1965 Yoko Ono Cut Piece

Youtube Video of Yoko Ono's 1965 Cut Piece

(Courtesy: satumtrak)

Yoko Ono's 1965 cut piece was a great example of performance art. She subjected herself to the will of the public. It was a bold choice to let the audience interact with her as a live art installation. Much more credit is given to her for letting the audience cut off her clothes. I don't fully understand the message or original intent behind this performance art, however, I know it provides deep meaning into the life and beliefs of Yoko Ono. Being as prominent of a social figure as she is, this performance art is one to be admired for bravery and impact. The music that accompanies the video is certainly strange enough to make listeners reevaluate what they are watching solely based on the eclectic sounds made throughout the track. It is worth noting that throughout the entire video she maintains a calm and soothing look, rarely phased by the audiences interactions. Overall, I enjoyed Yoko Ono's cut piece, although it is not an approach at performance art I would take myself. 

Steamboat Willie

Youtube Clip of Steamboat Willie (1928)

 (Courtesy: Walt Disney Animation Studios)

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. 

Art In The News- March 2016

Video Of Dmitry Morozov's Vtol Project
(Courtesy: vtol.cc)

For my art in the news presentation I chose Dmitry Morozov's Vtol project. Morozov is a Russian media-artist, musician and engineer of strange-sounding mechanisms. His Silk installation, in particular, was the focus of my presentation as it was related to music, technology, and art. This piece is unique in that it autonomously makes music using realtime fluctuations in litecoins and bitcoins connected to an Arduino platform, sound systems, servo motors, guitar rails and a tuning mechanism. The sounds vary depending on the unfalsifiability, immateriality, decentralization and transparency of values.

"This piece explores how new technologies and progress in such areas of knowledge as cryptography, mathematics, computer science influence the financial system, inevitably changing the social structure of the society", says Morozov. 

The Silk installation was inspired by the decentralization of existing currencies and the formation of a new unit of exchange independent from political and geographical limitations. Currently the piece is in Moscow and with each passing day change from the previous as does the data it is responding to. Personally, I have not seen anything like this before and was interested in sharing it because of how many discussions I have had involving bitcoin over the past 4 years. It would be interesting to see how the piece would react if the data were to reach the furthest extremes, worth nothing and highly valued.

Below are pictures of the installation courtesy of Morozov's website: