Dozer's airplanes that impressed me the most. Their models had been crafted in a way such that the wind carried them a great distance with little to no resistance. My plane on the other hand did not do so well outside despite winning the longest distance indoors. Overall, this was a powerful activity that brought out creativity and competition amongst myself and the other students.
Shaw, Robert J., Dr. "History of Flight." History of Flight. NASA, 12 June 2014. Web. 15 Feb. 2016
JACO Aerospace. "History of Aviation: Aircrafts Through Time. " www.e-aircraftsupply.com. Jaco Aerospace, n.d. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.
Pjotr Sapegin's Madama Butterfly was a creative spin of Giacomo Puccini's 1905 opera depicting the tragic reality of temporary marriages forged between naval sailors and the indigenous females. The animation was interesting to say the least. I had not seen the original opera so as soon as the video began I was taken for surprise. With the first few minutes elapsed and the story beginning to unravel, it was clear that there was deep meaning behind the initial scene which ultimately turned out to be a devastating ending. The woman was left behind to bear the sailors child only to have him return and be stripped of the child and emotionally scarred eventually pushed to take her own life. The spirit and innocence the woman once had in her physical form was not lost when she took her own life but was carried into the afterlife when her spirit took form as a butterfly. The butterfly resembles the freedom that she had always wanted or deserved while waiting for her lover, which she can now fully achieve after being given wings. Overall, the animation was well choreographed and extremely thorough, however, took a great degree of interpretation to arrive at the exact significance.
