3rd April 2012 - Ideas for Group Assignment

After a somewhat un-inspired week, I have had some sudden inspiration for our group assignment with Beck, JC and myself. Taking inspiration from the Rider Spoke video where the artists set a series of tasks for the audience and require their participation in order to create the works. A twist on that concept might be that the veiwer would set a series of tasks for the artist to interpret and perform and document in order to create the work. It would be executed in the same nature as a 'Story Walking' exercise with the perameters being set by the audience, rather than by us. However, there would be some safeguards and perametres put in place by the group to ensure things dont become ridiculous or inactive with no participation being engaged in. The success of the assignment would be as much about the interactive nature as it  would the documentation of the process, which would further contribute to the project.  

I spoke to Beck about the idea who was open to exploring the concept as a possibility, but when I tried to raise the idea with JC, he would vitto every possibile senario I tried to raise before I had even finished explaining the idea in full. Very frustrating. I dont expect any idea from any on us to be eliminated before we brainstorm or troubleshoot the possibilites. This is an ignorant approach. Beck has experienced similar behaviour from JC in relation to her idea's, but to a lesser extent. An example of this was that Beck suggested the 'Exquisite Corpse Game' and he poh poh the idea. However a short time later after I asked Allen Wendt to join our group and the others agreed, Allen made the same suggestion and JC jumped on board immediately. I dont think JC has a lot of respect for women?
 Anyway we have decided to try and find an online version of this game or use the same principle to apply to a continuous story using 'facebook' as the interactive medium to collaborate with others who we invite to join. 

Exhibition

Prior to class today, I took a few minutes to pop in briefly to the SASA Gallery to see the Objectified exhibition. What an amazing display....the land of lollies, ladened with colourful, sugary sweetness. It was like stepping into some intricate, fascinating fantasy stepped with sticky sweetness. It reminded me of Willy Wonka land.

26th March 2012 - Rod Taylor

Rod Taylor - Hill Smith Gallery

"The interface between art and technology that Rod Taylor has recently been exploring has resulted in imagery that is challenging and provocative. They emphasise the importance of composition and the arrangement of figures and objects in the traditional sense, but at the same time they ask us to suspend preconceived aesthetic notions and to enjoy the limitless possibilities of digital technology in the production of contemporary art”. Sam Hill-Smith

Rod Taylor - Make It Work + Dub Version

 

19th March 2012 - Story Walking Exercise

Story Walking Exercise (Google Maps) - Behind Closed Doors

View Behind Closed Doors in a larger map

Coming up with an idea for my Google Map.....no problem. Creating my Google Map.....some hiccups, but all good. However embedding the completed map into my blog......arghaaa, completly frustrating and questioning if I have enrolled in the wrong class. Finally....Yipee...after several attempts, much frustration and a brief demo by CJ I have finally managed to embed my google map into my blog.

11th - 17 th March 2012 - Locative Media :A1

Over the last week I have spent many hours contemplating and working on my approach to both the 'Story Walking' exercise and my 'Locative Media' assignment.  I have been on a few walks and implemented different approaches  to generate ideas and have come up with a few options, a couple of them I have discussed with CJ and of which he was happy for me to proceed. One particular idea was exploring the premise of what goes on 'Behind Closed Doors'.

I began to explore this premise during 'Specialisation B' in SP5 2011 and do not feel as though I have finished outworking or exploring ideas for my work in this area. Thus, I have continued to seek out various approaches, such as including the haunting faces of women who have been affected by DV in the current video creations. It is my intention to continue to explore how I can raise the topic in different ways.

The initial video I created included the faces of victims combined with text that reports the tragic statistics of DV and very real personal stories into the appropriate places within the footage. During the process I was inspired to try another approach that has been perculating for a while. I have spent quite a few hours splicing together various photographs of the women of DV and photographs of the flowers that are often given after abuse has taken place. Different angle but very touching.

I have reworked the premise a few times, each time taking a different approach to the same subject matter to assess which will have the most impact. If time permits, I have couple more idea with how to vary further. Additionally I have been trying to find the right music that will not only complement the videos but give maximum impact. Although trying to find music at an affordable price or that is royalty free, but at no charge has been a frustrating exercise. Additionally I have spoken to Beck Graeber who attempted uploading her completed video to Youtube and came across a concerning message which clearly stated that you cannot upload anything that you do not have the rights to use. Apparently she had attempted to share the video with herself on facebook, but after  waiting all night to receive a response back from the administrators, she was told that her upload had been declined due to the music she had inserted into the video.

This whole process is very new to me as I have not worked with video or Youtube before and am not familiar with all of the legislation issues. Some people say that anything you can find on the internet or that is in the public arena  is for public usek but to be honest I am not sure to what extent this is so and where to look for this to be clarified. Anyway as far as the music goes I will need to keep looking, as I dont want any problems with coyright issues.

I was also very impressed by the Rider Spoke video that we viewed in class and have wondered how I might use this type of approach for my project. Hmmmm.....we will see.

10th March 2012 - "Can You See Me Now" by Blast Theory

Can you see me now  

Another interesting creation by the Blast Theory that uses new media technologies to explore both private and public spaces. It is based on the premise of an online computor game with online users. After the player enters their name they are asked to answer the question "What is the name of someone you have not seen in a long time who you still think of?".....the player is then dropped into a random location in a virtual city. The player is then required to move their arrow keys to move their avatars in order to avoid being caught by the runners who are represented in the virtual world in red.  The runners are actual real life performers on the streets in the city who are equiped with GPS receivers to fix their locations on the streets and hand-held computors which are connected to the game via GPRS wireless network. The game is set in real time.  The virtual city is an exact copy of the real city, but the online players exploit the subtle differences between the two. For example, busy roads or steep hills require no effort at all online, but are major obstles for the runners on the street. However there can be issues with the GPS devices which runners may inturn use to their advantage.

9th March 2012 - Exhibitions & Performances

Afternoon (Exhibitions)

'Restless' - Samstag Museum
After recently viewing the works of  Teresa Margolles at the AEAF, which is part of the 'Restless' exhibition, it seemed only fitting that the Samstag Art Museum was next on the list.  Margolles work 127 cuerpos / 127 bodies was a fascinating and very moving piece of which I was hoping to find the other artists as interesting. I definitely was not disappointed.

Francis Alys - Gringo, 2003 in collaboration with Rafael Ortega
Video documentation of an action, sound 5mins

To produce this work, Alys intentionally sought a location where there were a suitable amount and variety of dogs on the street to enable him to recreate an incident  where he had been attacked by a group of dogs and he used his camera as a tool to ward them off. Watching the short five minute film left me feeling anxious and clearly uncomfortable as would anyone who has experienced anything of this nature. Although, one does have to wonder if he provoked the dogs on this particular occassion, he certainly fulfilled the intention of making the viewer 'restless'.

Lisa Reihana - PELT: Aquila, Camarillo, Sabino, Pilosus, 2010
Series of four digital prints on Hahnemuller 305gsm paper 160 x160cm each

Reihana is of a Maori background and all of her works have a significant reference to her cultural roots and history. The feathers used in her works Camarillo and Sabino boast a white feathered bustle which refer to a ceremonial past and the works Pilosus and Aquila wear a garment made from monkey fur. The titles of the works refer to horse, monkey and eagle, whilst the actual series title PELT make reference to the skin of an animal, which in this series is worn as a kind of adornment or second skin and in stark contrast to the flawless alabaster naked flesh of the models. These images are disturbingly beautiful, voyueristic,  mysterious and undoubtedly capture your attention.

Low Light and Trick Mirrors - This exhibition has been inspired by the use of the premise of the 'ready-made' and the idea of consumerism encouraged by mass media such as comic strips, magazines, the daily newspaper and billboards, along with the accumulation of mass produced objects. The interest is in what appears to be corrupted, derelict, discarded and superficial.

Mechamillenium - This was an interesting exhibition where the works embrace the Mechanaquest traditions of combining the raw elements -fire, water, earth and air in the images, along with components of machinery and technology giving an impression of a post-industrial aesthetic. The works are built upon the concepts of ancient poetry, precision, clockworks, modern time-pieces and the impact of independence. Each single frame is a conjoined piece of the bigger puzzle and as a whole represent the picture in its entirety before our lives divide, disintegrate and shatter. This exhibition brings all the pieces back together in order to reveal the entirety of our union and bridging the gateways of communication towards our ultimate rebirth, regardless of our chaotic modern lives. The results are dynamic, vibrant and executed with brilliant colour that is balanced with an undeniable earthiness. Brilliant.

PERFORMANCES

Harpurs Bizarre - Even though I have already seen a couple of shows, the first show that Beck and I attended together was a show called Harpur's Bizarre and it was just as it professed... bizarre. The write-up boasts of the 29 year old comedian - Sarah Harpur's award winning, one woman show that has been performed around the world as being a 'delightfully macabre comedy'. It also came with a WARNING: "Audience members are expected to willingly suspend their disbelief." And suspend our disbelief we did...for the most part Beck and I both looked like a 'dear caught in the headlights of on coming traffic' and I seriously felt as though I had entered the 'twilight zone'...it was very strange indeed. Harpur came across as somewhat scatty, bursting with nervous energy. The performance felt awkward and for the most part all I could manager was a forced smile. What was even more puzzling was that there was a handful of audience members who laughed openly at regular intervals, while we sat there in stunned silence....making it even more surreal. Beck seemed to think that maybe Harpur had not performed in front of a live audience before, but apparently this was not the case.

The only real point of interest for me, was the use of a pre-recorded video installation which accompanied Harpur's performance and with which she interacted throughout the show.

Juliet Meyers is a dynamo in her one woman self-titled show. This performance was in complete contrast to the previous performance and she comes across as a truely well-seasoned performer with her conversational style of humour. Her approach was easy, relaxed and an absolute pleasure to watch. In fact at one point I could not stop laughing and Meyers was not ruffled at all, she just included our interaction within her show. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Anna Lumb was another fascinating performer starring in her one woman show called I heart Jack. The cabaret show was interesting combination of jazz, dance, circus style tricks, roller-skating, hula hoop spinning and video performance all accompanied by a live electric double bass. It was a clever and artistic performance and Lumb was nothing less than entertaing. As a performer she was exceptionally expressive and gives 'great face' although because of the nature of the perfermance some less seasoned theatre goers may be left a little confused at the conclusion of the show.

8th March 2012- Rider Spoke by Blast Theory

Rider Spoke by Blast Therory

  

After watching this video in class I have been rather fascinated by the concept and have considered  several different ideas I myself would like to work with that could use a similar premise of public engagement, immersive techniques and the exploration of private and public space.

About Blast Theory

I have been researching quite a bit about this particular initiative and have found them and their work very interesting. I have included a link about them (biography) and have included the above clip to Rider Spoke.

6th March 2012 - 'Restless' - Teresa Margolles

EXHIBITIONS

Restless - Adelaide International 2012, Curator Victoria Lynn

The latest Adelaide International is titled Restless, which is an exhibition of 18 artists from all around the world and features five new works to premiere in Adelaide. It is presented in collaboration with four public galleries being The Ann & Gordon Samstaug Museum of Art, The Australian Experimental Art Foundation, The Contemporary Art Centre of South Australia and Flinders University City Gallery.

This exhibition explores the restlessness of our times. The works within this exhibition convey an ongoing transition from one condition to another, they raise many issues and ask a question, but do not necessarily answer it. The artists seek to explore physical force fields, threshold experiences and raise awareness around complex cultural sites. There is the sensation of being propelled in-between the spaces that exist amongst the boundaries of "heavens" and "hells" in our contemporary era.

ARTISTS

Francis Alÿs (BEL/MEX)

N.S. Harsha (IND)

Chosil Kil (STH KOR/UK)

Annika Larsson (SWE)/

Augustin Maurs (FRA)

Teresa Margolles (MEX)

Rabih Mroué (LEB)

Saskia Olde Wolbers (NED/UK)

Postcommodity (USA)

Lisa Reihana (NZ)

Anri Sala (ALB/GER)

Socratis Socratous (CYP)

Nancy Spero (USA)

Danae Stratou (GRE)

Jinoos Taghizadeh (IRAN)

The Australian Experimental Art Foundation - Teresa Margolles 127 cuerpos / 127 bodies 2006

Upon entering the gallery one may even have initially questioned if there was infact an exhibition present, but as you look further there is a what appears to be an inconspicuous fine thread stretched from one end of the exhibition space to the other. Margolles’ works often appear to be minimalist in their form and as a result seem innocuous, harmless and innocent, but are actually highly charged and emotional, fraught with disturbing symbolism that evokes a powerful response. The work has been created by merging 127 pieces of cloth that have been soaked and stained by refuse such as dirt, blood and other bodily fluids that remain from those who have suffered violent deaths associated with the Mexican drug war. Ironically the gallery space itself seems to embody the clinical atmosphere of a morgue, while the manner in which the fabric has been strung from one end of the gallery to the other seems to operate as a barrier for the taboo subject of violent death. Sadly the space serves to reinforce the anonymity of the victims who are often disposed of without ceremony, although Margolles works seem to act as an archival system for the victims and tender an historical memorial. It was only after speaking with the gallery attendant and reading the artist statement that I discovered how dramatic and deeply emotional the truth of this poignant body of work and the importance of such devastating realism in the choice of material. A moving exhibition that is definitely worth attending.

5th March 2012 - Festival Of Arts - Exhibition Reviews

Exhibition Reviews

What better time to be out and about than during the Adelaide Festival of Art with Beck Graeber. Here are some of my thoughts of what is being exhibited.

Parallel Collisions – The Art Gallery of South Australia12th Adelaide Biennialof Australian Art

This exhibition investigates emerging ideas, how they converge and alter, then transform into something else over time. The various premises are explored through a variety of mediums and materials, along with the use of processes or research from past imagery, art history, literature and cinema in order to re-imagine the past and transform it into and parallel with the present or possibly even the future. In essence this exhibition considers the temporary nature of the present as it collides with the past.

Although the exhibition and the premise thereof were both of interest, it was new media artists such as Daniel Crooks and Shaun Gladwell that held particular interest in relation to this course.

AES+F: Allegoria Sacra - The Art Gallery of South Australia introduces the Australian premiere of Allegoria Sacra which has been created by the internationally renowned artist collective AES+F. This impressive video work is essentially a digital painting which aims to seduce and mesmerize the viewer with its visual and aural magnificence. Allegoria Sacra has been motivated and named after a painting created by the Renaissance painter Giovanni Bellini, which is thought to signify purgatory a waiting place for all souls to remain until the Last Judgment. The modern interpretation portrayed by the AES+F as a place of waiting for those suspended in time and place is an international airport which represents the contemporary metaphor for purgatory.

The execution of this video installation is clever and fascinating to watch as we view a group of strangers who although connected by a desire to move from one world to another are oddly detached, self-absorbed and lack a passion for life. The haunting music only proves to intensify the prolonged sense of waiting as they all listen simultaneously for flight announcements and gaze at departure boards with anticipation of information about delays and departures. Stereotypes are explored in order to question contemporary values of civilization, as signs of capitalism and aspirations of a consumer society are rife. The parable becomes progressively more intricate and challenging to resolve as it enters a dream sequence with the rational becoming increasingly illusive.

Pat Brassington, A Heartbeat Away 2011-12 - This particular work held a somewhat gorish fascination for me, although I was strangly drawn to the work it undoutedly had a very disturbing voyeuristic and somewhat paedophilic vibe, which was elluded to by the content and the way it was portrayed.

Marco Fusinato's, Imperical Distortion 2012 - I found this particular exhibition oddly fascinating, yet loud and irritating at the same time. Although this type of work is not really my cup-o-tea, I do appreciate the concept. The room was filled with  a large fluorescent lighting installation that had the addtion of an audio concept which was triggered by audience participation when the viewer clapped their hands. The sudden bombardment of sound was very overwhelming and shocked, even though you were expecting it to happen.

Tim Silver, 'Untitled' (Object; Cedar, Timbermate, Woodfiller.) 2011-12 - This was a fascinate work which portrayed the premise of decay. The work consisted of a life-sized human form constructed from clay positioned in the middle of the space and was then surrounded by large photographic prints that depicted the various stages of decay. Confronting and effective piece.

*Overall the 'Parallel Collision' Exhibition was very interesting. As much as there were peceices I found fascinating, there were other that held no appeal at all and some of which I was unsure. However the fact that all of them had us engaging in comversation would indicate some level of artistic success.

Deadly: in-between heaven and hell (28 February - 8 April 2012)

Tandanya NACI and Adelaide Festival

This latest collection of newly commissioned works being exhibited at Tandanya are part of a major exhibition by leading Australian Aboriginal artists, comprised of six independent artists and two collectives. This ambitious exhibition hovers between a 'dystopian nightmare and utopian dream' and will display innovative and conceptually rigorous works created from a variety of practices which span from found objects, fibre, painting, glass through to installation and moving image. The concept of 'Heaven on Earth'. For many Indigenous people, is the divine world which has been shaped by their ancestral creators. There is a great emphasis placed on the experience of self and community being in harmony with their connection to country and culture. However this position is at odds with the legacies of incursion and assimilation, abuse and the often painful realities of personal and collective displacement, which could only be considered a 'living hell'. The premise of the in-between is undoubtedly unsettling and often uneasy, but still ring with an unbending resilience and the promise of hope by investigating and suggesting new ways to belong in order to effect critical change.

I was particularly interested in the work by artist Julie Gough, Observance 2011-12, video and sculptural installation. The work was a video installation that was shot in Tebrikunna in the northern part of Tasmania, which is in the homeland of the artist. The work is an interesting combination of video footage, including audio and text, along with a sculptural element, which appeared to be native plants adding an extra dimension to the video installation, giving it more depth and as a result made the audience feel more inclusive as though they were part of the experience. The text within the work shifted between English and an Indigenous language, giving the impression that the focus of the premise referred to the invasion of the white man and the impact 'Colonisation' had on the environment.
 
Adelaide as a Foriegn Country (Crown Plaza -Fringe Festival Art Exhibition)

Benoit Auberger is a French Photographer that has developed his own special love affair with South Australia after a year long trip in 2011. Auberger’s photographic works draw inspiration from the emotion in the moment. He enjoys capturing stillness and movement simultaneously, the moments that have potential to be great images. It is his aim is to share his own interpretation of his environment and bring it to life within the images he creates, in order to reveal and contemplate on the beauty and complexities of life and the human experience within our environment.

Sadly the venue had not display the works to be seen in their best light. They were poorly lit and seemed to blend into the background. The images themselves were a pleasant snapshot in the moment of time, a memory, a glimpse of their possible potential.

Sadly we had wanted to attend Rod Taylors exhibition 'New Works', but unfortunately the Hill Smith Gallery where the works are being displayed is not open on a Monday. (Note To self.) However we will endevour to return in the next few days as the works are in line with wha we are investigating in this current class.

4th March 2012 - Performing Arts Review

Performing Arts Review

Knock-Off is a contemporary circus show, which comprises of physical theatre using comedy, circus and music. The show was fun, energetic and thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end and explored what it takes to make a piece of 'contemporary art'. Definitely a show that had something for everyone....family fun! 

Kaput - This show was thoroughly enjoyable and the energetic star Tom Flanagan from Tom Tom Crew and Circus Oz returns with his first solo show, which was entertaining from beginning to end. The show runs for an hour and Flanagan plays the part of a clumsy man who does his best to overcome the many obstacles he has created due to his own mishaps. Kaput was an energetic entanglement of mime, physical theatre, acrobatic comedy, slapstick and some audience participation with a good measure of chaos thrown in to create a debacle the whole family can enjoy. Kaput definitely delivered!

Porcelain Punch Travelling Medicine Show was the epitome of the ole travelling gypsy shows we have all seen in the movies. It mesmerised its audience with a somewhat gorish fascination, which made it hard to look away, even when you wanted to do so. The caberet show was based around an extraordinary elixir which boasts of being "the Curer of incurable conditions, bestower of beauty, extender of the under endowed" and the answer to immortality. The cast performs what they would have you believe are "amazing acts, fantastic feats" whilst exploring their exquisite oddities with old fashioned integrity and ambience to match. Throughout the show the cast rejoice and sing as they eagerly encourage the audience to partake in the phenomenon of Porcelain Punch Miracle Cure, which they actually sell on departure of the show, just as one would expect . I think it may have been the mesmerizing voice of the lead gypsy that had viewers entranced enough to buy the magical elixir, but they did and willingly. It tasted like some weirdly enhanced iced tea,but enhanced with what ;-0

2nd March 2012 - Transfer from Wordpress to Blogger

Over the last few days, I have spent a great deal of time trying to work out how to navigate my way around wordpress.com. being the social media tool we were encouraged to use for our on-line journals. However, after many frustrating mishaps and much ado about nothing....I found it extremely convoluted to use and have decided to cut and past my existing posts over to blogger, a site with which I am more familiar. 

Additionally I have spent many hours trolling the internet in search of anything that may be of interest, in particular information relating to new media. There is just so much information out there....it is hard to know where to start?? Well on and upwards and lets see where this journey takes us.

1st March 2012 - Exhibition Review and Research

Exhibition Review

Amous Gill - Unfamous  is a local boy to Adelaide and this is his first ever solo fringe show. Although there was a little to much swearing for my liking that I found unnecessary, Gill was extremely funny with his conversational style of comedy where he talked about having no qualifications, being out of his depth and chasing the things you always wanted to be. Definitely worth seeing!

Dave Callan is originally an Irish born comic who is now based in Australia. In the past he was one of the original cast members on channel 10's Rove Live, he has also been a guest and performed on Spicks and Specks and at The Comedy Festival Gala. Additionally, Callan has hosted Triple J's legendary Graveyard Shift on a Saturday night. His latest show is based on a book he read that was written 100 years ago called 'The Psychology of Laughter'. Funny show...funny man!

Byron Bertram as the Guilt Ridden Sociopath, was just that..... the Canadian Comic spent the bulk of the show 'Taking the piss' out of himself and fell just short of self-flaggelation. His jokes often missed the mark and there were many awkward silences, which could not even raise a smile and boardered on the uncomfortable.  Not for me!

Reseach

Tracey Moffatt, Night Cries: A Rural Tragedy (1989)

28th February 2012 - First Class...Aaaarghaa

This course will endevour to make an Exploration of New Media art technologies, discourse and practice using digital processes and intermedia structures in online environments. This course focuses on outcomes operating outside normative notions of contemporary art practice challenging accepted definitions of interactive and immersive experiences.

First class....where to begin? Anyone who knows me is well aware that I am somewhat technically challenged to say the least. How then is it that i constantly find myself in courses of learning that stretch me well beyond my comfort level. Well it seems here we go again....so hold on to your hats, its going to be a hell of a ride.