Message Board: Reflection

Reflect on your successes and shortcomings so far this semester. What have you done well? What can you do better next semester?

If you change anything about the class you are enrolled, what would you change? Why?

Message Board Topic: Commercial vs Fine

What is the difference between Commercial Art and Fine Art? Why is there a distinction? Is one better than the other? Is one more difficult than the other? Why or why not?

Message Board Topic: Voki

Virtual learning is becoming mainstay in today's education. Voki offers a free way to create a virtual avatar that speaks and animates with your voice. Create a Voki by going to: http://www.voki.com/

Post your Voki in your response to this week's Message Board.

Here is my test Voki:

http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=4880991&height=267&width=200

Message Board Topic: Bubbl Us

You are going to create a Bubbl Us, MindMap. To do this, go to https://bubbl.us/ . Then start the center of your Mind Map with the word Digital Art. From that word, create at least SIX sub headings. Each of these sub headings should have at least THREE topics. That means you should have at least EIGHTEEN ideas in total.

Export this Mind Map as a JPEG. Post this JPEG to your BLOG. Then respond to this MESSAGE FORUM with a link to your BLOG POST.

Explain how this process helps you brainstorm.

Message Board Topic: E-Learning

Some high schools have gone to an "e-learning" format, meaning they offer classes online as opposed to face-to-face (traditional school). Sometimes these schools use "synchronous" methods like a live, real-time chat room. Sometimes these schools use "ascychronous" methods like Discussion Boards, Posts to a Forum, and/or turning in assignments.

What benefits do you see of this kind of system? What challenges?

K12 http://www.k12.com/ uses an online method of schooling. Do you think you would enjoy attending a virtual school? Why or why not?

Message Board Topic: Science, Art + Technology

I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.


— Albert Einstein

The Art Institute of Chicago offers a class which blends art, science and technology, appropriately titled Science, Art + Technology (http://www.artic.edu/aic/education/sciarttech/ ). Here is an excerpt from the AIC's program site: "The program's overarching goal was to show science teachers that an art museum may be used as a visual library to augment and to enrich established high-school science curricula in chemistry, earth science, or physics. With primary emphasis on the theme of light and color, the sessions, conceptually integrated with Illinois State Goals and Chicago Academic Standards, revealed how the scientific method is applied to the making, conserving, and exhibiting of art. This Web site is designed for all teachers, who are invited to make use of its contents as points of departure for their own explorations with their students of science, art, or technology."

You can also view snippets of the video lecture here: http://www.artic.edu/aic/education/sciarttech/2a.html

After looking through some of the materials for this course, do you think a course like this would give you a better understanding of art, science and technology as seperate fields? How does studying art in a Science class help you learn science better? How does studying science in an Art class help you understand art better? When you mix different subjects do you learn better? Why or why not? Does it make it more confusing? Or does it give a better perspective?

Message Board Topic: Designer Toys

Over the past five years, Designer Toys have become a household name in the art world. These toys are produced in limited editions and are collectible. They often borrow from pop art styles and have strong influences from Japanese culture. A popular site, http://www.myplasticheart.com/ , showcases these toys.

Do you think these toys are art? Are they sort of fine art you would see in a museum? Do you think we will see these toys in museums years, and years from now?

The most popular of these toys is Munny. http://sites.kidrobot.com/munnyworld/ You can actually purchase a blank Munny and create your own design. Many artists have gained recognition from winning Munny contests.


Can you appreciate this as an art form? Would you enter the Munny contest? Why or why not?

Message Board Topic: Art Education

Is ART important? Do you think schools should offer art classes to students? What if a school cut art from its curriculum, how would this impact students?

"The future of art education is indeed in jeopardy due to the large budget cuts across the country. Along with a greater emphasis on core curriculum, high stakes testing is threatening the art programs in all too many school districts. Also, as was pointed out earlier in the site, in many cases parents are ignorant of the proposed budget cuts until it is too late. Part of the answer then is to raise awareness across the country on the value of an arts education. It is hoped that this site does indeed contribute to raising that awareness and promote further research by those who visit it. There are currently many foundations that are working hard to raise money in support of the arts in schools. The National Endowment for the Arts is just one of many that are working for this great cause. (For more information go to www.nea.gov)"

From University of Michigan (http://sitemaker.umich.edu/356.burba/the_future_of_art_education )

What do you think about cutting art? What can we do to stop it?

Message Board Topic: The Future is Here!

http://www.eyeliner3d.com/cisco_telepresence_holographic_video_conferencing.html

CISCO has developed holographic projection telepresenece communication. With a holographic display projector, a hologram can be projected of any person (provided they have the holographic display recorder). CISCO believes this will revolutionize the way we communicate, the way we have meetings, and the way we teach (imagine a holographic school!).
 
hologram from Star Wars Episode V: A New Hope 1977          CISCO's Hologram 2011

The technology is costly as of right now, but according to CISCO the cameras and projectors displaying the holograms will become the new standard. Will people want to use this technology? Why or why not?

What is so impressive about the cameras and projectors used?

How can this be used to change the way we think about digital imaging, photography, digital art etc.?

Message Board Topic: The Stereoscopic 3D Movie

The above 4 minute video explains how James Cameron's Stereoscopic 3D camera has changed the way 3D movies are made. After watching this video, do you think this technology is revolutionary or simply a gimick? Does this sort of movie really add to our experience as a movie-goer, or is it a gag to get us to pay more to go to movies?

link here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-241532803911842846#

Message Board Topic: What is Visual Communication?

Visual communication is the idea that we can express ideas and thoughts using imagery. Shapes and lines serve as the words. Compositions and complete artworks serve as a the sentences and paragraphs.

Often times people say pictures are worth a thousand words. Why? Why do pictures and images convey ideas better than words? Or at least how are they different?

Message Board Topic: Wacom Inkling

Wacom has recently come out with a new digital art device: the Inkling (linked here: http://www.wacom.com/en/Products/Inkling.aspx?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Search&utm_campaign=Inkling&gclid=CI209vTfiKsCFc_AKgodGQnLTQ ).

This device records whatever you draw on a piece of paper using Wacom's pen and the reciever.
As a new type of art tool, this is very exciting for the digital art community - graphic designers, web designers, digital illustrators and digital photographers. Do you think this is an exciting breakthrough in technology? Why or Why not?

If the school was able to purchase some of these models, would you find this valuable? How would you use this tool in your respective courses (DPI 1, DPI 2 or DID)? Why would you use this tool?

Message Board Topic: Hardware vs Software?

As digital artists, we rely heavily on our technology. What do you think is more important, our hardware or software? Hardware would include the computer itself (graphics card, sound card, monitor, display etc.) as well peripheral devices (mouse, tablet, camera, scanner). Software includes Adobe Photoshop (and other Creative Suite Programs) but also programs like Microsoft Office.

What do you think matters most? Why?
Make sure to explain your answer and use a minimum of 3 sentences!

Art News Sample

This week in Philip Scott Johnson is showcasing a new collection: "500 Years of Female Portraits in Western Art". You can find the link here: http://www.maysstuff.com/womenid.htm. The collection shows different portraits done by different artists through the past 500 years. He reflects on how we represent women in the media.

You can find more information at: http://www.artknowledgenews.com/

Welcome to the Image Forum!

Welcome to DPI 2 + DID! The new year of blogging has begun! Each week check back to see updates and message board topics posted on the Image Forum. You will also see the exciting new projects, new ideas and new products that the DID + DPI 2 class is making.

These classes include: Digital Photography + Imaging 2 and Digital Illustration + Design.

Message Board Topic: Reflection

Reflection

This is your last message board topic. I would like to thank you for your participation and making the Image Forum a great place of ideas and artwork.

Would you take a few moments and reflect on this experience. Was it valuable? Did you enjoy the Blog over other forms of warm-up activities or classwork? What could be improved? What was successful?

Message Board: Changes

Reflect on artistic experiences you have had throughout your life. Think about movies, photographs, paintings, sculptures, poems, literature, music, or other media. Now think about those that have changed you – those that have had such a lasting impression on you that you cannot forget it/them. Now think about how and why this happened…

What about this media was so impactful?

What was the subject matter of the media?

What was the concept of the media? What did it mean?

 

Why did this change you? How are you different now?

Message Board Topic: Narrative

Many analysts, sociologists and news writers argue that the modern day audience seeks a narrative. This means that news, information, education, politics and other areas of contemporary life require a story – the audience needs to be entertained in order to understand and learn. The audience needs characters that fulfill stereotypes like the underdog, the patriot, the good guy, the bad guy etc. The audience needs a plot – like a political race, where two people struggle to rise to the top. And the audience will only pay attention for as long as they are entertained. Some say that modern life, modern education and modern information systems have become a soap opera.

What does this mean for information or education? What does this mean for art? What does this mean for society?



How has the movie industry affected contemporary life? Are we moving into a soap opera orientated world?

Message Board: Futurist Writing

Tarr, by Wyndham Lewis, is the typical example used of Futurist/Vorticist writing. Here is an excerpt from Tarr:

...Anastasya's laughter had upset and ended everything in his ''imaginary life.'' He told himself now that he 'hated' her.==''Ich hasse dich! Ich hasse dich!==he hissed to himself, enjoying the wind of the 'hasse' in his moustaches.==But (there was no doubt about it) the laugh had crushed him.==Ridiculous and hateful had been his goal. But now that he had succeeded, he thought, chiefly in the latter affair, he was overwhelmed. His vanity was wounded terribly. In 'laughing' at him she had puffed out and transformed in an extraordinary way, also his infatuation=

The entire book can be found online here: http://books.google.com/books?id=hj2sAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=tarr+Wyndham+Lewis&cd=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false. Look over the test and notice the stark differences between the way Tarr was written compared to literature we are used to or more comfortable reading. Remember, this was written for English-speaking audiences, even if it does not look as though it was.

Create two sentences concerning your project but in this Futurist/Vorticist style.

Message Board Topic: Vorticism

The Futurists and Vorticists glorified technology. They viewed technology as progress and as the positive future of the human race. Technology was seen as a way of making humanity better, more prosperous and more productive.

Are we futurists today? Does our society hold the same beliefs? Why or why not?

If so, is this a good thing? Do you agree with it?

If not, why? Justify your response!

Message Board Topic: Literacy

Literacy no longer means the ability to simply read and write. This is not a new phenomenon, for literacy has evolved throughout the entirety of human history. Prior to the invention of the printing press, literacy meant oral tradition – the ability to memorize narratives (such as the Illiad and the Odyssey). When the printing press was invented literacy meant the ability to read and write books, newspapers and pamphlets. Today literacy refers to new media, and incorporates visual, audio, and interactive qualities unseen in any other format. Literacy has changed but has also expanded.

How has the internet made "literacy" more available? How has the term "literacy" changed? What does it mean to be literate? Is this moving in the right direction?

Message Board: Appearances

Do appearances matter? As artists we are sensitive to the "look" of things. We are observers and we express the way we "see" things. Do you think artists are more judgmental or less judgmental when it comes to appearances? Why or why not?

Message Board Topic: Stolen Spirits

Some indigenous peoples believe that if you take their photograph you will “steal their spirit.” Their name and their image are so interconnected to their identity, that they are actually one in the same. This means if you say or know their name you have a certain amount power over them. And if you take their image you have even more power over them.

How much do you think your image is tied to who you are or how you define your identity?

Why do you think these people feel this way about their image?

Are there similarities to how we feel about our own personal image?

Message Board Topic: Conceptulization

Conceptualization – a tool for artists

In order to create something you must first imagine it’s existence - you must see it form in your mind's-eye. This can be difficult to do, and requires some practice. The more you "pretend" the better you will be at picturing things in your head. Michael Jordan once said the reason he was so accurate at shooting free-throws is that he imagined the ball going through the basket and then it would…

Hermann Rorschach was a early 20th century psychologist and he developed an Inkblot Test which evaluated people's sanity based on their ability to conceptualize. The way it works is: the psychologist asks the patient what he or she sees and based on a predetermined list of answers the psychologist can analyze the patient.

Look at the below inklbot - what do you see?

Do you think tests like this help people conceptualize? Do you think they could be used to test sanity? Do you think they are useful for artists? Why or why not?

Message Board Topic: Where is My Mind?

How does the mind relate to the brain? Some theorists think that the mind is the software or program application whereas the brain is the hardware or computer. Other theorists do not agree with this model/metaphor for the brain and mind.

This dilemma is called the mind/body problem and has been tackled by philosophers and psychologists alike. What do you think? Where is the mind? What is the mind? Does it exist in the brain or outside the brain?

Once you have determined where the mind is, think about where creativity exists. How do you define creativity? What makes someone or something creative?

Message Board Topic: Environmental Art

Explain how Environmental Art can be used as a form of protest. How can art inform and portray a message, especially concerning the environment? Think about the examples of environmental art - in, unto themselves they are not provocative. But they still make people think - how, why? When you respond to this, think about two key things: 1) how does art inform? and 2) how does art send a message? Then narrow it down specifically to environmental art/photography.

Message Board Topic: Artistic Theory

Other disciplines like science, psychology, anthropology and sociology use a theory system. This means there is an initial premise or idea which guides the work. The standard system works something like this: 1) observations of the world inspire an idea, 2) a theory is constructed (this is a hypothesis or statement), 3) the theory is tested through practice or study and 4) the theory is solidified by combining the initial observations, hypotheses and studies in a single, succinct statement.

 

Artists use a similar mode, such as the futurist or surrealist manifestos. Describe in your own words a theory exhibited by: 1) current artist(s), 2) past artist(s) or 3) yourself (make sure to include the type or movement you follow).

Message Board Topic: Art & Science

Photography has a confusing and complicated history. Photography’s origins lie within both science and art – perfected and developed by artists and scientists alike. With this said, what is photography? A science or an art? Make an argument for both a science and an art. Then decide if photography is predominantly more art or science.

Message Board: Complementarity

When creating a portfolio there are several key things to consider: 1) theme, 2) breadth and 3) organization. In other words, examine the relationship between unity and variety. These two words often seem to contradict one another. There is a term called complementarity which is rather complex but relates to the idea of contradictions. It states that everything has a little bit of its opposite within it. The classic example of this is the colors of green and red. These colors are opposite. But everything that is green has a little bit of red. And everything that is red has a little bit of green. The reason we can’t see the opposite color is because one of them dominates – one of them is so intense that it drowns out the other.

What are some ways in which you can show both unity and variety?

How do you cope with this contradiction? Think about the green and red example – how can this serve as a metaphor for unity and variety?

Can you think of examples from other genres or disciplines, like complementarity?

Message Board Topic: Urban Beauty

Berenice Abbott, Eugene Atget, and Henri Cartier-Bresson are known for presenting the urban, modernist environment with the same care and admiration as others have treated the landscape, the portrait and the natural world. Many have called this finding "beauty in the ugly" or in other words, representing something that we traditionally see as unattractive in ways that are attractive. How does the artist do this? What ways can you find beauty in the ugly? What makes something attractive? What makes something beautiful?