Megan N. Badger
Monday, May 12, 2014
Must all good things come to an end?
We are the best class EVER. I am so glad I was lucky enough to meet such a neat group of people and have the coolest professor in the world! I'm going to miss all the crazy and hilarious conversations we had. I have so many good memories from this class and I know there won't be another like it! I have learned so much more than I could have imagined and I hope to continue learning more. After finishing this course, I have come to the conclusion that digital media is just plain awesome!!
Second Life Project
After spending the rest of my Second Life $$ on uploading the face template, I was able to create a really creepy digital version of myself. I really enjoyed creating the avatar! The object I built is a giant glowing bow!! It was relatively easy to create though it took a few tries. My second self has awesome pink hair, a tail, the giant bow, a minnie mouse shirt, and SPARKLES!! Who doesn't love sparkles?
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Project # 7.2: 3D
After hours of experimenting with Sketchup, I finally finished my 3D model. I was happy to find a bird shape in the warehouse (which I deleted everything on it so the base shape was the only thing left). With the help of a few tutorials, I was able to get as close as I could to the actual bird. I used circles for all the feathers and created the legs with the push/pull tool. Rotating and positioning the objects was so tedious! In the end, Sketchup decided to delete the model completely. Thankfully I took a few screenshots before this mishap!
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Artist Lectures
Erika Harrsch
Exhibited around the world, Erika
Harrsch is a well-known contemporary artist who specializes in multidisciplinary
practices such as painting, photography, and animation. Her main pieces revolve
around the symbolism of the butterfly. She has over six years of experience
with an entomologist, researching and studying every aspect of the butterfly. To
Harrsch, the butterfly symbolizes the relationship people have with their own
nature and this is represented uniquely in each of her works.
The first piece she showed was “Imagos”.
It is a vast collection of cut out photographs of various species of
butterflies with the images of female genitalia in the center. Each butterfly is
unique to the country of the women she used in the center. By doing so, Harrsch
illustrates the culture and migration of the women as she did similarly with
another project in which she created a passport with the design of Canadian,
American, and Mexican pieces surrounding a Monarch butterfly. The butterfly is
a form of identity of gender within society. She renders the genitalia in “Imagos”not
as taboo, but as an organic object. Imago,
the title of this piece means fully-winged insect or fully adult, perfectly
representing each part in this piece. Her work, however, was controversial in a
few places such as Syria, where it was censored after it was inspected more
closely.
Another project she has craftily
designed is her “Inverted Sky”. Her installations, kites, and paintings each
contain a butterfly in some form. The kites on display are made from the
monetary units of China (dragon) and the US (butterflies). They display two
sides to the meaning of specimen; in one way for study and the other as a bank
note. Harrsch designs her work in such a way that it begs the viewer to
question and look more deeply into human nature and the struggles of our
culture and society. Each of her projects were inspiring and so original that
it is easy to see why Harrsch is so successful.
Colby
Stephens
In his MFA thesis lecture, “Visual
art and the Stratification of Information,” Colby Stephens cleverly presents
the issues of the Federal Reserve, his muse, through conceptual art. From
Oregon with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Stephens is completing his MFA at UNR in
spring 2014. He intends to pursue a career in politics as an artist,
researcher, and as a political activist.
Stephens began his lecture with a
comparison of horizon lines and politics. “Horizon lines are a navigation
framework, they vary in usefulness, and are futile to pursue. They are
conceptual illusions and they do not
exist.” He said the same goes for political landscapes; “They are
conceptual illusions and therefore, do not exist.” With this, he proposes a
solution to the problem with federal policy and injustice. “Mismanaged federal
policies have a disproportionally negative effect on the poor and middle class
while simultaneously benefiting the wealthy by an upwards redistribution of
wealth.”
So why art? Stephens sees art as a
way to provide sufficient and unique opportunities to convey the facts and
ideas that aren’t available elsewhere. He believes the stratification of
information gives details that help make his work more intellectually honest.
In his piece, “Gown for Lady Liberty,” he stratifies the information through
the title, material, and details of his work. The gown, delicately placed on a white
manikin, is made entirely from papers of the Federal Reserve Act of 1913.
Taking a closer look, each letter “A” has been changed to a scarlet red to
symbolize the adulteration of our liberties at the hand of central banking.
Stephens’ originality and attention to detail make his work stand out and speak
to its audience.
Benjamin Poynter
Ben Poynter is a "practitioner
of digital media and independent video games in the contemporary art world."
His work examines the relationships between the real and the virtual. They revolve around the animation, cinematography, and narrative included in some
of his projects in the forms of indie games, digital applications, and computer
graphics.
Poynter's lecture was very fast-paced and
covered many of his works. Admittedly, his rate of speech was so fast at times
it was hard to understand what he was explaining. One project of his that stood
out was his smartphone game “In a Permanent State.” This game is based off the events
at Foxconn’s electronics manufacturing plants in 2010. Laborers threatened to
jump to their death (fourteen of which died) drawing media attention to the
employment practices of Foxconn. Poynter’s game "imagines the spiritual
afterlife of seven overworked laborers who have committed suicide," while at the same time criticizing
the human rights violations of Apple and Foxconn. Surely enough, the game was
taken down from the Apple App store within an hour of its release. Each scene
was hand drawn/painted, giving the game a unique aura. The backgrounds of the
levels were done on special Chinese scrolls, which, rather than being used to mourn the
dead, served as lessons learned from their death.
Poynter’s unusual style and original
ideas are what bring attention to his work. He seems to include a lot of his
personal experiences and memories in his projects which bring them together, adding
deeper meaning. Overall, I see Ben going far with his ideas and with his strong will
and passion to pursue this dreams.
Critical Questions for Reading # 6
1. When discussing the principles of new media, Manovich explains that new media is not so different from old media--there is a gray line between them. Even the idea of digital representation is ambiguous and doesn't quite redefine media. What are some things you think set apart old media from the new?
2. Manovich concludes his essay with the statement "What was hidden in the mind became shared." This relates to the notion that interactive computer media mirrors the process of the mind. "Mental processes of reflection, problem solving, recall, and association are externalized, equated with following a link, moving to a new page, choosing a new image or a new scene...we are asked to mistake the structure of somebody's else mind for our own." Do you feel this way when you look at interactive computer media? What are some examples of this?
2. Manovich concludes his essay with the statement "What was hidden in the mind became shared." This relates to the notion that interactive computer media mirrors the process of the mind. "Mental processes of reflection, problem solving, recall, and association are externalized, equated with following a link, moving to a new page, choosing a new image or a new scene...we are asked to mistake the structure of somebody's else mind for our own." Do you feel this way when you look at interactive computer media? What are some examples of this?
Monday, April 28, 2014
Final Writing Assignment
Digital Art with a
Cause
Digital
art comes in many forms. It is unique because there are such a variety of methods
which this art can be made. Graphic design, 3D modeling, and virtual
environments are some of the many forms of digital art. The artists I chose use
the techniques of digital painting and 3D photomanipulation in their works.
Though both aim for the same cause, each of the techniques have remarkably
distinct auras when studied closely.
Wenqing
Yan, also known as “Yuumei” on her web page, is a digital artist who is
well-known for her activist digital paintings. She was born and raised in China
where she first learned the basics of art. “I grew up in China where parents
compete and show off their child like some sort of hobby, so drawing class was
one of the many things I had to learn. All my Chinese art classes focused on
realism and drawing from life. That gave me the foundations to draw everything
else but drawing is not a magical process where you take a class, and BAM you're
an artist. It's all about hard work and practice like everything else in life.”
Yan is
currently a Practice of Art major at UC Berkley with a focus on
environmentalism and cyber activism. “I specialize in digital art but I also
enjoy traditional watercolor, sculpting, and origami.” She participates in
conventions around the world spreading the word about environmental activism as
well as cyber activism with her digital paintings and books. Most of her works clearly
portray the problem she is trying to address. “Countdown,” for example,
portrays the literal countdown of environmental destruction in the polar ice
caps with global warming—humans being the root of the problem. “Legacy,” a
moving picture of a young girl kneeling next to a deceased albatross with a
plastic-filled stomach, is another powerful piece that urges that something is
to be done to prevent such devastation. Inspired by the film, Midway, a documentary which uncovers the
plastic-littered Midway Island—home to over 1.5 million albatross, “Legacy”
shows the need for human intervention in such seemingly unnoticed issues. With
over 20 tons of plastic covering the island, the albatross and many other
species are dying of ingestion and entanglement. Yan proposes solutions such as
participation in recycling and investing in eco-friendly products. “Art can be
more than just pretty pictures, but also a powerful mechanism of change… You
can easily take action with nothing but the will of your imagination.”
Unlike
traditional painting, digital painting is all done on a computer (usually with
the help of a graphic tablet). Digital painting, like Yan’s, requires the use
of a specialized software such as Adobe Photoshop. Digital painting programs
mimic the use of physical media through numerous brushes and paint effects. The
brushes are designed to serve as representations of the textures of oils,
pastels, charcoals, acrylics, and just about any medium out there. This allows
the artist to give an extra edge of realistic effects to their works. Yan uses
a Wacom Intuos 4 tablet, Paint Tool SAI, and Photoshop to create each of her
digital paintings.
The piece
that had the most impact was Yan’s “Guilty” painting. This compelling and
detailed image sums up the very core of marine destruction. Yan boldly displays
the image of endangered life through the bodies of marine animals wrapped
around a central figure. This central figure is female. She has a pale gray
complexion and appears very frail, as though she was suffering with the
animals. Her face is blank, however, showing no real emotion. She could be seen
as Mother Nature enduring the fate of her ecosystem or as mankind caught up in
the center of the problem. Her hair is made up of a slick, dark colored liquid
representing oil. Oil spills happen daily yet they are rarely reported on the
news. About 20,000 oil spills occur annually in the US alone. These spills not
only harm wildlife, but they also pollute the water and food chain. This means
the fish we eat could be contaminated with toxins from the oil spills. An
albatross is tangled in fishing line tied to her back in such a way that it
seems to portray a fallen angel—an innocent life taken by the hands of careless
people. Bycatch are unwanted animals that accidentally get caught in the
fishing nets and lines. An estimated 300,000 marine mammals and 100,000
albatross are killed by long line fisheries, and because of this, many are now
facing extinction. A shark is tied up in fishing nets because they are not only
victims of bycatch, but also as an unfortunate delicacy. More than 100 million
sharks are killed each year for their fins. This has endangered countless
species, some of which suffering a population decline of 90% and upwards. “To
put that in perspective, imagine 9 out of every 10 people you know are dead. In
comparison, only a few people are killed each year by sharks.” Lastly, a young
sea turtle trapped in a plastic bag is cradled above the hands of the central
figure who gazes upon it. Globally, 100,000 marine animals and 1 million sea birds
die each year due to plastic waste found in the ocean. All of this destruction
can be reversed, however.
Yan, in
each of her works, offers a helpful solution to each problem. First, she
motivates the idea of picking up trash and recycling. By preventing littering
and reusing or repurposing products, many lives could be saved. Next Yun states
that being conscious of what you buy could help save the environment. By going
green one could save money and improve the condition of the world around.
Lastly, by spreading the word and getting more people to follow these steps, the
problem can be cured. “Education is the best cure…Many people are simply
unaware of the environmental damage humans are causing. People need to
understand that helping the environment is simply helping themselves.”
The other
artist I chose, Irina Tikhomirova (aka “GreenVoice”), is also a digital artist
who is passionate about preserving the environment. She is a Russian digital
art hobbyist with a Master’s Degree in Engineering Ecology and Environmental Protection.
“I'm in love with our beautiful Planet. Day by day, I'm trying to find the
perfect balance between human, nature and the universe. Yes, I believe it's all
about balance. I admire the magnificence of our planet, but is it possible do
not admire this the most beautiful body of our solar system? And life... life
on our planet is so majestic in all its varied forms!”
Like Yan, Tikhomirova expresses her
environmental activism through digital art. Tikhomirova uses a few different
styles and techniques in her work. Photomanipulation, concept art, and 3D art
are some of the few types of digital art she works with along with its
promotion through social media. “I love using social media to focus the world’s
attention on the environment and the damage that we as humans are causing.
Believe in people's power, I believe that even small acts can change the world.”
The piece I chose from Tikhomirova
is called “Let’s Give Nature a Hand.” It is unique in a sense that it is
divided into three parts—a separate image for each. Unlike Yan, Tikhomirova
presents the solution to the problem rather than the problem alone in her work.
In each part, she expresses her fervor for the environment fittingly with the
statement, “Let's Give Nature a Hand. We need to restore natural balance before
things get out of control. Earth is the only home we have!” In part one of the
series, she displays a large hand in the center holding a tree with
deforestation behind it. The background is made up of hundreds of cut down
trees. The grass surrounding them is dull in color and the horizon line seems
to fade into the sky as though it is never ending. In contrast, the hand is a bright green with
mossy detail all around it. The tree is strong and bursting with life. Her
detailed 3D image suggests the renewing of deforestation with a simple act of
replacing the fallen trees with new ones. Part two uncovers hidden figures of
nature. The same hand holds a tiger emerging from the brush as birds flutter
around it. The hand is stone-like in texture and color with small patches of
grass and bushels growing on it, contrasting with the sky blue background. This
image urges the protection of endangered species. By doing so, we can keep the
ecosystem balanced and allow for more biodiversity. Lastly, Part three of the
series simply illustrates the beauty of nature. Two dolphins playfully swim up
towards the illuminated surface of the ocean while a hand of stone rests below
them with many sea plants and coral growing in the center of the palm. This
serene portrayal of nature inspires the preservation and restoration of the
natural balance so every living creature can enjoy fresh air, clean water, and
healthy ecosystems.
In conclusion, both Yan and
Tikhomirova have distinctly unique ways of presenting the environmentalist view
through digital art. Both are very successful with their presentation of these
ideas within their works in contrasting techniques. Yan, with her digital
painting, uses smooth blending lines and shades to give her work an airy,
almost dreamlike feel to it. Tikhomirova takes advantage the 3D art to give her
work a more light-hearted feel. Her work seems to capture the image in a moment
as though it were a frame in a 3D animation. Both provide great detail in their
works and overall successfully send the messages they put in their art. Each is
a great example of the many ways in which digital art can be utilized to spread
the word and bring to light these urgent problems while, at the same time, inspiring
everyone to work towards a solution.
Works Cited
"Faces of
Berkeley: Wenqing Yan, Activist Artist - The Daily Californian." The Daily
Californian. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.
"GreenVoice
(Irina Tikhomirova) on DeviantART." GreenVoice (Irina Tikhomirova) on
DeviantART. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.
"Yuumei
(Wenqing Yan) on DeviantART." Yuumei (Wenqing Yan) on DeviantART. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.
"Why Protect
Biodiversity and save Endangered Species?" Endangered Species
International. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Critical Questions for Reading #5
1. Claire Bishop, in her essay, criticizes digital art that doesn't "speak overtly about the conditions living in and through the new media." She states that unlike digital media, photography and film were strictly image-based and their "relevance and challenge to visual art were self-evident." Digital art on the other hand is "alien to human perception." Bishop seems to argue that because digital art is simply code, and that it can be circulated so easily through digital media that it is not as valuable as contemporary art. Is it such a bad thing to have the ability to display one's work to a much larger audience? To adjust a picture or photo to the way we want it to look? To have the ability to add effects to film/video so the scene comes to life? Do you see digital art as merely "a garbled recipe of numbers and letters"?
2. In Bishop's last statement, she claims that "at its most utopian, the digital revolution opens up a new dematerialized, deauthored, and unmarketable reality of collective culture; at its worst, it signals the impending obsolescence of visual art itself." Do you agree with this bold statement? Do you think Bishop provided enough evidence in her essay to show that digital media is such an insult to visual art?
2. In Bishop's last statement, she claims that "at its most utopian, the digital revolution opens up a new dematerialized, deauthored, and unmarketable reality of collective culture; at its worst, it signals the impending obsolescence of visual art itself." Do you agree with this bold statement? Do you think Bishop provided enough evidence in her essay to show that digital media is such an insult to visual art?
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