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.
This video of the ice rink video projection was amazing. I have only seen brief projections and images displayed on the ice before, but nothing this detailed and engaging. I even enjoyed the use of the song Tsunami by DVBBS. This is surely a good choice for a hockey game as it gets people hyped up before the teams face off. The introductory images were truly cinematic and overwhelming. I rather enjoyed seeing the rink lit up like that, and would like to play hockey with just the projections on the ice. It would make for a great challenge and one of a kind experience. The blend between sports, art and technology have really evolved over the past decade. I can only imagine what the future will bring to societies favorite pass times. It is interesting to think that sporting events are now more than ever reliant on marketing and promoting of certain brands as well as products.
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.
The link above directs to Vice.com where readers can learn more about the forgotten floppy disk art by Andy Warhol.
The art piece you see above is one of Andy Warhol's digital drawings that was recovered in 2014 by the Carnegie Mellon Computer Club. What is great about this story is that the digital drawings were formatted with a obsolete file format on a set of floppy disks. In order to recover the drawings, the team of computer specialists had to use a Kyroflux device which allowed them to run obsolete file formats and then run an emulator of Amiga, the program Warhol used to make the drawings. This was quite the discovery as 28 unseen Warhol images were recovered. This is in some respect digital archeology. It is truly amazing what technology has the capability of considering its ability to interact with outdated hardware and software. It is also amazing that a file that was written more than 20 years ago has maintained its integrity and is able to be viewed with today's technology. Thanks to the Carnegie Mellon Computer Club, the world has more Warhol art pieces to admire and appreciate. This is truly a great time for art and technology.
Speedy Graphito Painted Amongst His Works (Courtesy: keskispass.devilles.ca)
The link above directs to Hypebeast.com where readers can learn more about Speedy Graphito. Speedy Graphito is an amazing artist who is known for his graffiti infused pop art style. In the image shown above, it is clear that Graphito, holds a consistent style with all of his works. Each visual is as appealing as the last, bringing back fond memories to many audience members. He presents most of his art in an abstract fashion yet still conveys his message and imagery across to the onlooker. He is quite talented and can inspire various emotions from just one of his pieces. As mentioned in my pop art blog post, I would definitely display pop art in my home depending on the artist, quality, and appeal of the piece. Learning of Speedy Graphito, any one of his works would seem to fit those guidelines. I absolutely love his work, and now that I am familiar with it, I would visit a gallery just to see it in person. As a millennial, many of the images depicted in his works have significant value to me in addition to provoking happy thoughts.
The link above directs to wired.com where readers can learn about Apple's introduction of the Mac. In 1984, Apple had taken a brazen approach at marketing their newest product the Macintosh computer. With IBM was competing heavily against Apple at the time, the marketing team along with Steve Wozniak had launched a TV commercial that would air during the Super Bowl. Thanks to this decision, this commercial has earned the title "Commercial of the Decade". According to the article, the commercial impacted thousands of people despite only being aired once. Now considered one of the highest performing computers made, the Mac product line offers users the ability to conduct their business with ease and simplicity. For those who have used or own a Mac, can testify to its ease of use paired with fast processing. With Windows computers still being the majority of computers around the world, Macintosh has established itself as expensive, high performance computer that meets all users' needs. By looking back at the origin of the Mac, one can easily identify how far the product line has come and the evolutionary stages it has gone through since its release in 1984. Surely it has done a significant job with marketing as it has won the battle over the IBM's computer line.
The link above directs you to pbs.org where readers can learn about the history of the telephone. After reading this article, I was astonished at how involved Alexander Graham Bell was after inventing the telephone and creating a new industry. I found it interesting that doctors and pharmacists became the early adopters of this new product while it was no surprise to learn that the wealthy were among the first to acquire the telephone as well. History has shown that the wealthy have always tried to stay concurrent with all the newest trends. Even more so today as social status is greatly dictated by the number of assets one has in their possession and how expensive it is. The telephone is one of mankind's greatest inventions. It revolutionized the way people communicate across long distances and increased the chances of a recipient receiving a message. Without Alexander Graham Bell's invention, widely successful companies such as AT&T and Verizon may never have existed. I would imagine that a world without cellphones would be less exciting and much more inconvenient. From the perspective of social interaction, people would not be able to communicate as easy throughout the day, talking less frequently than with a phone. From the perspective of commerce, people would lose the option of paying with their phone, restricting the maximum profits made by businesses. Overall, the world should recognize Bell's contribution to society and appreciate his great invention.
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.
