Final Video Responses.

"Trailer for a Remake of Gore Vidal's 'Caligula'"-

A movie about the depravity of Caligula, or any ancient leader for that matter, is usually unnecessarily chock full of sex scenes and nudity. By graphically depicting the debauchery of Caligula's Rome, down to the gilded strap-ons, Francesco Vezzoli affectively mocks Hollywood's love of romanticizing and sexualizing even the most tragic of histories. This type of graphic imagery is thrust upon us, even peering out from behind "The Immaculate Birth of Jesus Christ". Courtney Love's monologue at the end, with all of its meandering, mysterious nonsense, underlines Hollywood's tendency to pick and choose parts of history to put on screen to make money. Where are all of the murders Caligula ordered? Where is his prized horse and consul? Where are scenes of Caligula waging war on Poseidon? They are lost in the annals of history, and instead we see the anals of Hollywood.

"Stealing Beauty" Guy Ben-Ner-

IKEA is popular due to the artificial, mass-produced domestic spaces they create through their showrooms and catalogues. The create pre-assembled spaces and moods affordable by many (and easily assembled by a skilled few. Creating a thought out family drama within an IKEA showroom speaks to not just consumer culture, but also the popularities of sitcoms. An IKEA showroom is a Hollywood soundstage without the cost: we can all relate to both; we can envision our families talking about notes home from school or the importance of hard work in these spaces. This work speaks to capitalism as a whole, but also to our desire to have uniform family lives, replicated in sitcoms and in our cultural narrative.

Paul McCarthy “Painter”-

In an hour, Paul McCarthy mocks the art world in a way in which many other artists have in a 5-10 minute short. His large nosed, glove handed, caricature is more disturbing than compelling. Through his bafoonish mark-making and actions he marks the likes of Rothko, Pollock, and others whose paintings sell for millions, in a way that feels elementary. At the end of the hour, I feel as though I've just overheard someone at a museum say that they could paint that.

Rachel Rose-

Rose's work combines images and sounds in order to create complex environments. In Sitting, Feeding, Sleeping, we are taken from scientific exploration, to animal imagery, to point of view footage of someone skateboarding. What strikes me most is her ability to merge these seemingly disparate ideas and images into a cohesive environment. It is important to note that she creates environments, not simple narratives, presenting spaces with which one feels they can interact. The use of sound, changing but consistent, powerful but ambient, truly creates these environments and carries one effortless through her video.

Paul Pfeiffer-

Pfeiffer's work with sports imagery is very intriguing within the realm of video art due to inherent nature in video of dealing with identity. By morphing images of celebrities, the idea of athletic iconography is shifted. Athleticism is considered a largely individualistic pursuit. Even in cases of team sports certain individuals gain celebrity status, becoming individuals and not team members. Big names like Shaquille ONeill brand themselves, selling products and gaining notice outside of sports. By distorting the individual identity of some of our nations most loved celebrities, Pfeiffer addresses the iconographic essence of this type of celebrity. His work with identity is done through abolishing the individual to create an icon.

Handwash 9.

Handwash 8.

Handwash 7.

Updated Poster.

Late Face.

Handwash 33.

Handwash 32.

Handwash 31.

Handwash 30.

Handwash 29.

Handwash 28.

Final

https://youtu.be/j6g2v0RVJQY

Handwash 27.

Handwash 26.

Handwash 25.

Handwash 24.

Handwash 23.

Video: The Aesthetics of Narcissism

This reading immediately brought to mind the works of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the works of Jan Van Eyck that they referenced. The particular images I am referencing are attached:

The use of mirrors, and interaction with the viewer in the creation of image in their picture plane questioned ideas of life-like depiction and the "reality" portrayed in art at the time. Their contemporarily "modern" art questioned ideas of self, authenticity, image, and the relationship between them. These ideas of modernism are parallel to the ideas of modernism in relation to video art, as discussed in the article. I believe questions of identity are integral to any "modern" art form.

Handwash 22.

Handwash 21.

Handwash 20.

Handwash 19.

Handwash 18.

Handwash 17.

Handwash 16.

Handwash 15.

Handwash 14.

Handwash 13.

handwash 12.

handwash 11.

handwash 10.

Handwash 6.

Handwash 5.

The Most Fun Girl in Hollywood

Handwash 4.

Sugar

Oh, Honey Honey.

Access to nutritious foods for all levels of society has always been an important issue in my mind, but this article shed light on certain numbers that really shocked me. Less than .5% of agricultural subsidies go to fruit and vegetables in this country, a number that wreaks of corruption and hypocrisy. Although not touched upon in this article, I wonder how much the processed food and big pharmaceutical companies are in cahoots. In the tax payers mind, the better the diet of the average American is, the less medical care they will need. But, things like insulin and blood pressure medication are in the end a product to make a profit off of.

Politics aside, the tactics used by these "food" corporations are jarring when taken out of context. The advertising, full of vague claims, bright colors, and emotional imagery is just as sugary sweet and the products they're selling. But with the slightest bit of analysis these facades come tumbling down. However, the hundreds of millions of dollars spent on this advertising creates this contexts and reinforces these walls.

handwash 3.

handwash 2.

Manufacturing Consent

      Having read "Media Control" in 9th grade, Chomsky's work laid the foundation for many of my world views and budding activism. "Manufacturing Consent", however, brings up interesting questions in my own mind about the role of the artist in their culture's media.
      I immediately think of a dilemma my brother recently faced as a freelance audio technician: Does he take a job for a pro-fracking conglomerate if the pay is good enough? How complicit can we be in the systems we are opposed to? Does our livelihood take precedence over our morals? He chose not to take the job, largely because he was able to find other work for that time period. But for those who do not have the privilege of finding other work, or who simply are shielded from the true interests of their employers, this is not an option.
      All forms of response to oppressive systems have privilege. Would Chomsky be the lauded intellectual he is today if he were a person of color, a woman, or someone living outside of the ideal Western nuclear family? However, his choice in confronting not only individual privilege, but also cultural systems of power (inherently privileged) is commendable. The personal responsibilities he touts for every person in a society, however true, are refuted by individual positions of inferiority in this system. The system itself, as he points out, is incredibly effective in creating this cycle. It creates an inescapable system of oppression, where even when the oppressed discover its offenses are unable to act.
     Not only as an artist, but as a college student at Temple University, I find myself struggling with this dilemma. Just as MIT encouraged its students to enter into bomb making, etc, I too feel myself being coerced into a similar "bomb making". Temple takes my money to create football arenas in the place of former high schools, while systematically ignoring the plight that surrounds it. School rankings in fields from law to football are forced up so as to bring in more students to gradually replace long-time residents of our neighborhood. I will receive an education degree in order to "enlighten" the oppressed with the good word of Temple, its manufacture cultural narrative.
     The largest issue in the academia surrounding issues of power, privilege, and the media is "what do I do?" That is simply a question I do not know how to answer yet.

Composite

handwash.

Dorm Room Poster

Hot New Album

A response to 'My So-Called Opinions'

Historically, young people have been criticized for their opinions and their actions. From the restrictive Victorian laws preventing women from riding bicycles, to the condemnation of free-thinking "hippies" in the 60s and 70s, this narrative has constantly plagued our youth. Indecision is simply today's criticism for our youth. In my opinion, 'Pluralism' as Zachary Fine defines it, is a natural continuation of cultural critique coming after centuries of colonialism, and war, coupled with a stronger, more politically conscious class of young people. I would personally rather revel in this "indecision" than champion opinions that are totally devoid of context. Moreover, I can neither agree nor disagree with Fine's article until I engage in a thorough discussion about his race, gender, and socio-economic background.

What is your previous computer experience?

 

I use a computer almost everyday. I have used Photoshop, and Sketchup in prior BFA foundations classes. I have helped my brother do video editing in FinalCut Pro for his job as a freelance audio/video tech. I like using the Mac knockoff of Microsoft Paint to make funny pictures.  

What do you hope to get out of this class?

 

I hope to improve my confidence with these programs. I can figure out how to make Photoshop do what I want eventually, but I would like it if working with these programs were more enjoyable.

What is the relationship between computers and visual studies?

Computers are today's major source of information. They supply us images, knowledge, news, entertainment. Being able to properly synthesize this information is an important part of interacting with the world around us.

 

What is your experience with Photoshop and Illustrator?

I have used Photoshop to edit photos, make 3 or so design projects for class, as well as the occasional poster for my friend who does events.

 

Do you have a computer at home? If so does it have Photoshop and Illustrator?

Yes, and no.

 

Do you use a Mac or PC?

Mac.

 

Who is your favorite artist?

Sheila Hicks.

 

Who is your favorite musician? 

Joanna Newsom.

 

Tell me something interesting about yourself?

I made over 30 pints of pickles from homegrown cucumbers this summer. Sweet and dill.

 

Write a five line story?

I've been sweating since I woke up. A man on the subway had a large wound. Everyone looked away. I got here in time to buy a coffee. I'm saving my money.

 

Upload one image