Here's a diagram of how I would make this concept into a golf hole. The rim of the clock and the hands would be 3D, so the golfer has to make it over or past the hands to make the shot.
3.30.2011
Golf Hole: 1 (Art 343/381: Critical Play)
My inspiration for my miniature golf hole is Salvador Dali's "The Persistence of Memory."
Here's a diagram of how I would make this concept into a golf hole. The rim of the clock and the hands would be 3D, so the golfer has to make it over or past the hands to make the shot.
Here's a diagram of how I would make this concept into a golf hole. The rim of the clock and the hands would be 3D, so the golfer has to make it over or past the hands to make the shot.
Pepakura: Pig (Art 343/381: Critical Play)
I started working with Pepakura Designer this week and made this pig model. It is a Japanese pottery form, common in that culture.
3.26.2011
Makerbot: 1 (Art 350: Advanced Digital Media)
I decided to print a 3D baby grand piano. I think it will be interesting to make a silent sculpture of an instrument. Since sound won't be part of the piece, it will force the viewer to instead focus on the structure of the piano, which I think sometimes gets overlooked. I think, visually, a piano is one of the most beautiful instruments (I am pretty biased though).
I plan to replicate the piano I learned to play on — a Kohler & Cambpbell baby grand. I've always loved playing on my piano, and have never been able to find another I've liked better.
I will probably have to make the piano in pieces, in order to get more detail on each of the elements. I plan on making the overall object about the size of one's hand or a bit smaller than that. I am most familiar with Google Sketch Up, so I am going to design my piece using that program. Then, I will upload it into Blender to scale it down and add finishing touches there.
Here's a few shots of my piano:
I plan to replicate the piano I learned to play on — a Kohler & Cambpbell baby grand. I've always loved playing on my piano, and have never been able to find another I've liked better.
I will probably have to make the piano in pieces, in order to get more detail on each of the elements. I plan on making the overall object about the size of one's hand or a bit smaller than that. I am most familiar with Google Sketch Up, so I am going to design my piece using that program. Then, I will upload it into Blender to scale it down and add finishing touches there.
Here's a few shots of my piano:
3.22.2011
3D: 1 - The World Sculpture (Art 343/381: Critical Play)
Artist's Statement: I really wanted to explore the possibilities of viewing objects from all angles. I thought about what this meant to control three dimensions in perspective and scale. I decided it would be interesting to see well-known and historically significant structures and sculptures in a different way. I used items from the Google Warehouse and played with scale, intersecting pieces and skewing the forms to mash up a World Sculpture.
3D: 2 - Virtual Typewriter (Art 343/381: Critical Play)
Artist's Statement: I thought it would be interesting to create a virtual sculpture of a typewriter. I think the juxtaposition of using new 3d technology on a computer to create such an old device — the old computer — provides an extra layer to this piece. I chose to think big, making the typewriter much larger than it would be in reality. I thought this might tie into the idea of how big technology is in society, but the devices are getting smaller. Making the virtual sculpture pokes fun at the idea of an old-fashioned, big clunky device that is the typewriter.
3.21.2011
Arduino: Final (Art 350: Advanced Digital Media)
After weeks of working toward this project, it is finally done.
Artist's Statement: I created an Arduino-based interactive piece where users can choose a few key words to describe their life. The selections play a sound to fit with the "story" the user writes. The piece is meant to ask people to think how they would sum up their "story" if only given a few word choices to do so. The sound adds an extra element to illustrate that story in a way people might not tend to associate experiences with.
To display with piece: "Everybody has a story. What's yours? If you could only describe your life experiences in a couple short sentences, capitalizing on a few key words ... what would you choose to say? Use this interactive piece to consider your story. Think about what that might sound like, and listen back to your story through tonal sounds in this fun project."
Here's a video:
A few extra notes:
Along the way, I encountered several problems but was able to work through each to accomplish this task. I improved my critical thinking skills, computer programming language, electronic wiring knowledge and plenty more.
Here's a few photos of the finished work:
And here's a couple shots of the wiring from the back. There's about 18 wires connecting buttons and speakers to the Arduino. All are neatly labeled and secured in place. The breadboards with buttons required additional wires and resistors to connect.
Hope you enjoy it!
Artist's Statement: I created an Arduino-based interactive piece where users can choose a few key words to describe their life. The selections play a sound to fit with the "story" the user writes. The piece is meant to ask people to think how they would sum up their "story" if only given a few word choices to do so. The sound adds an extra element to illustrate that story in a way people might not tend to associate experiences with.
To display with piece: "Everybody has a story. What's yours? If you could only describe your life experiences in a couple short sentences, capitalizing on a few key words ... what would you choose to say? Use this interactive piece to consider your story. Think about what that might sound like, and listen back to your story through tonal sounds in this fun project."
Here's a video:
A few extra notes:
Along the way, I encountered several problems but was able to work through each to accomplish this task. I improved my critical thinking skills, computer programming language, electronic wiring knowledge and plenty more.
Here's a few photos of the finished work:
And here's a couple shots of the wiring from the back. There's about 18 wires connecting buttons and speakers to the Arduino. All are neatly labeled and secured in place. The breadboards with buttons required additional wires and resistors to connect.
Hope you enjoy it!
3.20.2011
Exhibit Critique: 1 (ART 350: Advanced Digital Media)
Exhibit: “Following” at the Sheppard Gallery,
by Jeremy Stern
Jeremy Stern’s work “Following” at UNR's Sheppard Gallery was brilliant in many ways. It incorporated several different aspects including painting, digital technology, sound and user interactivity — all of which add a unique element to the piece.
Each of these elements were executed seamlessly, which tied the piece together well.
“Following” transformed the gallery into a starscape of Reno that produced sounds from the meadows as patrons walked across the gallery’s floor. The precision used to record sounds and play them back on the gallery floor’s imaginary map of Reno is astonishing. Having worked with the Arduino and various sound recording and editing software myself, I understand that this was not an easy task.
The exhibit really allowed people to connect with their environment in a way they likely wouldn’t in the real outdoors. It forced people to stop and listen to the sounds while gazing at the constellations splashed across the walls.
The idea of having the stars painted on the walls, rather than the ceiling, created an atmosphere that made visitors feel part of the environment rather than a distant observer.
I think that painting the map of Reno on the gallery floor that Stern used as a guide to record and play back his sounds would have added an even better effect. Although I had the pleasure of listening to Stern explain his work, much would have been lost had I explored the gallery without the knowledge that the grid-like floor had an imaginary map of Reno on it and that the sounds were from those actual locations. If Stern would have gone the extra step to replicate a map, the work would speak more for itself.
It would have been interesting to be able to visually see where in Reno one was standing while hearing the sounds. Without this visual element, I feel like it is hard to imagine the exact locations in which the sounds were recorded. Since so much work went into recording and playing back sounds based on these Reno locations, the map would have carried that vision through better.
Questions for the artist:
1. What made you decide to come up with this project?
2. How do you think people responded to your exhibit? Can you give some examples?
*Photo credit: unr.edu
by Jeremy Stern
Jeremy Stern’s work “Following” at UNR's Sheppard Gallery was brilliant in many ways. It incorporated several different aspects including painting, digital technology, sound and user interactivity — all of which add a unique element to the piece.
Each of these elements were executed seamlessly, which tied the piece together well.
“Following” transformed the gallery into a starscape of Reno that produced sounds from the meadows as patrons walked across the gallery’s floor. The precision used to record sounds and play them back on the gallery floor’s imaginary map of Reno is astonishing. Having worked with the Arduino and various sound recording and editing software myself, I understand that this was not an easy task.
The exhibit really allowed people to connect with their environment in a way they likely wouldn’t in the real outdoors. It forced people to stop and listen to the sounds while gazing at the constellations splashed across the walls.
The idea of having the stars painted on the walls, rather than the ceiling, created an atmosphere that made visitors feel part of the environment rather than a distant observer.
I think that painting the map of Reno on the gallery floor that Stern used as a guide to record and play back his sounds would have added an even better effect. Although I had the pleasure of listening to Stern explain his work, much would have been lost had I explored the gallery without the knowledge that the grid-like floor had an imaginary map of Reno on it and that the sounds were from those actual locations. If Stern would have gone the extra step to replicate a map, the work would speak more for itself.
It would have been interesting to be able to visually see where in Reno one was standing while hearing the sounds. Without this visual element, I feel like it is hard to imagine the exact locations in which the sounds were recorded. Since so much work went into recording and playing back sounds based on these Reno locations, the map would have carried that vision through better.
Questions for the artist:
1. What made you decide to come up with this project?
2. How do you think people responded to your exhibit? Can you give some examples?
*Photo credit: unr.edu
3.18.2011
Machinima (Art 343/381: Critical Play)
Artist's Statement: I used Second Life to illustrate my favorite poem, "Theme for English B" by Langston Hughes. In Second Life, my character walks around a virtual Harlem, set in the 1950s when the poem was written. I think together, the video and audio, work to show how some 22 year olds can feel in life. Although the poem focuses on race as reasons for alienation — it can be related to other college students. It speaks to what life experiences create one's theme.
3.17.2011
Arduino: 4 (ART 350: Advanced Digital Media)
Here are some pictures of the final stages of my project. Almost done!
Here is the box I built to serve as both the interface for the user and storage for all the wiring:
Much of my spring break was spent wiring the buttons to my Arduino and finishing the code to make them work. I had A LOT of trouble figuring out how to get all the wires hooked up properly for my buttons. When one wire comes loose, all the sounds just go off at once and it's a crazy disaster of noise. I'm still figuring out a solution for this.
Test 1-2-3:
A shot will all 10 buttons hooked up:
Here is the box I built to serve as both the interface for the user and storage for all the wiring:
Much of my spring break was spent wiring the buttons to my Arduino and finishing the code to make them work. I had A LOT of trouble figuring out how to get all the wires hooked up properly for my buttons. When one wire comes loose, all the sounds just go off at once and it's a crazy disaster of noise. I'm still figuring out a solution for this.
Test 1-2-3:
A shot will all 10 buttons hooked up:
3.16.2011
Lecture Critique: 2 (ART 343/381: Critical Play)
Artist: Suzanne Joelson
Suzanne Joelson presented her work as the closing guest lecturer for the “Myself” exhibit at UNR's Sheppard Gallery.
Since her work was not self-portraiture, it didn’t seem that she fit as a lecturer for this exhibit. Her piece, “Sky Flew” that was featured in the “Myself” exhibit was also not a self portrait, so I’m not sure why it was included in the exhibit other than because she was the speaker.
That aside, Joelson shared a variety of her work and experiences to a packed lecture hall in the Church Fine Arts building. However interesting, I don’t necessarily like the style of her work. While she continued to claim she doesn’t consider her work abstract, I would argue that it most certainly is. Her work lacks realism and only vaguely mimics the faces she pointed out in her paintings.
I do, however, find her mediums interesting. I like the idea of painting on various surfaces, such as doors, which “Sky Flew” is on. She also had several works on handkerchiefs, which adds an extra layer of dimension to her pieces that would not be there had they been presented on plain canvas.
As a lecturer, Joelson did a great job presenting her work. I appreciated the dozens of examples of her work. She also took time to explain her inspirations and the creation process, which allows the viewer to better understand the background of the artist’s work.
Questions for the artist:
1. Why don't you consider your art abstract?
2. What made you want to explore other, more unique mediums?
*Photo credit: alfred.vassar.edu
Suzanne Joelson presented her work as the closing guest lecturer for the “Myself” exhibit at UNR's Sheppard Gallery.
Since her work was not self-portraiture, it didn’t seem that she fit as a lecturer for this exhibit. Her piece, “Sky Flew” that was featured in the “Myself” exhibit was also not a self portrait, so I’m not sure why it was included in the exhibit other than because she was the speaker.
That aside, Joelson shared a variety of her work and experiences to a packed lecture hall in the Church Fine Arts building. However interesting, I don’t necessarily like the style of her work. While she continued to claim she doesn’t consider her work abstract, I would argue that it most certainly is. Her work lacks realism and only vaguely mimics the faces she pointed out in her paintings.
I do, however, find her mediums interesting. I like the idea of painting on various surfaces, such as doors, which “Sky Flew” is on. She also had several works on handkerchiefs, which adds an extra layer of dimension to her pieces that would not be there had they been presented on plain canvas.
As a lecturer, Joelson did a great job presenting her work. I appreciated the dozens of examples of her work. She also took time to explain her inspirations and the creation process, which allows the viewer to better understand the background of the artist’s work.
Questions for the artist:
1. Why don't you consider your art abstract?
2. What made you want to explore other, more unique mediums?
*Photo credit: alfred.vassar.edu
Exhibit Critique: 1 (Art 343/381: Critical Play)
Exhibit: “Myself: A Survey of Contemporary Self-Portraiture” at the Sheppard Gallery, by various artists
The “Myself” exhibit at Sheppard Gallery was a great way to better understand my peers, as their self portraiture displayed a deeper look within their selves.
What struck me most about the exhibit was the number of mediums used to produce the works. Rather than displaying traditional photographs or paint on canvas, the artists really tested the boundaries and used more innovative art forms. Just a few of these were: cotton crochet over wire; video; egg tempura, colored gesso, gold, aluminum and copper leaf on wood panel; crocheted human hair; and wood and metal objects.
I think the various mediums added another layer to the works. The technique used to create the actual portrait also tells the viewer something about the artist.
Although each of the works were extremely well done, some did not appear to be self portraiture at all. It was difficult for me to understand how one can picture him or herself as a tree or Petri dish. If these were works were supposed to be just art, rather than self-portraiture than they did not belong in the exhibit. If the artist did indeed intend on the work as a reflection of one’s self, then perhaps a statement next to the work to better explain the piece would have served it well.
In fact, even for the pieces that were more straight-forward self-portraiture work – a statement next to the work would have added another detail. As a viewer of the exhibit, I would have liked to read a little bit about the artist’s insight on each piece.
My favorite work in the “Myself” exhibit was “Beginning” by Amy Guidry. She painted herself woven with butterflies, birds and other creatures of nature with acrylic on canvas. I think the piece is absolutely beautiful, and shows a great realistic and flawless painting technique. The work captured the “wow” factor, and showed something not the average person can create. It also displayed creativity in weaving other creatures with the self, but did not go too far over the edge where the work did not capture the artist’s persona.
Questions for the curator:
1. How did you choose which pieces to include in the exhibit?
2. What is your take on some of the pieces not showing typical self-portraiture?
*Photo credit: "Myself" exhibit brochure
The “Myself” exhibit at Sheppard Gallery was a great way to better understand my peers, as their self portraiture displayed a deeper look within their selves.
What struck me most about the exhibit was the number of mediums used to produce the works. Rather than displaying traditional photographs or paint on canvas, the artists really tested the boundaries and used more innovative art forms. Just a few of these were: cotton crochet over wire; video; egg tempura, colored gesso, gold, aluminum and copper leaf on wood panel; crocheted human hair; and wood and metal objects.
I think the various mediums added another layer to the works. The technique used to create the actual portrait also tells the viewer something about the artist.
Although each of the works were extremely well done, some did not appear to be self portraiture at all. It was difficult for me to understand how one can picture him or herself as a tree or Petri dish. If these were works were supposed to be just art, rather than self-portraiture than they did not belong in the exhibit. If the artist did indeed intend on the work as a reflection of one’s self, then perhaps a statement next to the work to better explain the piece would have served it well.
In fact, even for the pieces that were more straight-forward self-portraiture work – a statement next to the work would have added another detail. As a viewer of the exhibit, I would have liked to read a little bit about the artist’s insight on each piece.
My favorite work in the “Myself” exhibit was “Beginning” by Amy Guidry. She painted herself woven with butterflies, birds and other creatures of nature with acrylic on canvas. I think the piece is absolutely beautiful, and shows a great realistic and flawless painting technique. The work captured the “wow” factor, and showed something not the average person can create. It also displayed creativity in weaving other creatures with the self, but did not go too far over the edge where the work did not capture the artist’s persona.
Questions for the curator:
1. How did you choose which pieces to include in the exhibit?
2. What is your take on some of the pieces not showing typical self-portraiture?
*Photo credit: "Myself" exhibit brochure
3.10.2011
Lecture Critique: 1 (ART 343/381: Critical Play)
Artist: Joseph DeLappe
Joseph DeLappe kicked off the “Small Talk, Big Ideas” series at the University of Nevada, Reno in February. DeLappe’s presentation was both innovative and relevant in this changing digital age.
The idea to incorporate a political message into gaming is one I hadn’t considered before seeing DeLappe’s work. I think the best use of this technique, both visually and conceptually, is “Dead in Iraq.”
The performance piece, which is still active, uses a U.S. military shooting game as a backdrop to name the troops who have died.
I think listing the names of dead soldiers while people virtually engage in a deadly war using uniformed soldier avatars to shoot each other raises important questions for society. The ability for the artwork to communicate a message adds an extra layer of complexity and credibility to the piece. As the work transcends art and becomes a sort-of social experiment, reactions to it become more meaningful.
Although conceptually it does not make such a large political statement, DeLappe’s simulation of Ghandi’s Salt March is also very intriguing. The work blurs lines between both past and present, and also the virtual world versus reality. Using technology to explore all of these contexts adds an interesting discussion about the digital world’s impact on society and people’s thought processes.
DeLappe’s presentation of his work displayed both the visual representations through screen shots and videos, giving the audience a good grasp of his projects. He also thoroughly explained the concept behind each of his works, adding insight that might not otherwise be known by just looking at the works at face value.
DeLappe thoroughly explained what led him to start his projects, as well as how he executed each. This type of inclusion in his lecture allowed the audience to better understand the art.
Questions for the artist:
1. What made you want to piece together art, political messages and gaming?
2. What are your thoughts on the public reaction to your work?
*Photo credit: unr.edu
Joseph DeLappe kicked off the “Small Talk, Big Ideas” series at the University of Nevada, Reno in February. DeLappe’s presentation was both innovative and relevant in this changing digital age.
The idea to incorporate a political message into gaming is one I hadn’t considered before seeing DeLappe’s work. I think the best use of this technique, both visually and conceptually, is “Dead in Iraq.”
The performance piece, which is still active, uses a U.S. military shooting game as a backdrop to name the troops who have died.
I think listing the names of dead soldiers while people virtually engage in a deadly war using uniformed soldier avatars to shoot each other raises important questions for society. The ability for the artwork to communicate a message adds an extra layer of complexity and credibility to the piece. As the work transcends art and becomes a sort-of social experiment, reactions to it become more meaningful.
Although conceptually it does not make such a large political statement, DeLappe’s simulation of Ghandi’s Salt March is also very intriguing. The work blurs lines between both past and present, and also the virtual world versus reality. Using technology to explore all of these contexts adds an interesting discussion about the digital world’s impact on society and people’s thought processes.
DeLappe’s presentation of his work displayed both the visual representations through screen shots and videos, giving the audience a good grasp of his projects. He also thoroughly explained the concept behind each of his works, adding insight that might not otherwise be known by just looking at the works at face value.
DeLappe thoroughly explained what led him to start his projects, as well as how he executed each. This type of inclusion in his lecture allowed the audience to better understand the art.
Questions for the artist:
1. What made you want to piece together art, political messages and gaming?
2. What are your thoughts on the public reaction to your work?
*Photo credit: unr.edu
3.06.2011
Arduino: 3 (ART 350: Advanced Digital Media)
My goals for this week's critique were to choose the materials to be used for my interface and to develop a working prototype. I met both of my goals.
1. Materials
I have decided to use binder's board to build a kiosk-type interface for my project. It will basically look like an upside down box, except the top will be slanted to look more like a typical interactive device. The "box" will house the Arduino and be a way to hide much of the wiring.
I will cover the binder's board with decorative paper. I plan to make my own paper using bubble art. The way I plan to do this is by mixing paint, dish soap and water together in a dish. Then, using a straw, I will blow a large bubble to the top of the bowl. I will place the paper over the bubble in order to decorate the paper. I will then layer sheets of paper with this effect to cover the binder's board.
I think the idea of bubble art will match the concept nicely. Since life is never perfect and can hardly be planned, the unpredictability of the bubble art goes well with the text on my project.
I practiced this effect to make sure that my idea will work. Here's a few photos of the process and some of the sheets:
1. Materials
I have decided to use binder's board to build a kiosk-type interface for my project. It will basically look like an upside down box, except the top will be slanted to look more like a typical interactive device. The "box" will house the Arduino and be a way to hide much of the wiring.
I will cover the binder's board with decorative paper. I plan to make my own paper using bubble art. The way I plan to do this is by mixing paint, dish soap and water together in a dish. Then, using a straw, I will blow a large bubble to the top of the bowl. I will place the paper over the bubble in order to decorate the paper. I will then layer sheets of paper with this effect to cover the binder's board.
I think the idea of bubble art will match the concept nicely. Since life is never perfect and can hardly be planned, the unpredictability of the bubble art goes well with the text on my project.
I practiced this effect to make sure that my idea will work. Here's a few photos of the process and some of the sheets:
2. Working prototype
I had hoped to import my own sounds using the Waveshield. After putting together the Waveshield two weeks ago, and then testing it throughout the past two weeks — I have decided that this will not work for the time constraints of this project. I somehow compiled it wrong and because it is soldered, would need a new shield to correct the error.
Instead, I will use the tonal sounds through the regular Arduino board. I think I can still get the project to work with my concept using this. The sounds will still be powered by buttons. The sound played will be based upon what the user selects as their "word or phrase." And the sounds will still loop while the user is filling in the blanks. The sounds will stop about 5 seconds after the user is done.
I actually think the tonal sounds might work better than my original idea because they will sound better together when looped with multiple sounds of the same nature.
I decided not to keep the loop going for more than one person because I think it will get too jumbled and take away from the personal nature of being able to hear the sounds the individual user chooses.
Here is the video clip of all the sounds I made:
The last thing I need to do before building my interface is to get the sounds working with input. I looked up the code I want to use for it, but am waiting for my buttons to come in. They were supposed to be here Friday but had not arrived when I checked before the weekend.
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