Sketches

Video Installation Articles

When we were first introduced to this final project, I did not quite understand what defines video installation or interactive media. However, the first paragraph of Rokeby's article explained that concept really well, "...interactive technology is a medium through which we communicate with ourselves-a mirror. The medium not only reflects back, but also refracts what it is given; what is returned is ourselves, transformed and processed..." I really like that idea that the spectator has some creative input and control, despite it being an illusion, of the interactive artwork. The spectator becomes part of the artwork, in other words, the performers themselves. It is this idea that, in my opinion, that defines interactivity of video installation.

New Media, Recombination, Plagiarism Articles Response

In the first article, the author laid out the principles of new media, essentially answering the question what constitute as new media. The five basic principles of new media are of the following:

1. Numerical Representation: the numerical coding of media, structural discrete parts allow customization.

2. Modularity: the fractal structure of new media object, consist of smaller independent parts/discrete samples that are combined to make a larger object.

3. Automation: "low level" versus "high level" automation of media creation. Examples of "low level" automation are commercial image editing software like Photoshop. Examples of "high level" automation include artificial intelligence and interactive virtual video games.

4. Variability: the fluidity of new media, in other words, new media object can give rise to numerous versions. A new media object is not fixed and different versions are often created automatically by a computer.

5. Transcoding: computerization of media or "translating" it into another format.



In the second article by Viola, the author mainly talked about rearrangement, combination and recombination of "discrete parts or elements". In other words, one would take a piece, cut it into pieces and rearrange it to create a new version or something completely new. The author also talked about the difference between the traditional "linear" way versus the web "customization" way of how information is laid out. Recombination of discrete parts essentially allows users to customize elements such as interactivity.



In the last article, the author presented plagiarism as a potentially positive idea and the issues of plagiarism concerning new media. In the current era, plagiarism is considered, almost always, a negative thing. Taking another person's works and ideas and claim them as oneself's without giving proper credits is plagiarism. Thus brings up the question, is the concept of recombination in new media considered plagiarism and wrong? I personally believe that recombination of discrete parts is not plagiarism because recombination often lead to a new creation, a new object with its own meaning that differ from that of the original source's.

Sound Project

For my sound project, I chose the second floor of the library, the absolutely quiet floor, as my specific site. My project, titled "Between", starts low and quiet but eventually builds up to multitude of sounds such as whispering, white noise, laughing, and recitation of terms. Since the library is a place where silence reigns, the sounds in one's head would naturally be louder and more distracting; even to the point of discomfort and annoyance. Therefore, can one really focus and study in the a space void of sounds?

What Really is Sound Art?

For Annea Lockwood, Max Neuhaus and Christian Marclay, sound art would refer to exploration of new forms of composition which use sound as a natural element or overlapping it with art and music. Despite the fact that we are constantly surrounded by sound, why is it so difficult for people to recognize and acknowledge that sound can be more than just music? Marclay said that "it is in sound's nature to be free and uncontrollable and to go through the cracks and to go places where it's not supposed to go" and yet, sound art is sometimes confined in the realm of music and not considered as as medium or art. If sounds can be used as a "musical material by composers", can't sounds, then, also can be used as a medium for art and not be labeled as "experimental music"? Some distinctions between music and sound art are clear: music is entertainment and based on consumer's demand while sound art is independent from the public's opinions and focuses on the nature of sound phenomenon.

The link between visual and aural information we receive everyday is strong and possibly inseparable. We often make correlations between sound and visual information. It simply makes sense that they go together hand in hand. However, the concept of sound art is possible when correlations between sound and image are severed. After this disjunction, can sound be appreciated and "take a life of its own." An example of how disjunction is possible is silent films. Silent films, as the name implies, are old films of pure acting, visual information. However, when the synchronous of sound and image were introduced, some complained that it "reduced cinema to little more than canned thearter." This is an example where sound interferes with the delivery of pure visual information. The same also applies when images are linked with sounds, in other words, visualizing the sounds. It is incredibly easy to connect visual and aural information but the idea of disjunction is also highly possible.

Sound Art

These are the videos I found on YouTube that are related to sound art. I am not sure, though, if these videos fall under the category of "art". However, sound is indeed, the main component in manipulating shapes, forms, and space.

Cymatics:



Acoustic Water Dance:

Project 1: Video Art

"Relativity" by M.C. Escher



M.C. Escher was a famous artist known for complex illustrations that displayed concepts of impossible structures, interlocking of figures, and exploration of infinity. In this piece, Escher challenges and tests the viewers' perspective and understanding of the numerous elements present in this illustration. Thus, often makes the audience question the oddity in this art work: which way is correct? Is it really possible? The complexity and wonders of "Relativity" were inspiration for my video art assignment. By repeatedly folding papers, I explored the idea of infinity, interlocking figures, impossible structures and perspective. The myth is that any type of paper cannot be folded in half more than 7 times. Therefore, repetition of folding papers may seem infinite, but structurally and mathematically, it is impossible. The taping of the papers show interlocking of figures seen in "Relativity" and the highlighted texts challenges the audience perspective. The highlighted texts were aligned as a cube, however, the audience cannot read all the lines without physically turning the papers. Surprisingly, all the highlighted texts read the same sentence, despite how different they look from each other at a first glance. This challenging of perspective was also present in Escher's illustration.

Response to Krauss's "Video: The Aesthetics of Narcissism"

Prior to reading Krauss's article, I picture videos as what I see on You Tube, Veoh and other online video websites. Videos are simply recorded moments or a form of viral entertainment. But Krauss's essay suggested a different view of videos. Because I find Krauss's argument mind-boggling and intriguing, I cannot fully comprehend the content of his article. However, from my understanding, video is an art form and beyond. I did not realize that videos can be another medium for an artist, and that psychology is also involved. Narcissism can be defined as inordinate fascination or attraction with oneself, in this case, can refer to communication with oneself and centered around oneself. Videos such as Boomerang, Centers, and Now present a single person experimenting with "simultaneous reception and projection of an image". Not only do videos challenge the minds of the viewers, but also alter the artists and the subjects as well. It is truly fascinating that videos can create manipulation of the senses, space and time.