:: Intro to New Media Art :: - Mr. McPherson

October 4, 2010
by :: Intro to New Media Art :: - Mr. McPherson

Photographic Structural MASHUP!!!!

There are dozens of examples of photographic standards, or "structures". For instance:

The Hunting Photo: Most hunting photos have similar attributes, smiling faces, natural landscape, dead animal. Most hunting photos also have the human centered in the photo, hovering over the animal.

Example 1
Example 2

The Mug Shot: Very, very consistent structural standard over the years. Specific pose, specific lighting type, specific props... Mug shots are easy to spot.

Example 1
Example 2

High-Fashion Magazine Cover: Changes over the years. Common themes: Unnatural lighting (these days its common to see robotic rings of light in models' eyes) Expressionless faces, unusual makeup, strange poses, single-color background.

Example 1
Example 2

ASSIGNMENT: RECONSTRUCTED FAMILY PHOTOS

We are going to produce a "Reconstructed Family Photo". It will have similiar attributes to a family studio photo, (soft lighting, 2D background, "head and shoulders" poses, but will have elements from other photographic standards. With this assignment, you are to compose your photo with your group, and then we will head to the WAC photo studio during out next class period and make it happen.

This exercise is about semiology and visual language. Western traditions in amateur photography are CHOCK FULL of semiology and visual language. We are going to exercise a long-held artistic tradition of referencing and challenging established standards in art - and in everyday life.

1. Look at some of your own old family studio photos as a reference. What do you notice?

2. Consider your options. What changes can you make to these photos to have them reference other photographic standards?

3. Consult with your group. Pre-compose your photos. If you are using props, make sure to bring them to class on studio day.

Email me with questions!!!!

I look forward to the outcome of this assignment!

















The Red Hot Chili Peppers' referenced the "Family Photo Structural Standard" for one of their band promos.

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October 6, 2010
by :: Intro to New Media Art :: - Mr. McPherson

Soundscape Project RESTRICTION LIST

Here are the rules and restrictions for your Garageband project. I LOVE rules and restrictions!


1. You MAY use the pre-recorded drum loops in Garage band.

2. You MAY NOT use any other pre-recorded loop in Garage band! Make your own melodies (if you're even making a melody...!

3. Your sound project must contain at least one recorded element.

4. You do not have to produce a "song", you may produce an abstract soundscape, or even a radio drama.



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September 8, 2010
by :: Intro to New Media Art :: - Mr. McPherson

PROJECT: Interactive Digital Collage in Powerpoint

Yikes, talk about non-traditional art mediums!

Lead singer of Talking Heads and weirdo contemporary artist David Byrne created an original work of art ENTIRELY in Microsoft Powerpoint! Think of the possibilities... A painting/collage that moves, makes sounds, has clickable material, access to the internet, video capability, multiple layers...



So, Intro To New Media Art Students, we are going to dive into this territory as well. You will be making an original art work using Microsoft PowerPoint as your medium.

>>>=====>> Please understand... you're not making a POWERPOINT. A Powerpoint is for presenting facts and data to an audience, usually for businesses and educators. You are making an abstract work, taking advantage of the affordances of Powerpoint technology!

Ideas for jumping in:

1. What are the affordances of Powerpoint? What CAN it do?
a. It has multiple pages, or "slides"
b. It has the ability to be "clicked", adding interactivity
c. It has the capability to play numerous multimedia forms: music, sound effects, video
d. It can contain links to the internet
e. It can be set to play and loop automatically


RESTRICTIONS/RULES (updated 9-18-10)

1. Must be influenced by the Pop Art movement.
2. Must contain no more than 5 unaltered images (you can edit your images at Aviary.com)
3. Cannot contain images created before 1987 (the year Powerpoint was unveiled


I'm very interested in seeing what you come up with. Let me know if you have any trouble...





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September 1, 2010
by :: Intro to New Media Art :: - Mr. McPherson

FLUX KITS

FLUX KITS























George Maciunas, 1964

Fluxus ( "to flow" in Latin) - is/was a collective of artists, composers, and designers, who led a revolutionary creative movement, starting in the 1960s. Their work was produced in several interdisciplinary media: 2D art, installation, performance, design, music/sound, and architecture, just to name a few. One of their common "modes" consisted of "Flux Kits" or "Flux Boxes" -- small, portable boxes filled with materials and objects, familiar to the artist. You could think of them as small biographies, in briefcase form! Sometimes these artworks were sold and traded through the mail!

>>>>>====let's make some flux kits================>>























Joseph Beuys, 1981

Here's what to do:

First, find or build a box. The box can be a small suitcase, a briefcase, an old lunchbox, one that you built from wood or cardboard. Flux kits traditionally have a handle, hence their portable nature. Find or create small, meaningful objects to place and display inside the box. These can be nearly any object, or made from any material, as long as they say something about you, or convey something you wish to convey. Reach for symbolism in this process. A bundle of twigs might mean a bundle of twigs to me, but it might mean family to you. See what I mean?

Virtually any material can be placed in your box. You could even turn your fluxkit into a small house, complete with walls and miniature furniture. Think outside the box (no pun intended)!

We'll work on this project throughout the semester.

Follow these links to read about/look at some FLUX KITS.




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August 23, 2010
by :: Intro to New Media Art :: - Mr. McPherson

CONTEMPORARY ART PRIMER

You’ve been assigned to a team. Each team has a list of a few artists, widely perceived as important in their respective fields and movements. Your job is to look at their work and describe to the class what it is that you see.
____

1. Find 3 to 5 hi-res work examples for each artist online.
Try to find a picture of the artist, too (if you can). Learn a little about each artists’ life, and what ART MOVEMENT they were/are associated with.

2. Put the images into a presentation on Google Docs.

3. Really LOOK at the work. Help your team to prepare a presentation. Be prepared to speak briefly about each artist, their work, and the movements they were involved in. Mainly, examine their work. Try to describe only what you see, without passing judgement on the work (yet). Use lots of descriptive words to help your presentation. Remember, try not to pass judgement on the work. YET!


“Indian No. 16” by Fritz Scholder, 1967, oil on canvas, 71 x 71 inches





















"Indian No. 16" by Fritz Scholder, oil on canvas, 71"x 71"

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August 20, 2010
by :: Intro to New Media Art :: - Mr. McPherson

Welcome

Welcome to Intro to New Media Art!

This blog will be a source of information throughout the semester, as well as a quiz prep. Check back often!

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