Here are some links related to the Victoria Vesna | Jim Gimzewski project Blue Morph:
Thanks to Ashley, who found the link I showed parts of in class:
http://www.sr.se/p1/SRc/bluemorph/index.html
Project website: http://artsci.ucla.edu/BlueMorph/concept.html
Victoria Vesna’s website: http://vv.arts.ucla.edu/
Studio 360 radio show presentation on the project: http://www.studio360.org/episodes/2007/12/07/segments/89690
Links to video material on YouTube
Please type in your name after one of the time slots–or leave a comment with your preferred time. I will fill in the names as they come in. If for some reason there is a problem, please email me. During your time slot, we will want to discuss the ideas you have for a final project, which will most likely be a 15 page paper, though other ideas are welcome. You can bring a list of topics that you are interested in, a list of possible projects, questions that interest you, etc.
1:35pm – 1:55pm: Yu and Allie
2:00pm – 2:20pm: Mitch
2:25pm – 2:45pm: Brianna and Jessi
2:50pm – 3:10pm: Ashley
3:15pm – 3:35pm:
3:40pm – 4:00pm:
4:05pm – 4:25pm:
4:30pm – 4:50pm:
4:55pm – 5:15pm: Brandi
5:20pm – 5:40pm: Jordan
I decided to look a little further into the history and demographics of Twitter after our discussion in class yesterday. Many of the points and opinions that you made in class are reinforced here. The Pew Internet and American Life Project may be of interest to some of you.
The link below provides information from a Pew study that includes the demographics of Twitter users:
http://www.socialmediatoday.com/SMC/78505
Wikipedia has a detailed overview of Twitter that includes the history of its development and usage:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter
New York Times article on Twitter and its users (25.August 2009):
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/26/technology/internet/26twitter.html?_r=1
Click on this link to find out information about possible things to do, see and visit in Chicago: http://www.cla.purdue.edu/vpabustrips/chicago_bus_trip.htm
UHP399 | Gardens & Machines | Fall 2009
ASSIGNMENT: ‘Found Objects of Nature”
DUE: 8.September in class
I would like you to bring 2 found objects of nature to class on 8.September. By found objects I mean: texts, photographs, advertisements, artworks (in the expanded sense, i.e. not only painting) or material objects.
Found Object 1:
This object should represent or indicate a personally meaningful idea or form of nature. This object should probably allow you to tell stories or describe experiences that are related to what nature means to you and the place it has or hasn’t had in your life thus far.
Found Object 2:
This found object should allow you to talk about – explain, describe—a form or idea of nature you are interested in understanding in more depth. This object should fill your mind, and our discussion, with questions about nature.
Objects 1 and 2 might be closely related or they might be radically different. Either case is fine.
What you need to do to prepare for discussion:
You should be prepared to talk about your objects for about 10 minutes:
1. Object 1: Explain what the object is and its connection to your personal understanding and experiences of nature. What are the most important characteristics or features of this nature object or experience? Why did you choose this object above all other possibilities?
2. Object 2: Again, explain what the object is. How does this object differ, if at all, from your first object? Why did you choose it? Come up with a list of at least three questions that this object (or the combination of objects 1 & 2) inspires you to ask.
Where to look?
Everyday objects – cereal boxes, packaging in general
Scientific journals
Newspapers
Broschures
Billboards
Books/book covers
Walk through Lafayette or West Lafayette
UHP399 | Gardens & Machines | Fall 2009
Assignment: 2 + 1 Artworks
Below are the notes we generated during our in-class discussion examining our personal criteria and assumptions used to discern art that we like and don’t like.
List of criteria for “like”
Personal significance: visual, emotional,
Purpose or point to art work
Positive – connected to identity
Work inspired questions
“drew you in”
medium not relevant, but what was going on in the art work
consideration of nature through multiple perspectives
balance between nature and technology
representations of reality or uncanny (twisted take) remembrances
Criteria for “dislike”
Dislike occurred within a medium; reason for like was also basis for dislike
Mysterious something is missing
Amount of perceived effort into production of artwork
Not complex at first glance
Motivation or intent matters and can change original assessment
Some General Observations:
Knowledge shapes opinion
Social factors like class shape opionion
Personal experiences/preference
Important terms or concepts:
uncanny (Freud…)
aura (Walter Benjamin)
beauty (Kant…)
sublime
QUESTIONS:
Why do people initially think painting is visual art?
How does your exposure to art affect what you consider to be good art?
How does the emotion in a piece of art influence perception?
Does someone’s understanding influence their enjoyment?
How has time influenced what people consider to be good art?
Does skill really matter? concept vs. skill/labor
Why does context matter?
Why is one person famous, another is not?
Has anybody seen modern dance? What are common assumptions about what art is?
Why do we like certain things and not others? What is this ‘inner something’ that draws one to works of art?
Can you every truly objectify art? Is art is inherently subjective?
Is it possible to prioritize skill over intention or history?
Does the perception of being able to make or recreate a piece of art affect our appreciation of it?
Welcome to UHP 399 Gardens & Machines.
Best wishes for a successful semester.
~ Prof. McMullen