How does technology mediate the artist experience?

Taking this class has opened my eyes to the various possibilities available in creating artwork. It has helped me see the capabilities of digital art, and see beyond the ways I previously thought technology could aid in the artistic process. Until our class viewed some examples of current art that incorporates technology, I would have never thought that cell phone ringtones could be used to create music. And it's not just that I wouldn't have considered ringtones music, but that the thought of using tons of ringtones at once for this purpose would not have even crossed my mind. I have also become more interested in the realm of film and using video editing programs like After-Effects to create spectacular videos. Part of what sparked this interest was viewing the remake of the 1980s Superbowl commercial to include Hillary Clinton, and the addition of the ipod to the commercial was especially clever. Up until this point, I had seen how programs, like Photoshop, could be used to create abstract or surreal works, but now, my view has expanded. I also gained more insight as to how art does not have strict boundaries (after all, it is art). By learning more about some of the pioneers of technology and technology-based art, such as Alan Kay with his Dynabook or Pierre Levy's idea of "collective intelligence," I have realized how absolutely necessary it is to break the traditional thought of what constitutes as art.
Technology can greatly mediate the artist experience in so many ways. For one, it has become extremely easy for anyone to film a video of themselves and use technology to manipulate the video to communicate their true meaning. I, for one, had never tried to manipulate film until a few days ago, where I recorded a clip of myself playing an instrument on my cell phone, transfered the file to my computer, and sent it through Windows Movie Maker. Within seconds, I was able to add various effects, such as filmgrain, to give my video the ambiance I thought was suitable. With these effects, it is extremely easy for a person to portray his or her feelings through the video, even if there are no sounds. It is also easier for a person to film/take a picture of/sculpt/(whatever else!) something else that person would consider art and put it on his or her website/Youtube page/blog page/etc. In terms of my art, I have become more prone to add the abstract to my pictures. Before this class, usually the most I would do with pictures was edit objects into or out of the picture and color black and white pictures. I have learned how important ambiance is in the creative process and have greatly changed my perception of how I thought technology mediated the artistic experience. I have also learned to "have more fun" with art...
And with that, I will end with a fun note (and one of my latest, but different creations):

Rocking on A campUs

Woodstock, 1969

A time for change,
A new beginning,
Freedom is in the air,
Try to use it.



"Dream On" - Aerosmith
Dreams of the past, Envisioning a better future, Dream for a better tomorrow, And make beauty encompass your world.



"Freebird" - Leonard Skynard
Freedom embodies this whole area, so look to your eagle for guidance and never give up.




"Stairway to Heaven" - Led Zeppelin
Follow the pathway, wherever it may lead, question everything you see, not everything is as it seems.




"We Are the Champions" - Queen
Everyone can be a hero, and save the day, Just go to Batelle, And see what your adviser has to say.




"Paint it Black" - The Rolling Stones
Rushing by in a flash,
Why notice the signs?
Ignore and paint them black,
Clear your mind.





"Life on Mars" - David BowieA foreign concept, for in the dead of winter, to find something that is so alive.




"Another Brick in the Wall" - Pink Floyd
Everything's the same, Orange and Pale Where's the individuality? Up above hails...




"My Generation" - The Who

Technology vs. Nature, Who will prevail? Only time will tell...



"Love Will Tear Us Apart" - Joy Division

Changing, Frustration, Fear, Beginning to An End, Visiting here will make or break your grade, It's up to you.

AU: More than meets the eye?

American University: a place of scholarly study and hard work....But is that really all there is within campus? I, for one, see much more in the campus than that! Every site on campus can be drawn back to a historical reference, and can even be connected to a musical reference! Various sites around campus represent ritual in that, as I previously mentioned, all the sites can be drawn to a historical, musical, or literary reference. The buildings represent ideology in that people from different political backgrounds come together to debate. There is also vision and ideology in the institution itself, and what American strives to be. There is security on campus because of Public Safety and the other various security measures AU takes to ensure the safety of its students. There is authority in that although we are young adults, we are still students and must usually follow the rules.


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AU: More than meets the eye? Map

Day 2: From Wagner to Virtual Reality

What were Ted Nelson's thoughts and inventions and how did they inspire others?
Nelson created a computer network system called Xanadu. Through this, and armed with his lack of trust for hierarchy, he created the "hyperlink," which now allowed an opportunity for texts in a nonlinear fashion. With this, readers could now jump from one idea to the next when reading/looking at someone else's work. This soon gave rise to the exploration of "non-linear terrain" by people such as William S. Burroughs. Burroughs was interested in writing with spontaneity's and thought non-linear writing would open up an abstract realm. In general, Burroughs felt that reading was like going into a web filled with different ideas, etc. With the "cut-up," Burroughs thought it would be even easier for the writer to make connections to various things, and enlighten the reader.

Tech Art versus Traditional Art

How have technological innovations expanded our options for creativity when compared to more traditional art forms?
Ever since the beginning of time, there has been art. However, with the development of the computer and programs like Photoshop, a very different expressive frontier has been created for art today. Even through the 80s, people did not have as many options in altering their works as they do now. Today, even an amateur photographer can retouch or edit his or her photo.
With the computer, virtually everyone has access to different modes in which they can explore their creativity.
The technological innovations of today have created a virtually endless variety of ways people can express themselves. If I wanted to, right now, I could take several photos while standing in one spot and moving an object around within the frame (stop-motion video). I could then put the pictures together using a program like Windows Movie Maker, add music, and instantly upload the video to Youtube. Within a few days (granted if people look up words the video is tagged under), there may be video comments from people all around the world!
And the possibilities go on! I could also find a photo that was taken of a landscape, change the hue and saturation of the sky in the photo (to create a "rainbow" effect), and edit in a cottage and a small family, and that could be my expression of creativity! The newer technologies even help musicians create music; with the use of certain programs, musicians can add in vocal effects and drum loops to create CD-quality songs, which can be uploaded to MYSPACE and downloaded to their fans' ipods.
With the newer technology of today, it has become much easier for the striving artist to express how or what he or she feels. Hopefully, future innovations will make that goal even easier to attain.
Class Syllabus