Banksy Performance Art

Youtube Video of Banksy's Performance Art Piece 

(Courtesy: Tonno Che Rotola)

The performance piece in which Banksy modifies and recreates Paris Hilton's new CD is amazing. I was unaware he even did this, despite knowing about his work for years now. I must applaud Banksy as I share a strong dislike for Paris Hilton along with the rest of the world for having little to no talent. I enjoyed the idea and concept behind this event, however, the quality could have been better. I believe the way in which the CD's were switched out could have been easier. Assuming that this video was taken years ago, I will not critique this video as harshly as I would a modern day reproduction. This was most certainly shot during the age where hard copy disks were as heavily guarded and monitored than jewelry. Nowadays CD's have been rendered obsolete with the popularity of streaming and now store owners would be lucky if thieves stole their hardcopy disks just to free up the space they are taking up. Overall, I enjoyed the performance and hope to see Banksy recreate this old video with a newer more relevant artist.

Walter Benjamin's The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction

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.

The Pirates of Penzance Video Game Conversion

Above, the cast of The Pirates of Penzance, 1983. Directed by Wilford Leach
(Courtesy: blogspot.com)

As assigned I created a video game based on an opera created before the year 1920. For the video I decided to choose the opera The Pirates of Penzance. The story follows a pirate apprentice, who wishes to rid himself of the pirate life now that he has reached the age of 21, the end of his contractual service. After it is revealed that he was born on a leap year and technically has 5 birthdays, the loyal pirate must find a way to please his crew but also win the love of his life, Mabel. 

In short, my game would fall under the open world category and follow protagonist Fredric, as he ventures through Penzance Bay seeking to gain freedom from the life of a pirate. Throughout the campaign gameplay, characters from the opera are featured, side missions are available, and interactions which lead to greater character development are present. 

The following images are a few screenshots of my paper. Overall, the film adaptation was difficult to watch, but the project was thought provoking as it allowed for unlimited creativity.

Pjotr Sapegin’s Madama Butterfly

Giacomo Puccini's Madame Butterfly (Courtesy: https://i.ytimg.com)

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.