By EmilyH on December 6th, 2009, 12:00 pm 1 Comments
This project (link) breaks boundaries of distance using sensors, digital signals and comforting smells of traditional food. This is how it works: A participant blows into a sensor in Beijing, China which transmits a digital signal to a computer in Linz, China. The computer in Linz signals a fan to turn on and releases scents for “Spicy Hot Pot” (A Chinese Delicacy), into the air. The different scents are familiar foods or tea from the Chinese culture. This installation is supposed to evoke the feeling of scents traveling without boundaries.
This project is created by the artistic group 8GG interactive. The group is made up of artists from Beijing who also work with video, music, web art and do live visual-audio performances.
I can understand why the scents of traditional foods are chosen for this installation. However, I think it would be interesting to include scents that were distinct a culture, then transmit them to a location where those smells are unfamiliar. It would break boundaries of distance and ethnicity. Also, this installation reminds me of one Justin mentioned in class. It involves a person choosing the position of lights on a digital 3D map through the internet, which then transmits to the real installation of lights in another city.
By EmilyH on November 29th, 2009, 12:00 pm 4 Comments
We all know that it’s hard to write an essay or actually get work done on our computers. There are so many distractions like, Facebook, imdb, Wikipedia…anything! Self control is an application (for Mac’s) that blocks our access to incoming and outgoing email, and websites of your choice. You can block these things, but still use a web browser for something else. For instance, if you had to do research online. As soon as the timer is set, you can not stop the program by turning off your computer or even deleting the application!
This application was developed by Charlie Stigler for Steve Lambert at Eyebeam. Stigler is a high school student in the US who is interested in computer security.
Justin actually mentioned another program similar to this in class. I definitely need this application, however, I would probably find something else to distract me, like surfing Google or online shopping. I love the idea though. When it comes to homework very few student have the self control to focus on one thing at a time.
This is how the game is played: There are 2 players at one time, who sit at a “poker style” table. Each of them chose 5 of their favourite YouTube videos to be their hand of “cards.”
These are special cards that use augmented reality. This means there is a symbol on a physical object (the card) which a computer can recognize. A digital image (the Youtube video) can be superimposed onto it.
Then, they compete by showing their video on a large screen. The audience votes on which video they like the most by shooting a target with laser pointers.
This game seems simple enough. Crouse and Meyers say that it creates a new way to share YouTube videos that involves performance and a social setting, rather than sitting at a computer with your group of friends.
I don’t know how I feel about this “game.” Honestly, the concept seems a little bit ridiculous. I admit that I can spend hours searching YouTube videos, however I feel as though I would get bored if I were an audience member OR and competitor in YouTube Wars.
By EmilyH on November 16th, 2009, 10:27 pm 5 Comments
This digital image series titled, “Infected Art” is by Alex Dragulescu. These images are basically a digital representation of computer viruses, worms, spam email, blogs and video games. Dragulescu created a computer program that looks for codes and uses algorithms to digitally “grow” 3D images. This means he doesn’t physically draw or design the images. The computer simply analyzes data codes and maps out the patterns.
Dragulescu is a visual artist who uses tradition and new media. His work has been featured all around Europe and now North America.
I think it is interesting how Dragulescu says his art is “a surprise every time!” Also, these images remind me of a project I did a while back in high school with fractals. It required me to create mathematical equation, then the computer transforms it into a geometric pattern.
By EmilyH on November 8th, 2009, 12:00 pm 3 Comments
This is an interactive art project by Daniel Rozin. It involved 835 wooden tiles that move to create a mirror image. Each piece of wood is motorized by a computer and moves up and down to change how the light hits it. The little camera in the middle takes 15 pictures per second and converts the image to gray scale. Then, the pixel colours correspond to a specific angle to create the image with light.
I think this art piece is awesome! At first, the concept seemed really confusing, but after watching many of Rozin’s videos, this projects seems like something I would challenge myself to complete! I also think it would be interesting in a gallery setting because it’s surprising to the viewer, when they see themselves IN the art. Judging by my previous blog posts, I have discovered the I really LOVE interactive art! I believe it can challenge the viewer’s skills or confuse them, and it always creates different results.
Daniel Rozin has many other projects that follow these concept of angles, colours and mirror images.
By EmilyH on November 1st, 2009, 8:00 pm 6 Comments
This new technology created by the company Orange is trying to make shopping easy, but still interactive. The customer can browse through music videos and movie trailers on a screen through a store window by gesturing their hand across it. It is NOT a touch screen. Another reason for this technological development is that it allows customers to “shop” when the store is closed. How will this change our shopping experience? Will it affect our purchasing?
I know this is not technically “art,” however this caught my attention because I have come by interactive installations that use this gesturing technique, where the viewer does not have to physically touch the screen. I went to an art show that had laser eye tag installation. Somehow the viewer can move their eye around to draw on the wall. Another installation I’ve heard of is a screen showing water that you can wave your hand across to create waves and ripples. Did this technology originate with art, then transition to everyday life? How will this change our way of living?
By EmilyH on October 25th, 2009, 12:00 pm 2 Comments
David Clark is the media designer of the interactive website aisforapple.com. A is for Apple is a non- linear internet projects that uses audio and images in a web of continuous associative links. It basically starts with the word “apple” and allows the viewer to click on related terms that link to different pages. He links everything from an apple to Yoko Ono to Freud. Each page is made up of interactive flash animations so be sure to move your mouse everywhere!
Clark has received various new media awards and done TV appearances for this other works. This project is suppose to look for hidden meanings and coincidences that start from the apple and lead to pop culture, language, science and more. I think that the flash animation and interactive images on this site are interesting and chaotic in a good way. However, I don’t quite understand the reason for these associations because I think it’s possibly to link any terms if your try hard enough. Is it a map… or a maze? I think Clark’s net art piece is visually interesting, but conceptually confusing.
If you are interested in more of David Clarks work, check out his project 88contellations.net.
By EmilyH on October 18th, 2009, 12:00 pm 1 Comments
The website ElectricityComesFromAnotherPlanet.com by Angelo Plessas is colourful and interactive net art. Plessas says that his inspiration for this project came from the movie Tron. He wanted this piece to be romantic as well as hypnotic. The website is basically made up of neon lines and a sun that acts as the ball, which viewers can drag around.
Angelo Plessas is an artist who lives in Greece. His works includes installations, prints, drawings and murals; however, recently he has been focusing on internet and culture. For this series of projects, which focuses on digital media, he created the Angelo Foundation.
I don’t necessarily see the “romantic” side of this piece, although it might have something to do with Tron. Nevertheless, I do see this piece as hypnotic and enjoy that it is interactive. It is so simple, but ever since I have discovered Plessas work, I find myself going back to the website when I am bored and just playing around.
Another interactive net project from Plessas is www.towersandpowers.com, which is also colourful and fun.
By EmilyH on October 12th, 2009, 9:45 pm 1 Comments
facebook censored
Greg Leuch who specializes in interface design and computer research is an expert at constructing different applications and plug-ins, such as his project Ctrl+F’d. This project is a “playful experiment” by Greg Leuch that addresses the issue of online censorship. Leuch says that many people believe what they can’t see, cannot be read, which is often false. This new media project involves a link that “blocks” out information on any website.
I think all of Leuch’s work is interesting. It shows that there are holes and glitches in the internet that people can learn to maneuver through if they have the knowledge and initiative. All technology has a way of breaking through its system. I am definitely one of those computer illiterate people the Leuch was talking about , which is way I think it is fascinating that people who computer whizzes, like Leuch, find creating plug-ins easy and something they would do in their free time!
Try this trick on your friends by bookmarking Ctrl+F’d and censoring the web pages that they visit!
By EmilyH on October 4th, 2009, 12:00 pm 1 Comments
As I was exploring Cory Arcangel’s site I found a project of his, from 2008, titled Top Ten Youtube Videos. It isn’t an official art project of his however, it does project information about his personality, opinions and what his art is essentially all about. He was asked by Frieze to make a list of his Top Ten Youtube Videos.
I found these videos interesting because I am always on Youtube. I constantly search videos only to find that the video is “no longer available,” then I proceed to get frustrated and practically abuse the “refresh” button. I guess I understand that some videos are removed for copy right purposes, but as soon as I saw Arcangel’s Top Ten Youtube Videos, I was eager to try bypassing this Youtube problem that everyone has. Of course, as soon as I am trying to find an “unavailable video” it becomes impossible!
I eventually found one and tried a method of adding “&fmt=18” to the URL just as the video said. Sadly, it did not work, but there are many other videos that show different whys of solving this problem. I’m definitely going to continue to try these methods. If anyone finds that a certain method works, please comment!
The fact that Arcangel chose these as his favourite Youtube videos, displays his huge interest in technology and hacking. I think that this list is the epitome of Arcangel’s work. It is the process of hacking or finding new possibilities, then sharing the results. This shows his interest in manipulating technology and taking control in order to make it work how the view wants. If you are interested in more of Arcangel’s favourite Youtube videos, you can find them here.
