Chapter 3 Response

Ken Feingold work is very interesting in relationship to digital art. Feingold plunges into the realm of artificial intelligence through his works of using mechanized heads that use speech recognition. For example in his work If/Then Feingold explores the concept of ever-changing dialogue. I find it very intriguing how Feingold uses such off setting objects that we as humans can identify as human characteristics in a digital atmosphere.  Through his project people can influence the human heads by logging onto a website where they can see their effect in the gallery space. The use of interaction between the human heads results in access to imagination and thoughts of the heads.

This concept of digging into the consciousness is very interesting in perspective to the digital realm. I feel that as a human we are always wondering what other’s thoughts are and by Feingold’s work this becomes a reality to a certain degree. I find the concept of the randomness of human conversations is also presented between the human heads.

Giving digital technology human characteristics so we can relate to one another is also seen in Eric Paulo’s and John Canny work in PRoP-Personal Roving Presence. The robots engage in simple everyday human activities while revolving in a certain space. I find this very interesting in relationship to digital technology because something foreign in human nature is being transformed to mimic human characteristics, and also allows the interaction between digital and human to occur.            

            Both of the works that I touched on are trying to allow communication between digital and human. I feel that this sets up a standard for allowing technology to advance as well as communication between the two mediums. The need for human representation in digital technologies and realms results in need to find human characteristics and functions in something that is not human at all.  By doing this we can better relate to digital technology and build a relationship between human and machine. 

http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/nyregion/1-in-8-million/index.html#lolita_wolf

Project 3: Rabbit hole into the digital realm

Chapter 2 Response

Michael Naimark (1995-7) Be Now Here project captivated my sense of interest. Naimark’s immersive virtual environment gives the viewer a sense of escape from the space in reality to another virtual space somewhere across the world. This project is very intriguing because the virtual environment allows the viewer to escape into another part of the world by using representational 3D images of endangered places.

Not only does the viewer look through 3D glasses equipped with audio but also motion is added to the overall experience by a 16 foot rotating floor. If I were the viewer for this project I would be very excited to take the virtual tour to an endangered place I would probably never have the opportunity to go to. This project allows the viewers to experience endangered places without booking a plane ticket themselves. The virtual space of the project captivates the sense of moving from one place to the next without actual leaving at all.

I find the project interesting because the viewer is not shown one image of an endangered place but rather the image expands around the city showing what is to the left to the right, in front and behind. This gives the viewer even more feeling of actual being there, creating a sense of realism. I find it interesting that Naimark’s project focuses on representational images showing a realistic projection of what the cities look like and how people interact. Coming from a photojournalism perspective this project shows the viewer the reality of the place not a made up form of it even though it is a virtual environment.

Naimark defines the term as ‘dimensionalized movies’ which I feel is an important factor in depicting 3D movies today.  In other words the advancement of 3D technology is becoming more prevalent. It seems that every new movie coming out today is in 3D. Naimark’s project opened the doors into a 3D virtual environment that moves across spaces. I find this project the building blocks to ‘dimensionalized movies’ and it will only continue to evolve as the revolution of technology advances. 

Project 2 Fabrication

Chapter One Response

Through out the digital revolution, digital art has evolved into major changes since first established. German artist Jochem Hendricks opened the door into a new perspective of digital art and technologies. Hendricks creates his artwork only by the use of his eye and the movement around objects. By using a special helmet equipped with Infrared sensors Hendricks is able to digitalize the recording of eye movements. The recordings are evaluated in the computer coordinating points on the x and y-axis. The finished result looks like physical ink drawings varying in line measure and direction.

The recordings

Hendricks process of using digital technology literally records the perspective of the eye as a piece of artwork. When looking at the artwork the Eye 2001 the piece as a whole reveals a pattern of eye movement across the page. The line movement shifts from right to left from top to bottom and shifts across of other locations as the eye focuses on something else. Hendricks has given the concept of creating art not by the use of hands by the use of drawing with your eyes. The idea of the vision of the artist seen on paper is one concept that truly is captured only by the technological advancement of the computer and other digital technologies. I think that Hendricks use of the computer is essential for this type of project without technology to evaluate the data eye movement could not be recorded.

I feel that Hendricks artwork is compelling in nature for the fact that we do not think about the movement of the eye as something we can physically see. Putting eye movement on paper is interesting to look at and perceives a relationship between pattern and movement. The form of Hendricks work is abstract but each line has as a purpose, a path the eye took looking at different objects reveals a further meaning into the artwork alone. I feel that Hendricks could plunge deeper into a concept of recording the relationship between eye movement and emotion. Does a person who is sad have a different measure in line than a person who is happy or excited? Is there a correlation between emotion and eye movement patterns?

Parodies and Advertisement

Absolute Vodka has very creative ads which some people may believe influences alcoholism. Ad Critics have made these type of parodies based off Absolute Vodka ads.
This type of parody conveys a different meaning than selling alcohol. It depicts the outcome of alcoholism by tying in the familiar logo of Absolute Vodka. The ad is not supposed to be funny but to remind people about the dangers of drinking.